Pennywise vs. The Derry Public Library

"To know what a place is, I really do believe one has to know what is was."

-Michael Hanlon, Head Librarian, Derry Public Library  

IT: Chapter 2 hits theaters this Friday. This is the second film adaptation of Stephen King`s classic novel, the first being the 1990 ABC miniseries starring Tim Curry as Pennywise. Considered one of King`s best works, IT delves into the fears that live within every human and how we react when faced with those fears. The town of Derry, Maine has a disturbing history, therefore in order to defeat Pennywise one must understand its history. 

(Taken from the IT (2017) film set, Port Hope, Ontario)

The Losers Club, a group of seven children that once defeated Pennywise, returns twenty-seven years later when he resurfaces. Michael Hanlon, the only member of the group to never leave Derry, is now a librarian. Using his research skills and the resources at the Derry Public Library, Michael makes some key discoveries about the return of Pennywise.

(Isaiah Mustafa as Michael Hanlon, IT: Chapter 2)

In the novel, IT is broken into several parts, one of which is Michael Hanlon`s journal of all he remembers of Pennywise, as well as events that seem to bring Pennywise out of hiding or send him away. Michael interviews elderly residents of Derry, plays detective when kids are reported missing, and researches old stories about Derry. Michael finds that the old records are poorly written or non-existent. However, Michael notes, knowing where to look and when to look helps to solve these issues, which is exactly what librarians know how to do. Michael figures out the pattern of Pennywise when he discovers a tragic series of events from 1851 right up to 1958 when George Denbrough chased his toy boat to the sewer where Pennywise was waiting for him. This pattern helps The Losers Club figure out who Pennywise really is and how to defeat him. 

Frightening and funny, endearing and nostalgic, IT has been scaring and delighting people for decades.Learn how it all ends when IT: Chapter 2 hits theaters September 6th.

Watch IT from the beginning: Tim Curry or Bill Skarsgård?

              (1990)                                                                                            (2017)

Use your library card to rent up to 20 DVDs at a time! If it`s not available, click "hold" and we`ll let you know when it`s in. 

Read IT in print, CD audio book, or try our Libby app to download e-books and e-audio. 

Waiting to receive your copy of IT? Read some of these Stephen King classics in the meantime.

WooReads is back! Use WooReads to track your reading, share your reviews, encourage your friends to sign up, and win prizes! Register here

Adult Summer Reading Patron Reviews: Books About History

We're at the end of our Summer Reading Program, and I thought we'd wrap up with a selection of patron reviews on history books. We've got some on American history, one on slavery, one about women, one on Tolkien, and another on Worcester County. Sit back and enjoy the reviews, reflect on all the great books you read this summer, and stay tuned for our next program that starts on September 1st.

Until next time, happy reading!

American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race
By Douglas Brinkley
The author's focus is on the political machinations behind America's race to the moon. He credits John F. Kennedy, an immensely popular and persuasive president, with providing the impetus for funding the expensive, and some said impractical endeavor. Kennedy, as well as many other Americans were motivated by the belief that beating the Russians in the race for space, was a verdict in favor of the superiority of the capitalist system over communism. Ancient history now.

~Joy H.

In the Shadow of Liberty : The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives 
By Kenneth C. Davis 
This book was so amazing that I listened to it all in one day. I would highly recommend it.

~Debra L.

Tolkien and the Great War : The Threshold of Middle-Earth
By John Garth
In 1914 Britain entered World War I, the "Great War". One year later, after completing his university degree, J.R.R. Tolkien enlisted in the army and was eventually stationed in France, participating in the long Battle of the Somme. Though he was lucky and survived, most of his closest circle of friends did not. John Garth explores how Tolkien used his experiences of friendship, warfare and spiritual growth in a time of utter despair to write his own myths for the 20th century, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Very interesting book with lots of information for fans of history and of Tolkien.

~Mary R.

