Middletown Thrall Library's Blog for Booklovers
Literary news, forthcoming titles, new authors, eBooks, and more!
Book Cover Viewer:
Jump to a post:
Archived Posts
Other Thrall Web Pages:
March 2013 Titles
Posted: February 22, 2013
The following titles are due out in March. Use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
February 2013 Titles
Posted: January 25, 2013
The following books are due out in February. Use the links below to place your requests.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Currently on Display...
Posted: January 4, 2013
Notable Books of 2012
Our standing book display, nearest to the library entrance and
our New Books section, features many of the most notable books
of 2012 (as recently reported by The New York Times).
We invite you to explore this display and to check out any
books you find interesting!
For more "best of 2012" book lists and reading possibilities...
You might also want to check out...
January 2013 Titles
Posted: December 29, 2012
The following books are due out in January. Use the link below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Currently on Display...
Posted: December 6, 2012
Our Towns
Exploring Localities & Lives
through Regional Fiction
Our latest book display for adults features
a variety of American regional fiction.
The book display is located on the library's first floor,
near the library catalog computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out any of the books on display!
You can also browse related materials in and beyond the library system through the links below:
Regional Fiction in the Library System
You might also like to try browsing regional fiction titles by state:
December 2012 Titles
Posted: November 28, 2012
The following books are due out in December. Use the link below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Christmas
National Book Awards 2012
Posted: November 15, 2012
The finalists and winners for this year's
National Book Awards
have been announced!
You can use the following links to explore the winners and finalists in the
library system catalog.
Fiction
Winner
Finalists
Nonfiction
Winner
Finalists
Poetry
Winner
Finalists
Young People's Literature
Winner
Finalists
For more information...
November 2012 Titles
Posted: October 28, 2012
The following books are due out in November. Use the link below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
2012 Nobel Prize in Literature
Posted: October 11, 2012
The latest recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature is
Mo Yan, a Chinese author.
Mo Yan, whose real name is Guan Moye, is said to be the first
Chinese national writer
* to win this prestigious literary award.
His pseudonym (pen name) "Mo Yan" translates to "don't speak."
For more information on this writer and the Nobel Prize,
please see these links:
- From the Nobel Prize (official website):
- Local Library System (RCLS) Items:
- Websites:
(* Gao Xingjian, an émigré Chinese writer/artist/critic left China for France in 1987 and was granted French citizenship in 1997. He later won the 2000 Nobel Prize in Literature.)
Currently on Display: "Pages in Flames"
Posted: October 1, 2012
Our latest book display for adults features
classic and contempory books which were once
challenged, censored, banned, or burned.
Our display coincides with the American Library
Association's own
"Banned Books Week" awareness campaign,
which runs from September 30 to October 6, 2012.
During this period, ALA and libraries worldwide work
to "draw national attention to the harms of censorship"
(
source).
Libraries exist for many essential reasons,
including to protect democracy, freedom of speech,
and to advocate and afford everyone an equal opportunity
and the
intellectual freedom
to read and research information.
The book display is located on the library's first floor,
near the library catalog computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out any of the books on display!
You can also browse related materials in and beyond the library system through the links below:
- Library System Catalog Materials
- Online Resources
October 2012 Titles
Posted: September 24, 2012
The following titles by popular authors are due out in October. Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
September 2012 Titles
Posted: August 28, 2012
The following titles by popular authors are due out in September. Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Currently on Display...
Posted: August 17, 2012
Now on display is a collection of science-fiction and fantasy novels and short story collections.
There are a wide variety of styles and themes, including dystopian fiction, macabre weird tales, and gender politics, with aesthetics ranging from clean high-technology, to gritty steam-punk.
This rotating display is located on the library's first floor, near the library catalog computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out any of the books on display!
You can also browse some related books and videos in the online library system catalog by clicking on any of these topics:
August 2012 Titles
Posted: July 25, 2012
The following titles by popular authors are due out in August. Use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
On Display: "First Novels"
Posted: July 10, 2012
Our latest adult display features works of fiction
by first-time novelists.
This rotating display is located on the
library's first floor, near the library catalog
computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out
any of the books on display!
You can also browse some debut works (novels
and short story collections)
in the
library system catalog
by clicking on any of these topics:
Also check out our
Beyond the Bestsellers guide,
which often features debut novels and emerging authors!
July 2012 Titles
Posted: June 22, 2012
The following popular titles are due out in July, please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
U.S. Poet Laureate 2012
Posted: June 7, 2012
The Library of Congress has just appointed Natasha Trethewey
as the 19th Poet Laureate of the United States.
You can read the
Library of Congress' press release at this link.
The Library of Congress has also prepared
a brief guide to the poet and her works.
Among other honors, Natasha Trethewey also was appointed
Poet Laureate of Mississippi for 2012
and won the
2007 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
You can
click here to search the RCLS library system for works by Natasha Trethewey.
Additional information on this appointment can be found at the following links:
Past "Poets Laureate" and current State Poets Laureate can be explored via these guides from the Library of Congress:
For an even wider selection of notable and award-winning poets, please visit our:
June 2012 Titles
Posted: May 25, 2012
The following books are due out in June. Please use the links below to place your request now.
On Display:
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Posted: May 11, 2012
Our latest adult display features books about
America's great national pastime:
baseball!
From the history of the sport and biographies
of famous players to fictional stories and more,
our display offers something for baseball fans
as well as any readers interested in intriguing
tales inspired by the game.
This rotating display is located on the
library's first floor, near the library catalog
computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out
any of the books on display!
You can also browse some related books and videos
in the
online library system catalog
by clicking on any of these topics:
For event more baseball items...
May 2012 Titles
Posted: April 26, 2012
The following books by popular authors are due out in May. Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Get Poetic!
Posted: April 17, 2012
While poetry is indeed perennial, ever in season,
April is
National Poetry Month,
a time when our nation commemorates poets and all forms of verse.
This April, we took some extra steps in hopes
of inspiring you to celebrate the power and beauty
of poetry - and perhaps even to write some poems
of your own!
On our
home page
you will find (on the "Literature" line) a new
"poetry" link.
This leads to a new menu where you can access poetry
eBooks, poetry criticism, online archives, our own
poetry catalog,
daily poems, rhyming dictionaries, and more!
You can also reach this menu directly by
going to
www.thrall.org/poetry
Realizing not everyone is keen on poetry, we created
a new downloadable/printable guide:
This guide is intended to be an invitation to a celebration
of words and ideas - or, to mix up our metaphors a bit,
a friendly "road map" into the wide and wondrous world of poetry.
We start off with some reasons you might want to introduce
(or reintroduce) poetry into your life. (Trust us, there are many!)
We include a few poetry terms you might find useful
as well as some fairly "easy-to-understand" poets you might
like to begin with before moving on to some classic and more
challenging / thought-provoking poems (also listed).
On the second page of our guide you'll find some poetry reading
tips and some suggested books on reading - and writing - poetry.
If you haven't read poetry in a while - or at all -
perhaps our guide can help you discover some great
new writing and feel some fresh inspiration!
Free printed copies of "Getting into Poetry" (and
our "Looking for Poetry" guide) are also available
in the library.
Also consider...
- our printable "Looking for Poetry" guide (which has a more in-depth listing of classic and contemporary poets, poems, and poetry collections)
- and our Literature Guide, which includes a section on poets, poetry, and poetics!
Currently on Display...
"Transformed: Stories & Studies of Change"
Posted: April 17, 2012
Our latest adult display features books
involving
change - from life-changing
stories (fiction and nonfiction) to how-to
guides on transforming yourself, your home,
and your world.
This rotating display is located on the
library's first floor, near the library catalog
computers and stairs to the second level.
You are welcome and encouraged to check out
any of the books on display!
You can also browse some related books and videos
in the
online library system catalog
by clicking on any of these searches:
For even more items on personal transformation, please
click here for a list of self-help subjects in the library catalog.
April 2012 Titles
Posted: March 26, 2012
The following popular titles are due out in April. Please use the links below to request them now:
Nonfiction
Fiction
March 2012 Titles
Posted: February 27, 2012
The following popular titles are due out in March. Please use the links below to request them now:
Nonfiction
Fiction
On Display: "As I Recall..."
