Tag Archives: just for fun

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Literary gift ideas to assist the elf in you…

December 9, 2015 admincmle

Looking for ideas for those on your gift list? Our friends at Book Riot offer their best for $20 or less, followed by ALA’s list of possibilities to delight the book lovers on your list! Ready, set, go!

Bookish gifts for $20 or less
Kelly Jensen writes: “In the spirit of the season, I thought I’d pull together a gift guide for bibliophiles of all shapes and sizes. This can be a starting place for you or useful if you’re trying to shop for the book lover in your life. And it’s actually inexpensive: This list has three price levels: $20 and under; $10 and under; and $5 and under. I’ve gone for both obviously bookish items, as well as some that are less bookish and more about being useful for bookworms.”…
Book Riot, Nov. 24, 2015.

Holiday gift guide for librarians and book lovers
Alison Marcotte writes: “The holidays and winter season are upon us, and while you may be inclined to curl up and read a book, it’s time to seek out unique gifts for family and friends. Whether you’re shopping for your librarian friend, literary relative, or yourself, here are some fun, memorable book-themed gifts that show you care. For example, you could perch your reading glasses on this humorous shisham wood eyeglasses holder.”…
American Libraries Feature, Dec. 3, 2015.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/ooangur, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Crank up some holiday music

December 1, 2015 admincmle

Got music? Chances are good that sometime soon you’ll be in need of some holiday or winter-themed music. Do you have a holiday bash coming up? How about a holiday party at your library? Or, maybe you just want something quiet, yet festive to listen to at your desk? See our suggestions below for finding just the right song…

Pandora

Pandora has a free and a for-fee option for your computer or device. I utilize the free version of Pandora, and it suits me quite well. You get unlimited music, but note that there are advertisements with the free service (maybe 2 commercials an hour, and colorful advertisements around the player). There are a variety of holiday stations just waiting for your perusal! Examples of holiday stations include: Classical Christmas, Country Christmas, R&B and Pop Holidays, Peaceful Holidays, and Hanukkah. My favorite is Swingin’ Christmas – with artists like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Michael Buble’, and Ella Fitzgerald, you really can’t go wrong!

Jango

Jango provides free internet radio – their claim is that they’re like Pandora, only with fewer advertisements and more variety. Examples of holiday stations available on Jango include: Jango Bell Rocks, Feliz Navidad, Independent Christmas, Christmas Mix, and New Year’s Eve Party.

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is a free service that allows you to stream live radio from around the world to your computer or device. In addition, you also have the option to create your own custom stations. iHeartRadio’s holiday selection is somewhat unique because it connects you to live radio stations from coast-to-coast with holiday music in heavy rotation. So, if you’re a radio fan – with DJs and their hoopla – you may enjoy checking out a iHeartRadio holiday radio station. You can also select iHeartRadio’s custom holiday stations.

These are just a few of many internet music options! What are some of your favorites?

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (Padurariu Alexandru), licensed under CC0

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Watch for sheep facing downhill!

November 20, 2015 admincmle

Just for fun….our friends at the Farmers Almanac impart some interesting folklore tidbits for us to ponder….ppssstttt, we recently experienced thunder in November!

Weather Folklore

If the geese on St. Martin’s Day (November 11) stand on ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas.
If the first snow sticks to the trees, it foretells a bountiful harvest.
If sheep feed facing downhill, watch for a snowstorm.
If on All Saints Day the beech acorn is dry we will stick behind the stove in winter, but if it is wet and not light the winter will not be dry, but wet.
Thunder in November indicates a fertile year to come.
If there be ice in November that will bear a duck, there will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck.
As November 21st, so the winter.
When the winter is early, it will not be late.

This piece is part of a much larger post by Farmers Almanac.

Image credit: https://unsplash.com, (Ariana Prestes), licensed under CCO 1.0.

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What would be your desert island read?

November 9, 2015 John 1 Comment

Mental Floss recently asked 20 writers what one book would they want if they were stranded on a desert island. Some of the choices are fun reads while others are classics. From Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter the writers ran the gambit. Some unique choices included the Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection and James Patterson’s choice to bring paper because “if one was looking to kill time on an island, it takes a bit longer to write one than to read one.”