What We’re Reading: The Nix

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Meredith Lewis

Author: Nathan Hill

Genre: literary fiction

Read Great Things (2019) categories: A book about or that features college or higher education

Why did you choose to read this book?

I believe it is important to support independent bookstores. Last summer, when I was traveling to western Kentucky, my family and I stayed in Crossville, Tennessee, and found The Book Cellar. After browsing their shelves for the better part of an hour, I selected The Nix. They had a hardcover edition in great condition for around $3. The review excerpts on the dust jacket include one by an author I like (John Irving) and another citing two other authors I like: “as good as the best of Michael Chabon or Jonathan Frantzen.”

Continue Reading →

Read Great Things in 2019: Challenge Yourself!

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Meredith Lewis

A new year, a new set of Read Great Things categories. Are you ready to participate?

What is the Read Great Things Challenge?

The Read Great Things Challenge is a personal reading challenge sponsored by the Durham Tech Library throughout 2019 that encourages folks to diversify and/or increase their reading goals by completing books that fit into at least 10 of the following 12 categories:

A book that will help you with one of your personal goals
A book by or about someone you admire
A social science book [nonfiction books about society and the relationships among individuals within a society, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, history, public health, and communication books, among others]
A book published in the decade you were born
An epistolary book or a book that contains epistolary parts [a book written using diary, journal, newspaper, or letter entries]
A book you’ve been putting off but—you swear!–you really do want to read
A reimagining of a classic tale or work of literature
A book about or that features college or higher education
A book about an immigrant or immigration
A book about technology
A book by a North Carolina author or that takes place in North Carolina
A book suggested by a Durham Tech librarian either in-person or on the Durham Tech Library Blog

We’ll be highlighting a different category on this blog each month. Your can always ask a librarian for recommendations if you can’t think of a book to read for a certain category (which conveniently fills that final awesome category).

How do I participate in the Read Great Things Challenge?

It’s pretty simple –just start reading! You don’t have to sign up and you can start at any point in the year and read the books in any order you like. You will need to choose books that fit into at least 10 of the 12 categories by the end of Fall Semester (December 2019) to complete the challenge.

What kind of book counts as a “great thing”?

All books count–hardcover, paperback, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, comic books, library books, books you own, books you’ve borrowed… If it fits into one (or two) of the categories and you’ve read it/want to read it in 2019, that counts. We’re not here to judge or assign reading levels.

Can I count a book for multiple categories?

One book can count for up to two categories, so if you read strategically, you can complete the challenge by only reading 5 books in total.

How do I win the challenge? (What do I win?)

To win and complete the challenge, you should finish books throughout 2019 that fit into at least 10 of the 12 listed categories. In mid-December at the end of the Fall Semester, we’ll have bookish prizes available for those who bring their completed book list to the library or fill out the completion form.

You’ll also get a personal sense of satisfaction and bragging rights. (And who doesn’t love those?)

Do the books have to be from the Durham Tech Library?

Nope, but we’re glad to point you in the direction of one already in our collection. We have some great books just waiting to make it on your list.

More questions? Email library [at] durhamtech [dot] edu or Orange County Campus Librarian Meredith Lewis at lewisma [at] durhamtech [dot] edu.

View, download, or print a copy of the checklist and challenge guidelines: Read Great Things 2019 Challenge Checklist [pdf]

Already finished? Fill out the Read Great Things 2019 Challenge Completion form or turn in your completed paper copy at either the Main or Orange County Campus library.

What We’re Reading: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

The rise and fall of the dinosaurs: A new history of a lost world by steve brusatte

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, the [mostly] Orange County Campus Librarian, and is available for checkout at the Orange County Campus Library.

Title: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World
Author: Steve Brusatte

Genre: Popular Science, General Dinosaur Awesomeness

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A popular science book; A book that takes place during or is about a historical event 50 years or more in the past [this historical event took place a few million years ago]

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Because dinosaurs are awesome?

