Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 64

Genre Derby = New Books

Did you watch the Kentucky Derby over the weekend? Don’t forget that KDL held its own derby this year… the Genre Derby! Thanks to generous donations and corporate matches, we received an additional $6,045 to spend on books in various genres.

Over 400 books were added to the collection thanks to your generosity! Here are just a few of the titles that were purchased:

General Fiction:

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover by Ann B. Ross

Horror:

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Omega Days by John L. Campbell

Sci-Fi / Fantasy:

Saucer: Savage Planet by Stephen Coonts

Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach

Romance:

Not Quite a Wife by Mary Jo Putney

Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James

Western:

Backlands: A Novel of the American West by Michael McGarrity

Shawn O’Brien, Town Tamer by William W. Johnstone

Mystery:

Killer Physique by G. A. McKevett

Murder on Bamboo Lane by Naomi Hirahara

Inspirational:

Woman of Courage by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

Classics:

In Secret by Émile Zola

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

 

See “9 to 5: The Musical” for Free!

“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition…”

Come on, you know the words!

Starting NOW until they are gone: KDL cardholders may pick up two free vouchers per person at our Plainfield Township and Wyoming branches for the dress rehearsal of 9 to 5: The Musical on Thursday, May 29, 7:30 PM at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (30 N. Division Ave.) All dress rehearsals are general seating and vouchers must be redeemed for an admission ticket on dress night only. Vouchers do not guarantee a seat as dress rehearsals include open admission sales. So arrive early; doors to the theatre open at 5:30 PM.

 

Free Computer Classes

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Registration opens today for our June classes:

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Computer Basics: Windows 8 — Using It and Loving It!

(B.Y.O. Laptop)
Internet: Google — More Than Just a Search Engine
Internet: Internet Basics & More
Internet: Online Security
Microsoft Excel Basics I & II
Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis
Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

June classes: Registration begins Monday, May 5 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, May 12 for non-KDL cardholders)
July classes: Registration begins Monday, June 2 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, June 9 for non-KDL cardholders)
August classes: Registration begins Monday, July 7 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, July 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Early Lit Bits: App Review — My Little Town: Toddler’s Seek & Find

My Little Town: Toddler’s Seek & Find is an app that lets kids explore. It is also a great opportunity to talk with your child as you play and interact with the detailed scenes. Using colorful and expressive hand-drawn animations, the app opens into a town where each tap makes entertaining actions unfold. Make the clouds rain, open windows, ring the alarm, ride the bus, etc. As you play, talk to your child about what they see and hear. Check out the free lite version of this app on the Apple App Store. The full version is available for $2.99.

– Julie R. at KDL’s Caledonia Township Branch

 

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

 

Macmillan eAudiobooks Now Available in MP3

Good news for eAudiobook lovers — Macmillan audiobook titles are now available in MP3 format! This means that these eAudiobooks can now be downloaded directly to a much wider variety of devices, including Mac, iPhone and Android.

Popular Macmillan Audio authors include:

Mary Kay Andrews
Jeffrey Archer
C. J. Box
Orson Scott Card
Jackie Collins
Robert M. Edsel (The Monuments Men)
Janet Evanovich
Kristin Hannah
Robert Jordan
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Hilary Mantel
Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles)
Bill O’Reilly
Louise Penny
Brandon Sanderson
Lisa Scottoline

Visit http://ebooks.kdl.org and download one today!

 

Summer 2014 KDL Kaleidoscope

Are you already making plans for summer? Don’t forget about all the FREE programs available at the library! The Summer 2014 issue of the KDL Kaleidoscope program guide is now available online. You’ll find all you need to know about summer events and get some great information on library resources and staff recommendations. (Printed guides will also be available in the branches by late May.)

It’s sure to be an exciting summer at KDL, and you don’t want to miss a thing. Check out the KDL Kaleidoscope today!

 

Exciting New Youth Book Lists

           

Get your child ready to write with great picture books that inspire writing. Have your child hold a crayon and scribble a picture just like Harold in the classic book, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.

Enjoy historical fiction? Imagine a trip to space with the book, Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong.

Connect your child with the perfect book this spring with these exciting book lists!

Katie Writes – Books that Inspire Pre-Writing

Historical Fiction for 4th Grade

 

New Teen eBook / eAudiobook Site

Good news for Teens (or those of us whose teen years may be behind us but who still enjoy reading Teen books ) — our OverDrive eBook & eAudiobook site now includes a Teen eReading Room that collects all Teen titles into one place! If you enjoy reading teen materials and don’t want to wade through steamy adult romances or books aimed at the toddler crowd, just go right to ebooks.kdl.org/teens to find your favorites (including the newly-added Hunger Games series!)

 

 

Like our Kids eReading Room, the Teen site allows you to easily browse by subject (genre), collection (eBook or eAudiobook) or level (including ATOS and Lexile reading levels that are used by many schools). Try it out today!

Happy Downloading!

 

KDL Top Ten — Cooking International Mexican

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo — This week’s Top Ten serves up 10 of the most checked-out Mexican cookbooks at KDL:

Find these and others in our Cooking International section.   And if you love cookbooks, you’ll be happy to learn many are available through KDL’s OverDrive eBooks site!  Download one today.

New Teen Booklists

We’ve updated two of our teen booklists for May. The first one is for the Alex Awards. These are adult books that would hold appeal for teen readers. This year, by Max Barry and The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence were added to the list. The other list is for Printz Awards, which is awarded yearly to a teen book based on literary merit. Midwinter Blood by Marcus Sedgwick has been added.