BookLetters are annotated lists of new or noteworthy books covering a wide variety of subjects and genres, fiction and nonfiction, business to science fiction. Check out InfoSoup's list of available BookLetters at http://info.infosoup.org/bookletters/. If you like what you see, you can subscribe to the lists of your choice and have them delivered to you via email or RSS feed. It's a great way to discover new titles you may not come across otherwise.
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Give BookLetters a try and let us know what you think about this service in the comments!
The upgrade performed on InfoSoup last night is complete and things seem to be running smoothly. If you notice any quirks when using InfoSoup, please post them in the comments so we can check them out for you. Thank you for your patience and understanding while InfoSoup was unavailable!
Note added 11 AM - If you click on the "More Search Options" link below the search box on the main InfoSoup page, you'll find that your advanced search from that page won't work. We're working on this problem and will update this post when it is fixed.
Note on "More Search Options" - this page is now fixed.
Note added 11 AM - If you click on the "More Search Options" link below the search box on the main InfoSoup page, you'll find that your advanced search from that page won't work. We're working on this problem and will update this post when it is fixed.
Note on "More Search Options" - this page is now fixed.
Check out what people are writing reviews about in InfoSoup. You never know when you'll find something you'd like to check out (or avoid)!
Cartoon cool : how to draw new retro-style characters / Christopher Hart
BEST RETRO DRAWING BOOK!!!!!!!!
It's a great book full of tips, and secrets on how to draw retro. Christopher Hart has really outdone himself this time. He encourages you to use what imagination you have. Or if you don't have imagination he has step-by-step instructions on how to draw a large collection of retro people, pets, and backrounds. Overall a great book for all ages. (My sister, she's 7, and she could draw using this book.)
An expert in murder : a new mystery featuring Josephine Tey / Nicola Upson
Beautiful writing, but...
I really loved the start of Nicola Upson's new mystery. The writing was beautiful, and the characters appealing. But although the setup is great, the most likeable character is soon killed off. While the main and supporting characters had interesting stories and personalities, I couldn't bring myself to care about them - they seemed stiff and flat. The d'enouement was disappointing as well - overly complicated and somehow unaffecting. Not a bad book, but a disappointing end to a very promising start.
The annotated chronicles / Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Annotated Dragonlance Chronicles
There are few books that I've read more than once in my life. I remember reading these books during junior high, again-aloud for a visually impaired friend in college, and now. They still hold that grand fantasy aura for me. And, the notes from the authors made it more fun to read!
Memories [videorecording] / [presented by] Katsuhiro Otomo
A Memorable Three-Part Harmony.
The three segments of Memories: Magnetic Rose, Stink Bomb, and Cannon Fodder present a film-festival-appropriate barrage of images which will leave you amazed (or maybe a little confused). Each of the segments is 40 minutes long, and consists of its own self-contained story. The film is in Japanese with English subtitles only, but it doesn't detract from the powerful message that it contains. The first segment, Magnetic Rose, starts out as a science-fiction, where garbage collectors make money on old, run-down spaceships. A team of these explorers hear a distress signal coming from a deserted ship, and discover a shrine to a deceased opera singer. At first the two explorers believe there is nothing but her memories left, but then she tries to ensnare the travelers using their own shortcomings... Stink Bomb is a dark comedic intermission from the other two segments. Nobuo Tanaka, a simple worker at a pharmaceudical company, is willing to try anything to cure his cold. He takes a blue pill from a red bottle on his boss's desk (or was it a red pill from a blue bottle?) and suddenly Japan is ravished by a terrible airborne virus that seems to be centered around poor Tanaka. What more can Japan do but send out the entire military to stop him? Finally, there is Cannon Fodder, a story that touches on the foolishness of war. This drawn-out segment features entirely different animation, as seen through the eyes of a boy who lives in a city that does nothing but fire their enormous cannons at an unknown enemy. Parental Advisory: Magnetic Rose quite a few instances of the s-word (as does Stink Bomb, to a lesser degree). The overall tone of these three movies are gloomy and there are quite a few unnerving images used throughout it.
If you would like to add a review (or two or three!) to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
Cartoon cool : how to draw new retro-style characters / Christopher Hart
BEST RETRO DRAWING BOOK!!!!!!!!
It's a great book full of tips, and secrets on how to draw retro. Christopher Hart has really outdone himself this time. He encourages you to use what imagination you have. Or if you don't have imagination he has step-by-step instructions on how to draw a large collection of retro people, pets, and backrounds. Overall a great book for all ages. (My sister, she's 7, and she could draw using this book.)
