Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Valenti's "Sex Object"
I devoured Jessica Valenti's memoir and found my own experiences mirrored in her pages, as I know most women will. I applaud her wit, vulnerability, strength and ability to say that we as women are living in a society that "hates" us. These are strong words, but as I read other accounts (books, newspaper articles, etc.) about the horrors women endure, from unwanted fondling, to date rape, to acid thrown into our faces and domestic violence that ends up in murder, I agree with her. This is a sobering, funny, compulsively readable memoir.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
The Lighthouse Family Series for Children
I absolutely adored The Lighthouse Family series by Cynthia Rylant with illustrations by Preston McDaniels. Children and adults will enjoy reading about this loving lighthouse family: Pandora the Cat, Seabold the Dog and their three adopted mice children, Whistler, Lila and Tiny. Each book in the series is centered on a new animal friend the family encounters at their lighthouse. These books are filled with gentle adventure and kind characters. You will not only love the stories but the illustrations are exceptional and paint a vivid world you would love to visit. I wish I had discovered this series when my daughter was younger as I think it is a lovely set to own as well as check out from you local library!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Silent Land by Graham Joyce
I found this story about a couple who experience an avalanche that
propels them into an altered reality, incredibly compelling. Masterful
storytelling keeps the reader engaged, as the couple experience this new
static existence - is it benign or is it horrifying? Joyce's story is
ultimately a love story, but with a rare premise. I loved it!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Halloween's Past and Present
A Halloween Reader: Poems, Stories, and Plays from Halloween Past (edition 2004) by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne
This is a well researched collection of Halloween stories, poems and plays - which evoke a sense of what halloween was like in the past, when the dead were closer and your future more readily glimpsed. Read Ms. Bennatyne's introduction to understand why these themes were so prevalent!
Halloween Nation: Behind the Scenes of America's Fright Night (edition 2011) by Lesley Bannatyne
Ms. Bannatyne again provides the reader with a well researched and interesting read - this time she explores how Halloween is celebrated in contemporary America. Her chapters range from man-made haunted houses and zombie crawls to halloween art and craft collectors!
This is a well researched collection of Halloween stories, poems and plays - which evoke a sense of what halloween was like in the past, when the dead were closer and your future more readily glimpsed. Read Ms. Bennatyne's introduction to understand why these themes were so prevalent!
Halloween Nation: Behind the Scenes of America's Fright Night (edition 2011) by Lesley Bannatyne
Ms. Bannatyne again provides the reader with a well researched and interesting read - this time she explores how Halloween is celebrated in contemporary America. Her chapters range from man-made haunted houses and zombie crawls to halloween art and craft collectors!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
A quiet tale of love that will envelope you as softly as the first snow of winter.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, is a sparse, mysterious tale that takes place in the Alaskan wilderness of the 1920's. Seeking isolation and peace, Jack and Mabel, an older couple, must endure the Alaskan wilderness all the while mourning the fact that they are childless.
One magical evening, as the first snow falls, they decide to make a snow child. In the morning, she is gone and so are the mittens and scarf that adorned her. Now, through the trees, a young girl is glimpsed wearing the same red scarf and mittens running about with a pet fox. Is she real or a mirage of their parental desire? This novel is part fairy tale and part survival story. Ivey spins a quiet tale of love that will envelope you as softly and deeply as the first snow of winter.
DPL Blog
One magical evening, as the first snow falls, they decide to make a snow child. In the morning, she is gone and so are the mittens and scarf that adorned her. Now, through the trees, a young girl is glimpsed wearing the same red scarf and mittens running about with a pet fox. Is she real or a mirage of their parental desire? This novel is part fairy tale and part survival story. Ivey spins a quiet tale of love that will envelope you as softly and deeply as the first snow of winter.
DPL Blog
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence / The South Pole Ponies by Theodore K. Mason
Iain Lawrence has written a beautiful juvenile historical novel about Robert Falcon Scott's doomed expedition to reach the South Pole. What makes this story so involving, is that Mr. Lawrence tells this story from the point of view of Jimmy Pigg, one of the white ponies who made the arduous journey. This story is rich in historical detail and humanely told. The voice of Jimmy Pigg is believable, heartbreaking and transcendant. Wonderful for older children who love animals and adventure. Be warned though, this story is tragic.
