Four Soups and a Quiche

It's officially fall! Time to dust off the slow cooker and bring out the soup pot. As the weather gets cooler, warm recipes in your tummy feel like a hug from the inside, don't they? I actually got a head start on my fall cooking thanks to recent gum graft surgery (trust me, you don't want to know) that's forcing me to avoid any food I can't cut easily with a fork.

So, I'd like to take a moment to share with you some new (and some old) fall recipes I discovered that are easy to make and simply delish (whether or not you've had dental surgery):

• Crustless Spinach Quiche  I have to admit I found this recipe because I didn't know what to do with leftover spinach. Turned out this was a tasty, filling dish that's easy to make and also great for diabetics or anyone cutting carbs.
• Easy Creamy Vegetable Soup  I never made a creamy vegetable soup before, but this one is awesome and full of flavor. Made with carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion, you can fool your kids into eating their veggies with this. I recommend using a vegetable broth for better flavor.
• Rosół (Polish Chicken Soup)  Many Polish recipes are passed down through generations. This one is the closest rosół (pronounced roh-sue) to the one made in my family. How my recipe differs: 3 carrots chopped, 4-5 celery stalks chopped (in place of parsley root and celery root), and no leek or garlic. As for the onion, I slice each end and burn it (yes, burn it) in a pan before adding to the pot for flavor (it can be removed from the soup later). Make sure to serve with extra fine noodles.
• Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup  This pea soup recipe beats any you'll get out of a can. It's made with fresh ingredients and is a dump recipe, so there's a minimum of work involved. I recommend adding salt and pepper to taste once it's done to wake it up a bit. 
• To-Die-For Hungarian Mushroom Soup  I've mentioned this recipe in a past post, but it's so good and easy, it's worth mentioning again! This is definitely the recipe for mushroom lovers. For a more intense mushroom taste, mix white and cremini mushrooms. This soup is perfect for a chilly fall day!

In addition to these online recipes, the library has a number of cookbooks with recipes to put some love in your tummy. Be sure to stop by and check them out. And of course, your friendly perch librarian is here to help you find recipes on your culinary journey.

Do you have a favorite fall recipe? Share with us!

Wishing you delicious fall eats and good reads from the perch.

A Kindergarten Refresher

The new school year has started. Some are continuing their studies, others are at the very beginning of a long road of formal education. Of course, however, we learn throughout our lives, both in and out of the classroom, academic subjects and life skills. 

Years ago, there was a book that resonated with many called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, written by Robert Fulghum (available as an audiobook on Libby). Although it was first published in 1986, there are simple lessons that can be applied not only to kindergarteners, but to all of us. And at a time when it seems like we're surrounded by a lack of respect, courtesy, and kindness, I think it's worth taking a look at some of the kindergarten lessons Fulghum thought are important to remember:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.

The list goes on a little further, but you get the idea. One lesson I remember learning in my own kindergarten--if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 

Wouldn't it be great if we all remembered and practiced the not-so-little life lessons we learned in kindergarten? I'm not so naive to think they can solve all of the world's problems, but I think if we all tried to put these early lessons to use in our own encounters with others, whether in person or online, we've done our part. Maybe that's one of the reasons I enjoy being a librarian--when you're helping a library patron, kindness comes with the territory (or at least it should).

What are some lessons you remember from your kindergarten? Share with us!

Wishing everyone a great new school year from the perch.

The Return of the Cassette?

When was the last time you saw cassettes in the library? For me, it was probably around 10 years ago, and the few we had were books on cassette or language learning cassettes. Since then, they have been removed from our collection because they rarely got checked out, and most people told us they didn't have cassette players anymore. Could that soon change?

If you or someone you know is a Swiftie (fan of megastar singer Taylor Swift), you might decide to buy her next album on cassette. No, I'm not kidding. Swift's next album, Life of a Showgirl, will be released in October on streaming, CD, vinyl, and...cassette.

For decades, "records" (a.k.a. "vinyls") were the primary format for audio recordings, but they had their limitations--they scratched easily and weren't very portable. Cassette tapes came out in the 1960s and became popular with the public in the 1970s through 1980s because you could take them anywhere (think 1980s "boom boxes" and car tape players). As a teenager, I played the cast album of The Phantom of the Opera endlessly (okay, I was a weird kid).

So why the heck is Taylor Swift releasing her latest album on cassette, of all formats? Apparently, Gen Z want to connect with their favorite singers more closely through something old school and tangible. Cassettes are also different from streaming in that you need to listen to an entire side rather than skip from one song to another (technically, you can fast forward to the next song, but it's not so easy to find its starting point).

Will the library be buying cassettes again? I doubt it. As someone who grew up with cassettes in the '80s, give me a clean-sounding CD I can play in my car and skip to any song I want.

Do you want to see the return of the cassette? Why or why not? Share with us!

Ever truly yours from the perch.

(Photo Source: BRRT on Pixabay)

"Superman" Returns?

There's hype about Superman, the latest movie in the Superman franchise coming out this week. You may recall that I'm a big Superman fan, so I'm interested in this new take on the iconic superhero. Although I've enjoyed portrayals of the Man of Steel by different actors, Christopher Reeve's portrayal will always be the most quintessential to me and others.

In fact, a number of people like Reeve's Superman so much that they've created AI versions. Yes, there are actually videos on YouTube that feature an AI Reeve as Superman that eerily look AND sound like the late actor in his prime. Other videos present an AI Reeve as an aged Superman, something we sadly never saw in real life.

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) resurrected Peter Cushing to play Moff Tarkin in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 22 years after the actor's demise, but there's a difference between CGI and AI. Whereas CGI is created and controlled by artists, AI is created completely by computers and looks unnervingly realistic. Beside movie characters, some have even digitally resurrected loved ones, which raises a whole slew of issues.

As astonishing as it may be to see "Christopher Reeve" portray Superman, I can't help but wonder how his children must feel seeing a character on screen that's not actually their father but looks and sounds so much like him. Is it respectful to resurrect a person through AI? Robin Williams didn't seem to think so, since the comedian's will had a special trust that didn't permit the likeness of his image (CGI, holograms, etc.) to be used for 25 years after his death (Williams died in 2014).

What do you think about AI characters? Share with us!

Best wishes as always from the perch.

If You Want Your Kids to Read...

Yes! Summer is officially here, along with the Summer Reading Program. We have a good start with a number of kids, teens, and adults participating and collecting cool prizes. Those who haven't registered online are registering in person at the library, which is great--we always love seeing families coming in! One thing that surprises me a little, however, is parents signing their children up for the Summer Reading Program but not themselves.

I know, I know. We adults have no time for fun. The kids are home from school, and we're trying to keep them entertained while working, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with the bills. We may feel we have no time for something that feels counterproductive, like reading. It's something for the kids to do, not the adults. Well, I'm here to change your mind.

If children don't see you reading, they will have less incentive to read. Kids love imitating the adults in their lives. If they see adults doing something, no matter what it is, they want to do it, too. And you know what's even better? When you read together with your kids. It's quality (and fun) time for everyone involved. Not to mention it's a great opportunity to nurture your relationship with your children.

Don't think you need to read "grown-up" books to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Reading children's books with your kids is still reading; it counts for your reading logs and theirs. And listening to audiobooks is also reading. Bottom line--if you want your kids to read and take part in the Summer Reading Program, be sure to take part in it yourself--you'll be glad you did.

Wishing you a summer full of fun reading from the perch.

What I've Been Reading (and Liked!)

The Summer Reading Program is here, which means we should all be reading books we enjoy (though, if you ask me, that's what we should be doing year round). Reading something good on our vacation or our staycation, by the lake or by the sea, in the park or in the backyard. Personally, my favorite go-to place for reading in the summer is on my back porch, in the shade, with a glass of iced tea.

