IC Library Blog

With the semester halfway over and group projects and term papers and course readings and assignments all coming due at the same time, it’s easy to get bogged down, feel overwhelmed, and feel like you need a break from all that reading! But you may not have thought that an easy way to relax and get away is recreational reading. Yes, reading can still be fun!

The Information Commons browsing collection has hundreds of popular fiction titles, from mysteries and detective stories, to romance, to science fiction and fantasy,  to westerns, historical fiction, and more! It’s important to take time to relax, and even if schoolwork won’t let you get away for the weekend, you can always take a couple hours and escape into another world!

The browsing collection is located on the west side of the west tower, next to the career reference collection. The books are arranged by the author’s last name, and if you want to see if we have something specific, you can always check our online catalog IUCAT. And remember, just because it’s not in the browsing collection doesn’t mean we don’t have it. A lot of our popular fiction books can be found in the Undergraduate Core Collection, and classics can even be found in the Stacks. Browsing collection titles can be checked out out for up to two weeks, or you can hang out and relax on one of the sofas in the Information Commons.

DK

Pumpkin pie and whipped cream dreams from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hfb/52111834/

Thanksgiving…it’s just a few weeks away and I can already  smell the pumpkin pie. Whether you’re looking forward to a traditional turkey dinner, or this is the first time you’re experiencing our American tradition of eating too much and being thankful for it, we have some appetizing books to get you ready for the big day! Forget all those deadlines looming just around the corner and take a few minutes to remember all you have to be thankful for…family, friends, the Internet and food!

These titles can all be found in the IC Undergraduate Collection on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Wells Library West Tower. If they’re not on the shelf, try finding them in the special features display across from the IC Reference Desk…this month, it’s all about the food! Last, but not least, find all these books and more on our great list of cookbooks and foodie reading on Worldcat.

An Edible History of Humanity (GT 2850 .S73 2009): The bestselling author of “A History of the World in 6 Glasses” brilliantly charts how foods have transformed human culture through the ages. (WorldCat review)

Food Matters (RA 784 .B55 2009): From the award-winning guru of culinary simplicity and author of the bestselling “How to Cook Everything” and “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian” comes a plan for responsible eating that’s as good for the planet as it is for the waistline. (WorldCat review)

In Defense of Food (RA 784 .P643 2008): “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” These simple words go to the heart of food journalist Pollan’s thesis. Humans used to know how to eat well, he argues, but the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused and distorted by food industry… (WorldCat review)

Righteous Porkchop (TC 930.2 .N56): Part memoir, part expose, “Righteous Porkchop” offers a searing account of the factory farm industry–and the effects the techniques have on health and well-being–by an engaging crusader who finds love and purpose along the way. (WorldCat review)

Food: the History of Taste (TX 353 .F668 2007): Traces the history of food from the hunters and gatherers to the modern consumer age and a new landscape for gastronomy.

From Hardtack to Home fries (TX 360 .U6 H33 2002): As any cook knows, every meal, and every diet, has a story — whether it relates to presidents and first ladies or to the poorest of urban immigrants. From Hardtack to Home Fries brings together the best and most inspiring of those stories, from the 1840s to the present, focusing on a remarkable assembly of little-known or forgotten Americans who determined what our country ate during some of its most trying periods… (WorldCat review)

Cooking Green (TX653 .H49 2009): The foods we eat and the ways we buy, store and prepare them are significant contributors to global warming. This information-packed volume, from cookbook author and newgreenbasics.com founder Heyhoe, provides detailed guidance for those looking to make their cooking and eating habits earth-friendlier. (Publishers Weekly)

American History Cookbook (TX 715 .Z36): This book uses historical commentary and recipes to trace the history of American cooking from the first European contact with Native Americans to the 1970s.  (Abstract)

The New Taste of Chocolate (TX 767 .C5 P74 2001): Presilla, a marketing consultant for a Latin American chocolate producer, explains the history, science and production of what many consider the world’s most delectable snack.  (Publishers Weekly)

GMW

Have you thought about creating a blog? I know you may have one, like Myspace or Blogger. But have you thought about contributing something special? Now you can join the Blog Squad. Check out these five students’ blogs, you will definitely find something useful.

Joe: Undecided can be good. Joe is a freshman from the south suburbs of Chicago. He lives in Forest and isn’t sure about his major, so he’s exploring all that IU has to offer.

