What I read over the break

I always have good intentions when it comes to reading, but let's face it, just like every one else out there, life sometimes gets in the way more than I would like for it to. I took home four books over the break with the intention of getting through at least three of them, if not all four. Much to my chagrin, I only managed to finish one of them, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  It was a little difficult for me to get into the story, but mainly because I am not a big fantasy reader. If you love fantasy, you will more than likely enjoy this story that has a whole lot of mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure. I was able to start a second novel, The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult, but have only just now finished it. I still have two more books at home to begin and finish, hopefully soon. Boy on the Edge by Fridrik Erlings and Perfect Match also by Jodi Piccoult. Wish me luck because everytime we get a new book order in, I add at least 10 new books to my Plan to Read  list. 

More New Books for the New Year!

New Year New e-Books!

Be sure to see a librarian for an e-Book account of your very own.

New Arrivals in the Library

Here are our latest arrivals. I think we have added quite a few interesting books to our collection. Many of them are definitely on my "must read" list. Now, just to find the time to read them all.

Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom contains over 300 quotes of Nelson Mandela's collected from public speeches as well as his personal papers.

The innovators : how a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the digital revolution provides insight into the thinking of those who have created the digital world we live in today.

Ada's algorithm : how Lord Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace launched the digital age tells the overlooked story of how the computer age could have started over 200 years ago, if only they had been willing to pay attention to a woman. 

Among the truthers : a journey through America's growing conspiracist underground takes a look at how social media is a breeding ground for new conspiracists.

Check out the e-library for more information about each book.

TEDxYouth@Austin

I have registered (or rather applied for an invitation) to the TEDxYouth@Austin event to be held at Westlake HS on February 14th, 2015. I'm really excited and hope to receive the invite. If you would like to join me, and I don't me literally, you don't have to even say hi, although you could, click the link above to register yourself. If you have no idea what a TED event even is, check out TEDtalks. They are amazing and inspirational and funny and sincere and addicting. Here are two of my favorites, I am an educator after all: How Schools Kill Creativity and Kids Can Teach Themselves. The talks are no more than 20 minutes in length and cover just about any topic you can conceive. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Hope to see some of you there!

Where has the time gone?

Time keeps on ticking...into the future. That is how I feel as I realized we have entered November and this semester is just weeks from being over.

I wanted to share a few things that will hopefully be enticing for you:

We have added a database of free TX DMV permit practice test for you. Yep, I said FREE. Just visit the Library page for access. That's it. No tricks. No passwords. Just click your way in. 

We also have International Game Day coming up in a few weeks. Friday, November 14th. Be sure to stop by the library to play a game or two. We even hope to have the XBox up and running in the Great Room during all three lunches. We will also have Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Checkers, Chess, Uno, puzzles, and much more. 

And finally, here are some of our new books:

Whoa! Welcome to 2014-2015

We are three weeks into the new school year, and it has been a whirlwind in here. One really positive observance is that you guys are checking out books like crazy. We aren't sure why, but please, keep stopping by to check out those books. Most of our new titles have been checked out already, but keep an eye out as we have several orders in the works and many new books coming this way soon. And don't forget to check out the fabulous displays by our own Mrs. Roberts. We have "Reading Now," a display of books that have been turned in to recent movies, the Hispanic Heritage Month display showcasing books about, by, and celebrating Hispanic Americans, and finally we have the Banned Books display bringing awareness about books that have been challenged in this country over the last year. Lots of interesting material out there for you.

Also, check out the window on the Patio. It is a work in process, but we are asking you to participate in voting for your favorites books from last year. Take a look around the library and look for the "Vote for Me!" labels to read some of last years best titles.

Sorry there are no pictures this time, but I promise to bring the images next time.

Hope you've had a great start to a new year!
Mrs. Day