Princeton Library Lounge

Book Buzz: The Marriage Plot

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:43:04 -0500

“Madeleine’s love troubles had begun at a time when the French theory she was reading deconstructed the very notion of love.” What happens when the constructs of love and tradition are blown apart? When the hyper-realization that what you once thought you knew about love no longer exists? The Marriage Plot is an intellectual romp in the woods of contemporary society, a place in which mores have evolved to a point that would be unrecognizable to 19th century novelists. In the tale of Madeleine and her two suitors, all recent graduates of Brown in the 1980's, Eugenides paints a new model of "the marriage plot", a literary device used in the past when a marriage was the end of a story. Today, marriage has the ability to be a speed bump. And, where does one go when they make it over? Who can say?

Books of the Year

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:06:57 -0500

What are some of your favorite books of 2011? Tis the season of "Best Books". Check out the Top 10 Books of 2011, according to the New York Times, and NPR. And, if you hadn’t heard about the exquisitely fashioned paper sculptures that have mysteriously appeared in Edinburgh, Scotland, check out this link.

TGIFrog Day

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:17:05 -0500

Today's customer of the day has to be the lovely woman I helped who was carrying this frog bag. It turns out that she acquired it (along with a matching chicken) while she was in Chicago. She mentioned an architecture tour and a wonderful gift shop. Employing my super sleuthing librarian techniques (aka, doing a google image search using, "frog chicken bag Chicago architecture"), the first result was this glorious froggy image. Coincidentally, just yesterday, two colleagues were expressing their love of Chicago, urging me to visit, and warning that I may not wish to return home. Hmm... Let's see what travel books are on our shelves. I feel the wind calling me... Frommer's Chicago : free & dirt cheap Chicago : weekend getaways, nature hideaways, day trips, easy planning, best places to visit / Karla Zimmerman Pocket guide to Chicago architecture / Judith Paine McBrien ; illustrations by John F. DeSalvo. Fodor's Chicago.

Why buy when you can borrow?

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:21:25 -0500

Got a kindle? We've got free books for you to borrow, and the process couldn't be simpler. Visit our Digital Collections page and click on ListenNJ. Remember to sign in using your library card number in order to see ALL of the titles that you have access to. Our subscription includes more books than most other libraries have, but you can only see them if you log in BEFORE you begin to search for titles. Happy reading!

Introducing the Man Booker shortlist.

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:18:44 -0500

All weather related catastrophes aside, the world must go on. Without further adieu, here are the Man Booker shortlisted titles for 2011: The sense of an ending by Julian Barnes Jamrach's menagerie : a novel by Carol Birch The Sisters brothers by Patrick deWitt Half-blood blues by Esi Edugyan Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman Snowdrops : a novel by A.D. Miller Last year's winner was Howard Jacobson, who won for his comic novel, The Finkler Question. To find out more about the prize, check out the official website.

Quick Picks.

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:26:56 -0500

Before you leave town, stop by our beach reads display on the first floor and pick up a book for your trip.

Cooking with your farmers' market finds!

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:40:33 -0500

You can find some fabulous, fresh food when you visit the farmers' market at the library on Thursdays. If you're anything like me, your enthusiasm might cause you to make some purchases that just make you scratch your head when you get them home. Sure, the beets are beautiful, but what are you going to do with them? Check out some of our cookbooks that may inspire you, or, at the very least, prepare for next week's purchases... before you make them. Cooking from the farmers' market : shop, cook, & eat. The sustainable kitchen : passionate cooking inspired by farms, forests and oceans / Stu Stein and Mary Hinds ; with Judith H. Dern ; photography by John A. Rizzo ; foreword by Caroline Bates. Grub : ideas for an urban organic kitchen / Anna Lappé and Bryant Terry.

Suggestions for your staycation.

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:10:08 -0500

Staying close to home this summer? Care to imagine you were elsewhere? It's time to start planning for the future, I say! Check out this series of posts from Joanna Goddard's A Cup of Joe blog, for some jaw-dropping, gorgeous photos of unique places to vacation. In the meantime, we've got a great selection of armchair travel books to grab. Take a look at the selections from our Novel Destinations list: American Shaolin : flying kicks, buddhist monks, and the legend of iron crotch : an odyssey in the new China by Matthew Polly Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American's quest to become a kung fu master at China's legendary Shaolin Temple. An embarrassment of mangoes : a Caribbean interlude by Ann VanderhoofUnder the Tuscan sun on a sailboat in the Caribbean, Vanderhoff and her husband abandon their esteemed careers in mid-life to navigate the Caribbean on a sailboat, discovering local culture in each tiny port, and collecting original sumptuous recipes along the way. Getting stoned with savages : a trip through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu by J. Maarten Troost When he found himself holding down a job--one that might possibly lead to a career—Troost knew it was time for him and his wife, Sylvia, to repack their bags and set off for parts unknown. Getting Stoned with Savages tells the hilarious story of Troost's time on Vanuatu--a rugged cluster of islands where the natives gorge themselves on kava and are still known to "eat the man." The lost girls : three friends, four continents, one unconventional detour around the world / Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner. Three twenty-something friends at a crossroads make a pact to quit their high-pressure New York media jobs; leave their friends, boyfriends, and everything familiar behind; and embark on a yearlong backpacking adventure around the world. Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard In Paris for a weekend visit, Elizabeth Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman--and never went home again. Lunch in Paris is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs--one with her new beau, Gwendal, the other with French cuisine. Notes from a small island by Bill Bryson A combination travel guide and loving crack at the mannered manners of Britain written by journalist and long-time resident Bryson whose whirlwind trip around the island before his return to America yielded a number of witty essays on life, love, and beer. Radio Shangri-La: what I learned in the happiest kingdom on Earth by Lisa Napoli When an accomplished L.A.-based journalist decides to travel to Bhutan, "the happiest on earth" because of a mid-life crisis (and, possibly, a man), she finds a focus greater than herself. Reflecting on daily life in this exotic locale, Napoli’s adventures form the basis of a delightful summer read. Travelers’ Tales: Check out this series of anthologies that celebrate not only travel but also simply giving into the sense of adventure. Check the catalog for individual titles. A woman's path : women's best spiritual travel writing edited by Lucy McCauley, Amy C. Carlson, and Jennifer Leo. From New Mexico to Niger, India to Chechnya, the stories in this collection take an uncommon look at common themes -- letting go, opening up, finding inner peace. Some of the world's top writers explore the great and subtle ways travel awakens us. While many of these stories occur on the road, others lead the reader on an inward journey, equally ambitious, equally rewarding. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances MayesIn this memoir of her buying, renovating, and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Frances Mayes reveals the sensual pleasure she found living in rural Italy, and the generous spirit she brought with her. (2003 film stars Diane Lane.) Undress me in the temple of heaven by Susan Jane GilmanAn entertaining coming-of-age memoir of two idealistic college grads, who find them-selves completely out of their element as they embark on a globe-trotting adventure beginning in China.

Reader, are you with me?

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:26:48 -0500

It's a beautiful day; and, in the spirit of sharing, I am going to share with you an excellent resource for readers everywhere. The publication booksellers (and librarians) turn to for news on the book industry is now publishing a version for book lovers! Shelf Awareness: Enlightenment for Readers is a free emailed newsletter with reviews on the 25 best books publishing each week along with author interviews, book excerpts, giveaways and more. Right now they’re running a contest for new subscribers. Check out the widget below to sign up for the new publication and to be entered for a chance to win a great book!

Summertime and the living is easy in the Youth Services department.

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:27:08 -0500

Our Youth Services department is always a busy place, but come visit with us in the summer and you’ll find a different Youth Services than the one you’ll find during the school year. There is definitely a different vibe on the third floor. Shortly after 9 a.m., our youngest customers will arrive with their adults in tow, eagerly awaiting story time. Mid-morning brings the arrival of sleepy- eyed elementary school kids who are ready to settle in for a few rounds of their favorite computer games. Lunch time usually heralds the arrival of the older crowd; they’re finally awake and ready to take on the town. What’s the common denominator here? The library, of course! There is always something fun and interesting and, dare I say, even educational happening in the Youth Services department. We have summer reading clubs for preschoolers, elementary-school-age children and teens. We offer craft activities each Thursday at the library’s table on the Plaza during the Farmer’s Market. From magicians, to storytellers, to family music programs, there is something for everyone. And don’t forget; ask anyone one of the Youth Services staff; we’ll be sure to help you find that perfect beach read too. Submitted by Allison Santos.

Wild about Harry

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:00:40 -0500

The literary phenomenon that is “Harry Potter” has made many parents, anxious for their children to be enthused about reading, very happy. Among them are Allison Santos and Susan Conlon, librarians in PPL’s Youth Services department. Despite their own love affairs with books, their children were not always excited about reading – until Harry came along. “My daughter, who is now 21, was definitely motivated by these books,” says Conlon. “Now, she loves to read.” Santos’ daughter, now 20, was so inspired as a child by Harry’s adventures that she began writing fan fiction. Generations of children continue to respond to the captivating fiction of J.K. Rowling. Hordes of them – and their parents – are invited to join us for a celebration of all things Potter, starting today with a Harry Potter Filibuster, and continuing through July 14 with screenings of all seven Harry Potter films, leading up to the release of the latest, and final, film in the series. Submitted by Anne Levin.

Holy summer reading lists, Batman!

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:49:08 -0500

Librarians love lists, but this blogger may take the prize. Largehearted Boy is "a music-loving guy now in Brooklyn who spent most of his life deep in the American South." By day, he's a web developer, but his true loves are music and literature. Here is his post that features a compilation of summer reading lists, with links from NPR to O to booksellers and a vast number of media outlets. Also, check out Friday Reads. Every Friday, thousands of people post what they're reading. Started on Twitter, there's now a Facebook page. So, if you don't fancy yourself a tweeter, you can chime in on FB. Each week, participants are randomly selected to receive free books. Looking for something to read? Dig in!

