Author: Aubrey

Posted in Adult, Audience

Beat the Cold with Your Library Card!

Posted on by Aubrey

Looking to have some fun during the cold winter? Mead Library has you covered! Your library card is truly the gift that keeps giving, for free, all year.

Listen to Us!

Passes

We have a great selection of passes to Wisconsin destinations that can be checked out, all year long!

  • The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is our newest addition to the lineup! Read more about them here!
  • All passes are checked out at the 1st floor’s circulation desk on a first come-first served basis.
  • Learn more about the passes, see the full list of offerings, and more here.

Makerspace

Use the Imaginarium, Mead’s Makerspace! Check out an open studio or learn more about using the space here. Some of the technology available includes:

  • 3D Printers
  • Adobe Editing Suite
  • Sewing Machines
  • AccuCut Dies
  • Digital Conversion Station

Games

Plan a game night! The library has a bunch of options for you including:

  • Video Games: for XBOX, PS4/PS5, and Switch consoles!
  • D&D campaign books: located on 2nd floor!
  • Murder Mystery games: Located on the 1st floor Experience Collection display, you can get your friends together and solve a murder! Look out, Nancy Drew.
  • Geek Boxes: Geek Boxes are boxes that have a collection of items related to a popular theme, such as a cult movie. The boxes will have a variety of fun items with possibilities that include themed games, soundtracks, books, and more! Check out our collection of Geek Boxes on the 1st floor or in our online catalog here.

Programs

There’s always programs for every age and interest at the library! Check our calendar for more details or pick up a seasonal program guide from any of our floors. Some upcoming January highlights include:

  • Sewing classes
  • Genealogy Club
  • Learn to 3D Print
  • Ukulele Lessons
  • Crafts
  • Storytimes
  • Book Clubs

Baking tools

Located on the second floor, you can find a large variety of baking tools that can help you create yummy masterpieces. Conveniently, our large cookbook collection is nearby!

No matter what your interests, Mead Public Library has all kinds of things to help warm up your winter!

Posted in Adult, Horror

My Summer of Vampires

Posted on by Aubrey

This summer, I bit into a Vampire Lit Class! I assumed that I would be (re)reading Dracula, but I was thankfully wrong. My professor was determined to teach from works that existed years before 1897, the year Dracula by Bram Stoker was published. I found it fascinating to learn more about vampires as plot devices, how the creatures represented fears that were in society at the time the stories were written, and about what horror as a genre can reveal about humanity. Yes, I suppose you could say I was “sucked” into this course.

Anyways…

Here’s some pre-Dracula stories you can also sink your teeth into:

  • The Vampyre by John William Polidori, released in 1819

Credited as the first literary vampire story! This story started with a friendly writing contest featuring friends, including renowned author Mary Shelley. (In fact, this contest also helped bring Frankenstein to the world.) The story was first published in the New Monthly Magazine, a British magazine. Finally, it was published as a novel in London in 1819.

This story follows Aubrey, a man who is tormented by former mentor Lord Ruthven. The destruction basically happens because Aubrey calls out Lord Ruthven for being promiscuous when, in reality, Lord Ruthven much worse. Lord Ruthven is *drumroll please* a vampire!

Click here to place a request for a collection of horror stories that includes The Vampyre.

  • The Black Vampyre, a Legend of St. Domingo by Uriah Derick d’Arcy, released in 1819

This is an American short story that was written under a pen name. It’s been unofficially given a nice handful of credits, including: the first black vampire story, the first comedy vampire story, the first vampire story written by an American author, and even the first short story that spoke against slavery.

The short story centers on Euphemia, a woman who has had much tragedy around her. Her first husband did evil deeds, her only son died, and is now in mourning for her third dead husband. Then a prince shows up looking more than love…revenge!

Click here to read the story.

  • Varney, the Vampyre, or, the Feast of Blood by J.M. Rymer, released in 1845-1847

This story was released by chapter weekly as a penny dreadful. When finally put into book format in 1847, it was 232 chapters long! This is the story that is given credit for officially having the first vampire with fangs for chompers.

This is the arguably the closest to Dracula on this list. In this, a family tries to beat Sir Francis Varney, the story’s vampire, as he tries to steal the literal life from women.

Click here to place a request for a collection of vampire stories that includes Varney, the Vampyre, or, the Feast of Blood.

  • Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, released in 1872

This was first published in pieces in a London literary magazine The Dark Blue over the years of 1871-1872. The cost per issue was one shilling. Finally, it was published it its entirety in the author’s short story collection, In a Glass Darkly. Uniquely, Carmilla is written as a medical case for a doctor.

