2008-9 Cybils Announced!

The Children’s & Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards or Cybils  were announced last weekend.  The winners are:

Easy Readers

I love my new toy by Mo Willems

 

Fantasy & Science Fiction Middle Grade

The graveyard book by Neil Gaiman

 

Fantasy & Science Fiction Young Adult

The hunger games by Suzanne Collins

 

Fiction Picture Books

How to heal a broken wing written and illustrated by Bob Graham

 

Graphic Novels: Elementary/Middle Grade

Rapunzel’s revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

 

Graphic Novels: Young Adult

Emiko superstar by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Steve Rolston

 

Middle-Grade Fiction

The London eye mystery by Siobhan Down

 

Non-Fiction Middle Grade/Young Adult

The year we disappeared: a father-daughter memoir by Cylin Busby and John Busby

 

Non-fiction Picture Books

Frogs by Nic Bishop

 

Poetry

Honeybee by Naomi Shihab Nye

 

Young Adult Fiction

The disreputable history of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

 

 

All of these titles are available in the Sno-Isle catalog.  Congratulations to all of the winners!

 

post by Lorraine

 

via Bookshelves of Doom

 

the robot voice of the Kindle 2

the upcoming release of the new Kindle includes an automated voice capable of reading along with text.  the Authors Guild claims that the Text-to-Speech function is a violation of audio rights which haven’t been obtained by Amazon who obviously disagrees.  Andrew Herdener, spokesperson for Amazon, explains the distinction as such “Is it illegal to read a book out loud to yourself? Is it the case that one is only allowed to legally read if one does so silently? When you listen to yourself read out loud, you’re not performing—you’d need an audience for that—and you’re not making a copy.”

on the flip side, the National Federation for the Blind is a big supporter of the Text-to-Speech feature of the Kindle 2, specifically addressing the Authors Guild claims in their statement.

the Kindle, a product that sparks discussion and debate.

posting by marin

New Adult Nonfiction – 500-699

Annotations from Baker & Taylor

 

Connecting with Horses: The Life Lessons We Can Learn from Horses

Coates, Margrit

Discusses how to enrich a life by connecting with horses on a spiritual level, sharing illustrative true stories to offer insight into equine intelligence and compassion while explaining how horses can enable healing, guidance, and greater creativity.

 

Dinner Survival: The Most Uncomplicated, Approachable Way to Get Dinner to Fit Your Life

Richard, Sandi

Combines time-saving tips with a ten-week meal plan consisting of quick-prepare dinners to counsel busy family cooks on everything from equipping a kitchen and organizing grocery runs to cooking in accordance with healthy guidelines.

 

Gardening with Ed Hume: Northwest Gardening Made Easy

Hume, Ed / Hume, James (PHT)

“Gardening with Ed Hume” covers the basics of Pacific Northwest gardening in a non-technical, can-do way. Hume’s friendly voice encourages and inspires in chapters covering lawns, perennials, fertilizers, shrubs, groundcovers, and much more. Each plant chapter has sound advice on placement and growing, including early-spring bulbs, dramatic ornamental grasses, hedges to hide the neighbors, and even plants for fall color. Updated edition.

 

Glorious One-Pot Meals: A Revolutionary New Quick and Healthy Approach to Dutch-oven Cooking

Yarnell, Elizabeth

A guide to Dutch oven cookery introduces an innovative, infusion-cooking method and offers a host of recipes for delicious, easy-to-prepare, time-saving, and healthful single-pot meals, ranging from the classic All-American Pot Roast and Macaroni and Cheese to exotic international specialties, accompanied by pantry and freezer lists.

 

Lies, Damned Lies, and Science: How to Sort Through the Noise Around Global Warming, the Latest Health Claims, and Other Scientific Controversies

Seethaler, Sherry

When judging media reports on science, one person’s fact is another person’s hooey, and in this brisk little book Seethaler helps readers decide for themselves which is which.

 

Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love

Kirschner, Diana

“In this fun, savvy, and grounded book, Dr. Diana Kirschner tells women how to ditch their single days and find the potential man of their dreams in just 90 days.”

 

One Nation Under Dog: Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food

Schaffer, Michael

Documents the author’s experiences with adopting a beloved Saint Bernard, his observations about how the multi-billion-dollar pet-care industry has more than doubled in the past decade, and what a growing demand for luxury pet products reveals about America today.

