"So many books, so little time."
The Library may be closed but your Library Staff are still here for you. We wanted to share with you some of the things that are helping us get through these difficult days. Whether it's comforting reads, reassuring podcasts, upbeat music to dance to with your family, desserts that heal your soul, or games that take your mind away from the situation - we've got you covered!
We've compiled the first of weekly suggestion lists to help make your time self-isolating as interesting as possible.
We hope everyone is healthy and staying as safe as they can!
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by Hazel Gaynor
Submitted by Terri S.
I enjoyed the audio version of this captivating story. A bit of romance, a bit of history and such a pretty setting. Hazel Gaynor is my go-to author for a story that draws me in and takes me away; this one is just a dream. I enjoyed googling info on the Royal Wedding, Grace Kelly, her films, her style. Aside from the story of Grace Kelly and her dashing Prince, there's also a tandem romance told - that of a perfumer chosen by Kelly to create a fragrance for her wedding and a photographer out for the best shots during Kelly's visit to the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 and who is later assigned to cover the Royal Wedding. A highlight was re-watching Grace Kelly's films, particularly
High Society,
which she had completed just before her marriage. A pure escape into fiction, perfect for these unsettling times, and a superb read for the month of April! Audio and ebook available via Libby.
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by Diane Chamberlain
Submitted by Terry W.
Set in North Carolina in 2018 and 1940.
In 1940, Anna Dale wins a contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton. She confronts loneliness, prejudice, and secrets.
In 2018, Morgan Christopher is serving a stint in prison when she gets an offer that gets her released from prison but only if she restores an old post office mural by a deadline.
Morgan becomes fascinated by the artist and begins to investigate what happened to her.
A very nice melding between past and present.
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by Margarita Montimore
Submitted by Amanda D.
It’s 1982 and Oona is 18 turning 19. She and her rocker boyfriend are in a band that are about to go on tour, she has the opportunity to go study In London, and it’s New Year's Eve.
Now it’s New Years Day and it’s 2015 and she’s chronologically 19 but physically 51!
This one's a bit hard to follow at times but I LOVE books with time travel!
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(Book 3 in The Secret, Book, and Scone Society series)
by Ellery Adams
Submitted by Kim S.
A wonderful cozy mystery series that can be read in order or as a stand alone. If read in order, the characters slowly reveal their backstories as they come together in the small town of Miracle Springs, NC to solve each stand alone mystery. In
The Book of Candlelight
, heavy rains cause the the Miracle River to churn up more than muddy waters. When local Cherokee potter, Danny, is found dead among the wreckage of a footbridge, the Secret, Book, and Scone society turns their attention to an old diary, a local inn, and the trail of clues leading to a murderer. This great character driven mystery contains some adult themes that are handled with loving acceptance and personal healing through a collection of very different women and the community they share.
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Created by Kobe Bryant
Written by Ivy Claire
Submitted by Patty G.
I originally picked this book out for my son, who is a sports fanatic. He has not read it, so I thought I should. The beautiful purple cover and the tie dye colored pages were enough to draw me in. This book was way more than I expected. It had adventure, mystery, and competition at the most elite sports academy in the land. Rovi and Pretia are child athletes, that come from two totally different worlds, but in the end they learn to work together to battle a terrible evil at the island and discover their inner strength along the way. If you have enjoyed the
Percy Jackson
Series by Rick Riordan, the
Track
Series by Jason Reynolds, or are just a Kobe Bryant fan you will devour this book.
I can feel Kobe's dreamer spirit throughout this book.
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Submitted by Stefanie M.
The real-life couple portrayed in
The Big Sick
is here to help figure out how to manage all your time now that most of us are stuck inside. Whether it is advice on how to create a healthy work-at-home routine, recommendations for all the things to read/watch/listen to, or advice on how to help you how to manage the anxiety you might be feeling, this podcast is a delight! There is a lot of witty banter, and I was immediately won over when Emily explained her love for feeding and chatting with her squirrel friends outside (one of my current hobbies). I can't get enough of them!
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Submitted by Kelly F.
These intimate concerts feature both renowned and up and coming artists of all stripes.
Recommended is Yo Yo Ma playing Bach’s Cello Suites and chatting about his cello learning. It's from August 2018. Check the archives!
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Submitted by Emily D.
My fiance and I have been taking some time to deep clean our apartment. While I LOVE cleaning, my partner...not so much. So we blast this playlist (everything from Dolly Parton to Beyonce to Billy Joel and *NSYNC) and bop around while we clean. Definitely helps to pass the time!
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Submitted by Sara E.
While it's not the most positive thing to be listening to during a pandemic I just love a mystery and, you know, sometimes our job involves a little detective work.
