June Magazines of the Month: Men's Health & Men's Journal

We've once again  selected two magazines of the month! June 16th is Father's Day, and so in honor of all the men in our lives, our magazines of the month are Men's Health and Men's Journal. Both of these monthly magazines focus on issues of interest to men from fitness to fashion. Men's Health publishes local editions in over 30 countries worldwide, while Men's Journal has been carried into orbit by NASA astronauts.

You can check both of these magazines out from Carnegie-Stout's collection on the second floor or from our Zinio collection of digital magazine subscriptions. Both publications offer special features and additional content on their websites.

Men's Health: www.menshealth.com
Men's Journal: www.mensjournal.com

If you come into Carnegie-Stout in the next few weeks, be sure to check out our Father's Day themed display on the second floor near the Adult Computers!

May Magazines of the Month

We once again have two magazines of the month! Our selections for May are Birds and Blooms and Bird Watching. Spring has finally arrived and the robins and other migratory birds have returned to greet the morning sun with their song. Whether you're an avid bird watcher, a fan of The Big Year, or just curious about what bird built a nest in your tree, you should take an opportunity to flip through Birds and Blooms and Bird Watching.

Birds & Blooms began publication in 1995, and includes many reader submitted photographs and articles. The content includes both information for birders and gardeners.

Bird Watching also accepts reader submissions, but their focus is entirely on the world of bird watching. One highlight are regional guides for where the best bird watching can be found.

Database Spotlight: Zinio

Do you love magazines? Do you look forward to hearing what our Magazine of the Month will be? Do you have a new tablet or laptop, and you're curious what it would be like to read a magazine digitally? Well, Carnegie-Stout has just the resource for you!

In a recent partnership with Dyersville's James Kennedy Public Library, we've added Zinio to our database collection. Zinio is a new tool that allows you read digital copies of some of the periodicals that the library subscribes to in print. With titles ranging from Cosmo to Popular Science, Newsweek to Rolling Stone, there's something for everyone!

To find Zinio, go to the library's homepage: www.dubuque.lib.ia.us and click on the "Research Tools" link on the left-hand side of the screen. This brings you to an alphabetical list of our research databases from which you will be able to open Zinio.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

The trickiest part with getting started using Zinio is that you will have to register twice: once with a library account that will allow you to borrow from the library's collection, and once with Zinio, so that you can read your magazines. First click the purple Create Account button. You'll be asked to enter your library barcode. Only patrons who live in Dubuque or Dyersville are eligible to use Zinio, but everyone is welcome to come into Carnegie-Stout and browse our physical collection!

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Once you have verified your library card and set up a log-in with an email address and password, you'll be taken to the Carnegie-Stout PL and James Kennedy PL Zinio collection. When you locate a title that you want to read, click on the cover image and you'll be directed to Zinio's main site, where you will be asked to register your account in order to read the magazine.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

After you're fully registered, and have added all the titles you would like to read from the Carnegie-Stout PL and James Kennedy PL Zinio page to Your Reading List in Zinio, you'll be all set to enjoy your magazines! Zinio will send you email notifications when new issues of your titles become available, and you'll be able to add or delete titles in the future. Please be aware that the main Zinio site also sells subscriptions to digital issues not available for free through the library, and that some of these titles are adult in nature.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Those of you with mobile devices should take a look at the Zinio app. It's free to add this app to your device, and will allow you to read the magazines you're borrowing from our collection on the go!

Click on the images to view larger versions.

If you have any questions about Zinio, run into any problems, or would just like a staff member to walk you through the set up process, give us a call (563-589-4225), send us an email (yourlibrarian@dubuque.lib.ia.us), or stop by in person! Don't forget, we offer drop-in tech help from 6:30 to 8:30 every Wednesday evening.

Fine Gardening is April's Magazine of the Month

It's been a long, cold winter, but we're finally seeing signs of spring, at least in the gardening section of local stores! It's time to start plotting your garden, and making sure your tools are in working order.

To get you in the spirit, we've selected Fine Gardening as our April magazine of the month!

Fine Gardening provides tips and information for yard care, landscaping, and ornamental plants. The magazine has been in publication since 1988, and you can browse through additional information on their webpage: finegardening.com

Be sure to check out last year's Gardening Spotlight blog post, or stop in to browse the shelves for new titles available here at Carnegie-Stout. Whether you kill houseplants or grow all your own food, we've got a gardening book for you!

