What's Simmering?

Read Beyond Reality

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:12:04 -0600

Celebrate Teen Read Week Oct. 18-23 and read something out of this world! For some great suggestions, take a look at our Teen Book Review Blog Science Fiction and Fantasy reviews. If you have read anything out of this world, or just really good, add your review to the blog.

Also check out the Out of This World booklist for more suggestions.

InfoSoup Memory Project

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:46:03 -0600

Please take a look at the latest addition to InfoSoup, the InfoSoup Memory Project. This project provides a powerful online platform for presenting local history material from InfoSoup libraries. The project is just getting started, but we are excited by the possibilities for making available some of the unique local history materials in our libraries.

If you are interested in local history, you may also want to take a look at Digital Collections @ Your Library and Local History @ Your Library, a collection of links and information about a variety of online and in print local history resources.

Health Information Online

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:01:57 -0600

Another exciting new addition to BadgerLink this year is Consumer Health Complete.

CHC provides content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. This full-text database covers topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs & alcohol, fitness, nutrition & dietetics, children's health, men & women's health, etc.

Consumer Health Complete includes information from hundreds of well known medical reference books, thousands of evidence-based health reports, generic and brand name drug patient education sheets, physician-generated videos, and much more. This resource can be found on InfoSoup Research Tools Page. From outside an InfoSoup library you will need to enter your library card and pin to access this resource.

Auto Repair Information Online

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:53:04 -0600

The Auto Repair Reference Center provides information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1945. Content includes:

Nearly 800,000 Drawings and Step-by-Step Photographs
Approximately 83,200 Technical Services Bulletins & Recalls
Over 99,800 Wiring Diagrams
Labor Time Guide & Estimator
Specifications & Maintenance Schedules

The Auto Repair Reference Center is made available through BadgerLink! BadgerLink provides access to full text magazines, newspapers and reference resources, literature, and other information. The services are provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with funding through the Public Service Commission, Universal Service Fund.

This resource and many more can be found on InfoSoup Research Tools Page. From outside an InfoSoup library you will need to enter your library card and pin to access this resource.

Summer Fun for Kids and Teens

Wed, 20 May 2009 08:47:22 -0600

InfoSoup's summer reading blogs are now available!

Kids and parents can visit Be Creative @ Your Library to find book reviews, coloring sheets, craft projects, puzzles, and more. Why not add your own review of your favorite book or comment on a posted review from someone else? We hope you'll tell us about what you're reading this summer.

Teens are also welcome to post their own reviews and comment on posted reviews at Express Yourself @ Your Library. We have also collected some links to interesting web sites for you to check out this summer. If you don't see your favorite site, be sure to tell us about it so we can add it to our list.

The blogs were created to supplement the reading programs taking place in InfoSoup libraries this summer. Be sure to check out your local library to see what they have planned for you!

Discover New Authors with LibraryThing

Tue, 12 May 2009 11:25:32 -0600

We are happy to announce the addition of LibraryThing, a new feature in InfoSoup that will enable you to find titles similar to your favorites, as well as other editions or translations. LibraryThing also adds a tag cloud, so you can explore words and phrases that describe one title in order to find others that you might enjoy.

Take a look at the Finding Similar Titles and Other Editions in InfoSoup (a.k.a. LibraryThing) screencast to learn more, then let us know how you like it in the comments of this post.

Enjoy!

Teen and Adult Reviews in InfoSoup

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:14:06 -0600

Check out the latest reviews added to InfoSoup!

For Adults

True Detectives: A Novel by Jonathan Kellerman
I enjoyed the primary characters described in this book immensely. The 1/2 brothers, Aaron and Moe and their Mom each had quirks that made the read a good one. However, the questioning of suspects, and the conversations between the people "working the case" could have been abbreviated (summarized?) because it became repetitious.

If Angels Burn : A Novel of the Darkyn by Lynn Viehl
This story took a while to really get rolling and it's a bit more horror - especially in the beginning. But I found myself becoming compelled as it moved along and by the end I was sorry it was over. So I guess it was really good! The main "hero", if you can call him that, was really good. His name is Michael Cyprien and I found him very alluring in many ways, even though it was subtle and you didn't notice it at first. The heroine is fun and lively and good too. The only part that left me a bit cold was her brother, who is a priest. But mostly it was very good.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Be careful where you read this. You don't want to read it in a very quiet place where others will be annoyed by your constant snickering, chuckling and laughing out loud. Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce is a delight - brilliant, wicked, and yet still bewildered by many of the adults about her. I can't wait for the next one!

Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
This was an EXCELLENT book. I was captivated throughout. The characters were great and the storyline was intelligent and interesting. I can't wait to read the others in the series. 5 stars!

For Teens

Origins by Cate Tiernan
So if you're looking for a continuation of Morgan and Hunter's romance you won't find it in this book. It's written from the point of view of Rose MacEwan - Morgan's relative. It's a good enough book, but not about our main characters. And in the end Morgan instantly forgives Hunter for kissing another witch while he was on his trip to Canada. I found this a bit surreal. She should have given him a little trouble for that one - not just fall into his arms. Is she a doormat, or what?

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Fablehaven is a lot like Harry Potter. For all fairy tale lovers you will love this suppenseful book.

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
This story is just as good as the fisrt. You MUST read the fisrt book for it to make any sense to you. Suspenseful you will not want to put this book down.

Add Your Review

If you'd like to add a review but need a little help, take a look at Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup. Or, feel free to add a review here in the comments. We'd love to hear about what you're reading lately!

Happy Earth Day!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:15:06 -0600

Founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. Learn more about Earth Day at Wikipedia.

What will you do to celebrate this day? Why not visit your local library and check out some of the wonderful, FREE resources they have available to help you learn more about our planet and how to be a good steward of the environment. Here are a few titles from InfoSoup to get you started.

For Adults:

Beyond Earth Day: fulfilling the promise by Gaylord Nelson
The man from Clear Lake: Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson by Bill Christofferson
The official Earth Day guide to planet repair by Denis Hayes
Easy green living: the ultimate guide to simple, eco-friendly choices for your and your home by Renee Loux
The everything green living book by Diane Gow McDilda

For Kids:

Dora celebrates Earth Day! by Emily Solinger
Earth Day by Margaret McNamara
It's Earth Day! by Mercer Mayer
All new crafts for Earth Day by Kathy Ross
Earth Day - hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy
more Earth Day materials for kids

Can't make it to your library today? Try some of these online resources:

Earth Day Network
EarthLab.com - calculate your carbon footprint
EarthDay.gov
Earth Day - US Environmental Protection Agency
The Green Guide
Green Living Ideas

For kids and families:

Learn something new, adopt a green living tip (or two or three or four), and start to make a difference today!

Recommended Books for Kids

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:28:54 -0600

The following materials were recently reviewed in InfoSoup. Take a look - maybe you'll discover something new to enjoy with your family! And remember to visit InfoSoup's Family Page for access to award winning books, reading lists, and TumbleBooks (online animated talking picture books).

InfoSoup Reviews

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock
Author Fiona Bayrock explores animals that use bubbles for a functional purpose, from violet sea snails to humans! Each description is accompanied by a beautiful watercolor by illustrator Carolyn Conahan and the scientific name of the animal. Additional materials include “More amazing facts about bubble makers” (you will want to find out how herring farts were accidently discovered) and a glossary. Young readers will want to listen to you read this book to them (one animal at a time or the whole book in a sitting) and older readers can explore this book on their own. Older readers may want to dive into other books to learn about the physics of snapping shrimp bubble popping.

If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World's People by David J. Smith
David Smith condenses the world population into a village of 100 people to make a meaningful summary of the world's 6.6 billion people (in 2007). Did you realize if you lived in this village and only spoke English that you would only be able to communicate using language with eight other people? Is it alright for only 30 of the village members to always have enough to eat? These and other facts are conveyed in simple terms and displayed with vibrant illustrations by Shelagh Armstrong. The book also contains tips on how to teach children about the global village and a listing of data sources.

A Personal Tour of Monticello by Robert Young
As an adult, I often look to children's nonfiction for an introduction to a subject that I'm not familiar with. The maps and house plans provided in this book are quite good. Large photographs also provide a good sense of Monticello. This book is partially written as the daily experiences of contemporaries at Monticello in Jefferson's time. These stories seemed fragmented and uninteresting to me. Inventions and tools, such as a dumbwaiter, could have been explored in more depth.

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss
All of the earth's water makes up the one well that we all share. Plants and animals, including humans, all depend on this well. Did you know that there is ten times the water in our atmosphere than in our rivers? This and many other facts are presented along with brightly color illustrations. Additional information includes "Becoming Well Aware," Notes to Parents, Guardians, and Teachers," and an index.

Add Your Review

If you'd like to add a review but need a little help, take a look at Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup. Or, feel free to add a review here in the comments. We'd love to hear about what you're reading lately!

Fiction Reviews in InfoSoup

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:02:43 -0600

Check out the latest adult fiction reviews added to InfoSoup!

Fiction Reviews

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
OK, with a title this cute, I thought this book was going to be very fluffy, and I really delayed reading it, in spite of an enthusiastic recommendation by MIL (Mother-in-law.) But, while it was an enjoyable read, the background history is heart-breaking at times. I had no idea that the Channel Islands were occupied during World War II, and found the background fascinating. Really a great read!

Choices Made: The Street Years by Christine McMahon
This book lists street life and gangs but it is actually a coming of age story with lessons for young people about personal strength and making the right decision.

6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber
I really enjoy Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series. I can't wait to see what happens to the different families that are in Cedar Cove. I recommend the series for easy enjoyment.

Kiss Me, Kill Me: And Other True Cases by Ann Rule
I am a fan of Ann Rule for two reasons. 1)She tells the victims stories with true sincerity. Letting the victims speak since they are no longer able to do so, in hopes to save others lives and to give advice to men, women, children who are in the simular situation. 2)She is a fantastic writer that allows not only the story to be told, but paints a picture of each person involved, and gives the emotions as the cases progress along in the book. You should read every book of hers or watch the movies. Great!

Witch Heart by Anya Bast
Okay, so I didn't get very far in this book because of the writing style. I'm sure some of you out there would love it, but I get lost when an author has all sorts of weird names for things - alien type things - that don't exist in my world. I find it hard to keep up. And skimming through the book, I found the story trite and predictable. Just too wordy and unnecessary for me. I like a faster pace and a little more mystique.

Wicked Intentions by Lydia Joyce
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It wasn't nearly as formulaic as most romance novels. It had some surprises and the hero and heroine "got together" quicker than in most - which is a good thing. I get frustrated when it takes the whole book for anything major to happen, so this was a nice change. All in all a good read!

Add Your Review

If you'd like to add a review but need a little help, take a look at Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup. Or, feel free to add a review here in the comments. We'd love to hear about what you're reading lately!

Tell us why you love your library!

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:59:45 -0600

Help celebrate National Library Week, April 12-18, 2009 by telling us why you love your library! Share your thoughts about libraries in the comments of this post.

Fox Cities Book Festival

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:38:25 -0600

Many InfoSoup users may be interested to know about the upcoming Fox Cities Book Festival taking place April 14-19, 2009. From the site:

"The festival will connect readers and writers and offer an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the literary arts. It will also reach across all generations and genres with activities spanning the entire Fox Cities."

Featured authors include Sherman Alexie, A. Manette Ansay, Simon Armitage, Elizabeth Berg, and Michael Perry. Be sure to check out the list of Events to plan which activities you would like to attend. NPR fans won't want to miss Zorba Paster talking about his new book, "On Your Health," for example!

(Is it a coincidence that the Book Festival coincides with National Library Week? Not!)

Happy Birthday to the Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:46:34 -0600

This month marks the 40th birthday of the much-loved children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Take a look at this brief video of the author and illustrator talking about his book and how it came about.

Penguin Publishers have created an activity kit for educators to celebrate this event, but families could use it together, too. It includes a poster, activity sheets, and a list of Eric Carle's books. Take a look!

If you haven't read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, celebrate its 40th birthday by checking it out today at your local public library. And while you're at it, look for additional titles by Eric Carle to take home with you, as well. Here are a few to get you started:

Learn a Test

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:11:42 -0600

Need to practice for the ACT or SAT? Looking to land a job? Use Learn a Test (a.k.a. LearningExpress Library) to build your skills with practice tests, exercises, and skill-building programs for all walks of life. Prepare for your GED, learn about U.S. Citizenship, take practice tests for cosmetology, civil service, law enforcement, nursing, real estate, and more. There are even practice tests for improving elementary math and reading skills, so parents, you'll want to take a look, too! If you're looking for work, you may also want to check out InfoSoup's Job & Career Resources page.

And best of all?! Learn a Test is free at your local library or from home with your InfoSoup library card!

Recently reviewed in InfoSoup

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:54:27 -0600

Check out the latest reviews added to InfoSoup. You never know when you'll find something you'd like to check out (or avoid!). If you would like to add a review to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.

Fiction

The Shanghai Moon by S. J. Rozan
The latest Lydia Chin/Bill Smith novel is a terrific find. It's been many years since the last entry in the series, but Rozan hasn't lost her touch. Especially interesting was the depiction of the Jewish experience in Shanghai. Apparently, Shanghai was one of the few places open to Jewish emigres fleeing WWII Europe - their story is fascinating and tragic. An enjoyable and ultimately satisfying read.

Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton
Laurell is a pretty good writer, from a technical sense. She knows how to spin a yarn. But with her stories I always feel like I'm driving on a long gravel road for miles and miles and never reach my destination. Kind of a flat feeling at the end. These stories are alright. Each short story is fairly short, though I must admit that I didn't read the whole book because it just wasn't that interesting. If you're a faithful Laurell fan then go for it. But she doesn't grip me enough to continue reading her work.

Needful Things by Stephen King
This is a killer book! I loved it! Stephen King has a lyrical style of writing that draws you in and lulls you into a sense of well-being and then SHOCKS YOU! I think that's great. The story itself was very amusing and gripping, and though it's a very long book, I didn't have any trouble getting through to the end. Indeed, I very much wanted to see how it all turns out. And it makes you believe in goodness and rightness and doing the right thing when you have the chance. Something to think about. Great work Stephen!

Storm Front by Jim Butcher
So, okay, this wasn't the typical book I like. I usually go for paranormal romance, but I really did enjoy this book! It was fun and moved right along and it was quite adult even though it was easy reading. A very cool wizard, this guy Harry Dresden. I expect to read more in the series.

Nonfiction

Food Matters: a guide to conscious eating with more than 75 recipes by Mark Bittman
Bittman offers practical and pragmatic advice on how making small dietary changes can have a big impact on your health and the environment. While not advocating any specific diet, he makes a strong case for eating more plants and consuming less junk food. Includes lots of fascinating data and stories based on his own experience. Recipes are a bonus.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
Three Cups of Tea is a nonfiction account of one person's ability to make a marked difference in the life of children. Greg Mortenson was a mountaineer who had a failed attempt at the K2 summit. I have to admit that when I started reading about his summit expedition, I was not excited about another "Into Thin Air." I've scaled my fair share of mountains in Wyoming, Hawaii, Colorado and Wisconsin (Does Rib Mountain count?)but I just don't understand the need to risk one's life to get to the top. The friend who recommended this book told me very little of the content, just that it was a book I must read! But the book isn't really about Mortenson's mountaineering career. He found himself stranded in a small village in the shadow of K2 and he took the time to get to know the people. Once he realized that the children were attending classes outdoors even on the coldest of days, he became determined to build a school. He spent all his money, and used all his resources to raise money to build a school for all the children of the village, even the girls. But his work didn't stop there. He became determined that the only way to fight terrorism is to fight ignorance, by building one school at a time and empowering the young people of war-torn Pakistan and Afghanistan so they have a choice. This was truly an inspirational book and once again I reached for the tissues. I'm donating my copy to another library so there are more copies available. I encourage you to check it out today.

Movies

Playtime (Criterion Collection)
Tati's efforts here suffer some in bringing the film to DVD. It was originally filmed in 70mm and much is cropped out to bring it down to size. Shame. His timing for sight gags is still meticulous; the sequence in the adjoining apartments with all glass windows are priceless and you can only imagine what the impact of additional apartments would have been. This is the final film in the Mssr. Hulot trilogy. I found both the predecessors better. One note: even though these are french films they can stand on their own without sound. Visually great!

The Long Gray Line
Absolutely John Ford's worst movie, this story of an Irish immigrant who became an institution as a coach at West Point is an embarrassing mish-mash of saccharine sentimentality, Irish ethnic stereotypes, shallow patriotic cliche, cardboard characterizations, and bufoonish low humor. It embodies all of Ford's faults and none of his strengths: even the visual framing of the scenes, something Ford is usually an instinctive master of, seems pedestrian. Why some critics have praised the performances is beyond me: the actors give the sort of performance which lets you know they're really acting. To be fair, this film is a sentimental favorite and has many fans, but I myself could hardly keep a straight face watching it. I can recommend it only to Ford fans who want to see all of his work. The DVD transfer is good, with a full screen version on one side and widescreen on the other.

For Teens

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Though this was a lovely story, I was very unsatisfied with the ending, and really many parts thoughout the book. It was well plotted in some ways, but touched on the surface too much instead of getting more into it. And the romance was not as in-depth as it SHOULD have been. It was sweet, but not very compelling. I wonder if the author left the ending the way it is so she could write a sequel? In my idea, that's not a good way to write a book. It should stand on its own. One more problem with this book is the character names. Kelley is not a very imaginative name for a fairy princess, and Sonny is a poor name for her love interest. Something more magical and ethereal would have been much better - since she's the daughter of two royal fairy beings. Just didn't make sense to me. All in all an Okay book, but not great.

The Vampire Diaries: the awakening and the struggle by L. J. Smith
The stories here were pretty good - all in all. The writing style was easy to read and moved along quickly and the story was not bad. But the ending was sad and I have to read the rest in the series to see if it comes out alright in the end. Basically this is a watered down version of the Twilight series, even though these came well before Twilight. But these are a bit scarier with not as much romance. Of course Twilight is the best of the best, so I shouldn't really compare. But if you like vampire stories with a bit of romance, you should like these.

For Kids

Dirty Joe, the Pirate: a true story by Bill Harley
Great illustrations and a super silly story. Kids love stories about forbidden words/things, like UNDERWEAR, so the story hooks them right away. And who in the world would want to steal dirty socks?! These pirates do, and it makes for a fun tale your kids will want to read over and over again.

What have you checked out lately? Add a review in the comments.