A Novel Idea
As October comes to an end, I feel it’s my duty to inform you of a novel idea I just recently read about. That novel idea is none other than “National Novel Writing Month,” or NaNoWriMo, the speed-racer approach to writing a novel. Writers turn their computers on November 1st with the goal of completing a 175 page novel by midnight on November 30th.
Sound crazy? Maybe, maybe not. The idea is to focus on quantity not quality, and how often are you encouraged to do that? 50,000 words are way too many to have time to worry about producing the next bestseller. Therefore, you don’t have to be “serious” about your writing. In fact, NaNoWriMo is designed for those among us who have toyed with the idea of writing a novel, but just don’t have the time and/or fortitude to expend on the effort. With the focus on quantity, you simply must leave mistakes uncorrected, dialogue unedited, and entire chapters un-proofed. And in the end, when you have 50,000 words of pure drivel at midnight on November 30th, you will find yourself smiling in the winners circle, surrounded by others who have produced the same wonderful garbage.
Sound interesting? You’re not alone. NaNoWriMo began in 1999 with 21 participants and 6 winners, and grew to 42,000 participants with just under 6000 winners in 2004. You could be a winner in 2005.
Still not convinced? The NaNoWriMo website lists the following reasons to participate:
To actively participate in one of our era’s most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality.
To be able to make obscure references to passages from your novel at parties.
To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.
If you’ve started making plans in your head, you’d better get registered—November 1st is on Tuesday! For more information, visit the How NaNoWriMo Works page.
Labels: ReC RooM News
The Pumpkin Patch
Don't you just love pumpkins? Big fat pumpkins, little squat pumpkins, even goofy bumpy pumpkins--what's not to like? Some folks like their pumpkins au natural, while others like them carved. If you're one of the carvers, and would like to try a bit of virtual carving, you'll want to try Carving Halloween Pumpkins. And if you're artistically challenged, you may be more comfortable at Ben & Jerry’s Virtual Pumpkin Patch where you can pick your pumpkin's features from a basket.Pumpkins are stir up visions of pumpkin bread, baked pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin pie. And pumpkin pie always reminds me of my favorite Halloween book, The Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman. "It's big and it's mine, but it's stuck on the vine, and Halloween is just hours away!" laments the witch who wants to bake a pumpkin pie. Don't worry, her friends pitch in and they manage to get the pumpkin to her house and have a fabulous party.
What are your pumpkin and Halloween favorites? Click on "Comments" just below this post and let us know. We'd love to hear from you!
Labels: KiDS' RooM News, ReC RooM News, TeeN RooM News
This week @ your library...
Town Sing-along
All together now...
"Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day,
Little (insert your name here) wants to play,
Rain, rain, go away!"
I think that should do it! There are sunny skies ahead...
By the way, do you think it's just a coincidence that "Trick or treat, Rub my feet*, Give me something good to eat" uses the same tune??*Wouldn't you rather have a foot massage than have someone smell your feet?
Cookie Recipe Swap
This is the last week to bring in your favorite cookie recipe. I finally brought mine in, and if you bring yours in, I'll let you see it.
Pick Up November's Book Club Book
There are 2 remaining copies of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. The group meets next week, so don't miss your chance to read a fun book, and get out of the house for a little grown-up social activity.
Labels: this week
This Week @ Your Library...
"Along Came a Spider" Take 'n MakeCraft kits for "Along Came a Spider" are available this week! Children of all ages can stop in, pick up kit, weave a web, and create a fat hungry spider to sit in the middle of it. This is a craft for only the bravest of children...
Pick up a copy of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
Join us for November's All Booked Up discussion of Lorna Landvik's Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. The group meets November 2nd at 6:30, and there is no penalty for arriving late!
Bring in your favorite cookie recipe to post on the upstairs bulleting board, and receive a compilation of all recipes in early November.
Labels: this week
All Booked Up in November
November's book club selection is Lorna Landvik's Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. The group will meet Wednesday, November 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. in the library. If you can't make it by 6:30 don't worry--late arrivals are always welcome.Book Description from Amazon.com:
The women of Freesia Court are convinced that there is nothing good coffee, delectable desserts, and a strong shoulder can’t fix. Laughter is the glue that holds them together—the foundation of a book group they call AHEB (Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons), an unofficial “club” that becomes much more. It becomes a lifeline. Holding on through forty eventful years, there’s Faith, a lonely mother of twins who harbors a terrible secret that has condemned her to living a lie; big, beautiful Audrey, the resident sex queen who knows that with good posture and an attitude you can get away with anything; Merit, the shy doctor’s wife with the face of an angel and the private hell of an abusive husband; Kari, a wise woman with a wonderful laugh who knows the greatest gifts appear after life’s fiercest storms; and finally, Slip, a tiny spitfire of a woman who isn’t afraid to look trouble straight in the eye. This stalwart group of friends depicts a special slice of American life, of stay-at-home days and new careers, of children and grandchildren, of bold beginnings and second chances, in which the power of forgiveness, understanding, and the perfectly timed giggle fit is the CPR that mends broken hearts and shattered dreams.Whether you're an AHEB or not, in my opinion, this book is great read! A limited number of copies are available at the Main Desk, so pick yours up today.
