Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 146

Holiday Closing — Christmas Eve & Day

The Kent District Library will be closed for the Christmas holidays Monday & Tuesday, December 24–25. (Note that branches with Sunday hours will be OPEN on Sunday, December 23.) We will resume normal operating hours on Wednesday, December 26. For additional 2012 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

 

We appreciate your patronage and wish you Happy Holidays!

 

KDL Top Ten – 12/21/2012

Make holiday travel fun this year — check out an eAudiobook from KDL’s Downloadable eBook site!  To see 10 of the most downloaded eAudiobooks at KDL this month, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

 

 

Need a Travel Suggestion?

Tired of the dreary winter weather? Want to research a sunny and warm travel destination to visit? You are in luck; KDL offers many new and updated travel guides and books. Fancy a trip to Cancun or Riviera Maya? What about Northern California or Hawaii? KDL has all-new 2013 books for these destinations.

Another cool travel resource you might want to check out is KDL’s Recommended Sites in Travel. On this webpage you will find all types of recommended sites, from booking tickets with Amtrak and The Rapid to researching different destinations with the Michigan Department of Tourism and Travelocity, plus much more. It’s well worth a browse.

 

Winter Film Read-a-Likes

While people are waiting to unwrap those gifts this holiday season, some of us eagerly anticipate the unveiling of a new batch of films. The winter months are especially full of great book-to-film remakes and period dramas and the buzz of those in the making.

Les Miserables, starring Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman, hits theaters Christmas Day. In the meantime, check out Victor Hugo’s original or Jennifer Donnelly’s great teen literature homage to the French Revolution, Revolution. Brush up on the music by picking up the Broadway musical soundtrack, and put your name in for the new movie’s soundtrack, now on order!

 

 

The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio, initailly set for Christmas Day, has a new release date of May 2013. If that seems like a long wait, try Libba Bray’s The Diviners for a horror twist on the the Roaring ’20s; Anna Godbersen’s Bright Young Things series for a look at the lives of three teenage girls amidst the glamour of the Jazz Age; or Amor Towles’ Rules of Civility for an intriguing read set amidst early 1930s New York.

Charles Dicken’s  is also in the works. For a clever telling reminiscent of it, try Terry Pratchett’s new book .

For Downton Abbey fans, the new season returns in January. While you’re waiting, check out Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame and stay tuned for the soon-to-be published Cinders & Sapphires: At Somerton, out January 22, 2013, for more British lower- and upper-class drama. You can also check out our “If You Like Downton Abbey…” booklist. If you’re in the mood for an American twist, pick up Edith Wharton’s classics The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocence for Gilded Age sagas of social ambition, lost dreams and playing by the rules of society. Rumors of an American “Downton Abbey” in the making, called The Gilded Age, makes brushing up on this era in history a must for any fan.

 

 

You Don’t Need An iPod To Listen To Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks on a device is much more convenient than the cumbersome audiobooks on CDs.

Most smartphones have the capability of playing audiobooks. But if the expense of a smartphone or an iPod is holding you back from taking advantage of this service, MP3 players are much less expensive and a bit less complicated for the novice.

Be sure to check out our handy tip sheets located here or stop in to one of our branches for assistance in getting started.

 

Holiday Break Boredom Busters

Staying in town for Christmas break? We can help keep your kids happy, busy and entertained… and we may even sneak in a little education (but they’ll never know!) Between Family Building Bricks Parties, Teen Zones, a Let-It Snow Holiday Show with Joel Tacey and much more, there won’t be any time for boredom. Click here for a complete list of our programs taking place December 22 – January 2.

With your bank account a bit depleted after all that holiday shopping, don’t worry about spending money keeping your kids busy… all KDL programs are free!

And if you are heading to the sunny south for break, make sure to stop in your local branch and stock up on some great reads. Pick up some audiobooks to make a long car or plane ride more bearable.

 

Michigan Picture Books for the Whole Family

One of my favorite winter activities is to snuggle under a blanket and share a picture book with a loved one. Michigan-based books are fun because we can reminisce about our adventures or plan special destinations for our next outing. Here are some old and new favorites:

For my littlest friends:

M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet by Annie Appleford

The Michigan Counting Book by Kathy-jo Wargin

Native American legends of favorite destinations:

The Legend of Sleeping Bear by Kathy-jo Wargin

The Legend of Mackinac Island by Kathy-jo Wargin

While an older title, this classic award-winner offers a unique perspective of the Great Lakes:

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling

Another travel destination book, especially if there is an interest in architecture:

Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island by Susan Stites

And finally, my love of the Great Lakes is complete with this beautiful aerial photographic book of Lake Michigan lighthouses. While you are enjoying these new perspectives, look for the photo used for Michigan’s Lighthouse Preservation license plates.

Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective by John L. Wagner

Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Online?

Use the Amazon and Schuler Books links from the KDL website by just clicking on the link at right to finish your shopping. Amazon and Schuler Books will contribute a portion of their profits to KDL on any purchases you make using this link (not just books) .

By the way, this link is available year ‘round. Just click on the “Support Your Library” picture at the bottom of KDL’s home page to be taken to the Amazon and Schuler Books link.

 

Cold Weather, Cool Crafts

Some people love being outside in the cold and snow – skiing, sledding and ice skating. While I enjoy many of the opportunities winter brings, I also enjoy the chance to stay indoors and try my hand at creating something new or working on a project.

KDL offers lots of great cooking and arts and craft books. One year my special project was to create a box from a craft I found in The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Lisa Occhipinti. I bought a large book from one of the KDL used book sales and, following the instructions, cut out the old pages, bought some wood, which I cut and painted, and then glued it all together. I ended up with a lovely, handmade gift I was able to give to my sister in time for the holidays.

 

Teen Book Winners from the Goodreads Choice Awards

The 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards recently wrapped up with two teen categories featured.  These awards are based on popular vote from Goodreads users rather than selected by a committee.  So the people have spoken!  The first teen category was Young Adult Fiction.  Out of 20 books, by John Green won by a large vote margin.  If you have not yet read this book, what are you waiting for?!

The other category was Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction.  Again this was not a close race with Insurgent by Veronica Roth winning the category.  Plus also won for Best Goodreads author so that is double the reason to check out this series!