If you'd like to weigh in what passes you'd like to see us add, please vote in the poll on our Facebook page. Time to plan ahead for summer fun....
Monday, April 25, 2011
Summer is coming (really), Where Do You Want to Go?
Like many libraries in our system, we offer passes to area museums. Typically, these passes admit two adults, and four children, although some museums charge an additional entrance to special exhibitions. The passes can be taken out for three days. With limitations on our budget, we can only purchase passes for a limited number of museums. Our most popular passes have been to the Clark Art Institute, MassMoca, and the Berkshire Museum. We are considering the Adirondack Museum, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Eric Carle Museum...where do you want to go?
If you'd like to weigh in what passes you'd like to see us add, please vote in the poll on our Facebook page. Time to plan ahead for summer fun....
If you'd like to weigh in what passes you'd like to see us add, please vote in the poll on our Facebook page. Time to plan ahead for summer fun....
Just passing on an item of interest to the many wannabe children's authors out there.....
Presented by the Children's Literature Connection,
"Who's the Seuss?" - Writing and Publishing Workshop
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Are you the next Dr. Seuss, J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer?
Join two CLC members who are publishing insiders - authors Eric Luper and Coleen Paratore - for a fact-filled, hands-on, all-questions-answered FUN workshop on how to get your children's or young adult book published!Seek answers to your publishing questions:
How do I get started?
Where do I get ideas?
Where and how do I submit?
How do I meet editors and agents?
How do I know if my manuscript is ready?
What is an elevator pitch and do I need one?
How do I write a query letter that gets read?
Plus special segments on:
How to act like you're "in the club" until you ARE in the club!
Writing that great first sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter an editor or agent can't resist! Our 'we've-been-in-your-shoes-so-
When: Saturday, June 4, 2011
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY
(ample free parking)
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Lunch 12-1)
Cost: $99 (Special $10.00 discount for up-to-date Children's Literature Connection members and all teachers and librarians.)
Send contact information (incl. phone number and email) and check made out to "Who's the Seuss?" by May 20th to:
"Who's the Seuss?"
c/o Eric Luper
350 Northern Blvd, Suite 103
Albany, NY 12204
What to Bring: a 20-word or less "pitch" for your book, one copy of the first page of your manuscript (double-spaced), a notebook and pen, and your favorite beverages/snacks.There is a restaurant downstairs or feel free to bring a brown bag lunch!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Library PSA's
Check out this Library Public Service Announcement from author Neil Gaiman. He's so mild mannered, yet his books are fantastical and fun. I especially liked Neverwhere
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Books to Movies
I love reading and I love watching movies, and I don't mind when movie makers take some liberties with books. I'm not talking new characters, or changing the ending...although I did think that the movie version of The Tin Drum had a better ending than the book.I see the characters in my head when I'm reading, and I can't always prevent the movie actors from co-opting my own mental images. Sometimes, though, the movie actors are better, or even, who I had in mind when I read the book. Did you think Alan Rickman was the perfect choice to play Snape in the Harry Potter films? I did. Maybe that's because author J.K. Rowling had him in mind when she created the character. He got the part after Tim Roth turned it down to be in the instantly forgettable Planet of the Apes remake.
Our Book and Movie Group at the Brunswick Community Library chooses a different title every month. First, they meet to discuss a book, then a week later, they watch the movie adaptation of the book. Sometimes the films are recent, sometimes they are classics. The group members take turns bringing snacks, which are often inspired by what they are reading and watching. You are welcome to join the group, and to attend either, or both sessions. Check out our website to see the schedule and book/movie title list.
In the meantime, you might be interested to hear about two movies coming out soon which are based on best-selling books. One is The Lincoln Lawyer, with Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei; and another is Water for Elephants, with a non-sparkly Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Eating Season
The NY Times Best Cookbooks of the Year
The above article just came out, and I defy you to read it and not get hungry. I love books, and cooking, and so, I love cookbooks. Or books about cooking, or food, or eating. Or books about writing cookbooks. I heard the author, Harold McGee, interviewed on Fresh Air, and bought his new book, Keys to Good Cooking, for the library. In it, he will explain why your brisket gets more tender the longer you cook it.
I think this is because eating, and food, is so closely related to our upbringing, to our families, to how we feel about our selves, our bodies, our lives. Flavors can evoke strong memories, tied to powerful feelings. Sometimes we have strong attachment or aversion to a particular flavor--I know people who can't stand the tiniest bit of cilantro in a dish. When a company changes a formula, or discontinues a product, it can create an uproar amongst its consumers--anyone remember New Coke? Many people started stockpiling Postum when it was discontinued, and there are fan clubs for candies that are no longer made. (Please, someone, bring back the Choc-O-Lite!)
The "Holiday" Season used to start with Thanksgiving, but now it more or less kicks into gear with Halloween. I think of the period from Halloween through Valentine's Day, as the Eating Season. I'm sure this is no mistake--everyone eats, so it's in the interest of food producers to get us to associate lots of kinds of food with as many holidays as possible. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. I enjoy trying new ways of cooking old favorites--I do believe that the brined turkey won out in the moistness competition over the deep-fried turkey this year, although both were delicious. I do have a hankering for the Thanksgiving Cake.
