Back to School Update

Did you know that every month a librarian updates the "Stuff to Do and Info. For You - Around Town" link on our website so you will know what is happening on aquidneck island that might be of interest for you?

Nighttrap by Tom Becker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book literally sucked me in. I was reading something else and picked it up to repair the cover; glancing at the "hook" on the back, I was hooked. Given that it is a Darkside novel, maybe there is some evil force pulling me in.


SPOILER ALERT!


Becker writes a wonderful story with lots of action, great movement and interesting twists and turns in almost every chapter. The ending however left a lot to be desired. It is almost like he got tired of writing so everyone just gave up and went home. They spent the entire novel risking death time and again and double crossing one another for this one jewel, then when it disappears, the all literally give up and go home - boom just like that. In one page, the book goes from riveting to "what???". How completely anti-climactic!


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Famous last words...

Don't worry, even though they have a powerful bite, the muscles that OPEN the jaws are really weak.


Who can tell me what animal is being described?

Teen Time: Monday, January 31!

Teens! Chase away the cold-weather blues! Join us this Monday, January 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Library Program Room for an afternoon of t-shirt design and yummy snacks. Supplies, including t-shirts, are FREE! So's the fun!

Why Chefs Wear White Clothes and Tall Hats

Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Careme, the First Celebrity Chef by Ian Kelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Before Antonin Careme, chefs wore slouchy workers' hats and any old color of clothing they wished. But as the first celebrity chef, whose work included designing centerpieces for Napoleon's nuptials and cooking for the Prince Regent (later King George IV of England), Careme insisted on the importance of hygiene in professional kitchens. White clothes were his way of signifying the seriousness with which cooks should take cleanliness; and those high chefs' hats (toques) were his way of displaying the chef's importance in aristocratic households. The life of Antonin Careme spanned the French Revolution, Napoleon's tumultuous career, the Regency period, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. He lived, cooked, and wrote in France, England, and Austria. He rose from the slums of Paris to become one of the most respected gastronomic names of all time. This biography tells the fascinating story of the man who invented or popularized hollandaise sauce, souffles, vol-au-vents, meringues, and many of the hallmarks of fine eating. Great fun--dig in!



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Famous last words...

That's not smoke, that's steam.

Teen Time!

On Monday, January 24, come join us in the Library Program Room from 3:30-4:30pm for some computer fun. We'll be creating stories a la "Mad Libs" or from scratch - your choice - all on the computer. The library will provide story making sites and suggestions, sites for images and ways to submit your work for publication as well as some (hopefully) homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk.

Pre-registration is not required, but a signed behavior contract is. See a young adult librarian for more information.

We'd love to see you there!

Back to School Update

Mango Languages now offers 34 different language options.  So pick something as unique Farsi (spoken in Afghanistan) or as versatile as Spanish.  Use it to supplement your classwork or broaden your horizons.

Famous last words...

No, dude, this stuff is completely natural and safe, man. That's why it's called 'herbal'.

Attention Budding Artists!

The RI Blood Center is holdig its second annual student T-shirt design contest. The deadline for submission is January 31. See the RI Blood Center's T-Shirt site for more details.

Snow Days

If the library is closed tomorrow, due to snow, a message will be posted on our website and included in the welcome announcement on our phone (847-8720). Please check one or the other before venturing to the library. No additional information will be posted to this blog.

Thank you.

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Still disturbed by Suzanne Collins' fantastic conclusion to The Hunger Games trilogy, The Mockingjay(see my Goodreads review), I needed something light. Stephanie Plum never fails to deliver. The tough talking, mush bellied bounty hunter is just starting out in her career and bites of more than she can chew in this second novel of the series. What starts out as a simple pick up turns into a federal case, literally, and Stephanie is smack dab in the middle of it: dragging grandma into the fun too. Thanks in large part to Morelli, she gets her man and keeps both she and her grandma alive all with quick wit and entertaining exploits - ENJOY!



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Teen Time!

Monday, January 17, the library is closed for Martin Luther King Day.  No Teen Time - Boo!

Monday, January 24, come discover on-line tools for writing your own stories: some are simple fill-in the blanks a al Mad Libs, some are story starters for you to write your own AND I'll show you how to submit your work for on-line publication and review by other teens!

Pre-registration is not required, but a signed behavior contract is.  See you friendly teen librarians at the Newport Public Library 2pm-closing Monday through Thursday for contracts.

Snacks provided - cookies anyone?

RI Teen Book Award

Your young adult librarians have assembled a display of books on the RI Teen Book Award List. We have print and audioCD versions of most books.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!  Come in, read at least 3 and then the vote (ballots provided).  All votes are due February 12.

Teen Time!

Join us Monday, January 10, to create your own stone necklace.  We'll be meeting in the library Program Room from 3:30-4:30pm.  All supplies will be provided and snacks and beverages will be offered.

Pre-registration is not necessary, but participants will be asked to sign and behavior contract.  Contact the YA librarians at nptya@newportlibraryri.org or via comment to this message with questions.

Hope to see you there!

For those of you who love Pooh...

... check out this NY Times story.

Famous last words...

It's supposed to make that noise.

New and Improved!

 ANNOUNCING A NEW ARRIVAL!

The Newport Public Library has launched a brand new webpage: new look, easier to find information and new features.  Come check out the library page at www.newportlibraryri.org or the teen page directly at www.newportlibraryri.org/npl/teens.

Comment here to let us know what you think!