What We’re Reading: Soulless

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Courtney Bippley

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

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Why did you choose to read this book?

I’m doing the POPSUGAR reading challenge this year so I read this book to fulfill the steampunk novel requirement.

What did you like about it?

I enjoyed the main character who, unmarried, is considered to be a spinster but never lets that stop her from doing what she wants. She is a heroine who is very direct in thought, speech, and action, which is refreshing.

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

It reminded me of the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies because of the historical/fantasy mash up aesthetic. I do realizes that they are set in different historical eras but the juxtaposition of the old fashioned clothes and manners against the fantasy elements (and the bloodier aspects of the plot) are very similar.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes steampunk books or a nice paranormal romance with some historical romance flavor.

What would you pair this book with?

A parasol to stylishly provide some shade for you and your book as you walk in the park and kill vampires.

What We’re Reading: Camino Island

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Julie Humphrey

Title: Camino Island

Camino Island by John Grisham

Read by: Mary Kennery

Author: John Grisham

Genre: thriller/suspense

Why did you choose to read this book? I love mysteries and I have read other books by the author. This 30^th novel written by John Grisham published in June 2017 is a different style for the author. There is no young lawyer this time, but a young soon-to-be unemployed UNC-Chapel Hill English instructor/ struggling novelist Mercer who is pegged to infiltrate a rare book dealer Bruce’s bookstore with a black market connection after F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts are stolen from Princeton and find their way to Camino Island, Florida.

What did you like about it? How the plot unfolds between Mercer and Bruce and the islanders and all gets resolved. The island’s inhabitants are certainly characters! The many fond memories that Mercer has of spending summers with her grandmother on the island are endearing. You can imagine the author tours, rare book collecting and preservation and storage of prized books.

Did it remind you of any other book, or a movie? Other mystery authors/ missing artifacts, but this one has a rare book angle.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book? References to UNC-Chapel Hill, Franklin St., and The Lantern Restaurant made it especially appealing. These are places that Grisham likes to visit.

What feeling did the book leave you with? Resolution plus wanting to know what future blockbuster novel will be next on the horizon for Mercer when she gets over her writer’s block. Will Camino Island be made into a movie? Plus another Grisham book is due out later this year. I will add that one to my must read list.

Who would you recommend the book to? A mystery lover, a John Grisham fan, a bookstore afficionado.

What would you pair this book with? Even though Camino Island mainly takes place in Florida, I enjoyed reading it on my front porch under a Carolina blue sky with a sweet tea while dog sitting. I guess I should have read it on a favorite beach.

Were you one of the lucky ones to meet John Grisham at his first book tour in over 25 years? One was held at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh in June. Sorry to say, but I was not there.

John Grisham was interviewed recently in The News & Observer:
http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/books/article155357904.html

The library plans to purchase a copy of this book for our collection in July. In the meantime, we have most of Grisham’s other novels available.

What We’re Reading Watching Wednesdays: The Great British Baking Show

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

In a repeating series highlighting thematic reading opportunities around Durham Tech, here are some awesome cookbooks or cooking-related books to go along with your summer viewing of the greatest reality TV show of all time* The Great British Baking Show (starting June 16, Fridays starting at 9pm on PBS).

All of these books and films are available on at least one Durham Tech Library campus.

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

mama dips family cookbook by mildred council book cover

TX 715 .C8582 2005 (Available at Main & OCC)

smitten kitchen cookbook by deb perelman book cover

Available at the Main Campus Library (TX 714 .P443 2012 )

Comfort me with apples : more adventures at the table by ruth Reichl book cover

TX 649 .R45 A3 2001 (Available at Main)

koreatown: a cookbook by Deuki Hong & Matt Rodbard book cover

TX 724.5 .K65 H66 2016 (Available at Main)

DVD PN 1997.2 .H3 H861 2014 (Available at Main, Northern Durham, and OCC)

The whole30 : the 30-day guide to total health and food freedom by Melissa & Dallas Hartwig book cover

RA 784 .H373 2015 (Available at OCC- New Book shelf)

Dearie : the remarkable life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz book cover

TX 649 .C47 S65 2012 (Available at Main)

The how can it be gluten free cookbook : revolutionary techniques, groundbreaking recipes by america's test kitchen book cover

RM 237.86 .U48 2014 (Available at Main)

The easy vegan cookbook : make healthy home cooking practically effortless by kathy hester book cover

TX 837 .H473 2015 (Available at Main)

like water for chocolate by laura esquivel book cover

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

TX 757 .M38 2016 (Available at Main)

kitchens of the great midwest by J. Ryan Stradal book cover

PS 3619 .T722 K58 2015 (Available at Main)

TX 714 .T43 2016 (Available at OCC)

DVD PN 1997.2 .C44 2014 (Available at Main & Northern Durham)

As always, if you’re interested in a title or related title, you can either search our catalog to see if we have the book or request it through interlibrary loan if we don’t have it. Need help doing either of these things 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.

*I’m not even a tiny bit objective here. This is my favorite reality tv show and, perhaps, my favorite TV show. I love it.

Happy retirement to Irene Laube!

