I can't wait to read this one, Allegiant, the last in the Divergent trilogy! Divergent is one of my favorite dystopian series that's come out! Grabs you from the beginning and keeps getting better and better.
Here's a refresher in case you need it :)...
And Insurgent...
Monday, October 28, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?... Special Saturday edition
Welcome to What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday! What are you all reading? I recently read a gritty novel about bullying. The Beckoners by Carrie Mac brings bullying to the forefront of your thoughts and won't let you go. Now, I've read books about bullying before, but it's been some time.
Maybe, this time was different because I now have school aged children; maybe this particular novel is just that good, but by the end of it I was pulling my hair saying, "This is awful. I don't want to read anymore, but I have to know what happens. Oh my goodness, I can't read a novel like this again!" I am sure my children thought I was crazy at that point, but oh well, better a crazy reader than not a reader at all, I always say.
The novel actually begins with a flashback to a horrible scene of bullying and how a girl gets the nickname "Dog," and then the next chapter, seemingly non related, shows an argument between Zoe, a high schooler, and her mother about moving. We learn from the outset that this family moves around a lot and Zoe's single mom isn't very stable. After the move, Zoe is unhappy and needs to find a way to fit in at her new school. The first person she encounters is Beck, who rules the school. By rules, I mean everyone is afraid of her and her gang of Beckoners, so they either steer clear of them or do what she says. Beck decides, for whatever reason, that she likes Zoe, and so it begins. Throughout the novel, there are several situations where Zoe can either choose to bully or be bullied herself. We, as readers, empathize with being a teenager and the desire to fit in. But, we along with Zoe, also know deep down what is right about how to treat people. By the end of the novel, the violence escalates and the price you can pay to stand up for what you believe in is high.
Bullying happens way too often in schools today. It is a very real problem in our society and The Beckoners by Carrie Mac really makes you confront the issue and see it for what it is...
Maybe, this time was different because I now have school aged children; maybe this particular novel is just that good, but by the end of it I was pulling my hair saying, "This is awful. I don't want to read anymore, but I have to know what happens. Oh my goodness, I can't read a novel like this again!" I am sure my children thought I was crazy at that point, but oh well, better a crazy reader than not a reader at all, I always say.
The novel actually begins with a flashback to a horrible scene of bullying and how a girl gets the nickname "Dog," and then the next chapter, seemingly non related, shows an argument between Zoe, a high schooler, and her mother about moving. We learn from the outset that this family moves around a lot and Zoe's single mom isn't very stable. After the move, Zoe is unhappy and needs to find a way to fit in at her new school. The first person she encounters is Beck, who rules the school. By rules, I mean everyone is afraid of her and her gang of Beckoners, so they either steer clear of them or do what she says. Beck decides, for whatever reason, that she likes Zoe, and so it begins. Throughout the novel, there are several situations where Zoe can either choose to bully or be bullied herself. We, as readers, empathize with being a teenager and the desire to fit in. But, we along with Zoe, also know deep down what is right about how to treat people. By the end of the novel, the violence escalates and the price you can pay to stand up for what you believe in is high.
Bullying happens way too often in schools today. It is a very real problem in our society and The Beckoners by Carrie Mac really makes you confront the issue and see it for what it is...
Friday, October 25, 2013
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
This looks a little involved, but at the same time oh so amazing!! From The Pioneer Woman of course! She always makes her recipes look so tasty!:)
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Servings:
- 24
Ingredients
- Dough
- 1-1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 package (2 1/4 Teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
- 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
- 4 cups All-purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1/2 cup (additional) All-purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Filling
- 1 stick 1/2 Cup Butter, Melted
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
- FROSTING
- 8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1/2 pound Powdered Sugar
- 1/4 cup Whole Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
- Dash Of Salt
- Extra Flour, For Rolling
- Extra Milk, For Thinning
- Extra Butter, For The Baking Pans
Preparation Instructions
MAKE THE DOUGH
In a large saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 1/2 vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup sugar. Heat until hot but not boiling, then remove the pan from the stove and allow it to cool until the mixture is warm to the touch but not too hot. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the liquid and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Stir in pumpkin puree until combined.
Combine 4 cups of flour with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger. Sprinkle it into the saucepan and stir until it just comes together. Cover the saucepan with a dish towel and set in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, the mixture should be very puffy and at least doubled in size. Stir in 1/2 cup flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until totally combined.
MAKE THE ROLLS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Drizzle butter into 3 pie pans (or a larger baking dish) and smear it all over the bottom of the pans.
Turn out dough onto a floured surface and press it into a rectangular shape. If it is overly sticky, sprinkle generously with flour and handle it/flour it until it's easier to handle. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle about 10 inches by 30 inches.
Drizzle the melted 1 stick of butter over the dough and smear it all over the surface with your fingers. Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Sprinkle this all over the surface of the dough, covering all the melted butter. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chopped pecans.
Starting at the top, use a "typewriter" motion to roll the dough toward you into a large log. Roll it tightly as you go so the rolls with be nice and neat. When it's all rolled, pinch the seam closed and turn the roll over so that the seam is facing down.
