Tag Archives: maricel presilla

We are Celebrating our 130th Birthday and You’re Invited!

2 Oct

We always love celebrating our library’s anniversary with our Hoboken Community, but this year’s celebration on Saturday, October 3 is extra special since we are streaming it online we can have our friends all across the world attend!  Below are the authors who are participating and where Hoboken residents can borrow some of their works.

Join us on Facebook, at 11 AM on Saturday, when Hoboken Children’s Book Authors Patricia Keeler and Francis McCall have an amazing story time and drawing demo planned! You can borrow Patricia Keeler’s book, Lizzie and Lou Seal from Hoopla.  You can borrow A Huge Hog is a Big Pig a Rhyming Word Game from BCCLS libraries.

Also on Facebook, at 12:20 will be a delicious chocolate presentation for all ages from Maricel Presilla, James Beard Award Winner & Chocolate Connoisseur.  You can check out her books Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America and The New Taste of Chocolate from Hoboken and other BCCLS libraries.

 Tiffany D. Jackson author of NAACP Image Award-nominated novel Allegedly will be having an author talk – Live on Zoom for grades 9+ at 2 PM!  You can check out her books, Monday’s Not Coming, Allegedly, and Let Me Hear a Rhyme from Hoopla! Register for the Zoom link!

You can see the complete list of events here; from Hula Hooping Fire Performers to an original play, Hailing Hoboken’s Heroines, there is something for everyone. All are streaming on Facebook (you do not have to have a Facebook account yourself to view the event) except for the Tiffany D. Jackson event which will be through Zoom and you will want to register for ASAP since space is limited!

What are your favorite Hoboken Library Memories?  Share them with us in the comments! You can check out a special anniversary history exhibit with documents and photographs of the library here.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Head of Information and Digital Services

Who Needs a Box of Chocolates for Valentine’s Day: Sample These Library Books Instead

13 Feb

If you or your loved ones are chocoholics, then we have three sweet recommendations to check out this Valentine’s Day!

The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao with Recipes
by Maricel E. Presilla.
NewChocolate
Maricel Presilla has two Latin American Restaurants in Hoboken.  She did a chocolate presentation here at the library when her book on chocolate first came out and it is definitely worth checking out if you have not already.  The New Taste of Chocolate looks at everything from the early chocolate rituals of the Aztecs to the new discoveries and innovations surrounding many people’s favorite treat.  You’ll want to try out of some of the recipes with your sweet this Valentine’s Day.

The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate!
by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Rob McClurkan
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Of course Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults.  It is fun to help my son get his Valentine’s ready for his class at school.  I remember how excited I was was each year as a kid to pick out the special card that was meant for all of my BFFs in my class.  My son enjoyed this look at the history of hot chocolate that covers the history of winter’s perfect beverage including facts like chocolate being part of the rations for Revolutionary soldiers. The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate! is best shared with a cup of warm cocoa with a sprinkling of marshmallows.  On Valentine’s Day the library is holding cookie decorating for kids; click here to learn more.  For healthy foodie fun for kids you also can check out our Cooks & Books Program.

The Essence of Chocolate: Recipes for Baking and Cooking with Fine Chocolate
by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg with Ann Krueger Spivack and Susie Heller
EssenceofChocolate
If – like me – you have enjoyed Scharffen Berger chocolates, then you will want to check out this cookbook, the first from the duo behind the gourmet treats. The Essence of Chocolate includes sweet desserts like White Velvet Cake with Milk Chocolate Ganache, but also savory dishes like vegetarian chili and a cocoa rub (perfect for a Valentine’s Day dinner). The book has three sections “Intensely Chocolate”, “Essentially Chocolate” and “A Hint of Chocolate”.  You will also learn useful tips and get a behind the scenes look at how chocolate is created.

If you are looking for some chocolatey fiction check out our previous blog post where I discuss a trio of novels where chocolate helps magic and romance happen.  You can also get some Valentine’s Day song recommendations from us!

Have a favorite book about chocolate or one with great Valentine’s Day recipes?  Share it with us in the comments!

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Head of Reference

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