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Discover a World of News with Press Reader!

23 Apr

Trying to keep up with the news on the local, state, national, and international levels? Do you find yourself being met by paywall every time you decide to check out an article online? Are you unsure of what news outlets to start from? Looking for magazines or periodicals on nature, health, gossip, art, travel, sports, or more? If you are a Hoboken resident with an HPL library card, you can access PressReader through the Hoboken Public Library.

Hoboken Public Library residents can access PressReader from anywhere, offering online access to over 7,000 popular newspapers and magazines covering topics like business, technology, science, design, sports, travel, and more. This includes local newspapers such as the New York Post, Daily News, and El Diario. Users can also access content without logging in when connected to the Wi-Fi network at any of the library buildings.

You can look for the right publication by browsing through media type (newspapers or magazines) or categories (examples include animals and pets; art; business and current affairs; children and tweens; computers and technology; entertainment and TV; fashion; food and drinks; LGBTQ; gaming; health and fitness; music; parenting and family; sports; and travel and culture). You can also find other non-English publications from Asia, Europe, Mexico, and more!

Another reason you might want to take advantage of PressReader is because we might not carry physical copies of certain periodicals. Although we do not have The Economist on our shelves, there are digital copies of the periodical that you can access through PressReader.

You can also customize your selection, especially if you know that you usually gravitate towards certain topics or publications. You can do this by first signing up for your own PressReader account. Then, PressReader will prompt you to choose your favorite topics or publications. It will also suggest other magazines or newspapers that they think you might be interested in. Another convenient feature is that PressReader will notify you if new issues of your favorite or preferred publications have arrived.

In conclusion, PressReader offers Hoboken residents a convenient and expansive way to stay informed on a wide variety of topics from across the globe. Whether you’re looking for the latest local news or a specialized magazine, this digital platform provides free, 24/7 access to thousands of publications, including those you may not find at the library’s physical shelves. With customizable features and notifications, it’s an excellent resource for readers with diverse interests. All you need is a residential Hoboken Public Library card to unlock the world of knowledge and entertainment at your fingertips.

Written by:
Laura Austria
Library Assistant, Information and Digital Services

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An Amazing Manga: Gazing at the Star Next Door

15 Jan

Are you a fan of girl/boy groups — especially in the world of K-Pop or J-Pop? Are you also a fan of unrequited love? As a long-time fan of Japanese male idol groups like Arashi, as well as manga and topics like love and romance, Gazing at the Star Next Door almost felt like it was made for me and the modern fangirl. We fans treasure our idols and ensure that we maintain healthy boundaries as we support our cherished artists. But Gazing at the Star Next Door playfully explores the question — what if a one-sided love for your favorite idol becomes mutual?

In the beginning of the series, we meet Chiaki Amano and Subaru Hiiragi — two high schoolers who are also childhood friends (a big trope in Japanese cultural works). Even though Chiaki and Subaru have that shared, intimate relationship with each other as platonic friends, a rift has developed as they have grown older and once Subaru became a rising teen actor. There is also an air of impatience — viewing love and dating as important milestones to reach during one’s high school experience. From this line of thought, Chiaki tries to get over her feelings for Subaru, the idol, by attempting to put herself out there and join a mixer with college boys. As the mixer sours and the college boy that Chiaki is paired up with starts bad-mouthing Subaru, it almost seems like the end of the world for her! But then, Subaru comes and picks her up from that snarky, two-dimensional college boy! Afterwards, he thanks her for defending him in front of the college boy — and then says she looks cute! What does this all mean for Chiaki’s plans?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the current volumes (the first three English volumes are in the BCCLS catalog, and the fourth English volume is set to be published by Kodansha US on January 28th) and seeing how the story develops between Chiaki and Subaru. Anmitsu (the author) also gives a curious taste into high school life, idols, fanservice, and teen romance and attraction. I recommend giving Gazing at the Star Next Door a try, and I am excited for when the next installment makes its way to BCCLS!

Written by:
Laura Austria
Information and Digital Services Assistant

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