Tag: pride and prejudice

Reading List: Authors with December Birthdays

When you think about December, it’s hard not to think about Christmas and the joy (and presents) it brings. What better gift than a book? If you’re still looking for something for someone special, this list may give you the inspiration you need.

 So, before we wrap up 2023 and enter 2024, I would like to present you with the last installment in our Author Birthday blog series that we’ve done this year. Some of these titles have also been featured on one of our in-house displays this month.

Amber started the month off reading a portion of Jan Brett’s The Mitten. Brett was born on December 1st, 1949, and is well known as a beloved children’s book author and illustrator. This time of year, you may especially enjoy The Wild Christmas Reindeer  or seeing her illustrations in The Night Before Christmas: Poem.

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10th, 1830. Darius read the poem “In a Library” that is found in Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson.  Emily Dickinson Letters helps us to learn more about her as an individual, while Emily Dickinson’s Poems: As She Preserved Them is said to be published for readers on all levels.

Jane Austen, born December 16th, 1775, was our last author featured on Instagram. A group of students (Lydia, Macie, and Lindsey) collaborated to read a portion of Pride and Prejudice.  Some of her other works include Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and Emma. Pride and Prejudice (1995 and 2005) and Sense and Sensibility (1995 and 2008) have both been adapted for film more than once. Which version is your favorite? If you’re a fan of Austen, you may also enjoy reading The Jane Austen Book Club and consider forming a book club of your own.

Brandon Sanderson was born on December 19th, 1975. If you like to dive into high fantasy worlds, you should consider the Mistborn or The Way of Kings series.

Mortimer J. Adler was born December 28th, 1902. He is noted as both a philosopher and educator. How to Think about the Great Ideas and How to Read a Book are two of his books that we would recommend.

Last, but not least, we have Nicholas Sparks born on December 31st, 1965. You will notice that most of his novels involve romance, but I (Rachel) also like how several involve second chances and the reminder to make each day count. The Best of Me and The Choice are two that I’ve enjoyed reading.

I hope you have enjoyed following along with this series. What authors and/or titles have stood out to you? Any that you’ve wanted to add to your TBR list?

As always, happy reading!

Rachel Bloomingburg’s reviews reflect her personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.

Genre Starter List: Classics

Have you been meaning to brush up on the classics? I think a lot of us have been perpetually, if we’re honest with ourselves. Here are some books that come to mind when it comes to refreshing or expanding one’s classic literature readership!

*All descriptions written by Darius Mullin.

Treasure Island

Perhaps the most iconic pirate story ever written, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic coming-of-age story filled with buccaneers and buried gold.

Jane Eyre

In this story of intrigue and passion, the eponymous governess of Thornfield Hall finds herself more than interested in the brooding Mr. Rochester… but what secret is he hiding?

The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

Dive into the adventures of the world’s greatest detective and his faithful companion, Dr. Watson, in this collection of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories that have regaled generations of readers.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

It’s never too soon to reread the classic C.S. Lewis novel that kicked off the Chronicles of Narnia series, and it’s never too late to read it for the first time!

The Lord of the Rings

Considered by many to be the definitive fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings is a must-read. The trilogy may be daunting in length, but it’s worth it!

At the Back of the North Wind

Meet the author who C.S. Lewis famously said influenced everything he wrote. At the Back of the North Wind is just one of the worthwhile stories penned by George MacDonald.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Even if you’re not a sci-fi aficionado, chances are you’ve heard of this classic. Journey to the Center of the Earth is a fantastical tale of wonder and discovery by one of the fathers of science fiction, Jules Verne.

The Time Machine

Continuing with books by sci-fi legends, The Time Machine was the first novel by H.G. Wells. An immediate success, the book—which seems to have a bland title, until you realize that Wells invented the idea of a machine for traveling through time—remains a fascinating read today.

The Metamorphosis

In this short and bizarre novella, a young man wakes up in the morning to find himself inexplicably transformed into a person-sized bug. A great read if you’ve been wondering what everyone means when they keep saying “Kafkaesque.”

Pride and Prejudice

The timeless classic by Jane Austen—Pride and Prejudice is a witty, comedic, and romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Mr. Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner.

The Moon is Down

You’ve probably heard of John Steinbeck’s works Of Mice and Men or East of Eden. This lesser-known classic by one of the greatest American authors follows the plight of a small town that suddenly finds itself occupied by an enemy force.

Richard III

One of Shakespeare’s histories, Richard III follows the meteoric rise and fall of the cunning and devious titular character. Prefer to watch Shakespeare plays? The Hollow Crown rendition of Richard III features Benedict Cumberbatch at his absolute best in the lead role.

A Tale of Two Cities

One of Dickens’ most revered works, A Tale of Two Cities presents believable characters and social criticism against the backdrop of the chaotic French Revolution.

