What We’re Reading: Children of Blood and Bone

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

children of blood and bone by tomi adeyemi book cover

Available at the Main and Orange County Campus Libraries on the new books shelf

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, Reference Librarian at the Main Campus, and Meredith Lewis, Orange County Campus Librarian.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A book with a supernatural creature [yup], occurrence [yup], or event [yup]

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Courtney: It has been getting a lot of really good press. And, Meredith told me to read it, so it meets the ‘recommended by a Librarian’ item on the Read Great Things Challenge.

Meredith: I love a good fantasy world and this one, where those with magic have been all-but-enslaved by those without (though the story turns out much more complex than that), is tops. I love some good world-building, and this is some of the best and clearest I’ve read in a while.

What did you like about it?

Courtney: I enjoyed the relationship between the main character and her brother. It felt real to me because it wasn’t all sunshine and happiness, but it was commitment and family.

Meredith: I loved that at its core it was about what our obligation to other human beings is and how, despite how family loyalty is a big theme in this story, sometimes we have to come to terms with things our family members have done that are wrong. And how we can move to effect positive (though difficult) change. Plus, again– the world-building and mythologies were really lovely.

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

Courtney: It reminded me a little bit of Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi because the magic in both revolved around death, and they are both set in magical, fictional, African countries. However, I’ll say that Children of Blood and Bone is much better than Beasts Made of Night on every level (plotting, character development, magic systems, world building…) so you can just read this one.

Meredith: The world-building reminded me of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. I also really liked that, although it had some romance and romantic tension, that wasn’t the primary focus of the story. They have a world to save, folks!

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

Courtney: It’s going to be a movie!

Meredith: Lionaires. (One of many awesome things about the book, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.) Honestly, though, it’s cool that it takes a non-Western (African, specifically West African) approach to the underlying mythology of the world.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

Courtney: This book left me feeling like I wanted to read the next one. Typical of most first books in a trilogy, the end set up an interesting premise for the next book.

Meredith: I’ll admit this book left me a little stressed out. Like Courtney, I’m eagerly awaiting the second book, especially since lots of heavy stuff went down towards the end of the first book and I’m worried about some of the characters.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Courtney & Meredith: Anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy books, or just fantasy books [with great world-building] in general.

What would you pair this book with?

Courtney: This book would pair well with a self-defense class. I’d like to learn how to fight with a stick.

Meredith: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor or The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin [available at the Orange County Campus Library].

What We’re Reading: Monstress (Vol. 1 & 2)

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

monstress vol 1 by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda book cover

Available at the Orange County Campus, volumes 1-4 (PN 6728 .M6548 L48 2019)

monstress vol 2 by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda book cover

Available on the new book shelf at the OCC Library

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

Genre: Graphic Novel/Comic Book

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A book that contains a supernatural creature [loads], occurrence [more than one], or event [very much yes]

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here.

Why did you choose to read this book?

I picked up Monstress Vol. 1 a year or so ago in an effort to check out some new graphic novels. The graphics were beautiful and there was a weird multi-tailed cat in one of the preview images. I’m a simple person–I may have chosen it for both the positive reviews and the cats. It’s also really beautifully illustrated (and terribly bloody and twisted).

I chose to continue the series because it’s dark and fascinating. The main character, Maika Halfwolf, is scarred emotionally from a war between entities in her world that left a huge number of beings dead and many more brutalized, but her physical scarring comes from a terrifying (and very hungry) monster that she shares her body with. She reluctantly takes on a half-fox and two-tailed necromancing talking cat as sidekicks. Look, it’s really weird (as I say out loud frequently while reading it), but really interesting. And it’s not as whimsical as the animals make it seem.

What did you like about it?

Maika’s exploration of where she ends and the monster begins is really fascinating, especially since they can see into each others’ memories. The second volume starts to clear up some of the mysteries introduced in the first volume, but I still have more questions! (Volume 3 comes out later this year, so I’ll just have to wait unless I want to buy individual issues of the comic.)

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

The second one reminds me ever so slightly of Pirates of the Carribean… but that’s only because there’s a ship and a terrifying island and ghosts.They do not share a similar tone AT ALL.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

If you’re into awards, this (along with My Favorite Thing is Monsters, also available at the OCC Library) was nominated for a 2018 Eisner Award and Vol. 1 won a Hugo Award last year.

Who would you recommend the book to?

If you’re into dark fantasy and beautiful art and weird stories with anthropomorphic animals and half animals and monsters, this is probably going to be your jam. All the trigger warnings, though.

I found this Hollywood Reporter article interesting, too, for more information: ‘Monstress’: Inside The Fantasy Comic About Race, Feminism And The Monster Within

What We’re Reading: Educated

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

educated a memoir by tara westover book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library on the New Book Shelf (CT 3262 .I2 W47 2018)

Educated by Tara Westover was read by Susan Baker, a Reference Librarian at the Main Campus, and Meredith Lewis, the Orange County Campus Librarian.

Genre: Memoir

#ReadGreatThings2018 Category: A biography, autobiography, memoir, or a fictionalized account of a real person’s life AND A book you chose for the cover [seriously, look at those layers]

Find out more about the Read Great Things Challenge here, and check out other beautiful and interesting book covers in the Main Campus library’s front window display to find your next great read.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Susan: I work with students in a community college. I have a son in elementary school. So I think about education—how does it work? What makes it good?—a lot. The combination of the title and the cool pencil graphic that is so much more if you look closely drew me to the shelf. I picked it, scanned the prologue—hmmm, this is good writing, and I want to know what happens….I was hooked.

Meredith: As usual (eye roll directed towards myself), I’d read some reviews on it and it seemed interesting– a story of not-quite-actually-home-schooled to PhD. I’m always interested in how people get from one place to another in their lives, especially in their education journeys, but this book was so much more than just that.

Continue Reading →

#ReadGreatThings2018: Summer Reading Time!

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

With the spring semester over and done*, summer reading is upon us!

Looking for some light structure to your summer reading? Why not try the Durham Tech Library’s Read Great Things Challenge?

What is the Read Great Things Challenge?

The Read Great Things Challenge is a reading challenge sponsored by the Durham Tech Library throughout 2018 that encourages folks to diversify or increase their reading goals by completing books that fit into at least 10 of the following 12 categories:

A book being turned into a movie or tv show in 2018

A biography, autobiography, memoir, or a fictionalized account of a real person’s life

A book about or that features sports

A book of poetry or a book written in verse

A book you previously started or were assigned and never finished

A book that takes place in a country or place you’d like to visit

A book you chose for the cover

A book that takes place during or is about a historical event 50 years or more in the past [1968 or before]

A popular science book [nonfiction books that talk about scientific topics from a non-textbook point-of-view]

A book with a supernatural creature, occurrence, or event

A book about cooking or food

A book suggested by a Durham Tech librarian either in-person or on the Durham Tech Library Blog

We’re highlighting different genres throughout the year and on the blog through individual book posts, but you 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. You’ll need to choose books that fit into at least 10 of the 12 categories by the end of Fall Semester (December 2018) to complete the challenge.

There’s also a joinable Sakai site (listed under Membership on your Sakai home page once you sign in) that we’ll be using if you want to discuss books you’re reading and recommend some of your own great reads. Email Meredith Lewis (OCC Librarian) or the library for more information.

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, that counts.

Can I count a book for multiple categories?

One book can count for up to two categories.

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

To win and complete the challenge, you should finish books that fit into at least 10 of the 12 listed categories. In late November or early December, 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.

Download a pdf of the checklist and challenge guidelines here: Read Great Things Challenge 2018

*Technically, the semester will be “over and done” tomorrow, you know, for accuracy’s sake.

Happy National Library Week!

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Julie Humphrey

In honor of libraries everywhere, we wanted to share a sweet and amazing story about the donkey libraries, Biblioburros, in Columbia. “By adapting the packsaddles of his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto, from carrying water to carrying books, Luis created a makeshift mobile library and set off to take his books to children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to reading materials. With that the ‘Biblioburro’ was born.” (BBC)

View the wonderful short video and article from the BBC Culture site.

Our library has a copy of the children’s book, Waiting for the Biblioburro, inspired by this story.

Find this book on the lower level of the library: PZ 7 .B816644 Wai 2011

What We’re Reading: The Secret Game

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

the secret game: a basketball story in black and white by scott ellsworth book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (GV 885.72 .N8 E45 2015)

This book was read by Charles Farrow, a Library Technician at the Main Campus Library.

Genre: Historical Nonfiction

#ReadGreatThings2018 Categor(ies): A book about or that features sports AND A book that takes place during or is about a historical event 50 years or more in the past

What is this book about?

Sunday, March 12, 1944 at 11:00am. The Secret Game.

In this book, Scott Ellsworth writes about a day and time in Durham, North Carolina during the Jim Crow era when two teams from opposite sides of the tracks–Duke and NC Central– ignored Jim Crow laws and decided to play a game that was never supposed to happen. It started out as a challenge, but ended up being more than just a game.

Why did you choose to read this book?

I chose to read this book because of a conversation I had with my son about black athletes in the Hall of Fame from HBCUs and how the historically black colleges and universities that produced them have been overlooked in sports history. We also talked about the history of black athletes at places like the University of Alabama, Duke, and the University of North Carolina and when they were allowed to participate in various sports.

What did you like about it?

I like this book because it brings to light that being an athlete is not just about playing a game. For some, it goes deeper than that. This book reveals a deeper truth that sports are not just about winning and losing. It shows that some of our greatest challenges are not from a physical opponent, but from our own system of beliefs instilled in us from childhood. I like this book because it reveals to the reader that sports transcends race, culture, nationalities and shows us how to overcome barriers and adversity by working together as a team and being a team player.

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

The movie Brian’s Song

What would you pair this book with?

I’d pair this book with an archaeological dig, since that’s how much work the author had to do in order to find out about and report about this game.

Did you enjoy the Black Panther movie? Want to read the comic books?

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Julie Humphrey

The library has the first three graphic novels in the recent Black Panther series and we have just ordered the fourth. If you liked the movie and want to learn more of the back story, borrow these today! You’ll find them on our new bookshelf.

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 2

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 3

Join us for Crafternoon!

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Julie Humphrey

The Library and Student Government Association are hosting craft workshops this spring semester. We made felted wool creations last week.

All workshops are from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Library’s Group Study Area room 105A on the lower level. We hope you’ll mark your calendars to join us for all of the events. All materials and supplies are provided. Next week we’ll make paper beads and valentine cards.

Here is a poster for our spring events on Main Campus:

Workshops at Orange County Campus will be held in the lobby on the following dates and times:

Valentines & Paper Beads

Feb. 14, 2:00-3:30 pm

Rock Painting

Mar. 21, 1:00-3:00 pm

Recycled Soda Can Flowers

April, date to be announced

What We Read in 2017: The Durham Tech Faculty and Staff Favorites Edition

Posted on January 22, 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 favorite reads from all of 2017:

way out in dog heaven by kathryn ewers bundy

born a crime stories from a south african childhood by trevor noah book cover

Selected twice! Available at the Main Campus Library (PN 2287 .N557 A3 2016)

the nightingale by kristin hannah book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3558 .A4763 N55 2015)

Available at the Main and Orange County Campus (PS 3607 .Y37 H66 2016) and as an audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library

the man who saved the union ulysseus s grant in war and peace by h.w. brands book cover

Available through ILL

flight behavior by barbara kingsolver book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3561 .I496 F55 2013)

a fine old conflict by jessica mitford book cover

Available through ILL

Available at the Main Campus and OCC Libraries (PR 9199.3 .A8 H3)

little fires everywhere by celeste ng book cover

Available through ILL. Celeste Ng’s other excellent book, Everything I Never Told You, is available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3614 .G83 E94 2014)

Available through ILL

the storied life of a.j. fikry by gabrielle zevin

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3626 .E95 S86 2014)

in the company of women inspiration and advice from 100 makers, artists, and entrepreneurs by grace bonney book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (HD 6057.5 .U5 B66 2016)

a gentleman in moscow by amor towles book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3620 .O945 G46 2016)

the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian by sherman alexie

Available at the Main Campus and OCC Libraries (PZ 7 .A382 Ab)

killers of the flower moon the osage murders and the birth of the fbi by david grann book cover

Available at the OCC Library (E 99 .O8 G675 2017)

two ready player one by ernest cline book covers

Selected twice! Available at the Main Campus and OCC Libraries (PS 3603 .L548 R43)

essentialism the disciplined pursuit of less by greg mckeown book cover

Available through ILL

stay with me by ayobami adebayo book cover

Available through ILL

the book of joy lasting happiness in a changing world by the dalai lama and desmond tutu with douglas abrams

Available at the Main Campus Library Spanish Language Collection (BL 65 .H36 B78 2016)

Available at the Main Campus and OCC Libraries (PR 9387.9 .A34354 H35)

Available through ILL

all the light we cannot see by anthony doerr book cover

Available at the Main and OCC Libraries (PS 3604 .O34 A77)

dog medicine how my dog saved me from myself by julie barton book cover

Available through ILL

Available through ILL

evicted poverty and profit in the american city by matthew desmond book cover

Available at the OCC Library (HD 7287.96 .U6 D47 2016)

Available at the Main Campus Library (PR 6123 .A745 L95 2017)

the shining girls by lauren beukes book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PR 9369.4 .B485 S55 2013)

Reviewed previously on the blog

in the time of the butterflies by julia alvarez book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3551 .L845 I5 1994)

a closed and common orbit by becky chambers book

Available through ILL

dark carousel by christine feehan book cover

Available through ILL

red notice a true story of high finance, murder, and one man's fight for justice by bill browder

Available through ILL

y is for yesterday by sue grafton book cover

See others in The Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Series at the Main Campus and Northern Durham Center Libraries (PS 3557 .R13)

Available at the Main Campus Library (PN 6737 .A24 L35 2007)

reskilling america learning to labor in the twenty-first century by katherine s. newman and hella winston book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (LC 1045 .N49 2016)

