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Who’s Your Ultimate Bias?

What’s an ultimate bias you may ask? Amongst Korean pop music, or K-Pop, fans, an ultimate bias is your favorite member out of all the groups you love to listen to (as opposed to just a bias, which is your favorite member in any K-pop band).  K-Pop has recently exploded in the United States, with groups like BTS, Girls’ Generation, or Blackpink becoming household names. K-Pop combines styles from Western music, such as hip-pop, rap, and R&B, as well as with their own unique South Korean pop and rock influences. 

One of my favorite parts of K-pop, or any pop culture influences, is seeing them in the books I read. Diverse authors and diverse experiences are what makes young adult books so amazing! Not to mention when you have great albums to listen to while you read! Below are some of my favorite K-Pop or K-Drama books along with a fun album for you to listen to while you read! Don’t forget to check out the Spotify playlist to go along with these reads here! 

K-Pop Confidential by Stephan Lee 

Candace Park has always wanted to sing above the crowd.  However, with Korean parents on her tail, she believes she’ll never leave the orchestra she hates to be in. That all changes when she auditions to become a K-pop trainee with one of the biggest labels in the world for their first ever girl band. Candace thought auditioning would be the hardest part, but the real difficulties happen when she gets to Korea and the training begins. 

Album: The Album by Blackpink 

Shine by Jessica Jung 

In this book written by a former K-pop band member (Jessica Jung was a part of Girls Generation for seven years until going solo), follow Rachel Kim in the trainee life at DB entertainment. The other trainees believe she’s a snob and a manager’s pet (like a teacher’s pet). However, all Rachel Kim wants more than anything is to debut and to show everyone one of her fellow trainees wrong. However, after making a huge mistake, she worries that might never happen. 

Album: Girls’ Generation by Girls’ Generation 

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo 

On paper, Desi Lee looks like an exceptional Stanford bound candidate. However, she has one glaring flaw. She’s a  flailure (a flirting failure).  While that kind of thing doesn’t go on college applications, Desi wants the new boy to like her back. She turns to her father’s love of Korean drama and creates a mathematical formula in order to win over the new guy! 

Album: Bingle Bangle by AOA 

I’ll Be The One by Lyla Lee 

Skye Shin is not what any of the judges expected on the talent competition to become a K-pop idol trainee. First off, she sings and dances amazingly.  However, her body type is not ideal for being a K-pop idol, or so says a judgemental judge. Skye Shin has heard all her life that she’s simply too big.  You know what’s really big? Her ambition, drive, and talent to become the best, body positive, k-pop idol she can be! 

Album: Feel Special by TWICE 

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho 

Jihoon has never believed in the fairy tales his Halmeoni told him as a child. That is, until he’s attacked by a goblin in the woods and a nine tailed fox girl saves him. Miyoung is a gumiho, a girl with the spirit of the nine-tailed fox living within her. In her rash decision to save Jihoon, she loses her fox bead, her gumiho soul, and must figure out how to retrieve it. As she searches for answers, fate seems to push Jihoon into her path. 

Album: The Perfect Red Velvet by Red Velvet 

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo 

Lucky has it all. She’s a K-Pop Queen about to make her debut in America, famous beyond her wildest imagination. But all she wants right as she’s falling asleep is a hamburger.  Jack has very little to his name. Despite working for his father, he’s also taking pictures for a tabloid to help pay the bills. All he wants is a lucky break. When these two find each other in this 24 hour, whirlwind romance, sparks will fly! 

Album: Red Moon by MAMAMOO 

Comeback: A K-Pop Story by Lyn Ashwood and Rachel Rose 

Emery Jung is living every idol’s dream. His K-Pop group NEON is on the rise again, until an unexpected face returns to life. From a time before he was famous, Emery’s feelings for the girl get in the way, making a vital mistake at the height of their comeback. Alana Kim is trying to forget a tragedy.  She’s hoping by staying busy as an assistant to LilyRed, an all girl K-Pop group, she can keep her head above the waters. However, a chance meeting with a boy from her past may force her to face her fears and to understand herself.   

Album: DNA by BTS 

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

Celebrate Black History Month by reading a book by a Coretta Scott King Award-winning author or illustrator! Coretta Scott King Awards and honors are given “to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.”* First awarded by the American Library Association in 1970 to author Lillie Patterson for her book Martin Luther King, Jr.: Man of Peace, this award is now given annually in both author and illustrator categories and honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Additionally, the John Steptoe Award for New Talent is given to recognize excellent authors and illustrators at the beginnings of their careers.  

Here are some outstanding award winners and honor books for your family to explore together. 

With Young Children: 

With Older Children: 

With Teens: 

You can also browse and borrow these titles on our Coretta Scott King Award cloudLibrary shelf.

For more information and award winners, check out the American Library Association’s website: http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/cskbookawards/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present  

*“The History of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards” Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/cskbookawards/about Date of Access 1/7/2021. Published in Ask the ALA Librarian (Hawkins, Valerie. Ask the ALA Librarian. (blog) American Library Association, October 10, 2012.) 

Sweet treats to make with your family!

It’s February and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy something sweet, but how about trying something homemade instead of buying that same candy from the store? Here are a couple recipes you can make with your family and have a sweet time!  

Chunky Monkey Bars – Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook by Heather Wish Staller pg. 95. These bars can be made nut and gluten free as needed! 

Ingredients:

  • 3 very ripe bananas 
  • 3 Tablespoons almond butter (sunflower seed butter if nut-free) 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1 ¾ cups quick oats (gluten free works too!) 
  • 1 cup walnut pieces, finely chopped (optional or pumpkin seeds if nut-free) 
  • 2 Tablespoons chia seeds (optional) 
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • A pinch of fine sea salt 
  • 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips (try vegan chocolates if you want!) 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray 
  • Peel the bananas and put them in a large bowl. Mash the bananas with a potato masher or the back of a fork until only a few small chunks remain. Stir in the almond butter and vanilla. 
  • A fun alternative for banana mashing is to put the peeled bananas into a large zip-top bag, make sure it’s zipped tightly, and then let your children mash the bananas with their hands. No mess and lots of fun! 
  • Add the oats, walnuts, chia seeds (if using), cinnamon, and salt to the bowl. Stir until well combined. The batter will be thick. Dump the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with the back of a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the batter and gently press them into the top. 
  • Bake the bars until golden brown around the edges, about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely and then cut into bars! 

Homemade Fudgy Ice-Cream Sandwiches – Kids Cook! By Good Housekeeping pg. 144. These delicious sandwiches can be filled with your favorite ice cream and are perfect no matter the time of year. 

Ingredients: 

  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature and cut up 
  • 1 bag (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips 
  • 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk 
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 
  • 2 pints ice cream of choice, slightly softened 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray. 
  • In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the butter, chocolate chips, condensed milk, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat for 5-6 minutes or until melted, stirring. Remove the pan from heat. Stir in flour and vanilla until combined. 
  • With 1 ½ inch cookie scoop, scoop dough about 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes or until tops are dry but still soft when pressed. 
  • Cool cookies on cookie sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. With spatula transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter if necessary. 
  • Press 1 small scoop of ice cream between 2 cookies. Freeze sandwiches for 1 hour or until firm! 
  • You can also wrap these sandwiches in plastic wrap and freeze them in a zip-close freezer bag for up to 2 weeks! 

Buckeye Balls – Miss Allison’s family recipe! “We’ve been making these as a family since I was small and they’re just as delicious every year.” 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup peanut butter 
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature and cut up 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 3 ½ cups powdered or confectioners’ sugar 
  • 1 bag (12oz.) semisweet chocolate chips 
  • 4 Tablespoons solid vegetable shortening 
  • Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. 
  • Mix peanut butter, butter, and vanilla into a smooth mixture is formed. Slowly mix in powdered sugar until a stiff dough is formed. 
  • Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on the cookie sheets. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, 1 hour preferred. 
  • Use a bit of the sugar on your hands to make the rolling a bit less sticky. 
  • Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together until smooth, stirring along the way. Dip the balls into chocolate mixture ¾’s of the way and then return to wax paper. 
  • If you’re worried about the chocolate cooling as you dip, do the chocolate and shortening in half-batches. 
  • Refrigerate until chocolate is set and then enjoy! 
  • Adults, if you’re looking for an alternative recipe that uses dark chocolate and almond butter, and is a bit more complex, check out The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook by Liz Gutman & Jen King recipe on pg. 72! 

Here are some other recipes to check out in more books from our collection: 

Orange Creamsicle Milkshakes – My Very First Cookbook by Danielle Kartes & Annie Wilkinson pg. 68. There’s a chocolate variety available as well! These delicious drinks are perfect for any day whether it’s cold or hot. 

Mini Lemon Cheesecakes – The Toddler Cookbook by Annabel Karmel pg. 44. Topped with fresh fruit and bottomed in crushed graham crackers, these cheesecakes are a delight for the eyes and the busy hands of young helpers! 

Carved Heart Cake – Super Good Baking for Kids by Duff Goldman pg. 148. This one is for advanced bakers and adults who can use knives. Make a beautiful heart shaped and colored cake to show your whole family how much you love them! 

Reading for the Happily Ever After

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re like me you could probably use a little of that Happily Ever After feeling in your life after 2020. Here are a selection of recent romances that are sure to make you swoon, blush, or smile.