Or if you'd rather read about someone else doing the gardening (and solving a murder to boot!) check out our list of Cozy Gardening Mysteries.

March Magazines of the Month

On March 3rd, the internet asks you to consider, "What if your pets had thumbs?" If your cat were able to open his own can of food, would he have any need for you? If your dog could text, how astronomical would your phone bill be? If your goldfish had thumbs, would it also grow arms and hands? Is that just the first step to real life mermaids?

As you consider the ramifications, you might find you need to relax with a nice magazine. Never fear! Carnegie-Stout is here with subscriptions to both Cat Fancy AND Dog Fancy!

Dog Fancy's homepage can be found here, and Cat Fancy's can be found at this link. Both magazines are published by BowTie, Inc., an organization responsible for a large number of animal related periodicals. Cat Fancy began publication in 1965. Dog Fancy's first issue was published in 1970.

 You might also enjoy checking out some of our other cat & dog blog posts including a list of mysteries for dog lovers, Allison's review of Kitty Cornered by Bob Tarte, our previous magazine of the month, Bark, or our Pinterest board featuring the cats of library employees!

Billboard is February's Magazine of the Month

On February 3rd, 1959 the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed near Mason City, Iowa, killing the three musicians and the pilot. This tragic event was commemorated in Don McLean's American Pie, and every year since 1979 fans have gathered at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake for a memorial concert.

In honor of these musical innovators, we've selected Billboard as our February magazine of the month. Billboard began publication in 1894 as a trade magazine for the billboard industry, and over the years evolved into covering the carnival industry, motion pictures, radio and television. In the 1930s Billboard began publishing their charts of popular music, and in 1961 they began to focus exclusively on the music industry. You can read more about the history of Billboard on Wikipedia, or check out the latest music news on their website: www.billboard.com

Be sure to stop into Carnegie-Stout to check out the latest issue of Billboard and browse our music collection on the first floor because we've got an eclectic collection with something for every listener! You might also want to browse our many biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs on and by musicians of every genre.

If fiction is more your style, we've pulled together a few titles you might enjoy:

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon
The latest character-driven title by the acclaimed Chabon, Telegraph Avenue focuses on a economically vulnerable record shop owned by two friends in California. Richly detailed and humorous, this novel tackles touches on the issues of race and consumerism in America. 

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Hornby writes about the foibles and loves of eccentric young people with humor and care. High Fidelity, an upbeat and character-driven novel of music, love, and a record store, is also the basis for a movie starring John Cusack.


A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Egan demonstrates her chops as a master of the unconventional and thought-provoking in A Visit from the Goon Squad. As the narrative switches between the engaging characters, the reader is taken on a journey through the changing music industry.

Year Zero by Rob Reid
A humorous science-fiction take on illegal downloads, Reid's first novel, Year Zero, is packed with detail. When aliens, addicted to Earth's music, discover that they owe astronomical fees for their illegal downloads, they engage the services of entertainment lawyer Nick Carter to fight back. Failing that, they'll simply destroy the Earth.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

Beukes' second novel is a fast-paced, award-winning, hard-boiled supernatural mystery about the dark-side of the South African music industry. You can read Sarah's staff review of Zoo City, which includes a link to the book's official soundtrack with songs by South African musicians.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud 

A retelling of Pride and Prejudice where Darcy and Elizabeth are members of two rival rock bands. Steamy, witty, and of a faster-pace than Austen's original that's sure to charm readers who can't get enough Darcy.

 

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!

Real Simple is January's Magazine of the Month

Real Simple, our first Magazine of the Month for 2013, made its debut in 2000. The magazine was began with the idea of presenting useful tips and tricks for the household with a simple layout, uncluttered photographs, and clear text. You can stop into Carnegie-Stout to take a look at the latest issue, or check out an older issue to flip through at home!

Because the library is closed today for New Year's, you might enjoy looking through the Real Simple website: www.realsimple.com

You might also be able to catch an episode of their PBS program on TV: www.pbs.org/realsimple

Or if you come into the library on Wednesday, you can browse through the Real Simple books available in non-fiction.

The Hockey News, December's Magazine of the Month

The Hockey News is Carnegie-Stout's Magazine of the Month. Founded in 1947, it remains one of the best sources for hockey information. Don't get checked into the boards without checking out the latest issue from Carnegie-Stout. The NHL might be in the penalty box, but The Hockey News can give you the stats on the excitement on the rink and off. You can take a look at their website for the latest updates.

