Posts by Michelle S. (191)

Blog Articles

Interested to know what all the fuss is about e-readers without dropping your hard-earned cash on a device you may or may not like? Look no further than the Free Library of Philadelphia: You can… continue reading Check out an E-reader from the Free Library!

By written by Michelle S.    July 25, 2012    4

I just finished reading the funny and engaging book, Maphead , written by Ken Jennings, who you may remember from his record-busting 75-game winning streak on Jeopardy a few years ago. For a… continue reading Marvelous Maps

By written by Michelle S.    July 11, 2012   

Between the spate of warm weather we've been enjoying here in Philadelphia to the realization that summer really isn't that far away, I've been doing a good bit of mental vacation… continue reading Vacation Fever

By written by Michelle S.    April 20, 2012   

There's a whole lotta "free" in the title of this blog post! The Free Library is working with the Free University of Philadelphia to host free writing-based classes in branches… continue reading Free Classes from the Free University at the Free Library

By written by Michelle S.    April 3, 2012    1

T-Rex the Turtle plans to escape from his home at the Garden State Discovery Museum and travel to the Parkway Central Library to lead children on a journey uncovering the world of Dinosaurs! Join… continue reading Dino Adventure!

By written by Michelle S.    March 30, 2012   

Can't get enough of Suzanne Collins's epic Hunger Games trilogy? Dying for more dystopian fiction in your life? You're in luck: Our librarians have put together a great list of… continue reading Hunger Games Fever

By written by Michelle S.    March 23, 2012    1

After nine months of restoration work, Philbrick Hall at Parkway Central Library reopened today! Made possible by the Annenberg Foundation, the renovation of Philbrick Hall opened up 2,500 square… continue reading Philbrick Hall Reopens to Public after Extensive Renovation

By written by Michelle S.    March 1, 2012    19

The world of children’s literature lost an icon recently with the passing of Philadelphia native and longtime Bucks County resident Jan Berenstain, co-creator with her husband Stan of the… continue reading In Memoriam: Jan Berenstain

By written by Michelle S.    February 27, 2012    1

As I’m sure many of my fellow readers do, too, I have an extensive and ever-rotating list of favorite authors. I look forward to reading their new works and enjoy exploring their back lists… continue reading “Hardback Favorites” - Margot Livesey

By written by Michelle S.    February 22, 2012   

Over the past several weeks, I have focused mainly on the themes, ideas, and questions brought up by Edwidge Danticat’s Create Dangerously . However, I couldn’t conclude this blog… continue reading Chatting One Book: The Art of Danticat’s Writing

By written by Michelle S.    January 19, 2012    2

In “Our Guernica,” the final essay in Create Dangerously , Edwidge Danticat focuses on the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 and destroyed her former… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Twelve - “Our Guernica”

By written by Michelle S.    January 12, 2012    1

Enjoy a brief selection of books about the winter, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Chinese New Year! Winter Babies Wear Layers , by Michelle Sinclair Colman, illustrations by Nathalie Dion… continue reading Welcome the winter season with another year of amazing books!

By written by Michelle S.    January 9, 2012   

“Flying Home” is probably my favorite essay in Create Dangerously. I’ve had a fascination with flying ever since I was a small child. I was immediately drawn in by and identified… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Twelve - “Flying Home”

By written by Michelle S.    January 5, 2012   

I used to read novels and short stories almost exclusive to other types of writing. In an effort to broaden my literary horizons a little while ago, I started reading and enjoying a wider… continue reading New Year's Resolution: Read More Novels (Again)!

By written by Michelle S.    January 4, 2012    4

In chapter eight of Create Dangerously, “Another Country,” Edwidge Danticat writes about natural disaster and about how many residents of the developed world so frequently associate… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Eight - “Another Country”

By written by Michelle S.    December 22, 2011    1

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to be piloting a groundbreaking new program that offers adults 50 years of age and older the opportunity to learn how to use a variety of e-readers,… continue reading Adults 50 Years of Age and Older: Check out an E-reader from the Free Library!

By written by Michelle S.    December 20, 2011    4

Last Friday, the literary world lost one of its most impassioned and opinionated contributors to the public discourse on religion and intellectualism--Christopher Hitchens. A self-styled… continue reading In Memoriam - Christopher Hitchens

By written by Michelle S.    December 19, 2011   

“I know this is what you do now,” Tante Zi said. “This thing with the writing. I know it’s your work, but please don’t write what you think you know about… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Six - “The Other Side of the Water”

By written by Michelle S.    December 15, 2011   

The Free Library is joining forces with Feeding America and Dreamworks Pictures in conjunction with the newly released Blu-Ray DVD of The Hel p , a film based on the bestselling novel by Kathryn… continue reading If You Are Looking to “Help” This Holiday Season, Look No Further!

By written by Michelle S.    December 9, 2011   

“My country, Jean,” I said, “is one of uncertainty. When I say ‘my country’  to some Haitians, they think I mean the United States. When I say ‘my… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter 3 - “I Am Not a Journalist”

By written by Michelle S.    December 8, 2011