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January Staff Picks: Tsundoku
Tsundoku (積ん読): A Japanese word and characters that translate as “pile up” + “read”. We asked our staff what has been piling up on their to-be-read list. Here are their answers.
Nonfiction
Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall
By Helena Merriman
It’s summer, 1962, and Joachim Rudolph, a student, is digging a tunnel under the Berlin Wall. Waiting on the other side in East Berlin – dozens of men, women and children; all willing to risk everything to escape.
Book
Hallucinations
by Oliver Sacks
Have you ever seen something that wasn’t really there? Heard someone call your name in an empty house? Sensed someone following you and turned around to find nothing?
Book/Audiobook CD/Overdrive eBook
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside
by Nick Offerman
A humorous and rousing tour of America’s nature spots as well as a mission statement about loving, protecting, and truly experiencing the outdoors, inspired by three journeys undertaken by actor, humorist, and New York Times bestselling author Nick Offerman
Book/Overdrive eBook/Overdrive Audiobook
Fiction
Under the Whispering Door
by TJ Klune
When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Book/Overdrive eBook/Overdrive Audiobook
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
by Talia Hibbert
Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with seven directives to help her “Get a Life”, and she’s already completed the first: finally moving out of her glamorous family’s mansion. The next items?
Book/Overdrive eBook/Hoopla eBook/Hoopla Audiobook
The Library of the Dead
by T.L. Huchu
When a child goes missing in Edinburgh’s darkest streets, young Ropa investigates. She’ll need to call on Zimbabwean magic as well as her Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. But as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?
Books
One Last Stop
by Casey McQuiston
For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.
But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.
Overdrive eBook
Walk on Earth a Stranger
by Rae Carson
Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.
Book/Hoopla eBook/Hoopla Audiobook
Light from Uncommon Stars
by Ryka Aoki
Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six.
Book
Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng
Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood–and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.
Book/Audiobook CD/Overdrive eBook/Overdrive Audiobook
War and Peace
by Leo Tolstoy
In Russia’s struggle with Napoleon, Tolstoy saw a tragedy that involved all mankind. Greater than a historical chronicle, War and Peace is an affirmation of life itself, `a complete picture’, as a contemporary reviewer put it, `of everything in which people find their happiness and greatness, their grief and humiliation’.
Book/Audiobook CD/Overdrive eBook/Hoopla eBook/Hoopla Audiobook
1Q84
by Haruki Murakami
A young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” Meanwhile, an aspiring writer named Tengo takes on a suspect ghostwriting project. He becomes so wrapped up with the work and its unusual author that, soon, his previously placid life begins to come unraveled.
Book/Audiobook CD/Overdrive eBook
Les Miserables
by Victor Hugo
A thrilling tale of narrow escapes, romance in the midst of a revolution, and battlefield heroism, Victor Hugo’s sprawling 1862 novel focuses on the Parisian underworld.
Book/Overdrive eBook/Hoopla eBook/Hoopla Audiobook
Young Adult
We are Inevitable
by Gayle Forman
While his friends have gone to college and moved on with their lives, Aaron’s been left behind in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, running a failing bookshop with his dad, Ira. What he needs is a lucky break, the good kind of inevitable.
And then he meets Hannah. Incredible Hannah
Book
In the Wild Light
by Jeff Zentner
Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He’s been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen.
But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he would have to leave behind.
Book
Juvenile Fiction
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
by Kelly Barnhill
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.
One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known
Book/Overdrive eBook/Overdrive Audiobook/Hoopla eBook/Hoopla Audiobook
The Amelia Six
by Kristin L. Gray
Amelia Earhart’s famous aviator goggles go missing and eleven-year-old Millie has to find them before the night is over
Book
The Beatryce Prophecy
Kate DiCamillo
From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.
Book/Overdrive eBook
National Hobby Month: Books, Books, Books
Books for Your New Hobby
Tired of being online? Want to cozy up with a book in your hand to learn a new hobby? Or get more info on a favorite pastime you already have? We’ve gathered some book suggestions for you. Whether you enjoy painting, photography, collecting, building, or crafting, the library has books for you!
