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Tag:

staff picks

    From Our Staff | End of Term Reading Recommendations

    by Junelle Mah April 26, 2022
    written by Junelle Mah

    Sound the horns, bang the drums, and break out those exquisitely well-choreographed dance moves. The Winter 2022 semester is over…now what? Give your brain a well-deserved break with some enjoyable read recommendations from our University of Alberta Library Staff.

    Some items are in our catalogue, others are held by our friends at Edmonton Public Library (EPL). For those in our U of A community who do not have an EPL card, fear not! We have a spectacular partnership with EPL, and an LPass will allow you to connect your 13-digit U of A ONEcard barcode to EPL’s collections. Our end-of-semester post from Fall 2021 has more great examples of resources you can access with your LPass.

    FICTION

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    Binge: 60 Stories to Make Your Brain Feel Different (Douglas Coupland)
    You can read most of these stories in 15 minutes or less, but they will be on your mind for much longer. Interesting, quirky, fun.
    – Mireille Smith, Information Services Specialist. Rutherford Library & Bibliothèque St-Jean.

    The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Becky Chambers)
    First of all…the title. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the title. Next, its SciFi. Third, it’s about relationships set in outer space. Check, check and check.
    – Grace Romanow, Information Services Specialist. Cameron Library.

    And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie)
    Anything by the “Queen of Crime” is always a good choice, but this book puts the ultimate twist on a whodunnit – 10 strangers are stranded on an island, and are picked off one by one by a murderer until – SPOILER – then there were none.
    – Laurel Warkentin, Information Services Specialist. Augustana Library.

    They Came to Baghdad (Agatha Christie)
    Engaging heroine and beautiful descriptions of Baghdad in 1950. I enjoy the action and spy fiction genres books written by Christie which usually feature brave and intelligent heroines. They are very descriptive and you can immerse yourself in a different time and place. Travel involved planes, trains, ships and was always eventful! (hint: many of the Agatha Christie books are available in downloadable audiobook form from EPL…#RoadTrip)
    – Elisabet Ingibergsson, Information Services Specialist. Rutherford Library & Bibliothèque St-Jean.

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    The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
    Thought provoking in these difficult times. Pick a new book and try a new life!
    – Carmen Loconte, Information Services Specialist. Rutherford Library.

    First Grave on the Right (Darynda Jones)
    Not only does the main character solve crimes, she reaps souls on the side. She is wildly witty with a dash of sarcasm and a couple of cups of awesomeness (caffeine). If you are looking for a funny, action-packed read, I highly recommend this series.
    – Tamara Storm, Building Services Magician. Rutherford.

    The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Milan Kundera)
    With everything happening in Ukraine right now, it feels like a very relevant read. It centers around a troubled married couple who are deeply affected by the invasion of their home country, Czechoslovakia, by the Soviet Union (and 3 other Warsaw Pact countries) in 1968.
    – Natalya Brettle, Senior Information and Circulation Services Specialist.

    NON FICTION

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    It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love & War (Lynsey Addario)
    Lynsey Addario has had a very successful career as a photojournalist and war photographer for some of the most well-known news publications of our time. Her memoir explores her long and challenging journey to success and the personal sacrifices she made as a woman to advance in her career; delving into the difficulties of being successful in war-torn regions where being a women often complicates her work. It is a striking tale of the courage and mortal risks that those in her profession take to bring us images from the front lines. She delves into intimate details of failed romantic relationships and moments when she did not believe she would survive, providing insights into the emotional toll of experiencing so much conflict first hand. This book stunned me and I will never glance past a photo in a newspaper headline casually every again. Feel to check out my review in Goodreads.
    – Hanne Pearce, Public Services Assistant. Digital Scholarship Centre.

    What It Is (Lynda Barry)
    I love this book – it is unlike anything I have ever read before! It’s sort of a memoir/scrapbook/writing guide that encourages readers to think of life’s big questions and use them as inspiration in their creative endeavours! 10/10 AMAZING!
    – Kelsey Kropiniski, SLIS Student Staff.

    Humankind: A Hopeful History (Rutger Bregman)
    I picked up this book because it was it was recommended by former mayor Don Iveson on the CBC “West of Centre” podcast. They were asking he and former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi (2 thoughtful, progressive guys with some time on their hands) about what they’ve been up to and what they’ve been reading since leaving office. This book offers an interesting and ultimately encouraging analysis of human nature. From the publisher’s blurb on the EPL website: The “lively” ( The New Yorker) , “convincing” ( Forbes ), and “riveting pick-me-up we all need right now” ( People ) that proves humanity thrives in a crisis and that our innate kindness and cooperation have been the greatest factors in our long-term success as a species.
    – Jeff Papineau, Library Assistant. Bruce Peel Special Collections.

    Born a Crime (Trevor Noah)
    This is such a remarkable and well-written memoir by comedian Trevor Noah about his childhood growing up in South Africa, during and immediately after apartheid. It’s full of both hilarious anecdotes and poignant memories of the challenges he and his family faced.
    – Laurel Warkentin, Information Services Specialist. Augustana Library.

    GRAPHIC NOVELS

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    Oksi (Mari Ahokoivu)
    Oksi is a graphic novel inspired by Finnish mythology that transports you as the reader to a forest filled with magical creatures, gods, family love and violence.
    – Céline Gareau-Brennan, Librarian. Business.

    Nobody’s Fool: The Life & Times of Schlitzie (Bill Griffith)
    A fascinating, well researched, and non-exploitative graphic novel, biography of Schlitzie, a side show performer from the early 20th century.
    – Jamie Spivak, Information Services Specialist. Rutherford.

    Heartstopper (Alice Oseman)
    This graphic novel series is so wholesome and precious and will heal your soul after another tough COVID school year. There’s also a brand new live action adaptation in the works on Netflix!
    – Jane Banks, Information Services Specialist. Cameron.

