Blog
TAB Review of Zodiac P.I. Vol.1
This Manga series is about a 13 year old named Lili Hoshizawa. Lili is an astrologer, does fortune telling under the name Mademoiselle Lili, solves cases under the name Spica (after the star). Lili took over as a fortune teller and Spica when her mother disappeared. Lili's mom also left her the star ring, the star ring hold the astral spirits and they can tell the owner of the ring anyones fatedetermined by the stars. The series starts the day Lil is reunited with an old friend, Hiromi Oikawa (Hiro). When Hiro and Lili where six years old Hiro moved to the United States, where he got a degree in criminal psychology, and then he just moved back and is now in Lili's class. Hiro wants to be a detective like Spica (Lili's mom as Spica not Lili as Spica) Oh and he's allergic to girls.
TAB Review of Marked
Marked is the first in the House of Night series, and as I'm sure you can guess by the name of the series, it's about vampires. This book takes place in a world much like are own, Tulsa Oaklahoma to be exact, but with one big difference. Vampires are known to have existed as long as humans have and some of the most famous people in our world are vampires in theirs. There's also a group called the People of Faith, them and there followers are anit-vampire and think vampires are connected to saten. Other humans don't have probloms with vampires and acctually look ip to them because vampire are well known for their abilities in music and the arts.
WiFi and coffee article from Detroit Free Press
Today's Free Press featured a story about working sans office, thanks to the free (or cheap) Wi Fi available at coffee shops. As many of our patrons know, the Canton Public Library is a fantastic remote office, offering free Wi Fi, great coffee and sandwiches from Jungle Java Express, and all the other resources (printers, fax, scanner, copiers) you could ever need in our Copy Center. You can also view the latest newspapers, magazines, business and stock data while you're here. Bring your own laptop and come on by. Don't have a laptop?
Bored kids? Air conditioning on the blink? Then head to the library!
Summer reading activities continue all week long. Monday is Create a Craft for the Listeners Group. Readers can enjoy storyteller Tonya Dallas on Tuesday, Tweens partake in tie-dye t-shirts on Thursday and Teens have a Photo Journal session on Tuesday and Animaga Club on Wednesday. Consult your summer reading brochure for the complete schedule and remember, you have to be registered for summer reading to participate in summer reading programs. Registration continues to July 26.
TAB Review of the Bonemenders Oath
This is a very short novel and is the secound in a series. In the first book "The Bonemender" takes place during a war between Verdeau and Greffier. This story is after Greffeier retreates and Gabrielle, Tristan, Feolan,and the rest of Verdeau's army gp home. Tristan goes back to the capital firat to tell his mother, brother, and the rest of the royal family that King James, his father, had died in battel. Dominic, Tristan, and Gabrielle are all siblings and the children of the King and Queen of Verdeau, but Gabrielle was adopted and found out in the first book that she is half elf. Dominic is the eldest and is married with kids, he will inherit that throne. Shortly after returning to the castle Derkh is healed and walking around.
TAB Review of Shattered Mirror
This novel is about a vampire hunter named Sarah Vida. In this book real vampire hunters are also witches. The Vida family are the most feared, respected, and famous vampire hunters in history and Sarah's mom is the leader and most famous of them all. Sarah has an older sister, Adianna, who is becoming more and more like their mother, Dominique. Dominique is first and for most a hunter, so she is very cold, lives by the Vida laws, and expects nothing less from her daughters. The Vida family have been hunting a vampire named Nikolas sense he killed a pregnant women named Elizabeth Vida, this was his first known kill. Nikolas is well kinown because he cuts his name into one of his victim's arms and a rose with vines around the wrist on the other.
TAB Review: Rush Hour 2
Rush Hour 2 is a high action thriller that smashed the box office records when it came out in 2001. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return in this sequel to Rush Hour with more high flying action and more laughter than ever. In my opinion, if you saw the first movie, this is 10 times better. It is hilarious. The movie starts out in Hong Kong, where Carter (Chris Tucker) and Lee (Jackie Chan) are taking a break away from all of the crime. This is when they get the news that a gang was responsible for bombing the American Embassy and killing two American agents. Carter doesn't want to get involved and wants to keep on their vacation. Lee, however, is determined to get to the bottom of the mess. Lee attempts to track down Ricky Tan, the Triad gang leader and Lee's dad's partner.
Sampling Music Festival Performers
One nice thing about the library's collection of music CDs is that it's so broad and invites casual exploration of various styles and performers. For example, do you see some unfamiliar names coming to events like Detroit's Concert of Colors on July 19-22? Black 47? Tish Hinojosa? Neville Brothers? Steel Pulse? They Might Be Giants? You get the idea. Sample the music first, then pick whose performance you want to see.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer
With July 4th now behind us we're nearing the end of the big summer movie season. There's still a few big films left (like the 5th adventure of certain teenage wizard) but for the most part the studios have rolled out most of their big summer blockbusters. And of course they're already hard at work to bring movie goers they're next batch of summer thrills. There's some very intrgiung films being made right now that will hit the big screen in the summer of 2008: The Dark Knight- This is the sequel to Batman Begins and continues the direction that was established with that film. Director Christopher Nolan returns along with Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Michael Caine as his loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as Lieutenant Gordon, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.
