Lately, I’ve been catching up on some old TV dramas by starting with one of the big classics: The Sopranos. It’s a great show, but if you know even just a tiny bit of the premise, you’ll know it’s not something you’d call relaxing. When I get home from a night shift, oftentimes the last thing I want to watch is some gangsters getting in each other’s faces and screaming and pointing fingers. So, instead, I go for a sitcom that will let me wind down for the night and let me shut my brain off for a little while getting some laughs in. Here are some of my recent favorites if you care to join me!
At Veridian Dynamics, things are done differently. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. From making weaponized pumpkins to killer robots, one has to ask how and why a company like Veridian is allowed to operate the way it does. But for Ted Crisp, the head of research and development, those questions and answers don’t matter much because work still needs to be done.
Working with the scientists there and other members of his team, they get into all sorts of messes, making each episode just as ridiculous as the last. One episode they’re dealing with a hair serum that makes hair grow too fast, resulting in Ted’s desk growing hair. In another, Ted and his scientists fight in an underground medieval fight club. You never know what you’re gonna watch, but you’ll be laughing at whatever trouble they get into next!
Recently, we welcomed a new addition to our house. His name is Juno, and he’s an adorable cat who’s added a lot to our lives.
Pictured: our sweet Juno 😸
Since then, I’ve found myself slowly becoming obsessed with anything related to cats. And because I work at a library, it’s only natural that one of the things I’ve been looking at are books on cats. Here are some of the more memorable ones I’ve found recently.
If you have ever watched My Cat From Hell, you know Jackson Galaxy, the musician by night/cat behaviorist by day. And, if not, first off you’re missing out on a good show. But more importantly, I’ll give you a quick summary: Jackson comes into homes where cats are acting like complete jerks. It could be they’re scratching up their owners. Or that they’re peeing outside of their litter box. Sometimes, it’s both of these things and more. But, no matter the issue, Jackson works on figuring out how to best help the owner(s) learn to change their cat’s behavior. The answer isn’t always the same, but he always brings peace to the home!
Jackson takes his decades of experience working with cats and crams it into this comprehensive book, sharing his tips and tricks on how to best take care of your cat. The book also explores how to create a space that allows your feline friend to have “Cat Mojo”, a confidence they get from feeling comfortable in their environment. It’s chock-full of information for both first-time cat owners and those who have grown up with cats like myself. Plus, the illustrations throughout the book are just so cute!
So, whether you skim it or read it from start to finish, you’ll surely learn something from this self-proclaimed Cat Daddy.
I read a LOT. Most of what I read is fiction, but sometimes I get that craving for a good nonfiction novel. I have always been a complete history nerd so historical nonfiction is usually what I gravitate to. It really does not matter what period of history I am reading about, I enjoy the personal stories and struggles of people who really lived. In reading about a different time I feel I can transport myself to that era and see through the eyes of those who lived there. In a sense historical nonfiction is a type of time machine easily accessed and free with a library card! The following are some of my recent favorites!
I have always been fascinated with any story about exploration or sailing ships, so this one captivated me. I had never heard of the Greely Expedition before, but the author had me feeling like I was along for the ride! (While being curled up with a blanket and lemonade…) The goal of Greely and crew was to be the first people to get to the North Pole. They had to deal with sub zero temperatures without any modern amenities. They had to defend against wild animals, days of total darkness, dwindling supplies, and a punishing icy environment. Each individual had to find the strength to stay sane and alive while going where no one had gone before. This book was one wild ride!
Recommended for fans of exploration, ships, survival, and adventure. *may contain cannibalism based on evidence discovered by rescuers*.
Another summer reading program has come to an end. Thank you to everyone who participated this summer, in particular those of you who participated in the adult program! Every year, staff can see which books got logged the most when participants submitted their reading time. I thought seeing what Sheboygan was reading this summer would be fun. You’ll find the book’s description from our catalog under each title. I’ve also included a link to the large print version if Mead has a copy. We look forward to the community participating in 2025’s summer reading program!