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Julie Humphrey

The library staff want to thank Irene Laube for her 27 years of service to Durham Tech Libraries. She began her career with the college as a part-time reference librarian in 1989, transitioned to Coordinator of Library Services, Director, and now retires, June 1, 2017 as Associate Dean.

Irene Laube, early 1990’s staff photo

Irene has worked tirelessly throughout her career to build connections with faculty, staff, and students. She is extremely caring, incredibly supportive, and an exceptional listener. Her compassion for students, library staff, and colleagues shines through in everything she does.

Irene working with staff, 1990’s

Irene has fostered and facilitated technological and physical change in the library. She secured an LSTA grant for additional computers and a library instruction classroom. She led renovations to the Main Campus library in 2009 to develop a large learning commons group study area. The library was also painted and carpeted with a modern color palette, and new furniture was purchased.

While Irene sets and accomplishes great goals, she also considers no task too mundane − she will quickly step up to discharge books, answer the phone, and assist at the photocopier. Anywhere she sees a need, great or small, she leaps to meet it.

Library and Media Services staff, mid-2000s.

Irene has also become the college’s institutional memory. She remembers names and dates, and so much of the college’s history. Irene is an excellent mentor and creates a supportive environment for all library staff to learn and grow. Each day with Irene has offered opportunities to learn about our college, our library profession, and compassion for others. She will be greatly missed and admired. Congratulations and best wishes, Irene!

Irene with some library staff members, May 2017

What We’re Reading Watching Wednesdays: The Bachelorette

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

In a repeating series highlighting thematic reading opportunities around Durham Tech, here are some awesome romantic or love-related books to go along with your summer viewing of The Bachelorette (Mondays at 8pm on ABC)

Yay!

All of these books and films are available on at least one Durham Tech Library campus.

two boys kissing by david levithan book cover

PZ 7 .L5798 Two 2015 (Main and OCC)

americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie book cover

PR 9387.9 .A34354 A44 2013 (Main & OCC)

DVD PN 1997.2 .P36 2015 (Main) & book PZ 7 .G8233 Pap 2012 (OCC)

the moon and more by sarah dessen book cover

PZ 7 .D455 Moo 2013 (Main and OCC)

pride and prejudice by jane austen book cover

DVD PN 1995.9 .M27 P7534 2006 (Main) and book PR 4034 .P7 (Main & OCC)

time travelers wife by audrey Niffenegger book cover

PS 3564 .I362 T56 2003 (Main and OCC)

modern romance by aziz ansari book cover

HQ 801 .A595 2015 (Main)

PR 6113 .O94 M4 2013 (Main)

PS 3569 .T33828 L55 2001 (Main and OCC)

at first sight by nicholas sparks book cover

PS 3569 .P363 A89 2005 (Main & OCC)

the impossible fortress by Jason Rekulak book cover

PS 3618 .E57275 I47 2017 (OCC- New book shelf)

DVD PN 1997.2 .B76 2016 (Main and Durham North)

DVD PN 1997 .P64 2002 (OCC)

love: the psychology of attraction by leslie Becker-Phelps book cover

HQ 801 .B3626 2016 (Main)

the sun is also a star by Nicola yoon book cover

PZ 7.1 .Y66 Su 2016 (Main)

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

What We’re Reading: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

Title: We Are All Completely beside Ourselves

Author: Karen Joy Fowler

Genre: literary fiction

Why did you choose to read this book?

It won the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and received reviews that made it sound like I would enjoy it.

What did you like about it?

It was a pleasant read: engaging and not too long. It was easy to put down and pick up again where I left off. Told in the first person, the main character, Rosemary Cooke, is a good storyteller. She teases the reader with hints that she is leaving out some information and that some of what she says is her perspective and not necessarily fact.

The novel is not told sequentially and a recurring theme in the book is “starting in the middle” of a story. Fowler pieces together Rosemary’s life like a puzzle and the reader finally gets the whole picture at the end of the book.

Rosemary is a precocious child with an unusual upbringing; you’ll learn more about that in the book. Early in the story, as a college student, she is arrested although she is innocent of the minor crime. She and the sole perpetrator become sort-of friends and the whole ordeal sets off a tale of self-reflection. Something happens early in her life that she struggles to understand throughout the book. That event colors her decisions, self-perception and behavior throughout her life, as well as throughout the lives of her family members.

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

It’s similar to some of the books I have read recently that portray the life of a family over time, however this one is told from only one character’s perspective.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

In addition to receiving the PEN/Faulkner Award, it was also short-listed for the Man Booker Prize.

What feeling did the book leave you with?

Closure: satisfaction that the story had been told fully.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Fans of literary fiction (of course!), people interested in animal welfare, college students, researchers and children of researchers.

What would you pair this book with? (A food, drink, piece of clothing, time of day…anything) Examples: (I would pair the book Attachments with the songs Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega and No Scrubs by TLC to bring out that 1999 nostalgia.) OR (I would pair Dune with a glass of ice cold water because it makes me thirsty.) OR (I would pair The Martian with baked potatoes because, well, if you read it you know why.)

