The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Have you ever seen a book cover and thought, ‘I could get lost in that world’? Well I thought that when I picked up my latest read, The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. The shelves of books and purple clouds combined with the shining lighthouse and imposing castle in the background pulled me in, demanding I learn its secrets.

Lucy Hart grew up wishing that her parents loved her. Her childhood was spent alone, the daughter of parents who neglected her to deal with her older medically complex sister. Raised by her grandparents, Lucy spent her childhood finding hope and safety in books. The books that impacted her the most were the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. When Lucy becomes a teacher’s aide, she introduces this series to one of her students, Christopher, when she discovers that he is having a hard time. Lucy and Christopher quickly grow close, leading Lucy to wish that she could adopt Christopher from foster care. She has plans to make their dreams come true, but when life conspires to thwart their plans, she is left at a loss.

At her lowest, Lucy’s life suddenly takes a turn when Jack Masterson announces that he’s written a new book! The twist: he’s only written one copy and is planning a contest on Clock Island for four people to compete to win this only copy. Lucy is beyond excited when she learns that she has been chosen to compete! Winning this contest has the power to drastically change her and Christopher’s lives. As soon as she arrives on Clock Island, Lucy realizes she’s up against more than just the other three contestants. A potential love interest is also on the island, distracting her and intriguing her at the same time. While everyone contends with their own problems, Jack sits in the background, planning twists, games, and clues with almost endless power.

Told from the perspectives of multiple characters, The Wishing Game details characters who are all fighting to find where they fit in in the world. Found family is a major theme in this book, drawing characters towards each other in ways that will change their lives forever. Characters grow throughout this book, showcasing their ability to change combined with their desire to better themselves and their circumstances. I loved the world-building in this book! The fact that Jack actually built Clock Island was so beautiful. The Clock Island series by Jack Masterson sounds like something younger Stephanie would have enjoyed, making me wish that it was real!

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
― Meg Shaffer, The Wishing Game

Online Reading Challenge – December

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Welcome Readers!

This month the Online Reading Challenge searches for materials that have dual timelines. Our main title for December is The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. Here’s a quick summary from the publisher:

A dazzling novel of friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy and loss set in 1980s Chicago and contemporary Paris

In 1985, Yale Tishman, the development director for an art gallery in Chicago, is about to pull off an amazing coup, bringing in an extraordinary collection of 1920s paintings as a gift to the gallery. Yet as his career begins to flourish, the carnage of the AIDS epidemic grows around him. One by one, his friends are dying and after his friend Nico’s funeral, the virus circles closer and closer to Yale himself. Soon the only person he has left is Fiona, Nico’s little sister.

Thirty years later, Fiona is in Paris tracking down her estranged daughter who disappeared into a cult. While staying with an old friend, a famous photographer who documented the Chicago crisis, she finds herself finally grappling with the devastating ways AIDS affected her life and her relationship with her daughter. The two intertwining stories take us through the heartbreak of the eighties and the chaos of the modern world, as both Yale and Fiona struggle to find goodness in the midst of disaster. – Penguin Books

Looking for some other books that are dual timelines? Try any of the following.

As always, check each of our locations for displays with lots more titles to choose from!

Online Reading Challenge – November Wrap-Up

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Hello Fellow Challenge Readers!

How did your reading go this month? Did you read something that spanned decades or time that you enjoyed? Share in the comments!

I read our main title: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. While I was researching books that fit this category, I discovered Pachinko, a Finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction in 2017. I was instantly intrigued and knew that I wanted to read this book. To read the publisher’s description of Pachinko, check out our introductory blog. My thoughts are below.

Pachinko opens in the late 1800s and travels through to 1989, beginning in Korea before there was a North and a South. Spanning many decades, Min Jin Lee has written a gorgeous story following the lives of four generations of one family. Each generation of family is given ample space to tell their stories and live their lives, running through emotional highs and lows as their life choices prove to have consequences for the generations after. Each character is complex, leading passionate, well-detailed lives. Themes of loyalty, ambition, love, and sacrifice run through this novel as each character works to change and better their circumstances. Min Jin Lee isn’t afraid to dive into the nitty gritty, covering lives on the street to Japan’s universities to the criminal underworld of pachinko parlors. This is one of the best examples of books spanning decades and time that I have read. The world-building is complex and detailed, but in such a way that felt natural and stealthily woven into the storylines. I felt like I was dropped into the lives of each character, struggling alongside them as they worked to survive and provide for their families and themselves. While I have read many books that span decades, Pachinko was incredibly moving and is the true definition of a domestic saga.

