Library Hours - December 2014 break

The Festival of Lights

                                                                          (Microsoft clip art)

The Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, also known as Chanukah, began last night at sundown. What is Chanukah, also spelled Hanukkah, and why do members of the Jewish faith celebrate it? According to the book, Holiday Symbols and Customs, Hanukkah is a time to remember how the Jews overcame persecution and rebelled against the Syrian-Greek King Antiochus in the second century A.D. (Henderson, 2009). Hanukkah occurs during an eight day period sometime between the dates of November 25 and December 26 (Henderson, 2009). Followers of Judaism celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a menorah, “a special eight-branched candlestick,” each night of the holiday (Breuilly, 2002). In addition to the menorah, the dreidel, a small, top like object and latkes, potato pancakes, are also symbols of the holiday.

The Sullivan library has some Hanukkah specific resources that are featured below, but we also have books about holidays and festivals which contain information and images related to Hanukkah in them. To learn more about Hanukkah, stop by the library and check out some of the resources we have, or visit this site.

Jacques Pepin’s Chanukah Celebration

By Jacques Pepin

DVD 641.568 J19cha

Pepin and his daughter cook a feast to celebrate the holiday Chanukah. According to the DVD summary, their menu is, “a French-inspired Chanukah dinner menu.”

The Hanukkah Mice

By Steven Kroll and illustrated by Michelle Shapiro

JF K

A family of mice plays with the gifts that a girl named Rachel receives for Hanukkah. 

Additional Resources and Bibliography

Ajmera, M. & Nakassis, M. & Pon, C. (2009). Faith. Washington, DC: Charlesbridge. 

Breuilly, E. & O'Brien, J. & Palmer, M. & Marty, M. (2002). Festivals of the World: The Illustrated Guide to Celebrations, Customs, Events & Holidays. New York, NY: Checkmark Books. 

Henderson, H. (Ed.). (2009). Holiday Symbols and Customs. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics. 

7 Aspects of Finals Week Told via Buddy the Elf

1. Finals Week begins and you're in a state of disbelief as you realize how much work you have to get done.

2. You say good-bye to having a good night's sleep during finals.

3. Your instructors say that their final will be easy, but you know better.

4. The computer/network crashes just as you finish that big paper. When it comes back, everything you did is gone.

5. You finish an exam and leave feeling pretty good. Later you realize you made a HUGE mistake.

6. You spend some time being down on yourself.

7. Then finals week is over, and you get your grades. You realize that you passed everything. Oh the joy!

Study Hacks to Help You During Finals Week

Acing your finals would be really cool, right? Or, at least getting a good grade?  Most likely you don't have one of these:

Sure would be nice to have one though!

Take a look at these study hacks. One of them may make the difference between merely getting by or doing really well.

1. Use an app on your computer to eliminate distractions while studying.
For PCs, try Cold Turkey. For Mac, try Self Control. Sorry, there isn't a mobile app for either service, though Cold Turkey will work on Windows-based tablets such as Surface Pro 3 with a full Windows installation.

 

The secret to continuous studying is some sort of reward system. The next couple of hacks will demonstrate this.

2. When reading, leave a gummy bear trail. 
(Or use any other favorite, small treat like a Jolly Roger or Hershey's Kiss.) When you reach the treat, you get to eat it!

3. Give yourself a 5-minute break after studying for 25 minutes. This is called the Pomodoro Technique (click the link to learn more).

Other hacks you can try:

4. Try an interactive flashcard site like Quizlet. 

Quizlet also offers mobile versions for your phone or table.

5. Before taking a test, write down all the relevant information you can think of on an index card. 

Pretend it's a piece of paper that the instructor will allow you to have while taking the test.

You can review these, and check out more study hacks here: Buzzfeed: 17 Little Tricks to Help You Ace All Your Tests

A Brightly Shining Star

The tinsel, ribbons, and bows of the Christmas season are beautiful, but, as the gentle story featured today reminds us, Christmas is about more than just packages and decorations. 

A Star So Bright: A Christmas Tale

By M. Christina Butler and illustrated by Caroline Peddler

JF B

Animals notice a bright star and follow the star to a stable where baby Jesus is. The last page has a foil star with twinkling lights on it for little readers to enjoy. 

Christmas-Texas style

They say that everything is bigger in Texas. Texans would that everything is better in Texas too. While we may argue with those viewpoints, we can all agree that a well planned fete with a well-laid spread is a good thing. Here some books to help with your Christmas entertaining plans:

The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-Hearted Holiday Entertaining, Texas Style

By Rebecca Rather and Alison Oresman

Call #: 641.5686 R234pa

Christmas recipes, craft ideas and instructions, and entertaining and decorating suggestions fill this book. One of the recipes included in the book is for a chocolate cookie crusted eggnog cheesecake. Yum. 

