Posts from Morris Park Library

New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the past and consider the future. This year, the future loomed large in Young Adult literature.

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Short stories that are linked to one another can have an engrossing effect, much like the prestige cable dramas of today. Try one of the collections on this list during May, Short Story Month.

The teenage comic book heroes of the '60s have grown up; Peter Parker isn’t an angst-ridden teen anymore—in the current series, he’s the CEO of a multi-national corporation. Now, to appeal to 21st century teens, Marvel and DC comics have created a new generation of teenage superheroes.

This is a guest post from volunteer, Joanne Dillon. Joanne has interviewed several people for the NYPL Community Oral History Project and continues to share her experience and the experience of others who are participating in this historic initiative.

Voices from East of Bronx Park is the first large scale effort to collect oral histories from people who have lived or worked in the Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Van Nest and Morris Park neighborhoods.

One of the unique features of the Bronx is that is has a week dedicated to showcasing and celebrating all its wonderful attributes: history, literature, culture, etc. Here is a reading list which is sure to spark your interests in all things Bronx!

Career, Education and Information Services (CEIS) of The New York Public Library has scheduled a series of Mini-Career Fairs at several branches throughout the Bronx.

The Hunger Games Some of the best books that I have ever read were ultimately made into movies. However, as you might already know, the books are always better than the movie. Jaws by Peter Benchley was so much scarier when I read it than when I viewed it on the big screen. Carrie by Stephen King gave me nightmares, and even though the movie lived up to my 

I'm sure you've heard of blockbuster movies, but have you read a blockbuster book? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary online, a blockbuster is one that is notably expensive, effective, successful, large or extravagant. For example, the Harry Potter series of books and movies were blockbusters. Other blockbusters from the past include The Twilight 

This month we are privileged to be hosting two programs from The Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum at The Morris Park Branch Library. The museum is celebrating its thirtieth year of operation this year, offering a variety of educational program intermingling science and history. It offers an interactive tour featuring original artifacts, video footage and exhibits such as a flight simulator as well as its newest exhibit, The Space Shuttle Pavilion, where you can actually walk beneath the 

In recent decades, much has been said about the demographic changes that New York City shares with the rest of the world. Yes, we are getting older!

One widespread response has been a surge of programs to promote creativity in mid- and later life. NYPL has happily participated in these efforts, especially since 2010 when we started partnering with Lifetime Arts Inc. to offer our first Creative Aging courses, which took place in six branch libraries. Each course was taught by a professional teaching artist 

Once again the dog days of summer are here, and what better way to cool off than at your local library. Our summer reading kickoff is a memory where a good time was had by all. We are really fortunate to have such talented branch supporters who helped us with the festivities. Thanks to Celeste, a local artist, balloon animals were given to each child who registered for summer reading. In addition, an awesome college student and former teen advisory member, Laura, was a huge hit with some fabulous face painting.

So, now that the party is over, it's time to get down 

Memoirs are the stuff of memory, or more specifically, according to Webster's Dictionary, a narrative composed from personal experience. In other words, a memoir is written from a person's recollection of a life experience. It might not all be exactly as it happened but, rather, how the author perceived it to happen. Do you remember the controversial “autobiography" A Million Little Pieces by James Frey? Mr. Frey 

Music is the language that we all understand. Whether it be rock, opera, jazz or hip-hop, it's all music if it causes you to tap your foot, sing along, or makes you feel emotions you can't explain. I don't really know of anyone who doesn't enjoy some type of music. Lately, I must confess, I've been listening to corny Christmas tunes like Dominck The Donkey and Alvin and the Chipmunk's "Christmas Hula Hoop" song. But now that "Auld Lang Syne" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" have been put away until next December 31, it's time to reflect on the best 

Comedy makes us laugh, plain and simple. Whether it's standup, or a funny movie or your grandmother telling you funny stories from her youth. You know the one about her going to school with her nightgown on. Whatever, let's face it, the human condition is funny.

The comedic format can be found in books, film, plays and in stand-up comedy.  Some really cool books get their points across using comedy.  Way back in

I recently finished reading two excellent teen novels. The first novel is historical fiction set during World War II, and the second novel is a work of fiction written in verse which takes place in the present. However, no matter the time frame, their themes will resonate with teens and adults. In addition, the Morris Park Branch was fortunate to host an author visit with a young adult author, Rosanne Parry, just weeks ago. We now have her book in The New York Public Library system, and from the response that the author got from the teens in my branch, I am sure that this novel, Second 

Cinderella sang "A dream is a wish your heart makes."  That about sums up the mindset of the main characters in Close to Famous by Joan Bauer.  They are all wishing and hoping for something.

When the novel begins, the main character, twelve year old  Foster and her mom have been driven away from their home in Memphis to Culpepper, West Virginia by an abusive Elvis impersonator, Huck.  Foster's dad died 

I recently came upon a blog called The World Needs More Pie: Give a piece a chance. It is a blog dedicated to living each day to the fullest as if it were your last. The blogger, Beth Howard, used pie making to help her heal from the untimely death of her husband, Marcus.  She is also writing a full length book about her choice to leave a nine to five career in favor of