Archives for December 2023

Today is the last day of 2023 and what better way to celebrate the close of this year and welcome 2024 than indulging in a selection of our latest dessert books. Cheers!

“I’ll Bring the Cake” by Mandy Merriman presents 100 artistically decorated multi-tiered cakes for every occasion or just because. Many flavors are inspired by beverages, seasonal fruit, cookies, and candies. Some examples would be Shamrock Shake Cake with Vanilla Mint Buttercream, Horchata Cake, Circus Animal Cookie Cake, Lemon Blackberry Poppy Seed Cake, and Twix Cake. If you love all the flavors but not the three-tier fuss, Mandy’s recipes can be made using 9×13, Bundt, and cupcake pans. Best of all, every single creation begins with a box of cake mix!

Explore the delectable world of chocolate desserts from Italy within the pages of “The Chocolate Spoon.” Learn how to make authentic Italian treats such as Dulce de Leche Brownies, Cinnamon Cannoli with Ganache and Cocoa Beans, Chocolate Gelato, and Chocolate, Custard, and Raspberry “Tiramisu.” For fans of hot chocolate, do indulge in a cup of Bicerin which is a classic beverage made with espresso, dark chocolate, and whipped cream.

“Snacking Bakes” by Yossy Arefi is filled with easy small batch bakes to quickly satisfy your desire for something sweet to eat. One 8×8 or 9-inch round pan is what you need to bake Frosted Lemon-Lime Sugar Cookie Bars, Pink Cookie Bars, Mocha Banana Cake, Apricot Coconut Cake, and Chewy Cocoa Brownies. The cookie recipes yield from 12 Almond Thumbprints to 24 Chocolate Chip Crispy Rangers. Each cookie recipe can be baked all at once on one or two baking sheets. As a bonus, Yossy provides three Sundae Sauce recipes. These sauces, along with a scoop of ice cream, can turn a simple snacking bake into a fancy dessert.

For more delicious treats to make and share (or not), turn to “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” by Danielle Kartes, Nancy Silverton’s “The Cookie That Changed My Life,” “Bake Your Heart Out” by Dan Langan, and “Baking Yesteryear” by B. Dylan Hollis.

We at Smiley Public Library wish you and yours a safe and very Happy New Year!

 

We didn’t always put up our Christmas trees as early as the day after Thanksgiving (or before!) Decades ago, our forefathers brought in trees they cut, possibly from the open hills surrounding them, on Christmas Eve. Before electric lights, they may have placed candles on the trees to illuminate the long, dark night.

The celebration of Christmas, and the feature of the tree as a symbol, is not solely a Christian observance; parts of its history we can trace back 4,000 years to the cradle of civilization, its roots in a festival of renewal in ancient Mesopotamia and in Roman revels. The origin of the tradition of bringing a Christmas tree into our homes is rather a ‘history-mystery’ fed by countless legends. But one of the first concrete examples to which we can refer is a 16^th century law in Alsace which determined the size allowed per citizen for this Christmas foliage. (source: 4000 Years of Christmas)

Whatever the origin or tradition from which the tree comes, it’s a beautiful one that seems to symbolize, at least to this observer, the peace and hope that the Christmas holiday has come to espouse. This is largely due to the constancy of the tree itself, a caretaker, who, putting down unshakeable roots, offers fruits, shade, an alluring aroma, and even the air we breathe, standing silent and strong, reliable.

Of course, it is not just the fir or pine tree species who steadfastly offers us these gifts, but all variety of these lovely creations. Let’s celebrate the trees by showcasing a few books new to Smiley Library that pay homage to them, the books themselves cherished offerings of the trees.

Many tree species that have populated the Earth for ages offer us the gift of wisdom, if we look closely enough. We see that California’s redwoods evolved needle-like leaves capable of absorbing fog, which spares the trees from having to transport water 350 or so feet from their roots to their uppermost branches. This fact and others are revealed in In Search of the Old Ones: An Odyssey Among Ancient Trees, in which author Anthony Fredericks takes the reader along on his travels to document ten of the oldest living species on Earth. He ruminates with educated imagery on those humans who may have lived among them tens of thousands of years ago. Fredericks also shares his interviews with scientists, and provides the specifics of dendrology, the study of woody plants, and its classifications.