Next month, we will be reading books with dual timelines!

In addition to following the Online Reading Challenge here on our Info Cafe blog, you can join our Online Reading Challenge group on Goodreads and discuss your reads!

Library Closed for Thanksgiving

- Stephanie Leave a comment

All three Davenport Public Library locations will be closed Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th in observance of Thanksgiving. All three buildings will reopen with regular business hours on Saturday, November 30th: Main (321 Main Street) 9am to 5:30pm, Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue) 9am to 5:30pm, and Fairmount (3000 N Fairmount St) 9am to 5:30pm.

Even though our physical locations will be closed, you can still access free digital content for all ages. Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to free eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music through Libby, Freegal, TumbleBooks, QC Beats, and Kanopy!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

New Crafts and Hobbies Books

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Did you know that the Davenport Public Library | Main has the Studio 321 Makerspace available for you to use? In the Studio 321 Makerspace, we have a 3D printer, a button maker, a Cricut, a Cricut mug press, two heat presses, a large format printer, a sewing machine, and a digital conversion station! To make an appointment and for more information about our makerspace, visit our website to learn more.

If you’re unable to travel to Main to use our makerspace, don’t worry! We have a wide variety of books about crafts and hobbies that you can check out and enjoy to tide you over. Below we have gathered some of our newest nonfiction titles featuring different crafts and hobbies. As always, if you’re looking for something else, please let us know!

Descriptions have been provided by the publisher. These books are owned by the Davenport Public Library at the time of this writing.

Crochet Secrets from the Knotty Boss: Over 100 Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Crochet by Anne Leyzina

This handy reference guide is packed with over 100 lifesaving crochet tips and tricks that your grandmother might not have taught you from @theknottyboss.

A collection of not-so-traditional crochet hacks meant to help troubleshoot many issues that typically arise with crocheting. The author covers everything from starting knots to perfect finishing techniques, and everything in between. This book can assist you at any stage of your project and help take your crochet game to the next level. Please note that the instructions are written in US crochet terms but there is a handy ‘cheat sheet’ if you want to convert them to UK terms.

It is packed full of step-by-step instructions and photography so you can follow along every step of the way and not miss a trick. Author, Anna Leyzina aka The Knotty Boss, has a huge number of followers who love her Tuesday Tips feature on her social media platforms. This collection combines her Tuesday Tips and more in one handy-sized reference book – which is perfect for keeping in your project bag.

Covering everything from how to select the right hook through to tips on how to pick the correct yarn and some clever stitch marker hacks, The Knotty Boss has got you covered. There are tips and tricks for basic skills like avoiding visible slip knots at the start of your work, working into back bumps, joining the foundation chain without twisting and an easy method for the magic ring. Later chapters look at more advanced techniques such as keeping the magic ring on your finger while working the first round, invisible joins when working in different stitches and invisible increase and decrease methods.

Other hacks include tips for working in rows and rounds including how to smooth the side edges, how to prevent stitches from slanting and how to make the perfect circle rather than a hexagon. Amigurumi techniques are also included with hacks for invisible increase and decreases, adding eyes and other facial expressions and tips for lining and stuffing toys.

There is section on working with colour which looks at how to get seamless colour changes and perfect stripes, and advice for crocheting granny squares with tips for how to prevent your squares from slanting, and how to create invisible seams.

The final chapters look at edging and borders, and finishing techniques with advice on how to seamlessly fasten off, how to weave in the ends and easy blocking, making this the ultimate handy, pocket-sized reference guide for all your crochet needs. – David and Charles

Making Things: Finding Use, Meaning, and Satisfaction in Crafting Everyday Objects by Erin Boyle and Rose Pearlman

Making Things champions handmade crafts that infuse the no-waste ethos with glamour and fun.

Through easy-to-follow tutorials for over 100 projects that are both accessible and aspirational, Making Things invites readers to try their hands at a variety of crafts and celebrate the satisfaction that comes from slowly and carefully creating for oneself. Learn to fold magazine pages into Masu Boxes for organizing bits and bobs, make a cardboard loom for weaving potholders out of old linens, braid your own Kumihimo Dog Leash, or starch fabric scraps for decorative bunting.

Makers Rose Pearlman and Erin Boyle met in 2018 and immediately struck up a friendship, united by a reverence for everyday objects. Their approach towards craft reflects a shared commitment to sustainability and accessibility – as they write in Making Things’ introduction, “Craft can be exquisite and exacting, the result of formal training and years of practice, but it can also be experimental and messy and not quite perfect.”

