What's New

Black History Month has arrived! This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts, and here are some of the latest poetry books to celebrate with this month and all year round.

Aster of Ceremonies is the latest work from esteemed author Jjjjjerome Ellis. Ellis seeks to connect the past and present through their work by invocating people that were once listed as runaway slaves. They seek to reform the idea of the enslaved person running away as a loss of property, to a person regaining their freedom. Furthering the connection, Ellis draws on the fact that many of these ancestors have a stutter, something that Ellis has as well. Ellis celebrates their stutter, theirs, and the ancestors,’ not only through the poetry of the work but also through music as well. Nature also is a driving force of the work, acting as authorities over the land both in the past and for Ellis in the present. Poignant and beautiful, Ellis’s work acts as a gateway into our collective past as a means to define our future.

Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte is a work that grabbles with the nature of colonialism and identity. Marte, a musician as well as a poet, looks at what it means to exist as an Afro-Latina when that word doesn’t even exist in the dictionary. The work flows through both English and Spanish and explores the experiences her families faced in their travels from the Dominican Republic and Haiti to the United States. Marte is able to take the stories passed down the generations of her family to write her own story and make a new journey of her own. Her work also explores how a woman’s beauty is a commodity to be used, as long as it does not benefit the woman herself too much. Referencing icons such as Cardi B and Megan thee Stallion, Marte shows that even with fame, femicide is still a risk. Marte’s debut work is a celebration not just of her legacy, but all those who look to define themselves.

Tender Headed is the debut work of Olatunde Osinaike and is an exploration of the intersection of masculinity and blackness. It is there that Osinaike finds himself at a crossroads of the man he was taught to be and the man he wants to become. Osinaike’s work is unafraid to put its heart on its sleeve and appear vulnerable. It is through this vulnerability that Osinaike hopes growth will happen. That in taking accountability, the current generation can hope to leave some of the pain of the past generation behind them. While there are moments of heaviness, and melancholy, there are also moments of joy and love. The author looks into a future with his own children and sees the endless possibilities if the hard work is down now. Osinaike’s work is not a condemnation of masculinity, rather a celebration of what it could be.

Check out these works and more! Happy Black History Month!

If you appreciate the arts, Smiley Library has acquired a new database to enjoy on your next visit. Alexander Street database offers streaming videos on music, dance, and theater. Watch Tennessee William’s A Streetcar named Desire; listen to the Bossa Nova sounds of saxophonist Stan Getz; and admire Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake performed by The Royal Ballet. This database is only available while you’re at the Library, so when you’re ready to take a break from studying, grab your laptop or get on to one of Smiley Library’s computers and head to www.akspl.org/elibrary. Scroll to the Alexander Street icon and click to get started. Don’t forget to bring your headphones when listening to audio videos, or head over to our circulation desk for a free set of earbuds.

I thought it would be fun to pair some of our new performing arts books with videos from the Alexander Street database. Here are a few suggestions to consider.

Check out the book, “Miles on Miles: Interviews and Encounters with Miles Davis,” edited by Paul Maher, Jr. and Michael K. Dorr, for your reading pleasure. This collection of 30 interviews illuminates the philosophy of life and music from an absolute jazz legend. Before heading home with your book, jump onto a computer to access our new database and watch the quick video Miles Davis: The Cool Jazz Sound. This will be a great introduction into the mystique of Miles.

If you can sing songs from Into the Woods or West Side Story, you may be familiar with this next composer and lyricist. “Sondheim: His Life, His Shows, His Legacy” by Stephen M. Silverman showcases one of the most important figures in American musical theater, Stephen Sondheim. The book provides a detailed background of this brilliant man, along with beautiful photos. Pair this with the short video, Stephen Sondheim: Extended Interview, available through our database, to hear him talk of his life in the theater.

For dance enthusiasts, try “Errand Into the Maze: the Life and Works of Martha Graham” by Deborah Jowitt. This erudite and scholarly book examines the life of this very influential dancer and choreographer of modern dance. Pair this with the video, The History of Modern Dance to get a real feel for the evolution of modern and postmodern dance.

Have a happy and artsy new year!

 

 

 

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program has chosen the book, Harvesting Dreams, Defying the Odds to Achieve the American Dream, by Erica Alfaro as this year’s Community Read. The book was selected because of its focus on the life-changing impact of education, how determination can overcome adversity, and its invitation to everyone to dream BIG. Erica will share her challenging journey from immigrant, teenage mother, domestic abuse survivor, to earning her master’s degree and becoming a spokesperson for sharing your story and achieving your dreams. 

