Zen Doodles and Zentangles; When Creativity and Relaxation Collide

zen1Zentangles and Zen Doodling are an art form that has become a new trend. Many are using this artistic endeavor like meditation, others are using it to flex their creative muscles, and others are just trying it because it is new and fun. This art form is using structured patterns or forms. Since it all starts with following a series of steps and set pattern there is no real right or wrong way to go. It does not matter if you think you are lacking talent or a phenomenal artist, everyone’s effort  is wonderful and there is no way to fail. It can be a great way for the art leery to get started in creative endeavors.

zen2If you are ready to go, we have a Zen Doodle Program on May 29th from 3 to 4:30 pm in our Mary Baldwin room. No registration is required, so join in and enjoy. Interested but too nervous to jump on in? Well, you can always check out some of the books we have acquired on Zen Doodling and Zentangles. Most are new to the collection and offer clear instructions and samples to help inspire you.

zen3The art of Zentangle : 50 inspiring drawings, designs & ideas for the meditative artist senior editor, Stephanie Meissner

One zentangle a day : a 6-week course in creative drawing for relaxation, inspiration, and fun by Beckah Krahula

Zentangle basics. 1 by Suzanne McNeill

Zentangle 10 : featuring ideas for origami & paper crafts by Suzanne McNeill

Let’s tangle! the art of zentangle : a step-by-step guide to this simple but elegant art form by Kathleen Murray, CZT

zen4For further reading you might want to explore the Zentangle website or request these books from other libraries: Zen doodle : oodles of doodles edited by Tonia Jenny, Zen doodle : tons of tangles edited by Tonia Jenny and Amy Jones,The beauty of zentangle : inspirational examples from 137 tangle artists worldwide by Suzanne McNeill, CZT and Cindy Shepard, CZT, Zen doodle : tons of tangles edited by Tonia Jenny and Amy Jones, Joy of Zentangle : drawing your way to increased creativity, focus, and well-being featuring contributing artists Suzanne McNeill, CZT, Sandy Steen Bartholomew, CZT, and Marie Browning, CZT, Zentangle basics by Suzanne McNeill, The Zentangle untangled workbook : a tangle-a-day to draw your stress away by Kass Hall, or The book of zentangle by Rick Roberts & Maria Thomas.

Cozy Mysteries – April and May 2015

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Like May flowers – new cozy mysteries are popping up!

Slayed on the Slopes (A Pacific Northwest Mystery) – Kate Dyer-Seeley

The Icing on the Corpse (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery) – Liz Mugavero

Marked Fur Murder (A Whisky, Tango, and Foxtrot Murder) – Dixie Lyle

Shadow of a Spout (A Teacup Collector Mystery) – Amanda Cooper

A Fright to the Death (A Family Fortune Mystery) – Dawn Eastman

Buy A Whisker (A Second Chance Cat Mystery) – Sofie Ryan

Lemon Pies and Little White Lies (A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery) – Ellery Adams

Demise in Denim (A Consignment Shop Mystery) – Duffy Brown

Dark Chocolate Demise (A Cupcake Bakery Mystery) – Jenn McKinlay

Wicked Stitch (An Embroidery Mystery) – Amanda Lee

Grave on Grand Avenue (An Officer Ellie Rush Mystery) – Naomi Hirahara

Wedding Duress (Southern Sewing Circle) – Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Oh Say Can You Fudge (A Candy-coated Mystery) – Nancy Coco

Seven Threadly Sins (A Threadville Mystery) – Janet Bolin

Hiss and Tell (A Sunny & Shadow Mystery) – Claire Donally

Some Like It Witchy (A Wishcraft Mystery) – Heather Blake

One Foot In The Grape – A Cypress Cove Mystery) – Carlene O’Neil

Musseled Out – Barbara Ross

 

On Our Shelves: New Romance for May 2015

loveLove is blooming at the Cheshire Library!

