Room - Emma Donoghue !

Confession: I judge a book by it's cover.


I mean, it's not like I'm opposed to reading tattered paperbacks, or books with super boring, predictable covers, it's just when I see a pretty book, I pick it up. I noticed this about myself years ago, when I find myself constantly selecting the same books off the shelf during every library visit.  Emma Donoghue's Room definitely has a "pretty" cover, and I admit this "pretty"cover is the whole reason I picked up the book in the first place. After devouring this novel in a single day, (shh.. I was on vacation) I was actually a little bit thankful for my sometimes shallow view on book covers. Donoghue's novel definitely lived up to it's cover.


Room is told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, who was born into a 12x12 shed, which is the entire world as he knows it. The reader sees the world as innocently as Jack does, and feels the emotions of the naive boy as he ventures into a world he has never known. Jack as the narrator is extremely powerful, and even moving. The development of Jack, and the changes in his understanding are what makes the novel so compelling.


I'll admit, the book was somewhat difficult for me to get into. I had a hard time acknowledging that Jack, an intelligent child, referred to a wardrobe as Wardrobe, as though it were a living entity, but that's just me being picky. Once I moved past the fact that Jack was addressing nouns as pronouns, I could appreciate how such a thing contributed to the authentic feeling of the novel. I was literally pulled into Jack's world, Room, and was entirely pleased with how the novel progressed.


I'm not going to provide any more details about Room; you'll have to get a copy of the book and find out what happens! If you've read this novel, feel free to leave a comment below. What did you think of it?


-Jordan

Fairwell!

Well everyone, this will be my last blog post, as my time with the Powassan Library is up. Through these last 6 months, I have met many wonderful people, made friends, shared laughs, and learned. Who else could say that they could paint on windows, make slime, and blow up pop at work?

The Powassan and District Library has helped me grow. I've learned a lot working here, much of which will help me in my future ventures. Not many people can say that they've worked on websites, blogged, and learned a bunch of new technologies while at work. I've gotten to attend meetings (and eaten lots of homemade goodies while at them), assemble computers, make posters, and teach cybercamps.

After working in security for the past two years, the library was definitely a huge change of scenery. But I didn't know that working here would make me so happy. Who knew that this little library; with its (cramped) rows of books (some of which are older than me) could have so much character?! I was not prepared for this little library to steal a piece of my heart. But it has. And it's hard to believe that this will be the last day that I will come in and crack jokes with Alfie, chat with Helen, or laugh with Kristy and Debbie. The library can't get rid of me, even if it wanted to (Seriously.. Doctors are still working on a cure). With that being said; this isn't goodbye, it's see ya later! (Literally, because I live a  block away.. and I have books checked out, so I have to bring them back).

Kids, Knowing, and Creativity

Following Jordan's blog post on Three Beautiful Things, I've starting following the TBT blog daily and have also decided to do a library edition.

1. Kids
- When I started school again in January, I took over the Cybercamp on Saturday's. Now for those of you who aren't familiar with Cybercamp: it's 1 hour of learning and fun for kids (and me!). For the most part, I have the regular kid, who I've gotten to know, and look forward to hanging out with on Saturday's. Every week his dad brings him in, and tells me how much fun the boy is having and how great of a job I'm doing. I won't lie, this makes me feel great. It makes everything worthwhile.

2. Knowing
- Part of my job is helping people on the computer. We have a fair amount of patrons that aren't as tech saavy as the majority of our staff here, and it always feels good when I have helped someone after they've stared at the computer screen for a good 10 minutes trying to figure out a solution to their issue. It makes it even better when I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing either, and we solve the issue together! Yeah teamwork! But it's always a beautiful thing to know the answers to things. Who doesn't love feeling smart? (the glasses help the smart look too hehe)

3. My favourite part of the job that has grown since starting, is allowing my creativity to blossom. I get to be creative when it comes to writing this blog, making my cybercamp, doing posters, and especially painting the windows. I have come to love making excuses to paint on the windows.

There you have it, Lisa's 3 Beautiful Things. What are your favourite beautiful library things?

Three Beautiful (Library) Things

Recently, I discovered http://www.threebeautifulthings.blogspot.com/ and was inpired to create a Three Beautiful Things, Library edition.

1.  Meeting new people in the community.

Powassan is a small town, and although you would think that everybody knows everybody, this isn't always the case. The library is a great place to meet new people, and in my beginner computer classes, the same group of people spends five weeks together working together to develop new skills. Recently, I had my last class with a wonderful group of ladies. As they left, they thanked me and expressed how much they love coming here and getting out of the house. This made me smile. This was a beautiful part of my day.

2. Seeing familiar faces.

As all libraries do, the Powassan library has it's fair share of regulars -- people who are in as the library opens to use the computers, restock with new books to read or read the paper. It's not just meeting new people that makes our library enjoyable, it's seeing the same people everyday. They're the ones that help create the sense of community that is so present in our library, and they're the ones we can count on to brighten our day.

3. Presents. (Okay, packages)

Everyday is Christmas at the library. Kind of. Once in a while, we get these lovely boxes and padded envelopes delivered to us, and inside are unopened books - sometimes just one, sometimes ten or more. I love processing these books and seeing what's new. I imagine what kinds of people will read each title, and how it might help or comfort someone. I also enjoy that new book smell!

Sometimes, there's a lot of negativity around. Today, you've likely noticed that an earthquake and a tsunami brutally hit Japan, and other tsunamis are expected to occur. You'll notice that the headlines constantly spotlight people who are unfortunately struggling. I think it's great to focus on the Three Beautiful (Library) Things around you and be grateful for the little things.

March Break Events!

When I was in elementary school, I used to count down the days until March Break. For me, March Break represented a whole week where I could wake up and begin playing as early as possible, and try and stay up late as long as I could. March Break meant building awesome snow forts because I could stay outside longer, and sipping hot chocolate when I came inside to warm up! I have really fond memories of March Break, as I'm sure most people do.

We're offering a couple programs at the library over the March Break because we want all of the children in the area to have the most memorable March Break possible!

For the elementary school audience (ages 6-12), we're offering a Pirate March Break Camp. Cool, right? Kids will do a whole bunch of pirate crafts that will almost make them real life pirates. They will play pirate games and find out more about pirates on the computer. They'll even get to go on a real treasure hunt (within the walls of the library). Even better, this March Break camp is totally free. It takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of the March Break from 11:00-12:00 pm. If you, or someone you know, wants to sign up, just give us a call at the library as we want to have an idea of how many aspiring pirates will be here!

Of course we want to cater to our teen audience as well, who are also on March Break. Tuesday evening will be devoted to teens, as Jadie McDonnell will be at the library to share her experiences of living in Japan and travelling throughout Asia! If you're a teen who wants to travel, or just learn more about other countries and cultures, this event is for you. Again, this event is free. Also, refreshments will be provided... yum! Drop by at 6:30 on March 15th and check it out.

We hope everyone has an excellent, safe March Break and hope to see all the area kids around the library! :)

How To Be Single

So, I'm on my March Break/Reading week this week and have been reading a lot! I just finished the book How To Be Single, which I remember putting the bar code on it in the fall and thinking it sounded interesting. So, with that being said... it was a good book! The author worked for the show, Sex and the City, which is my FAVOURITE show, so the book has a certain SATC feel to it with the girl bonding. I read reviews of this book on Goodreads (which I've become a member of after reading Jordan's blog) and not a lot of them were good, some said it made them feel bad they were single and should get married right away. Give me a break! Julie Jenson, a single thirty-eight-year old book publicist, is on her way to work when she gets a hysterical phone call from her friend Georgia. Reeling from her husband's announcement that he is leaving her for a samba teacher, Georgia convinces a reluctant Julie to organize a fun girls'' night out with all their single friends to remind her why it is so much fun not to be tied down. But the night, which starts with steaks and martinis and ends with a trip to the hospital, becomes a wake-up call for Julie. Because none of her friends seems to be having much fun right now: Alice, a former legal aid attorney, has recently quit her job to start dating for a living; Serena is so busy becoming a fully realized person that she can't find time to look for a mate; and Ruby, a curvy and compassionate woman, has been mourning the death of her cat for months. So, fed up with the dysfunction and disappointments of being single in Manhattan, Julie sets off to find out how women around the world are dealing with this dreaded phenomenon. From Paris to Rio to Sydney, Bali, Beijing, Mumbai, and Reykjavk, Julie falls in love, gets her heart broken, sees the world, and learns more than she ever dreamed possible. Back in New York, her friends are grappling with their own issues -- bad blind dates, loveless engagements, custody battles, and single motherhood. Through their journeys, all these women fight to redefine their vision of love, happiness, and a fulfilled life. It's a great feel good, chick lit book!

Me and Mr. Darcy

Well, I've finished another book: Me and Mr. Darcy. An older (not that old, just 'weathered' from circulation) book that has caught my eye a few times while re-shelving books. Since I had nothing esle on the go, I decided to bring it home since I had nothing else on my plate.

I devoured this book in two days. Nothing else existed. It's typical chick lit, with the storyline about a woman who manages a book store and whose first love is Mr. Darcy (from Pride and Prejudice). She upbruptly books a trip to England on a Jane Austin tour where she is the only person under the age of 50 other than an obnoxious journalist who she hears saying rude things about her. The book then does a Kate and Leopold (see movie) and she somehow goes back in time and meets Mr. Darcy, and throughout the remainder of the book she goes back and forth between times. I'm not going to reveal the rest because I'll ruin it, but it's a nice romantic book that leaves you smiling at the end of it. It's not the ending you would have expected at first, but it's still very satisfying.. in a chick lit, melt the heart kinda way.