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program invites the community to meet author Erica Alfaro on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka Street, Redlands. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 2:00 p.m. This is a free event open to everyone.

Harvesting Dreams has been read by over 100 members of the adult literacy community. They were moved by the challenges that Ms. Alfaro overcame in her quest for an education. Many adult learners who read her book said they could relate to her story and were inspired by her strength and courage.  

Cinderella Tran, an adult learner in the Adult Literacy Program, expressed her appreciation to the author by saying, “The book inspired me to think about how we have to encourage our children to get an education to better themselves.” Salma Marquez, a fellow-adult learner, said, “I think this book is inspirational for a lot of people especially Mexican people who came to this country. It is hard. Erica Alfaro is very strong.”  

Reading about the difficulties faced by Ms. Alfaro in her marriage, Yesenia Jimenez reflected, “I admire Erica for being a brave girl, even though she was very young, she knew how to take her place as a woman and distance herself from her boyfriend.” In her book, Erica shared that her boyfriend often discouraged her from continuing her education. Jeanne Fortier, an adult literacy tutor, reflected, “For Erica, giving up on her dreams for herself and her son was not an option.”  

Tutors and learners are well aware of the struggle that many people face to advance their education and they understand the courage and dedication necessary to advance themselves and their families in this ever more complicated world.  

This event is made possible through generous donations to the adult literacy program through the Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library and support from the A.K. Smiley Public Library Endowment Fund. Copies of Harvesting Dreams are available for checkout at the Library. 

The ability to read and write at a level necessary to achieve your dreams is an essential need for everyone in the community.  Because the Redlands community has so many wonderful volunteers who donate their time to help others, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program is able to provide one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing for adults who need to improve their literacy skills to get better jobs, further their own education, help their children with schoolwork, or read a book.   

If you know someone who wants to improve their literacy, or if you would like to volunteer as an adult literacy tutor, please call 909.798.7565, ext. 4110, email literacy@akspl.org, or visit A.K. Smiley Public Library and ask for the adult literacy coordinator. All information is treated confidentially. You may also wish to visit www.akspl.org/literacy, to read more about the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. The next tutor orientation class will take place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Please contact the literacy coordinator if you are interested in attending this class.

Happy New Year from the Youth Services Crew! We have a great selection of books here in the Young Readers’ Room for readers of all ages–kids’ books aren’t just for kids! Are you ready to find your new favorite book this year? Please come peruse our “New Books” shelf at your earliest convenience.

Picture books are such a joy to read over and over, and to linger over the pictures. Here is a list of five new picture books I thought you would enjoy to start out the New Year:

More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean written by Roz MacLean flows from page to page filled with children who have a multitude of learning and communication abilities. The illustrations are colorful and mostly shared on a double spread. The end pages are laid out with communication access ideas for your children and how to share the love of communication for each individual child.

The Story of a Book is written by Joy McCullough and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth. This story transports the reader through the life of a book. Starting out on the shelf in the library, a brand-new addition to the shelf, this book is chosen by a potential reader. The book then travels to its next destination. Beautifully written and illustrated, this story will have you remembering some of the wonderful books you’ve read throughout your lifetime!

A Very CRANKY Book, is written and illustrated by a national bestseller duo: Angela & Tony DiTerlizzi. Everyone experiences the ol’ cranky mood every now and then, but what about a book? Can a book be ‘cranky?’ Check out this title and find out! What happens to a book when its shelf mates are checked out all the time, but this book, well, just stays put, no check-outs or browsing joy to be found? Let the crankiness go and read to your hearts delight with this laugh-out-loud story!

The BOO-BOOS of Bluebell Elementary, written by Chelsea Lin Wallace and illustrated by Alison Farrell, will have readers turning the pages over and over as they connect with the kids in the story. The book opens up to a double-page spread of multiple colored band-aids. You may think, ‘Oh-oh!, what could possibly happen at an elementary school nurse’s office?’ Well, Mrs. Peatree is a school nurse at a local elementary school, and this story will enlighten you, through humor, of just how busy school nurses can be…thank you to all of our school nurses out there who keep our kids healthy and well!

My final picture book offering for you today is written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Robert Starling: I Am Happy! When you first turn the cover there is a red, floating, happy balloon that greets you and leads to the title page of an adorable, skipping puppy holding onto said balloon. What do puppies do when they are happy? Well, they wag their cute little tails, and maybe they swing and play with bubbles…who doesn’t like bubbles?! A joyful book that may just make you a little bit more happy once you’ve read it!

These five titles are just a sampling of our new books. Please come in and tell us which book is your favorite so far this year!

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!