Library Blog

Recent protests have reignited larger discussions of race, African American history, and the Civil Rights Movement. To learn more, Films on Demand has some great documentary resources that are free for Durham Tech faculty, staff, and students. Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement 1954–1985 [note that end date] is a 14-part series produced by Blackside and available through Films on Demand. Narrated by Julian Bond, Eyes on the Prize has won numerous Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, an

Title: Moonglow Author: Michael Chabon Genre: biography, fiction (both, believe it or not!) Read Great Things 2020 Categories: book with a one-word title, bildungsroman (maybe) Why did you choose to read this book? I have read four of Chabon's other novels; I liked three of those very much and hated the other one ( Gentlemen of the Road). I think The Yiddish Policemen's Union is my favorite of his novels. My sister-in-law gave me her copy of Moonglow last year, so I read it. What did you like

There are several movies and TV shows coming out this spring based on books. Several book adaptations have been released as TV series or films earlier this year as well. It can be really enjoyable to read the book and watch the show or movie. So far, I've watched The Plot Against America, Killing Eve, and Normal People. I'm currently reading Just Mercy and then plan to watch the film. Little Fires Everywhere is in my book stack to read, and I want to watch the show as well.

It's been an unconventional [see: literary term-- understatement] few months. May is always Mental Health Month, but due to the stresses and uncertainties a lot of us are facing, it seems particularly important this year. There are lots of ways to attend to your own mental health needs and for many, meditation and yoga or other mindfulness practices may be beneficial. Check out some of the free (or temporarily free) apps that you can use to practice these skills. Note: Some of these apps offer

From the author who taught us that writing and life was best accomplished "bird by bird", or one slow mindful step at a time, comes her message of finding hope in the midst of chaos. Published in 2018, readers today in pandemic spring will recognize themselves in the first sentence: "I am stockpiling antibiotics for the apocalypse, even as I await the blossoming of paperwhites on the windowsill in the kitchen." Title: Almost Everything: Notes on Hope Author: Anne Lamott Genre: Self-help book

Title: Record of a Spaceborn Few Author: Becky Chambers Genre: Science Fiction Read Great Things Challenge 2020 Categories: A book that is part of a series, a book suggested by a Durham Tech librarian. Description: Hundreds of years ago, the last humans on Earth boarded the Exodus Fleet in search of a new home among the stars. After centuries spent wandering empty space, their descendants were eventually accepted by the well-established species that govern the Milky Way. But that was long ago

Title: The Way to Rainy Mountain Author: N. Scott Momaday Genres: memoir, biography, folklore Read Great Things Challenge 2020 category: A book about the great outdoors (sort of). This book was read by Stephen Brooks, Main Campus Reference Librarian. Why did you read this book? It was assigned book club reading. N. Scott Momaday is the descendant of Kiowas, a Native American tribe indigenous to the Great Plains of what is now the United States. This book is many things, including a biography of

This week we'll be showcasing some book reviews! Want to review something you've read or watched for the library blog? Let us know by filling out the Durham Tech Book or Media Review form. Being in your late 20s and not knowing what you want to do is hard, so of course when your friend from your brief foray into boarding school asks you to come take care of her step-children who catch fire when upset or scared, you say yes. Right? Sure. You weren't doing anything anyway. Title: Nothing to See

We asked Durham Tech to share the baking and cooking they've been doing at home, and, well, we're making various quick and slow breads, embracing box mixes, getting a little fancy, and not forgetting to eat our vegetables. Click through for food pics and recipes (for most). Links to recipes are in picture captions. We've been making some bread: "sourdough" (not really successful yet), soda bread, and sandwich white bread. Creating some fancier breads, too: Parmesan and cheese herb bread, hot

This week's What We're Reading post is a little different because this book is a cookbook! I've included a couple of pictures of the food I've made. My amateur food photography skills are on full display. Title: Cool Beans: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking with the World's Most Versatile Plant-Based Protein, with 125 Recipes Author: Joe Yonan Description: Joe Yonan, food editor of the Washington Post,provides a master base recipe for cooking any sort of bean in any sort of appliance—Instant Pot