New hobbies for the new year!

We've got some great books for those of you who may be looking for some new hobbies for the new year! Check some of them out below:

How to Knit: Learn the Basic Stitches and Techniques by Leslie Ann Bestor

Acoustic Rock Guitar Basics by Andrew DuBrock

Joy of Zentangle: Drawing Your Way to Increased Creativity, Focus, and Well-being by Suzanne McNeill

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training by Pamela Dennison

Soccer Strategies: Attacking, Defending, Goaltending by Paul Fairclough

 

The Absolute Beginner's Big Book of Drawing and Painting by Mark Willenbrink

DIY Chalkboard Crafts by Lizette Schapekahm

Fashion Illustration Art: How to Draw Fun and Fabulous Figures, Trends, and Styles by Jennifer Lilya

The 4-Hour Chef: the Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life by Timothy Ferriss

Mastering Running by Cathy Utzschneider

Blog Inc: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho

Yoga for Dummies by Larry Payne

Review: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Title: The Mistletoe Promise Author: Richard Paul Evans Genre: Christmas fiction, contemporary Pages: 272 Published: 2014 Richard Paul Evans' novels are generally formulaic and cheesy... but I absolutely love them and can't get enough! This is my 6th RPE book and it was just as good as all his others. As usual, the characters endure some kind of hardship to find hope.  In this story, we meet Elise Dutton, a broken woman with a secret past that eats at her and causes her pain and guilt. She is approached in the cafeteria by a stranger who works in her building, Nicholas, who essentially asks her if she would like to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays so neither of them have to be lonely. She agrees to this "mistletoe promise" contract and finds herself falling for him for real, a man with a secret of his own.  This book was sweet, hopeful, and perfect for Christmas, as are all of his novels. I look forward to reading his books every Christmas. Unlike most of his other holiday books, this one did not seem to be based off a biblical story (though I could be mistaken). I liked the contemporary feel of this one, as well as the touching love story and messages of redemption. Another winner from RPE! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next year. 4.5/5 stars! ----- Reviewed by Stephanie As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Books to Movies: 2015

So many great books are being turned into movies lately! A lot of them have been teen books (which we LOVE), but there are a few adult titles that are also being made into movies next year! Check them out below and be sure to read the books BEFORE you see the movies.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (2/14/15)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (n/a)

Brooklyn by Colm Tobin (n/a)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (10/2/15)

Inferno by Dan Brown (12/18/15)

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (n/a)

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (n/a)

American Sniper by Chris Kyle (n/a)

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As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog! 

Staff's Favorite Books - 2014

You're probably not surprised to hear that our staff loves reading! Below is a list of just some of the staff's favorite books they've read this year (so far). As you can see, our staff members have a varied taste in books ranging from nonfiction to fiction of all genres. Many of these are 2014 releases but not all... they are just our favorites from what we've read this year. Have you read any of our favorites?

• The Book of You by Claire Kendal (suspense, thriller)
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (science fiction, dystopian)
• You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen (nonfiction, psychology, self-help)
• Kissinger by Walter Issacson (biography, nonfiction, history)
• A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence Krauss (nonfiction, science)
• The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (contemporary fiction)
• The Lobster Kings by Alexi Zentner (literary fiction)
• Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (contemporary fiction)
• Broadchurch by Erin Kelly (mystery, thriller)
• Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker (contemporary fiction, mystery)
• The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Homolka (cookbook, nonfiction)
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (historical fiction)
• While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell (fairy tale retelling)
• Five Days Left  by Julie Lawson Timmer (contemporary fiction)
• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simson (contemporary fiction, humor)
• Invisible Ellen by Shari Shattuck (women's fiction)
• Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (historical fiction)
• The Dog Year by Ann Garvin (contemporary fiction, animals)
• Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick (chick lit)
• A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle (women's fiction)
• My Mother's Secret by J.L. Witterick (historical fiction, Holocaust)
• One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (women's fiction)
• The Public Library: A Photographic Essay by Robert Dawson and Ann Patchett (nonfiction)
• Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber (cozy mystery)
• Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff by Matt Kibbe (nonfiction)
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (women's fiction)
• Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett (historical fiction)
• Labor Day by Joyce Maynard (contemporary fiction)
• The Art of Adapting by Cassandra Dunn (contemporary fiction)

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As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!  

Barnard Crossing Branch - Ribbon Cutting

Our Barnard Crossing Branch re-opened its doors on Monday, November 24th, 2014 after a brief closure for their big move to 2808 Dewey Ave, within walking distance of its former location. A lovely ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 9 AM and many people were in attendance for this momentous occasion. Thank you to all who attended and shared in this special day. We hope to see you in our new building soon and that you enjoy the new space!

Review: Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella

Title: Shopaholic to the Stars

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Chick Lit, Humor,

Pages: 479

Published: 2014

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is back! This time she and her hubby Luke along with 2 year old daughter Minnie have moved to L.A. because Luke is handling the PR for the famous Sage Seymour. Becky can’t wait to start living the A-list lifestyle, complete with celebrity sightings, yoga retreats, and shopping trips to Rodeo Drive. But she really hopes to become a personal stylist—Sage’s personal stylist—if only Luke would set up an introduction. Then, unexpectedly, Becky is offered the chance to dress Sage’s archrival, and though things become a bit more complicated, it’s a dream come true!

I have enjoyed all of Sophie Kinsella's books, who also writes as Madeleine Wickham. Her Shopaholic series is really a fun read and I laugh out loud at several points in each book. I actually listen to the books on audio because I love to hear them read in a British accent.

This book ended differently than most of her Shopaholic books with a cliffhanger. 

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Reviewed by Cathy

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!  

Upcoming Holiday Programs

We have some great holiday programs coming up for adults in the next few weeks here at the library. As always, you can check our program calendar online or stop in to pick up a paper copy. Registration is done in person, over the phone (585-225-8951), or you can do it online yourself. Check out a few of them below, and be sure to sign up soon. Registration often fills up quickly! The ones listed below are ones that currently still have openings.

Monday, November 24th at 6:30 - "One Stroke Painting" - bring two wineglasses and learn how to paint gingerbread men on them!

Monday, December 8th at 6:30 - "Quilted Christmas Ornaments" - bring a thimble and learn how to create no-sew quilted ornaments! They are BEAUTIFUL and simple to make!

Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 - "An English Christmas" - Learn about Christmas in England at this exciting presentation, and sample some figgy pudding... MMM!