Posted: February 16, 2012
Our latest book display for adults is
As I Recall
Memorable Memoirs
This book display, located on the first floor
(near the library catalog computers), features
a number of interesting and insightful memoirs.
We invite you to explore this display
and check out as many titles as you like!
For more memoirs in the library catalog,
please click here to search for memoirs
or click on any of the recently published memoirs below:
Some more possibilities:
February 2012 Titles
Posted: January 29, 2012
The following books are due out in February. Use the links below to place requests.
Nonfiction
Fiction
January 2012 Titles
Posted: December 23, 2011
The following titles due out in January 2012 are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
December 2011 Titles
Posted: November 18, 2011
The following titles due out in December are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
also...
Some Christmas Titles to Consider!
November 2011 Titles
Posted: October 28, 2011
The following titles due out in November are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Currently on Display...
Posted: October 7, 2011
Our latest book display for adults is
Altogether Austen
Celebrating the Works & Inspirations of Jane Austen
This book display, which is located on the first floor
(near the library catalog computers) features
works by, inspired by, or about Jane Austen.
We invite you to explore this display
and check out as many titles as you like!
You can also use the following links to explore
Jane Austen items in the
library system catalog
and on the Web:
Library System Catalog
Works by Jane Austen
Biographies & Criticism
Some Other Books & Stories by or about Austen
Videos - Adaptations of Austen's Works
Websites & Ebooks
2011 Nobel Prize in Literature
Posted: October 6, 2011
The latest recipient of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature is
Tomas Transtromer, a Swedish poet, writer, and translator.
For more information on this poet and the Nobel Prize,
please see these links:
- From the Nobel Prize (official website):
- Websites & Library Items:
October 2011 Titles
Posted: September 26, 2011
The following titles due out in October are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Currently on Display...
Posted: September 12, 2011
Our latest book display for adults is
Call of the Quest
Heroic Journeys & Adventurous Tales
This display, located on the first floor,
near the library catalog computers, features
a variety of true and fictional accounts
of quests for many different things, such
as power, perfection, freedoms, rights,
justice, meaning, peace, wealth, understanding,
philosophical or spiritual enlightenment,
mathematical solutions, other worlds, truth,
and more.
We invite you to explore this display
and check out as many titles as you like!
Additional titles relating to the theme of "quests"
can be found under these subject headings
in the
library system catalog:
September 2011 Titles
Posted: August 26, 2011
The following titles due out in September are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
A New Poet Laureate
Posted: August 12, 2011
On Wednesday, August 10, 2011, American poet Philip Levine
became the
Library of Congress'
latest poet laureate.
Among other honors (such as the National Book Award), Philip Levine won the
1995 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
His published poetry collections include:
(Note: Click on the above titles to find them in the
library catalog.)
For more details about the award, please visit these Library of Congress links:
For more information about the poet, please see these resources:
August 2011 Titles
Posted: July 26, 2011
The following titles due out in August are sure to be popular. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
July 2011 Titles
Posted: June 24, 2011
The following titles are due out in July. Place your requests using the links below.
Nonfiction
Fiction
June 2011 Titles
Posted: May 26, 2011
The following notable titles will be published soon.
Please use the links below to check the library catalog
and place your requests now!
Nonfiction
Fiction
World Literature Collections
Posted: May 5, 2011
We recently enriched our literature collections with more classic and contemporary works of literature from
around the world.
Sample titles include:
To browse even more world literature titles within the entire library system:
May 2011 Titles
Posted: April 26, 2011
The following notable titles will be published soon.
Please use the links below to check the library catalog
and place your requests now!
Nonfiction
Fiction
Pulitzer Prize Winners for 2011
Posted: April 18, 2011
The
Pulitzer Prize winners for 2011 were announced today.
Winning works and authors include the following (click a title to search for it in the
library system catalog):
Please click here for the complete list of 2011 Pulitzer Prize Winners.
National Poetry Month
Posted: April 15, 2011
April is National Poetry Month.
The
Academy of American Poets
describes the purposes inspiring this nationwide observance:
"Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996,
National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers,
booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets
around the country band together to celebrate poetry
and its vital place in American culture."
(
source)
You can participate in these poetic proceedings
in a variety of ways, including right through
our website:
- Browse Poets and Poetry Books in our library catalog - Find favorite poets, discover new writers and works, or learn about reading and writing poetry. Browse by title, name, or topic.