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789
By Joseph J. Ellis
An excellent look at the four major men that created the Constitution and Bill of Rights in 1787. People know that George Washington was the general during the Revolution and our first president, but without his presence and image the meetings to create the constitution likely never happen. James Madison is considered the father of the constitution, and we see his almost maniacal preparation in hopes of being prepared for every possible scenario. Alexander Hamilton had an almost superhuman ability to work and produce writings and reports, and this both proved an asset and liability. John Jay is the often forgotten one, but his role is no less important. Very readable without being juvenile, and a truly quality historical look at an essential moment in this country. I highly recommend this book.

~Cameron L.

Once-Told Tales of Worcester County
Albert B. Southwick
It's an interesting read, some chapters more than others. I find that the author is a bit dry, but the tales of the land we live on are so interesting, how could you not love to read more? From learning about the murderous early days of Rutland to the woman buried in Green Hill Park, there's lots of fascinating information about our local past in this book.

~Loni P.

American Women's History--An A to Z of People, Organizations, Issues, and Events
By Doris Weatherford
This was a very informative book. Things that I did not even know were made known to me. Nearly 700 entries, organized alphabetically, document women's contributions to civil and equal rights, science, and the arts. It provides a new perspective on American women's historical legacy. This is a powerful reminder that behind, and often in front of, every historical event of major significance stands a woman or women. 😊

~Valdajean J.

WPL cooking classes continue to teach patrons tasty lessons!

Worcester Public Library continued its popular cooking program series recently with Chef Kim Youkstetter, a culinary instructor at Worcester Technical High School.   As part of WPL's  Healthy Living programming, cooking classes are taught monthly at the Main Library in the Saxe Room on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:30. Chef Kim has taught over a dozen classes here at the library. Kim provides patrons with recommendations on the best ingredients to buy, cooking tips, substitutions and diet-specific alternatives. All patrons get to sample the recipes she prepares and take home copies of the recipes.
Here are tips and recipes from her most recent class on Risotto:

Kim's tips on cooking risotto:

• Best rice to buy is Arborio (short grain Italian rice)
• Can substitute Sushi rice if needed
• Can also be made with barley and farro- will take longer to cook and won’t be quite as creamy
• Stock MUST be warm or hot when adding
• Stock must be added slowly, allowing time to absorb after each addition
• Garnishes may be cooked in or added at the end
• Good risotto should be creamy and have a little “flow” it should not “clump” on the plate
• Can be finished with heavy cream for extra decadence (and calories!)
• Experiment with other cheeses- I like an aged Gouda, or Manchego
• For vegan risotto, use vegetable stock or plain water, and substitute vegan butter and vegan Parmesan cheese.
• To make risotto cakes or Arincini, prepare risotto as directed and spread onto a buttered piece of parchment paper and allow to cool. Form into balls, and bread, or cut into squares and bread.

Kim's Risotto Recipes:

Basic Risotto  

1 ½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups stock (chicken/ vegetable)

½ cup dry white wine

3 Tbsp. Butter

1 shallot, minced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

¼ cup grated Romano or Parmesan

1 Tbsp. parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4

Instructions:

1. Heat stock on stove top to just below a boil. Keep warm, but do not boil.
2. Sauté shallot in oil in sauce pot, stirring and cooking until translucent- do not brown.
3. Add rice and continue to stir to coat grains, allow to cook for a minute or two, but do not brown. They should become “glassy” looking.
4. Lower heat to medium/ low and add the wine all at once. Cook until mostly evaporated.
5. Add a ladle of stock (8 ounces) all at once. Continue to stir until the liquid is completely cooked out. Liquid should not boil, but rather be just below a simmer.
6. Continue to add stock, 1 ladle at a time, stirring and absorbing stock as you go. You are looking for rice that is cooked, but al dente (has a slight bite) but is not mushy. ** You may not need all of the stock**  This process should take about 20 minutes.
7. Remove from heat, and stir in the butter and the grated cheese. Risotto should be creamy and free flowing, if not, add a little more stock. Finish with parsley and serve.