For more Christmas recipes and entertaining ideas, check out these other Christmas titles. 

Christmas Entertaining

Edited by Georgeanne Brennan

Call #: 641.568 B838c

The Essential Christmas Cookbook

By Lovoni Walker

Call #: 641.5686 W181e

Partridges, Geese, and Swans Cost How Much?

For the last 30 years PNC has tallied how much all of the items in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas cost, and the results for this year have been tabulated.

PNC Christmas Price Index

To take away some of the sticker shock of purchasing all of the swimming swans, golden rings, and drummers drumming, prepare some hot chocolate and read one of these illustrated versions of the song with your family. Both of these titles are available in the Sullivan University Library, and one of the librarians will be glad to help you find them.

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Illustrated by Laurel Long; JF L

A partridge in a pear tree, ladies dancing, and drummers drumming all make an appearance in this lavishly illustrated picture book based on the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham; JF P

A multicultural cast of characters portray the words of the classic Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” in artist LeUyen Pham’s version.

'Tis the Season. . .

Whether you rock around the Christmas tree, spin the dreidel, or celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the library has books (and DVDs) to help you remember the different holidays of this season. This week and next week the library will introduce some of the holiday items we have in the library here on our blog and on our Facebook page.

Please check back each day or so to see what cookbook, entertainment guide, or children's book we will share with you.

Now, without further ado, today's featured presentation is. . .

The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

Before it was a motion picture sensation, The Polar Express was a Caldecott award-winning book that told the story of a boy’s special trip to see Santa Claus.

Check out these two websites for activities and crafts related to The Polar Express.

Polar Express Christmas Fun

The Polar Express Party Kit 

This book is on display in the library in the juvenile fiction and children's book area, and its call number is JF V.

Please ask one of the librarians if you need assistance locating this book or any other library material. We will be glad to assist you.

Smoked turkey vs. oven-roasted turkey: Have It Your Way

Thanksgiving is the time when people favor traditions, whether it is in the side dishes that are served or what time the meal occurs to how should the turkey be prepared.

Two books that are available at the Sullivan University Library in Lexington give those celebrating the Thanksgiving feast unique and delicious ways to prepare both the turkey and the fixings.

How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings by the editors of Fine Cooking magazine

The Butterball hotline may have some stiff competition with this how-to guide that has tips for purchasing and cooking a turkey and for fixing all of the sides and desserts. This book is available in the library, call number 641.6659 H847.

Cooking with Fire: From Roasting on a Spit to Baking in a Tannur, Rediscovered Techniques and Recipes that Capture the Flavors of Wood-Fired Cooking by Paula Marcoux

Fire is good according to author Paula Marcoux, and in her book she shares how to smoke a turkey. A smoked turkey certainly brings something a little unique to the Thanksgiving table. This book is available in the library, call number 641.58 M333c.

Both of these titles are available now, but as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we can't guarantee that they will be here much longer. Stop by the library today and one of the librarians will be glad to assist you in locating one of these titles or any of the other titles highlighted this month. 

What I am Thankful for?

What am I (Wendell) thankful for? Let me begin by introducing this guy:

J. Wellington Wimpy

If you know of or have seen the old Popeye cartoons, then you may know J. Wellington Wimpy. Wimpy, as he is usually known, is a lover of hamburgers. And that is what I have in common with Wimpy. I love hamburgers. Homemade, White Castle, Wendy's, Rally's, McDonald's, Burger King, Smashburger, 5 Guys, you name it, they have a burger that I love. To celebrate the burger, here are some resources to help you learn about this "American creation on which I feed!"*

*Thanks to Jimmy Buffet, "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

The Hamburger: a History by Josh Ozersky.

Beginning in the nineteenth century and going to our own era, this book recounts how the German “Hamburg steak” evolved into hamburgers for the rising class of urban factory workers and how the innovations of the White Castle System and the McDonald’s Corporation turned the burger into an American icon. The hamburger played an important role in America’s transformation into a mobile, suburban culture, and is a huge cultural force.  (adapted from the publisher's description)  This book is available in the library, call number 641.84 O99.

Hamburger America: One Man's Cross-Country Odyssey to find the Best Burgers in the Nation by George Motz

Whether you're a serious hamburger connoisseur or a curious adventurer up for a road trip, Hamburger America will be your guide to discovering this piece of Americana. With possible exception of the hot dog, no other food says "America" like the hamburger. Motz has traveled across the USA in search of our nation's best burger joints, and he documents their histories and one-of-a-kind tastes. Eight of these places found their way into a documentary that accompanies the book. (adapted from the publisher's description) This book is available in the library, call number 641.662 M923h.