- Browse Poetry Resources on the Web - Explore our annotated list of poetry websites. Some websites include audio and video readings, interviews, poetry slams, and more.
- Download our printable "Looking for Poetry" library guide - Classic and contemporary poets, poetry collections, and more to consider.
- Literature Guide: William Shakespeare - Learn about one of the greatest poets and dramatists of all time and read his works.
- Ready Reference: Poetry - Some quick links to key information on poets and poetry.
- Ready Reference: Rhyming Dictionaries - Find words which rhyme with each other.
- Writer's Markets - Calls for Manuscripts - Interested in publishing your poetry? Check these listings for submission guidelines, contests, and more.
Some Internet highlights to check out:
- The Academy of American Poets website, where you can search for poets, a number of poems (search by title or theme), listen to poems, and engage in numerous related activities.
- Library of Congress: Poetry - Learn about current and past Poets Laureate, listen to poetry, and more.
- Poetry Foundation, another great website for learning about major poets and their works. From the publisher OF Poetry Magazine.
We also invite you to come to the library and browse our circulating
poetry collections and poetry criticism reference works.
Some notable and recent poetry titles include:
If you are an active member of Thrall or any
RCLS library,
you might also want to:
For additional downloadable titles (no library membership required), the
Project Gutenberg website
offers a number of poetry texts in a variety of electronic formats.
The
LibriVox website offers
downloadable audio of poems read
by different persons.
Younger aspiring poets might also want to visit the
Poetry section of our "Ref Is Ready" guide
for "Magnetic Poetry" games and more.
On
Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 7 PM, Middletown Thrall Library
will be showing a feature film inspired by the life
of the major Romantic poet John Keats. Please call
(845) 341-5454 (ext. 5479) for the title of that film.
Attendance is free, and light refreshments will be served.
We hope these resources and activities will help inspire you
to gain an expanded awareness and appreciation of the power,
beauty, and relevance of poetry. Perhaps you will even
consider writing some poems of your own some day!
Currently on Display...
Posted: April 4, 2011
The theme for our latest adult book display is:
Of Blossoms and Harvests
Gardening Stories & Guides
This display, located on the first floor near the stairs,
features fiction and nonfiction books about gardening
and gardeners.
We invite you to browse this display and check out any
items that interest you.
For even more selections relating to these themes, please
try one or more of these library catalog subject searches:
For even more topics in the library catalog as well as Web resources,
please explore the
Gardening section of our Ready Reference Guide.
April 2011 Titles
Posted: March 25, 2011
The following titles by popular authors are due out in April. Use the links below to place your request now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
New Book Display:
"Reflections of Her"
Posted: March 10, 2011
The theme for our latest adult book display is:
Reflections of Her: Exploring the Worlds of Women
This display, located on the first floor near the stairs,
features a variety of books relating to women's interests,
issues, studies, and history.
We encourage you to visit this display and check out items
of interest to you.
For even more selections relating to these themes, please
try one or more of these library catalog subject searches:
Please also check our
Women's History information guide
for even more library and Web resources about women.
March 2011 Titles
Posted: February 18, 2011
The following books by popular authors are due out in February.
Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
Book Displays:
"Entering Elsewhere"
and "To Whom It May Concern"
Posted: January 28, 2011
The theme for our two latest adult book displays are:
- "Entering Elsewhere: Stories Set in Other Lands"
- "To Whom It May Concern: A Celebration of Letters Real and Imagined"
The first display is located on the first floor just outside the office of our Head of Reference.
The second can be found on by the stairs and adult library catalog computers.
As always, we encourage you to come down, browse, and borrow
as many books you like from these displays.
For additional selections generally relating to these themes, you might
want to try one or more of these library catalog search links:
Letters - Real & Imagined
Stories Set Around the World
- Topics:
- Other Topics:
- Some Titles (fiction / nonfiction):
February 2011 Titles
Posted: January 25, 2011
The following books by popular authors are due out in February.
Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
January 2011 Titles
Posted: December 22, 2010
The following books by popular authors are due out in January.
Please use the links below to place your requests now.
Nonfiction
Fiction