The story centers on young and lonely Laura, as she befriends and loves a young guest, Carmilla. Slowly, Laura learns that Carmila is not what she seems. “Spoiler”: Carmilla is a vampire!

Click here to place a request for a collection of horror stories that includes Carmilla.

I hope you have a bloody good time with these stories, “fangs” for reading!

–Aubrey

Posted in Adult, Fiction, Film, New & Upcoming, Nonfiction

Read Now, Watch Later

Posted on by Aubrey

As always, Hollywood is taking from the pages for inspiration! See below for a list of books that are being adapted for the screen.

**Click the book title to be brought directly to our online catalog’s listing to place the title on hold or learn more.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

This book’s adaption will be released under a shorter name: Oppenheimer. Both mediums are about Physicist J Robert Oppenheimer as he works with a team of scientists during the Manhattan Project, leading to the development of the atomic bomb. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan, has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It will explode into theaters on July 21, 2023.

Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

This year marks the release of the third Hercule Poirot movie staring Kenneth Branagh as the brainy detective. The movie will be called A Haunting in Venice. The story follows Poirot investigating a murder that happens during a Halloween seance at a haunted palazzo in Venice, Italy. Spooky! The film is set to release September 15, 2023, right before your own Halloween party.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry is a bestseller that has been impossible to keep on our shelves. It follows female chemist Elizabeth Zott in the 1950’s and 60’s. Elizabeth loves science but, when life happens, ends up on a cooking show. On the show, Elizabeth teaches women not just how to cook but to change their lives. This novel is being adapted into a mini-series on Apple-TV staring Captain Marvel‘s Brie Larson. The series is expected to be out in 2023.

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Another story inspired by real life! Killers of the Flower Moon is about the murders of 24 members of oil-rich Osage tribe in 1920s Oklahoma, all for gold. The film directed by the renowned Martin Scorsese and is set to release on October 6, 2023. While you can take a break between reading chapters, note that the film has announced it has a runtime of 3 hours and 26 minutes. With its star studded cast, subject matter, and big budget, the film is rumored to be expected to win many awards.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

My Lovely Wife is a psychological thriller that hooks readers in. The story is a mixture of Gone Girl meets American Psycho as it follows a couple who, to keep their marriage alive, find murderous ways to spice things up. Of course, things don’t always go as planned. Netflix has the rights and the director lined up, so hopefully more updates will come soon!

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s hit book It Ends with Us is in production. Behind the scenes set photos featuring Blake Lively have been popping up online. Some fans are excited while others say that 23 year old main character isn’t perfectly cast. Only time will tell! While there is no release date for the film yet, readers have time to read both the novel and its sequel It Starts With Us. Fun fact: Collen Hoover has sold more books than James Patterson in 2022!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Set to premiere on Amazon Prime in August 2023, Red, White &Royal Blue is a enemies to lovers rom com. The story centers on the romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, a first son of the United States, and Prince Henry, a British prince.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Color Purple is slated to get its second movie adaption. Currently, the film is expected to premiere on December 25, 2023 in theaters. The film is produced by Oprah Winfrey and stars Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, and Taraji P. Henson. Rumors have already begun that this classic book’s adaptation will be up for numerous Oscars.

Do you think the books will be better than the adaptions? Only one way to find out!

Posted in Adult, Award Winners, Film

Get Ready for the 2023 Oscars!

Posted on by Aubrey

We are now days away from the 95th Oscars. Whether you’re planning on rolling out your own red carpet or you prefer to just look at the award’s results, here are some other ways you can tap into the Hollywood spirit.

Print off your 2023 ballot!

Click here for a printable ballot. You can keep track of your own guesses or make this into an ultimate ballot battle! Don’t forget that the library offers both black and white and colored printing for a small fee.

Check out Everything Everywhere All at Once... and most of the other best picture best nominees.

I am guessing that Everything Everywhere All at Once will win best picture but you never know… While many of the nominated titles are in too popular to be on our shelves, you can request titles that are high demand or that Mead doesn’t have by using our online catalog. Gone are the days of needing to find something on the shelf; we have this tool as a way to make sure that you get the library items you need.

Read about Oscar history

Click here to view a list of books about the Academy Awards!

Get a Movie Geek Box

Another way to let out your inner cinephile! A Movie Geek Box will take a movie you love and give you even more! Additional reading, music, thematic tie-ins, and games are just some of the examples. See the whole list and place the tiles on hold HERE.

Steam other movies on Kanopy

Unlock even more films and shorts by past and present Oscar winners by creating your Kanopy streaming account. All you need is your Mead Library card to unlock these special screenings.

