Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 18
July 6, 2015
KDL on WGVU Radio — Recommended Reads
Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Communications Assistant Andrea Mantakounis share a few suggestions for summer reads, including Sophie Kinsella’s Finding Audrey and S.J. Watson’s Second Life.
Audiobooks for Road Trips
Summer is a great time to travel with the whole family but it is also a great chance to listen to some great books together. Here are some suggests to try!
July 1, 2015
Holiday Closing — Independence Day
Xbox One, PS4, or Wii U?
Starting this summer, KDL patrons can check out Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the Wii U games for all ages! In addition, KDL will continue to purchase popular games for our PS3 and Xbox 360 collections – now including those rated T for Teen and M for Mature.
Check your local KDL branch to see which games are on the shelf today. To search the online catalog, include the title or partial title and the game system as a Keyword (e.g. “
June 30, 2015
How to Cure a Book Hangover
What do you do when the book you couldn’t wait to start reading, is now the book you are dreading finishing? The book that for a short time in your life completely consumed everything you were doing? 
Try as you might to limit how much you read per day, portioning it chapter by chapter, so that you don’t binge read and finish it too quickly, the book always comes to a close.
And now you’re stuck, how do you move on from such a book? How do you find something comparable with the characters and places you’ve fallen in love with?
You my friend now have a book hangover. 
Think of our KDL librarians as your cool glass of water and two aspirins. They’ve been there, they know the signs and symptoms. They have survived even the worst book hangovers and lived to tell the tale, which makes them the perfect go-to when you are suffering.
Coping mechanisms can include, though not limited to, the following:
Reading everything else that author has ever published. That widely panned first novel isn’t looking so bad now.
Reading about the topics and locations mentioned in the book. If Wild was your undoing, here is a list of all the books Sheryl mentioned during her journey.
Try cooking meals inspired by the story. Gallons of butterbeer were consumed when the Harry Potter series ended, a rather sickly sweet way to drown your sorrows.
And the easiest way to get over your book hangover is to check out the recommended reads by our staff. They have composed hundreds of lists to help you through this trying time. Lists are based off of similar authors, genres, “If You Liked…” and staff favorites.
With these helpful tips you’ll be back on your feet in no time! That is until your recovery book ends…in which case we’ll be seeing you soon.
June 29, 2015
New Grand Rapids Press Historical Archives Database Available to Patrons
History buffs, get ready to time travel! Kent District Library is now offering you a chance to go back in Michigan’s past with access to the Grand Rapids Press Historical Archives. Newspaper issues from 1893 to 1922 are accessible on your computer as a PDF. The database allows you to search by date or by keyword throughout the available collection.
Did you know that in 1905, a fur coat in Grand Rapids cost anywhere from $13-30.00, a husband had his wife sent to jail simply by claiming she was “insane,” and the temperature in Baldwin in February dropped to 30 degrees below zero? These papers give us a portal into the past and an opportunity to trace the tensions rising between European countries leading into World War I, the grand discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as covering stories from our own backyards.
Remote access to the collection from home is available with a KDL library card, but anyone can access the database from within our 18 branches (no library card required.)
June 27, 2015
June 26, 2015
No Heroes without Her
It’s time we start redefining the word hero. With our summer theme of celebrating heroes, the ideas abound for superhero-themed book lists, displays and activities, but it’s no secret that the superhero world has long been male-dominated. Young girls want hero stories that reflect their world and experiences as well; they’re wrongly assuming that when we say we’re celebrating heroes we mean only the stereotypical men in masks and capes.
When we celebrate heroes, we mean ALL heroes! The world is full of heroic women who have changed the world. Celebrate heroes with your girls this summer by checking out true stories of women heroes who have changed the world. After all, you can’t have a “hero” without “her”!
Untamed: the Wild Life of Jane Goodall
by Anita Silvey
BIOGRAPHY JNF GOODALL
by Shana Corey
BIOGRAPHY JNF KELLERMAN
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown
BIOGRAPHY JNF LISTON
Mary Walker Wears the Pants: the true story of the doctor, reformer, and Civil War hero.
by Cheryl Harness
BIOGRAPHY JNF WALKER
Vision of Beauty : the story of Sarah Breedlove Walker
by Kathryn Lasky
BIOGRAPHY JNF WALKER
For more great reads about great women heroes, check out A Mighty Girl’s book lists at www.amightygirl.com
June 25, 2015
DC Comics and Vertigo Join hoopla!
Fan boys and fan girls rejoice, DC Comics and Vertigo have joined hoopla! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and more are now available, for free for all Kent District Library card holders.
Readers can instantly borrow up to twelve titles a month, there are no late fees, no holds and the titles automatically return themselves.
June 23, 2015
A Taste of Literature
Good authors have you seeing their world, great authors have you tasting it and with these recipes, you can eat and drink along with your favorite characters.
If you want to sip on Butterbeer with Harry, gulp lamb stew with Katniss or enjoy a raspberry cordial with Anne of Green Gables, check out these recipes inspired by children’s books.
Looking to wow your book club with a themed meal? These iconic foods are all drawn from famous works ranging from Moby Dick to Little Women.
Bon appétit and happy reading!
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