An expert in murder : a new mystery featuring Josephine Tey / Nicola Upson
Beautiful writing, but...
I really loved the start of Nicola Upson's new mystery. The writing was beautiful, and the characters appealing. But although the setup is great, the most likeable character is soon killed off. While the main and supporting characters had interesting stories and personalities, I couldn't bring myself to care about them - they seemed stiff and flat. The d'enouement was disappointing as well - overly complicated and somehow unaffecting. Not a bad book, but a disappointing end to a very promising start.
The annotated chronicles / Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Annotated Dragonlance Chronicles
There are few books that I've read more than once in my life. I remember reading these books during junior high, again-aloud for a visually impaired friend in college, and now. They still hold that grand fantasy aura for me. And, the notes from the authors made it more fun to read!
Memories [videorecording] / [presented by] Katsuhiro Otomo
A Memorable Three-Part Harmony.
The three segments of Memories: Magnetic Rose, Stink Bomb, and Cannon Fodder present a film-festival-appropriate barrage of images which will leave you amazed (or maybe a little confused). Each of the segments is 40 minutes long, and consists of its own self-contained story. The film is in Japanese with English subtitles only, but it doesn't detract from the powerful message that it contains. The first segment, Magnetic Rose, starts out as a science-fiction, where garbage collectors make money on old, run-down spaceships. A team of these explorers hear a distress signal coming from a deserted ship, and discover a shrine to a deceased opera singer. At first the two explorers believe there is nothing but her memories left, but then she tries to ensnare the travelers using their own shortcomings... Stink Bomb is a dark comedic intermission from the other two segments. Nobuo Tanaka, a simple worker at a pharmaceudical company, is willing to try anything to cure his cold. He takes a blue pill from a red bottle on his boss's desk (or was it a red pill from a blue bottle?) and suddenly Japan is ravished by a terrible airborne virus that seems to be centered around poor Tanaka. What more can Japan do but send out the entire military to stop him? Finally, there is Cannon Fodder, a story that touches on the foolishness of war. This drawn-out segment features entirely different animation, as seen through the eyes of a boy who lives in a city that does nothing but fire their enormous cannons at an unknown enemy. Parental Advisory: Magnetic Rose quite a few instances of the s-word (as does Stink Bomb, to a lesser degree). The overall tone of these three movies are gloomy and there are quite a few unnerving images used throughout it.
If you would like to add a review (or two or three!) to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
If you're planning on being out of town or on vacation, the Freeze Holds feature of InfoSoup is perfect for you! This feature ensures that materials you've placed holds on in InfoSoup won't arrive while you're gone and be returned before you're able to pick them up. Freezing holds saves your place in the holds queue until you unfreeze your holds when you're back home.
To find out more about Freezing Holds, watch this screencast. We hope you'll take a minute or two after viewing the screencast to share your thoughts about it in our online survey. We appreciate your input!
To find out more about Freezing Holds, watch this screencast. We hope you'll take a minute or two after viewing the screencast to share your thoughts about it in our online survey. We appreciate your input!
Check out what people are writing reviews about in InfoSoup. You never know when you'll find something you'd like to check out (or avoid)!
For Adults
So brave, young, and handsome by Leif Enger [fiction]
"Enger's writing reminds me a bit of Pat Conroy. His use of the English language is exquisite and his characters unique. I liked his first novel better (Peace Like a River), but this one didn't disappoint. Great read!"
The handweaver's pattern directory by Anne Dixon [nonfiction]
"Handweavers will want to purchase this book of patterns. I have an old book of patterns that is falling apart, so I was greatly relieved to find this wonderful replacement. Includes basic instructions for those just starting out, along with excellent graphics of patterns and color examples."
For Kids
The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock by Bill Peet {picture book]
"This children's book stands the test of time. My son loves it and wants to hear it over and over again! Prewitt is different from the other peacocks, but his differences end up saving all of the peacocks in the end. A good message of tolerance and acceptance of those who are different."
Probably Pistachio by Stuart J. Murphy [child nonfiction]
"Kind of a long book to read, but there are other opportunities in the book, like making predictions, building backround knowledge, inferring, etc. We ate pistachio ice cream a few days later, as well as pistachio nuts."
It's Probably Penny by Loreen Leedy [child nonfiction]
"My class wanted me to assign them the same homework Lisa's teacher assigned her class (in the book). Very cute book!"