Here are some of my favorite cooking/foodie books:
Tender at the Bone, by Ruth Reichl. She was the last editor of Gourmet magazine, and a former food critic for the New York Times. This is the first in her series of memoirs, and my favorite of the bunch.
My Life in France, by Julia Child. Re-issued after the movie Julie and Julia came out, this is the charming story of how Julia Child learned to cook, and co-wrote a cookbook, while living in France.
The Emperors of Chocolate, by Joel Glenn Brenner, tells the fascinating histories of the Mars and Hershey companies.There's a lot you don't know, and will like hearing about. Trust me.
For books with recipes, you can check out:
Dirty Sugar Cookies, by Ayun Halliday. She's a fun, funny writer, whether she takes on child rearing, or world travel. Here's her other books.
Anything by Madhur Jaffrey. She is a writer and actor, and while opinions vary, I find that her recipes come out well. If you like Indian/Asian/vegetarian dishes, check it out.
Extending the Table: a World Community Cookbook, by Joetta Handrich Schlabach. This compilation of recipes was collected by Mennonites living all over the world. It includes poignant anecdotes of their experiences, and the recipes, while they may not be the most authentic you will ever find, are well tested and delicious, plus they are made from readily available ingredients.
The above article just came out, and I defy you to read it and not get hungry. I love books, and cooking, and so, I love cookbooks. Or books about cooking, or food, or eating. Or books about writing cookbooks. I heard the author, Harold McGee, interviewed on Fresh Air, and bought his new book, Keys to Good Cooking, for the library. In it, he will explain why your brisket gets more tender the longer you cook it.
I think this is because eating, and food, is so closely related to our upbringing, to our families, to how we feel about our selves, our bodies, our lives. Flavors can evoke strong memories, tied to powerful feelings. Sometimes we have strong attachment or aversion to a particular flavor--I know people who can't stand the tiniest bit of cilantro in a dish. When a company changes a formula, or discontinues a product, it can create an uproar amongst its consumers--anyone remember New Coke? Many people started stockpiling Postum when it was discontinued, and there are fan clubs for candies that are no longer made. (Please, someone, bring back the Choc-O-Lite!)
The "Holiday" Season used to start with Thanksgiving, but now it more or less kicks into gear with Halloween. I think of the period from Halloween through Valentine's Day, as the Eating Season. I'm sure this is no mistake--everyone eats, so it's in the interest of food producers to get us to associate lots of kinds of food with as many holidays as possible. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. I enjoy trying new ways of cooking old favorites--I do believe that the brined turkey won out in the moistness competition over the deep-fried turkey this year, although both were delicious. I do have a hankering for the Thanksgiving Cake.
Tender at the Bone, by Ruth Reichl. She was the last editor of Gourmet magazine, and a former food critic for the New York Times. This is the first in her series of memoirs, and my favorite of the bunch.
My Life in France, by Julia Child. Re-issued after the movie Julie and Julia came out, this is the charming story of how Julia Child learned to cook, and co-wrote a cookbook, while living in France.
The Emperors of Chocolate, by Joel Glenn Brenner, tells the fascinating histories of the Mars and Hershey companies.There's a lot you don't know, and will like hearing about. Trust me.
For books with recipes, you can check out:
Dirty Sugar Cookies, by Ayun Halliday. She's a fun, funny writer, whether she takes on child rearing, or world travel. Here's her other books.
Anything by Madhur Jaffrey. She is a writer and actor, and while opinions vary, I find that her recipes come out well. If you like Indian/Asian/vegetarian dishes, check it out.
Extending the Table: a World Community Cookbook, by Joetta Handrich Schlabach. This compilation of recipes was collected by Mennonites living all over the world. It includes poignant anecdotes of their experiences, and the recipes, while they may not be the most authentic you will ever find, are well tested and delicious, plus they are made from readily available ingredients.
Friday, November 12, 2010
E-book Readers, and their accoutrements
Now that you have turned off the outside tap, and are huddled inside watching the mums wither, you can feel bad about not having your holiday decorations up. I'm kidding--I am of the school that says that one should not flick a switch on a colored light until the last Day After Thanksgiving sandwich has been consumed.
I am not a traditionalist, however, when it comes to e-books. People ask me about e-books all the time, and more often than not, they preface it by apologizing. Please, stop it. I may be a librarian, but I do not worship at the altar of the printed word. These days, if I added up the time each day that I spend reading from a glowing screen, or listening to audio-books, it would far surpass the time I spend staring at a piece of paper.
Yes, I grew up with books, magazines, and two daily newspapers (morning and afternoon--really). When I went to Library School we learned how to type catalog cards, but after I graduated, I created a database that printed the information for me in card format--until a grant came along to buy an automated system. Goodbye, card catalog...
Many librarians love technology. We jump on the technology bandwagon too quickly sometimes--microfiche, anyone? Second Life? I wasted an afternoon a couple of years ago, listening to a Second Life enthusiast describing how we would all be running our libraries on Second Life any minute. I wonder what he's promoting now...
