Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 83

KDL on WFGR Radio: Beer & More

When you think “library,” you think “beer”… am I right? I was downtown this morning bright and early to talk with WFGR hosts Andy and Dave about KD aLe, which kicks off on January 15 and runs through February at select library branches and local breweries.

To listen to the interview and learn all about how KDL can help you brew your own beer, learn about local breweries and about pairing beer with food, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPkFKohm5mo

January LibraryReads Staff Picks

You already know that your local KDL staff provide great recommendations when you’re looking for your next favorite book. Now library staff across the nation have connected to offer LibraryReads, a nationwide “Top 10″ list of favorite titles each month! Check out these upcoming titles that librarians across the country have read, loved, and want to share with you:

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches: A Flavia de Luce Novel

by Alan Bradley

“Flavia de Luce is still on the loose! This time, the almost-twelve-year-old prodigy explores some tantalizing mysteries involving her own family. Flavia uncovers surprising secrets about the characters we know and love and meets some fascinating new people, including a precocious distant cousin. You’ll enjoy seeing new depths in Flavia — this novel takes the series in an exciting direction.”

– Nancy Russell, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH

 

A Star for Mrs. Blake by April Smith

“A little-known slice of American history receives meticulous, elegant treatment in this compelling novel about a group of mothers who travel to post-WWI Europe to visit the graves of their fallen soldier-sons. Cora Blake, grieving the loss of her only child, pulls the group together to provide support on their difficult pilgrimage. Sure to be a sleeper hit with book groups looking for heart-tugging history.”

– Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

 

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

“I was thrilled to find out that Sarah Addison Allen had a new book out, and it did not disappoint. Allen’s trademark magic is woven throughout the story and can be found in the lake, the town, and the people, but at its heart, this story is about finding home — something we can all relate to.”

– Ally Watkins, Central MS Regional Library System, Pearl, MS

 

The Days of Anna Madrigal by Armistead Maupin

“So good to see all these beloved characters again! And we finally get the true story of Anna Madrigal. If you’re either a fan of the Tales of the City series, Burning Man or both, this is a fun Sunday-afternoon kind of book.”

– Jenne Bergstrom, San Diego County Library, San Diego, CA

 

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee’s Guide to Saving the World

by Rachel Cantor

“Leonard works for Neetsa Pizza, a Pythagorean pizza chain, in the near-ish future. His job is to take calls, listen to complaints and help his customers achieve maximum pizza happiness. His employee manual gives him an answer for every scenario — until he gets a call from Marco, who seems to be calling from another time or space. Think of Terry Pratchett crossed with Douglas Adams.”

– Jane Jorgenson, Madison Public Library, Madison, WI

 

The Wind Is Not a River by Brian Payton

“A tender love story about a reporter stranded during World War II on one of the Aleutian Islands, and his feisty wife, who travels to find him. The geographical and historical setting of American warfare in the North Pacific, little known to most, is very intriguing. Readers will fall in love with the main characters’ fierce determination to survive and love against all odds.”

– Paulette Brooks, Elm Grove Public Library, Elm Grove, WI

 

Orfeo by Richard Powers

“Experimental music and genetic engineering? Heady stuff indeed, but what is most remarkable about this thought-provoking journey is how intensely it makes you feel about human creativity, experience, and the enigmatic fugitive Peter Els, whose flight from an uncomprehending world anchors the narrative. A perfect introduction to this brilliant but sometimes forbidding author.”

– David Wright, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA

 

The Kept by James Scott

“Scott has written a haunting novel about two characters who are tormented by regret and guilt and who do all the wrong things to find redemption. Beautiful writing and unforgettable characters mark this first novel that has been compared to the work of Cormac McCarthy and Michael Ondaatje.”

– Alison Kastner, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

 

Little Failure: A Memoir by Gary Shteyngart

Little Failure is the marvelous tale of the Shteyngart family’s journey from Leningrad to Queens in the 1970s. Gary Shteyngart captures an amazing snapshot of that time in history, and this engaging memoir is suffused with conflict, love, and a lot of hilarity.”

– Laura Scott, Park Ridge Public Library, Park Ridge, IL

 

The First True Lie by Marina Mander

“An unusual, well-written story told by a young boy who lives with his talented, but troubled mother in a city apartment in Italy. One morning, Luca finds his mother dead, and his worst fears paralyze him. How long can he hide the truth from his teachers and classmates? Luca uses what he loves most, words, to reach a place where he can finally open the door to others. An excellent reading group selection.”

– Margaret Donovan, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA

 

See http://libraryreads.org for more information and find your next great read!