There are so many good books out there, old and new, but I'd like to share with you several which I've recently read and enjoyed:

• The Women (Kristin Hannah)  An excellent read, but not a light one. Vietnam Vets we're given anything but a hero's welcome returning home, but many Americans, including male veterans, denied that there were women serving in Vietnam as nurses and in other capacities. This book presents the horrors of the Vietnam War and the toll of PTSD along with the government's failure to support its female recruits.
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Toshikazu Kawaguchi) This is a different kind of time travel book. In a Tokyo cafe, a person can travel back (or forward) in time to meet someone, but whatever the person says or does will not change the course of events. It's interesting to see why someone wants to visit a certain time and with whom. Often, the time traveler ultimately finds some kind of closure and peace.
• The Boxcar Librarian (Brianna Labuskes) Big surprise, I enjoy reading books about libraries and librarians; I also enjoy historical fiction. This book, based on a true story, focuses on a Missoula librarian in the 1920s who has the idea of turning a train's boxcar into a library that travels to various mining camps around Montana.

Which books have you read lately and enjoyed? Share with us!

Wishing you great summer reads from the perch!

It's Time for Summer Reading Again!

The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is the Super Bowl for libraries. We plan for it months in advance, when snow is on the ground and the cold winds blow. When most readers are thinking about books accompanied by hot chocolate, we're choosing T-shirts and prizes for logging minutes read. We're planning fun programs and exciting activities for library patrons of all ages.

Despite all the thought and planning, it's always hard to believe it when the SRP is less than 2 weeks away! Yes, you read that right--LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY, starting this year on SATURDAY, JUNE 7! Where does the time go? Well, it went somewhere, possibly to a galaxy far, far away or back a few months with a time-turner. 

Anyway, keep in mind that the SRP is for everyone, and we mean EVERYONE! Whether you're 1 month old or 100 years old, you can participate (reading to someone else counts, for the reader AND the listener; listening to audiobooks also counts). There's no age limit for reading. Additionally, there are no required subjects for reading. The main idea and purpose is to READ! Read anything you like just for the fun of it, no matter how silly or serious. JUST READ!

If you have kids or teens, don't tell them that they're avoiding the summer slide by doing the SRP and keeping up on their scholarly skills for the following school year. Let them have fun exploring things they enjoy. Don't worry if they're reading graphic novels (a cousin to traditional comics), Captain Underpants, or some supernatural teen romance. The bottom line--let them READ! 

Don't know what to read? Then stop by the front desk to talk to your friendly perch librarian or another helpful library staff member and we'll have plenty of book suggestions for you.

Happy summer reading from the perch!

Put Some "Njuta" in Your Life

I think I'm going to live in a Scandinavian country in my next life. Not only does Scandinavia offer universal healthcare and free childcare, they have good concepts that enrich everyday life. Take hygge, for instance, something popularized in the U.S. some years back with a number of books by Meik Wiking and others. The Danes have the right idea in creating coziness with some candles, warm socks, a book, and a cup of coffee or tea, among other things. 

More recently, I've been reading Niki Brantmark's Njuta, which addresses the Swedish concept of enjoyment or delight. Njuta is a very mindful thing, all about savoring and being in the moment, taking pleasure in the little things right before you. For example, if you're hiking in a forest, stop to lean against a tree and take everything in--the sight of the trees and vegetation, the fresh smell of pine needles, the feel of the breeze on your face, the sound of the birds and other animals. Or think of a barbecue--it may taste great at home, but imagine how much better it will taste after that hike in the forest.

Njuta, however, isn't just about enjoying the outdoors, but also the indoors, bringing a little of the outside to the inside. This can be done both at home or even at work. It's why I have a live succulent (which I've nicknamed "Spike") along with a pearly string of "happy lights" at the perch (in the winter, I put out some actual pinecones for atmosphere). It's also why I take short walks outside during my 10-minute breaks; it's something I look forward to doing and something that keeps me completely present (not to mention it's good for health reasons and for increasing productivity at work).

Scandinavians have some good ideas with njuta, hygge, and death cleaning (which isn't as morbid as it sounds). Luckily for the rest of us, they're sharing some of their secrets to the good life through books (a number of which you can access through our library in print and digital formats). Why not put some Scandinavian practices into your own life and make the most of your everyday?

Wishing you good njutning from the perch.

Books: Portals to Other Worlds

Many books offer an escape to different, imaginary worlds when you need a break from the real one. Books work magic, taking your mind off your day, your chores, the news, and whatnot; they relax and calm you, giving you something to think about other than worrisome things. There's no limit to where you can go and what you can do in the world of a book, and the good thing is, when the action becomes too intense, you can always close the cover and pick up reading where you left off at another time.

I'm sure many of us would like to visit an exciting location, but in case you're not sure where to armchair travel, here are some suggestions (and they're all series that are available in our library!):

• Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) Like historical fiction? Like time travel? How about a sprinkling of romance? Then this series about a time traveling World War II nurse who finds love in 1700s Scotland is for you.
• The Dark Tower (Stephen King) In post-apocalyptic Mid-World, the last gunslinger tries to save the powerful and magical Dark Tower, the heart of all worlds, from someone or something trying to destroy it.
• The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) During World War II, four siblings sent to shelter from London's air raids in the countryside enter a magical world where animals talk. And there's a witch and other villains just to make things more interesting.
• A Court of Thorns and Roses (Sarah J. Maas) Power, courts, and romance, oh my! Read what happens when a huntress unknowingly kills a wolf in a faerie realm and finds evil (and love) lurking in the land.
• Game of Thrones (George R.R. Martin) A number of noble houses in Westeros fight for the Iron Throne and the power it yields, while other houses seek independence from it. There are wars, alliances, betrayals, and more.
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Rick Riordan) Great for mythology lovers. Percy, a demigod, tries to prevent a war among Greek gods in the 21st century.
• Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling) An orphan boy discovers he's a wizard and goes to a school for magic while an evil wizard tries to kill him.
• The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien) A small hobbit in Middle Earth journeys to a forbidding land to destroy an enchanted ring before a dark lord wields power and destroys all that is good. Be sure to read Tolkien's The Hobbit first.

Needless to say, there are other series and stand alone books set in fantasy worlds with various beings of diverse talents. Which books are your portals to other worlds? Share with us!

Wishing you happy armchair travels to magical places from the perch.

Making Friends

How do adults make friends? That's a simple question with a difficult answer.

When we were kids, making new friends seemed to be a lot easier. "You wanna be my friend?" "You wanna play?" And that was all it took. As adults, however, making friends seems more complicated.

We spend a lot of our waking hours at work. With our few precious hours remaining, we may go home to care for children and other family members, or we may stay home to rest or do household chores. These scenarios are not the most conducive to meeting others and building friendships.

So, how do we make friends as adults? If we're lucky, we may perhaps make friends through our jobs, should they happen to be in-person. We might make friends through similar interests or life circumstances. Religious houses of worship, social groups (i.e., walkers' club, knitting club, book club), and children's playdates are some ways to meet other adults. Volunteering, sports clubs, and classes also present opportunities. Nowadays, there are clubs of various interests even on the internet, but as with anything online, do proceed with caution and don't share anything too personal.

Of course, libraries are great places to make friends as well. Storytime is perfect for kids and parents to meet others. So are programs, which can focus on anything from Legos to crafts. Programs often cater to kids, teens, or adults; some are for entire families. I realize I'm tooting our own horn, but libraries today, in addition to providing materials and information, truly serve as a kind of community center where people can gather together and build friendships.

What kind of programs would you like to see in our library to meet others? Share with us!

Inviting you to the library and wishing you new friendships from the perch.

A Thought On Libraries

"Without libraries, what do we have? We have no past and no future." 