Slice 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices and place them in the buttered pan(s). Allow them to rise for 20 minutes, then bake for 15-18 minutes or until nice and golden brown around the edges.
MAKE THE FROSTING
While the rolls are baking, making the frosting by combining all the frosting ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy, adding more milk if you'd like a thinner icing. Add maple flavoring if using and beat until combined.
FINISH THE ROLLS
Ice rolls the second they come out of the oven. Sprinkle extra nuts over the frosting, then allow them to sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Delicious!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Twitter Fun!
Is everyone on Twitter except for me? I didn't really see much point....until today. I belong to a listserv of Iowa librarians and there was a posting from Carnegie Stout Public Library of a game to play on Twitter! Sounded intriguing....
What you do is choose a book and describe it in 6 words (not 5 and not 7, but 6) then use #6wordDescription. Bonus points for tagging the author! Challenging and fun! Join me and see if you can do it!
Here is an example to get you started....
#6wordDescription This is what Happy Looks Like by @JenniferESmith - Watching sunrises with someone you love.
There you go! Happy Tweeting!! Oh by the way, my twitter is MomaCat06....Follow me!!...
P.S. If you don't have twitter and don't want to get Twitter you can join the fun and add your 6 word challenge to Facebook!! :)
What you do is choose a book and describe it in 6 words (not 5 and not 7, but 6) then use #6wordDescription. Bonus points for tagging the author! Challenging and fun! Join me and see if you can do it!
Here is an example to get you started....
#6wordDescription This is what Happy Looks Like by @JenniferESmith - Watching sunrises with someone you love.
There you go! Happy Tweeting!! Oh by the way, my twitter is MomaCat06....Follow me!!...
P.S. If you don't have twitter and don't want to get Twitter you can join the fun and add your 6 word challenge to Facebook!! :)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Book Trailer Monday...
As we creep closer to Halloween, I thought I'd throw out some "scary" titles for you to try...The first is a young adult novel about zombies, or more specifically it's about the teenagers that fight zombies according to author, Jonathan Maberry.
Here's the author, Jonathan Maberry, reviewing his own work, Rot & Ruin.
Here's the author, Jonathan Maberry, reviewing his own work, Rot & Ruin.
Friday, October 18, 2013
From Our Recipe Box to Yours....
I got to talking with Jillian, our new Information Services Librarian, the other day and she was telling me about spaghetti and meatballs that her husband had made for dinner. Hmmmm. I've never made meatballs before and I thought it might be "fun." So, I looked on the internet and found a few recipes to try. When I got home I read through them and figured out which sounded better and would work with what was in my cupboard :). I ended up making these by Rachel Ray and they were awesome!!! The meatballs turned a meal of plain old spaghetti into something special. And it was FUN!
Why don't you try it? It'll spice up a regular old weekday meal...
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Prep Time:15 minInactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time:20 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 servings
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
Salt, for pasta water
Meatballs:
1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table
Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_26528_RECIPE-PRINT-FULL-PAGE-FORMATTER,00.html?oc=linkback
Why don't you try it? It'll spice up a regular old weekday meal...
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Prep Time:15 minInactive Prep Time: -- Cook Time:20 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 servings
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
Salt, for pasta water
Meatballs:
1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table
Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_26528_RECIPE-PRINT-FULL-PAGE-FORMATTER,00.html?oc=linkback
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday....
Hi fellow readers! I hope you are having an awesome Wednesday! I know many of you are busy and don't have time to think, let alone read. But, I think reading is important and if you read nothing else today, read this edited version of a lecture that author Neil Gaiman gave in London on Monday. It's about the value of libraries and the value of imaginations and the value of reading! We live in a society that is always go, go, go, and "I don't have time to read," but reading inspires and it creates and in the end makes us and our world a better place.
Be inspired and read this...http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming
On a side note: Last night I watched the movie Pay it Forward (of course, based on a book) with my kids for a Boy Scout project on Citizenship in Your Community. A main theme of the movie is how everyone can change their world no matter how young they are. You may think you are a kid and have no impact, but come up with an idea and do it, and watch what can happen.
A new young adult book in the library, Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine, talks about the civil rights movement. In her note at the end, she remembers growing up during this time period and the helplessness of it all. She notes, however, that she wrote this novel to show that even though we have a long way yet to come, we should "be strong, be brave and be leaders."
So, along with Neil Gaiman in his speech on Monday, these two examples of a movie based on a book and a new novel, show how reading, fiction or non-fiction, and our imaginations will inspire and create and make the world a better place to be.
Go out and read something today!
Be inspired and read this...http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming
On a side note: Last night I watched the movie Pay it Forward (of course, based on a book) with my kids for a Boy Scout project on Citizenship in Your Community. A main theme of the movie is how everyone can change their world no matter how young they are. You may think you are a kid and have no impact, but come up with an idea and do it, and watch what can happen.
A new young adult book in the library, Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine, talks about the civil rights movement. In her note at the end, she remembers growing up during this time period and the helplessness of it all. She notes, however, that she wrote this novel to show that even though we have a long way yet to come, we should "be strong, be brave and be leaders."