Labels: all booked up, book discussion for adults, events/activities for adults, ReaDiNG RooM News
Cookie Recipe Swap Update
Recipes have started coming in! We have recipes for Treasure Cookies, Fudge Puddles, Family Favorite Oatmeal Cookies, Easiest Cookies Ever, and Fiddle Diddles. Make sure you bring your recipe in by the end of the month so you receive a compilation.
The staff would like to thank Sandra Gagne for not only bring in her recipe, but samples as well. Yum-my!
Labels: events/activities for adults, ReC RooM News
"Teens' Top Ten Books" Balloting
Hey Teens! Here is your chance to be heard! Vote for the Teens’ Top Ten Books (TTT) during Teen Read Week, October 16th-22nd.
What books have been nominated?
The list of nominated titles can be found online, or on display in the Teen Room at the library.All titles have been published in the current or past year, and include young adult and adult books judged as worthy according to criteria composed by teens.
Who can vote?
Any teen (ages twelve to eighteen) with access to the Internet can vote online through the ballot link on the TTT page, when the ballot goes live each year during Teen Read Week in October, or by paper ballot at the library. Votes should be cast only for books the teen has read and judged worthy of national distinction as a Teens' Top Ten Book.
When can I vote?
Paper and online ballots are both available during Teen Read Week.You may choose your three favorite books from the list.
When are the winners announced?
Winners are announced on the TTT web site in November and will be posted in the Teen Room at the library.
Teens’ Top Ten Books is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Labels: events/activities for teens, TeeN RooM News
Poll Results
The poll results are in! In response to the poll question, "Which Sinclair Lewis book was banned by Boston authorities in 1927 for being obscene? Babbitt, Elmer Gantry, or Main Street," 67% voted for Elmer Gantry, 33% for Babbitt, and 0% for Main Street. The answer is, indeed, Elmer Gantry. In this novel, "The title character of Elmer Gantry starts out as a greedy, shallow, philandering Baptist minister, turns to evangelism, and eventually becomes the leader of a large Methodist congregation. Throughout the novel Gantry encounters fellow religious hypocrites, including Mrs. Evans Riddle, Judson Roberts, and Sharon Falconer, with whom he becomes romantically involved. Although he is often exposed as a fraud, Gantry is never fully discredited. " (Amazon.com) Made into a movie in 1960, Elmer Gantry starred Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons, and won 3 Oscars.
Be sure to vote in the latest poll toward the bottom of the sidebar!
Labels: poll questions, ReC RooM News
Teen Read Week:
"Get Real @ Your Library"
The Eighth Annual Teen Read Week is October 16th - 22nd!
What does that mean to you as a teen?
Well, it means your library is inviting you to celebrate Teen Read Week by joining us for Teen Trivia Night on Wednesday, October 19th from 6:30-7:30. The winner will take home a pair of movie tickets, and door prizes will be given out as well. You can sign up for this event at the library or here online. You are also invited to enter a rafflefor several books Ann has to give away. And most importantly, pick up a page turner that you can read or listen to just for the fun of it, not because you have to.
What does that mean to you as a parent?
We invite you to bring your teen to the library to check out books, because the National Assessment for Educational Progress has found that teens who reported reading for the fun of it score better on standardized tests than those who don't. And while you’re here, pick up a book for yourself as well, and set aside some time each night for the family to relax and read.
So, to recap:
- Teen Trivia Night, Wednesday, October 19th from 6:30-7:30 with PRIZES!
- Book Giveaways!
- READ 4 THe FuN oF iT!
Labels: events/activities for teens, TeeN RooM News
Congratulations to Mrs. Johnstone's Class!
Library Card Sign Up Month was a great success at GMS: 44 first graders became new cardholders! Mrs. Johnstone's class won a Story Time with Miss Carrie-Anne, and coupons to Burger King, for having the highest percentage of cardholders in the first grade. 78% of her students now have library cards, and 64% of all first graders have cards.
