Currently #12

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

Check out what the Lorain Public Library System staff are currently doing in their free time. Whether it’s books, movies, TV shows, music, and more, we want to share what has caught our attention.

Currently Reading

Kristina, Avon Branch Public Services Professional: Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration by Nicole Fleetwood

Stephanie, Outreach Public Services Professional: Yoga Pant Nation by Laurie Gelman

Erika, Avon Branch Librarian: The Road Not Taken: Finding America in the Poem Everyone Loves & Almost Everyone Gets Wrong by David Orr

Susan, Main Branch Manager: The Lost Village by Camilla Sten & Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

Julie, North Ridgeville Branch Public Services Professional: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Kim, Avon Branch Librarian: Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV

Scot, North Ridgeville Branch Public Services Professional: Rock Me on The Water: 1974, the Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics by Ronald Brownstein

Dawn, Main Branch Librarian: The Silver Eyes by Scott Cawthorn & Kara Breed-Wrisley, The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie & Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen by Michelle Icard

Cheryl, Technical Services Director: Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal by Mark Bittman

Jennifer, Director of Marketing & Public Relations: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

Annalisse, Main Branch Assistant Manager: These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

Currently Watching

Kristina, Avon Branch Public Services Professional: Allen v. Farrow

Stephanie, Outreach Public Services Professional: The Sinner (Netflix)

Erika, Avon Branch Librarian: Hemingway

Susan, Main Branch Manager: Cleveland Baseball

Julie, North Ridgeville Branch Public Services Professional: Cobra Kai

Cheryl, Technical Services Director: The Flight Attendant & Tales from the Loop

Jennifer, Director of Marketing & Public Relations: Brene Brown: The Call to Courage (Netflix)

Annalisse, Main Branch Assistant Manager: Eureka & Star Trek Discovery

Currently Listening

Kristina, Avon Branch Public Services Professional: Broad Strokes by Bridget Quinn

Susan, Main Branch Manager: OK Orchestra by AJR

Julie, North Ridgeville Branch Public Services Professional: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Cheryl, Technical Services Director: Dune by Frank Herbert

Currently Playing

Kim, Avon Branch Librarian: Wingspan (Board Game)

Book Review: Bombshells by Sarina Bowen

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

Bombshells by Sarina Bowen

Published by Tuxbury Publishing on April 13, 2021

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports

Adult Fiction

The women’s league is in the house! And Brooklyn will never be the same again for Anton Bayer and the team…

This is my last chance to ditch my playboy reputation and finally fulfill my potential. So I’ve made three rules for our biggest season yet: no boozing, no women, and no scandals.

Especially that last thing.

So who do I befriend on the very first day back at the rink? An amazing female hockey player. I want Sylvie in a way that’s more than just friendly. I crave her. But I have a championship to win, and so does she.

Then she gets her heart broken by my teammate, and I make the foolish mistake of comforting her in the best way I know how. Our night together sets off a string of sins.

Nobody can know about our affair, especially my overprotective teammate. I can’t let anyone see into my greedy little heart. Not even her.

The things I want from her, and the things we’ve already done? If anyone knew, there’d be bombshells.

Contains: a defenseman with dreamy blue eyes, a female goalie with bad ideas, a major battle of the sexes and a swimming pool scene…

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Dining on a Dime

April 16, 2021April 15, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

Creating a comprehensive budget that maps out rent/mortgage, utilities, food, gas/car payment, entertainment, etc. is a great way to ensure that you stay on track financially. One way you can save is by reducing your food costs. Most people spend more than they can afford on food – dining out and groceries. It’s not easy! We live in a fast-paced world and a lot of times stopping to grab take out or fast food or stopping at the grocery store to pick up a few items for dinner adds up quickly! In order to ensure you are eating within your means takes planning. There is no way around this! But we are here to help! Hopefully you can use some of these tips and suggestions to save some green and please be sure to eat all your greens!

How much should you be spending on groceries? The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets guidelines on what people should be spending to eat a healthy, balanced diet. There are four basic levels – thrifty, low cost, moderate cost and liberal. The thrifty plan basically says that a family of four should spend approx. $560-650 per month on groceries ($4.67-5.40 per day per person). The SNAP Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is based on this thrifty plan. A low cost family will spend approx. $730-860 per month ($6.10-7.15 per person per day). A moderate family of four will spend around $895-1,000 per month ($7.46-8.33 per person per day) and a liberal plan family will spend approx. $1,100-1,300 per month ($9.17-10.80 per person per day). This is quite a difference! The lower your budget the harder it is to ensure you are eating well! The average family spends approx. $240 per month on eating meals outside of the home. The average cost per meal out is $12. 75. Dining out is not cheap!

Tips and Tricks to Save Money on Dining and Groceries

Eat meals at home as much as you can. Try to dine out once per week or start by cutting your dining out by half.
Plan your meals for the week. Make a grocery list and stick to it! Try discount grocery stores like Aldi for a majority of your weekly groceries. Try buying spices at the dollar store.
Buy in bulk whenever you can – you will definitely save money! But it is a waste of money if you do not use all of a bulk item.
Use your leftovers! You can re-purpose a meal to be different and exciting! For example baked whole chicken leftovers can be used for chicken salad wrap sandwiches, chicken tortilla soup, chicken & noodles casserole.
Invest in a chest freezer to freeze bulk items and left overs. Average cost for a small chest freezer is about $125.00 on sale. Keep an inventory list on your refrigerator of what is in your freezer! It’s easy to forget.
Keep a permanent marker on hand! Make sure you label and date everything you put in your freezer. Food will stay in the freezer for up to three months. After this time items will start to get freezer burned. Freezer burn is not dangerous or a food safety issue. It is a quality issue and will cause your food items to taste off or stale.
Try a “Pantry Feast” week. Take inventory of everything you have in your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Throw out all expired items. Make a list of meals for the week using your pantry items and only buy what you absolutely need.
Each week or a couple times a month have a family cooking day. Plan out meals you want to eat for the week, make them together as a family. Package your meals and chill or freeze. They will be ready to re-heat and eat!
Eat less meat. It’s expensive! Try meatless dinners a couple times a week focusing on inexpensive proteins like eggs, cheese, beans and legumes like chickpeas, black beans, lentils, pinto beans, etc.
Grow your own fruits and vegetables or take advantage of community fresh produce programs that provide produce at discounted rates based on your income. Did you know that you can pick up fresh local produce this summer and fall at the library? City Fresh provides a tiered pricing weekly grab bag of seasonal local fresh produce with pick up stops at both the Main and South branches. Check out our calendar of events for dates and times and click the link above to learn more about the organization!

Or Try One of These Great Books:

Title details for Budget Bytes by Beth Moncel - Available

Eating Well on a Budget: 140 delicious healthy affordable recipes: amazing meals for less than $3 a serving by Jessie Price

The Everything Meals on a Budget Cookbook: high flavor, low-cost meals your family will love by Linda Larsen

Good and Cheap: eat well on $4 a day by Leanne Brown

Budget Bytes: over 100 easy, delicious recipes to slash your grocery bill in half by Beth Moncel

Raising Money Smart Kids

April 14, 2021April 12, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

According to the National Financial Educators Council, financial literacy is described as “possessing the skills and knowledge on financial matters to confidently take effective action that best fulfills an individual’s personal, family and global community goals” (2020). Learning the basic skills associated with financial literacy, such as saving and earning money, can begin in childhood. Within this post, you will find helpful books, apps, websites, and at-home activities you can use to teach your child the basics of how to be smart with money.

Money Smart Books

If You Made a Million by David M. Schwartz

“Have you ever wanted to make a million dollars? Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician is ready, willing, and able to explain the nuts and bolts — as well as the mystery and wonder — of earning money, investing it, accruing dividends and interest, and watching savings grow. Hey, you never know!”

The Everything Kids’ Money Book by Diane Mayr

“From allowances to lemonade stands and lawnmowing businesses, this book tells kids about where money came from, how to make and save money, and how to spend it wisely. Activities include making penny spiral towers and making silver-dollar pancakes.”

One Cent, Two Cent, Old Cent, New Cent by Bonnie Worth

“The Cat in the Hat puts to rest any notion that money grows on trees in this super simple look at numismatics, the study of money and its history. Beginning with the ancient practice of bartering, the Cat explains various forms of money used in different cultures, from shells, feathers, leather, and jade to metal ingots to coins (including the smallest–the BB-like Indian fanam–and the largest–the 8-foot-wide, ship-sinking limestone ones from the Islands of Yap!), to the current king of currency, paper. Also included is a look at banking, from the use of temples as the first banks to the concept of gaining or paying interest, and a step-by-step guide to minting coins. A fascinating introduction is bound to change young reader’s appreciation for change!”

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Tom Clancy: Celebrating a Life through Books & Media

April 12, 2021April 9, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

What do Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine and John Krasinski have in common? All these Hollywood heartthrobs have played Jack Ryan, the most famous character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, who was born April 12, 1947. Clancy’s work can be enjoyed by Lorain Public Library patrons in standard print, large print, audiobook, DVD and Blu-Ray formats, and in e-media.

Cover image for The Hunt for Red October

Poor eyesight prevented Clancy from serving in the military or intelligence communities, but he made them cool at a time when America’s experience in Vietnam still hung like a cloud over the national horizon. Clancy’s first book, “The Hunt for Red October,” came out in 1984, shortly after the films “Apocalypse Now” (1979) and “First Blood” (the first Rambo movie, 1982) were rehashing the many poor decisions that led to Americans being evacuated out of Saigon by helicopter in 1975, marking an end to the war.

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National Autism Acceptance Month

April 9, 2021April 8, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

The beautiful girl growing up so fast should understand how wonderful she is as a true artist. The self-portrait that I held in my hand was remarkable! The intricate details of her facial expression, posture, and depth of her eyes truly captured who she was as a person. The way she used the colors and painted the background was something that I wished I was able to learn how to do. Too much attention makes her droop her head and blush, but I can still see the bright smile hiding under her long bangs.

7 Ways to Support Autistics During Autism Awareness Month | The Mighty

According to Autism Speaks and the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today are affected by autism. For those of us who know children who are affected by autism, I can assure you that no two are alike. What I can tell you is that every single one of them wants to be loved and accepted for who they are inside because they have many gifts to share. In spite of the learning difficulties and social skills they may face, there is much that they can teach us about acceptance and seeing the beauty in the simplest moments.

To learn more, I compiled a list of children’s and adult fiction and nonfiction books full of stories and factual information about autism spectrum disorders.

Children’s Fiction

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Mary Finnegan

How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit

I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism by Elaine Marie Larson

My Brother is Autistic by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

Can You See Me? by Libby Scott

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Recent Album Releases on Hoopla (4th Edition)

April 7, 2021April 6, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

We’re back with another list highlighting new music releases available to patrons on Hoopla. Check out the below titles that have been released in the last 30 days for some new tunes to stream.

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Happy Home Opener, Cleveland!

April 5, 2021April 4, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

It’s time to celebrate baseball being back in action! Games have already begun and the Cleveland Indians home opener is happening later today! Below are five books all about our very own baseball team. From history to stats and plenty of amazing stories from past seasons, these titles will hopefully hype you up for a whole new season of excitement!

The Story of the Cleveland Indians by Nate LeBoutillier

The history of the Cleveland Indians professional baseball team from its inaugural 1871 season to today, spotlighting the team’s greatest players and most memorable moments.

Cleveland Rocked: The Personalities, Sluggers, and Magic of the 1995 Indians by Zack Meisel

Cleveland Rocked offers a deep dive into the 1995 season of Cleveland Indians baseball that brought Northeast Ohio to its first World Series in 41 years.

Opening Day: Cleveland, the Indians, and a New Beginning by Jonathan Knight

Opening Day is sportswriter Jonathan Knight’s inning-by-inning look at the opening game at Jacobs Field on April 4, 1994. He skillfully recaptures memorable moments from opening days of the past, creating this story that shows how the fortunes of the team and the city converged. On that day in early April, the Indians and the City of Cleveland together experienced a true opening day—one in which the past was forgotten and the future was clear and bright.

So You Think You’re a Cleveland Indians Fan? by Joseph Wancho

So You Think You’re a Cleveland Indians Fan? tests and expands your knowledge of Indians baseball. Rather than merely posing questions and providing answers, this book will give you the details behind each—stories that bring to life players and managers, games and seasons.

Amazing Tales from the Cleveland Indians Dugout by Russell Schneider

In this one-of-a-kind compendium of anecdotes from players, managers, and beat writers, Russell Schneider captures all the magic and passion of Cleveland Indians baseball.

Plus we’ve got an exciting program coming on Wednesday, July 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom called A Celebration Presentation for Cleveland Indians Nation by Marty Gitlin. Check out the description:

Take a fun and enlightening journey through Cleveland Indians history with the author of the Ultimate Cleveland Indians Time Machine Book. This presentation features videos and photographs of the greatest and most fascinating players, teams, events and moments in franchise history. The program also includes trivia questions for patrons to ponder and covers Cleveland baseball history from the fascinating 1899 Spiders, whose 20-134 record remains the worst in major league history, to the brilliance of Bob Feller and championship team of 1948 to the miseries of the 1960s and beyond to the pennant winners of the 1990s and 2016 to the death of Chief Wahoo and the team nickname. The event concludes with a question-and-answer period.

So, who’s excited for baseball season? Are you rooting for the home team or have your own favorite?

Let us know in the comments below!

Poetry Favorites for Children & Teens

April 2, 2021April 1, 2021 / Annalisse / Leave a comment

During the month of April, people of all ages can celebrate the joy, expressiveness, and pure delight of poetry. To help you celebrate National Poetry Month, below is a list of favorite poetry titles for both children and teens. This is not an exhaustive list but rather focuses on titles that have been widely enjoyed by others. If your child or teen is interested in these titles, your local branch can help you find more related authors and books. Happy reading!

Ages 4 to 8

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

“Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling author of The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and Every Thing On It, has created a poetry collection that is outrageously funny and deeply profound. Come in… for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein’s world begins.”

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Prelutsky, Mark Tolon Brown, and Jim Trealease

“In his introduction to this book Jim Trelease, bestselling author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, writes, ‘No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky. Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown’s inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations.’”

Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures by Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess, Deanna Nikaido, and Joel Sartore

“A howling wolf, a stalking tiger, a playful panda, a dancing bird – pairing the stunning photography of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore with the delicate poetry of Newbery award-winning author Kwame Alexander, this lush picture book celebrates the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the animal world.”

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex

“Being a monster isn’t all frightening villagers and sucking blood. Monsters have their trials, too. Poor Frankenstein’s cupboard is bare, Wolfman needs some household help, and it’s best not to get started on Dracula’s hygiene issues. What could be scarier? Nineteen hilarious poems delve into the secret lives of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bigfoot, Godzilla, and others.”

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