Available through ILL

the only investment guide you'll ever need by andrew tobias

Available through ILL

the ice pack series by chrissy peebles book covers

the keeper of secrets a novel of love, loss, and survival by julie thomas

Available through ILL

the twelve lives of sauel hawley hannah tinti

Available through ILL

Available through ILL

court of wings and ruin by sarah j. maas book cover

Available through ILL

Available at the Main and Orange County Campus(PZ 7 .Z837 Boo 2007) and as an audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library

boltzmann's atom by david lindley book cover

Available through ILL

the war i always wanted the illusion of glory and the reality of war by brandon friedman

Available through ILL

the radium girls: the dark story of america's shining women by kate moore book cover

Available at the Main Campus (HD 6067.2 .U6 M66 2017)

in the shadow of lakecrest by elizabeth blackwell book cover

Available through ILL

red summer the summer of 1919 and the awakening of black america by cameron mcwhirter book cover

Available through ILL

grocery the buying and selling of food in america by michael ruhlman book cover

Available through ILL

we are all completely beside ourselves by karen joy fowler book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3556 .O844 W4 2013)

the ocean at the end of the lane by neil gaiman

Available at the Main Campus Library (PR 6057 .A319 O24 2013)

invisible man by ralph ellison book cover

Available at the Main Campus, Northern Durham Center, and the Orange County Campus (PS 3555 .L625 I5) and as an audiobook and ebook through Dogwood Digital Library

Available through ILL

themis files series-- sleeping giants waking gods by sylvain neuvel book covers

Available through ILL

the rules do not apply a memoir by ariel levy book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (CT 275 .L3777 A3 2017)

my favorite thing is monsters by emil ferris book cover

Available at the Orange County Campus (PN 6727 .F4646 M9 2017)

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3603 .L548 A89 2015)

lincoln in the bardo by george saunders book cover

Available through ILL

As always, if you’re interested in a title, check out the master list of the books below and their availability to see if you can find it at Durham Tech or if you’ll need to request it through interlibrary loan (find this request under eforms). Need help doing either of these things or don’t yet have a library card? Ask in the library.

Here’s the list of Durham Tech’s favorite reads of 2017 (and their availability) in pdf format: Durham Tech Best Reads of 2017

Is your department, club, campus, committee, or subgroup interested in participating in a What We’re Reading blog post? The goal of the What We’re Reading posts is to highlight books, professional literature, blogs, or any other things you might be currently reading or have recently finished. Contact OCC librarian Meredith Lewis for more information.

#ReadGreatThings2018

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

Looking for a way to challenge your reading self in 2018?

Have we got a plan for you!

What is the Read Great Things Challenge?

The Read Great Things Challenge is a reading challenge sponsored by the Durham Tech Library throughout 2018 that encourages folks to diversify or increase their reading goals by completing books that fit into at least 10 of the following 12 categories:

A book being turned into a movie or tv show in 2018

A biography, autobiography, memoir, or a fictionalized account of a real person’s life

A book about or that features sports

A book of poetry or a book written in verse

A book you previously started or were assigned and never finished

A book that takes place in a country or place you’d like to visit

A book you chose for the cover

A book that takes place during or is about a historical event 50 years or more in the past [1968 or before]

A popular science book [nonfiction books that talk about scientific topics from a non-textbook point-of-view]

A book with a supernatural creature, occurrence, or event

A book about cooking or food

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. You’ll need to choose books that fit into at least 10 of the 12 categories by the end of Fall Semester (December 2018) to complete the challenge.

There’s also a joinable Sakai site (listed under Membership on your Sakai home page once you sign in) that we’ll be using if you want to discuss books you’re reading and recommend some of your own great reads. Email Meredith Lewis (OCC Librarian) or the library for more information.

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, that counts. As long as it’s read in 2018, you’re good to go.

Can I count a book for multiple categories?

One book can count for up to two categories.

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

To win and complete the challenge, you should finish books in 2018 that fit into at least 10 of the 12 listed categories. In late November or early December, 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.

Download a pdf of the checklist and challenge guidelines here: Read Great Things Challenge 2018

Durham Tech Library Blog

Updates and Info from the Durham Tech Library

Category Archives: Just for Fun

What We’re Reading: Children of Blood and Bone

What We’re Reading: Monstress (Vol. 1 & 2)

What We’re Reading: Educated

#ReadGreatThings2018: Summer Reading Time!

Happy National Library Week!

What We’re Reading: The Secret Game

Did you enjoy the Black Panther movie? Want to read the comic books?

Join us for Crafternoon!

What We Read in 2017: The Durham Tech Faculty and Staff Favorites Edition

#ReadGreatThings2018