Parmesan Risotto

6 cups stock (chicken / vegetable)
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 ½ cups Arborio rice
½ cup dry white wine
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste
Serves 4

Instructions:
Follow the same basic procedure as above, but use slightly more stock, as the amount of the cheese will make the rice sticky. You may find yourself adding more at the very end. 

More recipes can be found here.

Our Healthy Living Programs can be found on our Adult Classes and Programs  page. 

This fall, you can look forward to more cooking classes including: Thai curries from scratch, cheese making, healthy homemade soups, and a demo on energy bites that includes a cookbook signing with Colin McCullough, for his just published The Healthy Vegan Cookbook.

Adult Summer Reading Patron Reviews: Books That Were Made into Movies

Our Summer Reading program is winding down, with only 2 days left to log the books you read and any summer programs you attended: mywpl.beanstack.org. Between logging and waiting to find out which 2 patrons won the Grand Prize Kindle Paperwhites, check out these patron reviews on books that were made into movies.  We've got a great selection of fiction titles including mystery, science fiction, and horror.

Enjoy the sunny weather, and happy reading!

And Then There Were None 
By Agatha Christie 
I read this book over 30 years ago. I now know what a great mystery it is and why her works have lasted for so many years. I need the message in the bottle to explain the solution to me. The plot is clever and the writing is realistic.

~Frances N.

Ready Player One 
By Ernest Cline
I wanted to love this book. I wanted it to be awesome. Unfortunately, it just really disappointed me. The writing felt like a fan-fiction, was extremely simplistic and always was telling instead of showing. The main character never faces any REAL challenges, and all the problem-solving he does seems to happen "off screen" (like having played a game obsessively long before the story takes place). It felt completely flat to me, and the dystopian elements weren't enough to save it. I'm so sad, the concept could have been SO cool!

~Rebecca L.

The Cider House Rules
By John Irving
This was a reread for me. It had been 10 years since I first read it, and the story is still relevant as ever. I love how Irving builds his stories so slowly, to have them conclude so quickly. - Spoiler Alert - The part of the plot that didn't sit well with me this time was the Black orchard picker being the reason Homer finally succumbed to giving abortions. I understand the circumstances had to be extenuating for him to do so, but I wish it happened with a different character.

~Tori B.

It
By Stephen King 
A modern classic that builds characters and events in a strikingly real and immersive way. Stephen King is able to weave a story that travels through the past and the future to re-kindle what is found in children but lost in adults. As you travel through this supernatural novel, you will find yourself drawn more into reading about the events and find your childhood imagination rekindling inside.

~Kyle M.

The Call of the Wild
By Jack London
This is regarded as the author's masterpiece. It is based on London's experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence. It's also about an unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike. A true classic in its own right. Enjoyable read.😊

~Valdajean J.

Wonder
By R. J. Palacio
I enjoyed this text immensely. I read it along with my children, talking about the important messages of being kind that wove in and out. It's amazing how it riveted my elementary aged child's imagination and also held my attention. Far better than the movie, and such an interesting read.

~Loni P.

Celebrating Starman: The 50th Anniversary of David Bowie`s Space Oddity

Five days before the United States launched Apollo 11, the first manned mission to the moon, David Bowie released one of the most popular songs of his career, Space Oddity. It depicts an astronaut named Major Tom and his ascent into space. The song was inspired by Stanley Kubrick`s film 2001: A Space Odyssey,  which was released in April of 1968. Bowie`s fascination with space, which would later manifest in his alter ego Ziggy Stardust, coincided with the space fever that overtook the 1960s.

Space Oddity was banned by the BBC during the launch of Apollo 11. While the world was brimming with excitement about the mission, David Bowie was singing with a more subdued tone. The BBC thought a song about the loneliness an astronaut may feel was not appropriate. They banned the song on radio stations, however it was still played in the background during the Apollo 11 TV coverage. When the astronauts returned home safely the ban was lifted and Space Oddity shot to #5 on the UK charts.