Scouring sidewalks, stoops, and thrift stores, the authors repurpose materials to create projects that range from functional to fun and frivolous. Step-by-step guides make it simple to start and finish each project, while the book’s stunning photographs show how each craft can fit within an organized, thoughtfully curated home.

As Making Things demonstrates, relying on a limited range of supplies and repurposing the same materials can spur our creativity, encouraging us to look at a pile of junk on a stoop and see endless possibilities. – Hardie Grant Books

Sublimation Crafting: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Printing and Pressing Vibrant Tumblers, T-Shirts, Home Décor, and More by Cori George

The ultimate guide to today’s hottest craft trend

Readers will learn how to personalize their worlds with Sublimation Crafting Join creative crafter, author, and sublimation expert Cori George as she demystifies this fast-growing art form and provides all the essentials needed to kick-start the sublimation journey. Readers will get an easy-to-understand overview of sublimation, learn about the printers and supplies needed, and master the art of transferring images onto blank canvases to create vibrant items to keep, give, or sell.

– Unintimidating Guidance: Readers will craft with confidence as this guide empowers them to navigate sublimation crafting with ease, without technical jargon or confusion.
– Essential Tools Demystified: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools that drive sublimation, including printers and heat presses, unlocking the potential for limitless creativity.
– Step-by-Step Mastery: By following the expert instructions for safe and effective techniques, readers are ensured that every project they undertake will showcase their skill and creativity.
– 18 Dynamic Projects: Experience an elevated crafting journey with 18 projects that span a spectrum of items, including a T-shirt, mug, mouse pad, photo panel, sequined pillow, flag, photo slate, glass cutting board, wood sign, and zippered pouch, as well as wine bags, coasters, stickers, earrings, patches, and even a trio of tumblers
– Downloadable Art Files: Access a treasure trove of more than 30 downloadable art files that make customization and creativity seamless.

It’s the definitive guide to sublimation crafting with no fussy instructions or technical jargon–just solid techniques and gorgeous craft projects from a trusted expert. – Better Day Books

Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread by Sara Barnes

Learn to make embroidery a way to treasure your life as you create three personal projects supported by the guidance, stories, and advice of 14 modern crafters.

Modern society has put a premium on producing, and sometimes that hustle culture (Instagram likes! Etsy sales!) can drain some joy from crafting. This book helps embroidery fans abandon that notion and, instead, realize that life is about treasuring what’s important.

• Interviews with 14 creative stitchers—from business owners to accomplished artists—make readers feel embraced by community.

• Each artist shares photos of their creations, encouraging readers to incorporate empowering concepts into their stitching.

• Three step-by-step projects, personalized to the reader’s own preferences, teach how to:

1. use your threads to treasure and display your life’s meaningful special objects. For instance, a special token of a favorite moment like a seashell, an event ticket, or a trinket from childhood.
2. use your threads to treasure your worn and well-loved things, like your favorite garment, with mending and adornment (while also treasuring our environment).
3. use your threads to treasure your small everyday moments—sit still, breathe deeply, and enjoy the making process—by creating a daily practice. – Schiffer Craft

Well Worn: Visible Mending for the Clothes You Love by Skye Pennant

Mend and revive your favorite well-worn garments with this comprehensive guide to visible mending techniques from the founder of Slow Stitch Club.

From the creator of the popular Slow Stitch Club, Well Worn is a fresh and engaging clothing repair guide and accessible introduction for anyone looking to explore visible mending to revolutionize their wardrobe, whether you are a stitching pro or have never picked up a needle and thread.

Mending is a creative outlet and a slow and therapeutic skill, and author and textile artist Skye Pennant shares the joys of mending by teaching traditional darning and sashiko techniques to help fight against wardrobe perfectionism as well as fast fashion, making for gorgeous visible mending results. Her introduction includes a short history of mending followed by key techniques, fabrics, tools, and materials. Sections are organized by type of clothing to mend: Jeans & Denim, Sweaters & Knitwear, T-Shirts, Socks, and more.

An outstanding gift or self-purchase for anyone interested in refreshing their wardrobe, fostering a more sustainable lifestyle, saving money and avoiding fast fashion, or simply engaging with a crafty new creative outlet, this sewing basics book is all about mending clothes you love, one slow stitch at a time. – Princeton Architectural Press

More New Crafts and Hobbies Books

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“The truth is that social media is an optical illusion. It’s an unreality, it’s the very deliberate version of people’s lives that they want you to see.”
― Mary Kubica, She’s Not Sorry

Meghan Michaels is an ICU nurse and single mom to a teenage girl. Following the divorce from her ex-husband, Meghan and her daughter move to a small apartment relatively close to where she works.