If children would like more information about these South Pole Ponies, they have another book they can turn too, and it is replete with photographs. Theodore K. Mason has thoroughly researched both the Shackleton and Scott Expeditions and brings the plight of these men and ponies to vivid life. This book was written in 1976, but it is a wonderful resource for children and adults interested in Scott, his ponies and Jimmy Pigg. This book is cataloged for Young Adults so some parent supervision is advised.
If children would like more information about these South Pole Ponies, they have another book they can turn too, and it is replete with photographs. Theodore K. Mason has thoroughly researched both the Shackleton and Scott Expeditions and brings the plight of these men and ponies to vivid life. This book was written in 1976, but it is a wonderful resource for children and adults interested in Scott, his ponies and Jimmy Pigg. This book is cataloged for Young Adults so some parent supervision is advised.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
"Starlight Sailor" by James Mayhew {text} & Jackie Morris {illustrations}
Luminous and enchanting. The illustrations peek in and out throughout this dream story told through a lyrical nursery rhyme. Wonderful goodnight book for young children.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby
Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby is the sweet, true story of a prematurely born piglet named Pink. Pink is adopted by Tink, a dachshund mother, who nurses him into good health. Perfect for children and animal lovers of all ages. The pictures are adorable and the last one is especially precious.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Storytime Space
Sing-a- long rhymes and finger plays truly enhance the Storytime experience for young children. Read books with enthusiasm - have fun. If you enjoy reading, the child will learn to enjoy it too!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Movable or Pop-Up Books
Movable Books
What can you do to help your child love reading?
Read pop up books with moving parts!
What can you do to help your child love reading?
Read pop up books with moving parts!
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
I have just read a controversial and beautifully written book entitled Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. This is a new Young Adult book which is slotted for June 2011 publication in the United States. Already it has been nominated for the 2011 Carnegie Medal.
Forbidden is a story about consensual incest between a brother and sister, but it is more than that. These characters are finely drawn, their situation realistically rendered and their voices resonate with emotion. The book uses dual narrators to tell the story, Lochan(the panic stricken 17 year old brother) and Maya (the more well adjusted 16 year old sister). Lochan and Maya are ostensibly the caretakers of their three younger siblings. They are moving through life as parent figures (their Father abandoned them early on and now their Mother is doing the same thing). The stress of going to school, taking care of three younger siblings and worrying about social services causes Lochan and Maya to depend on each other in an unusually deep and close way. They do not think they can exist without the other, and through this dependency they begin to realize they have fallen in love.
This is a tough subject, but Suzuma writes in such a beautiful and realistic tone(especially in regard to emotion), that the reader finds himself or herself rooting for this love to succeed.
This story is Shakespearean in it's tragedy, but it never sounds a false note. At heart it is a love story, compelling, disturbing and ultimately haunting.
Recommended for older Teens who would like to tackle a controversial subject and read a very well written book. This story will stay with them long after the final page is turned.
Forbidden is a story about consensual incest between a brother and sister, but it is more than that. These characters are finely drawn, their situation realistically rendered and their voices resonate with emotion. The book uses dual narrators to tell the story, Lochan(the panic stricken 17 year old brother) and Maya (the more well adjusted 16 year old sister). Lochan and Maya are ostensibly the caretakers of their three younger siblings. They are moving through life as parent figures (their Father abandoned them early on and now their Mother is doing the same thing). The stress of going to school, taking care of three younger siblings and worrying about social services causes Lochan and Maya to depend on each other in an unusually deep and close way. They do not think they can exist without the other, and through this dependency they begin to realize they have fallen in love.
This is a tough subject, but Suzuma writes in such a beautiful and realistic tone(especially in regard to emotion), that the reader finds himself or herself rooting for this love to succeed.
This story is Shakespearean in it's tragedy, but it never sounds a false note. At heart it is a love story, compelling, disturbing and ultimately haunting.
Recommended for older Teens who would like to tackle a controversial subject and read a very well written book. This story will stay with them long after the final page is turned.
My New Life in the Public Library!
I am so happy to be employed! I am a reference librarian and I am loving it. I also am a children's librarian on Fridays and am conducting bookbabies and storytimes within the library as well as through outreach. We are focused on implementing ECRR (Every Child Ready to Read)tips and guidelines. This is very rewarding.
I also read new Young Adult books as well as Children's books for reader's advisory. I am loving that!
I also read new Young Adult books as well as Children's books for reader's advisory. I am loving that!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Stumble and Cloud Computing
"Stumble" through Firefox is wonderful. It is a great browsing tool for the internet, much like browsing the stacks in a library full of books. I think it is similar in concept to the new cloud computing model that will emerge in the near future. The browser will be the key and it will be smart, keying into our situations: where, who and what we are and like to explore.