Go to Camp and Learn!
All sorts of summer camps in Michigan are profiled in this online directory. From riding horses to performing music to playing soccer to prepping for the ACT/SAT, this link could be the key to your success during the summer break from school. Special needs camps are included.
Finding Time to Read Part II
OK, this is the opposite of the last Finding Time to Read Tip. Instead of taking advantage of unexpected time, try scheduling time to read. Clear 10 or 15 minutes on your calendar and save it for reading. Try getting up 15 minutes earlier, or reading for 15 minutes before bed. You might find reading while you eat lunch works, or turn off the TV and read instead. Setting a goal each week might help your motivation, like a certain amount of minutes read or completed pages. With the great Summer Reading grand prizes, your reward is another entry slip!
The Secret Life of Walter Kitty by Barbara Jean Hicks, illustrated by Dan Santat
The Secret Life of Walter Kitty gets off to a perfect start with Walter, lounging in a tree, telling the reader that "My Person doesn't know it, but my real name is Fang." After that, we are treated to scenes of Fang in action, being equally terrifying to mice and scurvy pirates, as well as those featuring Walter (AKA Wally) being treated to catnip and cuddles (as well as irritating the heck out of His Person and her husband, Mr. Biddle, as he "helps" around the house). Santat skillfully captures Walter's expressions, which convey his alternating bravado and sheepish willingness to accept silly nicknames when they are accompanied by treats.
Lace Style: Traditional to Innovative, 21 Inspired Designs to Knit by Pam Allen & Ann Budd
I haven't knit a ton of lace, but what I have done turned out to be easier than I had anticipated. I think I expected that it would have to be really difficult because it looks so cool. I've also thought that the patterns in Interweave Knits tend to be a bit beyond my usual commitment level, but those in this book seem really doable. Vicki Square designed The Point About Cuffs, which is a pattern for a pair of cuffs to wear under a jacket. The lace stitch pattern looks incredibly easy to remember and I think these would be a really nice addition to a winter outfit. They'd also help add a feminine touch to a plain jacket.
Commitment Phobe?
Are you dying to be in a book club but just can't commit every month? Canton Public Library's Lunch and a Book is right up your alley. You can pick and choose the book clubs you would like to, or are able to, attend and not worry about the rest. We meet on the second Thursday of every month at noon. You are welcome to bring your lunch, a snack or just yourself! The next meeting is July 12 and we are reading Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. We still have a couple copies of the book if you are interested in joining us. If next Thursday is too soon stop by and pick up the book for August's book club - The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Hope to see you there!
Summer Reading is a Family Affair!
So you have signed up for Read Around the World, this years Adult Summer Reading Program, and you are looking for a movie to complete Tour # 8 Movies on the Move. Why not make it a family affair and take the gang to see the new Disney Pixar flick Ratatouille? After all, this new release takes place in Paris and features a rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession.
Database Du Jour
Where do I go first when I have a research paper to write? WilsonSelectPlus - a database that is both user-friendly and FULL of timely, relevant information on a variety of topics. Plus, you can limit your searches to only full text articles, thus, eliminating the frustration of finding the perfect article only to find that the abstract is the only thing that is available! And for those serious researchers - you can limit your searches to only peer reviewed journals. Next time you need to research a topic in science, humanities, education and/or business try WilsonSelectPlus.
Old Rockers Never Die... They Just Change Their Tunes
You've seen the trend, of course. Singers with hard rock backgrounds changing musical directions later in their careers. Rod Stewart may be the most obvious with his four CDs all titled The Great American Songbook (Volumes 1-4), but don't overlook Mark Knopfler, formerly of Dire Straits, whose album, The Ragpicker's Dream, is a good example of someone who's "gone mellow." However, the mellowist of all might be former power popper Nick Lowe, whose latest CD, At My Age (on order), continues his four or five CD trend of becoming increasingly laid back. Lowe remains a splendid songwriter and the cartoonish cover art for the new CD is... priceless!
Connections Newsletter - Jul/Aug 2007
The Day the Music Died
That link takes you to an "obituary" ("Ode to the lost art of record hunting") in the Toronto Star for what once was the flagship store of Sam the Record Man, one of the most prominent music stores in North America... and a regular stop anytime I was visiting the city. The article also serves as a piece about the changing face of the music industry. Many more articles and testimonials can be found online by just doing a Google search for "Sam the record man." RIP.