Seriously though, I have a four-year-old friend who was telling me about all these dinosaurs that I never heard of. When I saw this book was coming out, I thought, “Self, if this isn’t a dragging and dull science-y book, you should pick that up because you’re not interested in watching Dinosaur Train (the PBS Kids TV show), but you do want to learn more about dinosaurs.” It was AWESOME, although I listened to the audiobook, so I missed out on the pictures. [The OCC copy is in print and full of pictures. I’d recommend this format over the audiobook for even more enjoyment.]

What did you like about it?

I’m going to make a list here:

It’s an engaging history book–in this case, the history of the Earth through its prehistoric times and then after the extinction of the dinosaurs, which I knew very little about.
It goes into all the newer discoveries about dinosaurs that additional fossils have brought to light, especially regarding how dinosaurs differently evolved after the splitting apart of Pangaea. There are even vignettes where the author goes into, based on fossil evidence, that show how the dinosaurs likely interacted with each other.
It has stuff about the fossil record and how paleontologists use it to draw conclusions and also how fossils are/were discovered and used.
It has an international perspective of dinosaurs, which is cool because while T-Rex’s arms actually were used for something (though, yes, very short), a Brazilian big guy actually did have pretty much non-functional arms. Evolution is fascinating!
It highlights a field in science I wasn’t that familiar with and name drops all these cool paleontologists that I’d never heard of before, but I’m super glad I know of them now.

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie?

Am I allowed to say Jurassic Park here? Because of course. [Yes, I am allowed to say Jurassic Park.]

What feeling did the book leave you with?

Well, I’m really excited about dinosaurs.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes science or scientists and delving deeper into what people who “do” science actually do to gather their research. Anyone looking for a grown-up book about dinosaurs. Seriously. It was great. I’m going to buy it for several people for the holidays (and upcoming birthdays… and all occasions I can think of).

What would you pair this book with?

A continued appreciation of those awesome inflatable T-Rex costumes and how so many layers of knowledge and expertise go into scientific discovery. In honor of the East Coast (not us) getting some of our first snow, I’d like to share the following awesome video of an inflatable T-Rex ice skating in case you haven’t seen it.

[No transcript available, but to summarize: A person in an inflatable t-rex costume and white ice skates performs surprisingly well on an ice rink. Occasionally, the t-rex trips on its own tail. Hilarity insues.]

What We’re Reading: Leaving the Sea: Stories

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

Title: Leaving the Sea: Stories

Author: Ben Marcus

Genre: short stories / experimental fiction

Read Great Things Challenge 2018 category: a book you chose for the cover; a book with a supernatural creature, occurrence, or event (maybe)

Why did you choose to read this book?

I was drawn in by the cover art at first. The reviews on the back of the dust jacket also made the stories sound interesting to me. One of my favorite authors, Michael Chabon, has a blurb on the back of the book praising Marcus’s The Flame Alphabet (which I haven’t read).

This “themed” collection is of short stories that feature young-to-middle-aged men in crisis. Otherwise, the stories are not related. A divorcé struggles to keep his job and resolve joint custody issues with his ex-wife; a struggling professor teaches a creative writing class aboard a cruise ship; a young man with a mysterious illness seeks treatment in Germany and examines his relationships with his girlfriend, father and a stranger he meets in a hostel; a man worries about his family during a routine evacuation drill in his community; et cetera.

Many of the stories take place in alternate realities: a world in which one can choose to be a baby for one’s whole life, for example.

What did you like about it?

I did not like reading this book. I was motivated to finish it solely to write a thoughtful review.

I found a lot of the book to be interesting, but in many of the stories I felt like Marcus was playing with language for the sole purpose of doing so. Ranging into pure experimental fiction, this book was often either beyond my understanding or it felt like I was being manipulated into feeling stupid for not understanding what is going on, only because the author omitted details I felt would have improved my access to the book.

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie?

Another collection of experimental fiction is David Foster Wallace’s Oblivion. The freedom with which Marcus uses language and imagery reminds me a little bit of e.e. cummings’s poetry as well.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

In spite of my frustrations with the most experimental stories, this book is memorable and left me wishing I could write fiction with such imagination and confidence in bending language to my will.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Fans and writers of experimental fiction will appreciate this book. Someone who needs a creative spark and doesn’t mind reading some dystopian fiction might find use in this book.

What would you pair this book with?

Even though I don’t keep one myself, a reading or writing journal would be a valuable companion.

What We’re Reading: Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

open mic night at westminster cemetary by mary amato book cover

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, the [mostly] Orange County Campus Librarian, and is available for checkout at the Orange County Campus Library.

Title: Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery: A Novel in Two Acts
Author: Mary Amato

Genre: Fantasy [because ghosts talking and stuff]. Is there a “imagined conversations between ghosts in graveyards” fiction genre? Because this fits that one, too.

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A book that contains a supernatural creature, occurrence, or event

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Why did you choose to read this book?

The summary alone did it for me: A teenager wakes up in a graveyard, but instead of the numerous other ways that story could go, she discovers she’s dead… and already in trouble with the appointed rule-keeper of the cemetery due to language (strike 1) and emotional outbursts (strike 2). Lacy is charming and trying to be as self-aware as a new ghost can be while the other inhabitants of the graveyard both rely on their routine and want something more. Oh, and dead Edgar Allan Poe is there. Need I say more?

What did you like about it?

It was just overall very charming. I also really like books where historical figures show up in some way. Oh, and there’s the whole graveyard fiction thing, which I also like (apparently). But seriously, the characters were engaging and it wasn’t too heavy– sometimes you just need a light read.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who needs a light read this time of year. Anyone who needs a little whimsy with their spirit of Edgar Allan Poe. Fans of open mic nights.

What would you pair this book with?

A little bit of bravery to stand up to “how things have always been done”… and some cinnamon crumb cake.

How about some book friends (a.k.a. related reading recommendations)?

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Need help finding a book in-library or requesting a book through ILL? You can look it up in our catalog or ask a librarian. Don’t yet have a library card? Ask in the library and be sure to bring your Durham Tech ID.

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

Did you know that, since 1995, September 19 has been International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Wikipedia gives a brief history of this weird occasion, which originated between two friends playing a game of Racquetball.
So, I know you’re asking, “How do I learn to talk like a Pirate?” Good news! You’ve come to the right place. Your Durham Tech library has just the tool for you: Mango Languages. Continue Reading →

Join us for Crafternoon workshops this Fall semester

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Julie Humphrey

The Library and Student Government Association are hosting craft workshops this fall semester. Workshops are held in the Library’s Group Study Area room 105A on the lower level of Main Campus Library unless otherwise noted. All materials and supplies are provided.

Images from previous Crafternoon workshops:

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Schedule for Main Campus
Mon. 8/27 1:00-3:00 Academic planners/notebooks
Tues. 9/18 1:00-3:00 Mixed media collage
Wed. 10/24 11:00-3:00 Pumpkin painting (note location: Fall Fest, Main Campus Plaza)
Thurs. 11/1 1:00-3:00 Day of the Dead masks (note location: Wynn Multipurpose Room)
Tues. 11/27 1:00-3:00 Tote bag painting

Schedule for Orange County Campus
Wed. Aug. 29 11:30 – 1:30 Academic planners/notebooks
Thurs. Sept. 20 11:30-1:30 Mixed media collage
Tues. Oct. 23 11:30-1:30 Pumpking painting during Fall Fest
Wed. Oct. 31 TBD Day of the Dead masks
Thurs. Nov. 29 11:30-1:30 Tote bag painting

What We’re Reading: Dread Nation

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

dread nation by justina ireland book cover

Available at the OCC Library on the New Book shelf

This book was enthusiastically read by Meredith Lewis, Orange County Campus Librarian.

Genre: Revisionist Zombie Historical Fiction, Supernatural fiction [not sure if it’s fantasy or science-fiction– I’m waiting for the next books in the series to figure out how those zombies became zombies!]

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A book with a supernatural creature [yup], A book that takes place during a historical event 50 years or more in the past [Reconstruction-era America… but with zombies]

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Honestly, it was one of several this year that I read about, had a great premise, and also got really good reviews. I often wonder if books are as good as everyone says they are and this is one of several I’ve read lately that have lived up to their hype –see: Children of Blood and Bone (reviewed on the blog here, The Hate U Give, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.

Despite the great reviews, I was a little torn because I actually hate zombies. A lot. If a zombie apocalypse actually ever occurs, I’ll have a hard time not just giving up because it’s too bleak. I don’t want dead people-like things eating my face.

What did you like about it?

This is going to sound strange, but it was a really sassy and hopeful book. So it takes place during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, except the war was finished because zombies started rising from the battlefield. Afterwards, newly freed slaves (and Native peoples, another interesting aspect to the book) are sent to combat schools to learn to kill the undead. Our intrepid heroine Jane is ready to graduate from Miss Preston’s School of Combat when… well, things go crazy and I don’t want to spoil the wonderful plot twists for you. Despite all the undead, Jane is always plotting on how to make her world better and how to get back to her family. In addition to the zombies, it casts a nicely critical eye on race relations and problems when marginalized people are put in opposition to each other. [Can you tell I was an English major? Look at that last sentence.]

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie?

The deep-seated evilness of several of the characters reminded me of The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Who would you recommend the book to?

I’d recommend this to both people who do like zombies and people who don’t like zombies, and any people who like super engaging stories, awesome strong female characters, and are okay waiting for the next book in the series [2019 on Goodreads!].

What would you pair this book with?

Some very sharp sickles. You know, for the zombie slaying.

What We’re Watching: Jane

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Julie Humphrey

Available at Main Campus Library: QL 31 .G58 J36 2017

This movie was watched by Julie Humphrey, Library Director.

Title: Jane

Director: Brett Morgen

Genre: Documentary

Why did you choose to watch this movie?
I am a huge admirer of primatologist, Jane Goodall, and her animal conservation work. I had heard that this film featured never-before-seen archival footage of her years working in Tanzania in the early 1960’s.

What did you like about it?
The film footage by wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick is incredibly beautiful and captivating. The director had access to more than 100 hours of this amazing film from the National Geographic archives. I liked hearing Dr. Goodall’s story in her own words as narrator. I learned so much about her life and work.

Image of Jane Goodall and baby chimpanzee

Image from Hugo van Lawick, National Geographic, reprinted in the New York Times

Did it remind you of any other movies?
It certainly reminded me of other wonderful nature documentaries like March of the Penguins but it is a very unique and fascinating biography.

Was there anything noteworthy about the movie?
I didn’t realize that Jane was only 26 when she first went to the forest of Gombe to observe and document chimpanzee behavior. She had great support from her mother who accompanied her on the expedition for the first few months. I also wasn’t aware that she didn’t have a college degree at the time of her work in Africa. She was secretary for Dr. Louis Leakey, paleoanthropologist and archaeologist, who sent her to Tanzania. She went on to her earn her PhD a few years later. Jane fell in love with the wildlife photographer that was filming the experience and they married and had a son together so there is the added bonus of a love story!

Who would you recommend the movie to?
Nature and science enthusiasts, animal lovers, and anyone who appreciates compelling documentaries and learning about fascinating people.

What would you pair this movie with?
Other new biographical films of inspirational women like activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the first farm worker’s union.

Available at Main Campus Library, HD 6509 .H84 D65 2018

What We’re Currently Reading: Summer Reads Edition!

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

In a repeating series highlighting current and recent reads around Durham Tech, here’s Durham Tech’s awesome faculty and staff’s current or recently finished summer reads:

1633 by David Weber & Eric Flint book cover

Bill Stuart, Science Lab Manager

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie book cover

Stephanie Turner, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones book cover

Available at the Main Campus (PS 3610 .O63 A84 2018) and as an ebook through Dogwood Digital Library

Susane Boukamel, CAE Academic Alert Tutor for Reading and English

The Completionist by Siobhan Adcock book cover

Karin Abell, Director of English as a Second Language

21: The Story of Roberto Clemente by Wilfred Santiago book cover

Erin Riney, Director of Center for College and Community Service, Service Learning Coordinator, & ACA Instructor

A Dreamer’s Tales: Annotated Edition by Lord Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett Dunsany book cover

Peter Wooldridge, Vice President of Corporate, Continuing, and Public Services Education & ancestor of the author

Suzi Jaikaran, Human Resources Coordinator

Suzannah Price, English Instructor

She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb book cover

Stephen Brooks, Main Campus Reference Librarian

Cathy Collie-Robinson, Director and Instructor of Early Childhood Education

Gaddy's Song (Pettigrew Farm Series, Book 3) by Kathryn Ewers Bundy book cover

Lisa M. Blair, French & Spanish Instructor

The Brothers K by David James Duncan book cover

Pat Morris, Director of CAE

Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay book cover

Marina DelVecchio, English & Humanities Instructor

Betrayed: A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel by Lisa Scottoline book cover

Christine Gunnigle, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Clinical Coordinator & Instructor

Paula Wilder, Director of English for Academic Purposes & Continuing Education for Non-Native English Speakers

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty book cover

Lynn Unsworth, Leadership and Interpersonal Skills Development Regional Trainer

The 1910 Slocum Massacre: An Act of Genocide in East Texas by E.R. Bills book cover

Carl Rupert, Math Instructor

The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore book cover

Brittney VornDick, Physics Instructor

the kitchen house by kathleen grissom book cover

Dorothy Wood, Biology Instructor

Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves by James Nestor book cover

Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson book cover

DM Stearns, Criminal Justice Instructor

Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns by Michael A. Smerconish book cover

Wayne Durkee, Criminal Justice Instructor

The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton book cover

Mary Kennery, Library Technician

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan book cover

Bill Ingram, President

Patrick Coin, Assistant Dean of Applied Technologies Programs & Director and Instructor of Environment, Health, and Safety Technology

Stesha Little, Gateway to College Resource Specialist

Tricked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4) by Kevin Hearne

Walter Bartlett, Advanced Manufacturing Coordinator

The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther by Jeffrey Haas book cover

Darius Whitney, Southern School of Energy & Sustainability College Liaison

ready player one by ernest cline book cover

Janice Stuart, Gateway to College English Instructor

Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans book cover

Patricia Neems, English as a Second Language Instructor

Judy Graham, EMS Program Specialist

The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard book cover

Lea Bingham, Assistant Dean of University Transfer & English Instructor

A Historical Tour of Walt Disney World by Andrew Kiste book cover

Gilbert R. Umberger, Student Activities Coordinator

Unresolved issues by Wanda B. Campbell book cover

Johnnie Bratton, Program Director of Associate Degree Nursing & Coordinator of Therapeutic and Diagnostic NA Diploma Program

american war by omar el akkad book cover

Meredith Lewis, Orange County Campus Librarian

Swamplandia! By Karen Russell book cover

Eliza Murphy, ACA Instructor and Advisor

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende book cover

Rachel Lithman, English as a Foreign Language Instructor and Advisor

Jessica Orio, Center for the Global Learner Program Specialist

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly book cover

Kerry Cantwell, First-Year Experience Chair & ACA Instructor

Available at the Main, Northern Durham, and Orange County Campus (PS 3558 .E63 D8)

Julie Humphrey, Library Director

Are you already reading for the Durham Tech Read Great Things 2018 Challenge? Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Durham Tech Library Blog

Updates and Info from the Durham Tech Library

Category Archives: Just for Fun

What We’re Reading: The Nix

Read Great Things in 2019: Challenge Yourself!

What We’re Reading: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

What We’re Reading: Leaving the Sea: Stories

What We’re Reading: Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Join us for Crafternoon workshops this Fall semester

What We’re Reading: Dread Nation

What We’re Watching: Jane

What We’re Currently Reading: Summer Reads Edition!