The Encyclopedia of Jewelry-making Techniques by Jinks McGrath
Scrapbooking Techniques for Beginners by Rebekah Meier
Watercolor is for Everyone: Simple Lessons to Make Your Creative Practice a Daily Habit by Kateri Ewing
Filmmaking for Dummies by Bryan Stoller
iPhone Photography by Mark Hemmings
Digital Photography by Julie Adair King
Hand Lettering 101: An Introduction to the Art of Creative Lettering by Chalkfulloflove
Rosie O’Donnell’s Crafty U: 100 Easy Projects the Whole Family Can Enjoy All Year Long by Rosie O’Donnell
Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay
Home Made, Best Made: Hundreds of Ways to Make All Kinds of Useful Things by Reader’s Digest
The Complete Guide to Drones: Build & Choose & Fly & Photograph by Adam Juniper
Playing with Trains: a Passion Beyond Scale by Sam Posey
Guitar All-in-One by Jon Chappell
How to Bake Everything: Simple Recipes for the Best Baking by Mark Bittman
Rocks and Minerals by Chris Pellant
Would you prefer EBooks or Audio books?
The library has Overdrive (also known as Libby) for eBooks and audiobooks, and Hoopla which offers both eBooks and audiobooks, as well as streaming movies and television shows. So there’s always something to choose from wherever there’s internet access or when transporting a physical book is not possible. Look for these logos in your app store.
National Hobby Month on Hoopla
There are tons of streaming options available for all sorts of hobbies. Check out these which we found on Hoopla or look for some on your own!
Candle Making: From Beginner to Business by Rachel Larsen
Stream or download this eBook
A To Z How To Make Wine At Home For Total Beginners by Lisa Bond
The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley
Beginner’s Guide To Making Mosaics by Delphine Lescuyer
Leathercraft As A Hobby by Clifford Pyle
Hobby Boss: Turn Your Passion Into Profits Online by Steve Mastroianni
Sketching as a Hobby by Arthur L. Guptill
Hobby Farming for Dummies by Theresa Husarik
Easy WordPress Blogging for Beginners by Rawee M.
Write That Book Tips for New Authors by Michelle G. Cameron
National Hobby Month
National Hobby Month
January is National Hobby month! Looking for new ideas for your hobby or planning to try a new one? The library has many resources for you!
Check out some of our favorite eBooks and eMagazines from OverDrive covering all sorts of hobbies, or links for fun stuff like How to be a Comedy Writer available when streaming on Hoopla. Plus, there we’ve gathered links right here for hardcover books and great crafting sites for ideas as well as step-by-step instructions. There is something for everyone!
Astronomy for Beginners 4th Edition
How to Cook Everything – Completely Revised Twentieth Anniversary Edition: Simple Recipes for Great Food by Mark Bittman
The Runner’s Bible by Mark Bloom
Spanish for Dummies by Jessica Langemeier
1000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies, & Cakes by Sandra Salamony
Don’t see a hobby you would like to try from our staff-picked OverDrive selections? Check out Hoopla for more e-options or to stream movies. Or scroll for books and crafting sites.
Better Homes & Gardens 365 30-minute Meals
How to Paint and Draw
Minecraft Secrets
Got screen fatigue? Prefer a book you can hold?
3D Printing for Dummies by Kalani Kirk Hausman
Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening by Deborah Martin
Get Started with a Craft
- Hobsess find a new hobby, revisit an old hobby from your past, or even learn how to turn your hobby into a profitable business.
- Discoverhobby – online directory of hobbies listed by categories such as collecting, arts and crafts, games, model and electronic, food and drinks, sports and outdoors, and spiritual and mental.
- eHow – extensive site covering about 30 different how-to categories, chock full of articles and tutorials.