Congratulations to Bryce B, Madison G, Dylan G, Alysa D, Ethan D, Theodore D, Alli F, Dylan F, Hannah F, Aliesha G, Dylan G, Juiana G, Nicholas G, Caitlin H, Amanda I, Brendon J, Benjamin L, Cori L, Joseph L, Elena M, Jessica M, Micah M, Michael M, Payton M, Cole N, Delaney O, Alissa P, Amy P, Ann P, Cristian P, Erick P, Justin P, Shawn P, Taylor P, Vanessa P, Camron R, Cole R, Brittany R, DJ S, Madison S, Noah S, Cassandra T, Harrison T, Nicolas T, David V, Harrison V, and Stephanie W! We can't wait to see you at the library!
Labels: events/activities for kids, KiDS' RooM News
New Materials Added in September!
We added quite a few new items to the collection in September. To view the lists, click on a link below:
New to Children's Collection
New to Teen Collection
New to Adult Collection
image credit
Labels: new stuff for adults, new stuff for kids, new stuff for teens
Catalog Your Home Collection Online
While reading Blogger Forum the other day, I came across a reference to Library Thing. Naturally, anything with “library” in the name catches my eye, so I clicked on it. What a neat service! Library Thing allows you to create your own personal online catalog of books, which you can share with others, or keep private for yourself. You may enter up to 200 books for free or, while it’s in its beta phase, you can pay $10 for a lifetime membership.
I registered for the service and tried it out. All I had to do is enter the title, in this case Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, and Library Thing found its cataloging record by searching the records of the Library of Congress. I then edited the record by adding “tags,” which are topical headings of my choosing. You can also add a review of the item, and other comments. I clicked on “Submit,” and the book appeared in My Catalog, along with Amazon.com cover art that links back to Amazon, and referrals to other personal catalogs that contain this book. In this case, GeecheGirl, sapsygo, and PrairieGirl also have Angry Housewives. Once I enter additional titles into my catalog, I will be able to sort the catalog by author, title, date, or a specific tag. It was really easy.
I can see several uses for Library Thing:
Sound like fun? According to the website, 315,000 books have been entered since September 1. Why not check them out?
Labels: ReC RooM News
Illustrator Matt Faulkner Stops By
Illustrator Matt Faulkner stopped by our library recently, and introduced himself to Ann. He was just driving by, spotted the library, and wanted to give us a copy of Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving. Ann, who was familiar with the book written by Laurie Halse Anderson, told Matt that the American School in Japan, where she worked previously, loved this book because it explained Thanksgiving so well.Matt has illustrated more than a dozen children's books, and also does illustrations for magazines and newspapers. Thank You, Sarah was illustrated using India ink, colored inks, watercolor and gouache. He signed the book, "For all my friends at the Aaron Cutler Library! Pick up a pen (or brush) and change the world! Your pal--Matt Faulkner." Matt, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, currently lives in Michigan, where he teaches illustration at the College for Creative Studies. Lucky for us he was visiting family nearby!
Labels: miscellaneous, ReC RooM News
Along Came a Spider...
Clever spider spins a threadTo make a trap we call a web.
Clever spider knows that she
Will have some insects with her tea.
~ unknown
Mark your calendars for October's Take 'n Make. Craft kits for "Along Came a Spider" will be available October 18th - 22nd. Children of all ages are invited to pick up kit, weave a web, and create a fat hungry spider to sit in the middle of it. Only the brave need stop by...
Labels: events/activities for kids, KiDS' RooM News, take 'n make
This Week @ the Library...
All Booked Up meets Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Book Borrower by Alice Mattison. Join the group for a lively discussion.24/7 Self-Service Porch Sale continues through October 15th. Books are replenished on daily basis. Browse the porch for some great books at great prices!
The Cookie Recipe Swap has begun. Bring in your favorite cookie recipe and we'll give you a compilation of all the recipes we receive. You might even win a cookie cookbook!
Labels: this week
Cookie Recipe Swap
Did you know October is National Cookie Month? In honor of this auspicious occasion, the library is holding a Cookie Recipe Swap!Here's how it works:
1. You bring in a copy of your favorite cookie recipe. (1 per person)
2. We post your recipe on the upstairs bulletin board.
3. At the end of the month, we compile all of the recipes we received and distribute them to everyone who contributed. (Compilations will be ready on or before Nov. 15th.)
4. We select one lucky contributor to win a cookie cookbook, courtesy of the Friends of the Library!
5. Then it's up to you to try the recipes and see how your favorite stacks up against the others.
Recipes may be left at the Main Desk or submitted via e-mail. Be sure to include your name, and if possible, who gave you the recipe, and any fond memory or amusing anecdote you associate with the cookies.
More Cookie Fun to Share with Family and Friends...
Send one of these postcards to a friend: 
Get your fortune by clickin on the cookie.
Color a picture of your idol, the Cookie Monster.
Labels: events/activities for adults, ReC RooM News
Remember to READ 4 THe FuN oF iT @ Aaron Cutler Memorial Library!