 

KDL Open 1:00 – 5:00 PM Tues., Jan. 7

Due to the ongoing treacherous weather conditions, KDL will be open reduced hours on Tuesday, January 7. All branches and the Service Center will be open from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. All morning and evening programs are cancelled for the day. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Upcoming Writing Programs

Attention aspiring writers: KDL will offer the following free programs aimed at helping to hone your writing skills:

Free Writing Seminar with Tom Rademacher — Tuesday, January 21, 6:30 — 8:00 PM — Wyoming branch

This award-winning Grand Rapids Press columnist will show you how to become a citizen journalist for the Wyoming area. Presented by WKTV Community Media Center. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. Click here to register. For adults.

 

Teen Writing Workshop — Saturday, January 25, 3:00 — 4:00 PM — East Grand Rapids branch

Develop your talent in this new writing community. Inspiration and instruction is available online through videos featuring local authors, writing prompts and critique worksheets. Five in-person discussion sessions led by GRCC writing professor Rachel Lutwick-Deaner will be held throughout the year focusing on peer-to-peer feedback. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. Click here to register. For teens grades 6-12.

 

 

How to Self-Publish Your Book on Amazon — Monday, February 24, 6:30 — 7:30 PM — Plainfield Township branch

Sci-fi author John Forsberg, whose debut novel, Day One, has sold more than 5,000 copies, details the nuts-and-bolts of how to publish your book on Amazon.com. From book formatting tips to taking your book “live” for purchase, this fast-paced presentation walks you through the process for self-publishing eBooks and traditional print book formats. For adults. No registration required.

KDL CLOSED Monday, January 6

Due to extreme weather conditions, all Kent District Library branches and the Service Center will be CLOSED on Monday, January 6. We apologize for any inconvenience and will resume normal business hours as the weather permits. Fines on items due Monday will be waived.

 

Early Lit Bits: App Review — Bugs and Buttons 2

In the app Bugs and Buttons 2, cute life-like bugs, fun sound effects and music are combined with colorful, high definition graphics for a fun learning experience. The app includes 18 different games at 3 levels that engage critical thinking skills and teach counting, music memory, sorting and more! As you play you can choose your mode of play and the games will adapt to the skill level of the player. Easy-to-follow instructions lead users through games that test observation or listening skills. The arcade-like games have you racing bugs past obstacles, watching a puppet show or saving bugs from “raining” buttons. The fine motor skills used in the games can help children’s hands get ready to write. Activities like counting and matching help develop early literacy skills through talking and playing.  This well-rounded app is available for iPad and iPhone for $2.99.

– Julie R. 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.

 

KDL on WGVU Radio — KD aLe

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 Morgan Jarema and “Beervangelist” Fred Bueltmann talk about the upcoming KD aLe series of beer-related programs and brewery tours.

Enjoy!

Download WGVU1-2-14.mp3

 

Book Review: Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher

Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher

Harry Sue’s parents are on the inside… in the joint… in jail, and there’s no chance they’ll be sprung anytime soon. Living with her bad-tempered and neglectful grandmother, Harry Sue is desperate to escape, so she devises a plan to reunite herself with her mother: she’ll embark on a life of crime and be sent to live with her mom in the slammer. If only Harry Sue’s “crew” on the outside didn’t need her so much, this would work like a charm.

Pure hearts are few and far between in the world, but Sue Stauffacher has created a character whose heart gleams golden even as her edges remain rough. Harry Sue tries to put her plan in action, but she is constantly distracted from her purpose by her need to care for those around her. She watches over the “crumb snatchers” in her grandmother’s daycare to make sure they’re safe and fed, and she daily distracts her friend, Homer Price (a quadriplegic who won’t come out of his tree house) from his own dark thoughts. She yearns for her absent mother, but her own plans to be near her are derailed by the mothering she must do for those around her.

Stauffacher doesn’t shy away from weighty issues like abuse, neglect and loss, but she juxtaposes them with jailbird slang, quirky humor and wacky events that keep this book entertaining rather than maudlin. She also includes a set of supporting characters that renew the reader’s faith in the human race’s potential to do the right things. West Michigan readers will also enjoy the book’s references to local landmarks.

Take a chance on Harry Sue and see if she ends up doing time, or if life has something better in store for her. You won’t be disappointed you did. And check our KDL’s author interview with Sue Stauffacher on the KDL website!

 

KDL on WJRW: Keep Your News Year’s Resolutions!

Recently, Communications Manager Heidi Nagel went on WJRW Radio to share how KDL can help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. If you want to save money, download items for free instead of purchasing them or use Consumer Reports to make wise purchases. If you want to lose weight or get healthy, check out our collection of or attend an upcoming program on Natural Health. Maybe you want to have more fun or learn something new? Attend one of our upcoming programs, including our KD aLe series. We are here to help you meet your goals!

Download WJRW12-30-13.mp3

Cheers to a wonderful 2014!

KDL Top Ten — Diet Books

Starting a new diet in 2014?  These are 10 of the most checked-out diet books at KDL right now!  If you’re looking for ideas, check out this week’s Top Ten list: