Mystery Puns That Will Sleigh You

Dark, cold winter evenings, the stress of holiday gatherings and the crowds of shoppers, it's no wonder that cozy mystery authors find murderous inspiration in the Christmas season.

Below find a list of recent mysteries with a Christmas pun twist:

 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
The second book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. When a body turns up in the dumpster behind Caroline’s Cupcakes, Holly White is horrified to learn her best friend Caroline is the main suspect.

Murder With All the Trimmings by Shawn Simmons
The sixth book in the Red Carpet Catering Mysteries series. Penelope Sutherland is catering her first documentary, a history of the Vitrine Theater and the Big Apple Dancers, who put on the world-famous Christmas Extravaganza. When one of the dancers mysteriously disappears then turns up dead right before opening night, it looks like Christmas might be cancelled.

Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James
The tenth book in the Cat in the Stacks series. Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are busy decking the halls for the holidays when an unexpected delivery and a shocking murder conspire to shake up the season.

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander
The tenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. To cap off the merry season, Jules and Helen host their annual staff party at the historic Winchester Inn’s Dickens Feast. Just as the dessert course is about to be served the power goes out and Jules finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Her only wish this Christmas is to catch a killer.

Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt
The twentieth book in the Andy Carpenter series. This Christmas, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, can't say no to helping young Danny and his dachshund, Murphy.

Owl Be Home for Christmas by Donna Andrews
The twenty-sixth book in the Meg Langslow series. It's a few days before Christmas, and Meg's grandfather is hosting a scientific conference on owls at the Caerphilly Inn. An unexpectedly severe snow storm traps the conference-goers in the hotel, and one of the visiting ornithologists is murdered.

Silent Knit, Deadly Knit by Peggy Erhart
The fourth book in A Knit & Nibble Mystery series. When murder silences the Christmas cheer in charming Arborville, New Jersey, Pamela and her Knit and Nibble pals must unravel the most bone-chilling mystery this side of the North Pole . . .

Haunting Library Architecture

Andrew Carnegie is a very, very rarely seen ghost, what with his having over 2,500 libraries to haunt. So, his rotunda appearance is really quite exceptional.

• Dubuque's Haunted History by Richard A Barker
• Haunted Dubuque: chilling stories of the Key City's past and present by D.G. Roberts
• Spirits of Dubuque by Richard A. Barker
• The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations by Chad Lewis & Terry Fisk
• Ghosts of the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to Dubuque by Bruce Carlson
• Ghosts of the Mississippi River from Dubuque to Keokuk by Bruce Carlson
• Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw
• The Carnegie Libraries of Iowa by John M. Witt
• Free to All : Carnegie Libraries & American Culture, 1890-1920 by Abigail Ayres Van Slyck

Happy Halloween from Carnegie-Stout Public Library!

9 Library Books to Help You With Last Minute Gifts

What better way to show your friends and family how much they mean to you than with a handmade gift? If nothing else, it's guaranteed to be unique! Carnegie-Stout Public Library has a large and varied collection of craft books, which we've narrowed down to the nine suggestions below.

Crafts From Your Microwave by Alison Jenkins & Kate Morris

(745.5 JEN)

This title offers a variety of crafting options from dried flowers to salt dough, and even some edible treats!

100 Snowflakes to Crochet by Caitlin Sainio
(746.434 SAI)
If you're looking for quick project and you already know how to crochet, this is your ticket. Your aunt, grandmother, or coworker is sure to appreciate a handmade snowflake they can hang from the tree, or use as a coaster. The book is organized with the simpler projects right in the front.

Ductigami: the art of the tape by Joe Wilson

(745.5 WIL)

Now that duct tape is sold in a seemingly endless variety of patterns, colors, and even scents, a duct tape wallet or apron can be customized for anyone on your list.

Socks Appeal by Brenna Maloney

(745.5924 MAL)

Have you ever lost a sock in the washing machine? Of course you have! What do you do with the leftover socks? Don't throw them out! Instead you can turn socks into adorable stuffed animals. Check out Sarah's staff review of the second volume, Sockology.