Check out a soundtrack

Listen to the music of the movies! Swing on by CD collection or listen select soundtracks on Hoopla, a great e-content resource all Mead Public Library card holders have access to.

And the award goes to… you! Because with a library card, we are all winners.

Posted in Adult, Horror, Mystery, Thrillers

Snowy Thrillers to Unthaw With

Posted on by Aubrey

Sheboygan has been hit with all the snow and cold! What a great time to curl up with a book and hot beverage. Not sure what to read? Create chills without leaving the comfort of your home with these winter thrillers.

Click the titles below to view the selections in our online catalog.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Think you know the person you married? Think again… Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife. Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts–paper, cotton, pottery, tin–and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after. Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

This book’s twist was impressive!

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods.

Ruth Ware’s debut novel secured her place among the best modern thriller authors.

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway. But when the storm hits, no one is getting away. It’s winter in the Catskills and Mitchell’s Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing maybe even romantic weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge wood burning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery. So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity and all contact with the outside world the guests settle in for the long haul. Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic. Within the snowed-in paradise, something or someone is picking off the guests one by one. And there’s nothing they can do but hunker down and hope they can survive the storm.

Reads like a winter And Then There Were None!

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

In this propulsive locked-room thriller debut, a reunion weekend in the French Alps turns deadly when five friends discover that someone has deliberately stranded them at their remote mountaintop resort during a snowstorm. When Milla accepts an off-season invitation to Le Rocher, a cozy ski resort in the French Alps, she’s expecting an intimate weekend of catching up with four old friends. Yet no sooner do Milla and the others arrive for the reunion than they realize something is horribly wrong. Stranded in the deserted resort, Milla’s not sure what’s worse: the increasingly sinister things happening around her or the looming snowstorm that’s making escape even more impossible. All she knows is that there’s no one on the mountain she can trust.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

On the way home to Utah to see her sick mother, college student Darby Thorne is stranded by a blizzard at a highway rest stop in the Colorado Rockies. She’ll have to spend the night in a rest stop in the middle of nowhere with four complete strangers. Then she stumbles across a little girl locked inside an animal crate in the back of a van. There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, no way out because of the snow, and she doesn’t know which of the other travelers is the kidnapper …

No Exit already has a movie adaption that is available on Hulu.

Happy reading!

Descriptions and images provided by the publisher.

Posted in Adult, Fiction

Curious About Carroll

Posted on by Aubrey

I signed up to do the blog for today but didn’t have a single clue what I wanted to write about. Looking for inspiration, I found myself Googling holidays, events, and birthdays happening on January 27th. As I clicked around, I discovered that it was Lewis Carroll’s birthday. Now, I have always loved Alice in Wonderland; it holds a lot of nostalgia for me. I figured that this would be a good chance for us all to learn more about the author that created such a zany world. 

Well, the results were curiouser and curiouser. 

Lewis Carroll, 1857, Diana and Mallory Walker Fund, 2013.120.3

Lewis Carroll, a pseudonym for Charles Dodgson, came from a big religious family. He was born on January 27 (you knew this already!) in 1832. It was said that Carroll began creative projects at a young age. Carroll began pursuing education, focusing mostly on religion and math. It was expected that Carroll would become a priest, but instead stayed as a deacon. As an adult, Carroll still had many creative outlets. Carroll seemed to dabble in all kinds of art, including writing, puzzle making, and photography including, most concerningly, nude photographs of children.

It has been recorded that Carroll struck legitimate friendships with young children. (There are accounts that state he did this because when around children, his usually constant stutter would disappear.) One of the kids he deeply bonded with was Alice Liddell. Upon spending lots of time with Alice and her young sisters, Carroll wrote what would eventually become Alice in Wonderland. It is known that Carroll wrote it for Alice, who was ten at the time he gave it to her. Carroll finished his life having left many creations, influences, and mysteries. His creative works and religious works are well regarded by many. There are, especially within the last twenty years, many questions about Carroll and his behaviors towards children. Did Carroll ever cross boundaries? Researchers have mixed feelings about this author and his actions. 

There is no doubt that Lewis Carroll influenced literature and media in general. Alice in Wonderland-related items are everywhere you go. Many of us, myself included, have fond memories of falling down the rabbit hole. Yet, upon learning about the author, I ponder if I should commend Carroll. Proven or not; there are a lot of behaviors that are bizarre to read about. I found myself wondering what would have happened if, in some alternate reality, Lewis Carroll was around now. Would his actions be permissible? Can we truly separate the artist from the art? Do we want to? 


Everyone needs to decide their standards for morality among flawed historical figures. Do you still celebrate them? Honor their birthdays? That’s 100% your choice, but if you’re looking for some Alice substitutes or read-alikes, here’s a list for you:

*Click on any of the titles below to go to the Monarch catalog’s listing of the book. You can read more about the selection and request items for pickup there!