Luckily Dubuque hockey fans don't have to go far for their fix. The Fighting Saints are having yet another fantastic season! You can keep up on the action on their website or Facebook page, but we recommend cheering them on in person.

Black Friday, tips to find the deals

The Holiday Season is approaching rapidly, which means that many of us are getting ready to do some serious shopping. Whether you're a Black Friday veteran or novice, Carnegie-Stout has tips and tools to help you plan your attack, but, fair warning, the library will be closed on Thanksgiving and the 23rd so our staff can enjoy the holiday with family.

Never fear though! The number one tip to prepare for Black Friday is to plan ahead (number three: fanny packs, warning! link contains swears). You want to have a shopping list, know where the best bargains are, and when the stores open.

While I've always been a fan of sorting through all the ads in the Thursday paper after stuffing myself with turkey, the internet means that you could've started your planning last week. Luckily this also means you don't have to go from store website to store website, but can find all the Black Friday ads in one place. You still might need to visit the store's pages to verify the local opening hours, but at least you can check if there any deals worth showing up at six a.m. first.

Websites that collect Black Friday Advertisements:
bfads.net
blackfriday.com

Websites that compare prices at various retailers:
www.bizrate.com
www.shopping.com
pricegrabber.com

But maybe you're on the hunt for some particular item, rather than just looking for the best door busters. Wading through dozens of circulars to find which stores have the sales you need, even electronically, can be a headache. If you know exactly what you want, a site that compares prices can be useful, but best bargain doesn't always mean best. First you'll want to compare televisions or blenders or leaf blowers to find which brands and models will do what you need them to.

This is when you should check Consumer Reports (they also have price comparisons). You might be familiar with Consumer Reports from their annual buying guide or their monthly publications, and both are available at Carnegie-Stout. But did you know that Carnegie-Stout also has access to Consumer Reports' online site?

You can find Consumer Reports in our list of Library Research Databases by clicking here. If you are at home you will be asked to enter your library barcode and PIN, but everyone can search their Buying Guides and Recommendations from a computer inside the library. You can even print off your findings for ten cents a page (black & white).

If you're not able to access Consumer Reports from home, and Carnegie-Stout isn't open, you can still read some of their advice at www.consumerreports.org. You can also turn to the product reviews on personal blogs, websites like Amazon (although these are not always trustworthy), or from a trusted friend or neighbor. Alternatively, you can take a look at the product reviews offered by:
Good Housekeeping (we have the magazine to flip through too)
CNET (technology and electronics)

And because librarians are most often asked to help select and operate eReaders, the first place you should check is OverDrive's list of compatible devices. This will tell you if your new eReader will play nicely with our eBooks. And if you're the lucky recipient of a shiny new eReader this holiday season, we'll be here to help you learn how to check out and download those eBooks.

Reviews and comparisons of eReaders:
Consumer Reports (you may need to go through the library's website to see all information)
Good Housekeeping
CNET

And if all this is too much for you, remember, you can always stay home and celebrate Buy Nothing Day instead.

NaNoWriMo and Carnegie-Stout

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is an annual challenge for would be authors to sit down and write. Every November, participants work to try and complete a novel of at least 50,000 words.

If you've always wanted to try your luck at penning the next great American novel, you can create an account and track your progress on the official website: www.nanowrimo.org
Or visit the site for younger novelists:  ywp.nanowrimo.org

This November, Carnegie-Stout has reserved a table on the quiet second floor near the newspapers for NaNoWriMo participants. We've also pulled together a collection of books with help for writers located on a small purple cart next to the official table.

And in case you need a little inspiration, several NaNoWriMo participants have gone on to have their novels published! Including Sara Gruen and Erin Morgenstern (click here for a staff review of The Night Circus). Of course, you shouldn't stress about having a publication ready novel on your first draft! That's why March is NaNoEdMo (Nation Novel Editing Month).

MHQ The Quarterly Journal of Military History is November's Magazine of the Month

On November 11th much of the world will honor the men and women who have served in their nations' militaries. In the United States this holiday is known as Veterans Day, though its also been known as Armistice Day, Rememberance Day, or Poppy Day. The holiday began as a reaction to the end of the First World War, or the War to End All Wars, and is set on the date that the Germans signed the Armistice which ended the war.

