Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Spring Break Reading

The winter term is quickly coming to an end.  Don't forget to borrow something to read over the break!  Here are our new browsing books:







Radiance of Tomorrow by Ishmael Beah

"In the aftermath of the war in Sierra Leone, a village comes together to regain the beauty of life as it was in the past" -Provided by the publisher







Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"A young woman from Nigeria leaves behind her home and her first love to start a new life in America, only to find her dreams are not all she expected." -Provided by the publisher











The First True Lie by Morina Mander

“Luca, a young boy who lives with his mother, wakes up one day to discover that his mother is dead and, not wanting to be labeled an orphan, pretends that his mother is still alive, as he imagines himself and his cat, Blue, going about their daily life.” –Provided by the publisher







The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker



“Combines elements of Jewish and Arab folk mythology in the story of two supernatural creatures--Chava, a golem brought to life by a disgraced rabbi, and Ahmad, a jinni made of fire--who form an unlikely friendship on the streets of turn-of-the-century New York.” –Provided by the publisher








The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

“Violet Minturn, a half-Chinese/half-American courtesan who deals in seduction and illusion in Shanghai, struggles to find her place in the world, while her mother, Lucia, tries to make sense of the choices she has made and the men who have shaped her.” –Provided by the publisher






Disease Proof: The Remarkable Truth About What Makes Us Well by David L. Katz, MD, MPH with Stacey Colino



“The skills you need to slash your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more-by 80 percent. Though we may not realize it, our behavior has tremendous effects on our health, well-being, and even gene expression. In Disease-Proof, renowned preventive medicine specialist Dr. David Katz reveals that we can reduce our risk of any chronic disease by an astonishing 80 percent-more than any drug or intervention could ever hope to do. Abundant scientific evidence shows that four simple things-not smoking, eating well, being active, and maintaining a healthy weight-play an enormous role in our health. Drawing upon the latest scientific evidence and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Katz arms us with the skills to make lasting changes in each of these areas.” –Provided by the publisher



The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

"Spanning decades, generations, and America in the 1940s and today, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion is a fun-loving mystery about an Alabama woman today, and five women who in 1943 worked in a Phillips 66 gas station, during the WWII years. Like Fannie Flagg's classic Fried Green Tomatoes, this is a riveting, fun story of two families, set in present day America and during World War II, filled to the brim with Flagg's trademark funny voice and storytelling magic" –Provided by the publisher




The Housemaid’s Daughter by Barbara Mutch



“After traveling to South Africa for a loveless marriage in 1919, a young Irish woman befriends Ada, the daughter of the housemaid, and must decide what to do when the girl goes missing after being scorned by the community.” –Provided by the publisher 








David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

“The best-selling author of Outliers uncovers the hidden rules that shape the balance between the weak and the mighty, the powerful and the dispossessed.” –Provided by the publisher






You Disappear: A Novel by Christian Jungersen



“Struggling to protect her son and herself from an increasingly volatile, once-respected husband whose brain-degenerative condition has led him to defraud a school, Mia faces tough legal and moral dilemmas while working with a defense attorney with whom she becomes increasingly infatuated.” –Provided by the publisher






Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“In the city of Egunu, Nigeria, fifteen year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a somewhat cloistered life. Their father is a wealthy businessman, they live in a beautiful home, and attend private school. But, through Kambili's eyes, we see that their home life is anything but harmonious. Her father, a fanatically religious man has impossible expectations of his children and his wife, and if things don't go his way he becomes physically abusive. Not until Kambili and Jaja are sent away from home for the very first time to visit their loving aunt, does Kambili's world begin to blossom. But when a military coup threatens to destroy the country, the tension in her family's home escalates, and Kambili must find the strength to keep her loved ones together.” -Provided by the publisher


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

2014 Winter Olympics

The 2014 Winter Olympics start on February 7.  Did you know that four Choate alumnae will be playing ice hockey this year?  Whether you want to learn more about the Olympics or want to get in the spirit to cheer on your favorite athletes, stop by the Reference Room to browse and borrow some Olympic books.




View the official site for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Managing Your Digital Footprint

The new year is often a time for setting resolutions.  Why not start the new year by resolving to manage your digital footprint in a positive way?

The internet is a great way to connect with relatives and friends who live far away.  There are many great resources, such as apps and websites, to help you learn.  However, the digital world can also be a scary place if not handled correctly.  

Come to the Reference Room to browse and check out books that can help you learn how you can better manage your life online.


Image from http://leadinginnovation2012.wikispaces.com/Digital+footprint

Monday, December 16, 2013

Warm up with a Good Book

Winter break starts in just a few days.  Enjoy your time off, and don't forget to borrow a book to read over the break!

Check out some of our new books in the browsing and paperback sections of the library:



Monday, November 18, 2013

Remembering John F. Kennedy '35

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a 1935 graduate of the Choate School.

The library is home to several different types of material about Kennedy.  The Archives was actually founded 50 years ago as an effort to collect materials related to his assassination.  Watch Ms. Donald, the school's Archivist, on WFSB Channel 3 Connecticut's Face the State, discuss the history of the Archives and Kennedy's time at Choate.

Looking for a place to study?  Visit the Kennedy Study Room, in the basement, and check out one of the hundreds of books about his life.




Enjoy watching films?  Search American History in Video or World History in Video for footage of JFK.

Want to learn more about Kennedy online?  Visit the iPad in the Reference Room, which has the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum bookmarked and an app detailing the day of his assassination.

Stop by the Reading and Reference Rooms to view some displays to help us remember Kennedy.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

The saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," is one that most of us have heard several times throughout our lives.  It rings true for so many different scenarios.  We shouldn't judge someone because of the clothes that person wears.  We shouldn't create stereotypes because of the jersey someone wears.  We shouldn't assume the outward appearance for anyone reflects that person's inner self.

The same is true for books.  It's often easy to browse for a book to read and pick up one with interesting artwork on the cover.  Titles are often catchy and make us wonder what the plot or characters are about.  How many good books do we leave unread because our eyes are biased?  Come to the Reference Room to challenge yourself to pick out a book in a new way.  If the descriptions interest you, check one out!  And remember, "don't judge a book by its cover."