Book Crush Contest - February (All Month)

Hey there Bookish People (you know who you are). I've got a question for you:

Who is your Book Crush?

That is, which fictional character do you absolutely love? The one you would date or marry or, at least, have as a very best friend? Almost every devoted reader has at least one.

We'll be asking this question all month long in February...and answering just might win you a prize!

So stop by the Teen Area and tell us YOUR Book Crush!

Winners* announced in March.

* You must be in grades 6th-12th to be eligible to win, but anyone can play.

Hot Cocoa Take & Make (January 30)

National Hot Cocoa Day is January 31, but since we're not currently open on Sundays, we're celebrating the day before.

So stop by the Teen Area on Saturday January 30 and pick up a packet of hot cocoa mix to take home and enjoy later. And yes, it's the kind with built-in marshmallows. Supplies will be limited, and when they're gone they're gone, so we ask that you please be courteous and take only ONE packet per person.

Breaking Cat News (series), by Georgia Dunn

During much of 2020, it got to where reading the daily newsfeed was a pretty cringeworthy experience. There were pandemics, political dramas, everyone disagreeing about everything, and, in general, gloom and doom and unpleasant things. And then there was trying to decipher what was fake news and what was legit accounts of what was happening. Hey...it's been kind of scary out there for a long time (the Bernie in Mittens memes do help, though). Let's hope 2021 is better 💓

But one News Source that's 1,000% guaranteed to bring nothing but smiles is Breaking Cat News, a webcomic-turned-book series by Georgia Dunn. Breaking Cat News (or BCN) follows the misadventures of Lupin, Puck, and Elvis, three house cats who fancy themselves news reporters...and report on the daily goings-on with their people and happenings in and around the Big Pink House they call home. And, of course, all news is filtered through a cat's perspective, so very often they are quite puzzled at the strange behavior of those silly humans with whom they share space. With BCN, you won't learn the latest in politics or celebrity gossip, but you'll know all about Strange Cats in the Yard, what was found under the sofa (spoiler: Buzzy Mouse!), whenever bacon is being cooked, and more. The result is pure awesomeness. And the illustrations are adorable!

So if you need a break from Current Events, but still want to know what's going on, Breaking Cat News is for you! And be sure to check out the sequels: Lupin Leaps In, Take it Away Tommy, and Elvis Puffs Out. This whole series is highly recommended. And, if you like these books, be sure to check out Breaking Cat News Online for the very latest in all the news that matters to cats.

--AJB

This Book Is Literally....

With winter in full swing (and not quite two months to go before Spring arrives), we could all use a little TLC. And today's book recommendations provide just that...and you don't have to be an expert on Meditation or Mindfulness to reap the benefits.

Today I give you: This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Animals That Will Make You Feel Better and This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Snoozy Animals That Will Make You Sleep Better. Because it's been scientifically proven that watching Cute Animal Videos or looking at cute animal photos is exceptionally therapeutic and mood-boosting. Seriously. A 2015 study done at Indiana University polled 7,000 people about their video viewing habits and found that those who watched cute or funny animal videos felt generally happier and were more productive. At the same time, feelings of sadness and anxiety were reduced. (Specifically this study had to do with cat videos, but I'm sure those results would extend similarly to dogs or sloths or any adorable critter). Other studies have been done as well. Look them up. I'm not kidding here.

While neither recommendation qualifies as a video, their contents is just as adorable. And browsing them will make you smile.

So go ahead and enjoy these Cute Animal books. 

Go ahead and watch some Cute Animal videos.

Because it's not procrastinating. It's practicing self care. And who couldn't use a little TLC?

--AJB

Impractical Jokers: Season 1 (dvd)

Do you need a good laugh?

Look no further than Impractical Jokers, the first season of which can be found in the Teen DVD Area. In each episode of this show, four longtime friends participate in a variety of hilarious hidden camera hijinks, dares, and challenges, each more outrageous than the next. The winners avoid embarrassment for another day. The loser must face ultimate humiliation, where their worst fears and triggers become reality. And it's all for YOUR entertainment!

Impractical Jokers isn't deep or action-packed or loaded with memorable feels. It won't make you ponder the meaning of life or your place within the grand scheme of the Universe. But it will make you laugh. And sometimes that's all you need.

--AJB

Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa

It seems winter has finally arrived, so what better way to fight off the chill (and the winter blues) than with a mug of yummy hot cocoa? Sure, you could spring for a pre-packaged mixture, but trust us when we say nothing beats this easy homemade recipe:

Here's what you'll need:

1/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

3/4 Cup White Sugar

1/3 Cup Boiling Water

3.5 Cups Milk

3/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Half-And-Half

Pinch Sea Salt

Combine Cocoa, Sugar, and Salt in a sausepan. Blend in boiling water. 

Bring mixture to boil, stirring the whole time. Once boiling, turn heat to low and let simmer about 2 minutes (watch out it doesn't scorch!). 

Stir in Milk and heat, but DO NOT boil! 

Remove from heat and add Vanilla. 

Divide between four mugs and add Half and Half.

Top with whip cream or marshmallows, if you like.

Zootopia (dvd)

It's true that we librarians spend a lot of time recommending books (and movies and other things) to people. But sometimes we have things recommended to us. When this happens, I usually try to investigate what was recommended and, if it sounds good, check it out for myself to see what all the hype is about.

So when a young man (whose taste I trust) excitedly pressed Zootopia (Disney) into my hands with the statement, "It's one of my favorite movies", I pretty much had to watch it. It helps that I happen to love animated movies and this one had somehow passed under my radar. And, although this wasn't the best of the genre, I really did enjoy it.

Zootopia is all about following your dreams, achieving your goals, and defying stereotypes. It centers on Judy Hops, an anthropomorphic (SAT Word: Means giving human features and characteristics to non-human things, like animals or toasters) bunny who wants nothing more than to be a police officer so she can help make the world a better place. Trouble is, this is an occupation that, previously, has been held by larger, more threatening animals like lions and tigers and bears. And although Officer Judy graduates at the top of her Police Academy Class, she still gets stuck with Parking Meter Duty. Because would you trust a cute little bunny rabbit to bring down the bad guy? Be honest here... Officer Judy has just about accepted her fate and has decided to become the best Meter Maid ever when she unexpectedly gets a break into a Really Big Missing Persons Case. Teaming up with the chief witness Nick, a tricksy fox, Officer Judy doesn't just crack the case. She just might expose the biggest scandal the city of Zootopia has ever seen.

Zootopia was a fun way to kill a chilly January evening. Characters were likable, humor was spot-on, and the message at the story's heart was a positive one (none of that embarrassing, and totally outdated, "Someday My Prince Will Come" crap Disney has been known for in the past). I can honestly attest that this is a movie that can be enjoyed by multiple ages on multiple levels. I recommend it.

--AJB

A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness, by Ton Mak

Who doesn't love sloths? I mean, really... They're fluffy, they always look as if they're smiling, and their lifestyle is so laid-back and relaxed they're pretty much the Animal Kingdom's resident experts on Mildfulness.

Ok...that last but hasn't been scientifically proven, but it sounds good.

But it's true according to Ton Mak's simplistically deep A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness. In this book, an adorable sloth guides you through all the ways to bring the concept of mindfulness into your life, from visualization techniques to simply observing the world around you and being present in the present moment. And honestly, in this crazy, fast-paced world of social media floods, constant news drama, and go-go-go of daily life, who couldn't use a little dose of Mindfulness?

Especially when it's delivered by such a cute teacher.

A Sloth's Guide to Mindfulness seems to be a short book, and it would be easy to breeze through it and move on to the next thing on your to-do list. But the best way to read this book is take it slow. DON'T breeze through it. Take time to read each page and consider the lessons offered there. 

And when the world around you gets too crazy, take a step back and just BE in the moment. It's what the Sloth would do.

--AJB

How To Draw Cute Food, by Angela Nguyen

It's scientifically proven that creative activities (like drawing, painting, coloring, etc.) are just as therapeutic as logging into TikTok or YouTube and watching cute animal videos (which is therapeutic too!). 

Angela Nguyen combines these two elements with her "Draw Cute..." series, the latest of which is How To Draw Cute Food.

You may ask me, Ms. Alissa...how can food be cute? Like, don't you just eat it? I mean, sure, sometimes you'll notice that your burger is just as delicious-looking in real life as it looked in the menu photo. Or maybe your cookie is unusually symmetrical with just the right placement/ratio of chocolate chips to walnuts. And don't get started on the unrealistic expectations set by Pinterest. Yummy-looking, yes. Pretty, yes. But CUTE? I don't think so.

I'm here to tell you that this book will change your mind.