Historical

The Harlot Countess – Joanna Shupe

The Scoundrel and the Debutante – Julia London

The Duke and the Lady In Red – Lorraine Heath

The Rake To Reveal Her – Julia Justiss

Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires – Sophie Barnes

50 Ways to Ruin a Rake – Jake Lee

The Tempting of Thomas Carrick – Stephanie Laurens

The Unlikely Lady – Valerie Bowman

Romantic Suspense

Twisted – Cynthia Eden

Running Fire – Lindsay McKenna

Her Wild Hero – Paige Tyler

Playing Dirty – Helenkay Dimon

Contemporary

Hold Me – Susan Mallery

Ever After At Sweetheart Ranch – Emma Cane

A Midsummer Night’s Romp – Katie MacAlister

Walking On Sunshine – Luann McLane

Crazy for the Cowboy – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Busted – Shiloh Walker

Lawless in Leather – Melanie Scott

Summer on Lovers’ Island – Donna Alward

Sinful – Joan Johnston

Paranormal

Cat’s Lair – Christine Feehan

National Nurses Week – May 6-12, 2015

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Everyone has had some kind of interaction with a nurse – starting from the day you were born!   In 1994, May 6-12 (May 12th is Florence Nightingale’s birthday) was officially designated National Nurses Week.  It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on, and appreciate, the vital role that nurses play in our lives.  If the opportunity arises, please take the time to thank a nurse for all they do.

Nurses are popular in the literary world too.  The library has a great assortment of books and DVDs that feature nurses.

Fiction

The English Patient – Michael Ondaatje

My Name is Mary Sutter – Robin Oliveira

The Carousel – Richard Paul Evans

A Violet Season – Kathy Leonard Czepiel

The Life We Bury – Allen Eskins

Stella Bain – Anita Shreve

Bittersweet – Colleen McCullough

Never Change – Elizabeth Berg

Non-Fiction

The Secret Rescue – an untold story of American nurses and medics behind Nazi lines – Cate Lineberry

The Good Nurse – a true story of medicine, madness and murder – Charles Graeber

Nightingales: the extraordinary upbringing and curious life of Miss Florence Nightingale – Gillian Gill

Children’s

Nurses – Marlene Targ Brill

Florence Nightingale – Demi

Clara and Davie – Patricia Polacco

DVD’s

Nurse Jackie

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Call The Midwife

China Beach

 

To see a complete listing of titles about nurses, click here.

 

 

 

 

May the Fourth Be With You, Or Happy Star Wars Day!

Are you going to celebrate May the 4th with a Star Wars marathon, binge read some great books, introduce the Star Wars universe to the next generation, or some combination of the three? Perhaps you are unaware of the wonders of Star Wars Day. Well, in case you are scratching your head as to  why is May the 4th called Star Wars Day? Simply say “May the 4th Be With You” out loud and you’ll hear the pun that triggered the worldwide celebration of the day.  Today is the day world over to say “May the Force be with you” and celebrate the beloved Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together.May_the_4th_Star_Wars

I am going to celebrate with some great DVD’s and books that pay tribute in some way to the Star Wars legacy. Although, when in doubt it is always best to start with the Original Trilogy and then moving on to the rest.

Movies/Television:

Phineas & Ferb. Star Wars
A couple summers ago in a galaxy far, far away, Phineas & Ferb are happily basking in the glow of Tatooine’s twin suns – until plans for the Death Star accidentally fall into their hands, thrusting them (and Agent P) into a glactic 4thspaceballsrebellion and an epic struggle of good versus evil. Will Phineas and Ferb be able to resist the Darl Side? Will Stormtrooper Candace finally bust a Rebel? Can Agent P stop Darthenshmirtz from using his Force-powered ‘Sith-Inator

Spaceballs
Science fiction farce in which a space bum struggles to save a princess and keep a ruthless alien race from stealing the air supply from a neighboring planet.

Star Wars, The Clone Wars. The Complete Season One 4thyodachronicles
Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi battle against evil forces with the help of the clone army.

Lego Star Wars – The Yoda Chronicles
In episode I, Darth Sidious unveils his plan to create a new super-weapon to help him defeat the Republic once and for all. Yoda and his Padawan students must work together and save the galaxy. In episode II, Count Dooku uses his new and improved Clone-a-Matic to create an army of Jek clones. Now substitute teacher Anakin Skywalker must lead Yoda’s Padawan class to victory.
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There are more of course, but I wanted to mention the sheer volume of Star Wars related books, even without counting those included in the actual ever expanding Star Wars novel series, easy readers, and Visual Dictionaries. There are unique new looks, and deep study, of the universe that has become such a big part of worldwide culture.

Books:

William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, a New Hope by Ian Doescher; inspired by the work of George Lucas and William Shakespeare

4thyodfaInside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy by James Luceno; consultant, Curtis Saxton; illustrated by Richard Chasemore and Hans Jenssen

ART2-D2’s Guide to Folding and Doodling by Tom Angleberger

Darth Vader: a 3-D Reconstruction Log written by Daniel Wallace; illustrated by Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff

The Strange case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger 

Star Wars: Incredible Cross Sections

4thcrossStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections

Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections