Friday, December 20, 2013

Friday Finds for December 20, 2013

This is a new weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!


READING

Sara: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
It has been a while since I've read a young adult book and I am really enjoying it. My goal is to read it before I watch the movie. I became interested after recently watching the Hunger Games movie. Although the book has its slow parts I definitely recommend it to both teens and adults.

Lisa: Luna by Julie Anne Peters
I finally got around to reading this classic young adult novel about Liam who identifies as a girl. His story is told through his sister, Regan. I enjoyed the book and thought the subject matter was handled well, but it moved a little slow at times and then wrapped up too neatly in the end. This book brought to mind another book I read years ago. Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger is about Angela who identifies as a boy. While Parrotfish is informative, it seemed to only scratch the surface of what it's like to be a transgender teen. I did like it and thought it was sweet.

Lluvia: Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Painstakingly detailed and unambiguous, this book, gives an account of Lincoln’s last days in office before his assassination and the eventual capture of the assassins. The narrative is as informative as it is gripping. The in-depth research that was done for this book is evident and almost unbelievable due to its attention to small details like the clothing worn by the subjects. It is not a typical historical book in that it just dictates dates and locations; this book plays out more like a thriller which makes it much more enjoyable.

Angie: Beast Behaving Badly (Pride Stories Series) by Shelly Laurenston
I really like this series, it makes me laugh. Its romantic, quirky and funny. Bo is part polar bear, part lion, and pure alpha male. He's determined to protect Blayne from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. The only book from the series that's in our system is The Beast in Him.


WATCHING

Sara: I just binge-watched the third season of Boardwalk Empire, an HBO series about bootleggers during the Prohibition era. The library has the first three seasons. The series is considered historical fiction and includes a bit on how Al Capone got his start, and of course many other gangsters I had never heard of. The drama, the costumes, and the characters are great. I recently found out it's based on a book by Nelson Johnson titled Boardwalk Empire: The birth, high times, and corruption of Atlantic City. The series is a bit violent so I am sure it is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you liked the Sopranos you might enjoy this one.
The Conjuring: I gave it an A+ for scary moments and because it’s based on a true story.
Disconnect starring Jason Bateman gets a D- since it was quite predictable.

Lisa: PortlandiaI randomly watched a couple of episodes from season 2 the other night. I laughed a little too obnoxiously. I love this series because Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen nail stereotypes I can totally identify with. Unfortunately, we don't have this IFC series at the El Paso Public Library...yet?





Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Holiday News

Holiday Raffle

In celebration of the upcoming holidays, we're hosting a raffle! You'll get one entry for every 10 items you check out. The winner will be chosen and contacted on Thursday, January 2.
Win this tin of edible goodies!

Santa's Visit

Santa made his annual visit this past Saturday, and he brought meteorologist Robert Bettes with him! After Robert read stories and sang Christmas songs, children took pictures with Santa, received a free book and goody bag, and made a craft.


Sale @ The Bookmark

The Friends of the Library used bookstore is having a 50% off sale! On everything! The sale begins today, December 18 and ends Saturday December 21. For more info on the store check out this post.

They're located at 7348 Remcon and their hours are: Wednesdays 3-6 pm, Thursdays 9 am-3 pm, Fridays 3-8 pm, and Saturdays 9 am-3 pm. Stock up, because after this Saturday, they'll be closed for the holidays. They will reopen Friday, January 3rd.

Library Holiday Hours

For the next couple of weeks all of the El Paso Public Libraries will be observing holiday hours. Don't forget about our holiday movie fest, which also begins next week. We'll be showing a holiday movie each day at 2 pm except for Wednesday and Saturday (monthly movie matinee on Saturday is at 3 pm). Teen Hangout, Computer, and Citizenship classes will be cancelled during these weeks as well.

December 23-24: 9 am-5 pm
December 25: Closed
December 26-28: 9 am-5 pm
December 30-31: 9 am-5 pm
January 1: Closed
January 2-4: 9 am-5 pm

The Dorris Van Doren Staff wishes you safe and happy holidays!


