An Embarrassment of Riches

2 Zine or not 2 Zine - by Laural

To Zine or not to Zine? That is the question. I first wrote for a zine in high school back in the 80’s about a band called Squad 51. After college I made chap books or zines with my poetry in them. In grad school I started a zine with three other grad students.  And last year when I thought long and hard about making holiday presents for my family I asked myself what can I make? The answer was a zine. I made a family cooking zine as a surprise.  It documents our family’s favorite recipes. This year the family is helping me make a second issue. When I need supplies or images for a zine I turn to clip art - royalty free images. The library has a great collection of clip art books. But let me share a secret: the motherlode, the most outstanding supply of clip art is from the zine called Craphound: A Picture Book for Discussion & Activity by Sean Tejaratchi. The first Craphound came out in October 1994.  My husband collected every single one. We realized how important they were to us as when we decided we couldn't part with them when we were downsizing. Luckily, older issues of Craphound are being reprinted by Chloe Eudaly of Reading Frenzy, one of Portland's first zine stores.

And here's another secret: join us for "Historic Zinesters Talking" Featuring Sean Tejaratchi and Chloe Eudaly, this Saturday, October 24, 2–3:30 p.m. at the Central Library in the U.S. Bank room.   I wouldn’t miss this event for the world! Hope to see you there.

The Chilling Alternative - by Laural I love spooky books!  Or books that tell a story of an alternate universe where vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches and wizards exist.  I recently read a great book in this genre. When I was looking at author read-alikes in the database Novelist (a database that helps you find good reads, available to our library patrons), I found that Jim Butcher’s series The Dresden Files kept coming up. And now The Dresden Files has me hooked!

In Storm Front (Book One of The Dresden Files), Harry Dresden is a wizard for hire in Chicago.  As a reader, once I know something is set in Chicago, I make certain assumptions. Yes, there is a mafia presence. And very scary vampires too. In the mythology the writer draws upon for his supernatural creatures, Butcher doesn’t disappoint. Harry Dresden meets the scariest vampire I have ever encountered in my reading. And I have read many vampire stories. I don’t even want to be in the same city as these vampires. 
Harry is dragged into a mystery.  Someone or something is viciously killing people. It will take a great wizard to solve this mystery.  As the pages turned I realized I really like Harry and I couldn’t wait to read another book in the Dresden Files series. I couldn’t wait to inhabit his very scary Chicago with him. At least in the pages of a book.

A Thing of Beauty - by Laural I bought a book. As a librarian I don’t normally admit that but it happens. I buy what I think is the best, what I can’t live without and borrow the rest. I borrowed from the library 1000 Jewelry Inspirations by Sandra Salamony. I was so enthused by the pieces in the book I had to own it.
I’ve been making jewelry for fifteen years - mostly simple necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with beads using the techniques of wirewrapping and softflex wire with crimp beads. If you make jewelry or you love looking at jewelry you will love this book!  Salamony includes full color photos of excellent pieces by 200+ creators. In all there are 1000 photographs of fantastic beaded art.  Most styles are covered: peyote stitch, ribbon chokers, wire wrapping, crimp beading, metal working, and bewitched materials made into ethereal concoctions. This is a confirmation that there are artists out there using pliers, needles, beads, blowtorches, metal, gems and ingenuity. They are creating amazing necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for the pleasure of jewelry wearers and the community at large.  Be inspired - take a look at this beautiful book.

Those Sexy Highlanders and Time Travelers - by Laural

Mrs. Claire Randall is on her second honeymoon in the Highlands of Scotland. It’s 1945 and she's a former combat nurse who has taken up the hobby of botany to fill her free time. She is gathering plants at the stone circle Craigh na Dun when she is catapulted through time to 1743 and finds herself in the midst of skirmishes prior to the Jacobite rising of 1745.

This first, page-turner novel of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is a spicy romance with depictions of violence, and explicit sex scenes. If you're squeamish about these things this isn't the novel for you. But these depictions are presented in the context of the times, giving the story historical resonance. I found comic relief in Claire’s swearing. She doesn’t swear like a sailor but she swears like a healthy woman dealing with brawny men, exciting, brutal times, and frustration. I don’t know about you, but if I was a fish out of water I might swear a lot too!

If you like the idea of romance, time travel and Highlanders you should also check out author Karen Marie Moning’s Beyond the Highland Mist.

Looking for something different? We can help. Whether it be contemporary, historical, set in urban L.A. or rural Lancaster, just tell us what you're looking for and we’ll try to find it.

Freddie and Me - by Laural (read)

Freddie & Me: A  Coming-of-Age (Bohemian) Rhapsody by Mike Dawson is one of my favorite books of the last year.  Think back, possibly way back, to when you were a child or a teen and there was music.  And music was one of the most important elements in your life.  First it was the Beatles for me.  Then it was a New Zealand band called Split Enz. Thereafter I branched out to local bands I could see live. Well, Mike Dawson may have branched out but as we find out in this terrific graphic memoir, Mike can place the memories of his life with the releases of rock band Queen’s albums. Besides using graphic art methods to tell his story there is also time-line at the beginning of the book outlining major events in his life with the releases of Queen’s record albums. Queen fans and readers who love a good memoir will like this book. At times this book is laugh out loud funny and other times touchingly philosophical~don’t miss it.

And in case you love this book and want to talk about it with other fans, The Hollywood Library's Graphic Novel Book Group is discussing Freddie and Me on March 10th at 6:30. Details here.

A Gift that Can't be Beat? Home Cooking! - by Laural It’s that time again - holidays are fast approaching and I am looking for things to make for gifts.  I found a great book in the library collection called Food for Friends: Homemade Gifts for Every Season by Sally Pasley Vargus.  There’s a wide variety of recipes offered in this lovely Ten Speed Press book. The recipes cover many savory and sweet edibles: from breakfast items like Five-Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix, Chai, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.  Preserved fruits, vinegars, and salsas are also covered. Of course there are cake and cookie recipes available in an abundance.  But I zeroed in on the interesting and wide selection of liqueurs one can make for gifts: Raspberry Framboise, Sweet Blackberry Wine and Strawberry Cordial are some of the beverages I hope to make during the summer months. I might attempt a batch of Orange Ratafia.  If you don’t like coriander you might not like Orange Ratafia because there is at least of a cup of coriander seeds in this recipe.  Luckily, everyone in my household loves coriander.
I will admit I don’t like cookbooks without photographs unless it is the Joy of Cooking. This book didn’t disappoint! Almost every page has an inspiring full color photograph illustrating the presentation of the gifts or the preparation of the recipes.
For more books like this in the library catalog, see this list. Have fun cooking!

Bringin' Domestic Back - by Laural

I am in love with The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket!  I did not want to return it to the library.  That being said, you need to know this is a beautiful and well written book with color pictures on almost every page.  Brocket loves color, quilts, fairy buns (cupcakes), embroidery, knitting, cooking, books, tea, and family among other things.  She brings her colorful style to all of these endeavours.  And at the same time reminds the reader how worthy these endeavours are without being uptight.  Her philosophy is the relaxed and fun approach to domesticity.  

Brocket at the same time answers the question of mass produced or homemade with the resounding answer of HOMEMADE!  Why would we want homemade?  Well, she sums it up concisely when she says “The answer lies in the not-so-revolutionary idea of seizing the means of production.  It’s as simple and as complex as that.  A modicum of practicality in the domestic space empowers us to make our own choices about what we make and eat, rather than handing over control of our homemaking to profit making companies.  It may sound surprisingly radical, and it is.”  I agree.  

If you are hungry for more you can also check out her blog!