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Submitted by Lynn M.
Twenty-five years after teenagers Olaf and Alice disappeared without trace, a stranger appears in town, apparently suffering from amnesia. He believes he might be Olaf; he knows things that only Olaf could possibly know and carries a bracelet that Alice was wearing. But where has he been all these years? And what happened to Alice? Then townspeople start to die. . .
This was fabulous. It was well written and
very
well acted. You can see it on acorn.tv - and if you don’t have a subscription, they have a 7-day free trial membership.
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Sometimes you just need a laugh.
I borrowed these before the Library closed and have been enjoying.
Also available on Hulu
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Submitted by Kelly K.
This show has been something to look forward to every week!
I'm really enjoying the characters and seeing this book come to life.
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Submitted by Amanda D.
If you have Netflix, my tween and teens pick this to start from the beginning. There are 12 seasons. We all are enjoying as much as one can enjoy serial killers.
The show is a bit dated but my kids do really look forward to these.
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Submitted by Emily D.
This suggestion is cheating a little because I started re-watching back in February but I have been loving watching Survivor again from the beginning. I haven't seen them since they originally aired so the twists and alliances feel brand new again.
Highly suggest comfort watching this (or any throwback show) to remind you of easier times.
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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
Submitted by Diane W.
When the grocery stores were initially becoming thead bare, I ran across Libby's canned pumpkin still sitting on the store's shelf. I was most excited for this score--now I had an excellent excuse to bake Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins...
Here is the recipe:
1 2/3 cup flour * 2 large eggs
1 cup sugar * 1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp baking soda * 1/2 cup butter (melted)
1/4 tsp baking powder 1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 tsp salt 1 dash of cinnamon (approx. 1/8 tsp)
Preheat oven to 350 F
In a large bowl, in the order listed in the first column, mix dry ingredients.
Next, in a smaller bowl, mix together the next three ingredients (*) and add that mixture to your large bowl.
Now add the chocolate chips and cinnamon to large bowl--mix just until chips are evenly distributed into batter.
Grease cupcake pan or use paper liners; spoon batter into baking pan.
Bake 25 minutes. Makes approx. 15 regular sized muffins.
Enjoy!
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Irish Whole Wheat Bread
Submitted by Kelly F.
This is a great quick bread recipe. Great because it is delicious, and because it is the rare quick bread that does not call for cups of sugar and fat. This recipe appeared in the Chicago Tribune years ago. It is from Bridie Meyers who “grew up eating this bread almost every day in Co. Mayo Ireland”. I make this bread every year around St. Patrick’s Day. Try it cut into thick slices, toasted, and spread with Irish Butter.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 ½ cups buttermilk (and a bit more)
¼ cup butter, melted
Preheat oven to 375° F
Mix together all the dry ingredients. I like to sieve the baking soda and powder into the flour to insure there are no lumps! Stir in the egg, buttermilk, and butter. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the dough forms a ball. It’s ok to add a little more buttermilk (up to ¼ cup extra) than the recipe calls for. Pat the dough into a greased 9-inch round cake pan. Bake until the bread sounds hollow when thumped and the crust is a deep rich brown. Turn out the bread to cool on a wire rack.
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Sequence
Submitted by Kim S.
This game is the perfect combo of a card game and a board game to be played with 2 or 4 players.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Submitted by Molly J.
Animal Crossing is the wholesome boredom buster we deserve right now. You spend your time caring for a deserted island that you eventually build up to be a bustling town for animal neighbors. If socializing in the game isn't your thing, you can spend all of your time fishing, catching bugs, or customizing your house.
Don't have a Nintendo Switch? Play Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on your smartphone!
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Heads Up
Submitted by Emily D.
We are fans of Catchphrase and Heads Up even during normal times but we have greatly enjoyed the stress relief these games have brought us recently. We play most nights and laugh until we can't speak.
Much needed for bonding and a good laugh to break up the news.
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Submitted by Kelly F.
This website is invaluable for the home cook. Epicurious beautifully shares recipes, menus, and expert advice. Epicurious is right there with us in the present reality of “stay at home” pandemic home-life. Read about the “An All-Pantry Meal Plan for Corona Virus and other Perilous Times” and the article “How to Stock Your Kitchen for the Corona Virus Era and Other Emergencies”.
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Submitted by Kelly F.
Accept the digital invitation to Experience the Met. The homepage is the gateway to the famous collections, plus concerts, events, and educational resources. Visit this world class museum while you stay at home.
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Send an email to edaniel@wauclib.org to share your suggestions to bring some peace, calm, and normalcy during this difficult time or connect with us on
Facebook
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