Why I Like to Reread Books

December 4, 2014December 4, 2014 / Mary / 2 Comments

I overheard someone say recently that they never reread any books. They felt that since they already know the outcome of a story, there is nothing to be gained by reading the tale again.

I have to disagree.

I am reminded of a professor I had in college. He always had us read our assignments twice. “The first time, read fast and for fun,” he said. “The second time, look for nuance and subtlety.”

I have found his suggestion works great for me. When I have a new book in my hands, I read fast and furiously, eager to see how the story unfolds, in a hurry to get to the end and discover the resolution.

Then, if I liked the book, I will go back and read it again. Not right away, but a few months later, possibly on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I will grab the book and settle in to discover the nuances. I will read more slowly the second time, savoring the descriptions and looking forward to my favorite sections, enjoying the anticipation. Knowing those favorite passages are coming does not spoil anything. I am looking forward to revisiting those treasured places in the book. Knowing they are coming heightens my enjoyment.

Rereading a book gives me a chance to appreciate the subtle things an author weaves into her story. A turn of a character’s head, a thought in the night, a sigh, these are the things that lend dimension to a book and give insight to the characters. I love dissecting a story the second time around, looking for these clues that give the tale a deeper meaning.

Rereading is like revisiting a friend, familiar, and yet there may always be something more inside.

What have I been rereading lately? The Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart. These books rank among my all-time favorite re-reads. If you are unfamiliar with them, I highly recommend all three books, especially if you love fantasy and historical fiction.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in December

December 2, 2014November 21, 2014 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

It may be cold outside, but we’ve got some hot programming at Cheshire Library this December. Mark your calendars for:

Personal Preparedness

Tuesday Dec 2, 2014, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Alicia Hanke of the Chesprocott Health District will provide residents with information and tips on how to prepare for potential emergencies. Hanke will focus on 3 components to living prepared: building a kit, making a plan, and staying informed. Register on our website.

The Ancient Art of Paper Cutting

Thursday Dec 4, 2014, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Martha Link Walsh, who has practiced the ancient art of paper cutting for over 40 years, will give a brief overview of its history, present a demonstration, share her “secrets” of the craft, and discuss her book, A Paper-cut Christmas – Legends of the Gift Giver. Register on our website.

A Seussified Christmas Carol, with Cheshire Community Theatre

Saturday Dec 6, 2014, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

A whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this is a tale of glorious holiday cheer! Register on our website.

Jewelry Jam

Monday Dec 8, 2014, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

The holidays are right around the corner. Come in for a free, fun evening of jewelry making. Kim Larkin, a Cheshire resident and jewelry maven, will teach attendees how to create wonderful, unique necklaces. Attendance is limited, please register on our website.

Cheshire Cats Classics Club – The War of the Worlds

Monday Dec 8, 2014, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

The Cheshire Cats Classics Club meets once per month on a Monday evening. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells will be discussed at the December meeting.

There is limited seating for this event. For more information regarding this program, contact Jenn Bartlett at jbartlett@cheshirelibrary.org

Music Together Workshop

Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
2 sessions: 10:00 – 10:45 AM, and 11:00 – 11:45 AM

Music Together® s an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, kindergartners, and the adults who love them. This research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum strongly encourages adult involvement and emphacizes actual music experiences rather than concepts about music. Register on our website beginning December 1.

Holiday Read-Aloud with FEA

Wednesday Dec 10, 2014, 3:30 – 4:15 PM

Come and read with the Future Educators of America (FEA) from Dodd Middle School. Dress in red or green to get in the holiday spirit! There will be stories, crafts, and a snack. For ages 3-6. Register on our website beginning December 1.

Holiday Silly Song Sing-a-long

Friday Dec 12, 2014, 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Silly Song Sing-a-long is a mix of popular children’s songs, musical games, dance movements, and rhythms. Children and adults will be encouraged to participate and act silly along with Edward Leonard and his guitars, drums, and maracas. This program is designed for children ages 5 and under, but all ages are welcome. Register on our website beginning December 1.

Fab Film Saturdays: Muppets Most Wanted

Saturday Dec 13, 2014, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

There’s plenty of fun for the whole family as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal and the entire Muppets gang head out on a world tour. But mayhem follows the Muppets, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper. Running Time 1 hour, 47 minutes. Rated PG. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Feel free to bring your own snacks!

Maker Fun

Thursday Dec 18, 2014, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

We’ll have several seasonal crafting stations around the room and children will be able to make several art projects to take home with them at the end of the two hours. The framework of the program will be very loose, so children will be free to work at their own speeds and do only the crafting that interests them. For children ages 4 and up, [children must be accompanied by an adult]. Register on our website beginning December 1.

Joy to the World: Holiday Music for Classical Guitar & Mandolin

Saturday Dec 20, 2014, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Local audience favorites Judy Handler and Mark Levesque return to the Cheshire Library with a new concert for the holidays featuring traditional and contemporary holiday music with an international flavor. The audience will have a chance to join in at the end of the program on some rhythm instruments! NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

HOLIDAY HOURS:

The library will be CLOSED Wednesday, December 24th and Thursday, December 25th.

We will be OPEN Friday, December 26th and Saturday, December 27th.

We will CLOSE AT 4PM on Wednesday, December 31st.

We will be CLOSED on Thursday, January 1st.