13 Reasons Why You Might Consider Reading a Young Adult Book

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:12:34 -0500

There are plenty of adult books that might be appealing to young adults (see the Alex Award winners), but what about young adult books that might appeal to adults? Here's an unscientific list of thirteen books targeted to your teens that you just might enjoy reading this summer: 13. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death. 12. Feed by MT Anderson. In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble. 11. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. After she dies in a car crash, teenage Samantha relives the day of her death over and over again until, on the seventh day, she finally discovers a way to save herself. 10. Matched by Allyson Condie. Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her, so when Xander appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate--until Ky Markham's face appears for an instant before the screen fades to black. 9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who, in his turn, has been watching her with increasing intensity. 8. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin. After a nasty fall, Naomi realizes that she has no memory of the last four years and finds herself reassessing every aspect of her life. 7. Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart. After her mother's death, sixteen-year-old Katie copes with her grief by working in the garden of an old estate, where she becomes intrigued by the story of a reclusive millionaire, while her father, an art restorer, manages in his own way to come to terms with the death of his wife. 6. Someday This Pain will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron. Though he's been accepted by Brown University, 18-year-old James isn't sure he wants to go to college. What he really wants is to buy a nice house in a small town somewhere in the Midwest Indiana, perhaps. In the meantime, however, he has a dull, make-work job at his thrice-married mother's Manhattan art gallery, where he finds himself attracted to her assistant, an older man named John. (Booklist excerpted review) 5. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. To get away from her pregnant stepmother in New York City, fifteen-year-old Daisy goes to England to stay with her aunt and cousins, with whom she instantly bonds, but soon war breaks out and rips apart the family while devastating the land. 4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore. In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king. 3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. " Dear friend, I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand." In his letters to a never-identified person, 15-year-old Charlie's freshman high-school year (1991^-92) and coming-of-age ring fresh and true. Chbosky captures adolescent angst, confusion, and joy as Charlie reveals his innermost thoughts while trying to discover who he is and whom he is to become. (Booklist revew excerpt) 2. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. Tally Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors. (School Library Journal review excerpt) 1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

Vacation plans? Do you have some books lined up?

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:56:11 -0500

Summer: a perfect time for a vacation. How about some books to take with you? Or, maybe one of the library's nooks? There are several great titles pre-loaded, including some of the ones mentioned below. If you're boarding an airplane, you'll need a quick plot-driven read. What about a thriller? Something along the lines of Live Wire by Harlan Coben. When former tennis star Suzze T and her rock star husband, Lex, encounter an anonymous Facebook post questioning the paternity of their unborn child, Lex runs off, and Suzze - at eight months pregnant - asks Myron, a private eye, to save her marriage, and perhaps her husband's life. Or this debut,Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson, in which Christine, the protagonist, awakens each morning with absolutely no memory since being attacked in her twenties. The stranger in her bed must explain that he is her husband, Ben. With the help of a doctor who determines to circumvent Ben, Christine starts a journal-though she must reread it each day, and the doctor must call to tell her where it is. The truth she uncovers is nothing like you'd expect. On the beach? Laugh with Tina Fey, who proves you're nobody until somebody calls you Bossypants. Looking for something completely different? Ann Patchett's latest, State of Wonder brings readers to the heart of the Amazon as a scientist from Minnesota tries to track down her mentor in this compelling narrative replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, and a neighboring tribe of cannibals, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss. Heading home? How about exploring Martha's Vineyard in 1665 with Geraldine Brooks' Caleb's Crossing? Or, Gabrielle Hamilton's popular memoir, Blood, Bones & Butter: the inadvertent education of a reluctant chef?

Summer is around the block. Ready for the beach?

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:25:51 -0500

I cannot believe it is mid-May, already. It's almost beach time, which also translates to bathing suit anxiety. You could handle it the way The Very Hungry Caterpillar does, as found on Dan Wilbur's Better Book Titles blog. (Warning: Contains hilarious content with impure language.) Or, you might want to find a way to lose a little bit of the extra you you've become. No judgment, just sharing my own apprehension. Librarians like to share. Here are just a handful of what you might find on our new non-fiction shelves: The flex diet by James Beckerman Good housekeeping drop 5 lbs : the small changes, big results diet by Heather K. Jones ; edited [and foreword] by Rosemary Ellis. 400 calorie fix : the easy new rule for permanent weight loss by Liz Vaccariello, Mindy Hermann. Extra lean family : get lean and achieve your family's best health ever by Mario Lopez. Cooking Light mix & match low-calorie cookbook The full plate diet : slim down, look great, be healthy! by Stuart A. Seale, Teresa Sherard, and Diana Fleming.