The holidays are upon us, and for a lot of people (myself included), that means cooking! So I thought I would take a look this time at some of the oldest cookbooks that we have in our collection. Here at Mead, the oldest cookbook I could find is from 1955. Below that, I’ve also got a list of the five oldest cookbooks in our whole Monarch Library System, including four you probably haven’t heard of and one you almost definitely have!
Last month, I gave recommendations of graphic novels for early readers. This month, I have graphic novel recommendations with more complex storylines that are best suited for kids ages 8-12 years old. Though they are certainly not limited to these ages – teens and adults may enjoy them too! Fluency and reading stamina are more established for this age group. While these readers may be at a higher reading level, some may still be reluctant to read traditional chapter books – or they may simply enjoy the visual appeal of graphic novels. In either case, graphic novels are a great option! The full-length stories in the following graphic novels are longer and have more challenging vocabulary, but still have sequenced pictures paired with the text to allow readers to easily follow the plot of the story.
This fast paced and engaging sci-fi/fantasy story, with beautiful illustrations is the first book in the series. War erupts and Oona Lee – a clumsy sand dancer, with the aid of an athlete, and a boy from the slums team up on a quest to save their world. Oona learns a lot about herself during their quest and gains control over her powers, leading to victory…for now.
The Boy Who Crashed to Earth is the first book in the science fiction Hilo series. DJ comes from a family of high-achievers, while he feels like he isn’t good at anything. His life changes when he meets Hilo, the loveable robot from an unknown origin, who falls to Earth. DJ and his friend Gina must help Hilo figure out his identity and save the world in this funny and action-packed story.
The Stonekeeper is the first book in the sci-fi/fantasy Amulet series. This story is a bit dark and intense at times, but exciting and fast-paced. Emily and Navin lose their father in a tragic accident, and then a while later they move with their mother to their great-grandfather’s abandoned house for a fresh start. Things take a strange turn pretty quickly when their mother disappears. The children track her down in an underground world full of strange creatures. An epic adventure ensues as they bravely battle to rescue their mother.
Phoebe releases the unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, from a magic spell and is granted one wish. She wishes to become best friends! Readers will enjoy this witty story of the friendship between an awkward girl and an arrogant unicorn. This book has simple but expressive illustrations and is the first book in this lighthearted series.
Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole, until Astrid decides to sign up for roller derby camp and Nicole signs up for dance camp instead. Astrid has to learn how to be strong on her own, and push through insecurities and self-doubt. This is a great story about perseverance, changing friendships, and becoming your own person at a vulnerable point in life.
Continue reading “Graphic Novels for Kids Part 2”If you’ve ever said, “I wish I read more, but I just don’t have time any more!” allow us here at the library to introduce you to the secret shortcut to sounding well-read.
“Ah yes,” you’ll say knowingly, “I read an early version of that story! It’s striking how Novik can build such a complete world in so few pages. And it’s so sad that Toni Morrison died – have you read her retrospective on Beloved?”
Essays and short stories are shortcuts into the literary world for busy people like you. Generally sitting between 15-30 pages, they’re easily read in small scraps of free time – waiting for an appointment, before bed, or over lunch. Because they have such a small window to accomplish so much, they are often more tightly edited than their novel-length counter parts. And if one isn’t quite to your taste, there’s probably an entirely different story just a few pages away.
Here are several of the best collections published this year.
Did you know that Mead Public Library subscribes to a service that can give you book recommendations? It’s called Novelist, and it will let you enter the title of a book and then suggest “read-alikes” for that book! To give you an idea of what it can do for you, I’ve put a list of the current Top 5 Books in the Monarch System!
These are the five books with the longest waitlists in our library system. Under each one, you can see five more books that Novelist recommends. So get on these waitlists now – and then check out those other books while you wait!
It’s also always a good idea to check out our Lucky Day display when you stop by the library – we have special non-waitlist copies of new books and DVDs that are set aside for this display, so you might be able to skip the line if you’re lucky! (But read or watch it fast – they also can’t be renewed.)
I consider myself a movie fan, but there are just so many movies released every year! There are quite a few movies that I keep meaning to watch, but I just haven’t gotten around to them. Here are the top five I feel the guiltiest about not having seen.
With the new Terminator movie coming out, I felt it would be appropriate to mention how I haven’t seen the original Terminator. It sounds like a sci-fi action movie that I would like, but I tend to not rush after time travel movies. I have seen Terminator 2 and Terminator Genisys, though. I’m aware one of those is way better than the other. The 11th Doctor deserved better than that movie.
Continue reading “Oops. One of These Days I’ll Watch That…”The 2019 Nobel Prize in Literature was announced recently – along with the 2018 prize, which was skipped last year. The 2019 winner is Peter Handke, and the 2018 winner is Olga Tokarczuk – clicking their names will take you to a list of their works in our catalog. There’s a great deal of controversy surrounding the prize, which you can read more about in the New York Times.
But this is Throwback Thursday, so we’re looking into the past. 70 years ago, the Nobel Prize in Literature was given to novelist William Faulkner “for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel.” And since the Nobel Prize is not given for a specific work, I thought I would highlight what would have been his most recent novel when he received the prize in 1949.
Graphic novels provide fun, visually stimulating reading options for children of all ages and reading abilities. They are an especially great option for reluctant readers and new readers. Graphic novels are full-length stories that pair a limited amount of text with sequenced pictures. This format helps new readers to more easily follow the plot of the story and to help build the reading stamina needed to read chapter books with more text. We have a large collection of graphic novels in our children’s library that cover a variety of genres. This month, I have some recommendations for early readers.
This is the second book in the early reader series about the friendship between Unicorn and Yeti. These two friends have different abilities and enjoy different activities, but find ways to modify their activities so they can both participate in the fun. Humorous text and bold illustrations add to the appeal of this collection of three short stories.
This is the first book in the Hello, Hedgehog early reader series. There are three humorous short stories about Hedgehog and his bike, and his friendship with Harry. The stories are relatable for young readers and show great examples of a supportive friendship.
Continue reading “Graphic Novels for Early Readers”Since 2000, 9 Oscar winners have been films based on books. As this year’s run up to the Oscars begins, check out these 6 books that are headed to the big screen – just in time for awards season attention.
A former investigator and attorney chronicles the life of Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran, a mafia hitman who claimed to have murdered Jimmy Hoffa. A World War II vet who learned kill in the Army, he worked for the Bufalino crime family after he returned to the United States. His story spans roughly a quarter century of organized crime, and provides a unique insider’s look into that underworld. Martin Scorsese, Robert DiNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci team up for the film.
Continue reading “Oscar Bait Books”It’s almost time for Halloween, which means there should probably be a post about horror books. But there’s a problem – I don’t really read horror books! (The last one I can remember reading is Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas, which I did enjoy… but it’s just not my genre.)
So instead, I decided to ask my coworker Aleah because she reads a lot of horror books! Below are five picks from her – books that she’s read and enjoyed, books that she thinks you should check out for a spooky, scary Halloween read.
“From a master of the short story, a collection that includes stories never before in print, never published in America, never collected and brand new- with the magnificent bones of interstitial autobiographical comments on when, why and how Stephen King came to write each story” – from the publisher
Why you should read it: Each story was different and had its own creepy twist to it. And it’s Stephen King! His short story books are always the best.
Continue reading “My Coworker Aleah Picks Some Horror Books!”It’s finally October! Pumpkins are in stores. Pumpkin spice is in the coffee. The leaves are falling and it’s time to grab a horror movie to put in the DVD player. Horror movies are near and dear to my heart so here are five of my favorites.
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