Posted in Uncategorized

Make New Experiences with Mead!

Posted on by Aubrey

In addition to all the rad traditional items we have at the Mead Public Library, we also have a variety of non-traditional items that are available to you for FREE within our experience collection! In this collection, we have all kinds of items that will lend to you learning and creating first hand. In the experience collection, you will find all kinds of items to checkout including museum passes, STEM kits, unique baking tools, Makey Makey kits, and much more. You can find the majority of the collection when you first walk inside our library. Take a look! To even further appeal to you, here’s a list of our newest experience collection items:

*Please note that these items can only be checked out and returned to Mead Public Library.

Drum Kit

  • Yay, music! This kit comes with a WG101 drum set, pedals, drumsticks, and more to get you started on drums. Worried about the noise? Have no fear, there is a headphone output that allows you to contain the music. The set has 10 preset songs but can be used for playing along with other music. The drum kit has ability to connect to computers and portable devices to record and edit your own music. This kit can even be used for games with the game function. This gets a 14 day loan.

Bird Watching Kit

  • Impress everyone with your bird knowledge! This kit is perfect for a nature day or even a road trip With this kit, you get to take home everything you need to spot and identify birds: a monocular telescope with smartphone attachment, a tripod, two bird guide books and more! The bird watching kit gets a 28 day loan, It comes in a nifty backpack for easy transportation.

Bubble Machine

  • Who doesn’t need more bubbles? This automatic bubble blower can make over 8,000 bubbles per minute! Perfect for parties, playdates, and, well, really anytime. The bubble machine gets a 7 day loan.

Karaoke Machine

  • Bring the gift of karaoke anywhere by checking this out! The karaoke machine loans for 7 days. The set comes with the machine and all supplies needed to use the machine. This includes two wireless microphones so no one has to sing alone!

Stargazing Telescope Kit

  • This is a great kit for stargazing beginners! With this kit, you’ll have a telescope, tripod, and more to learn the ropes to professional telescopes. Complete with a user’s manual to guide you, you’ll be seeing stars in no time! The stargazing telescope kit has a 28 day loan period.

Home Recording Studio Kit (for adults)

  • Create your own digital content with this kit! Please note this set is specifically for adult cardholders. The home recording studio kit loans for 28 days. When you check this out, you’ll have a voice microphone, webcam, ring light, and selfie stick at your disposal. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Universal Car Engine Code Reader

  • Learn what’s wrong (hopefully nothing) with your car by checking this out! Our universal car engine code reader comes with a 4 page instruction manual to guide you through the process. This has a 7 day loan period.

You can view more of our experience collection offerings on our website here or in person! We are always working hard to add more materials to this collection. Please note that the majority of these items cannot be placed on hold and are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thanks for letting Mead Public Library create amazing experiences for you!

Posted in Adult, Film

Five Spooky Films You Might Have Missed

Posted on by Aubrey

Halloween is just days away! In need of a scare and don’t want to get it from the news? Here’s a list of five new, unique spooky films that we’ve added to our movie collection that might not be on your radar.

Watcher

Watcher follows a young couple, Julia and Francis, as they settle into their new apartment. Julia copes with loneliness as she’s practicing her new country’s language. Then, Julie begins to notice a man watching her apartment through his windows. Feeling unsettled, Julie investigates and begins to see more and more of this unknown man. At the same time, there are reports that a serial killer, dubbed “the Spider” is on the loose. Could the watcher be the serial killer, Julia wonders? Julia tells her partner, her friends, and the police her fears as things slowly get creepier and creepier. No one believes Julia, causing even higher feelings of isolation and panic. This film perfectly captures what anxiety feels like and really showcases why we need to believe women.

Click HERE to see our catalog’s listing on this movie!

Bodies Bodies Bodies

If you’ve played the group card games Mafia or Werewolf, then you already know what the game Bodies Bodies Bodies is. If not, no worries. This movie follows a group of friends who are together for a weekend. They’re staying at a huge place and have a lot of substances. So, logically, they decide it’s smart to play a game of Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. The game is supposed to be simple: someone is assigned the “killer” role and then the rest of the group has to figure out who that is before they get killed. While the friends envision the game being fun and safe, things get dicey when the literal bodies start piling. Of course, drama, scares, and laughs follow you through this horror/mystery/comedy film. Think And Then There Were None meets Mean Girls.

Click HERE to see our catalog’s listing on this movie!