You can read more about the end of the Great War and the signing of the Armistice in these books:

• Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and its violent climax by Joseph E Persico
• The Greatest Day in History: how, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the First World War finally came to an end by Nicholas Best

In honor of Veterans Day, Carnegie-Stout has selected MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History as our magazine of the month. MHQ is a publication of the Weider History Group, which publishes a number of magazines on historical, often military, topics. According to their website, MHQ "takes you on an exciting journey to the world's greatest battles and campaigns over the last 5,000 years, from ancient warfare through modern Iraq." Their website includes such features as daily history quiz.

Gluten-Free Living is October's Magazine of the Month

Our magazine of the month for October is Gluten-Free Living, which provides support and recipes for those diagnosed with Celiac Disease or other related disorders and allergies. In addition to Carnegie-Stout's subscription, you can check out their website: www.glutenfreeliving.com

Not sure what glutens or Celiac Disease are? Have you stood in the grocery store trying to understand what it means for a pizza to be gluten free? Looking for a specific gluten-free recipe, and you couldn't find it in Gluten-Free Living? Carnegie-Stout has a collection of books on Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free diets for you to check out!

Just wondering what a gluten is? Wikipedia provides the answer: "Gluten (from Latin gluten, "glue") is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. It gives elasticity to dough, helping it to rise and to keep its shape, and often gives the final product a chewy texture. Gluten may also be found in some cosmetics or dermatological preparations."

 Looking for an excuse to try out a gluten-free recipe? October 12th is World Egg Day! Like gluten, eggs can provide a binding element in a recipe, which makes them a staple in many gluten-free recipes. The American Egg Board and the International Egg Commission have even more ideas for how you can celebrate World Egg Day.

Four! Golf Digest & Golf Magazine are September's Magazines of the Month

In honor of the 2012 Ryder Cup - the biennial golf event that pits the best pro golfers of the U.S. against the best of Europe and hosted this year in Medinah, Illinois, Sept. 28-30 - we've selected Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as our Magazines of the Month.

Both periodicals offer news and commentary from the professional golf world, plus tips and advice on improving your own game, the best courses to play and how to find the right equipment. And, of course, fashion tips for style-conscious golfers.

Stop down at the library and check out these two magazines and you can also pick up some great books and DVDs about golf as well!

Twice as Nice, Two Magazines of the Month!

 For August we've selected both Taste of Home and Taste of Home Healthy Cooking for our Magazines of the Month.We invite you to stop into the library and browse through our collection of issues for delicious recipes (or check one out to take home!).

You can also see take a look at their website to get a preview (including recipes): www.tasteofhome.com

August is a great time for food, with many fruits and vegetables in season, as well as some fun food related celebrations! August is both Peach Month and National Picnic Month. So you might want to check out Good Day for a Picnic: simple food that travels well (641.578 JAC) or any of these excellent titles on fruit pies (641.86), jams and preserves (641.42), and more!

Other Delicious Holidays in August:

1st National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

2nd National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

3rd National Watermelon Day

4th National Mustard Day

8th  Sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor’s porch day

10th National S’mores Day

14th  National Creamsicle Day

29th More Herbs, Less Salt Day

30th Toasted Marshmallow Day

31st National Trail Mix Day

Swimming World Magazine is July's Magazine of the Month

The Summer Olympics start at the end of this month, with the opening ceremony on July 27th, which means a renewed popularity for track and field, gymnastics, and swimming.

You can keep up to date on all the preparations and excitement of the London Olympics on the official website:
www.london2012.com

In honor of Olympic Fever, we've selected Swimming World Magazine as our Magazine of the Month. Swimming World Magazine has been in publication since 1960, and on their website you can browse a collection of all their cover images, as well as current articles, videos, and more

Michael Phelps is probably the most recognized name in swimming today, and he'll be trying for a spot on the 2012 Team, along with Dara Torres, Janet Evans, Amanda Weir, and dozens of other hopefuls. Because the Olympic Swim Team Trials are in progress, you'll want to check the results at USA Swimming to see if your favorites have made the cut

Carnegie-Stout also has a number of books on swimming that you might want to check out. From books for the competetive swimmer to books on swimming throughout life, from infancy to retirement.