I am excited to see how this new technology will expand the internet and our own psyches. There is a great article on hp.com regarding "The Next Wave: Everything as a Service." I thank Dr. Assefa for turning me on to this new development!
I am excited to see how this new technology will expand the internet and our own psyches. There is a great article on hp.com regarding "The Next Wave: Everything as a Service." I thank Dr. Assefa for turning me on to this new development!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Luminotes Wiki for Students
After viewing www.wikimatrix.org and consulting the Wiki Choice Wizard to see which wiki would be best for me, I decided to explore Luminotes. I wanted a wiki that used WYSIWYG editing and was more of a personal wiki, especially one that students would be apt to use. I also wanted something that was basic and I wanted the option of using it online or downloading it to my own server. Luminotes is free/open sourced, geared toward students and does not require one to use special markup codes. It is a personal wiki notebook for organizing one's ideas, perfect for a student.
Luminotes is limited; it does not support Atom feeds, XML export or PDF export. It does not allow for media revisions, embedded flash or video. There are no blogging capabilities. There are no tables or math calculations. What it does do is take basic note taking to a more organized level. Luminotes describes itself as a wiki of linked notes with unique titles. It is great for revisions and reordering of content. It stores past content and allows one to make lists including nested lists (lists within lists). Not only is this wiki great for students and teachers, but is great for writers of all kinds. As an amateur writer of short fiction; I have lost content within my numerous revisions. Storing past content and the organizing of this content is a must.
Luminotes has the following features as cited by wikimatrix.org:
Free and Open Source
Programming Language is Python and JavaScript
Data Storage: Database
Hosting Features: Luminotes
Storage Quota: 30 MB to unlimited
Own Domain: Yes
System Requirements: Luminotes Operating System
Online version: Any Operating System,
Download version: Windows/Linux
PostgreSQL: Yes
SQLite: Yes
Development/Support: Luminotes
Preconfigured Hosting: Yes
Preview: Yes
Page History: Yes
Page Revisions: Unlimited
Page Index: Yes
Unicode Support: Yes
Namespaces: Yes
Search: Full Text
Wiki Farming
Links: Luminotes
Freelinks: Yes
Image Links: Yes
HTML Tags: Some
Toolbar: Yes
WYSIWYG Editing: Yes
CSS Stylesheets: Yes
Printer Friendly
Print View
Mobile Friendly
RSS Feeds: Yes
HTML Export:Yes
File Attachments: Yes
Image Galleries: Yes
You can explore Luminotes more fully by consulting the user guide found on http://luminotes.com/
Luminotes is limited; it does not support Atom feeds, XML export or PDF export. It does not allow for media revisions, embedded flash or video. There are no blogging capabilities. There are no tables or math calculations. What it does do is take basic note taking to a more organized level. Luminotes describes itself as a wiki of linked notes with unique titles. It is great for revisions and reordering of content. It stores past content and allows one to make lists including nested lists (lists within lists). Not only is this wiki great for students and teachers, but is great for writers of all kinds. As an amateur writer of short fiction; I have lost content within my numerous revisions. Storing past content and the organizing of this content is a must.
Luminotes has the following features as cited by wikimatrix.org:
Free and Open Source
Programming Language is Python and JavaScript
Data Storage: Database
Hosting Features: Luminotes
Storage Quota: 30 MB to unlimited
Own Domain: Yes
System Requirements: Luminotes Operating System
Online version: Any Operating System,
Download version: Windows/Linux
PostgreSQL: Yes
SQLite: Yes
Development/Support: Luminotes
Preconfigured Hosting: Yes
Preview: Yes
Page History: Yes
Page Revisions: Unlimited
Page Index: Yes
Unicode Support: Yes
Namespaces: Yes
Search: Full Text
Wiki Farming
Links: Luminotes
Freelinks: Yes
Image Links: Yes
HTML Tags: Some
Toolbar: Yes
WYSIWYG Editing: Yes
CSS Stylesheets: Yes
Printer Friendly
Print View
Mobile Friendly
RSS Feeds: Yes
HTML Export:Yes
File Attachments: Yes
Image Galleries: Yes
You can explore Luminotes more fully by consulting the user guide found on http://luminotes.com/
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About Me
- ACTMUSE
- I am a reference librarian for a public library. My emphasis is on YA readers advisory as well as conducting storytimes for children (birth-five years). I have a Masters in Library and Information Science, as well as a background in Theatre.