What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?..

     Welcome to another edition of What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday? This week I thought I'd talk about a book that one of my coworkers, Emily, just finished and told me all about. Sounds definitely thought provoking and like one I'd enjoy reading.
     The book is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It is a YA (young adult) selection and it is about suicide. The main character, a teenage girl, commits suicide and the rest of the book is the 13 reasons (events/people) why. She records messages on cassette tapes to the 13 people that influenced her decision to commit suicide. So, as each one listens you piece together the whole story of what affected her and why. Reasons like, a cry for help to a guidance councilor who didn't taker her seriously and a school bully who wouldn't stop. Emily told me that the story/author really makes you stop and take a look at suicide and why someone might choose to do it. It really puts you in their shoes, so to speak. This thought provoking young adult novel, Thirteen Reasons Why,  reminds me of many of the Jodi Piccoult novels I've read. In fact, she wrote one called The Pact, which is about a teen suicide pact. The other characteristic of this novel that reminds me of Jodi Piccoult is the idea that through the story, the author can actually make you see the point of view of whom you would traditionally consider the "bad guy"or at least not popular character, like the one committing suicide. Not that the person committing suicide is bad; it's just not usually viewed as an acceptable choice. I find this a really great quality of a fiction book; for the author to be able to make me look at something that is real, like suicide, and make me look at it differently than I ever have before.
     So, if you are up for a great thought provoking read, try Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher or give a Jodi Piccoult novel a whirl. You won't be disappointed.
   

Book Trailer Monday...

Sometimes it's fun to revisit an old classic. Here are Chapters 1 and 2 of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. It's a little long, but I wanted to see if it might interest you in reading the entire novel. Also, the other chapters are available on www.youtube.com if you care to keep listening....

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?

     Well, it's Wednesday again....And it's one week until Halloween!!I imagine all of your little witches and goblins are super excited about now. Have you been reading Halloween stories? Going to haunted houses? Having parties? The library is having a Halloween party with stories, crafts and fun this Saturday, October 27, at 10:30 a.m.!! Miss Sue will tell some fun Halloween stories and then there will be several craft stations with treats for the kids to visit. Costumes are welcome at this Family Friendly Event!!!
     Janette and I were talking about stories we read our kids the other day and she told me that her favorite Halloween story to read to her children is The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey. For me and my house, we enjoy Halloween poems. Several years ago in a Scholastic book order we found a Halloween Night poetry book. It has become a well loved favored book. I thought I'd share a couple here with you...

Pumpkins On Guard

Look at all the pumpkin faces
Lighting up so many places.

On the porch and in the yard,
Pumpkin faces standing guard.

Looking friendly, looking mean,
With a smile or with a scream.

Orange faces burning bright
In the cool October night.

How about this one....

Sick or Treat

I got a lot of treats tonight
And I just ate them all.
From candy bars to bubble gum,
My taste buds had a ball.

But now my stomach's doing flips.
Oh what a Halloween.
The Biggest trick from all those treats?
I'm slowly turning green.

Lastly....

I'm Not Afraid

Thank you for the water
And the extra goodnight kiss.
I know it's getting late but first
I have to tell you this.

I'm not afraid of scary things
Thant dance out in the dark.
I'm not afraid of mournful sounds
That make the dogs all bark.

I'm not afraid of closet doors
When they are open wide.
I'm not afraid of drapes and shades
Where shadows like to hide.

I'm not afraid of ghosts and ghouls
That haunt each Halloween.
I'm not afraid of anything
That I have never seen.

I'm not afraid of creaking steps
Or gurgles in the sink.
I'm not afraid of basement groans
(At least that's what I think).

I'm not afraid of all those things
That bump or growl at night.
I'm not afraid of anything_
But please leave on the light.

Enjoy this Halloween and maybe try something spooky to read....

Book Trailer Monday...

Linda Lael Miller has been quite popular with all types lately...She writes historical western romance, with emphasis on western....Here are a couple to peak your interest...

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Here's a recipe I found on Pinterest that I think I just must try!! However, this staff morning day came just too early!! Next time ladies!:)

Breakfast Casserole

Makes: 12-18 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 – 1 pound sausage
• 1 package crescent rolls
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 Tsp oregano or rosemary
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place a skillet over medium heat and add the sausage. Break up the sausage as it cooks, letting it brown completely.
3. Unroll the crescent rolls and spread them out in the bottom of a 9×13 pan, pressing the seams together to make one large sheet of dough.
4. Spread the sausage over the dough.
5. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the sausage.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk, oregano or rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden and the eggs are set.

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?

     So, last Thursday all of us librarians attended ILA, Iowa Library Association, Conference in Dubuque. This is always a fun experience to get out together and get excited about what we are doing here at the library. We are each allowed to choose the sessions we want to attend, picking and choosing what we are interested in or what might be pertinent to our specific job role, i.e. teen librarian.
     My favorite session that I attended was called, Going Clubbing: Spicing up your book clubs. Now we don't currently have a library sponsored book club, but I think it would be fun. Besides, I try and provide that type of interest here on the blog. Hey! Perhaps I should incorporate both....hmmmm....something to think about...
     For now, I just wanted to mention that the biggest draw for me of this particular speaker was her enthusiasm! She was excited about reading and sharing and talking about her favorites with others. It got you excited, just listening to her and her energy. The other strong point to the young adult book club at the University of Dubuque, that she discussed, I thought, was the way they try to incorporate different forms of media into their discussions. Not only do they read the books, but during discussions, they might bring book themed foods; or listen to a playlist from the story or one the author created and wrote while he wrote; they might include you tube videos or clips from the audio book version of the story. How perfect! Because in today's society, we all have access to all of these different forms of media and they can really add to our reading experience. Plus, it's just another way to "spice" things up a bit. I think we get busy in life, cause really, what is life if not busy, and then we get away from reading books. By giving more visuals, we can bring back our youthful excitement about reading and sharing our reading with others. Nothing makes me happier than to have my daughter come home and tell me all about the book she is reading and how excited she is to finish it and see what happens.
     I thought I'd include a link to the speaker's blog on the titles they have been reading in their Young Adult book club and see if her style of describing and incorporating might appeal to you and give you a new idea of something to read....Check her out here...http://www.becky-jean.blogspot.com/p/ya-book-primer.html