Crafting with Cat Hair by Kaori Tsutaya
(745.5 TSU)
And what does one do with all of the hair your kitty companions donate to your couches, carpets, sweaters, and slacks? Tsutaya has the answer: make crafts. If you're planning to make a gift, it might mean more if you use cat hair from your friend's cat, though we're not sure how you could collect it and keep things a surprise.

Austentatious Crochet by Melissa Horozewski
(746.432 HOR)
To avoid those awkward "why are you putting cat hair in a plastic baggy" conversations, it might be better to make something inspired by your friend's favorite fandom. We all know someone who just loves, loves, loves Mr. Darcy, so break out that crochet hook!


Star Trek Craft Book by Angie Pedersen

(745.5 PED)

Or maybe your friends are more into Star Trek? Whether their favorite captain is Kirk or Picard, this book has a craft project that will have them saying "'IwlIj jachjaj!" Features crafts from The Original Series through Enterprise (fans of the J.J. Abrams reboot are out of luck). Staff favorites include the Star Fleet uniform for dogs and the make your own tribble.

Animal Hats by Vanessa Mooncie

(746.432 MOO)
Everyone has a favorite animal, or at least an answer to the question, "What's your favorite animal?" While these hats aren't for novice knitters, they are incredibly adorable. Especially cute animal hats include: elephant, lion, and pig.

Wacky Baby Knits by Alison Jenkins
(746.432 JEN)
Really pressed for time? Maybe make some adorable monster booties for a baby. Babies are small, so these projects might go a little faster. Your friend or daughter doesn't have a baby? That's okay, they won't assume it's a subtle hint for grandchildren if you say the booties are for their cat.

December Magazine of the Month

It's December, and that means holiday entertaining! Our magazines of the month will help you get the celebrations started.

 

Martha Stewart Living is part of our Zinio collection of digital magazines. Our book collection includes a number of her cookbooks and other helpful titles. We'll assume that you are already familiar with Martha's empire, but if not, check out her website to learn more: www.marthastewart.com 

Bon Appetit is our second magazine of the month. With a focus on food and entertaining, this magazine has been in publication since 1956. Their website includes recipes, tips, tricks, and recommendations: www.bonappetit.com

We Geek Words: Dictionary Day

Today Carnegie-Stout wishes Noah Webster a happy 255th birthday, though we assume that Noah Webster is not an undead monster out there somewhere googling his name. But in case he is, happy birthday!

In Webster's honor, October 16th is known as Dictionary Day. A day to celebrate all things lexicographical, etymological, a dash of the linguistic for good measure. This is the day for every word nerd who's ever spent an hour trying to think of the perfect piece of vocabulary to describe something. Raise your hands if you spent hours memorizing word roots in hopes of making regionals, if not the National Spelling Bee. If you can back your opinion on the use of the word "literally" with research, today is your day.

If you're looking for a way to celebrate, you can check out our Dictionary Day blog post from 2011 for some reading suggestions, or come on down and browse the 400s. We also have DVDs of Akeelah and the Bee and Spellbound available for check out.

There are also a number of great online options for your dictionary based entertainment! Did I miss one of your favorites? Share a link in the comments.

Oxford Dictionaries has a blog with info on word origins, changing slang, and more. It was Oxford Dictionaries Online who shocked a nation by announcing the inclusion of "twerk" shortly after Miley Cyrus's VMA performance.

In response to the scandal of twerking in the (online) dictionary, Mental Floss compiled a list of 16 words from the print edition of the Oxford Dictionary that were once as scandalous as twerk, but are now utterly obscure.

Kory Stamper is a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and her blog about life as a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster (Harmless Drudgery) is a source of constant delight. Start here with a post about the headaches of responding to dictionary fan mail and feedback. Stamper also helps to create Merriam-Webster's "Ask the Editor" web video series, an example of which is hopefully embedded below.