One day, a new patient is admitted to the ICU. This wouldn’t normally be cause for concern except for the fact that this woman is plastered all over the news. Why? Caitlin is in a coma from a traumatic brain injury that she sustained after a fall from a bridge. Was this suicide? Or did someone push her? Meghan would normally keep her distance from her patients, but Caitlin’s actions, her family, and Meghan’s own past lure her in.

On top of dealing with Caitlin, Meghan is also struggling with fallout from her divorce. Looking for help, she heads to a divorce support group. Meghan runs into an old friend from high school who appears to be in an abusive relationship with her husband. Meghan will do anything to help her old friend. Her decision to help means adding another complication to her messy life. Add in someone terrorizing women in her neighborhood and Meghan is extra on edge. She must keep herself and her daughter safe, while also focus on her patient at work. When a witness steps forward saying they know what happened to Caitlin, police swarm the ICU, putting all the staff on edge as they now aren’t sure whether Caitlin jumped or was pushed.

Kubica has crafted a slow burn thriller that had me on the edge of my seat questioning how all the threads would tie together. As is true with most psychological thrillers, this is not a book where you can shift focus while reading. Every detail is important! I can’t wait to see what Mary Kubica comes up with next.

This title is also available in large print and a CD audiobook.

New Travel books for 2024!

- Michelle Leave a comment

This fall brings an abundance of new and updated travel guides for nearly anywhere you would like to venture.  If you are planning your first trip abroad, thinking about a road trip to a few national parks or you are a seasoned traveler ready for a new adventure, there is something for everyone.  Even if you are not planning a trip in the near future, consider one of these guidebooks for armchair traveling!

DK National Parks of the USA – A comprehensive account of our 63 parks, DK National Parks of the USA covers the best sites and itineraries for each park.  With some of the most gorgeous photography in any travel guide, this guide outlines the best choices whether you are visiting a park for one hour or one week.  This guide also has detailed and easy to read maps for a hassle-free experience.  Also, included are the best places to eat, sleep and dine in close proximity to each park.

Rick Steves Best of Europe – One of the best travel guides for new or seasoned travelers to Europe, this nearly 1,000 page book covers the top European destinations for any experience or budget.  Steves includes detailed information on taking trains, trams and buses with ease and ideas for walking tours to capture the top sights.  Destinations include England, France, Spain and Italy.

Rick Steves France – Similar to the previous title and other Rick Steves travel guides, his series highlight the life changing aspects of travel, including meeting locals and visiting top sites along with itineraries that includes stops less well known.  This guide to France is the 21st edition with near yearly updates on hotels and other accommodations for all budgets.   Also included are walking tours and ample coverage of museums, local restaurants and cultural and historic information.  Not only is Paris included, Steves devotes ample pages to Normandy, Burgundy, Provence, the French Riviera and the Brittany region.

DK Top 10 New England – DK Top 10 guides are perfect for a short break and DK Top 10 New England is no exception.  Covering the top local cuisine, outdoor activities, quaint towns and historic gems, the authors of this guide have streamlined the best of the best in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.  Sample itineraries are included for a weekend or a few days accompanied by a laminated pull out map.

Fodor’s Essential Japan – Written by Fodor’s local experts who have an intimate knowledge of Japan, Fodor’s Essential Japan, is an updated volume that has been redesigned in an easier to read format, newly updated photos and multiple itineraries for each destination.  Included are Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Mt. Fuji and more.  Along with the historical and cultural background of Japan, this guide has practical transportation information and language tips with essential phrases.

Lonely Planet Offbeat North America – For travelers looking for more remote or off the beaten track travels, try Lonely Planet Offbeat North America.  With over 100 lesser known destinations in The United States, Canada and Mexico, this guide also includes 25 extra hidden gems along with expertly curated advice on how to beat the crowds and the best times to travel to these locales.  Unique to this title are alternatives to popular sites that are equally as memorable but not so touristy.

 

 

In addition to the titles listed above check out these other brand new travel guides!

Rick Steves Spain

Rick Steves Scandinavia

DK Top 10 Brussels (includes Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp)

DK Top 10 Seattle

DK Top 10 Las Vegas 

Rick Steves Barcelona

Rick Steves Paris

Fodor’s Tokyo

 

Getting Connected: Your Guide to Applying for a Government-Supported Phone

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Getting Connected: Your Guide to Applying for a Government-Supported Phone

As the holiday season approaches, staying connected with loved ones becomes more critical. For many, a phone is essential not only for holiday communication but also for accessing vital resources, managing appointments, and ensuring personal safety. This is why one of the most frequently requested resources at the Davenport Public Library’s social services desk is information on obtaining a government-supported phone, commonly known as ‘Obama phones.’

