Story Journaling

~ rmanuel191 ~ Leave a comment

Hard copy journaling for narrative lovers.

So if any of you are like me, staring at a computer screen all day is both enlightening and exhausting.  While I love technology and the various opportunities it affords for learning, exploration, and entertainment, the blue light of the screen can do a number on my eyes and my head, often causing some major headaches.  This is why I have a whole bookshelf full of journals filled with handwritten stories dating all the way back to when I was in middle school.  Plus, there’s just something so satisfying about sprawling out on my bed, penning out scenes and character arcs and story ideas, and seeing my notebooks slowly fill up with my fictional worlds.

But story journaling doesn’t necessarily have to be fictional.  There are two types of story journaling.  First is fictional story journaling, where you use your journal as a space to plot out your fictional narratives, sketch out brain maps, scribble down quick thoughts and ideas, write out scenes and dialogue.  It’s an excellent way to get your thoughts on paper right in front of you, no matter how messy or disjointed your writing might be.  My favorite way to do this is to use pen – no erasing!  The most important part of the exercise is just to write something.  You can always edit later.  (Don’t have any story ideas right now?  Check out some of the links below for some inspiration!)

The other type of story journaling is life story journaling.  It’s very similar to regular journaling, where you write out your thoughts and feelings and events of the day, but with a key difference: the perspective.  When you sit down to write in your life story journal, you do so with the mindset of an author writing a story; but in this case, that story is about you.  Take a look at your day, and then think about how that day contributes to the story of your life as a whole.  Where are you in your dramatic structure diagram?  Are you in the rising action section, working towards a particular aspiration or mission?  Maybe you’re relaxing in the resolution section, after you’ve completed a major goal and enjoyed or suffered the consequences of it, and you’re preparing to begin the next stage in your life.  Wherever you are, this method of writing allows you to see yourself almost from the outside, to understand what has shaped you as a character in your own story and determine what will motivate you into a better future.

Resources & Inspiration:

“Writing Tips for Tweens” from Penguin Young Readers

“Creative Writing Journal Ideas” from Creative Writing Now

“7 Quick Journaling Exercises That Will Improve Your Fiction Writing” from The Write Life

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website

Sky & Telescope magazine on Flipster

~ Book Club Mom ~ Leave a comment

When you look to the skies at night, chances are you can identify the Big Dipper and maybe the North Star, but what about everything else that’s up there?

Sky and Telescope magazine is your essential guide to astronomy and you can read it on Flipster with your library card.

Inside the September issue are articles about the volcanic histories of the inner solar system, how scientists are searching for moons outside our solar system, what’s up in September’s skies, a gallery of breathtaking images and many more articles about the world outside our own.

It’s easy to access Sky & Telescope magazine. Here’s how: visit https://chescolibraries.org/downloads and scroll to Flipster to sign in with your library card.

The Address by Fiona Davis – eBook and eAudiobook available for download

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Borrow the eBook and eAudiobook

From the author of The Dollhouse and The Masterpiece comes the compelling national bestselling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota—New York City’s most famous residence.

What’s it about?

When a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house the Dakota, leads to a job offer for Sara Smythe, her world is suddenly awash in possibility—no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America. The opportunity to be the female manager of the Dakota. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else…and is living in the Dakota with his wife and three young children.

One hundred years later, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities: Fresh out of rehab, the former interior designer is homeless, jobless, and penniless. Bailey’s grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden, yet Bailey won’t see a dime of the Camden family’s substantial estate; instead, her “cousin” Melinda—Camden’s biological great-granddaughter—will inherit almost everything. So when Melinda offers to let Bailey oversee the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance, despite her dislike of Melinda’s vision. The renovation will take away all the character of the apartment Theodore Camden himself lived in…and died in, after suffering multiple stab wounds by a former Dakota employee who had previously spent seven months in an insane asylum—a madwoman named Sara Smythe.

A century apart, Sara and Bailey are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages—for Sara, the opulence of a world ruled by the Astors and Vanderbilts; for Bailey, the nightlife’s free-flowing drinks and cocaine—and take refuge in the Upper West Side’s gilded fortress. But a building with a history as rich, and often as tragic, as the Dakota’s can’t hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers inside could turn everything she thought she knew about Theodore Camden—and the woman who killed him—on its head.

Copies of the eBook and eAudiobook are available for download now!

Virtual Program: Cool Vintage Places, Good Eats and Retro Fun… with Mod Betty!

~ cmviola ~ Leave a comment

Join us Thursday, July 30, at 7:00 pm as Mod Betty presents “Cool Vintage Places, Good Eats & Retro Fun” within a daytrip distance of Chester County. Vintage diners, roadside ice cream stands, miniature golf, drive-in movie theaters, many of these authentic vintage places that have survived the decades with their vintage charm intact are hidden in plain sight, and make perfect destinations for a summer drive.

Beth Lennon (writing as Mod Betty) is the creative mind behind the Retro Roadmap website and travel guide book series, where she shares “Cool Vintage Places, Good Eats and Retro Fun!” with readers and online Facebook and Instagram followers across the country – and the globe!
Featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Sunday Globe, Huffington Post, the BBC, WHYY-TV, WLVT-TV she has written for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Vintage Camper Trailers magazine, and starred in the Retro Roadmap Video Series on Youtube.

In addition she delivers live Retro Roadmap presentations, like the one she will be doing for us on July 30, to delighted audiences across multiple states. When she’s not on the road exploring you can find her online at RetroRoadmap.com or seated in her vintage 1964 vintage travel camper planning her next adventure and writing her next Retro Roadmap Roadbook!

Please register for the program: Thursday, July 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts.  Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link.  You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.

For lazy afternoons: Summer Vibes collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks

~ Book Club Mom ~ 2 Comments

Have you seen our Summer Vibes collection of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks? They are perfect for lazy summer reading. Here are just a few that are ready for you!

Summer with My Sisters by Holly Chamberlin – eBook

Bestselling author Holly Chamberlin’s heartfelt novel, set in a beautiful Maine beach town, tells of three sisters–and one summer filled with revelations…

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank – eAudiobook

New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank returns to her magical Lowcountry of South Carolina in this bewitching story of marriage, love, family, and friendship that is infused with her warm and engaging earthy humor and generous heart.

Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax – eBook

By the USA Today bestselling author of The House on Mermaid Point, three women join forces to bring a historic seaside hotel back to life. There’s nothing that a fresh coat of paint and a few glasses of wine can’t fix….

Looking for other summer reads? View our Summer Vibes collection here.

Virtual Program: The Unique Trials and Challenges of the Pandemic on the Economy

~ Jenna P ~ Leave a comment

Join us for The Unique Trials and Challenges of the Pandemic on the Economy, Monday, July 20, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

After countless lectures on art history, Fred Dixon will return to his roots as an economist with a presentation on “The Unique Trials & Challenges of the Pandemic on the Economy.” If the decline in ‘08 and ‘09 is called “The Great Recession” then the episode in ‘20 should be called “The Greatest Recession.” It is the most damaging economic event since the Depression.

Trillions of dollars have been spent trying to turn things around. That has elevated the already lofty federal deficit from $1 trillion to an unimaginable nearly $4 trillion. Could there be unintended consequences? When the pandemic ends will it be business as usual or will there be a new normal much less appealing? What happens if there is a 2nd wave? Dr. Dixon will offer his perspectives on what the future holds at a time when it is not hard to get the feeling things have spiraled out of control.

Fred Dixon has a PhD in economics and was economist for mega firms like Merrill Lynch in NYC. He ran his own consulting firm Economic Insights for years. He volunteered his time as an advisor to six governors over a span of 36 years on economic and financial matters.

Please register for the program: Monday, July 20, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts.  Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link.  You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.

Dream Journaling

~ rmanuel191 ~ Leave a comment

What are your dreams telling you?

Have you ever woken up from an intense dream that felt so real that you were unsure if it actually happened or not at first? Or, maybe a specific person was in your dreams, and now they keep popping into your mind? Dreams are mysterious and sometimes intense, leaving lasting impressions on us. I find myself constantly having dreams that feel so real and powerful, yet I end up forgetting them almost completely not even 20 minutes later. I decided to start dream journaling to keep track of hidden meanings in my dreams and also to learn more about myself. 

A dream journal is a reflective way to keep track of your dreams. I keep my dream journal next to my bed so whenever I wake up from a dream-filled sleep, I can write it down on paper quickly before I start forgetting. Many believe that dreams are a manifestation of emotions that we carry with us throughout the day. If something is bothering you, even if it is pushed deep down into your subconscious, it can use dreams as a source of release. There are a lot of common dreams, like having your teeth fall out, feeling like you’re being chased, or moving in slow motion that can have deeper meanings attached to them. Things like stress, impatience, anxiety, conflict, or avoidance can be represented in the former dreams, and by documenting your dreams, you can reflect on things that may be bothering you in your real life. Dream journals can also help you if you are trying to learn how to lucid dream. Lucid dreaming occurs when a person is aware that they are dreaming and can control what they do and what happens within their dreams. According to Healthline, “When you write down your dreams, you’re forced to remember what happens during each dream. It’s said to help you recognize dreamsigns and enhance awareness of your dreams.” If you are interested in learning more about dream journaling, check out the resources below.

Resources & Inspiration:

“How to Keep a Dream Journal: Tips, Examples, and Templates” from Penzu

“Keeping a Dream Journal” from Psychology Today

“The Best Way to Keep a Dream Journal” from Lucid Dream Society

“5 Techniques to Try for Lucid Dreaming” from Healthline

Allrecipes magazine on Flipster

~ Book Club Mom ~ Leave a comment

Are you in a summer recipe slump? Jazz up your repertoire with new recipes in Allrecipes magazine. Inside the June/July issue are great ideas for:

  • Picnics
  • Berry desserts
  • Grilling
  • Quick dinners
  • Healthy ice pops

And don’t forget to check out the latest feature article on video cooking star Julia Levy.

It’s easy to access Allrecipes magazine on Flipster. Visit https://chescolibraries.org/downloads and scroll to Flipster to sign in with your library card.

Prevention magazine on Flipster

~ Book Club Mom ~ Leave a comment

Take a look at the August issue of Prevention magazine on Flipster. Inside you will find articles, exercises, recipes and more to promote healthy living, including:

  • Information about vaccines
  • New thoughts on salt intake
  • Natural benefits of berries
  • Latest on sunscreens
  • Better balance workouts
  • Delicious and healthy recipes

It’s easy to access Prevention magazine on Flipster. Visit https://chescolibraries.org/downloads and scroll to Flipster to sign in with your library card.

Virtual Program: Power Yoga

~ Jenna P ~ Leave a comment

Join us for Power Yoga, Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Power yoga is an empowering practice with a vigorous fitness based approach to vinyasa style yoga. It incorporates the athleticism of Ashtanga Yoga with vinyasa to create a series of poses that can be practiced in any sequence. The freedom to practice the flow in any sequence makes each class different than the last. This practice still focuses on connecting the breath with movement, while also physically toning the body, improving balance, and increasing stamina. In this form of yoga, learn to move with more purpose and acceptance which can be applied to life outside of class.

Please register for the program: Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts.  Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link.  You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.