Finally, if you would like to make your own burger creations, you may take inspiration from this book: Wicked Good Burgers: Fearless recipes and Uncompromising Techniques for the Ultimate Patty by Andy Husbands.

Making a decent burger is pretty easy, but when making a "wicked good" burger, the kind of burger that hits the sweet spot you need guidance from an expert. In Wicked Good Burgers, award-winning chefs Andy Husbands and Chris Hart reveal their secrets for mouthwatering burgers, including techniques for grinding your own meat and cooking it to juicy perfection, as well as recipes for killer toppings, side dishes, and burger accompaniments. With their trademark fearless approach, Husbands and Hart bring excitement and edge to all things between the bun. (adapted from the publisher's description) This book is available in the library, call number 641.84 H968w.

The Little Things

While the library staff is thankful for many serious things this Thanksgiving, our families, our health, and our faith, we are thankful for little things too. Here are two books we have in the library that I, Hilary, am thankful for this year.

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

By Sally Mavor

Call #: JF M

The nursery rhymes of my childhood are paired with incomparable hand-sewn characters and pieces to make a lovely book for children. I’m thankful for the creativity that Ms. Mavor shows as she illustrates this book.  

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

By Eric Carle

Call #: JF C

The hungry caterpillar wormed its way into my heart when I was a girl, and I am thankful that children today can still enjoy it. 

Let's Talk Turkey: Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

What do we mean when we use the phrase "talk turkey"? You can find out in this book, Let’s Talk Turkey: The Stories Behind America’s Favorite Expressions by Rosemarie Ostler. This title is available in the Library and Learning Resource Center, call number R 427.973 O85l.

While the the above book may be stretching the relevance to Thanksgiving, it does reflect the idea that we want to seriously recommend some books about this grand old American holiday. That's not to say we won't have a light-hearted post or two along the way.

Today, we'll start with a couple of books that not only will give us some recipes, but also some history of the holiday and the foods associated with it.

First up is Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History, from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie, by Kathleen Curtin. Call number: 641.568 C798g

Kathleen Curtin expands readers’ views, and waistlines, if they try the 80 recipes that she shares, about the dishes served at Thanksgiving by highlighting the variety that can be found at Thanksgiving tables around the United States. Ms. Curtin also shares the history of the holiday in the United States. The one near-constant in the long history of Thanksgiving is the turkey.

Given that the turkey has had a role from the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to today, let's celebrate the turkey with this book:

The Turkey: An American Story, by Andrew F. Smith. Call number: 641.3659 S642t

Here turkey, turkey. Smith fills his turkey book with one part history and one part recipes, over 100 of them, to tell the story of the turkey’s place in American culture. 

Got Your Jack-O-Lantern Carved Yet?

Halloween is fast approaching! If you haven't done your pumpkin yet, here's a book that may help you:

Insanely cool designs fill the pages of this book that contains instructions on how to carve images on pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.

And if you're curious about the squash family to which pumpkins belong, here's a nifty book:

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds have more to offer than just creating a beautiful fall display, and author Amy Goldman shares with readers their many uses and some recipes incorporating them. 

In the Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Week

Have you noticed the pink flamingos around the campus? The campus has been flocked with pink flamingos to help the students, faculty, and staff remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The flamingos are not the only things that you will see on campus this week though. Stroll around the building and look at the office doors that have been decked out in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. Each participating department has designed and decorated their own door, and the image below is from the Sullivan University Library and Learning Resource Center.

No Matter the Size Shape or Color We Want to Save Them All

If you want more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month come by the library where we have materials about breast cancer or visit the American Cancer Society's website.

P.S. Don't forget that you can pay $1 on Wednesday to dress down and support the Life-Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser.

Our Banned Book Display

Have you perused the Banned Book display in the Library and Learning Resource Center yet? It's time is limited—only two more weeks. Here's some pictures:

These pictures are of our bulletin board that we created to go along with the display:

Banning a Bridge

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This book was banned or challenged so many times before 2001 that it was #8 on the American Library Association’s list of 100 most banned or challenged books from 1990 to 2000!  The most common reason for banning or challenging this book is the theme of death.  Other reasons include: offensive language and concerns that it promotes Satanism, violence, and witchcraft.  One town in Connecticut went so far as to say that having the book in schools violated the First Amendment “since the use of witchcraft in the book equated with the Wiccan religion.”  

Source: Baldassarro, R. Wolf. (2012).  http://bannedbooks.world.edu/2012/11/04/banned-books-awareness-bridge-to-terabithia/