Monday, January 31, 2011

Baby Knitting

Here are a couple of drool-worthy knitting books to satisfy that urge to knit something cuddly that babies babies seems to bring out.

Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas
Crafts Collection – Upper Level – 746.432 F

Falick and Nicholas are two excellent knitters whose work I have enjoyed before. This book seems to come from the starting point of someone being inspired by a new or upcoming baby to learn to knit. It starts with very basic instructions and easy projects, working up from simple garter stitch projects knit flat to working in the round, cables, and fairly simple colorwork. The projects are attractive and include difficulty ratings intended for beginners, while the instructions are detailed. My favorite projects include the stripy garter-stitch cardigan and the snowflake fair isle, though the more advanced aran pullover, and small balls and teddy are also very attractive. There’s lots of baby knitting books out there, of course, but this is a solid one good for beginners up.

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger
Crafts Collection – Upper Level – 746.432 F

This book seems to be written more for the intermediate than the beginning knitter, though there are still patterns at all levels and it still includes helpful difficulty ratings (because I am a person who could just get sucked in by how pretty a project looks and not think about whether I’d actually have the time and headspace to knit a complicated pattern.) Fierlinger’s introduction includes the intriguing idea of picking one baby pattern to knit for every baby, one simple enough that you can memorize and just plunk them out in between projects or in a hurry, so that you are always prepared for a new baby with your signature baby gift. I like the idea a lot, though there are so many cute baby patterns out there that I’d have a hard time picking just one. I was looking at cardigans, of course, and my favorite was Anya’s Cardigan, a lacy number that reminded me of the ones my grandmother wore. Ravelry says, however, that the most popular pattern is the Vintage Pixie Cap, indeed a charmer. Another strong book, beautifully photographed and laid out, with lots of drool-worthy inspiration for the babies in your life.

Both of these books checked out? Don’t despair! You’ll find plenty more books on crafting for babies in our Crafts Collection.




Friday, January 28, 2011

Books by Jason




I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level - I

Low Moon by Jason
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level - LOW

Almost Silent by Jason
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level - ALM

Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level - WER

What I Did by Jason
Adult graphic Novels - Main Level - WHA


Finally a collection of books for those of us who love Norwegian graphic novel artists who create anthropomorphic characters that straddle genre constraints in a silent movie fashion to expose the realities of life, love, and the idiosynchrasies of humanity. Wait, you mean you don’t fall into that ridiculously specific non-existent subculture I just mentioned? Not to worry you’ll love Jason anyway.

Jason takes cute animal characters that have very human characteristics (much like what Spiegelman did with Maus), mixes in the minimalist nature of silent movies, and adds some deadpan humor to create some fantastically poetic stories. Whether it’s a zombie film, a hitchcockian suspense tale, an alternate history yarn involving the assassination of Hitler, or simply a story of childhood friends gone astray, Jason imbues his own sense of hope and pathos into his simple line drawings. Jason takes everything that is great about the graphic novel medium and makes it easy enough for newcomers to get lost in his world.


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Hereville

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch
Youth Graphic Novels – Lower Level - HER

The line on the cover of this winning graphic novel sums it up nicely: “Yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl.” Mirka, the 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl, is somewhere towards the bottom middle in age in a large blended family (helpfully for the character count, only those closest in age to Mirka are introduced). She longs to fight dragons and resents her mostly kind if ugly stepmother’s attempts to teach her to knit. It’s sweet family life sprinkled with Yiddish, until Mirka sees a witch in the forest and starts being chased by her talking pig. The art sets just the right tone between serious and funny, and the story is a warm-hearted adventure with a good sense of humor. I fell hard for Mirka, and loved the details of Jewish mythology and Orthodox life. I’ve been toting this one around with me, and everyone I’ve shown it to has been enchanted. I’d say it’s ideal for about third grade up, and I’m really hoping for a sequel where Mirka gets to use her new sword.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Private



Private by James Patterson
Adult New Book Display- Main Level– PATTERSON


Private is a new series by James Patterson (co-author Maxine Paetro) starring Jack Morgan. Jack is a former Marine helicopter pilot who runs Private, a worldwide renowned investigation firm. Jack took the business over from his father, Tom Morgan, who died in prison. Jack’s office is privy to hearing then keeping secrets of the most famous people in the world. In this debut novel Jack and his team of top notch investigators take on a case to expose a NFL gambling ring as well the slayings of 13 schoolgirls. To make his caseload even harder his best friend’s wife is brutally murdered and Jack is determined to find the killer. In addition to the stress of his caseload at work his personal life is also hectic, with a secret relationship with a co-worker and his “evil” twin brother showing up unexpectedly. If you enjoy reading books by Patterson then this quick and entertaining read will serve it purpose.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Rescue

Rescue Anita Shreve

Adult New Fiction Shreve


The book begins in the present day with single-dad Peter Webster raising his 17 year old daughter, Rowan. Through a series of flashbacks, beginning 18 years earlier, we see straight-arrow, rookie EMT Webster rescuing Sheila Arnault after she wraps her car around a tree while driving drunk. While saving her, Webster falls head-over-heels in love with Sheila. Soon, Sheila is pregnant – another accident? – and Webster hopes that this will get her to truly settle down. Their relationship is difficult, complex, and very realistic. Webster wants to rescue Sheila again, this time as her knight in shining armor. Unfortunately, Sheila’s alcoholism proves too difficult to overcome. After another accident, Sheila leaves and Webster is left to raise Rowan alone. Rowan and her father have a good relationship but Rowan always wonders why her mother left her. As Rowan grows up, she begins to act out, the final time with disastrous consequences. Might this be the chance for Sheila to redeem herself? Or is it just too little, too late? Shreve is expert at fleshing out characters and making them real. There is not a false moment in this book. The only complaint I have about this story is that it ended. I wanted it to go on and on.


Monday, January 3, 2011

Troublemaker Book 1



Troublemaker Book 1 by Janet Evanovich
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level– BAR


Troublemaker: A Barnaby and Hooker Graphic Novel Book 1 is my first experience with graphic novels for adults. I read anything that Janet Evanovich writes so I was excited to see that she made a graphic novel with her daughter Alex and illustrator JoĆ«lle Jones. Troublemaker features auto mechanic Alex Barnaby and race car driver Sam Hooker. Alex’s friend Rosa is missing, Sam and Alex are hunt to find her. While searching for Rosa they discover that her boss Walter Percy is also missing. Sam and Alex are convinced that Rosa is missing because of Walter. Once they find Rosa they realize that adventure will continue in book 2 when they head down to the Florida Keys to find Walter Percy and the men that kidnapped him. The story was easy to follow in graphic novel form and the illustrations were great. Following the story through the pictures made the story come to life.