The Amusement Park

Oddly enough, this film was made in 1975 but only just got a physical release. The film was directed by George A. Romero, the mind behind Night of the Living Dead, Creepshow, The Crazies, and more. The Amusement Park was intended to be for the Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania as a teaching tool for elder abuse. After having a premiere at the American Film Festival in 1975, the movie was shelved when completed and literally went missing. The film was deemed lost until a 16MM print was, at long last, discovered. The DVD and streaming were released this year, which is why it’s still new in my book.

The story itself is about how scary aging can be. This thriller is unique in both its movie and history. Hopefully, it leaves viewers with a reminder to treat their elders with care.

Click HERE to see our catalog’s listing on this movie!

The Innocents

Now to go in total opposite directions, we have a film about children. The Innocents debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and has been getting great reviews since. No one says much about what you’ll see, just that you should see it. The movie is a supernatural thriller from Norway with a fairly simple-sounding plot: a group of children in Norway learns about their superpowers when adults aren’t looking. The film promises, according to IMDB, that “playtime takes a dangerous turn”.

Click HERE to see our catalog’s listing on this movie!

Fall

Hopefully, you’ll fall for this movie. (Hahahaha!) Two adventure-seeking friends decide to climb a decommissioned 2,000-foot TV tower in the desert to reconnect and reflect on where they are in life and how to be better. Because that’s smart. As you would expect, this doesn’t work out flawlessly and the two end up stuck on the tower. Water is in low supply and their cell phones won’t work. Yes, this sounds horrifying to me on multiple levels.

Click HERE to see our catalog’s listing on this movie!

Posted in Uncategorized

A Shameless Plug For A24 Movies

Posted on by Aubrey

Fun fact: when I’m out and about and see anything that features an “A” and “24”, I feel a jolt of excitement. No matter where I am, I’ll whip out my phone and snap a photo of this occasion. The picture gets put on my Instagram where I tag the account @a24. I enjoy that I’m far from the only cinephile that does this.

Mead’s very own A24!

This, my friends, is the power of A24!

Let me explain.

A24 is, at its simplest form, a film company. The company does both production and distribution of films. (Fun history: This wasn’t always the case; A24 started off as just a distribution company.) I believe that A24 is important, even crucial, to the world of cinema. A24 excels at bringing diverse movies into the world. They work hard to have diverse casting, strong female leads, debuting directors, and so many different kinds of stories. A24 has a lineup of movies that spans across literally all genres! Honestly, the most common theme with A24’s movies is that they’re probably going to be hella unique. While I don’t love every A24 movie made, I will happily try out any film their logo is on.

The logo! It’s so pretty!

To me, it’s crucial to support a group promoting fresh story ideas and diversity. I hope this is important to you, too.

To watch a plethora of A24 films, check out Mead’s wicked video collection or Kanopy, a library provided movie streaming service. Both are amazing, free options! Not sure where to begin in the A24 catalog? Check out my list of recommended A24 films below!

Eighth Grade
Want to relive the horror of eighth grade? Me either. Still, this film perfectly captures the awkwardness, humor, and heart of an eighth grade girl.

Ex Machina
Would you go on a work trip to see the newest technology breakthroughs if you had to sign a non-disclosure agreement? Our main character says sure. Things get complicated when he meets the almost human AI, Ava.

Moonlight
Best picture winner following an African-American boy growing up.

Under the Silver Lake
A modern Hollywood mystery with Andrew Garfield learning some weird sh*t after his neighbor disappears.

The Farewell
A girl joins her family in China for a fake wedding to say goodbye to her dying Grandma. Grandma doesn’t know this is the reason for this shin-dig. Based on a true story. And I thought my family had drama!

Swiss Army Man
Is Harry Potter dead to you? Well, is this film, he literally is. Danielle Radcliff plays a zealous corpse that helps pass the time when a man marooned on an island bonds with him. Yes, it’s as bizarre as it sounds.

The Florida Project
A coming-of-age tale that takes place at a purple hotel right by Disneyworld. Features Willem Dafoe in not enough scenes.

Saint Maud
Creepy vibes meets religion meets hospice in this psychological thriller. Spooky vibes = perfect for fall.

The Lobster
In this film’s world, if you don’t find a significant other, you’re going to be made into an animal of your choice. Our main character selects a lobster in case this is will be his fate. This is just the start of this film. And I thought online dating was brutal.

Everything Everywhere All at Once
Imagine a superhero multiverse movie with, well, a little bit of everything. Seriously, there’s even bagels.

I had to restrain from listing even more titles in my excitement of gushing about these films. All of A24’s films are so different from each other that I feel comfortable saying there’s something for everyone. Now what are you waiting for? Go to our catalog! Download canopy! Watch new films!

-Aubrey