Lynn:a junior majoring in finance, is a transfer student from China. She loves Hot-Pot (made by adding different foods to a pot) and sharing it with her friends.

Katie: a senior studying journalism, hopes to move abroad this summer to be a freelance foreign correspondent. Blogging, she knows, will help sharpen her writing style.

Joey: (aka JBrew) works for WIUX student radio as well as IUSTV. He’s a sophomore majoring in sports communication and wants to be involved in the media world.

Karlie:a freshman and a biology major. She’s a vegetarian who’s into yoga and baking. If she makes cupcakes or cookies, she’d rather give them away than eat them herself.

What do you think you could offer to the IU libraries blog? Maybe you know the best places to study, maybe you are an expert finding video games in IUCAT, or maybe you just want to tell everyone what you would like to see in the library. Make your voice heard, make it your own! Ask a librarian about becoming a member of the blog squad.

HC

Tired of reading page after page of just words and more words?  Don’t let that stop you from riding the literacy train.  Try picking up a book with pictures, or perhaps just picking up a smaller book with a lot of white space on the page–you’ll be surprised at the treasures found within.  What I’m talking about here is the joy of reading picto-essays, graphic novels, and speeches–and learning a little something at the same time.

The following books can be found in the “New Books” section on the IC main floor:

Syncopated Edited by Brendan Burford

This anthology features a large range of nonfiction essays with the common theme being that the authors use “comics” or some other sort of visual narrative to tell the story.  Sit back and enjoy a reading experience that no other medium can provide.

Locas II: Maggie, Hopey & Ray by Jamie Hernandez

A more traditional graphic novel than the picto-essay, Hernandez continues the story of Maggie as she finds and loses romance, makes some friends, and otherwise struggles with the pain and loveliness that is life.  Hernandez’s beautiful black and white illustrations add a necessarily dark dimension to this powerful work.  Read it once and it will leave you craving more.

This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, About Living a Compassionate Life by David Foster Wallace

Okay, so this little ditty is already shelved in the core collection, but it was new to the Undergraduate Library a month or so ago, and it’s so good I couldn’t resist mentioning it.  Originally a commencement speech given by Wallace at Kenyon College in 2005, it was turned into a book shortly after the author’s untimely death.  But the author’s early passing only helps give the work more meaning.  Short and very sweet, this twenty minute read will stick with you long after it’s been reshelved.  At an average of 15 words per page, you really can’t afford to not read it.  Side Note:  If you’re a Liberal Arts major, you may want to read it twice.

Don’t see anything of interest here?  Stay tuned, more new books are always on the way!

er

Walking around Bloomington in the Autumn brings out a sense of amazement and thankfulness.  Something about the vibrant leaves, brisk mornings, and the addition of apple cider on local menus induces feelings of gratitude. Bloomington is a beautiful city!  Why not take a few hours to give back and channel these warm-fuzzies into action?    By volunteering, you become an important resource to the community; plus, you can develop skills that are directly relevant to your major or future career.  A resume booster and community booster in one! 

Some Bloomington and nation-wide volunteer networks keep up-to-date postings: 

City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

Herald Times Online: Volunteer Opporurtunities in the Bloomington Area

Indiana University Bloomington Community Connection

1-800-Volunteer

Volunteer Match

If you are looking for more volunteer ideas, check out the Career Reference Collection.  Located in the IC, many volunteer books offer suggestions for cool volunteer vacations or professional-building volunteer opportunities.  Browse the HN call number in the Career Reference Collection for ideas.

–SM

Asian Lady Beetle(from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoglund/3967768848/)

If you’re been in Wells Library lately you probably noticed hundreds of small ladybug-looking insects on the light fixtures. Every year between mid-October until late autumn, Asian lady beetles also known as the  Halloween lady beetles or the Japanese lady beetles reappear and congregate around windows, doors, etc. They are harmless but they may emit an unpleasant odor if you smash them.

In the fall each year, the beetles look for cool, dry places to hibernate during the winter.

According to an article in Purdue Extension (http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-214.pdf) Asian Lady beetles are attracted to among other things:

• longitudinal color contrasts on buildings
• southwest-facing sides or windows
• buildings close to trees

All of which makes Wells Library very attractive place for the beetles to congregate!

For more information on Asian Lady Beetles see:

• http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/asianladybeetle.html
• http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-214.pdf
• http://www.ipm.msu.edu/asianladybeetle.htm

CB