The Lifeline program is a federal program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for phone services. While many are aware of this federal benefit, few know how to apply for it or what the eligibility requirements are for receiving it. This month’s resource highlight offers a clear guide on obtaining a government-supported phone, including the application process, necessary documentation, and important considerations to remember. The federal government has simplified the application process for the Lifeline Assistance Program, which partners with various wireless providers to offer these phones to eligible individuals. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Eligibility Verification

You may be eligible for Lifeline if you meet certain income and household size requirements and also if you receive benefits from a federal assistance program such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance, veterans’ pension and survivors’ benefits, and tribal programs. To start, it is recommended that you apply directly through the federal government’s Lifeline Program to verify your eligibility. (https://www.lifelinesupport.org). This initial approval is essential, as it confirms your qualification for the benefit. Once approved, you will receive eligibility approval with an application number to choose a provider.

Step 2: Choosing a Provider

After receiving your approval of eligibility, you can select from several participating providers in your area to receive your phone and service. Popular options include Assurance Wireless, Q-Link, Safelink Wireless, Premier Wireless, TruConnect, and U.S. Cellular. The availability of providers also depends on your area of residence. Make sure to go directly to the official website of your chosen provider to apply for the government-supported phone service. While there, ensure you select the government phone link, as clicking on the wrong link may lead you to sign up for a regular, non-subsidized plan.

Step 3: Completing the Provider Application

When completing the application on the provider’s website, the provider may verify your eligibility by checking with the federal Lifeline Program. This is where your eligibility or approval application number comes in handy. This number allows the provider to access your qualifying application information, simplifying the process.

If you began the application on a provider’s website without prior federal approval, you may be redirected to the National Verifier to confirm your eligibility before continuing. Providers may also request that you upload copies of your qualifying documents, so be sure to have these documents ready.

Important Considerations:

Household Verification: The Lifeline Program allows only one government-supported phone per household. If you live at a shared address, such as a shelter or nursing home, you may need to clarify that it is a multi-resident facility to avoid disqualification. Proof of separate household status may be required if multiple applicants use the same address.

How to Apply: You can apply online (https://www.lifelinesupport.org)or by printing a paper copy of the application, which you can then complete and mail. If you choose the paper application route, include copies of your eligibility documents to ensure the timely processing of your application.

Lost or Stolen Phones: If your phone is lost or stolen, it is at the provider’s discretion whether to replace it free of charge. Switching providers due to a lost or stolen phone requires you to cancel your current service first. The Lifeline system must show that you are not receiving other active services. Otherwise, you may be ineligible for a new phone until the previous service is fully canceled. Many people face this challenge as they do not know their service providers. Please ensure you know the service provider for your phone service. Write this information down if you must.

Documentation: To qualify, you will need to upload physical proof of your eligibility, such as a SNAP benefit letter, Medicaid card, or SSI benefit letter, during the application process. Many applicants find this step challenging, as they may not have these documents readily available.

Use this guide whenever you or someone you know needs assistance obtaining a government-supported phone.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“everything we fear finds us eventually, so there’s no point trying to outrun it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

Stuart Turton’s latest novel, The Last Murder at the End of the World, is a genre-bending murder mystery that contains elements of science fiction, crime thrillers, and dystopia.

An island in the middle of the ocean holds what is left of humanity. A fog swept the world, killing anyone and everything it touched. Thanks to the work of three scientists living on the island, a security system is in place keeping the fog at bay. 122 villagers live with the scientists, fishing and farming, supplying the island with what they need to survive.

Their idyllic lives are shattered when, upon waking one morning, they discover one of the scientists dead in a burning building. They quickly learn that the death triggered the security system to lower, bringing the fog closer and closer to the island. With only hours left before the fog destroys the island and kills them all, they must figure out what happened to the scientist. Obstacles repeatedly pop up during the investigation, leading the villagers chasing leads all over the island. The truth will be hard to figure out, but the clock is ticking. If they don’t solve this mystery, the fog will wipe their problems, and their lives, away.

This is a book that is hard to talk about without giving too much away. Let me start by saying that the beginning of this book gives off very much ‘hippie commune thrown for a loop by a crime’ vibes. I love that. The rest of the book is chock full of twists and turns as they try to solve the crime. This was a very quick read, but I found it to be difficult to follow at times in the audiobook as two of the characters’ accents were only *slightly* different. Overall, The Last Murder at the End of the World was intriguing and had me hooked to the very end.

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