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)

American Author and Screenwriter

Under the Covers

You can't judge a book by its cover, so they say, but let's face it--we do it all the time. Why else would book publishers spend so much time and money on the "look" of a book? Catchy titles undoubtedly help as well, but the covers--their pictures, graphics, colors, mood--either get us to pick up the book and read the inside flap or not. They're the first impression potential readers get.

Let's take the covers of Romance books (I apologize in advance to fans of this genre). As soon as you read those words, I'm sure you had an instant picture in your mind. Handsome, shirtless guys holding beautiful women with heaving bosoms showing a little leg. Am I right? Sometimes, the guy might be wearing a kilt...bingo!--it must take place in Scotland or involve a Scottish man at the very least. Period dress? Period Romance. Modern dress? Modern Romance. You have a sense of these books already and I haven't even mentioned titles.

Cartoony covers tend to indicate lighter, feel good books. Photos on covers? More serious novels or non-fiction. Painted or airbrushed covers? Historical fiction. Lately, my pet peeve regarding book covers is World War II historical fiction. They tend to show the back of a woman in a 1940s hairdo and dress gazing at war planes in the distance. I realize the publishers want to create an ominous mood and imply war through planes against grey skies, but personally, I'm getting tired of seeing the same picture, slightly tweaked, on different covers. 

Although book covers may pique your interest, it's ultimately what's under the covers--the text itself--that really makes the book. However, don't underestimate the marketing pull of a well designed book cover. You may have an exciting page-turner on the shelf within reach, but if the cover doesn't attract your attention, you're not going to grab it.

What are some book covers you find particularly interesting? Share with us!

Wishing you good spring reads from the perch.

Silent Book Clubs--Happy Hour for Introverts

Are you an introvert? Do you like books? Do you like to read books of your own choosing? On your own schedule? Then a silent book club may be the book club for you!

What the heck is a silent book club? Simply put, it's a book club in which people gather together (usually for an hour) to read on their own in silence. You B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Book...or Kindle or audiobook with earbuds), arrive early for provided beverages and munchies, find a seat, and start reading with the sounding of a bell. When the bell is rung again to mark the hour's end, socializing with your fellow book club members is optional. You can talk with others about your book, continue reading, or just leave.

I haven't heard of silent book clubs until recently, but apparently they've been around for over a decade and can be found around the world. They started in 2012 when two friends in San Francisco enjoyed reading but disliked traditional book clubs that felt like classes with assigned books. The emphasis of silent book clubs are on reading, and there's no pressure to read the same book in advance of the event. There's also no pressure to participate in conversation, no stress of trying to think of something witty to say.

Some of you may be wondering what's the sense of getting together with others just to read quietly and have snacks. Well, there's something to be said about companionable silence. Readers who are introverts are not necessarily hermits and may want to be among others like themselves. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, "We read to know we are not alone." 

Have you been in a silent book club? Would you like to be in one? Share with us!

Wishing you a happy hour (or more) reading from the perch.

Date Your Book

Reading a book can be like dating. 

Occasionally, it's love at first page and you're feeling an instant connection. You want to get to know the characters better and spend more time in the world the author has created. Although you may be busy, you WILL make the time to be with this new love of yours, whether it's a quickie during a work break, dinner, or under the bed covers. Any time spent apart is pure agony; you can't help thinking about your book and what the characters may be doing without you.

Hopefully it's rare, but you may not feel a spark from the first page. Maybe even from the first chapter. You might need to give a little time for your connection to the book to fully develop, so you begin with a mild interest, optimistic that some event in the story may create a spark that fans into a raging bonfire...or at least a flame. But if that spark never ignites, it may be time to move on.

Yes, you understood me correctly--if a book isn't grabbing your attention, it's time to ditch the book and find another that will. "But Perch Librarian," you may say, "I've invested 71 pages and 3 hours into this book, so surely I should power through, even to the bitter end?" To which I will reply, "Dear Patron, why force yourself to stay in an unhappy, difficult relationship with this book? You're a good reader and this is a good book, but you're just not meant to be together. Life is short and there are plenty of books out there--read the books that make you smile and give you the tinglies."

I will be honest with you, my dear readers. When I was younger, I stuck with some books not because I necessarily liked them, but because I didn't want to be a quitter. In more recent times, however, I've ended relationships with books that haven't satisfied me. Divorcing a book can truly be the best thing for your happiness and peace of mind. I am here to tell you that it's OKAY to stop reading a book that doesn't bring you joy and to find one that does...WITHOUT GUILT! I believe in you--YOU CAN DO IT! Reading is an activity you should enjoy; don't make it a chore.

Always wishing you love at first page from the perch.

Polar Bears and Polar Night

I wrote about armchair travel in the past, and I'd like to tell you about my latest armchair trip to a place near the North Pole (and no, it's not Santa's workshop). The book I recently read is Life on Svalbard by Cecilia Blomdahl, a New York Times bestseller by a Swedish YouTuber who has been living for the past 10 years in Longyearbyen, Svalbard's largest town with roughly 2,600 people.

Where the heck is Svalbard, you may ask? Svalbard is a group of islands in the Arctic Circle that belong to Norway. It's a place of extremes. At the moment, they are experiencing what is called polar night, which is when the sun doesn't rise at all for several months in the winter due to the tilt of the earth on its axis. In contrast, they will have 24 hours of sunlight for several months straight in the summer, a phenomenon known as polar day. 

I learned of the book through a CNN article, and I found the thought of people living somewhere like Svalbard fascinating. Blomdahl takes us through a year living in her cabin just outside of Longyearbyen with her Norwegian partner, Christoffer, and her dog, Grim. She writes about her cabin, going to town, seeing the northern lights, boating in the summer, and traveling hours by snowmobile to an off-the-grid vacation cabin, all accompanied by her stunning photos. 

I have to admit I've even started watching Blomdahl's YouTube channel. Cecilia comes across as bubbly and positive, like a good friend chatting with you. It's so interesting to watch her take us to the only supermarket in Longyearbyen, restaurants in town, walks during polar night with Grim, and around her cabin and deck on the water. And let's not forget about polar bears--there are plenty of them on Svalbard, and everyone who goes outside town needs to carry a rifle for protection in the event of facing one of these Arctic giants.

Find the book on Overdrive/Libby (ask us about FREE access), and unless you have a Kindle Colorsoft, be sure to download the app on your phone, tablet, or computer in order to enjoy Blomdahl's photos in all their glorious colors.

Wishing you good armchair travels from the perch.

Presidential Libraries

No doubt you've heard that President Jimmy Carter lay in repose at The Carter Presidential Center, which consists of a museum and library dedicated to the former president's time in office. It was not the first time that a president or a first lady lay in repose at a presidential library before burial. This got me thinking about American presidential libraries--their number and how they began, among other things.

Apparently, presidential libraries are a 20th century phenomenon and there are currently fifteen of them, two of which are completely digital at the moment (Obama and Trump). Franklin D. Roosevelt. was the first president to have a presidential library; he developed and built it, opening it to the public in 1941. Roosevelt was also the first president to donate his professional and personal papers to the federal government, and his presidential library was the only one to be used by a sitting president.

The Presidential Libraries Act in 1955 encouraged but didn't require presidents to donate materials from their administrations, but the Presidential Records Act of 1978 declared that all presidential records are owned by the public. The libraries are operated by the Office of Presidential Libraries, which falls under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). There is a presidential library for every president since Herbert Hoover, and each library is located in a president's home state (Texas has three). A number of presidents and first ladies are even buried on the grounds of their presidential libraries.

Although it's possible to visit a presidential library, some have virtual tours. Additionally, many presidential documents and photos can be accessed through the internet. For instance, you can see photos of Jackie Kennedy's dresses and find information on when and where she wore them, or you can read the public papers of Ronald Reagan.

I'm probably a bit biased as a librarian, but presidential libraries make it easier for future generations to learn about past presidents and understand their administrations.

As always, sending you best wishes from the perch.