     On another note...I'd love to hear your opinions on whether or not you'd like an online book club or a regular one or any other ideas you might like to see here...Leave me a comment and we'll go from there....

In the meantime, Happy Reading!

Book Trailer Monday...

Here's an intriguing YA selection, Ashfall by Mike Mullin... The sequel, Ashen Winter, just came out...

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Here's another Pioneer Woman recipe. I was watching some back shows and saw this recipe and thought it looked pretty yummy!! Of course, when doesn't her recipes look yummy.

Tequila Lime Chicken

2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

3 hr 0 min

Cook Time:

10 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

12 servings

Ingredients

• 4 limes
• 1 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
• 12 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups grated Monterey Jack

Options for servings:

• Corn tortillas
• Flour tortillas
• Grated Monterey Jack
• Pico de gallo
• Jalapeno slices
• Lime wedges
• Avocado slices
• Sour cream

Directions

Slice open the limes and squeeze the juice into a food processor or blender. Add the tequila, olive oil, salt, garlic, jalapenos and cilantro. Blend the mixture until totally combined. Add the chicken to a large plastic bag and pour in the lime-tequila mixture. Seal the bag and marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Remove the chicken from the bag and grill it over medium-high heat. Rotate the chicken 45-degrees on both sides to create nice grill marks, and continue grilling until the chicken is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Melt the Monterey Jack over the top of the sliced chicken breasts.

Slice the chicken and serve it on a plate topped with the sides.

Book Trailer Monday...

Here's a hugely popular long lived series....

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     This was in my inbox this week....

Gooey Cookies and Cream Chocolate Cake Bars

1 Devils Food Cake Mix

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

14 Oreo Cookies, broken into bite size pieces

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with tin foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Place cake mix, butter and egg into a large bowl, mixing to combine. Use your hands, it works much quicker  Press into prepared baking pan. Top with broken pieces of cookies.

3. Pour sweetened condensed milk over cookies and top with chocolate chips. Bake for 23-25 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from oven.

4.  After 5 minutes of cooling, run a plastic knife around edges to loosen, this makes it much easier to remove from foil.  Let cool completely, remove foil from pan, then cut into squares.  I cut off all of the edges before cutting into squares (makes for neater squares), but do whatever you’d like!!

Makes 12 bars

 Thanks Vicky!!!:)

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?

     Hello Again!!! Welcome to What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?? Today I'd like to talk about reading apps. Do you have a Kindle? Nook? Ipad? Ipod? Smart Phone? Do you use it to read or have it read to your children?? I am somewhat Old School in that I always said I didn't want one because there's just something about touching a book and turning the pages...However, opinions change and I definitely see a time and place for such readers. For example, I don't have a Kindle or Nook, but I do have an Ipod, presumably for music, but it works great when I lay down next to my kids at night and can read in the dark. Or when I take my youngest to an appointment with me and can hand him my Ipod and have an app read stories to him to help keep him entertained. Wow! Amazing!! Peace and quiet and reading! What could be better?!
     I also noticed in the kids' book orders recently that Scholastic has come out with a reading app called Storia. Currently, it only works on an Ipad, but the concept is there. You get free books when you purchase others and you can also purchase more, of course. I thought it looked interesting.
    I have purchased the Read Me Stories app through itunes which reads stories to my first grader and every so often he gets to download a new one. Also, when I asked a coworker if she used any reading apps, she told me that she didn't have an app per se, but had downloaded several Story Boy books from itunes for her children to read. All of which were free. Better yet.
     After doing a search on the internet, I found that there are several interactive titles out there where the child gets the story read to them, but has the opportunity to play little  mini games throughout. It looked like several Dr. Seuss titles, a Toy Story Read-Along, etc. It also mentioned the title, The Fantastic Flying books of Morris Lessmore for the Ipad which was rated as the best interactive book out there today coming in at a whopping $8.99!!!
    Even if you don't have one of the aforementioned devices you can search YouTube and find books that will read to your children. Sometimes it's a parent reading the story, or a little older child. Other times, you just hear the narrator and you see all the pages of the book turning. (I have a son who is obsessed with YouTube.)
     Sometimes it seems like maybe technology is taking over...but really, you can use it to your advantage and really enhance your reading experience!! Try it, you might like it. I know I did.
   

Book Trailer Monday....

We just got the book the Unwanteds by Lisa McMann and as I read the back cover, I thought, well this sounds fun! So, I brought it home. Seems that I left it laying around and now I have to wait for 2 of my children to read it before I do!!! I told you it looked fun :)!!

Here's an interview with the author and a reading from this fun looking middle grade novel....