Blog Posts by Ultra Violet
Ultra Violet is an artist, but not the one who hung out with Warhol at the Factory. She is also the only library staff member who was a Shakespearean research scholar and a member of the Meat Cutters' Union in the same year.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
06/17/13
Attention fans of BBC America's Supernatural Saturday! Coming in 2014 is a new series based on the historical fantasy novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
If you haven't read it, now's your chance. It's 782 pages, so you may want to start now. Two magicians are bringing magic back to England with their skills and knowledge of long forgotten lore. As the Napoleonic Wars rage on, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell find themselves pitted against a deliciously crafty fairy.
Fans of dark fairy tales and historical fantasy will enjoy this beautifully crafted story.
Tags: England, Fairies, Historical Fiction
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The Golem and the Jinni
05/24/13
It's the last part of the 19th Century, and an evil Jewish mystic creates an incomparable golem who ends up lost and alone in New York City. Blending in to the human population is hard enough for Chava, but getting involved with Ahmad, a Jinni who has been cruelly trapped in human form thousands of years ago, causes even more complications. Their uneasy alliance stems from their shared situations, but their natures are so far from each other that they are constantly butting heads.When Chava's creator comes to America, Ahmad and Chava must fight for their lives and try and outwit a mastermind with no conscience.
The Golem and the Jinni is a fun, fast read with great details of 19th century New York, particularly the Jewish and Syrian neighborhoods and lifestyles. The Jewish tradition of the golem and the Middle Eastern stories of the jinni add a delightful twist.
Tags: fantasy, Historical Fiction, magic
The Drunken Botanist
04/17/13
You don't have to be a gardener or a drinker (although it wouldn't hurt) to appreciate this witty, fascinating account of the history of plants as they have been used to make alcohol. Amy Stewart has a conversational tone as she shares her enthusiasm for the seemingly endless diversity of the plant world and the equally boundless innovation of humans to make intoxicating beverages from said plants.
This beautiful edition has quick, engaging anecdotes for those of us with a short attention span, and it has gardening tips for cultivating many of the plants included. Stewart also includes many of her own recipes as well of those of people she has met from all over the globe. Some of the recipes are classics, and some are very edgy.
So if you want to explore the correct method for "dancing with the green fairy" or you just want a great non-fiction read, check out The Drunken Botanist.
New Vegetarian
11/15/12
Thanksgiving is next week, but that doesn't have to mean turkey. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for filling up your gang. Check out this podcast of Violet from Digital Services extolling the virtues of our library's extensive special diet cookbook selection. Her personal favorite is New Vegetarian.
Whether it is meatless, gluten-free or dairy-free, we have the book for you. Don't let tradition rule your eating! Let the library help you take control of your holidays.
Tags: cooking, Food, Vegetarian
Luscious Creamy Desserts
11/01/12
Mary from the Circulation Department shares her passion for baking with Violet from Digital Services. The two are both avid bakers and between them have enough cookbook recommendations to stuff your Thanksgiving guests to the brim with sweet goodness.
Click below to listen to the podcast.
Teach Yourself Visually Pinterest
10/16/12
Kel from Digital Services expounds on the virtues of Pinterest in a lively podcast discussion with fellow staff member, Violet.
Check out the book Teach Yourself Visually Pinterest to learn more and listen to find out how you can use this popular social media tool to enhance your life.
Tags: Internet, Pinterest, Social Media
The Map of the Sky
10/05/12
You have to love a book that comes with 3D glasses.
Felix J. Palma delivers a delightful and, at times, disturbing vision of an alternate history in which H.G. Wells and Edgar Allen Poe battle a Martian invasion...and lose. But don't lose heart. Palma always has some literary tricks up his sleeves, and this is only the second book in The Victorian Trilogy from this brilliant Spanish author. The characters are richly drawn and compelling and the story-telling alternates from wry and witty to terrifying and gory with a healthy dash of ridiculousness.
The first book in the series, The Map of Time is a rollicking good time as well, establishing Wells as a reluctant hero along with a cameo by Jack the Ripper. While it is not essential to read them in order, I would recommend it for maximum enjoyment.
I can't wait for the next one!
101 Dog Tricks
10/02/12
In this podcast with Pam from Customer Services you will learn about resources at our Library for training your dog. Pam recommends 101 Dog Tricks which helped her with a rambunctious Golden Retriever pup.
Tags: Dogs, Helper Dogs, Training
Book Discussion Sets
09/14/12
Our Book Discussion Collection is highlighted by Anne Harmel in this podcast about AHML's book sets for checkout. We have twelve copies of The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler and you can get a book bag to take them home. Book discussion books have a six week checkout instead of four.
Tags: Book Discussion, Fiction, Non-Fiction
Rigoletto
09/01/12
Are you intimidated by opera? Don't be! In this podcast by staff members, Katie and Violet, you will learn about Verdi's Rigoletto and other operas. Before you buy tickets to a live performance, check out some operas on CD or DVD. Your library also has a great selection of books on opera to give you a richer understanding of the history of this underrated art-form.
