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07/31/2024 - 2:33pm

A Perfect Vacuum/ Stanislaw Lem.  (Fic Lem)

Stanislaw Lem’s satire/parody of literary criticism -- in the form of critiques of books no one ever wrote -- will have you either laughing or groaning with recognition of the academic prose many of us have grown to know and loathe. Writers, literary people, or anyone who took an Engl...

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07/24/2024 - 1:26pm

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games begin this week in Paris! Officially running from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11. 32 sports are being played with 329 gold medals to be awarded. The only new sport to debut at this Olympiad is breaking, otherwise known as breakdancing. This style of dance originated in the ‘70s and has gone on to become a competitive sport with international competitions and world championships. Dan...

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07/18/2024 - 7:24pm

PRINT BOOKS

FICTION

Lau Yee-Wa Tongueless Fic Yee-Wa
Miguel Bonnefoy Heritage Fic Bonnefoy
Jasper Fforde Red side story Fic Fforde
Emily Hauser For the most beautiful : a novel of the women of Troy...

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07/18/2024 - 7:18pm

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NON-FICTION

Arts, Architecture & Crafts

Scott Doorley Assembling tomorrow : a guide to designing a thriving future from the Stanford d.school 744 D691

Biography & Genealogy

Kathleen Hanna Rebel girl : my life as a feminist punk 780.92 H243
Francine Pr...

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07/15/2024 - 5:30pm

Many of us who first started our study of chess 30 (or more) years ago fondly remember Fred Reinfeld. Chess books can overwhelm the novice with a torrent of incomprehensible advice or lose them in a maze of complex analysis of numerous lines. Although many of the more advanced chess instruction books may inform a much more advanced player, they often will baffle and confuse the person picking up a chess book for the first...

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07/10/2024 - 3:48pm

Some authors want more than just success. Although many writers express some regrets about some part of their published writing, a few come to dislike, and even hate their most successful and well-known work. Here are some examples I found, organized into 4 categories. 

1. They thought some (or all) of their other writings were much better

Anthony Burgess,...

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06/22/2024 - 2:50pm

It’s not often an employee puts in a lifetime of service to an employer. Mechanics’ Institute has been fortunate to have several long-serving, dedicated staff members over the years, but one in particular has set a high bar for his longevity and commitment to the Library. Alfred “Craig” Jackson has recently celebrated his 33rd year at Mechanics’ Institute and will be enjoying a much deserved retirement at the end of June.

Craig has a wealth of experience and instit...

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06/18/2024 - 5:26pm

FICTION

Rachel Kong Real Americans : a novel Fic Khong
Deb Caletti Plan A : her story, her choice Fic Caletti
Catherine Lacey Biography of X : a novel Fic Lacey
Emily Henry Beach read Fic Henry
Édouard Louis...

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06/17/2024 - 5:36pm

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NON-FICTION

Applied Sciences

Aarathi Prasad Silk : a world history 677.39 P911

Arts, Architecture & Crafts

Debbie Berne The design of books : an explainer for authors, editors, agents, and other curious readers 744.52 B525

Biography & Geneal...

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