Peter Wohlleben (The Hidden Life of Trees) continues this celebration of our aged friends in The Power of Trees: How Ancient Forests Can Save Us If We Let Them. He shows us too, like Fredericks, that the old trees adapt to climate change by passing their wisdom through generations, and that this knowledge can ensure our future–if we are able to protect the ancient forests. Forester Wohlleben offers a pointed critique of harmful forestry practices that have wreaked havoc on the ecosystems, the animal and insect populations local to the forests, and urges humans to allow trees to heal themselves.

Other new books include Trees, a definition guide to over 500 species of trees from around the world. Botanist Allen Coombes explains what a tree is, how they are classified, and how to keep a record of the trees you have seen. Included are over 1,000 full-color photographs.

If you read Spanish, or know someone who does, new to our International Language Collection is a Spanish-language text featuring trees, or ‘árboles,’ El Dios del Jardín: Reflexiones Sobre la Cración, la Cultura y el Reino. Author Andrew Peterson shares his own story, “walking through a forest of memories,” by tying in the relevance of trees and nature in the Christian tradition. He builds a strong biblical connection between people and trees in his attempt to inspire the reader to see God working through nature.

You won’t want to miss The Tree and the River, a children’s picture book which, without a word, paints a poignant time-lapse portrait of humankind, and its impact on the natural world. Author/artist Aaron Becker uses as its center the life cycle of a tree on the banks of winding river. The tree grows from its youth into its ancient age, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change and the dynamic effects, each on the other, between nature and man, between us and our beloved trees.

Have you been eyeing that new game but aren’t sure that you want to commit to buying it? Video games have arrived at A.K. Smiley Public Library! As our collection grows, here’s a quick look at just a few our recently acquired titles.

Get ready to bash Bowser once again in the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Rated E for Everyone) for Nintendo Switch. Mario and his friends have arrived in the nearby Flower Kingdom and are ready to explore. Bowser arrives as well with a very different goal in mind. Help Mario and his friends save the kingdom in an adventure that returns Mario to the traditional side-scrolling format of the original games. Play by yourself in single player mode or team up with friends in co-op mode. Find new power-ups and use them to stop Bowser and his henchmen.

Looking for a cute and quirky roguelite that relies heavily on stealth? Try out Nintendo Switch’s Haunted House (Rated E10 for Everyone 10 and up). Lyn Graves must brave a mansion full of ghosts and ghouls in order to rescue her uncle and friends. Players must solve puzzles and defeat bosses with their sneaking skills at the forefront. With such limited combat, players must rely on critical thinking skills instead of brute force. And due to its roguelite elements, every time a player is knocked out, the levels change, bringing unpredictability to the gameplay.

Spider-Man returns in Spider-Man 2 (Rated T for Teen) for the PlayStation 5. In this action-adventure, play not only as Peter Parker but also as Miles Morales as they take on villains in New York. Taking place around a year after the events of the first game, Morales and Parker are both trying to cope with the realities of being Spidermen and adults. The game’s open world format allows for hours of exploration as well as the chance to try out new abilities for both. Use your new powers to fight enemies like Kraven the Hunter, Lizard, and a new iteration of Venom while trying to find balance of life both inside and outside the suit.

Fulfill your prime directives in RoboCop: Rogue City for Xbox Series X (Rated M for Mature). Play as the titular character as you try to snuff out corruption in Detroit by any means necessary. Arrest criminals, investigate crimes, and issue parking tickets. But be warned, the choices you make will have consequences. This first-person shooter with a linear storyline will appeal to fans of the movies with cameos and Easter eggs. While this might be a brand-new story, Peter Weller reprises his role from the original movies to voice the game. Action abounds as you protect the innocent and uphold the law.

Interested in helping us expand our collection? The Library accepts gently used copies of games from the following systems: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, and Wii. Games will be added to the circulating collection for patron use. Have suggestions for the collection, let us know! Happy Gaming, Gamers!

-Ciara Lightner is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library who is currently playing Barbie’s Dreamhouse Adventure…because it’s fun.

One recent addition which has already been making an impression in the Library lobby is our new Rotating Book Display. This interactive showcase isn’t just a piece of furniture, it’s a dynamic gateway into everything the library has to offer; perfectly curated by our staff to align with the month-to-month interests that resonate with our community.

