The Atrium

Here are the latest additions to our business collection:

World, Inc.
by Bruce Piasecki

With many people becoming increasingly frustrated with the inability of politics to solve the local and global problems facing us, Piasecki finds a solution in corporations. Businesses, he argues, are able to adapt to desired social changes more quickly than political institutions based on the premise that businesses need enthusiastic customers more than governments need enthusiastic citizens to survive.

Available now: NEW 338.5 P573w

Start Your Own Business
by Rieva Lesonsky

Get a jump start on a New Year's resolution and start that business you've been dreaming of for some time. Lesonsky and the staff of Entrepreneur Magazine breaks down every step along the way from pipe dream to grand opening. So whether it's pet sitting, baking cupcakes, or contracting multi-use buildings in renaissance zones that employ the standards of green architecture, this resource will explain how do get it done.

Available now: NEW 658.041 L5652s 2007

The 100 Best Stocks You Can Buy 2008
by John Slatter

Instead of reading up on stock advise on a theoretical or historical level, Slatter gives pertinent up-to-date information regarding investments that can start making money today. Within each section, individual stocks are discussed including past performances, company profiles, business structure and even potential shortcomings.

Available now: NEW 332.6322 On21 2008

Posted by Matt at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here in the GRPL Reference Department we receive many research requests, both strange and interesting. We've decided to share some of the questions, along with their answers, here on the blog. We hope you'll enjoy this new feature and feel free to leave comments.

A recent request from a storyteller:
I'm working to prepare a presentation of the Cornish folk tale Duffy and the Devil. I'm looking for information on the roles of women vs men during the time period of the story. For example, what work was performed during the seasons, what happened during apple cider time, season festivals, and what the marketplaces looked like (who was there and what activities were happening). Any suggestions? I know that this story is still performed in England.

Answer:
Hi,

The kinds of things we would have at GRPL are such as would provide some pictures of folk life in England over the centuries.
A History of Everyday Things in England 1066-1799 and Life and Work of the People of England, 14th through 16th centuries

The general browsing numbers are 914.2 and 942. Through interlibrary loan, and with more time, you could borrow from the larger libraries that would have more focused works on life in old Cornwall or the West country of England, or on the Christmas folk plays of that territory. These can be found using WorldCat, our union catalog of large library holdings around the world.

The Name of the Helper is a wonderful website with multiple versions of these Rumplestiltskin type stories, including Duffy and the Devil.

For a cinematic approximation of some of the old west country English villages, you could try the movie versions of Thomas Hardy's novels, such as Tess (of the D'Urbervilles), The Mayor of Casterbridge, and Far from the Madding Crowd.

Posted by Martin at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once again popular mystery authors have released season-themed books. You can borrow them from GRPL and purchase them as holiday gifts for the mystery readers on your list.

Oh, and one I find particularly fun is The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, it's a cool collection of short pulp crime fiction from the 1930s, '40s, and 50s.

Posted by Angela at 03:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tis the season for hot toddies -- mulled wine, buttered rum, spiced cider, eggnog -- and other kinds of yummy goodness to warm your tummy and curl your toes. But before you sit down to enjoy your drink make sure there's enough good food to accompany it. Here are a few resources, including our food wiki, which has a comprehensive list of all-things-food at GRPL. Enjoy!

Posted by Angela at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daily Life in Immigrant America, 1870-1920
by June Granatir Alexander

The author strives to give us a look at new immigrants' regular lives in the 50-year period that includes: the first transcontinental railroad completed (1869), President Willeam McKinley assassinated (1901), San Francisco earthquake (1906), Henry Ford introduces the Model T (1908), World War I (1914), and nationality-based quotas introduced into law for immigration (1921). During this time period 26 million immigrants came to American shores.

Available now: New 305.906912 AL27d

The Story of Measurement
by Andrew Robinson

What an unusual book! If you think of rulers or scales when you think of measurement, well, there's a whole universe to discover here. Part fascinating history, part cutting-edge science, this book delves into all aspects of measurement including earthquakes, music, social attitudes, galaxies, intelligence, weapons, and much more.

Available now: New 530.8 R56s

Weather World: Photographing the Global Spectacle
by Gordon Higgins

A visual celebration of the diversity and unpredictability of weather in all its forms. A must-read for weather buffs.

Available now: New 551.5 W378p

Dawn of the Dinosaurs: Life in the Triassic
by Nicholas Fraser

Douglas Henderson's illustrations are a beautiful compliment to the text about this mysterious time in our earth's history.

Available now: New 560.1762 F863d

Seashells: Jewels from the Ocean
by Budd Titlow

There's an undeniable attraction to seashells on a beach. Their mystery, their beauty, their endless fascination of shapes and colors contribute to our desire to possess them. If you can't get to a deserted shell beach, the next best thing is to read the author's book filled with information and photographs on the lives of these unique creatures.

Available now: New 594.1477 T535s

Posted by Lisa at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This holiday season I decided to put a cap on all my spending and, in return, I've asked my family and friends not get me anything. I realize that this is a hard concept for most to comprehend. My brother isn't having any of it and being that he lives on the other side of the country, has already shipped my presents with notes on them to not open till Christmas.

In return I purchased him a subscription to Green Dimes. Green Dimes stops junk mail coming to your house and saves tree. I signed up about 6 months ago and have seen a significant decrease in the amount of junk mail to my house. When you spend $15, they do all the work to get you off the largest mailing lists in the country. You can also report who you're getting junk mail from and they will take care of it for you. It really works! Not only do they reduce your junk mail by 90%, but they also plant 10 trees in your name! Right now they are running a special for the service for only $12.

Another great sight that is working hard to help consumers choose products wisely is Story of Stuff. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.

There is also a great green gift giving guide on Grist.

So as you think about what to buy for your friends and family, remember that everything we buy has an impact on our lives and the environment.

Posted by Kolene at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Does the writers strike have you down? Are you missing the antics of Dwight and Michael? Never fear - GRPL is here to help!

TV on DVD. Start placing your holds now!

Posted by Marianne at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Book trailers, a fun marketing tool, have been making the rounds online for the last several years. These mini commercials, similar to movie trailers, can be found on most of the social networking sites, some author web sites, and they're even streamed to cell phones.

Book videos range from funny to tacky (subjective I'm sure). I've seen quite a few book teasers and some of them are actually pretty good. In fact, in 2006 The Book Video Awards was launched to recognize the best in book videos.

One of my favorite sites to view book teasers at is COS Productions (They claim to have invented the "book trailer" concept.). Others include Book Trailers.net, Romance Novel TV, and VidLit (for children).

You can also find interviews of some popular authors at Book Video TV and Book Shorts. I really love these!

Here's a clip of one of the 2006 book video award winners Stuart: A Life Backwards.

Posted by Angela at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wondering what your neighbors are reading? Here are the top ten titles on hold for GRPL patrons as of December 1st:

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Double Cross by James Patterson
Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
You've Been Warned by James Patterson
T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Stone Cold by David Baldacci
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury

Posted by Angela at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)