Archive | Uncategorized RSS feed for this section

Toy Stories for the Young at Heart: Barbieland and Toys That Built America

3 Dec

Barbieland: The Unauthorized History
by Tarpley Hilt
Barbie was always my favorite toy as a little girl; I still remember fondly the Western Barbie who could wink as one of my first dolls and recently I purchased a Camping Fun Barbie for my niece, who loves to go rock climbing, (Barbie can do anything). So I was interested to read more about how the famous doll got her start and evolved over the years. As the title states Barbieland isn’t authorized by Mattel, which means Hitt was limited in some of her access to the company and current goings on, but what readers get instead are some juicy details that an “approved” version might leave out. Barbieland is Hilt’s first book, but I hope she writes more pop culture histories in the future since she has a great voice that made this book fun as well as informative to read; even if you aren’t a Barbie fan this insight into the inner workings of toy manufacturing should be riveting and if you do love Barbie than this is a must read. It is interesting to view the last 50 years of feminist and capitalist history by the path of one tiny pair of high heeled feet.

The Toys that Built America Documentary Series
I always enjoy the History Channel series about significant innovations and innovators that helped shape America from TV Icons like Johnny Carson to food like Dunkin Donuts. They always add a sense of drama and intrigue with their recreations of significant moments. Season 1 of Toys that Built America is available from Kanopy which includes topics like Ruth Handler’s creation of Barbie and the competition between Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers in the creation of board games. Season 2 of Toys that Built America is available from Hoopla which looks at all American creations like Cabbage Patch Kids and some toys that got their start oversees like the Super Mario Brothers; fittingly for this time of year there is one episode specifically about Christmas Crazes. I thought Lego especially has an interesting back story. This is a fun show to watch with the family and feel nostalgic and learn some interesting facts about what it takes for toys to go from ideas to store shelves.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

Tags: , , ,

Reinvention Romances: Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore and Second Chance Romance

26 Nov

Second Chance Romance
by Olivia Dade
I had enjoyed Olivia Dade’s Spoiler Alert so I was curious to checkout her new novel, Second Chance Romance. Karl and Molly were best friends in high school and though they had mutual crushes, never managed to be more than that. Now years later Molly is divorced and working in LA recording audiobooks and Karl is now the baker/owner of the Harlot’s Bay, Maryland Bakery and Coffee Shop that he worked in back in his school days. Each morning he listens to some of the monster romances Molly has done the narrations for. Molly’s feelings are rekindled when a false obituary winds up in Harlot’s Bay’s local paper and she discovers that instead of a funeral, Karl is instead very much still alive. These two kind hearted curmudgeons are clearly meant for each other, but it will take some emotional growth on both their parts to make it work. The book has well developed characters and romance fans will enjoy Dade’s sweet natured pokes at genre tropes, especially those in the monster lovers genre. If you enjoy this novel you will also want to check out At First Spite, the debut novel in the Harlot’s Bay Series.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore
by Emily Krempholtz
Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore was not what I expected. There has been a recent trend of novels about villains and former villains, but typically they are often funny stories where the villain is secretly the hero or their deeds are not depicted as particularly horrendous. Although Violet is shown as regretful for her previous actions which she was manipulated into as a child, Krempholtz does not pull any punches that Violet did some very nasty things. Violet is trying to reinvent herself and now is using her thornwitch powers to start a new florist business. She develops feelings for her grumpy landlord who also is suffering from his own guilty past. When a mysterious blight appears in a nearby park the two of them join forces to attempt to stop it. Complex characters and an interesting magical world will appeal to romance and fantasy fans. If you enjoyed The Very Secret Society for Irregular Witches, than this story should also also appeal.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →