Keeping a Reading Log

/ Louise / Leave a comment

Do you keep a reading log? People who read a lot inevitably find themselves at the point where they pick up a book and wonder, “Did I already read this?” I know I do! If I had to rely on my memory, I’d be in trouble.

What are the best ways to keep track of your reading? Some write down titles in a notebook, others use index cards. The trouble with those is that it can be cumbersome carrying a big notebook or box or cards around the library or bookstore. That’s why I prefer a digital log.

There are several good ones to try. The following are available as mobile apps as well as desktop sites. That way you can always have your reading log with you!

GoodReads [mobile apps available for Apple & Android devices]. This is the one everyone knows. A free “social cataloging” site where you can search people’s shelves, participate in book discussions, etc.

LibraryThing [mobile app available for Apple devices]. LibraryThing is a little more serious than GoodReads. The social aspect takes a back seat to your bookshelves. Free for up to 200 books, then there is a fee.

aNobii [mobile apps available for Apple & Android devices]. A community for readers allowing you to catalog your books, share reviews, and connect with other book lovers.

Libib [mobile apps available for Apple & Android devices].  A free cloud service that will let you store up to 100,000 titles for free. If you have more than 100,000 books in your home library, better get the paid version.

You can also keep an automatic log of the books you check out from Cheshire Library. Sign in to your account from our website, then select Reading History, then “Save Reading History” from the options in your account. You can sort the list by title or author, even export or print it out.

Brief Histories of Everyday Objects

/ Kaitlin / Leave a comment

Brief Histories of Everyday Objects by Andy Warner is a hilarious non-fiction graphic novel that describes how many of the items that we take for granted have interesting, unusual, and sometimes downright silly origins. The author guessed when it came down to deciding what people looked like and what they said (unless they were quoted), but the facts are all true! Once you read this book, you will never look at the things you use on a daily basis in the same way again. The next time you go to a party, you’ll be able to tell people about the story behind the pull tabs on their soda cans.

Did you know that the woman who invented flat-bottomed paper grocery bags had to fight for her right to the patent when a man tried to steal it? She became the first woman to win a patent lawsuit.

Did you know that Earl Tupper invented Tupperware, but Brownie Wise made it sell? In fact, she was so successful that she became the face of the product. This greatly angered Mr. Tupper, so he fired her, sold the company, and purchased an island where he lived for the rest of his life.

Did you know that postcards were the results of an elaborate prank?

Did you know that roller skates were first invented in 1760 when John Joseph Merlin, a prolific inventor, built a pair so he could show off at a masquerade?

Genre: Non-fiction graphic novel

Setting: All over the world, throughout different times

Is this good for a book club? Only if the book club is interested in discussing previously unknown facts regarding everyday things.

How long is the book? 206 pages

Objectionable content? Barely. There are some references to bathing, bras, excrement, and violence, but there is nothing explicit. There are some illustrations of women wearing sports bras.

Can children read this? The humor and information are enjoyable for all ages, as long as they have a good vocabulary.

Who would like this? Anyone with a good sense of humor and a good appreciation for learning about how everyday objects were created.

Rating: Five stars

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My BEA Wishlist – New Books I Can’t Wait to Read

/ Louise / Leave a comment

I recently attended Book Expo America, an annual conference for booksellers, librarians, and others in the book industry. Held in New York City at a giant convention center, it’s a book lovers’ wonderland of authors and publishers showcasing their upcoming books. For someone like myself who rates authors right up their with rock stars, it’s an intense couple of days of fangirling and serious listmaking of new books that I simple MUST READ! Some of these just came out recently, some are due out later in the year, all look awesome. Let me spread the wealth by sharing a few so you can put them on your list:

Children’s Books:

YA Books:

Adult Books:

Many of these books are listed in our catalog and can be placed on hold right away, some of them are too new to be in our catalog yet, but will be soon!

July is National Grilling Month

/ bill / Leave a comment

July is National Grilling Month and Cheshire Public Library has more grilling and barbecue books than you can shake a spatula at. We’ve got books on grilling steak, burgers, poultry, fish, pork, Italian style, barbecue style and vegan! If you need to purchase a grill or maintain your current one, we can help you there too! Online access to Consumer Reports is just a click away.

Here are just a few of our grilling & barbecue books.

The big-flavor grill : no-marinade, no-hassle recipes for delicious steaks, chicken, ribs, chops, vegetables, shrimp, and fish.

Italian grill

Fire it up : more than 400 recipes for grilling everything

Fresh fish : a fearless guide to grilling, shucking, searing, poaching and roasting seafood

The grilling book : the definitive guide from Bon Appétit

Weber’s charcoal grilling : the art of cooking with live fire

Cooking Light way to cook grilling

Everyday grilling : 50 recipes from appetizers to desserts

Mediterranean grilling : more than 100 recipes from across the Mediterranean

The Kansas City Barbeque Society cookbook

And if you are in the market for a new gas grill or want tips on how to maintenance your current grill, go to the Consumer Reports database, search grills and access Gas Grill Ratings & Reviews, and the CR Buying Guide. Scroll down the page for short CR videos: Grill Buying Guide; How to Maintain Your Grill; Clean Your Grill Safely; and How to Replace a Gas Grill Burner.

Happy Grilling!

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in July

/ cheshirelib / 2 Comments

Both indoor and outdoor activities are on the schedule for July, we’re getting back to nature! Take a look:

Cheshire Cats Classics Club

Monday Jul 3, 2017, 6:30  –  7:30 PM

CCCC is headed out to sea with this month’s modern classic, Jaws by Peter Benchley. Put your water-wings on and join us to discuss this creepy anti-beach read. Contact Jennifer Bartlett at jbartlett@cheshirelibrary.org to register.

Farmington Canal Trail Family Hike @ Lock 12 Historical Park

Thursday Jul 6, 2017, 10:00 AM

For all ages. Get on your walking shoes for stories, songs, and science in the great outdoors! We’ll take a family-friendly walk along the Farmington canal trail at Lock 12 Historical Park and explore nature and local history. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and sun protection! For children of all ages and their families. Registration required.

Farmington Canal Trail STEM Hike @ Lock 12 Historical Park

Tuesday Jul 11, 2017, 10:00 AM

For ages 8 and up. A STEM program in the great outdoors! We’ll meet at Lock 12 Historical Park and walk along the Farmington canal trail while learning about science, nature, and history. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and sun protection! For kids ages 8+ and their parents/caregivers. Registration required.

Movie Matinees

Tuesdays at 1:00 PM

Too much nature? Beat the heat with a movie matinee! No registration required.

  • July 11: Avanti. (1972, Rated “R”; 2 hours, 20 minutes.)
  • July 18: Groundhog Day. (1993, Rated “PG”; 1 hour, 41 minutes.)
  • July 25: Captain Fantastic. (2016, Rated “R”; 1 hour, 58 minutes.)

Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures

Thursday Jul 13, 2017, 4:00 –  4:45 PM

Nature Nick is returning to the Cheshire Public Library bringing his new show “Build a Better World.”  In this show, Nature Nick will introduce you to some of the strangest animals on earth while giving little known facts about each one. See how every animal in nature has a role which in turn helps us build a better world! Ages 4 and up. Registration required starting June 1 for Cheshire residents and July 12th for all others. 

Insects: The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful and the Just Plain Ugly

Thursday Jul 13, 2017, 6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Join presenter Rose Hiskes, diagnostician and horticulturist at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in Windsor, as we enter the world of plant pests, showing the beautiful, the beneficial, the bad and the just plain ugly. Registration required.

The Bobcat – Connecticut’s Secretive Wild Cat

Wednesday Jul 19, 2017, 6:30  –  8:00 PM

Join certified Master Wildlife Conservationist Paul Colburn to learn about the history of bobcats in CT, with an overview of bobcat habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and current research efforts. Bobcat artifacts will be on display. Registration required.

DIY: Backsplash

Thursday Jul 20, 2017, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

An indoor project to do-it-yourself. Is it time for a change in your bathroom or kitchen?  Time to replace that old backsplash but don’t know where to begin?  Join us as Jenn of Home Depot, Milldale CT will show us how to put up backsplash. Registration required.

Lyme Disease and Tick Control

Wednesday Jul 26, 2017, 6:00  –  8:00 PM

You’ve heard it on the news, CT officials expect an increase in the number of ticks this year, including those carrying diseases. Medical-veterinary entomologist Dr. Kirby C. Stafford will provide valuable info on the epidemiology and basic symptoms of Lyme disease, the biology of the tick vector, and tick bite prevention and tick control. Registration required.