Get your holds in on these great titles today – your HEA awaits!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown! – Talia Hibbert

When brooding yet secretly romantic security guard Zafir rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and ex-rugby player Zaf are destined to date. But before she can explain that fact, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Now half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out, his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre – Robin Talley

Melody McIntyre, stage manager extraordinaire, has a plan for everything. What she doesn’t have? Success with love. Every time she falls for someone during a school performance, both the romance and the show end in catastrophe. So Mel swears off love until the upcoming production of Les Mis is over. 

Of course, Mel didn’t count on Odile Rose, rising star in the acting world. And she definitely didn’t expect Odile to be sweet and funny, and care as much about the play’s success as Mel. Will Melody let herself fall in love? Or will she stick to her plan?

How to Catch a Queen – Alyssa Cole

A king must rule with an iron fist, and newly crowned King Sanyu was born perfectly fitted for the gauntlet, even if he wishes he weren’t. He agrees to take a wife, though he doesn’t expect to actually fall in love. Even more vexing? His beguiling new queen seems to have the answers to his country’s problems—except no one will listen to her.

By day, they lead separate lives. By night, she wears the crown, and he bows to her demands in matters of politics and passion. When turmoil erupts in their kingdom and their marriage, Shanti goes on the run, and Sanyu must learn whether he has what it takes both to lead his people and to catch his queen.

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke – Loretta Chase

Who doesn’t love a good adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew? Cassandra Pomfret is a woman with strong opinions who isn’t afraid to voice them.
The Duke of Ashmont’s looks make women swoon, but his character flaws are beyond counting. When he ruins Cassandra’s reputation, he knows the only way to right the wrong is to marry her…and hope she doesn’t smother him in his sleep on their wedding night.

Fairy Godmothers, Inc. – Saranna DeWylde

If love is the source of all the magic in the universe, and the town of Ever After, Missouri, is the epicenter of enchantment, then the locals are in dire need of a reboot. At least according to resident fairy godmothers Petunia, Jonquil, and Bluebonnet. Their solution? Blow a bit of fairy dust in the direction of those in need of romance…what could possibly go wrong?

Bookish Boyfriends: Get a Clue – Tiffany Schmidt

Okay, this is a young adult romance, but the newest installment in the Bookish Boyfriends series is so charming I had to include it for all those Sherlock Holmes fans out there. After being taught the works of Sherlock Holmes in English class, a mystery deepens at Reginald R. Hero High. Huck and Win team up to solve the case . . . and while the sleuths gather clues, another swoon-worthy romance blooms in the school halls. This squeaky-clean, adorable series is sure to charm any reader who’s ever had a book boyfriend of their own.

Celebrate & Honor Black History Month

Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of African American heritage and culture. This month was created to honor the contributions, triumphs, challenges, and legacies of African Americans and their central role in U.S. history.  

In the current times, Black History Month encourages the recognition and study of the achievements of African Americans year-round. With racial justice currently at the center of national conversation, it is vital to continue to reflect on what it means to commemorate and celebrate black history on an ongoing basis. 

If you’re looking for great books for all ages for Black History Month, we recommend that you visit our Black History Month shelves on cloudLibrary. These eBooks and eAudiobooks make great reads all year long and include notable, award winning titles.  

For more information, please visit the African American History Month site hosted by the Library of Congress. This link provides resources for educators, as well as material documenting the African American experience by highlighting online resources and programs through traditional and social medias.  

Kathleen L., Collection Management Librarian 

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January Jokes

If you’ve resolved to take better care of your health this year, why not start with a good laugh, or at least an eye roll with a smile! According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can relieve stress, stimulate your organs, and reduce muscle tension, making you feel better in the moment. Long-term benefits of laughter include a boost to your immune system, pain relief, and a better overall mood. So let’s start right now with a library-themed dose of the best medicine – laughter!

What is a reader’s favorite fruit? A li-berry!

Why did everyone run out of the library screaming? The new li-bear-ian had just come on duty!

Visitor: Why are the books all over the floor? I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but it looks terrible!
Librarian: Oh, I’m not shelf-conscious.

Visitor: Do you have any books on minimalism?
Librarian: Yes, but just one.

Visitor: Do you have books about sharing for my child?
Librarian: We used to, but no one ever brought them back.

Did you hear about the library that is also a hotel?
Unfortunately, you can never get a reservation because it’s always fully booked.

A library visitor carried a chicken into the library and set it on the front desk.
“Can you please help this chicken?” he asked a staff person.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the staff person said, “But this is not a veterinary clinic, and I’m not sure what we can do for your chicken.
“Oh, she’s not mine,” the man said. “I saw her on the side of the road and she looked lost. When I stopped to ask her where she was trying to go, she just kept saying ‘buk, buk, buk,’ so figured she wanted the library.”
“Well in that case, let me see what we can find for her,” said the staff person, pulling up the online catalog. Peering out the window, the staff person asked, “Is that horse outside also looking for something to read?”
“Oh no,” replied the man. “I asked him if he wanted to come in, too, but he said ‘neigh’.”