These are just some of the many worthwhile classic books that are available at the Union University Library. Craving more suggestions? Find more classic literature reading lists here and here. Happy reading!

Darius Mullin’s reviews reflect his personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.

Reading List: Ballads to Books

Valentine’s Day comes around each year, and we all have love on the brain! It can be difficult to choose your Valentine’s Day read, so let us help you out. Here are some suggestions based on your favorite songs!

If you like “Won’t Say I’m In Love” from Disney’s Hercules, you will love Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

  •  From its famous opening sentence, the story of the Bennet family and of the novel’s two protagonists, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, are told with a wit that its author feared might prove ‘rather too light and bright, and sparkling.’ It delights its most familiar readers as thoroughly as it does those who encounter it for the first time. Jane Austen’s artistry is apparent as well in the delineation of the minor characters: the ill-matched Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Charles Bingley and his sisters, and above all the fatuous Mr. Collins, whose proposal to Elizabeth Bennet is one of the finest comic passages in English literature. And while she entertains us, Jane Austen teaches us the wisdom of balance and the folly of ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’.

If you like “Dandelions” by Ruth B., you will love Buttercup and Westley in The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

  • A tale of true love and high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts. Filled with witty lines and a surplus of satire, Goldman’s tale is one for all ages.

If you like “Make You Mine” by PUBLIC, you will love Lara Jean and Peter from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han.

  • Lara Jean has never openly admitted her crushes. Instead, she wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

If you like “Kings and Queens” by Ava Max, you will love Cinder and Kai from Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

  • As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.

If you like “Castle” by Halsey, you will love Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

  •  In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death — televised for all of Panem to see. Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

If you like “Line Without a Hook” by Ricky Montgomery, you will love Annabeth and Percy in Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan.

  • All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos’ army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. As the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds, and the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

If you like “The Great War” by Taylor Swift, you will love Nastya and Zash in Romanov by Nadine Brandes.

  • ​Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov must choose between using the ancient spell her father, the exiled tsar, trusted her to keep safe, or trust Zash, a handsome Bolshevik soldier. In this magical twist on history, Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov must smuggle an ancient spell on her way to exile in Siberia. However, the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them, and Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are to release the spell– or to trust and enlist help from Zash, a Bolshevik soldier for whom she has a growing attraction.

If you like “Hurts So Good” by Astrid S., you will love Alina and the Darkling in Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

  • Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. When Alina Starkov’s regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life — a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha — and the secrets of her heart.

Mattie Washington’s reviews reflect her personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.

Riddle Me This Survey Responses

You may have seen our “Riddle Me This” signs across campus and in the library. Each week we asked you to answer a question; here is what you said.

What is your favorite book turned movie?

Use the links to find the books or movies that we have available for checkout at the Union library. How do they compare in your opinion?

What’s one book you think the library should have that we don’t have?

Our Collection Development Coordinator was able to purchase some of these recommendations for the library, be on the lookout for the new additions.

Do you prefer print or ebooks?

The answers were unanimously in favor of print books. However, one respondent noted ebooks are helpful for research.

What’s your favorite drink from Modero?

Try one of these recommended drinks and let us know what you think of them.

  • Pineapple smoothie with cayenne
  • Free water
  • Cinnamon/white mocha steamer with whipped cream and cinnamon powder
  • Stonefruit Italian soda
  • Butter beer coffee soda
  • Café au lait with honey and cinnamon
  • Lemonade with coffee concentrate
  • Iced stonefruit and honey latte
  • Maple Latte (Also, try a miele)
  • Iced Mexican mocha with extra cayenne
  • Americano with cream
  • Vanilla steamer
  • Mocha latte
  • Lavender latte
  • Chili clove latte
  • Butterscotch shakes
  • Mango green tea with honey
  • Mocha cappuccino
  • Chai Latte

Where is your favorite place to study?

Having a great study place makes studying a little less challenging. Try out one of these spaces if you don’t have a favorite of your own.

  • 1st floor of the library
  • Family/Children’s Room
  • Bedroom
  • Room 303
  • Modero
  • Outside the library on a sunny day
  • Front Computer Lab (TLC)
  • 2nd Floor of the library

What do you like about the library?

We love libraries and so do you, here are some of the best things about our library according to you.

  • Library workers (Darius, Micah, and Meagan)
  • the good study atmosphere
  • Modero
  • The people and socializing
  • Books
  • Snacks
  • Pretty windows
  • Décor
  • Study rooms
  • Candy and notes for Valentine’s Day

Reading List: National Library Week 2022

Each year in April, we celebrate National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Connect with Your Library.” Libraries are great places to study, read, or meet up with friends. Libraries also have resources and services like research help, books, online articles, internet, and technology that connect people to each other and information. We would like you to connect with some of the people who work here in the Logos. We love libraries and want to share that with you.  