Bowie revisited Major Tom in his 1980 single Ashes to Ashes. Major Tom, Bowie explained, has decayed and he`s "out there somewhere and we`ll leave him be." In 1983, Peter Schilling wrote Major Tom (coming home) which features the astronaut Bowie created. Although Major Tom was laid to rest in Ashes to Ashes, Bowie later mentions him in his 1995 song Hallo Spaceboy and in the music video for Blackstar, in which we see the visor of a space suit being lifted to reveal a bejeweled skull that may or may not be Major Tom. This may have been Bowie saying a final goodbye to the iconic character and perhaps a reflection of his own mortality. On January 10th, 2016, two days after the release of the Blackstar album, David Bowie died of liver cancer at the age of 69.

Upcoming Event

In conjunction with our Summer Reading theme "A Universe of Stories", on Tuesday, August 13th, our main branch will be showing the documentary Discovering David Bowie from 5:30-7pm in the Saxe Room. Watch music critics discuss Bowie`s career and share your own thoughts after the show. Patrons will receive a list of Bowie`s 100 favorite books.

Books

David Bowie never released an autobiography, however there are many biographies written about him. Check them out here. Any e-books and e-audio books can be read using our Libby app. You can also stop by our display on the third floor.

                 Did you know?

David Bowie loved to read. His son, Duncan Jones, described him as a "beast of a reader." There is a David Bowie Book Club, called "The Bowie Book Club" founded in 2016 after his death.

In 2013, Bowie posted a list of his 100 favorite books. Take a look here.

In 1986, Bowie did an endorsement (left) for the American Library Association (ALA). 

Resource:
Dowling, Stephen. (2019). How David Bowie was banned during the moon landing. Retrieved from https: //www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190716-how-david-bowie-was-banned-during-the-moon-landing

Healthy Living: Great Whole Grains

Welcome to the first of many blog posts in our Healthy Living series. Worcester Public Library seeks to promote healthy living in our community through books, displays, and programs. Books and displays on healthy living can be found on the second floor of the Main Library. Our Healthy Living Programs can be found on our Adult Classes and Programs page. This fall, you can look forward to more nutrition classes focused on the Mediterranean Diet, Staying Healthy with Carb Control, and Healthy Holiday Eating, as well as yoga, meditation, and Zumba!

One of our recent programs, Great Whole Grains, was presented by registered dietitian Judy Palken. Attendees enjoyed a well-delivered and informative session about the benefits of whole grains. Judy covered a wealth of information on whole grains including their anatomy, history, recipes, and how they fit into her own diet.

Tips from Judy:

• The less processed a grain is the better
• Eat a variety of whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and 100% whole grain products
• Any whole grain can be eaten as a hot cereal (not just oatmeal) - add fruit, nuts, and seeds
• Cook grains in large batches to be stored in the fridge covered for 3-5 days, or frozen
• 1/2 cup to a 1 cup of cooked grains is a sufficient serving for most of us

Judy Palken, MNS, RD, LDN, explaining the benefits of brown rice vs. white rice

Judy's Reading Recommendation

Nutrition Action Health Letter: A well-researched and informative newsletter located in Periodicals on the third floor of the Main Library

Judy's Recipes

Barley Bake

1/4 cup EVOO   

1 large onion, chopped     

1 pound mushrooms, chopped  

1 cup pearl barley  

Kosher salt  

1/4 tsp black pepper 

2 cups water, or chicken or vegetable broth   

Heat the water or broth in a saucepan.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Heat the olive oil in a large pan, and add the chopped onion.  Sauté for about 5 minutes, and add the mushrooms.  Sauté another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the barley and brown it lightly, mixing all.  Add a dash of Kosher salt, and the pepper.  

Pour into a casserole dish, then add the hot water or broth - there should be enough to be about 1/2" above the barley mixture.  Cover the casserole with a lid or foil, and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the barley is cooked.  Extra water can be added as it bakes if needed.  When it is done, the liquid will be absorbed, and the barley cooked.  

Serve as a side dish, or under your entrée.  

6 servings   

Quinoa, Orange, and Avocado Salad

1 cup uncooked quinoa 

1/2 sweet onion, diced 

1 stalk celery, diced

1 orange, peeled and cut into small segments   

1/3 cup unsalted sunflower seeds  

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil   

1 Tbsp cider vinegar

1/2 avocado, peeled and chopped.  

Cook quinoa using package directions, then cool.  

Add to the quinoa - onion, celery, orange, and sunflower seeds. 

In a small bowl, combine oil and vinegar, mixing well with a fork.  

Add the oil and vinegar to the quinoa mixture, and toss.  

Add the avocado pieces, and mix gently.  

Serves 4  

Information provided by Judy Palken, MNS, RD, LDN
Crystal Clear Nutrition jcpalken@gmail.com

Crystal Clear Nutrition Facebook page; request to join!

Adult Summer Reading Patron Reviews: Books You Loved

If there's one thing librarians enjoy, it's hearing how much you loved a book. So this week we're featuring books that you said you loved. We have some nonfiction on RBG and one on a blind kitty, a couple romances, a book on friendship and one on sisters. If you see one you'd like to try, just click the title link and request it.

Can you believe we're less than two weeks away from the end of Summer Reading?  Don't forget to log your books, any summer programs you've attended, and write some reviews if you're so inclined. Remember, the more you participate this summer, the greater your chances of winning a Kindle Paperwhite!

Enjoy the sunshine, and Happy Reading!

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
By Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik 
Just simply delightful. Light read of one of my heroes. Good breakdown of some of her better known cases and case dissents making them understood to the common reader. Lovely pictures and history of a remarkable woman and justice.

~Krystal L.

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, Or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat 
By Gwen Cooper 
This is such a fun book, and we are a cat family. I think you can enjoy it even if you're not a cat lover. Homer is so loved and so much fun. Reminds you of your pets and how you love them. Fun summer read!

~Karen S.

The Almost Sisters 
By Joshilyn Jackson
I loved everything about this book. When my book club chose it, I wasn’t sure. A family drama? But it had everything. A nerdy main character (who was also a strong female lead), quirky family members, skeletons in the closet, and decisions to make.

~Leigh M.

Dating by the Book 
By Mary Ann Marlowe
Another fun romance by Mary Ann Marlowe! I was excited to receive an early copy to review, as I loved her last two novels. This one took me a couple chapters to get hooked, but the build-up was so worth it. Here is a relatable story, with characters you care about, and well-written romance that makes you swoon! It was really enjoyable, as a reader, to be a part of all the book club meetings, and see how those books related to the story here. And she does not disappoint - a very satisfying ending topped it off. Get your copy as soon as you can!

~Kristina M.

Puddin' 
By Julie Murphy
Millicent freakin' Michalchuk (profanity suppressed to suit Library policies & Millie's sweet-as-puddin' character), I love you. This companion novel to Dumplin' is fun & endearing. You automatically love Millie & even Callie grows on you (with the help of her totally tough & cool Abuelita). Messages about self-love & sisterhood abound, as well as the importance of a little rebellion (but not, like, “destruction of property”-level rebellion; everything in moderation).

~Alyisha W.

Aristotle And Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe 
By Benjamin Alire Saenz
I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed every second of it. It features LGBTQ people of color and was a refreshing perspective. I normally dislike YA and "romance" but I loved this book. Highly recommended.

~Irene U.

Do You Hate Science Fiction?

Do you hate science fiction?

Do you hate science fiction or think it’s all trash? Or do you love it, and read virtually nothing else?  What exactly is science fiction, and why does it inflame such passions?

It’s a hard genre to pin down. For example, Rod Sterling, TV producer of The Twilight Zone, said "Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible."

And multiple-award-winning SF author Robert Heinlein had a 5-point list of attributes that he said defined an SF story:

1. The conditions must be, in some respect, different from here-and-now, although the difference may lie only in an invention made in the course of the story.