Outlander – What to Read While You’re Waiting

November 30, 2014November 30, 2014 / Louise / Leave a comment

A new term has entered pop culture lately: Droughtlander. This is the interminable dry spell between installments of the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, and the Starz television show adapted from said books. The television fans are upset about having to wait 6 months to get to the second half of Season One, but longtime book fans know this is nothing – it can take 5 years in between installments of the books. Ouch!

Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Try some of these books, they may get you get through the drought, whether you’re waiting for the next episode or novel:

Lord John series by Diana Gabaldon. A subset of the Outlander series, these historical mysteries focus on Lord John Grey, an important secondary character from the main series.

Wilderness series by Sara Donati. This historical series follows Elizabeth Middleton, who travels to a remote area of New York State in 1792, to take up residence there with her father and brother. She soon meets and falls in love with Nathaniel Bonner, a white man who was raised by Native Americans. The novel follows the adventures of Elizabeth and Nathaniel, as they elope, flee together into the Mohawk lands, and raise a family. Adventures ensue.

The Bronze Horseman trilogy by Paullina Simons. The story of Tatiana and Alexander begins in Leningrad just as Russia is about to enter World War II. Tatiana, a factory worker, meets Alexander, an officer in the Red Army. Conflicts ensue! The trilogy follows them as they struggle to survive the war, and then work to build a life after the war.

All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness. This trilogy follows the story of Diana Bishop, a Yale historian (and reluctant witch), as she solves the mystery of an ancient and dangerous document. A mysterious Oxford geneticist (oh, and 1500-year-old vampire) named Matthew Clairmont is very interested in this same document. Danger! Mystery! Romance!

Oxford Time Travel books by Connie Willis. These sci-fi/fantasy books are set in the near future, and follow the adventures of Professor James Dunworthy and other Oxford University historians who just happen to be able to travel back through time.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. Carrie McClelland journeys to Scotland to write a historical fiction novel concerning the 1708 Jacobite Rebellion. She is mysteriously drawn to Slains Castle, and begins to have vivid dreams reams are filled with characters, scenes, and plot developments that turn out to be historically accurate. Is someone from the past reaching out to her?

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian, travels involuntarily through time, and meets artist Clare Abshire at several different points in her life. Henry and Clare’s love story endures across time, and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap.

The Passions of Emma by Penelope Williamson. Emma Tremayne lives a life of privilege, her main life requirement is making a good marriage. Her world is shattered, however, when she discovers the horrifying working conditions in her fiance’s textile mill. And when she encounters Shay McKenna, a brave Irish revolutionary, she learns what it will take to defy society’s conventions.

The Exile : an Outlander Graphic Novel written Diana Gabaldon ; illustrated by Hoang Nguyen. This graphic adaptation offers a retelling of the first Outlander story–this time from Jamie Fraser’s point of view, revealing events never seen in the original story–with a making-of section and author commentary.

If nothing else will do, we suggest rereading the Outlander series on audiobook (read by Davina Porter). The audio versions of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series are exceptional, and are available on CD at Cheshire Library. Try one and you’ll be hooked! (Listen to a sample)

Feel free to share any other suggestions for surviving Droughtlander in the comments!

New Cozy Mysteries for November 2014

November 27, 2014November 21, 2014 / Linda / Leave a comment

Here’s the list of November’s cozy mysteries! Is your favorite series listed?

Plagued by Quilt (A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery) by Molly MacRae

Lethal Letters (A Books By The Bay Mystery) by Ellery Adams

No Mallets Intended (A Vintage Kitchen Mystery) by Victoria Hamilton

A High-End Finish (A Fixer-Upper Mystery) by Kate Carlisle

Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses (A Happy Hoofers Mystery) by Mary McHugh

A Dog Gone Murder (Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper) by Elaine Viets

On Borrowed Time (A Library Lover’s Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay

Knot In My Backyard (A Quilting Mystery) by Mary Marks

By Cook or by Crook (A Five-Ingredient Mystery) by Maya Corrigan

Historic Women in Math and Science

November 25, 2014November 21, 2014 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Is there a young woman in your life that is excited by science or math, or perhaps obsessed with a particular field? Well my six year old daughter is currently planning on being a scientist that studies and cares for wild animals. Meanwhile my eight year old son is loving a special science class that lets him try a number of science experiments each week. To encourage both in all their interests I offer books, movies, and stories about people in those fields. Like many parents I find it frustrating that I have to search a little harder to find women pursuing the Sciences.

Here are a selection of children’s books about female pioneers and contributors to the fields of math and science. Hopefully they will help keep interested girls and young women interested in the fields, and perhaps get a few new interested parties.

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh

A fascinating collection celebrates the clever and creative inventions of women from candles, helmets, and baby carriers to cancer-fighting drugs and details their fierce determination to overcome many hurdles to make their dreams come true.

Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars by Mabel Armstrong
Presents information about the achievements of women in the field of astronomy throughout history, from women astronomers in the ancient and medieval world to prominent women in the profession today.

Life in the Ocean: the Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola

A picture book biography tells the story of Sylvia Earle’s growing passion for the wonders of the sea and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world.

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery

An authorized portrait about Grandin’s life with autism and her groundbreaking work as a scientist and designer of cruelty-free livestock facilities describes how she overcame key disabilities through education and the support of her mother.

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee

Profiles the extraordinary lives of twenty-six women who, through their acts and deeds, helped shape and change the world during their lifetime, including pilot Amelia Earhart and anthropologist Zora Neal Hurston.