What We’re Reading: The Three-Body Problem

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

Title: The Three-Body Problem

Author: Cixin Liu

Genre: science fiction

Why did you choose to read this book?

I am participating in Book Riot’s 2018 Read Harder Challenge. Having read The Three-Body Problem allows me to check off the category “A book of genre fiction in translation.” Also, the book has been on display on the Special Collections area of the main campus library and I’ve walked by it many times. The cover jumped out at me; this qualifies it for the library’s Read Great Things Challenge, category: A book you chose for the cover.

What did you like about it?

It is difficult to describe this book without giving anything away. Continue Reading →

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.

What We’re Reading: Life in Motion

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Courtney Bippley

Life in Motion an unlikely ballerina by misty copeland book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (GV 1785 .C654 A3 2014)

This book was read by Courtney Bippley, a Reference Librarian at the Main Campus Library.

Genre: Memoir
#ReadGreatThings2018 Categor(ies): A memoir & A book about or that features sports

Misty Copeland is the first African-American Principal Dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. She started dancing at 13 years old, far older than most ballerinas, and overcame all kinds of adversity to become an amazing artist and role model.

Continue Reading →

What We’re Reading: Lincoln in the Bardo (Coming Soon!)

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Meredith Lewis

(Coming soon to the Durham Tech Main Campus and OCC Libraries)

This book was read by Meredith Lewis, [mostly] the Orange County Campus Librarian.

Title of book: Lincoln in the Bardo
Author: George Saunders
Genre: Literary Fiction
#ReadGreatThings2018 Categor(ies): A fictionalized account of a real person’s life & A book that contains a supernatural creature, occurrence, or event

Why did you choose to read this book?

The press surrounding this book was weird– I kept hearing about a huge number of people involved in the audiobook and wasn’t quite sure why that was a thing. (The book is made up of various accounts of different events, both real and supernatural, so each narrator gets a new voice– if you were wondering.) Aside from that, I like supernatural stories and the premise– Willie Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s young son dies and is stuck between moving on to the world of the dead and staying behind on earth in the bardo (to greatly oversimplify: an in-between state in Tibetan Buddhism)– was really interesting.

What did you like about it?

Lincoln in the Bardo was unlike anything I’ve read before– the way the actual history backdrop of the story unfolded and how it was written was really interesting. It was kind of like reading a play, where it takes you a second to get used to the style and then you forget it’s there.

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

When I was younger, I read Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters and loved how weird and wonderful it was. One part of the storyline reminded me strongly of that book.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

I mean, it an award and stuff (if you’re into that).

Who would you recommend the book to?

People who like supernatural fiction and historical fiction and are looking for a well-written blend of both. It really was a great book about love and loss and regret and bravery and so much more.

What We’re Reading – Dietland

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Courtney Bippley

This book was read by Courtney Bippley and Meredith Lewis.

Dietland by Sarai Walker

Title: Dietland

Author: Sarai Walker

Summary: Plum Kettle does her best not to be noticed, because when you’re fat, to be noticed is to be judged. Or mocked. Or worse. With her job answering fan mail for a popular teen girls’ magazine, she is biding her time until her weight-loss surgery. Only then can her true life as a thin person finally begin.

Then, when a mysterious woman starts following her, Plum finds herself falling down a rabbit hole and into an underground community of women who live life on their own terms. There Plum agrees to a series of challenges that force her to deal with her past, her doubts, and the real costs of becoming “beautiful.” At the same time, a dangerous guerrilla group called “Jennifer” begins to terrorize a world that mistreats women, and as Plum grapples with her personal struggles, she becomes entangled in a sinister plot. The consequences are explosive.

Why did you choose to read this book?

Courtney: This books is being turned into a TV show this year which checks one of the boxes in the Library’s Read Great Things Challenge 2018. And, the premise was interesting to me.

Meredith: I think I read a review of it? I’m often interested in books that explore themes surrounding how society and women view their own bodies as a part of and as an obstacle in the world.

What did you like about it?

C: I liked a lot of the themes of the book. It has a very feminist bent to it and I enjoyed reading about a character discovering a different way of looking at the world, and herself.

M: As a non-Jennifer in a sea of Jennifers in elementary school especially, I kind of loved that the vigilante lady group was called Jennifer.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

C: When I finished the book I felt like I wanted more from it. There were a lot of supporting characters that I was interesting in and who could have had their own stories told. If a sequel came out (there isn’t one as far as I know) I would definitely pick it up.

M: It made me think about how powerful society’s expectations can be on our own sense of self and what we think we deserve (and tolerate) based on that. Other stuff, too. I thought this was a great book, but (and?) it left me thinking about a lot of things.

Who would you recommend the book to?

C: Anyone who is interested in exploring feminist ideas but is not interested in reading nonfiction essays and wants something a little juicier.

M: Someone who doesn’t mind a book about women behaving “badly” (both by societal and, uh, legal standards) and maybe someone who is identifying with the feelings behind the current #metoo movement.

What would you pair this book with?

C: I would pair this book with a plate of chocolate oatmeal cookies to be eaten while driving an M113 armored personnel vehicle. Like you do.

M: I’d pair it with Roxane Gay’s Hunger. Similar themes, different genres.