- APL library catalog – our online catalog will take you to a plethora of materials such as books, magazines, and DVDs, including in electronic format about your favorite things to do or make!
Holiday Staff Picks
Holiday Staff Picks
The holidays are almost here so check out our staff’s favorite books and movies that have to do with the holidays and family. Also check out what holiday movies are available for Streaming on Hoopla.
Happily This Christmas
by Susan Mallery
Merry and Bright
by Debbie Macomber
His Christmas Wish
by Melissa McClone
Miracle : and other Christmas stories
by Connie Willis
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Stories
by Stephanie Perkins and other authors
Franny and Zooey
by J.D. Salinger
One Hundred Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado
Penguin’s Christmas Wish
by Salina Yoon
Santa Bruce
by Ryan Higgins
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
by Karma Wilson
Santa’s Underwear
by Marty Figley
Movies
Home for the Holidays
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Love Actually
Christmas with the Kranks
Fatman
Fred Claus
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Jingle All the Way
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Oh, You Beautiful Doll!
If you haven’t been to the library in a while, you simply must come in now to see an amazing doll collection (and to check out a few books, audiobooks, eBooks, movies or music while you are here.)
Two local women, Harriet Backenstoe of Emmaus and Dorothy Knauss of Allentown, collected dolls from around the world, most of them made between the 1930s and the 1970s. Both women who are deceased, generously donated their collections to Allentown Public Library and you have a unique opportunity to get an up close look at many of them.
In her lifetime, Knauss was a harpist who performed with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Allentown Band and Allentown Municipal Opera Company. Backenstoe taught art at Hanover Township’s Hanover School, served as an art supervisor at Kutztown University and traveled to many foreign countries. Both collected dolls for years. The library had displayed the dolls annually as part of a holiday tradition, but it has now been a few years since the dolls were last shown publicly.
Combined, the full collection includes about 400 dolls, each a work of art representing a variety of countries from around the world with several from countries that today no longer exist. About 30 of the individual pieces will be displayed throughout the month of December 2021. They provide insight into many cultures with traditional and festive clothing styles, or snippets from the everyday life of the people from the country they represent.
Fascinating and beautiful as they are educational, these dolls are unique and certainly not what you might find as a child’s play toy today.
On display at Allentown Public Library now through December 30, 2021.
Hours: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Check out these links for more information about the dolls and the collectors.
Café Wrap: Language and Thinking
How does language affect our thinking?
This question, selected by a majority vote of participants at our most recent Socrates Café, highlights the importance of language in communication. Before we began to answer the initial question, we talked a lot about what we mean by language.
Do we mean English, Spanish, Korean, Dutch, Russian, American sign language, or some other form of the Latin based “lingua”? Or, do we mean the specific words that we use for expressing ourselves?
Thoughts we considered:
- how the language that one speaks is based upon cultural or geographical experience
- what effect politics have upon word use
- how language changes over time
- nuances of expression, interpretation and translation
- how language, specifically one’s literacy, has a direct effect on whether they can be controlled by others
While these points are interconnected with each other, let’s take a quick look at how we unpeeled each point.
How is the language that one speaks based upon cultural or geographical experience?
One patron cited having read Trevor Noah’s bestseller Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. In it, the author noticed that apartheid in South Africa was more easily maintained as individual tribes continued to be separated by the many differing languages spoken. He believed it to be purposeful and for this reason he felt it important as a ticket to a better life to learn several languages.
And it stands to reason that it would be easier for any singularly focused group with a mind to subjugate another to achieve superiority if the smaller groups of potential adversaries are unable to easily communicate with one another. This underscores the importance of one’s ability to speak more than one language. But, speaking another language and understanding it well can be a challenge.
Geographically speaking, one participant used this example which she studied in college. Our world view, according to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (1929: Edward Sapir and developed by Benjamin Whorf) advances that the structure of a language determines a native speaker’s perception and categorization of experience. They gave, she said, an example that some native Alaskans have 14 different words for “snow” so they perceived snow in its many variations. Or the Hopi who use yokva, yooyangwl, or yoyañwe to say simply “rain,” whereas we would say “it is raining” thus introducing the subject-object relationship. Wow! So these two men suggested that the language we use forms how we think and view the world around us!
Our participant continued to explain the study’s relevance in her capacity as a therapist where cognitive restructuring is a helpful tool. Cognitive restructuring, according to Therapist Aid, is defined as “the therapeutic process of identifying and challenging negative and irrational thoughts.” This tool sometimes aids people who don’t have the language required to adequately identify or express their feelings.
What effect does politics have upon word use?
Here we considered how cultural sensitivities affect the words we choose to use in various situations. An example of is reflected in the pronouns used to assign gender. Do we use “he,” “she,” or “they” when referring to an individual? Those among us who have been teachers of English or concerned with using correct English grammar find the “they” in this case particularly jarring in the sense that the word “they,” until recently, has always referred to the plural rather than the singular “you.” We considered the possibility of coming up with a new word designation other than “they” such as “xe,” or resurrecting an older word that has fallen out of use like “thee” for gender assignment. In any case, we acknowledge that there are people who wish, for a variety of reasons, to be referred to neither as “he” nor “she.”
“So many things about changes in language can be either jarring or welcome,” one commented.
How does language change over time?
A book cited as an example of political change in word use is The Sound and the Fury, a novel by William Faulkner set in April 1928. Based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the tale is told by a mentally challenged person. The patron pointed out that when the novel was published (1929) it was commonplace to use the term “idiot” for such a person. But, given our current understanding about abilities, not only is this word not used for this purpose, but to use it is considered offensive, hurtful and cruel. The ways that we talk make a difference.
In the aforementioned example, language changes when words take on new meanings either by group consensus or government decree. When earlier we talked about the word “you,” someone brought up its history. Early on, “you” was used to refer to the king, while “thee” referred to everyone or anyone else. Later, “you” took on use among the commoners either singular or plural.
What are the nuances of expression, interpretation and translation?
Regarding translation, a patron mentioned experiences at her work with translating and interpreting and they discovered that the translations were horribly incorrect. This brought up the idea of apps and online translations that may not be perfect due to certain idiosyncrasies of a particular language or dialect. These might include idioms.
While there is always plenty to unpack from a single question at the Socrates Café, doing so is a fun way in which to broaden our view. It gives introverts the opportunity to have their point of view recognized as equally valid, and extroverts segments of time in which to contemplate the voices and experiences that they hear from other people. Though minds may not be changed about our position on a particular topic, the important part is that we hear others’ perspectives. This helps everyone to think about how we come to believe what we do and to consider new options or to make more informed decisions.
We meet every third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 AM.
Walk-ins are Welcome. Registration NOT required.
October Reads
Creepy Reads-October Staff Picks
Our staff decided to share some books that gave us the willies. Check them out.
Adult Books
It
by Stephen King
Fever Dream
by Samanta Schweblin
The Haunting of Hill House
by Shirley Jackson
The Dreams in the Witch House and Other Weird Stories
by H.P. Lovecraft
House of Leaves
by Mark Z. Danielewski
The Prestige
by Christopher Priest
The Phantom of the Opera
by Gaston Leroux
Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
book/audiobook CD/overdrive ebook/overdrive audio/hoopla ebook/hoopla audio
Dracula
by Bram Stoker
book/Overdrive ebook/Overdrive audiobook/Hoopla ebook/ Hoopla audiobook
The Turn of the Screw
by Henry James
book/audiobook CD/Overdrive ebook/Hoopla ebook/Hoopla audiobook
Young Adult Books
The Dead House
by Dawn Kurtagich
My Best Friend’s Exorcism
by Grady Hendrix
Children’s Book
Deep and Dark and Dangerous
by Mary Downing Han
Small Spaces
by Katherine Arden
Cookie Boo
by Ruth Paul