librynerd

“When snow melts, what does it become?’
It becomes water, of course’
Wrong! It becomes spring!”
― Natsuki Takaya                                                   

 

    The snow has definitely melted here in Ottawa, spring is in the air and my mind turns to new activities or a resurgence of old ones!

It’s easy to find some cool things to do at the Library!

     I have added the link, (yup over there on the side) for my library’s event page here in Ottawa. But wherever you are I bet they have events – here’s some examples of what they have here:   Knitting at 3 different branches; kite flying stories and crafts at another branch; science stories and crafts – and even an experiment at another; gardening stories and crafts at 2 other branches and; at my own branch, (Ruth E. Dickinson), a printmaking workshop! I bet you library has events like this to – go…

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Spring is in the air!

“When snow melts, what does it become?’
It becomes water, of course’
Wrong! It becomes spring!”
― Natsuki Takaya                                                   

 

    The snow has definitely melted here in Ottawa, spring is in the air and my mind turns to new activities or a resurgence of old ones!

It’s easy to find some cool things to do at the Library!

     I have added the link, (yup over there on the side) for my library’s event page here in Ottawa. But wherever you are I bet they have events – here’s some examples of what they have here:   Knitting at 3 different branches; kite flying stories and crafts at another branch; science stories and crafts – and even an experiment at another; gardening stories and crafts at 2 other branches and; at my own branch, (Ruth E. Dickinson), a printmaking workshop! I bet you library has events like this to – go ahead – search them out!!!

And if just the ideas of things to do for march do not inspire you here are some book suggestions to go along with it:

          I have read this book and the sequel. I really enjoyed the first one and the intricate tales it told of its ensemble cast of characters. I think I may have been drawn to it because I feel the best groups always have a wide variety of people rather than everyone being similar. I did not enjoy the second book: KNit 2, as much, I found it narrowed in too much on one character and as such didn’t give me the same feeling of belonging, however vicariously, to a knitting group. 

 Everyone has heard of The Kite Runner, but did you know there was a graphic novel?

 

 

Grossology (ISBN 0-201-40964-X) is a non-fiction children’s book written by Sylvia Branzei and published by Price Stern Sloan in 1992. It is a frank, thorough, yet light-hearted examination of various unappealing bodily functions and medical conditions. The topics are organized into three categories: “Slimy Mushy Oozy Gross Things,” (vomit, diarrhea, urine, acne, blisters, etc.); “Crusty Scaly Gross Things,” (dandruff, tooth decay, etc.); and “Stinky Smelly Gross Things,” (halitosis, flatulence, etc.). The text is also accompanied by many humorous illustrations, which were provided by Jack Keely. (Wikipedia 2012)

My daughter loved the book when she was young, but did you know it is now also a TV show on most of the children’s networks!

Did you know some libraries actually have book lists of their own? The St Thomas Public Library and the Winsor Locks Library have wonderful lists on Gardening novels for example:

 

    They do not however, offer readers reviews or book blurbs until you go to the book.

So as you can see there are many ways to let your library inspire you, even if you don’t want to attend their events just reading about them might spark enough interest to check out some new books, or TV shows, or websites!

 

 

 

My very first post – probably more exciting for me than for you

    “We are always looking for the book it is necessary to read next.”    Saul Bellow

       What I have read lately:

SCOTT WESTERFELD’S LEVIATHAN TRILOGY

     The Leviathan Trilogy is set in an alternate Earth scenario where Darwin has discovered the missing DNA link which allows us to meld and minipulate biological beings into useful tools like weapons and airships such as The Leviathan ofcourse there are detractors who would rather rely on machines and it is very believablke as the two theologies and there ‘machines’ are well devided by countries and National doctrines – much like religion did for many hundreds of years, (and in some places still).

       The 1st book follows the adventures of a young Deryn Sharp who with the help of her older brother tricks her way into the British Air Force in the Summer of 1914 when Europe is on the brink of WWI. Through a series of adventerous circumstances she ends up on airship The Leviathan. Alternately it tracks Prince  Aleksander, the orphan son of the Archduke Ferdinand who was murdered, (this was an actual catalyst to WWI), leaving him as the heir to the Austrian Throne and on the run from his own country and thier allies. Eventually thier lives become intertwined and as not only with each others but with The Leviathan itself as it head off on a secret mission envolving the granddaughter of Darwin himself! The three books take you through Austria, The Alps, Istanbul, Japan, Germany, The U.S. and Russia  and gives a faily accurate account of these essential powers and thier responses to the real WWI while still holding true to the alternateness of Westerfelds earth.  

     These books are considerd teen lit and as such are very quick reads for adults but still worth it! The story is adventurous and moves quickly, the settings are believable and easy to picture, (though discriptions are not overly lengthy, thank goodness), and the characters are engaging, quirky and believable, and each speak with thier own voice.

   

Leviathan a sea monster referred to in the Bible. The word has become synonymous with any large sea monster or creature. In literature (e.g., Herman Melville‘s Moby-Dick) it refers to great whales, and in Modern Hebrew, it means simply “whale.” It is described extensively in Job 41. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan

Behemoth In the divine speeches in Job, Behemoth and Leviathan may both be seen as composite and mythical creatures with enormous strength, which humans like Job could not hope to control. But both are reduced to the status of divine pets, with rings through their noses and Leviathan on a leash. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behemoth



Goliath Goliath of Gath is a figure in the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament). Described as a giant Philistine warrior, he is famous for his combat with the young David, the future king of Israel. The purpose of the original story was to show David’s identity as the true king of Israel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath

  [I have put in the wiki definitions for the book title beings because I find they are applicable to the crux of the trilogy’s main theme which is: If given the choice would you base the main components of your civilisation in biologically modified and enhanced beings or in mechanical ones?]

  I am recomending these books because, not only did I thoroughly enjoy them but I am also, after one read through, willing to go purcase them so I can read them again and again!  

           

This might also be the first time I can make it through a Book on Tape (CD) as it is being tols by Alan Cumming; I’ll let you know!