Want more jokes? Browse the library shelves under 793.735 or 817, search CloudLibrary for “jokes,” or try one of these!

Emily K., Children’s Services Librarian

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke.” April 5, 2019

In Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.

As we take a moment to reflect this week and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., here are some resources to help us learn about racial justice.

Reading Lists:

Reading on Racial Justice (cloudLibrary)

Black Stories and Experiences (Hoopla)

Conversations on Race: Books for Adults (Hoopla)

Conversations on Race: YA Reads (Hoopla)

Kid’s Activities:

Complete challenges and earn the Distinctly Diverse badge

Podcasts:

Throughline from NPR

Intersectionality Matters! from The African American Policy Forum

Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them (It’s in J Fiction!)

Spirit Animals: Wild Born by Brandon Mull

This series starter packs a punch full of adventure, magic, betrayal, and legends galore! Follow on the very beginning of the journey with Conor, Melin, Rollan, and Abeke in the land of Erdas. There have long been rumbles about a great disaster approaching and now the Four Fallen Beasts have returned. Will they be able to defeat the great Devourer in time?

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is just young enough to believe in magic and just smart and devious enough to exploit that belief. However, you’ve never seen fairies like this before. Living below the earth, elves, gnomes, pixies, dwarves, and even trolls, live in secrecy. That is, until Officer Holly Short is fairy-napped by Artemis Fowl and a ransom is demanded of the fairies. Will Holly Short be able to escape or will Artemis Fowl get his hands on all that gold?

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Sophie Foster has always been a bit of an outcast. She’s started college at age 12 and can read minds!  She doesn’t feel like she fits in, until she meets Fitz. Fiz is an elf from another world where elves have powers just like hers. Fitz believes Sophie is an elf, but she’ll have to take a leap into their world to find out.

A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting by Joe Ballarini

Babysitting shouldn’t be so hard.  Kelly is a first time babysitter for little baby Jacob. She doesn’t think the monsters under the bed are real, until one of them babynaps Jacob. Kelly discovers a group of secret babysitters who not only babysit bur protect the children form the monsters under the bed and their ruler, the Boogeyman. Kelly will need to get through a lot of monsters to get that little baby back before his parents get home!

Tangled in Time: The Portal by Kathryn Lasky

Rose is trying to stay upbeat. After her mother’s death, she moves in with her grandmother is a house older than she can imagine. She’s being bullied for her fashion choices and her lack of parents at school as well. To top it off, she doesn’t know if her grandmother actually likes her or not. All of those things are the least of her worries when she discovers a portal into time and a magical locket with clues to her mother’s past. She’s whisked away to the Court of Princess Elizabeth and must learn to traverse in time or be captured.

Love, Sugar, Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano

Leonara, Leo for short, has been feeling left out of her family’s bakery lately. Her mother and sisters shush her when she asks questions and they speak in Spanish around her, as if to conceal their secrets. After Leo sneaks out of school on Halloween, she discovers why. Her family is made up of burjas, witches! She keeps her knowledge secret and tries a few magic spells out for herself. But what happens when something goes wrong and Leo doesn’t know how to fix it?

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Choski

Aru Shah knows that lying will come back to bite her sooner or later.  How else is she supposed to survive in her fancy new school without it though? All her classmates are jetting off to exotic vacations and Aru will be staying at the museum her mother works at over the break. She lets peer pressure get to her and lights a lamp in the museum that’s supposedly cursed. It turns out the lamp is cursed and now Aru Shah must learn how to stop a great demon in order to unfreeze time and save the world.

Levittown Branch Reopening January 19th

The Levittown branch of the Bucks County Free Library is reopening on January 19 after renovations. We can’t wait to see you!

We’ve made some changes while we were closed. The library’s small windows have been replaced with larger ones. We hope you’ll enjoy spending time in our new light-filled space! Please check our Locations page or call before your visit for library hours.

These improvements are thanks to a grant collaboration between state and local governments and the support of the Bucks County Commissioners, Senator Robert Tomlinson and Representative Tina Davis. The project was paid for in part through a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, with funds provided from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund.

Before window renovations

After window renovations

Coding for Fun!

Have you ever had a problem with an app on your phone? Or an issue with something happening on your laptop? Or watched a street crossing sign work incorrectly on a busy road? Aside from being irritating, they all start with the same kind of problem. Something is wrong with their code.

Code, or coding, is not something that only hackers use in the spy movies. Coding is something ingrained into our everyday lives. It’s how our applications on our smart phones work, it’s how the self-checkout kiosks at the libraries work. It’s how the traffic signals and safe-to-walk signs, and so many other things work.

[Read more…] about Coding for Fun!