Audiobooks
David Sedaris Live At Carnegie Hall [sound recording]
"This was so funny, that I had to pull over to the side of the road while I was driving. I've listened to this many times and still crack up. "
Videos
The Dead Girl [videorecording]
"With the cast involved in this film I expected a little more than we were given. There were several stories that all related to The Dead Girl but for the most part they were so loosely woven together and so poorly written that it was hard to really care about any of the stories by themselves. Even when you could see how they tied in to the original story there just wasn't enough substance."
Alvin and the Chipmunks [videorecording]
"this movie is cute and funny... a must see for all ages!!!"
If you would like to add a review (or two or three!) to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
For Adults
So brave, young, and handsome by Leif Enger [fiction]
"Enger's writing reminds me a bit of Pat Conroy. His use of the English language is exquisite and his characters unique. I liked his first novel better (Peace Like a River), but this one didn't disappoint. Great read!"
The handweaver's pattern directory by Anne Dixon [nonfiction]
"Handweavers will want to purchase this book of patterns. I have an old book of patterns that is falling apart, so I was greatly relieved to find this wonderful replacement. Includes basic instructions for those just starting out, along with excellent graphics of patterns and color examples."
For Kids
The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock by Bill Peet {picture book]
"This children's book stands the test of time. My son loves it and wants to hear it over and over again! Prewitt is different from the other peacocks, but his differences end up saving all of the peacocks in the end. A good message of tolerance and acceptance of those who are different."
Probably Pistachio by Stuart J. Murphy [child nonfiction]
"Kind of a long book to read, but there are other opportunities in the book, like making predictions, building backround knowledge, inferring, etc. We ate pistachio ice cream a few days later, as well as pistachio nuts."
It's Probably Penny by Loreen Leedy [child nonfiction]
"My class wanted me to assign them the same homework Lisa's teacher assigned her class (in the book). Very cute book!"
Audiobooks
David Sedaris Live At Carnegie Hall [sound recording]
"This was so funny, that I had to pull over to the side of the road while I was driving. I've listened to this many times and still crack up. "
Videos
The Dead Girl [videorecording]
"With the cast involved in this film I expected a little more than we were given. There were several stories that all related to The Dead Girl but for the most part they were so loosely woven together and so poorly written that it was hard to really care about any of the stories by themselves. Even when you could see how they tied in to the original story there just wasn't enough substance."
Alvin and the Chipmunks [videorecording]
"this movie is cute and funny... a must see for all ages!!!"
If you would like to add a review (or two or three!) to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
A new feature has been added to InfoSoup that we hope you'll start using right away. Community Reviews allows you to add your own personal review to any item in InfoSoup, whether it's a book, movie, CD, or other format. You'll also be able to view reviews added by others and manage your own reviews in your user account.Take a look at our screencast, Using Community Reviews In InfoSoup, for information on how to use this new feature. We hope you'll take a minute or two after viewing the screencast to share your thoughts about it in our online survey. We appreciate your input!
Let people know what you think about items in InfoSoup by quickly and easily adding ratings to any title in any format. Just look for the stars on any item's page and click on the number of stars you'd like for your rating. If you need a little more help than that, we've got you covered! Take a look at our screencast, Using Ratings In InfoSoup, and you'll be on your way. If you watch the screencast, please take a moment to let us know if it helped. We'd appreciate it!
The Appleton Public Library children's staff have been busy this summer! They have published new buggy booklists, including Insects & Creepy Crawlers (fiction) and Insects & Creepy Crawlers (nonfiction). Other new lists include Community and Community Helpers and Summer Books & Media.
Visit the InfoSoup Family Page for more booklists, award winners, Tumblebooks, and BookLetters features!
Visit the InfoSoup Family Page for more booklists, award winners, Tumblebooks, and BookLetters features!
The teen staff Appleton Public Library have published two new booklists you'll want to be sure to check out:
- Leap of Faith: Believers and Doubters
This list includes books for teens about religion. From a religion passed down in the family to a new spiritual idea, the teens in these books must face the question: What do I believe? - Twilight Read-Alikes
Dangerous romances, supernatural enemies and mysterious circumstances abound in these stories. Read them while you wait for Breaking Dawn, the next book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.
Catch the Reading Bug at your local library this Summer, and check out our new list of materials entitled Bugs, Bugs, Bugs! This list has books for all ages and interests. Select from categories, such as Picture Books, Board Books, Poetry and Jokes, Folklore, Crafts, Music, and more!
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