So, along with Neil Gaiman in his speech on Monday, these two examples of a movie based on a book and a new novel, show how reading, fiction or non-fiction, and our imaginations will inspire and create and make the world a better place to be.
Go out and read something today!
Friday, October 11, 2013
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
This recipe just looked kind of intriguing...
Apple Pie Cookies
Ingredients
(Adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
Crust:
1 Stick unsalted butter, well chilled and cut into 1" pieces
1 Cup all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup ice water
Filling:
1 Apple (your choice), peeled, cored and cut into quarters
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Dash of nutmeg (optional)
(Adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
Crust:
1 Stick unsalted butter, well chilled and cut into 1" pieces
1 Cup all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup ice water
Filling:
1 Apple (your choice), peeled, cored and cut into quarters
1/4 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Dash of nutmeg (optional)
To make the crust, combine the butter, flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a food processor with a steel blade and pulse just until it resembles course crumbs. Slowly pour in the ice water and pulse just until combined and a dough ball forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out on a well floured surface until it's quite thin. Using a round cutter, cut out an equal number of circles. You can re-roll the scraps to use up all the dough. The number of circles you get will depend on your size cutter but I used a 3 1/2" cutter and got about 10 circles.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out on a well floured surface until it's quite thin. Using a round cutter, cut out an equal number of circles. You can re-roll the scraps to use up all the dough. The number of circles you get will depend on your size cutter but I used a 3 1/2" cutter and got about 10 circles.
In a bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Slice each apple quarter as thinly as you can and place 2 or 3 slices on half of your dough circles. Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of the sugar/cinnamon mixture over the apple slices and top with the blank dough circles. Using a fork, crimp the edges so that the filling doesn't run out and cut a criss-cross slit across the tops. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a tablespoon of additional sugar, if desired, and bake in a pre-heated 350 oven for 20 - 30 minutes or until the cookies are a light golden brown.
Friday, October 4, 2013
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
This one looked fun and it "Tis the Season for some spooky fun!:)
Halloween Bark by the Pioneer Woman...
Halloween Bark by the Pioneer Woman...
Ingredients
- 1 package White Almond Bark
- 16 whole Graham Crackers
- Pretzel Sticks, Broken In Half
- Oreo's, Chopped
- Reese's Pieces
- Chopped Pistachios
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Other Misc Ingredients: Mini Marshmallows, Candy Corns, M & M's, Colored Sprinkled, Different Nuts, Broken Chocolate Bars
Preparation Instructions
Melt the almond bark over a double boiler (I use a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.) Stir until smooth and allow to cool slightly.
Arrange whole graham crackers together on a rimmed baking sheet so that they’re butted up against one another. Pour the melted almond bark over the top and use an offset spatula to spread it evenly over the surface.
Sprinkle on pistachios, chocolate chips, pretzels, and Reese’s Pieces (along with anything else you’d like to add.) Lightly press all the ingredients with the palm of your hand to make sure they’re all anchored on.
Place the pan in the fridge and allow it to set completely. Break the bark into smaller pieces. Serve on a platter or package in small cellophane bags.
Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?...
Hi all! Welcome to Wednesday and What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday! I have been reading a whole pile of different titles lately. The most recent one that I wanted to talk a little bit about is called This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer Smith. Janette, another librarian here, had mentioned that she had found this book that had a yellow cover and the word Happy in the title and that was what had intrigued her to read the book. Now, I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but it did encourage her to read it in this case and now I am reading it on her recommendation. So, why not?
This is What Happy Looks Like is a young adult selection that is a romance of sorts. Interspersed throughout the chapters are email messages back and forth between the two young main characters. The story actually begins with an email being sent to the wrong person and the two main characters meet and an unlikely friendship is born. One of their email dialogues is about the question, "What does Happy Look like?" The girl answers with things like sunrises and walks on the beach. By the end of the story, they share these things together. This inspired me to text my husband and friends and ask what happy looks like to them. I got such fun responses from a night home with my family to me:). What a neat thought. If we all focused on our "happys" in a day, what a nicer day we would all have.
In the end, there are secrets uncovered and love found; there is heartbreak and sadness and HAPPY, and the author makes you feel it all. Overall, I am glad that Janette picked a book on a whim because of its color! Try it sometime. You might just uncover a real treasure.
This is What Happy Looks Like is a young adult selection that is a romance of sorts. Interspersed throughout the chapters are email messages back and forth between the two young main characters. The story actually begins with an email being sent to the wrong person and the two main characters meet and an unlikely friendship is born. One of their email dialogues is about the question, "What does Happy Look like?" The girl answers with things like sunrises and walks on the beach. By the end of the story, they share these things together. This inspired me to text my husband and friends and ask what happy looks like to them. I got such fun responses from a night home with my family to me:). What a neat thought. If we all focused on our "happys" in a day, what a nicer day we would all have.
In the end, there are secrets uncovered and love found; there is heartbreak and sadness and HAPPY, and the author makes you feel it all. Overall, I am glad that Janette picked a book on a whim because of its color! Try it sometime. You might just uncover a real treasure.
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