Book Review: Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater

Without the knowledge of the Irish legend surrounding the uisce (pronounced ish-ka) or Water Horse, this story starts out a little hard to imagine. Instead of focusing on the story, I was focusing on the possibility of such creatures. You mean, there are horses that eat people? How is that even possible without canines? They live underwater? Do they have gills?

However, the minor details that surround the existence of the capaill usice (kap-al ish-ka), water horses that come out of the sea each November, are soon swept away in the romance and grip of the story.

Puck – Kate – Connolly is going to race her horse, Dove, among the viscous water horses in the Scorpio Races in order to save her home. She is the first woman to ever ride in the races. Competing against her is 4-time winner of the Scorpio Races, Sean Kendrik, whose prize for this race is his beloved capaill Cor, a fierce red stallion. Both of them ride for their most precious possession, but will their blossoming relationship be the end of them both?

This was a magnificent story. I was pleasantly surprised with the ending, which I thought could only end with the most dire consequences. It didn’t feel forced, and I was completely moved. Brilliant and original.

New ABC Podcast! Episode 94

Episode 94: TBR Challenge or “Blasphemers that don’t read Dickens”

Listen to what we’re reading for our TBR Challenges this year and what we thought about last year’s selections.

Creamy Caesar Crock Pot Chicken

Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 oz caesar salad dressing
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz shredded mozzarella
1 pkg frozen broccoli veggie mix (Next time, I will use unfrozen broccoli and mushrooms.)

Add ingredients to crockpot, saving the shredded cheese for last, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman

The Bergamot family–golden boy and high achiever Richard, wife Liz, 15 year old Jake and six year old Coco, adopted from China–move to Manhattan for Richard’s new high-powered job at a major university. The kids are enrolled at elite Wildwood Academy, and they settle in for a beautiful life among the highly educated, moneyed set of New York City. Here children have every opportunity with no-limit educational enrichment and entertainment activities and parents who deny them nothing, except behavior guidelines and supervision. Though parents are well-meaning, their children are both “privileged and deprived.” Jake is a good student and trusted by his parents, yet his aimless wandering for weekend good times with his new school buddies is disturbing to read. When Jake  receives an unsolicited erotic video from a preteen acquaintance, he is rendered senseless by his immature emotions and forwards it to a friend, thus beginning an irrevocable chain of events that threaten all members of the family. Author Schulman teaches at NYU’s New School and has clearly seen in her students the consequences of current liberal views of childraising. This is a real-life horror story for parents, and we would do well to pay attention.

E-Readers for the Holidays

Don’t miss this important technology update!  Click here to register online or call us, (330) 425-4268 x2.

E-Readers for the Holidays – Monday, December 5 at 7pm
Want to buy an e-reader as a holiday gift?  Learn the features of the gadgets on the market, how they interact with library resources, and how to choose the best one for your friend or family member.

Low Carb Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients
1 pkg broccoli and snap pea frozen vegetables
1 pkg beef broth
1 pkg frozen beef fajita strips
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3 tbs teriyaki sauce

Directions
Mix vegetables, broth, ginger and teriyaki in a large pot. Heat on medium. Saute frozen beef strips in a pan until heated thoroughly. Cut strips into smaller bite size pieces and add to the pot. Cook for 15-20 minutes and serve. Tastes best after being refrigerated overnight and reheated.

New TPL Magazine Issue

Issue 41: Nov/Dec 2011: A Librarian’s Guide to eReaders, best shopping websites for unique individuals, book reviews, and NEW s