“Introducing the TNIV Bible in an attractive, low-cost edition for churches everywhere. Endorsed by scholars and pastors across the country, the TNIV is the new translation for today’s generation. It combines uncompromising reliability, the clarity of today’s language, and the heritage of the most trusted translation, the NIV. Because this inexpensive church edition was made from the same setting as the TNIV Thinline Bible and TNIV Pocket Bible, everyone using a Zondervan TNIV text Bible is guaranteed to be on the same page, enhancing church community. Pagination matches Media Shout Bible projection software, making it easier for church attendees to locate referenced scripture verses. The TNIV is the Bible of choice for churches committed to engaging the next generation of believers.”
Speculative fiction – which is to say sci-fi, fantasy, and sometimes horror – has a reputation for doorstoppers and long-running sagas. Between Tolkien, Martin, Herbert, and Asimov, the reputation isn’t entirely undeserved. So what do you do as a reader with a busy schedule? Fortunately, there’s been a flood of excellent speculative novellas in recent years. Here are a few standouts to get you started.
Math prodigy Binti doffs tradition in order to attend the prestigious Oomza University, a long spaceflight away from home. En route, her ship is attacked by the extraterrestrial Meduse. In the midst of the crisis, Binti discovers that an artifact she brought with her from earth grants her the ability to communicate with the Meduse, offering her a narrow chance at survival. She might even be able to begin to mend the hostile relationship between human beings and the Meduse. This beautifully written and tightly plotted book is deservedly acclaimed, winning both the Hugo and Nebula awards for Best Novella in 2016. It’s also the first in a trilogy, so eager readers will be able to move on to the next book right away.
Hillbilly Elegy is perched atop Mead Library’s holds list for nonfiction, following JD Vance’s nomination. The book tackles numerous themes: poverty and addiction, abusive childhoods, Appalachian culture, and politically ignored or disaffected Americans. If you’re looking for something to occupy you while you wait for a copy to come in, here are some other books that tackle similar issues, sorted by theme.
I have always been a huge fan of Disney movies, so when I saw the first Twisted Tale book I had to pick it up! The series takes the original Disney stories that we are familiar with and puts a twist on the story to tell it in a different way or to explore other paths the tale could have taken. There are over sixteen books in the series at this time with at least four more scheduled in the next year. Each book is a stand alone. As the series is so long, I will highlight my TOP 7 standout books in the series. Let the countdown begin! I will count backwards 7 to 1 (#1 being my absolute favorite!).
Almost There is the 13th book of the series. The book is a twist on the Disney Princess and the Frog movie. The twist takes place towards the climax of the movie when The Shadow Man offers Tiana a deal. In the original story she does not take it…but what if she did? The Shadow Man makes Tiana an offer she can’t refuse. Give up Naveen and he will not only grant her the restaurant of her dreams, but he will also bring her father back to life! The catch? She can have no close contact with Naveen, not interfere with the Shadow Man’s plans, and she has to put a “harmless” drop of a potion in her gumbo. Will Tiana be able to keep the deal or will her feelings towards Naveen and her sense of right and wrong win out? The stakes are high and the book will leave you wondering just how Tiana can get out of this one.
When I go through a reading slump, it is generally related to how long I need to wait for my next hold to come in on Libby. I read like I eat fast food; it’s incredibly enjoyable in the moment, but not necessarily nourishing, and mainly forgettable. If I get really stuck I switch to podcasts until I get sick of skipping through ads every 20 minutes. Below, I listed a few remedies to the common reading slump. Maybe they strike seasonally, maybe it’s a regular occurrence, or maybe this reading slump is totally out of character. Hopefully, one of these techniques can help shake things loose regardless of why things are slumping.
Try a Novella Novellas range from 60-120 pages by definition, but I am rounding up to 200 for my purposes. A shorter book will take the perceived pressure off of finishing a novel that tends to be 400 or more pages in length. They say that hunger is the best pickle, but I know for a fact that snacks whet the appetite prior to a meal, too. The same can go for reading.
Mr. Majestyk (1974) by Elmore Leonard; 150 pages Leonard was the best in the business when it came to writing hard-boiled, violent, and near-mythical characters. This novella is one of my favorites, and pits a watermelon farmer against a bunch of extortionate mobster pinecones. If this book holds any appeal, please see Mr. Leonard’s back catalog. It is extensive.