What do you like about the Logos and libraries? 

“Libraries are useful because they make readily available any information you might want to know.” ~Stephen Mount, Systems Librarian 

“I love the Logos because it is full of people – students mostly, but lots of faculty, staff, alumni, guests, visitors. The books and other materials are incredible resources, but the Logos reminds us that interactions with others about these books and other resources is the best education.” ~Dr. Dub Oliver, President of Union University 

“I love reading and all the learning that happens through books and at libraries.” ~Amber Wessies, Instruction Librarian 

“I like the generally quiet atmosphere. To be surrounded by shelves of books just waiting to be read makes me happy.” ~Jeannie Byrd, Technical Services Librarian 

“I like libraries because they give you a chance to build community. Plus, all the books!” ~Rachel Bloomingburg, Circulation Manager 

“I love the Logos because I worked in Union’s Library in the PAC for almost 25 years, wanting a beautiful space conducive for serious thought that matched the excellence of the service and collection in the old space. Now we have it!” ~ Melissa Moore, Library Director 

“I like libraries because they are a storehouse of information and a place of discovery.” ~Paul Sorrell, Creative Projects Manager 

“I love the way libraries foster community among those engaging in intellectual pursuits of all kinds and from many different walks of life!” ~ Darius Mullin, Evening Circulation Manager 

“The books available to read!” ~Savannah Patterson, Public Services Librarian 

“Libraries are important because of the many resources they offer communities, such as the information found in academic literature, access to technology, or even simply books for leisure reading. I especially appreciate the Logos for its role in providing these resources to our students and cultivating a space for study and collaboration.” ~Micah Rhodes, Cataloging Associate 

“I love the quiet atmosphere that is conducive for reading good books. Bonding with another person over a shared interest in a book always thrills me too.” ~ Sara Hand, Circulation Associate and Administrative Assistant 

“I have always loved books and libraries. As a child I read children’s fairy tales and Nancy Drew.” ~ Susan Kriaski, Cataloging Associate 

“Libraries are such a power source of information and essential! Our library offers such a wealth of resources including our staff, our wonderful facility, and our valuable resources. We are a vital part in the education of our Union students, preparing them for their chosen career paths.” ~ Beth Lynn, Collection Development Manager 

What is your favorite book? 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald~ Stephen Mount 

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ~Dr. Dub 

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder ~ Amber Wessies 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~Jeannie Byrd 

Even Now by Karen Kingsbury ~ Rachel Bloomingburg 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling ~ Melissa Moore 

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg ~ Paul Sorrell 

The 100 Cupboards by Nathan D. Wilson ~Darius Mullin 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte ~ Savannah Patterson 

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien ~Micah Rhodes 

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell ~ Sara Hand 

The Sunne of Splendor: A Novel of Richard III by Sharon Kay Penman ~Susan Kriaski 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee~ Beth Lynn 

*Even Now and The Sunne of Splendor are available through Interlibrary Loan. 

Help us celebrate National Library Week by checking out one of your favorites.   

Our Book Picks For Valentine’s Day!

index
Ah, Valentine’s Day, you truly are an enigma. Known for chocolates, romance, and a chubby, winged baby with a penchant for skewering poor passers-by, this saccharine celebration is a time for us to appreciate our significant others. However, those of us who are unattached or are uninfluenced by such a holiday may choose to curl up with a good book instead. Lucky for you, the library staff has put together a list of some of our favorite books that include a romance in one way or another. If one intrigues you, come to the library to take a gander.
*
Pride & Prejudice
Pride and prejudice
“It’s very real. Reflects my life. (Darcy obviously)”
-Raymond Chahyadi
*
IQ84
1Q84
“This is a love story across time and space, with two people in alternate universes trying to make it to each other…even though they’ve never met. One of them is an assassin, one of them is a teacher, and both of them sometimes see two moons at night. It’s incredible.”
– Olivia Chin
*
Anne’s House of Dreams
Image result for anne's house of dreams
“Because I shipped Anne and Gilbert before I even knew what shipping was. They finally get to start their life together in this book, and it’s beautiful.”
-Jordan Sellers
*
Eleanor and Park
Eleanor & Park
“It’s a sweet love story about two misfit teenagers. It brought back memories of riding the bus.”
-Anna Poore
*
Redeeming Love
Redeeming love : a novel
“It’s cool stuff. :)”
-Savannah Phillip
*
The Notebook
Image result for the notebook books
“I love Noah’s unending devotion to his wife.”
-Teri Jelks
*
… and finally this gem
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy
Image result for the horse and his boy
“It’s great because it contains the most realistic quote about marriage in all of children’s literature: ‘… so that years later, when they were grown up, they were so used to quarreling and making it up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently.”
 *Post written by Ruth Duncan