As in her other books (How To Draw Cute Stuff, How To Draw Cute Animals), Nguyen applies the style of Kawaii, which is the Japanese culture of Cute, to food. Yes, FOOD! You'll learn how to draw (literal) pigs in blankets, marshmallow kittens, leaf-wrapped pandas, turtle rolls, and more. This food is so cute, you'll want to cuddle it rather than eat it.

So enjoy some Cute Art Therapy with How To Draw Cute Food. And, if your appetite for adorable isn't satisfied, if you're still craving more Kawaii, check out her other books too. You'll be glad you did!

--AJB

Coloring Pages

Did you know that coloring is an exceptionally relaxing activity? It's true! So if you happen to be passing through the Teen Department, be sure to grab a coloring sheet or two to take home. You'll find them on the table by the computers. We'll be putting out new ones every so often, so if you have a request, be sure to let us know. We'll try to make it happen in the near future!

Read This for Inspiration, by Ashly Perez

It's been a challenging week. The sort where you're ready for a weekend...and it's only Tuesday (you know the kind). This is when I find myself scrolling social media for inspirational memes featuring cute animals, colorful flowers, motivational quotes, or all of the above. 

This is why I was so happy to discover Ashly Perez's wonderful new book, Read This for Inspiration. This book is like all the best inspirational memes all packaged together in one book. There are bright colors, positive affirmations, and empowering stories (My favorite was the one about kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending shattered pottery by filling the cracks with gold. The moral being sometimes things have to break in order to become even more beautiful). This book is so filled with positivity! If any book could hug, it would be this book. Definitely a case of coming across the perfect book exactly when I needed it most. I just love when that happens...don't you. The only drawback is it isn't longer.

Are YOU having a rough week too? Or just need a pretty book to browse? Read This For Inspiration is for you. You can currently find it on the New Book shelf. And if it's not there, ask your friendly librarian to place a hold for you (they'll gladly oblige).

--AJB

The Unicorn Guide To Life

Unicorns are amazing creatures: They're happy, confident, magical, always know who they are, what they want, and how to make it happen...and then there's that whole rumor about farting rainbows. Who doesn't want to be a Unicorn (minus the rainbows bit, because that could get annoying)? I ask you...

Well, now you finally can! In a figurative sense, at least. Author and certified Unicorn expert Eunice Horn has spent a lifetime studying these incredible creatures and has discovered that elusive element that makes a unicorn a Unicorn (and it has nothing to do with a magical horn). In The Unicorn's Guide to Life: Magical Methods for Looking and Feeling Great!, Horne details little and big ways you (yes, YOU!) can bring a bit of Unicorn magic into your world and, thus, transform your entire life for the better. Inside this colorful book are tips on everything from changing your wardrobe to changing your attitude. And more! And mixed in with the advice are positive quotes and little affirmations. 

And what better time than 2021 to become that Unicorn you've always dreamed of becoming! Or at least the best version of yourself you can possibly be.

p.s. Want even MORE Unicorn Magic? Check out Unicorn Your Life by Mary Flannery. This is a most Magical companion read with even MORE Magical tips and tricks to make your life sparkle!

--AJB

Barely Functional Adult, by Meichi Ng

As we leave behind the outhouse fire that was 2020 and step into the new year with uncertain optimism, I want to take this month to shine the spotlight on books about good advice, self-improvement, and ones that, generally, show you how to live your most awesome life...or at least take a step closer to doing so. Not really self-help books in the traditional sense (I hate that term anyway), but fun ones that guide you (or sometimes sympathize with you) in ways that are so entertaining and so fun you forget you may actually be reading something on self-improvement.

I'll begin with Barely Functional Adult, by webcomic author Meichi Ng. Reminiscent of Sarah Scribbles and Allie Brosh, Ng's style combines quirky, simple illustrations with hilarious stories about learning how to Adult...which is a lot more difficult than more experienced adults make it look (Trust me when I say I've been an "adult" for more than two decades and I'm still trying to figure things out). College, first jobs, first serious loves and first serious breakups, therapy, friendship, and just navigating this weird world now that you're not a kid anymore. Still don't know your purpose in life? Great!! This book is for you! And everyone else who has no idea what the heck they're doing. Read this and know you're not alone. And for those who have it all figured out (or think you do), read it and reminisce about those awkward, Not-So-Glorious Days of trying to achieve that mythical Adult status.  Either way, there's something in here for everyone.

Absolutely recommended!

--AJB