Friday, December 13, 2013

Friday Finds

Welcome to Friday Finds! This will be a new weekly blog post featuring what the Dorris Van Doren staff members are reading, watching, playing, making, or listening to. Share your finds with us here in the comments or on twitter (@elpasolibrary) and we'll retweet you!

This week, Lisa and Angie share their finds. Click on the hyperlinks for more info or to request items.


READING

Lisa: Darth Paper Strikes Back (Book 2)
The Origami Yoda Files series is hilarious! It's pretty much about middle school with Star Wars references.
Bonus: origami instructions at the end of each book. Appropriate for grades 4 and up.
Zom-B (Book 1) & Zom-B Underground (Book 2)
This semi-new series is by Darren Shan, famous for his Cirque du Freak series. I've never read anything by Shan and am not particularly a fan of zombies (except for The Walking Dead show and graphic novels of course), but book one blew me away! Chilling beginning, good pacing, and a very unexpected ending. Bonus: takes place in London, so there's plenty of British slang. Violence, dark subject matter, and racism make this series more appropriate for grades 9 and up.
Angie: The Mane Attraction by Shelley Laurenston

WATCHING

Angie: Sleepy Hollow (TV show on Fox). Loves it!


PLAYING

Lisa: QatQi on the iPhone (free, iOS only). It's like Scrabble, but requires more strategy. Beautiful and relaxing interface.
Angie: Harvest Moon: A New Beginning on 3DS. 


MAKING:

Crafts for library programs and decorations:














Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Here Comes Santa!


It's beginning to feel like Christmas at the Dorris Van Doren Branch! We've been busily decorating the library in time for Santa's visit this Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m. News Channel 4's meteorologist, Robert Bettes will be here reading stories as well. Don't forget your cameras! We've also been turning on the fireplace in the family room where it's been a cozy study haven for some.


Coming up in December, we're hosting a holiday movie festival. We'll be showing a holiday movie each day at 2 p.m. from December 23-27 (except for the 25th; we're closed Christmas Day). Then on December 28 at 3 p.m., we're showing our monthly matinee (hint: it's a very popular sequel that was released to DVD yesterday). Come visit or call us to find out the titles of the movies we'll be showing.


In case you can't attend our Santa visit, here's the list for other branches all over town:

Wednesday, December 11 @ 6 pm
Jose Cisneros Branch 1300 Hawkins
Santa Claus visits with City Representative Emma Acosta. Goodies will be provided.

Saturday, December 14 @ 11 am
Irving Schwartz Branch 1865 Dean Martin
Santa Claus Storytime. Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa.

Saturday, December 14 @ 1 pm
Dorris Van Doren Branch 551 E. Redd
Come see Santa at the library and get ready to take pictures. Enjoy a book giveaway, crafts and refreshments.


Saturday, December 14 @ 2 pm
Ysleta Branch 9321 Alameda
Santa Claus visits with City Representative Eddie Holguin.

Saturday, December 14 @ 3 pm
Memorial Park Branch 3200 Copper
Santa visits with City Representative Larry Romero. Refreshments, games and fun! Parents, bring your cameras.

Wednesday, December 18 @ 11 am
Armijo Branch 620 E. 7th Ave.
Santa storytime & visit.

Wednesday, December 18 @ 11 am
Main Library 501 N. Oregon
Santa visits with City Representative Cortney Niland.

Thursday, December 19 @ 5 pm
Judge Marquez Branch 610 N. Yarbrough
Santa visits with City Representative Lily Limon. Bring a camera and take a picture with Santa!

Thursday, December 19 @ 5:30 pm
Westside Branch 125 Belvidere 
Santa is visiting. Bring your wish list and your camera!

Saturday, December 21 @ 11 am
Esperanza Acosta Moreno Branch 12480 Pebble Hills Blvd.
Santa visits with City Representative Dr. Michael Noe. Listen to holiday stories.

Saturday, December 21 @ 2 pm
Main Library 501 N. Oregon St.
See Santa and their special Christmas party!

Saturday, December 21 @ 2 pm
Richard Burges 9600 Dyer
Santa Claus visits with City Representative Carl Robinson.
Bring your wish lists and cameras!