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:

Available through ILL

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

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

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

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

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

Available through ILL

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

Available through ILL

essentialism the disciplined pursuit of less by greg mckeown book cover

Available through ILL

the shining girls by lauren beukes book cover

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

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)

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

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

the ice pack series by chrissy peebles book covers

the nightingale by kristin hannah book cover

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

Available through ILL

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

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)

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

Available through ILL

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

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)

dark carousel by christine feehan book cover

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)

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

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)

my favorite thing is monsters by emil ferris book cover

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

flight behavior by barbara kingsolver book cover

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

Available through ILL

two ready player one by ernest cline book covers

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

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

boltzmann's atom by david lindley book cover

Available through ILL

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

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

lincoln in the bardo by george saunders book cover

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)

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

Available through ILL

way out in dog heaven by kathryn ewers bundy

Available through ILL

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

Available through ILL

a fine old conflict by jessica mitford 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

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

Available through ILL

the ocean at the end of the lane by neil gaiman

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

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)

a closed and common orbit by becky chambers book

Available through ILL

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

Available through ILL

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

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

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

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)

in the shadow of lakecrest by elizabeth blackwell book cover

Available through ILL

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

Available through ILL

Reviewed previously on the blog

stay with me by ayobami adebayo book cover

Available through ILL

the twelve lives of sauel hawley hannah tinti

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

a gentleman in moscow by amor towles book cover

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

in the time of the butterflies by julia alvarez book cover

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

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

Available through ILL

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

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

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)

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

What We’re Reading (& New in the OCC Library): From Here to Eternity

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

from here to eternity by caitlin doughty book cover

Available at the OCC Library on the New Book Shelf

Title: From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
Author: Caitlin Doughty
Genre: Nonfiction — Essay & Travelogue

Why did you choose to read this book?

I saw it as a nominee for the Goodreads Choice Awards best nonfiction book of 2017 and it seemed interesting– I read both Mary Roach’s Spook and Stiff a few years ago and found the topic of how we as a culture think about death and the afterlife really interesting then, too. This book talks more about cultural practices and beliefs about death and bodies and is a light and engaging read (for real!).

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

They highlighted a natural burial ground in North Carolina! I thought that was pretty cool.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone interested in learning more about the topic of burial itself, but in a “morbid lite” kind of way. Also anyone interested in diverse cultural practices and beliefs– the book looks at countries from around the world (hence the travelogue part of the genre description).

Additional books mentioned in this post (because yay! books!)–

Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach is available at the Main Campus Library in the downstairs stacks (call number BL 535 .R63 2006).

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach is available at the Orange County Campus Library on the New Books shelf (call number R 853 .H8 R635 2004).

What We’re Reading: Durham Tech’s Favorite Food-Themed Books

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

Just a reminder that Durham Tech will be closed Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 23-25.

The Main Campus Library will close at 1:00 on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Regular hours (library and other) resume on all campuses Monday, Nov. 27.

In a repeating series highlighting current and recent reads around Durham Tech and just in time for the season of eating, here’s Durham Tech’s awesome faculty and staff’s favorite culinary or food-related reads:

Available at the Main Campus (PS 3619 .L6278 S67 2017)

how to cook a wolf by mkf Fisher book cover

Available through ILL (maybe). And a NY Times book review.

like water for chocolate by laura esquivel book cover

Available at the Main, Northern Durham, and OCC Libraries (PQ 7298.15 .S638 C6613 1992)

kitchen confidential by anthony bourdain book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (TX 649 .B58 A3 2007)

LOL and available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3558 .A6558 H36)

deep run roots by vivian howard book cover

Available at the Main Campus (TX 715.2 .S68 H69 2016)

Available through ILL

some we love, some we hate, some we eat by hal herzog

Available at the Main Campus Library (QL 85 .H47 2010)

Life from scratch : a memoir of food, family, and forgiveness by Sasha Martin book cover

Available through ILL

Available at the Main Campus Library (PS 3618 .E5239 D45 2014)

The Splendid table's, how to eat supper : recipes, stories, and opinions from public radio's award-winning food show by Lynne Rossetto Kasper book cover

Available through ILL

it must have been something i ate by jeffrey steingarten book cover

Available through ILL

yes chef by marcus samuelsson book cover

Available through ILL

animal vegetable miracle by barbara kingsolver book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (S 521.5 .A67 K56 2007)

Available through ILL

the fruit hunters by adam gollner book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (SB 354.8 .G65 2008)

blood, bones, & butter by gabrielle hamilton book cover

Available through ILL

the plant paradox by steven gundry book cover

Available through ILL

Available at the Main Campus (TX 723.2 .T86 B83 2006)

bread, wine, chocolate by Simran Sethi book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (S 494.5 .A43 S425 2015)

The Southern Vegetarian Cookbook: 100 Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Table by Justin Fox Burks and Amy Lawrence book cover

Available through ILL

Need help finding a book in-library or requesting a book through ILL or don’t yet have a library card? Ask in the library.

Have any suggestions of books to add to the list? Email Meredith Lewis, OCC Librarian.

What We’re Reading: Get in Trouble

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

Title: Get in Trouble: Stories

Author: Kelly Link

Genre: short stories: magical realism, science fiction

Why did you choose to read this book?

According to the book’s back cover, one of my favorite authors, Michael Chabon, called Kelly Link “the most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”

What did you like about it?

The book delivered “dark playfulness” as promised! I don’t read much magical realism or science fiction, so both of these elements in her writing were refreshing. I think some of the stories are allegorical. Each story contains a thread of humor and absurdity. Continue Reading →

Durham Tech Library Blog

Updates and Info from the Durham Tech Library

Category Archives: What We’re Reading

What We’re Reading: The Three-Body Problem

What We’re Reading: The Secret Game

What We’re Reading: Life in Motion

What We’re Reading: Lincoln in the Bardo (Coming Soon!)

What We’re Reading – Dietland

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

#ReadGreatThings2018

What We’re Reading (& New in the OCC Library): From Here to Eternity

What We’re Reading: Durham Tech’s Favorite Food-Themed Books

What We’re Reading: Get in Trouble