2. The new conditions must be an essential part of the story.

3. The problem itself—the "plot"—must be a human problem.

4. The human problem must be one which is created by, or indispensably affected by, the new conditions.

5. And lastly…it may be far-fetched, it may seem fantastic, but it must not be at variance with observed facts.

Mary Doria Russell, whom the San Francisco Chronicle Times described as an “outstanding natural storyteller”, said "What we now call science fiction is actually one of the oldest forms of storytelling. As Stanley Schmidt once observed, we have always speculated about alien beings, but in the past we called them centaurs and nymphs, elves and goblins, angels and demons.”

On a lighter note, Frederick Pohl, award-winning author of Gateway and dozens of other works, said "Someone once said that a good science-fiction story should be able to predict not the automobile but the traffic jam.”

The SF section at the Worcester Public Library has thousands of diverse books, and among the best of these are Dune by Frank Herbert, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov, 1984 by George Orwell, Accelerando by Charles Stross, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula LeGuin, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Larry Niven’s Ringworld, Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle, Robert J. Sawyer’s Hugo Award-winning Hominids, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison, recently-made-into-a-TV-series The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, and a myriad other mind-expanding examples of great literature.

Some take place in space, but some are Earth-based. Some take us adventuring to the far future, while others are contemporary. Some are stories of galactic empires and alien civilizations – but others explore what it means to be human in a changing universe.

So I think the best definition of science fiction is that expressed by the writer and critic Norman Spinrad in 1974:  "Science fiction is anything published as science fiction." 

Are you intrigued? If these deep-thinkers made you re-think SF, our staff can help you choose some great reads. You might also consider joining our Science Fiction Book Club, which meets the 3^rd Tuesday of every month.

#Read  #ScienceFiction #SpaceOpera #AdventureAwaits #TheFutureIsNow

Adult Summer Reading Patron Reviews: Books You Might Find on Our Front Table

It's time once again to post some of our Adult Summer Reading Patron Book Reviews! Did you know we have a Popular Reads table when you enter the branch from the parking lot entrance? The table includes fiction and nonfiction titles and are hand-picked by our librarians just for you. Many of them are bestsellers, and all of them are popular or recommended reads. This week's selection of patron book reviews are all about titles you might find on our Popular Reads table.

Now that we're officially in August, remember that our Summer Reading program only runs until August 17th. We have two Kindle Paperwhites to give as Grand Prizes and every book or program you log, and every review you write increases your chances of winning. Make sure to visit mywpl.beanstack.org to log everything before the 17th. If you haven't joined our Summer Reading program yet, there's still time to join in and log everything back to June 10th.

Until next week, happy reading!

Recursion 
By Blake Crouch
An interesting time travel novel, visiting the relationship of identity and memory. A neuroscientist discovers a way to turn time back. At the same time a new horrible plague of false memories is causing suicides and mass deaths. How are they related? An easy-to-read thriller but the time loop premise is found in too many novels and movies lately.

~Mary R.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone 
By Lori Gottlieb 
I selected this because it was in the recommended section and I found it extremely enjoyable and reflective.

~Yaffa F.

Midnight in Chernobyl
By Adam Higginbotham 
A gripping investigation into the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in 1986. Admittedly some of the description of nuclear physics went over my head but I was fascinated by this book's portrayal of the human side of the story, even if the human side of story involved much hubris and tragedy.

~Amy K.

Where the Crawdads Sing 
By Delia Owens 
This book was touching, inspiring, sad, and wonderful. Tears were shed.

~John S.

Tightrope
By Amanda Quick 
This book was a quick read for me. I enjoyed the lightness of this mystery as I am not fond of horror or gore. There was suspense and intrigue in this book. The author wove colorful imagery with an in depth story. Definitely would recommend.

~Helen A.

Daisy Jones & The Six 
By Taylor Jenkins Reid 
Amazing!!!!!! Highly recommend!

~Mary T.