Every Heart a Doorway (2016) by Seannan McGuire; 176 pages This is the first in McGuire’s excellent School for Wayward Children series that is now up to ten books. These interconnected portal fantasies are so gorgeous and compelling, I feel envious of anyone reading them for the first time. McGuire also writes horror novels under the name Mira Grant that are a lot of fun, too.
The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery; 96 pages Everyone has had about 80 years to get their hands on this charming and affecting novella. It still fills me with wonder and takes me to a place of imagination that can be hard to access as an adult.
Silver in the Wood (2019) by Emily Tesh; 112 pages Green Man British Isles mythology meets a sweet and tender queer romance. This book is beautifully written and absorbing. There’s a part two out to enjoy, as well.
Juvenile Fiction Returning to the books that made readers out of us in the first place is another way to shake off the cobwebs and light up various dusty brain parts. I was a nascent reader in the 1980s, so many of my formative reads were written before I was born.
James and the Giant Peach (1961) by Roald Dahl It might be time for a re-read to remember why this author is still massively popular decades after his death. James was always a favorite of mine, but The Twits are a close runner-up. That Quentin Crisp illustration work is so primo.
The Black Stallion (1941) by Walter Farley The Black Stallion was one of the first chapter books I read on my own. I’ve reread the book here and there over the years, and to me, it holds up. The writing is good and the story sweeps along at a good clip. Don’t sleep on the 1979 film based on the book, either.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) by EL Konigsburg Total nostalgia ball for the Oregon Trail generation. Who among us didn’t spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out ways to sneak into and stay in a museum, or a zoo, or a mall after hours? It’s the city kid equivalent to being marooned on a desert island with a spirited Arabian horse.
The Westing Game (1978) by Ellen Raskin Yes, I’ve written about this book in the past, and yes I will write about it in the future. This is the book at the nexus of my reading life. It fascinated me in ways that no other book has matched, and spurred me on to read for pleasure in a purposeful way. It’s in heavy rotation as recommended reading for book lovers of all ages.
Graphic novels When I was a kid, comic books still had a bad rap and were not readily available at the school library. My old man loved comic books like Dick Tracy and TinTin, so I would read them too. He encouraged me to look at stuff like Art Spiegleman’s Maus when I was in junior high. It expanded my perception of what literature could be and look like. Graphic novels are great for people who would like to read a book from cover to cover, but maybe don’t have hours in the day to devote to it.
Fangs (2020) by Sarah Anderson Get to know a vampire and werewolf as they fall in love. Anderson is an excellent and hilarious illustrator, and this book puts her talents on full display.
Fun Home (2006) by Alison Bechdel This might be one of the best autobiographical graphic novels of all time. Bechdel recounts her complex childhood and early adulthood through the lens of life at the funeral parlor her family owned and ran. She is a literal genius, and to me, Fun Home is a 21st century must-read.
Ice Haven (2005) by Daniel Clowes A tidy one-off story from the hipster prince of 1990s indie publishing. Clowes is most famous for his seminal title Ghost World, which was turned into a Major Motion Picture, but I prefer this unusual volume. It’s part mystery, part meditation on life in the Midwest, but mostly another fascinating character exploration from a master of sequential art.
Tales From the Loop (2014) by Simon Stalenhag This is a crowd-funded book that caught on with popular audiences. Tales from the Loop is filled with the most unbelievably beautiful illustrations of a past that never existed, but that we still feel nostalgia for. Also: DINOSAURS.
All-time classics If a book is still in publication years and years after initial release, and still widely loved, chances are it’s worth the time to read. “Classic” can be a very malleable descriptor, by the way. How would you define a classic book?
Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte It’s not just a good book, it’s GREAT. Many English speakers probably know the story beats just by virtue of living in the world, but letting the book unwind in print is almost spiritual. Sorry for the gushing, but this book is really really good.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon To me, this is one of the more accessible and engaging Pulitzer Prize winners from the last 30 years. I read it when it was first published, and still have vivid memories of entire passages of text. Chabon is known for several highly readable titles like Wonder Boys, and The Yiddish Policeman’s Union that I freely and often recommend.
The Count of Monte Cristo (1844) by Alexander Dumas Who doesn’t adore epic tales of revenge spanning decades? This book can still be found in practically any library, book store, and thrift shop in half the world. It has staying power for a reason.
The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by JD Salinger While this may be a divisive suggestion, the work of JD Salinger changed my life. To me, he defines the ennui, despair, and dissatisfaction that has been percolating through the country since World War II. I read this book as soon as I understood how nervous the story made mid-20th century parents. I didn’t understand all the pearl-clutching, but I DID understand that this was literature, and something different than what I had been reading before.
Murderbot
The ultimate solution for smashing that reading slump is to read Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries. They are the best books ever written in the history of the written language. Sorry to you James Baldwin, William Shakespeare, and Annie Proulx, but Martha has you all beat. Start with All Systems Red and thank me later for curing your depression and anxiety.
Still feeling uncertain about what to read? Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books reader’s advisory tool. List your favorite books, authors, and genres, and we will prepare a custom list of five books you’re likely to enjoy. We’re always happy to help people in-person, at the second floor desk, too. Happy reading!
Dear reader, today I am going to talk to you about birds. I have been a huge bird nerd for years, and even started regularly watching a live bird cam while at work and enjoying conversation with other watchers in the cam’s chat feature. All on downtime of course! Wink wink.
When you think of migratory birds that come to Wisconsin in the spring and summer, what birds do you think of? The American robin? The red-winged blackbird? These are quintessential birds that herald the arrival of warmer weather! There is also the American goldfinch that, while it is a year-round resident of Wisconsin, the males turn from their yellow-brown coloring to a brilliant, unmistakable yellow that is easily spotted in trees and at bird feeders. Listen closely for their equally bright flight song as they fly around.
But have you thought of others? There’s the rose-breasted grosbeak, the yellow-rumped warbler, the eastern towhee, and the belted kingfisher, which all arrive roughly in late March and stay through September, or November in the case of the belted kingfisher. Have you heard of these birds before? Have you just read those names and thought to yourself, now what kind of bird is that? Well, dear reader, let me help you!
The Birding Pro’s Field Guide series introduces a number of innovative, never-before-seen features to the birding field guide scene. This highly accessible field guide gives the most complete description available for each species’ daily life and behavior, and each entry also includes a month-by-month birding forecast and a full page of highly identifiable color photographs. Perfect for novices and intermediates, but also serves as an invaluable reference for advanced birders. Featuring the 138 most common birds to Wisconsin.
Dear reader, you will see lots of books about birds with the phrase ‘field guide’ in the title or subtitle. These are books intended for use out in the woods, the neighborhood, or wherever else you happen to be and want to learn more about birds! Many of these field guides have sections describing a bird’s shape, call, behavior, habit, etc., that can help you narrow down exactly which bird you saw or heard. Sounds great doesn’t it? Many of these field guides are also pocket-sized, which works great for slipping into a purse or even a pants or jacket pocket.
But dear reader, you may be thinking, I have a bird feeder in my backyard and would like to learn more about the birds that visit it and the plants in my backyard. What about me?
When I was a kid, I played a tooooon of video games. So many I usually became nocturnal during summer breaks. My dad, who usually woke up early for work at 4 am, would often find me in my room, playing my last couple hours of whatever game I had before I went to sleep for the day. I don’t know that I’d go back to having such a weird sleep schedule — it was awful every year reversing it when school was back — but I do miss having all that time to play some of my favorites.
And while I don’t have as much time to play some of the classics, there are luckily a lot of remakes, remasters, and sequels of some of my favorite games on the Nintendo Switch. So, even now I can pick up a game and feel the nostalgia as I relive bits and pieces of my childhood. Here are some of my latest favorites for you to enjoy — either for the first or second time.
A classic on the Game Boy, Link’s Awakening for the Switch has been given a major facelift while still keeping the gameplay and story it was originally known for. I had a blast revisiting this game and the cutesy art style only adds to the experience. The puzzles in this game are as hard as I remember them as a kid, so they may take some getting used to, especially if you haven’t played any of the original Zelda series. But if you stick with it, you’ll definitely think it’s worth the effort.
Mead Public Library Blog 