    Check Please (Ngozi Ukazu)
    Graphic novel for an easy read after the semester is over. With amazing art, lovable characters and super cute story. Oh and hockey because, #Canada.
    – Kelsey Cameron, SLIS Student Staff.

    UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA LIBRARY DIGITAL ACCESS

    The New York Times*
    There is a wide variety of current events, news, investigative journalism, editorial opinion pieces, videos, games and recipes. Our library subscription to NYTimes.com is compatible with the New York Times app, which makes your reading portable for lounging on the couch, dinner table or transit commute.
    – Sonya Leung, Information Services Specialist. Cameron.

    *The NY Times digital access is not the same as our U of A Library access to NY Times through our databases. For more information on this difference, as well as how to register/renew NY Times digital access, please read our previously published blog.

    Thanks for the read, and a massive round of applause and appreciation to our U of A Library folks for sharing their recommendations; we couldn’t post blogs like this without you!

    Love us on the blog? Chances are, you’ll love us on social media! Follow us, @uofalibrary, on Instagram & Twitter!

    April 26, 2022 0 comment
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  • Books for Western Canadian Adventures

    by Elisabet Ingibergsson July 20, 2021
    by Elisabet Ingibergsson July 20, 2021

    Planning and researching destinations for summer adventures is a favorite pastime of mine – and I usually begin early in the New Year. Nothing beats the winter blues better than curling up on a cold winter’s evening with calendars, google maps and guide books open in front of me. This year was no exception although back in January these plans were somewhat of a “wish list” and in order to manage my…

  • Science fiction: your next summer read?

    by Guest Author July 8, 2021
    by Guest Author July 8, 2021

    This post was written by Amanda Wakaruk, University of Alberta Library’s Copyright and Scholarly Communications Librarian and co-editor of the Hugo Book Club Blog (2021 Hugo Award nominee for best fanzine). Science fiction (SF) helps us reflect on and improve our understanding of the power and role of scientific discoveries and technological innovation in society — current, past, and speculative. It can also be a lot of fun to read, with stories…

  • Staff Recommend Reads for those Dog Days of Summer

    by Junelle Mah June 11, 2021
    by Junelle Mah June 11, 2021

    Are you like Monty & Ainsley and need a break from textbooks, papers, and Zoom calls? It could be time set aside the academia (for a wee scootch) and delve into some other reads that the University of Alberta Library (UAL) has to offer. Additionally, you could also explore the wonderful partnership our library has with our friends at Edmonton Public Library (EPL) through our L-Pass. The L-Pass allows current U of…

  • What Brings You Joy? | Part II

    by Junelle Mah March 19, 2021
    by Junelle Mah March 19, 2021

    In honour of International World Happiness Day (Saturday, March 20th), we asked our colleagues to share in words and images, “What brings you joy?“. Thanks to the generous responses from our colleagues we published Part I of this series yesterday, which yielded an array of hobbies, past-times and a gorgeous doggo. Today’s Part II shares beautiful views, tasty treats and a kitty watching RuPaul! Jamie Spivak, Information Services Specialist I look forward…

  • World Happiness Day is almost here | What Brings You Joy? – Part I

    by Junelle Mah March 18, 2021
    by Junelle Mah March 18, 2021

    As we reflect on the past 365+ days, it can sometimes feel surreal that the world has endured a full year of unprecedented change. In the spirit of International World Happiness Day, on Saturday, March 20th, our library communications and engagement team wanted to bring a bit of reflection to our community. A call-out to our spectacular library staffers has yielded a two-part plethora of positivity when they were asked, “What brings…

  • Feel-good reads and Favourites

    by Elisabet Ingibergsson February 11, 2021
    by Elisabet Ingibergsson February 11, 2021

    Do you need a break from your studies? Why not curl up with a good book! Take a mental health break and escape into the pages of one (or more) of these suggested books from our library staff. Happy reading! Click on the “Link to catalogue” caption below the book covers to check on availability and place a hold. Some of these titles also have either e-books, or movie versions and we…

  • Audible Delights: Our Staff Recommended Podcasts | PART II

    by Junelle Mah January 29, 2021
    by Junelle Mah January 29, 2021

    Welcome back to our simply spectacular staff-sourced series on scintillatingly stupendous stories…sorry. I mean, Welcome to the second instalment of our staff-recommended podcasts intended to brighten up your 2021 playlists. We are lucky to have such great suggestions from our folks; and some have offered up more than one podcast! If you need to catch up on Part I from last week, we have it here. Doris Wagner, Librarian (Law, Sociology, MLCS,…

  • Audible Delights: Our Staff Recommended Podcasts | Part I

    by Junelle Mah January 22, 2021
    by Junelle Mah January 22, 2021

    The dawn of a new year may be a good time to change up your audio repertoire and try something new! I am beyond ecstatic to report that a call-out to our Library Staffers for their podcast recommendations resulted in a veritable treasure trove of speaker and headphone-worthy goodness. So many goodies, in fact, that this series is a two-parter (so happy, so proud). Jessica Thorlakson, Public Services Librarian and 3D Printing…

  • Summer Reading – Staff Picks From The University of Alberta Library Pt. 2

    by Sonya Leung July 10, 2020
    by Sonya Leung July 10, 2020

    As promised, the sequel to our epic list of staff reading recommendations is here! These picks go great with long sunny day on the patio – hammock recommended, but not required – and a nice, cool beverage. Mireille’s Pick Garden Bugs of Alberta by Ken Fry, Doug Macaulay, Don Williamson – Curbside pickup “My pick is Garden Bugs of Alberta. Not something you would read cover to cover, but useful and instructive.…

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