Arrr! It be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

The wonders of the Internet, and the influence of Dave Barry spread the joy of Talk Like a Pirate Day to scallywags around the world. The Miami Herald has Mr. Barry's original column online for your enjoyment.

To join in the fun, all that needs doing is to sprinkle in a mix of vocabulary aquatic each September 19th. If, like me, your piratical knowledge isn't up to snuff, I recommend the official Talk Like a Pirate Day translator.

As well, Mango Languages, Carnegie-Stout's most excellent online language course, offers lessons in Pirate for beginners: www.mangolanguages.com/try-it.php?course_id=224. Be sure to check out the 30+ languages available to learn from the comfort of your own home!

If you're looking for some reading of a seafaring nature, you might try the classic Treasure Island, the romantic tale Her Forbidden Pirate, or the current The Pirates of Somalia. And, for the science fiction lovers, we have plenty o' space pirates! To find more books and movies, try an Exact Subject or Subject Keyword search for Pirates or Piracy in the library's catalog.

For a last bit of high seas fun, readers with a Facebook account can change settings to display Pirate-American. To do so, click on the Setting icon (it looks like a gear) on the upper right-hand corner of the page. From the menu that pops up, select Account Settings. In the Language options, select English (Pirate), and you'll have your sea legs in no time, matey.

Memorial Day

From the Library of Congress' Flickr account.

Memorial Day has been an occasion to honor the sacrifices of those military personnel who have given their lives in service to our country since the end of the Civil War. Several communities in both the North and the South began Decoration Days shortly after the end of the war, and in fact, the name and date of Memorial Day were not codified until 1967.

Today, it may be more common to think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start to summer and the date on which it is acceptable to break out the summer wardrobe/white shoes. In fact Memorial Day marks the shift to summer hours for Carnegie-Stout Public Library, and we will be closed on Sundays until September.

In honor of the fallen, we've put together a Memorial Day display with books about America's wars and the experiences of our soldiers. You can visit this display on the first floor of the library, or, as the library is closed today and tomorrow, you can check out these previous blog posts:

• Veterans' Day
• Civil War
• "The date which will live in infamy"

Avast ye, Dubuquers, 'tis Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Are ye in need o' a refresher on your pirate lingo? Look t' our blog post o' last year for the origins o' this fine day, and links t' get ye talkin' like a pirate.

If you're lookin' t' celebrate this fine day, Carnegie-Stout has a fine trove o' piratical books and movies for you t' peruse.

Might we suggest explorin' t' phenomenon o' space pirates? Those scurvy dogs who sail t' voids between t' stars and have appeared in works o' science fiction for decades. Below we've gathered a samplin' o' titles available at Carnegie-Stout.

Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon
The Rock Rats by Ben Bova
Sureblood by Susan Grant
The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton
The Truth of Valor by Tanya Huff
Firefly: the complete series
Outlaw Star
Treasure Planet
Tenchi Muyo!

Bike to Work

May is National Bike Month, and this coming Friday (May 18th) is National Bike to Work Day!

Carnegie-Stout has the books to help you get reading for Friday, as well as a subscription to Bicycling Magazine (our Magazine of the Month for July 2011).

The Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair for Road & Mountain Bikes (629.28772 LAN)

Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry's extraordinary ride (Biog Londonderry)

Bicycle Diaries (796.64 BYR)

Major: a black athlete, a White era, and the fight to be the world's fastest human being (796.6092 BAL)

Tour de Lance: the extraordinary story of Lance Armstrong's fight to reclaim the Tour de France (796.62092 STR)

RAGBRAI: everyone pronounces it wrong (Iowa Books, 796.6209777 KAR)

Biking Iowa: 50 great road trips and trail rides (Iowa Books, 796.64 MOR)

The Man Who Cycled the World (910.4 BEA)

Spotlight: Motherhood

 This Sunday, May 13th, is Mother's Day, and what better topic for our Friday post than motherhood? We've brought together some fiction titles, memoirs, advice books, and movies to look over here, or on display at Carnegie-Stout. And don't forget, our magazine of the month is Working Mother!

Novels
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton (Mystery) In Ms. Lupton's fast-paced and conversational second novel, a woman runs into a burning building to save her daughter, but that's only the start of the danger.

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (Fiction) A thought-provoking novel that includes a soundtrack. Music therapist Zoe Baxter sues her ex-husband for custody of their frozen embryos after she falls in love with another woman.

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova (Fiction) Ms. Genova's second novel is reflective and inspirational. A successful career woman and mother finds herself reevaluating her priorities after a traumatic accident.

Room by Emma Donoghue (Fiction) This fast-paced and suspenseful novel is told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, who has lived his entire life in one small room with his mother, held captive by the whims of her kidnapper.

Please Look After Mom by Kyŏng-suk Sin (Fiction) This haunting family drama has a relaxed pace, though the revelations about the characters keep the pages turning. When the family matriarch goes missing, her children and husband search Seoul as well as their memories.

Come Home by Lisa Scottoline (Mystery) Ms. Scottoline's latest novel is fast-paced and suspenseful, as well as an examination of motherhood. Dr. Jill Farrow has finally found balance in her life after her divorce, when her ex-husband's daughter arrive unexpectedly with news of her father's murder.

One True Thing by Anna Quindlen (Fiction) This is a reflective and thoughtful novel by Ms. Quindlen. Ellen has taken care of her mother throughout her battle with cancer, and never expected to be accused of euthanasia.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (Romance) A character-driven and moving story of family. After their father's death, two sisters are brought reunited with their abrasive, Russian-born mother.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (Science Fiction) In a fast-paced, alternate universe steampunk Seattle Briar struggles to raise her precocious son, Zeke, on the wrong side of the tracks, but things are only complicated when Zeke decides to clear his father's name.

Movies and Television

Gilmore Girls

Terms of Endearment
Mrs. Miniver
Mother India
Mother and Child
Volver

All About My Mother (Todo Sobre Mi Madre)

Mother of Mine 

Biography, Memoir, and Advice

• Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel (Adult Graphic)
• No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene (362.734 GRE)
• Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (306.8743 CHU)
• Blue Nights by Joan Didion (Biography)
• Mom: a celebration of mothers from StoryCorps (306.8743 MOM)
• Not Becoming My Mother: and other things she taught me along the way by Ruth Reichl (641.5092 REI)
• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin Van Ogtrop (306.8743 VAN)

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

"Working Mother" is May's Magazine of the Month

In honor of Mother's Day on May 13th, we've selected Working Mother as our Magazine of the Month. This magazine is designed to support the growing number of women who balance career and family every day.

In addition to the print magazine, Working Mother's website has a large number of interactive features from a community of more than a 150 bloggers, to a family organizer. You can check out the magazine here at Carnegie-Stout or their website by following this link: www.workingmother.com

Other mom friendly magazines available at Carnegie-Stout include:

More
Country Woman
Family Circle
Vogue
Lucky
Cosmopolitan
InStyle

Woman's Day

Poem in Your Pocket Day

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Thursday, April 26 is Poem in Your Pocket Day!

Join us by selecting a poem you love and carrying it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends. You can also share your poem selection on Twitter using #pocketpoem or post to our Facebook & G+ pages.

If you need help finding that perfect poem, Poets.org has a great selection that you can browse by subject or author, or choose from their print-ready PDFs. Or stop the library and pick one up from our display! You can also sign up to receive a poem a day by email, download the mobile poetry reader app Poem Flow and explore poetry events in your state.

While I can't advocate eating poetry, here's one of my favorite poems from former Poet Laureate of the U.S. and University of Iowa  graduate Mark Strand:

Eating Poetry

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.

The librarian does not believe what she sees.
Her eyes are sad
and she walks with her hands in her dress.

The poems are gone.
The light is dim.
The dogs are on the basement stairs and coming up.

Their eyeballs roll,
their blond legs burn like brush.
The poor librarian begins to stamp her feet and weep.

She does not understand.
When I get on my knees and lick her hand,
she screams.

I am a new man.
I snarl at her and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark. 

Spotlight on Ireland

Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, when we Americans celebrate our Irish heritage, or at least the possibility that we might be related to or know someone with Irish heritage. Ireland is a beautiful country with a rich history that goes far beyond the rather American custom of green beer.

We've gathered together some of the materials available here at Carnegie-Stout to help you celebrate St. Patrick's with a good book, some Irish food, or even by planning a visit to Ireland. Be sure to stop in to the library to check out the display on the first floor!


Irish Food
Recipes for a Perfect Marriage by Morag Prunty
A touching story of marriage and food, with Irish charm and recipes. Tressa has doubts about her recent marriage and turns to the recipes of her grandmother Bernadine for comfort, and discovers that Bernadine's seemingly perfect marriage had its own share of rough patches.

• Irish Pub Cookbook 641.59417 JOH
• 30 Years at Ballymaloe: a celebration of the world-renowned cooking school with over 100 new recipes 641.59415 ALL
• A Taste of Ireland 641.59415 WHI

Irish Culture
Jig DVD 793.3194 JIG
Features the remarkable story of the 40th Irish Dancing World Championships, held in March 2010 in Glasgow. Thousands of dancers, their families, and teachers from around the globe descend upon Glasgow for one drama-filled week.

• Dublin: a cultural history 941.835 KIL
• A Guide to Irish Mythology 290.162 SMY
• The Traditional Irish Wedding 395.2209 HAG
• A Treasury of Irish Folklore 398.2 COL
• Irish-English / English-Irish Dictionary 491.623 IRI
• Danny Boy : the beloved Irish ballad 782.43 MCC
• Celtic Woman DVD 782.42 CEL
• The Best of Riverdance DVD 793.3194 BES

Travel Ireland
Historic Pubs of Dublin DVD 914.1835
Frank McCourt tells the story of the city through its most historic pubs, dating back hundreds of years. In addition to the legendary drinking establishments, viewers will learn more about must-see attractions like Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grafton Street, Jameson Distillery, Guinness Brewery, the city's beautiful parks, and more.

• Back Roads Ireland 914.15 BAC
• Rick Steves' Ireland 914.15 RIC
• On an Irish Island 941.96 KAN
• Fodor's 2012 Ireland 914.15 FOD
• Cycle Touring in Ireland 796.64 COO
• Ireland DVD 914.15

Explore Your Irish Heritage
Road to McCarthy: around the world in search of Ireland by Pete McCarthy 909 MCC
Travel writer Pete McCarthy embarks on a journey to learn about his own family and discovers how far flung the McCarthy descendants are. Witty, offbeat, and insightful, Mr. McCarthy's journey takes genealogical research in delightfully unexpected directions.

• Tracing Your Irish Family History 929.10720415 (Gen)
• In Search of Your British & Irish Roots 929.10892041 BAX (Gen Ref)
• How the Irish Saved Civilization 941.501 CAH (Lg. Print)
• The Irish Americans 973.049162 DOL
• The Dictionary of Irish Family Names 929.42 GRE (Gen Ref)

Irish Literature

• Cecelia Ahern, author of whimsical contemporary romantic fiction
• John Banville, winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2005, his fiction is haunting, descriptive, and dives deep into the minds of his characters
• Sebastian Barry, his novels typically have a historical setting and an intricate plot, also a poet, his writing is lyrical
• Samuel Beckett, a Nobel Laureate, novelist and playwright with an experimental style and a dark sense of humor
• Maeve Binchy, the author of heartwarming stories of life in a changing world with a focus on her characters' relationships, be sure to check out our Maeve Binchy read alikes
• Eoin Colfer, an author of fast-paced tales that feature adventure and humor, best known for the Artemis Fowl series
• Anne Enright, an author of haunting, character-driven novels and short fiction
• James Joyce, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, his stream of contagiousness novel Ulysses is the basis for the yearly Bloomsday Celebration
• Marian Keyes, an author of funny, conversational chick lit, often with a Dublin setting
• Pat McCabe, his novels are offbeat, darkly humorous, character-driven, dialect-rich, and sometimes creepy
• Bram Stoker, the author of the classic vampire story Dracula
• Jonathan Swift, a satirical essayist and the author of Gulliver's Travels
• Colm Toibin, an author of melancholy, character-driven novels and short fiction
• Oscar Wilde, a poet, playwright, and novelist known for his sharp wit and the troubles of his personal life
• William Butler Yeats, Nobel Laureate, poet, and champion of Irish literature

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

Women's History Month

"I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically independent, support myself, and if need be, support those dependent upon me. I want a wife who will work and send me to school. And while I am going to school I want a wife to take care of my children."
From "Why I Want a Wife" by Judy Syfers, entire text available online here: http://www.cwluherstory.org/why-i-want-a-wife.html

March is National Women's History Month. This year's theme is Women's Education - Women's Empowerment. You can read more about this year's theme, and the history of Women's History Month at the National women's History Project's website.

On March 22nd at six p.m. the League of Women Voters and Carnegie-Stout will be showing "Iron Jawed Angels" in the Aigler Auditorium, followed by a discussion. This film dramatizes of the suffragettes efforts to pass the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote. Click here to read more about this event.

We encourage you to stop by the display of books and movies on the new fiction shelves on the First Floor, and to check out the links to online resources below.

The Library of Congress, Women’s History Month: Provides links to online exhibits, profiles, and other resources of the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress, International Women’s Day Photo Set: One of several Flickr sets of images from the Library of Congress, and the location from where the photo in this post originates.

Iowa Pathways, Women’s Suffrage: Iowa Pathways are resources put together by Iowa Public Television for teachers and students. This link provides an introduction to the history of women's suffrage and women's rights in Iowa.

Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame: The Iowa Women's Hall of Fame is a function of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, and their website has recently been updated to include short biographies of the members of the Hall of Fame.

The Carrie Chapman Catt Girlhood Home and Museum: Carrie Chapman Catt is one of the best known Iowa Women's Suffragists, and this museum is a two-hour drive from Dubuque.

Discovering American Women’s History Online Database: Walker Library of Middle Tennessee State University has created this database which allows users to search the contents of many different digital collections.

The National Women’s History Project Quiz: This quiz was created by the National Women's History Project, the organization behind the development of Women's History Month.

February 29th, Leap Day

Happy Leap Day! February 29th rolls around once every four years (more or less), but what can one do to celebrate?

Tradition has it that this is the one day when women may propose marriage to men. some locations extend this power throughout a leap year. Think of it as an alternative to the annual Sadie Hawkins Day.

Turning down a woman's proposal poses consequences for the popular man. Depending on where he's asked, the lady spurned is owed either a new dress, a pair of silk gloves, or a bit of cash.

Those over 21 might be interested in this 2008 article from the Wall Street Journal, which offers recipes for Leap Year Cocktails. A couple of cocktails might improve Amy Adams' 2010 film, Leap Year, which does have a gorgeous Irish setting, even if the plot is terribly silly.

Books and More by Leap Year Babies

• Dee Brown, author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
• Science-fiction and fantasy author Tim Powers
• Jimmy Dorsey of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
• Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini
• Pirates of Penzance - I suggest you give "When you had left our pirate fold" a listen today.

Singles Awareness Day

Across the nation today (and tomorrow) people will be celebrating Singles Awareness Day or S.A.D. The alternative holiday for anyone not in the mood for Valentine's.

We here at Carnegie-Stout have put together a display of books and movies for S.A.D. (and a romantic display too) Unfortunately that display doesn't include 6-time Grammy winner Adele's wonderful break up CD, 21, but you can place a hold in the catalog. I also recommend Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart for some great post-breakup music. You can also check out the catalog for our collection of blues music.

What gifts are appropriate for S.A.D.? Popular options include treating yourself to some fancy chocolate, or going out for a nice dinner with friends. But I think the Bronx Zoo's holiday fundraiser might be a nice fit. This year you can give the gift of naming one of their Madagascar hissing cockroaches after the person of your choice: www.bronxzoo.com/roach

I'll leave you with this link to Boing Boing and a vintage book advertisement: "Why is it more interesting to spend an evening with this book than a beautiful woman?"

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his
"I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C.
Via Library of Congress

Today, January 16th, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the birthday of civil right activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King's actual birthday is January 15th, and the holiday takes place every third Monday in January.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. The holiday was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

To learn more about King's life and his legacy, check out this selection of books from the library's collection, or click through to the websites listed below.

Listen to a recording of King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech here: http://www.archive.org/details/MLKDream

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change - Located in Atlanta at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, which includes King's birth home, Freedom Hall and his crypt. Their digital archives are scheduled to go live today.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute - Provides a searchable online database of King's correspondence, sermons, speeches, published writings, and unpublished manuscripts.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial  - The official website of the national memorial in Washington D.C.

"JET" is January's Magazine of the Month

Our January magazine of the month, JET, was founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois. We selected Jet in honor of this weekly magazine's 60+ years of publication, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 16th.

Mr. Johnson was also the founder of Ebony, which features coverage of African-American celebrities and politicians. Jet includes news features, along with features on celebrities and dating, diet, fashion, and other advice. One popular Jet feature, started in 1952, is the "Beauty of the Week."

You can read more about Jet and Ebony on their website: www.ebonyjet.com

Or stop in the library and check out the latest issue!

New Year's Resolutions

It's once again the time of year to consider making a New Year's Resolution. Whether you promise yourself to eat healthier, get a handle on your finances, or just to read more great books, Carnegie-Stout is here to help!

Stop in and check out our display of books on Diet, Exercise, Addiction, and Managing Stress. Our collection includes everything from Pilates to the Paleo diet.

We've brought a selection of our Exercise DVDs down to the first floor too. Don't forget our Music CD collection, we're sure to have something to get you on your feet!

You might also want to take a look at our popular New Year's Resolutions lists from 2011:

Addiction
Budgets and Debt
Career
Diet
Exercise
Stress
Vacation
Volunteer

Poinsettia Day

Photo: Poinsettia by maaco

Every year Carnegie-Stout receives a cheerful delivery from Leisure Services: Poinsettias! If you stop by the library this December you'll notice their bright red blooms sharing joy throughout the building.

Today, December 12th, just so happens to be Poinsettia Day, so what better time to share some facts and tips on these seasonal favorites? Well, perhaps December 21st, the date for this year's Poinsettia Bowl, when the TCU Horned Frogs will play football against the Louisianan Tech Bulldogs. Those aren't local teams though, so we'll stick with today.

One of the most common misconceptions is that Poinsettias (Euphorbia Pucherrima) are deadly poisonous. While it is a terrible idea to eat them because their sap can cause irritation of the skin, or vomiting, it's safe to have a poinsettia in a house with pets or small children. You can read more about poinsettia care and their Aztec origins at the University of Illinois Extension's Poinsettia Pages.

If you're concerned about your ability to care for a poinsettia, never fear! Carnegie-Stout has several books with tips on keeping house plants of all types happy and healthy:

The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual (635.9 PLE) Poinsettias on page 98

How to Grow Practically Everything (635 ALL) Poinsettias on page 393

Indoor Plants (635.965 COU) Poinsettias on page 83

And I highly recommend that you name your Poinsettia "Percy," just for luck.