 

The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and in Life

Babauta, Leo

Outlines accessible steps for simplifying a life by eliminating clutter, noise, and unnecessary work, sharing guidelines for such strategies as limiting one’s tasks to three priorities, focusing on a single large goal at a time, and communicating succinctly.

 

Summer World: A Season of Bounty

Heinrich, Bernd

A discussion of animal survival in the hot season explores the ways in which animals make the most of the summer’s short span by efficiently compacting most of their procreative and survival activities.

 

Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends

Ruebush, Mary, Ph.D.

Provides a look at the benefits of being exposed to germs and dirt in relation to building up the immune system, with a look at how the immune system operates, how to make one’s immune system stronger, the overuse of antibiotics, and the growing fear surrounding “super bugs.”

 

Posted by Becky Buckingham

proving that she doesn’t sleep

set to open tomorrow, the Inn at Boonsboro (MD) underwent a 2-year renovation by Nora Roberts and her husband, Bruce Wilder. A fire a year ago provided a temporary setback to the $3 million overhaul. the Inn has 7 rooms with a boutique feel that feature literary couples with happy endings, apparently a more difficult task than it seems. Says Roberts “Romeo and Juliet? Dead. Tristan and Isolde? Dead. Not happy. Dead, dead, dead. Rhett Butler and Scarlett? He didn’t give a damn. You try finding seven of them.” field trip anyone?posting by marin

more about "proving that she doesn’t sleep", posted with vodpod

did he or didn’t he?

rumors started yesterday that Dan Brown has completed his 3rd Robert Langdon novel as told to “Entertainment Tonight” by Ron Howard (would Opie lie?!).  no confirmation from Doubleday, Dan Brown’s publisher.  there are a few people interested in reading Brown’s next book, surely there has to be a RINC (Request an Item Not in the Catalog) for it already….

(via Publishers Weekly)

posting by marin

librarians are hot

just quoting Jamie Ford, author of the previously mentioned “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” in today’s Shelf Awareness ‘Book Brahmin’ interview.  When asked “Book that changed your life?” Ford replied ” Whatever book I was checking out when I met my wife.  Yes, we met at the hotbed of swinging singles activity, the public library.  Hey, don’t knock it–librarians are hot.  Batgirl was a librarian.”  clearly, Ford has a sense of humor as indicated by the rest of the interview as well.

posting by marin

New Adult Nonfiction – 500-699

Annotations from Baker & Taylor

 

Brain Surgeon: A Doctor’s Inspiring Encounters With Mortality and Miracles

Black, Keith

A renowned neurosurgeon shares dramatic accounts of patient cases to illustrated details of the human brain’s inner workings and the cutting-edge techniques that are used today to safeguard and extend life.

 

But Wait … There’s More!: Tighten Your Abs, Make Millions, and Learn How the $100 Billion Infomercial Industry Sold Us Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Stern, Remy

This is a popular history of the infomercial industry spanning from the traveling medicine shows of the 19th century to the Proactive commercials of today.  An easy read sure to trigger a few nostalgic moments for anyone who has suffered from a little insomnia, this book is recommended for public libraries.

 

Eat Cheap but Eat Well: The Poor Chef Cookbook

Mattocks, Charles

From a rising television food personality, delicious meals that won’t bust the budget.

 

Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food

Masson, J. Moussaieff

Explores humanity’s relationship with animals that are cultivated for food, discussing the moral, health, and environmental consequences of meat consumption as well as how eating meat is regarded in a variety of cultures.

 

Handmade Paper from Naturals

Flowers, Diane

Creating handmade paper is fun, easy, and eco-friendly too! Every one of these 25 gorgeous papers uses repurposed, recycled, and natural materials, from junk mail to grass clippings and coffee grounds. The simple recipes yield attractive results, and even beginners can master these basic techniques. And crafters will love the fabulous ideas for showing off their handiwork, including a greeting card, gift wrap, tags, books, a molded decorative bowl.

 

How to Build a Dinosaur

Horner, Jack / Gorman, James

A scientific advisor for the film “Jurassic Park” evaluates the potential for artificially growing a real dinosaur without ancient DNA, discussing the relationships between dinosaurs and birds and how it may be possible to stimulate latent tyrannosaurus rex genes in a chicken.