We Are All Completely beside Ourselves pairs well with other reading: on psychology and philosophy of what it means to be human. If you’re feeling a little less serious, it’s a good beach read because it has only a few characters and the plot isn’t too thick, plus there’s a good bit of mystery that is resolved in the end.

What We’re Reading Wednesday: The Poetry Month Print-Your-Own-Bookmark Edition!

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

It’s April, which means we’ve been reading poetry (or re-reading some of our favorites) for National Poetry Month!

To help you keep track of your progress in books you’re currently reading, the Durham Tech Library has created some coloring page bookmarks for you.

Click on the images below to access the pdf of the coloring page bookmarks and print them out for yourself– remember to print 2-sided short edge (which–side note–is also how you print an awesome brochure). We recommend using some cardstock.

2017 poetry month bookmarks: Anecdote of Men by the Thousand by Wallace Stevens, The Dogs at Live Oak Beach, Santa Cruz by Alicia Ostriker, Cotton Candy by Edward Hirsch, and My Madonna by Robert W. Service

Contains: Anecdote of Men by the Thousand by Wallace Stevens, The Dogs at Live Oak Beach, Santa Cruz by Alicia Ostriker, Cotton Candy by Edward Hirsch, and My Madonna by Robert W. Service

2017 poetry month bookmarks: Sea Grapes by Derrek Walcott, somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond by e.e. cummings, [a haiku rumination on sushi] by Yosa Buson, and Exit by Rita Dove

Contains: Sea Grapes by Derrek Walcott, somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond by e.e. cummings, [a haiku rumination on sushi] by Yosa Buson, and Exit by Rita Dove

2017 poetry month bookmarks: The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams, Next Time Ask More Questions by Naomi Shihab Nye, The Tyger by William Blake, and El Poema by Homero Aridjis (translated by Eliot Weinberger)

Contains: The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams, Next Time Ask More Questions by Naomi Shihab Nye, The Tyger by William Blake, and El Poema by Homero Aridjis (translated by Eliot Weinberger)

Is your department, club, campus, committee, or subgroup interested in participating in a What We’re Reading Wednesday 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.

What We’re Reading Wednesday(+1): The Math Department Edition

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

In a repeating series highlighting current and recent reads around Durham Tech, here’s what the awesome and amazing Math Department faculty are currently reading and have recently read:

flow by mihaly csikszentmihalyi book cover

Recently Read: Bernice Campbell

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer book cover

Recently Read: Johanna Stouder

magician king by lev grossman book cover

Currently Reading: Brittney Vorndick

queen sugar by natalie baszile book cover

Recently Read: Bernice Campbell

The Uncanny Valley: Tales from a lost Town by Gregory Miller book cover

Recently Read: Bernice Campbell

thinking, fast and slow by daniel kahneman book cover

Recently Read: Mary Ann Ahearne-Ray

you could look it up by jack lynch book cover

Recently Read: Margaret Memory

eating animals by jonathan safran foer book cover

Recently Read: Johanna Stouder

Currently Reading: Brittney Vorndick

Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials that Shape our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik book cover

Recently Read: Chris Mansfield

what is the name of this book by Raymond Smullyan book cover

Recently Read: Carl Rupert

remembering jim crow: African Americans Tell About Life in the Segregated South book cover

Recently Read: Carl Rupert

Currently Reading: Chris Mansfield

The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan book cover

Recently Read: Chris Mansfield

game of thrones by george r.r. martin book cover

Currently Reading: Brittney Vorndick

As always, if you’re interested in a title, you can either search our catalog to see if we have the book or request it through interlibrary loan if we don’t have it. Need help doing either of these things or don’t yet have a library card? Ask in the library.

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.

What We’re Reading-Maman’s Homesick Pie

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Courtney Bippley

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

Why did you choose to read this book?

The cover was really pretty. Seriously. I was putting up the ‘Written in their Own Words’ display and found this book. It was pretty enough, and looked interesting enough, that I decided to read it.

What did you like about it?

I liked the descriptions of food in the book. The author is a chef and her love of food and passion for cooking is obvious. She describes learning to cook in three different countries and the similarities and differences of each which is always fascinating to me.

Was there anything noteworthy about the book?

Each chapter ends with recipes. They all sound delicious, though most are outside my comfort zone in the kitchen. I did make the recipe for Orange Cardamom Cookies. I followed the recipe exactly.* The cookies were delicately flavored shortbread cookies that had a nice taste or orange and poppy seed while making sure the cardamom wasn’t too strong. They go well with hot tea.

Who would you recommend the book to?

Anyone who likes a chef memoir and new recipes to try.

What would you pair this book with?

One of the cookies I made. But, I ate them all so you’re out of luck.

*Actually, I added an extra egg yolk so the dough would stick together easier. I also did not get the predicted three dozen cookies. One batch was really more like 18 cookies. I guess I accidentally made them larger than intended since I had to almost double the baking time. But, other than that, I followed the recipe exactly.

What We’re Reading Wednesdays: The OTA Edition

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Meredith Lewis

In a repeating series highlighting current and recent reads around Durham Tech, here’s what the awesome and amazing Occupational Therapy Assistant Program faculty are currently reading and have recently read: