Readers' Advisory for Everyone

My all-time favorite is a classic

Do you have a favorite book or author?  Remember how you felt the first time you read something by them and how desperately you wanted to share that reading experience with someone else?  Do you understand how it feels when your your pile of "must-reads" dwindles to NOTHING????

You might say something like this:
"I need a book.  My favorite author isn't coming out with their next book for three months and I'm out of books to read.  I'm DESPERATE.  Help me.  I want something just like......"

The librarian at the reference desk can help you through your reading drought.  Like all reference transactions, it will start with questions in order to determine where YOU want to go.  Do you like mysteries?  Romance?  Suspense?  Do you prefer a particular type of setting like the midwest?  What is the title of the last book you read?  What kinds of books do you dislike?  This is called readers' advisory and anyone at the reference desk should be able to help you.  You might also refer to this as a read-alike.

If you like Nora Roberts, you might want to try-

LaVyrle Spencer

Jennifer Blake

Sandra Brown

Elizabeth Lowell

Phyllis Whitney

Julie Garwood

If you like John Grisham, give these authors a try-

Scott Turow

Richard North Patterson

Steve Martini

William Bernhardt

Lisa Scottoline

If you just love that Nicholas Sparks, try-

Richard Paul Evans

Kristin Hannah

Lorna Landvik

Nicholas Evans

Annie Garrett





If you can't get enough of Janet Evanovich's quirky Stephanie Plum, here are some other authors with fun characters-

Carl Hiassen

Sharon McCrumb

Jan Burke

Jennifer Crusie/Bob Mayer

Stephanie Bond

Reader's advisory is a service we offer to anyone in need of a good read.  Recently people have been looking for anything similar to The Hunger Games.  There are several similar books that we can help you find (or read my previous post about dystopias).  We want to help you find those books that make you stay up until 3am reading.  The advent of eReaders has not diminished interest in reading, it has increased it due to the fact that they make books available 24/7.  One of the most rewarding experiences we share as readers is inviting others into our experiences so that they can get excited about an author or book that we love.  Next time, don't hesitate to stop at the reference desk and ask us, "What good books have YOU read lately?" 

I won't read THAT

Dystopia-a society characterized by human misery, such as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding

They call them books for teens but they're every bit as exciting and engaging as the books on the shelf for adults.  If you (or your teen) are not thrilled with the idea of dueling to the death like in the Hunger Games or if you loved the Hunger Games and want more, check these books out.  "Legend" by Marie Lu is the tale of a society that limits its numbers through war and manufactured "plagues".  Society sanctioned girl prodigy meets boy rebel and together, they will change their world. And then there's "Divergent" by Vernonica Roth which is the first book of a trilogy.  In this society, you are allowed to choose your faction which will determine your path in life.  The catch, if you choose a faction other than the one you were raised in, you forfeit almost all ties with your family.  Fortunately for our heroine, there's a guy to connect with in her new faction.  Ally Condie's "Matched" trilogy starts out as a romantic love triangle in book one and segues into an action/adventure in "Crossed" which is book two.  For a different twist try "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver where society treats emotions (especially love) like a disease and everyone undergoes a procedure to have that portion of their brain REMOVED.  Naturally it doesn't work on everyone and there are rebels who refuse to submit.  For the guys who want more action and adventure, try "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi or "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner.
Feeling old school instead?  "1984" by George Orwell, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley, "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, or "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury are all good choices and they're probably available on the shelf. 
Enter the world of one of these books and through the author's dystopia, enter your own utopia as you escape your surroundings.  It's not hard core science fiction.  It's not fairies and druids and wizards and dragons.  It's not warp speed and space jumps and tazers.  Read the definition, it's everyday life, the setting is just a little bit different.

Is it possible to have too many books? Do you still have encyclopedias or old textbooks? Do you have basement and/or attic collections?

There are many things you can do with books that you no longer use. You can donate your books to the library. Last year over 3,000 books, movies, and CDs were donated to the library.

What do we do with donated materials?  A select few do make it into our collection. Many are sold at the book sale and yes, even recycled depending on their condition. Encyclopedias and textbooks are immediately recycled. Textbooks are generally not appropriate for a public library's collection. We strive to provide excellent service with current information. Unfortunately, encyclopedias from previous years are not current enough to use in our collection.

Basement and attic collections generally do not make the cut. Attics leave thirsty looking books and damp basements will give books a certain air. 

Attic collections might have crusty pages with spider bites in them while basement collections grow mold.

There are many fun and decorative things you can do with books you no longer use. Need some ideas? Check out these these books: The repurposed library : 33 craft projects that give old books new life by Lisa Occhipinti,  Altered books workshop : 18 creative techniques for self-expression by Bev Brazelton, and Alter this! : radical ideas for transforming books into art by Alena Hennessy.



Vintage book lamp!





 

A bookcase made out of encyclopedias!



sniffle, cough, gasp

January 2012 has not started out very well for your library staff.  Those few of us that are still standing continue to struggle valiantly against the cold and flu season.  It's gotten so bad that patrons are starting to ask whether their favorite book guru/knowledge locater is on vacation or retired.  Never fear, as surely as winter turns into spring (and the SUN APPEARS IN WISCONSIN) we are making our way back.  Until then, a list of titles to help you through the winter blues, blahs and sniffles:

Breaking Free From Depression by Jesse Wright  (Alternative Wisconsin title:  "When the winter gets tough, toughen up, enso?  Go shovel more snow!")

Vitamin D Prescription:  The Healing Power of the Sun and How it Can Save Your Life by Eric Madrid  (Wisconsin title:  "No Sunshine Until Mother's Day...take your vitamins")

Three Week Boot Camp (DVD) by Denise Austin (Wisconsin title:  "Sounds Like a Nice Alternative to Shoveling Snow")

And the winner is....

The Beauty Diet by Lisa Drayer (Wisconsin title:  "All Wisconsin Women Look Like Miss America!")

Let's all strive for a healthier 2012 and don't forget the hand sanitizer!

Notes from the reference desk

DECEMBER AT THE LIBRARY:

Where are your Christmas CDs?
Where are your Christmas DVDs?
Where are the books on Christmas crafts?
Where do you keep your Christmas fiction?
Why is your internet service so slow?
I need a book about holiday stress.
Why don't you have all the tax forms for 2011 yet?
I live out of town, how long is Santa going to be there?????
Why  is there glitter all over the Children's Department?
Can you register, set up, and download everything I need onto my Kindle, Nook, or (other) ereader?
Can you email Santa for me?
I really need a Hanukkah cookbook.
Are you open today? 
Why do I have to go on a waiting list for an electronic copy of the book that I want?
Can you order this from Amazon for me?
I'm too busy to come in.  Do you have a delivery service?
Can I get more than 2 hours on the computers?
I need a book about Kwanzaa.
I need a really short biography for an assignment due tomorrow!


JANUARY AT THE LIBRARY:

Where are your exercise books?
Where are your diet books?
Do you have a book about hoarding?
I need a book that has lots of indoor activities for small children.
Where do you keep your books on starting a small business?
When are you going to have more computer classes?
I need the books that help you study for your ACT or SAT tests.
Do you have a book that will show me how to get along better with my in-laws?
Why isn't my Kindle, Nook, ereader working????
Do you have that exercise DVD for Zumba?
Why don't you carry video games here?
I still can't find the tax form I need.
Can you fill out my rental agreement for me?
Do you have the magazine, Cooking Light?
I really need a phone number so that I can return this gift.  Can you find the number for PajamaGram?

And the list goes on...

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Manitowoc Public Library.  Keep calling, emailing, and stopping by, we're here to make your days a little brighter.

It will be fun, because I said so!

The secret to preparing for the holidays is to have a routine.  I have to feed my holiday spirit with a few simple things in order to enjoy the busiest time of the year.  Unlike a vampire, I do not feed alone in the dark, I insist that my family feed with me.  Despite the protests, I'm sure they LOVE it. Tonight we will watch the Lakeshore Holiday Parade and check out the amazing holiday decorations at the Rahr-West Museum and it will be fun because I SAID SO.  My kids are too old to sit on Santa's lap at the museum but we still go downstairs for treats because it's time to prepare for the holidays and no one says "no" to free cookies.  When we get home, I will start making the cranberry sauce (from real cranberries) that I bring to the family Thanksgiving celebration and I will listen to the soundtrack from Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn" the entire time.  The best part about that CD and movie, which I also insist we watch every year, is that it covers all of the holidays.

So on to Black Friday preparations.  Make your list, check it twice, look for coupons online and in the newspaper and before you buy ANYTHING big, stop at the Reference Desk and look it up in the Consumer Reports Buying Guide or the magazine.  This magazine will tell you which television you should buy and why.  They rate cars, appliances, electronics, electric razors, cameras, MP3 players, ereaders and the list goes on and on.  Of course, if you are trying to avoid camping outside a store Thanksgiving evening (or earlier!), the crush of the people rushing to get the last hot toy in the store, or simply have a strong aversion to crowds, there is always the option of Cyber Monday.  The library is open from 9am to 8pm on November 28th and we have plenty of computers available.

The last thing I do in preparation to prepare for the holidays is make a list of holiday must-reads and start checking them out or putting holds on them.  When you anticipate that you will be running for the next 30 days or so, you need to take time off to recharge.  I like to listen to John Grisham's Skipping Christmas in my car during the month of December.  I would never skip Christmas but the idea is awfully tempting, perhaps a secret fantasy.  I usually set aside my non-fiction reading (unless it is something inspiring like Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand) and check out some fiction titles as well as some holiday CDs to keep the spirits up.  (We do need a little variety from Fred and Bing.)  I know that Justin Beiber has a new Christmas CD coming out and maybe that will be a good gift for the tween in my life.  I think this year I'll stick with Mannheim Steamroller, Amy Grant, and some locals like the Garth Nuestader Trio this Christmas.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all from the staff at the Manitowoc Public Library.  We're open until 8pm during the parade.  We'd love to have you to stop by, warm up, and check something out for the holidays.

Shhh...secrets

Have you ever wondered if your house had a secret tunnel at one time? 

 

Or perhaps a famous (or infamous) occupant?

Your home may have a fascinating history, and the process of uncovering your home’s past can be a fun and worthwhile project. House Histories: A guide to tracing the genealogy of your home by Sally Light and How to Research your house: Every home tells a story by Pamela Brooks are great books to help you get started. If you would prefer to watch instead of read, the HGTV series If walls could talk...explores homes rich in history.

This featured photo of a house on Michigan Ave is from the Benke photograph collection, to find more click on this link Images of Manitowoc.