For Halloween enthusiasts seeking a spine-chilling read, a selection of spooky horror novels was available throughout October. During the Thanksgiving season the rotating book display was packed with an array of tantalizing cookbooks, inviting readers to explore culinary delights and share the joy of festive meals. Now, as the end of the year draws near, the shelves have transitioned to a showcase of heartwarming holiday-themed books for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more! Embrace the spirit of togetherness and celebration this December at A.K. Smiley!

This dynamic display isn’t just about sharing the latest and greatest titles, however; it’s also a reflection of our commitment to providing a space that celebrates inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and the joy of reading. Cultural heritage months such as Native American Heritage and Hispanic Heritage have featured prominently, providing patrons an opportunity to explore titles which they may not have known about. Additionally, the display was used to draw attention to Banned Books Week and some of the titles which have been challenged the most in the last few years.

With each rotation, our new book display invites our patrons on an engaging and enlightening journey through different themes and cultures, fostering curiosity, understanding, and deep appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human experiences. We look forward to sharing this new space with you and hope you will stop by the Library to see everything we have to offer.

Ted Conable, Principal Librarian

Teens, are you fa-la-la-la-la-ing yet? I dusted off my elf suit extra early this year so I could recommend some Young Adult (YA) rom-com titles to get you in the holiday spirit. Cancel your subscription to the Hallmark channel immediately…we’ve got your romantic holiday media needs covered! AND, I have some pre-holiday surprises for you at the end of this article…read on and you can unwrap them early.

In Hannah Reynolds’ “Eight Nights of Flirting,” sixteen-year-old Shira Barbanel has her sights set on a holiday hookup. When her big and boisterous extended family convene at her grandparents’ Nantucket home for Hanukkah, the scene is set for love…her great-uncle’s tall, dark, smart, and handsome intern will be joining them and despite her past romantic flops, Shira is determined to do what it takes to get sparks flying.

There’s just one problem. Despite Shira’s go-getter attitude, she’s a dunce when it comes to love. She makes a deal with her charming ex-crush-next-door-neighbor, who happens to be a flirting prodigy, to teach her his player ways. Surely nothing could go awry with this fool-for-love-proof scheme, right?! To find out if Shira gets the romantic miracle of her dreams, make plans to snuggle up with “Eight Nights of Flirting.”

If holiday romances are your love language, don’t stop with just one…put Tiffany Schmidt’s “I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas” next on your list. Sixteen-year-old Noelle is crazy for Christmas. Ever since her mom died six years ago, she throws herself headfirst into the holiday season, keeping all of her mom’s traditions going with a level of enthusiasm that borders on maniacal. But this year seems cursed…her festive plans keep getting thwarted, her dad is distracted to the point of ignoring her, and she’s ready to throw her jingle bells out the window. To escape all the things that are making her un-merry, Noelle accepts a ski-trip babysitting gig with her favorite family.

What happens on this babysitting ski trip? It may involve getting puked on by a four-year-old. It may involve an obnoxious (but very cute) older half-brother who shows up on the ski trip out of nowhere. It may involve getting to the rock bottom of Noelle’s manic quest for the perfect Christmas. If you’re in the mood for something simultaneously sentimental and sparkly, with a dash of love, this may be the book for you.

And now, teens, for your early present…are you ready to rip it open? The library now offers video games for checkout! We have games for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. If you want to expand your gaming repertoire, or even just try out a new game before you purchase it, come check one out to play on your home console. Video games are located to the right of the New Adult Fiction books, just behind the Adult Reference Desk. From “Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe,” to “NBA 2K24,” we have a little something for everyone. So come get your holiday gift-receiving started a little early and borrow one!

We’re also hosting a Barbie movie-watching extravaganza for teens on Wednesday, December 20, from 2-4 p.m., in the Contemporary Club. Iron your pink garments and prepare to join us! More information about this event will be available at www.akspl.org/teens in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back.

Teens, the library loves treating you year-round, but we especially hope to entertain you this holiday season. We wish you all things bright and jingly in the weeks ahead…stop in and we’ll do our best to add a little extra sparkle.

Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services Librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library, who only wishes she owned an elf suit.