And I can't write about swimming without mentioning Ben Lecomte and his ongoing quest to swim across the Pacific Ocean. You can follow his journey through his website: www.thelongestswim.com

Urban Farm is June's Magazine of the Month

Urban Farm is a new addition to Carnegie-Stout's magazine collection! Created in a response to the growing popularity of sustainability, green living, and people who keep chickens in city limits, we added Urban Farm after we received a patron request.

This magazine comes from the same publishers of Hobby Farms and Hobby Farm Home (http://www.hobbyfarms.com), but is designed for those of us who have far less than even a single acre at our disposal. Come in and check out the latest issue, or take a tour of the tips and tricks on their website: www.urbanfarmonline.com

You might also enjoy checking out our Spotlight on Gardening post, which includes more reading suggestions for the hobby farmer enthusiast!

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)

"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

"Poetry" & "Poets and Writers," Magazines of the Month

April is National Poetry Month, and so we've selected two poetry magazines as this month's feature.

Poetry has been published monthly since 1912 by the Poetry Foundation, located in Chicago, IL. That makes this year their 100th year of publication! You can browse the contents of past issues at their website, as well as enjoy poetry podcasts.

Poets and Writers was founded in 1970, and is the nation's largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. They sponsor writing contests, discussion forums for writers and more at their website.

Be sure to stop in to Carnegie-Stout this month to check out our celebration of National Poetry Month! We're sponsoring a Poetry Roundtable / 3 poets: 3 voices, 3 visions on April 11, 2012, at 7:00 PM in Aigler Auditorium. Three talented and published poets with Dubuque connections will read from their work and talk about poetry: Lauren Alleyne, Francine Banwarth, and James Pollock.

Spotlight on Gardening

Our unseasonably warm spring has brought out the blooms and the plans for this year's garden. Whether you've a green thumb or black (or aren't sure what color your thumb may be!), Carnegie-Stout has a gardening book for you!

Be sure to check out last year's gardening post, found here:
carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2011/05/gardening-season.html

Iowa State University's Iowa Extension also has some great information for gardening in Iowa.

And don't forget our post on gardening themed cozy mysteries: carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2011/11/cozy-mysteries-gardening.html

The Hobby Farmer
Farm City by Novella Carpenter
(630.9173 CAR) Ms. Carpenter moved to downtown Oakland with her boyfriend and started a squatter garden in a neighboring vacant lot. Her garden quickly expands to include bees, chickens, turkeys, and pigs. A colorful and personal story about the modern relationship to the food we eat and its production.


Growing at the Speed of Life by Graham Kerr
(635 KER) Mr. Kerr, cookbook author and host of a cooking program, writes about his experience with his own garden, inspired by the sustainability and local food movements. In addition, his book includes tips and recipes.

The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball
(630.92 KIM) Ms. Kimball, a Manhattan journalist, meets and falls for Mark, a farmer. They move to upstate New York to start their own farm, and experiment in community agriculture. One part hands on exploration of the sustainable movement, one part fish out of water, and one part romances makes for an entertaining read.

If you want to try your own adventure in urban or hobby farming, check out these books:

• Urban Homesteading by Rachel Kaplan (640 KAP)
• Your Farm in the City by Lisa Taylor (630.9173 TAY)
• The Joy of Hobby Farming by Michael Levatino (630.68 LEV)

How to Grow a Garden

• The Edible Front Yard: creating curb appeal with fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs by Ivette Soler (635 SOL)

• High-Impact, Low-Carbon Gardening: 1001 ways to garden sustainably by Alice Bowe (635.048 BOW)

• The Midwestern Native Garden: native alternatives to nonnative flowers and plants by Charlotte Adelman (635.951 ADE)

• Perennial Vegetables: from artichoke to zuiki taro, a gardener’s guide to over 100 delicious, easy-to-grow edibles by Eric Toensmeier (635 TOE)

• Slow Gardening: a no-stress philosophy for all senses and seasons by Felder Rushing (635.9 RUS)

• The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food: save money, live better, and enjoy life with food from your garden or orchard by Monte Burch (635 BUR)

• The Vegetable Gardener’s Container Bible: how to grow a bounty of food in pots, tubs, and other containers by Edward C. Smith (635 SMI)

Gardening Magazines
Horticulture
Better Homes and Gardens
Birds & Blooms
Hobby Farms
Organic Gardening
This Old House
Fine Gardening



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!