 

Lucy’s Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins

Johanson, Donald / Wong, Kate

Reconsiders the questions of evolution made in the wake of the stunning discovery of a 3.2 million year-old female skeleton known as Lucy, a new and transitional species placed somewhere between apes and humans that would forever change the way scientists think about human origins.

 

Takashi’s Noodles

Yagahashi, Takashi / Salat, Harris

“A collection of 75 recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi for both traditional and inventive hot and cold Japanese noodle dishes”–Provided by publisher.

why NYC?

in an effort to make it cheaper for the publishers (but not necessarily the attendees) during these challenging economic times, BookExpo America (BEA) will be held in NYC for the next 4 years instead of rotating locations.  additionally, the show will be shortened by a day, from 4 to 3, and will occur midweek.   BEA’s show manager, Lance Fensterman, identifies New York City as the “publishing capital” in his press release.  over the last couple of weeks, i have wondered why most of the major publishing houses are still located in NYC, one of the most expensive cities in the world.  in this day and age of priority mail and computers, why are publishers holding onto the tradition of NYC other than the glamor of it all?  perhaps if they located to a cheaper city (it doesn’t have to be a warehouse in Kansas), they could rehire staff who could actually earn a living wage and take risks in developing a new business model for the future.

(via Shelf Awareness)

posting by marin

Old dogs are the best

Old Dog Teaches Westminster Judges New Tricks
February 11, 2009

Let’s hear it for seniors! Last night Stump, the ten-year-old Sussex spaniel, who recently came out of retirement, became the oldest canine to win Best in Show at the 133rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden.  As Stump so beautifully demonstrated in the show ring, his healthy good looks and endearing personality belied his elderly status. For pet owners wanting tips on how to better care for their older dog or for people considering adopting a mature dog that might better fit with their lifestyle, librarian Kristine M. Alpi and veterinarian Barbara Sherman, co-authors of the collection development article, “The Well-Behaved Dog”, recommend two guidebooks:: Heike Schmidt-Röger & Susanne Blank’s The Senior Dog (DK, 2007) and David Taylor’s Old Dogs, New Tricks (Firefly, 2006). The DK title offers a primer on canine aging with photos of senior dogs and an emphasis on the owner-vet partnership in keeping an older dog healthy. Taylor’s guide covers in greater depth enrichment activities and training strategies. If you have both titles in your collection, why don’t you display them by the checkout desk to celebrate Stump’s victory.

Posted by Wilda Williams on February 11, 2009 in the library room, libraryjournal.com

Posted by Becky Buckingham

the Kindle2 and ebooks

on February 24th, the Kindle2 will be released after much fanfare.  this past Monday, Jeff Bezos announced the second generation of his ebook reader which includes an improved battery life, a sleeker profile, a text-to-speech capability (not to be confused with an audiobook), improved graphics, and more storage.  it does not include a back light nor color.  and the price hasn’t changed, it’s still a mere $359.  Stephen King attended the unveiling and revealed that a novella of his, “Ur,” will be available only through the Kindle, a device that he loves.

EarlyWord has a wrap-up of some of the major coverage of the Kindle2.

there continues to be much talk about the pricing of ebooks especially in light of the struggling publishing model and what the future holds.  at first glance, to most consumers, it would seem that the ebook version of a title should be much cheaper than the print.  there’s been a back and forth on Shelf Awareness the past couple of days on whether ebooks are actually cheaper than their print counterparts.  i’d like to see a major publisher disclose the cost of publishing an ebook versus a print copy whether it be a mass market, trade paperback, or hardback; until then, it’s a lot of speculation and a matter of opinion.  i doubt very much that this type of information will ever be made available.

over at Smart Bitches, an anonymous reader posted her experiences with ebook vs. print which is definitely not an end-all-be-all, but does offer insight.  Jane at Dear Author wrote a lengthy and thoughtful opinion piece on “Why ePublishing Needs to Grow Up.”  Some of her points include the need for better pricing, enhanced content, simultaneous publication of ebook and print, experimentation with marketing and bundling, removing DRM since it does little to prevent piracy, and more.

and for us, what does this all mean for libraries?  if Amazon tightens its hold on the market and becomes the only stream for certain titles and/or publishers, libraries will be left out.  it’s going to be messy in the next couple of years and librarians need to pay attention and attempt advocacy since the bottom line is the consumer, our patrons.

posting by marin