The first e-book reader I saw was a RocketBook--this was in 2000 or so. It was clunky, and being circulated in a public library. Oh, yes, in 2000. We were told that they would be replacing books any minute, and here we are in 2010, and still waiting to see which e-book reader will become the standard format. Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad?
A lot of people I know receive them as gifts, so I expect to see more in a few months from now. If you are thinking of getting one, or if someone wants to give you one, the Upper Hudson Library System does have e-books that you can load onto your reader. Please go to this page to find out which readers you can use with our collection.
If you'd like to see what titles are available in digital format (audio and e-books, and yes, some video), go to this page. Come in to the library, if you like, and ask me about it. And don't apologize. You're reading. Reading is good. I approve.
PS If you think you know an e-book reader who would like a knitted cozy to protect the gadget, here's a link to a pattern for a knitted e-book reader.
I am not a traditionalist, however, when it comes to e-books. People ask me about e-books all the time, and more often than not, they preface it by apologizing. Please, stop it. I may be a librarian, but I do not worship at the altar of the printed word. These days, if I added up the time each day that I spend reading from a glowing screen, or listening to audio-books, it would far surpass the time I spend staring at a piece of paper.
Yes, I grew up with books, magazines, and two daily newspapers (morning and afternoon--really). When I went to Library School we learned how to type catalog cards, but after I graduated, I created a database that printed the information for me in card format--until a grant came along to buy an automated system. Goodbye, card catalog...
Many librarians love technology. We jump on the technology bandwagon too quickly sometimes--microfiche, anyone? Second Life? I wasted an afternoon a couple of years ago, listening to a Second Life enthusiast describing how we would all be running our libraries on Second Life any minute. I wonder what he's promoting now...
The first e-book reader I saw was a RocketBook--this was in 2000 or so. It was clunky, and being circulated in a public library. Oh, yes, in 2000. We were told that they would be replacing books any minute, and here we are in 2010, and still waiting to see which e-book reader will become the standard format. Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad?
A lot of people I know receive them as gifts, so I expect to see more in a few months from now. If you are thinking of getting one, or if someone wants to give you one, the Upper Hudson Library System does have e-books that you can load onto your reader. Please go to this page to find out which readers you can use with our collection.
If you'd like to see what titles are available in digital format (audio and e-books, and yes, some video), go to this page. Come in to the library, if you like, and ask me about it. And don't apologize. You're reading. Reading is good. I approve.
PS If you think you know an e-book reader who would like a knitted cozy to protect the gadget, here's a link to a pattern for a knitted e-book reader.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Books You Hold Dear
This morning I was listening to Joe Donahue on WAMC talk to author Brock Clarke. In discussing Clarke's new book, Exley, they were saying that they have found that they don't fall in love with as many books as they did when they were children and teenagers. They agreed this was a function of getting older.
Sorry, fellows, I'm not sure I agree. Yes, I remember getting passionate about The Catcher in the Rye, and The Bell Jar, and The Lord of the Rings. But I still fall in love with books. I don't think I fall in love with books any less, but I don't have the time to read and read and read that I had when I was younger. Now I only have time for reading marathons while on vacation, or on a few weekends here and there.
The books that I've gotten passionate about over the past few years are a pretty varied list: Candyfreak, by Steve Almond; Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert; Operating Instructions, by Anne Lamott; A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, and The Orchid Thief, by Susan Orleans. Notice anything? All non fiction. I do like fiction, too, but I don't read it as much as I used to. When I was a kid, I went through science fiction by the bucket load--Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Ursula LeGuin, and Orson Scott Card. I do still love, love, love, Terry Pratchett, who is like tiramisu, in book form.
Joe (I feel like I can call him Joe) and Mr. Clarke also said they were hesitant to re-read their beloved books from long ago, afraid that they wouldn't hold up. I am lucky to be able to talk to kids every day about the books that they read, and so I get to share the excitement that they feel when they start reading a book or author they are crazy about, without having to take the time to re-read the books myself. Thanks, kids!
Sorry, fellows, I'm not sure I agree. Yes, I remember getting passionate about The Catcher in the Rye, and The Bell Jar, and The Lord of the Rings. But I still fall in love with books. I don't think I fall in love with books any less, but I don't have the time to read and read and read that I had when I was younger. Now I only have time for reading marathons while on vacation, or on a few weekends here and there.
The books that I've gotten passionate about over the past few years are a pretty varied list: Candyfreak, by Steve Almond; Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert; Operating Instructions, by Anne Lamott; A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, and The Orchid Thief, by Susan Orleans. Notice anything? All non fiction. I do like fiction, too, but I don't read it as much as I used to. When I was a kid, I went through science fiction by the bucket load--Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Ursula LeGuin, and Orson Scott Card. I do still love, love, love, Terry Pratchett, who is like tiramisu, in book form.
Joe (I feel like I can call him Joe) and Mr. Clarke also said they were hesitant to re-read their beloved books from long ago, afraid that they wouldn't hold up. I am lucky to be able to talk to kids every day about the books that they read, and so I get to share the excitement that they feel when they start reading a book or author they are crazy about, without having to take the time to re-read the books myself. Thanks, kids!
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