Tag Archives: hoopla

Are You a Fan of Hamilton? Then Check These Out!

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I tend to be one of those people who often question when something is getting a lot of hype.  Is it really as good as everyone says?  The Broadway musical Hamilton was no exception for me.  A few years ago I saw that the soundtrack was available through hoopla for free (sadly it doesn’t seem to be anymore), so I decided to see what all the hype was about.  I have to say, I was blown away!  I’ve been a HUGE fan of the show ever since.

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of the recording of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, and I’m so excited it’s being released today on Disney+!  The mix of American history with modern music, and references to issues such as immigration and racial equality are wonderfully done and make for a memorable show.  I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack if you haven’t already.  If you’re already a fan, like me, I’ve put together a list of nonfiction books, fiction books, and musical soundtracks that you may enjoy.

 

Nonfiction Books

Alexander Hamilton
by Ron Chernow

This is the book that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to write the musical, and definitely the one most recommended for fans of the show.

 

 

Washington’s Immortals
by Patrick K. O’Donnell

The little-known story of the Washington-led “Immortal 400” who found in several battles during the Revolutionary War.

 

 

Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams
by Louisa Thomas

A biography of Louisa Catherine Adams, the wife of John Quincy Adams.

 

 

 

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
by Sarah Vowell

A humorous and insightful account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette.

 

 

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation
by Joseph Ellis

A look at the intertwined lives of the founding fathers – John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.

 

 

Hamilton: The Revolution
by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

A look into the creation of the musical, including emails, photographs, and notebook entries.

 

 

 

Fiction Books

America’ First Daughter
by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

A historical novel about Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter inspired by original letters.

 

 

The Hamilton Affair
by Elizabeth Cobbs

A fictional account of the love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.

 

 

Alex & Eliza
by Melissa de la Cruz

Young adult novel following the tale of Hamilton and Eliza.

 

 

 

The Traitor’s Wife
by Allison Pataki

An historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, wife of treasonous Benedict Arnold.

 

 

New York
by Edward Rutherfurd

Spanning centuries, this novel explores the history of the city of New York.

 

 

 

Musical Soundtracks

In the Heights

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway debut.

 

 

 

 

Jesus Christ Superstar

A cultural icon of a show that has a controversial history while delivering some solid rock numbers.  Both Hamilton and Jesus Christ Superstar are narrated by the sympathetic antagonist.

 

 

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

While not rap, this show uses modern music to tell a historical tale, much like Hamilton.

 

 

 

Dear Evan Hansen

Like Hamilton, this show tells the story of an underdog who rises in success and fame only to make a big mistake.

 

 

 

The Last Five Years

Lin-Manuel Miranda actually directly quotes this show including the line “nobody needs to know.”  Both shows have a theme of infidelity.

 

 

 

Plus, if you haven’t already watched the documentary on the making of Hamilton, be sure to check out Hamilton, One Show to Broadway, which is available on hoopla.

 

 

 

Best Family-Friendly Flicks on hoopla Right Now

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With all the streaming services popping up these days, there’s certainly no shortage of shows to choose from for family movie night. Yet one of the challenges of having so. many. options. is knowing what to choose.

Which titles are available on which platform? What’s streaming for free and what requires a paid subscription? Which options are family-friendly? And if something says it’s “family-friendly,” is it appropriate for your family?

GPL patrons with Evergreen accounts can stream thousands of titles for free using hoopla. If you’ve never used hoopla before, or you’ve used it mostly for audiobooks & ebooks, now is a great time to check out their available films.

Here are a few of the best family-friendly flicks you can access on hoopla right now. I’ve included the MPAA rating for each film, as well as Common Sense Media’s (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/) age rating, to help you determine whether a title is appropriate for your family.

Happy streaming!

It Takes Two – PG, 5+

Although Elizabeth, of Marvel Cinematic Universe fame, may be the better known Olsen these days, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen churned out a plethora of family-friendly flicks in the 90s, with this title being arguably one of their better offerings. It’s predictable, yet sweet.

 

 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – G, 6+

It doesn’t get much more wholesome than this silly, whimsical ride from 1968. Fun fact: The screenplay was written by beloved children’s author Roald Dahl.

 

 

 

Heidi – NR, 7+

This warm-hearted remake of the classic children’s tale is absolutely gorgeous to watch. Please note that this is a German production that is dubbed for English-speaking audiences.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars – NR, 7+

Though this is the second film in a trilogy based on the work of L.M. Montgomery, you don’t have to have previous knowledge of the subject matter to enjoy this joyful, sweet film. Anne is a great role model for young viewers, and the fact that she has several mature, responsible adults to go to for advice is a refreshing change from most coming-of-age films. (The third film in the series, Fire and Dew, is also available.)

 

All Dogs Go to Heaven – G, 8+

As someone who loved this movie as a kid but hadn’t seen it in decades, some of the behavior (drinking, smoking, and a horrible, though thankfully brief, racist caricature) was shocking to see in a kids’ movie. Overall it’s still an enjoyable film, though, and these moments provide parents an opportunity to open discussions with children about what is and is not appropriate behavior.

 

Ella Enchanted – PG, 8+

A fun, fairy tale-inspired romp about a young woman cursed to do whatever she’s told. The star-studded cast and fun musical numbers should keep the whole family entertained.

 

 

The Black Stallion – G, 8+

The shipwreck that opens the film may be harrowing for young viewers. Otherwise, this tale about a young boy who befriends the horse that saved his life is as wholesome and heartwarming as the classic novel from which it was adapted.

 

 

Harriet the Spy – PG, 9+

This book-turned-movie has some tough to watch bullying scenes, some of which feature the protagonist herself as the perpetrator. But, by the end of the film, everyone has (mostly) learned their lesson. Plus, Michelle Trachtenberg is charming as Harriet, and many parents will find the 90s kid culture nostalgic.

 

 

If I Had Wings – PG, 11+

I was surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed this underdog tale about two unlikely friends overcoming a physical disability while navigating common problems kids face like bullying, strained parental relationships, and finding their identity. This film is better suited to older kids thanks to some language and allusions to racism.

 

13 Going on 30 – PG-13, 12+

This Jennifer Garner-led film is a delightful revisiting of the ‘kid in an adult body’ trope in the style of Big or Freaky Friday. Though there are some adult situations and innuendo you may not want younger viewers exposed to, it’s worth a watch with older kids for the soundtrack alone (and that “Thriller” dance scene).

 

 

For more info on how Hoopla works, check out our page (http://www.greenwoodlibrary.us/stream-hoopla).

 

 

Summer’s Here – Let’s Garden!

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Summer seems to finally have arrived! If you’re anything like me this warmer weather has you itching to be outside. What better way to enjoy the start of summer and soak up some rays than to be in the garden? Gardening has been proven to reduce stress and provides many physical benefits. Not to mention all of the wonderful food you can grow!

One of the major benefits of gardening is that anyone can do it, no matter the space available. If you live in an apartment try getting into container gardening. Have small children? Get them involved in growing their own food! Have you killed every plant you’ve ever had? Try starting out with succulents which take very little maintenance. There is a plant for everyone and every space. Luckily for you, the library has resources to get you started no matter your situation.

 

Container Vegetable Gardening
By Liz Dobbs

Available on Hoopla

Big Flavor from Small Spaces!

This book will show you how to use the latest practices of high-density patio gardening to grow delicious vegetables, herbs and fruits in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Imagine the satisfaction of diving into a plate full of food that you grew yourself. Stepping out onto your patio and picking fresh ingredients for a meal is a special experience that is possible almost all year long. Whether you want to learn how to grow lemon trees in pots or to create your very own salsa window box with chilies, dwarf tomatoes, scallions, and coriander-Growing Crops in Pots will show you how!

 

Indoor Kitchen Gardening
By Elizabeth Millard

Available on Overdrive

Imagine serving a home-cooked meal highlighted with beet, arugula, and broccoli microgreens grown right in your kitchen, accompanied by sautéed winecap mushrooms grown in a box of sawdust in your basement. And if you have never tasted microgreens, all you really need to do is envision all the flavor of an entire vegetable plant concentrated into a single tantalizing seedling. If you respond to the notion of nourishing your guests with amazing, fresh, organic produce that you’ve grown in your own house, condo, apartment, basement, or sunny downtown office, then you’ll love exploring the expansive new world of growing and eating that can be discovered with the help of Indoor Kitchen Gardening. Inside, author and Bossy Acres CSA co-owner Elizabeth Millard teaches you how to grow microgreens, sprouts, herbs, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, and more—all inside your own home, where you won’t have to worry about seasonal changes or weather conditions.

 

Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden
By Erin Benzakein

Available on Hoopla

From Erin Benzakein, a leader in the locaflor farm-to-centerpiece movement and owner of internationally renowned Floret Flower Farm, Cut Flower Garden is equal parts instruction and inspiration-a book overflowing with lush photography of magnificent flowers and breathtaking arrangements organized by season. This beautiful guide to growing, harvesting, and arranging gorgeous blooms year-round gives readers vital tools to nurture a stunning flower garden and use their blossoms to create showstopping arrangements. With irresistible photos of Erin’s flower farm that showcase exquisite blooms, tips for growing in a variety of spaces and climates as well as step-by-step instructions for lavish garlands, airy centerpieces, and romantic floral décor for every season, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden informs and entices gardeners of all skill levels.

 

Square Foot Gardening With Kids
By Mel Bartholomew

Available on Overdrive

For two generations, Mel Bartholomew’s top-selling Square Foot Gardening books have made his revolutionary system for growing vegetables available to millions of people. In Square Foot Gardening with Kids, Mel reveals all of the tips, tricks, and fun projects he has used over the decades in one of his most cherished pursuits: teaching youngsters to build and grow their own kid-sized SFGs. Because of its simple principles and fast payoff, Square Foot Gardening is perfect for children. The easy geometry of the gridded box breaks the complex world of gardening into digestible bites that are easy to approach and understand for enthusiastic young learners, and the sequence of tasks required to grow plants from seeds is repeatable and reassuring. Whether you’re a grandparent, parent, teacher, coach, or any kind of role model to young people, Square Foot Gardening with Kids offers you the proven methods Mel has developed himself to entertain and amaze the kid in all of us.

 

A Beginner’s Guide to Succulent Gardening
By Taku Furuya

Available on Hoopla

This book contains all sorts of helpful tips on what to look for when buying a plant, how to troubleshoot when your succulent shows signs of distress, how to trim the leaves and stems, and how to start new plants from cuttings. Clear diagrams and at-a-glance fact sheets for each variety, as well as inspirational photos of attractively and happily-housed succulents, fill the pages of this book. Now is the time to give succulents a try! Let A Beginner’s Guide to Succulent Gardening be your guide to get you started and grow your indoor garden one succulent at a time.

 

 

Growing the Midwest Garden
By Edward Lyon

Available on Hoopla

Plant selection and garden style are deeply influenced by where we are gardening. To successfully grow a range of beautiful ornamental plants, every gardener has to know the specifics of the region’s climate, soil, and geography. Growing the Midwest Garden, by Edward Lyon, the director of Wisconsin’s Allen Centennial Gardens, offers an enthusiastic and comprehensive approach to ornamental gardening in the heartland. This guide features in-depth chapters on climate, soil, pests, and maintenance, along with plant profiles of the best perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.

 

At Home with the Studio: Craft Books on hoopla

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Since we are all likely home more and having to find ways to get creative with our time I have rounded up some books from our free service, hoopla, to help with projects that you may have been putting off or that suddenly are very relevant to you! Whether it’s that sewing machine you are dusting off or making your own soap so that you are sure to never run out we’ve got you covered.

 

Easy Home Sewing Projects
By Charlie Moorby

Available on Hoopla

There’s something for everyone in this bright and inspiring collection of home sewing projects! Whether you’re moving into a new home, redecorating an old house, or just updating a room, you’ll find quick and easy projects here to make your living space simply beautiful. Designed to let you give your dwelling a speedy fabric makeover, this book offers inspirational ideas for every room. Transform the heart of your home with bright kitchen accessories, or create the perfect table linen setting. Create a bold boudoir with bright bedroom designs, make tactile toys for the nursery, or revamp your home office with a functional organizer. And don’t neglect the deck, with lovely al fresco accessories and more. 101 Home Sewing Projects is guaranteed to stir up your creativity with clear step-by-step instructions and gorgeous color photography.

 

Mending Matters
By Katrina Rodabaugh

Available on Hoopla

Mending Matters explores sewing on two levels: First, it includes more than 20 hands-on projects that showcase current trends in visible mending that are edgy, modern, and bold-but draw on traditional stitching. It does all this through just four very simple mending techniques: exterior patches, interior patches, slow stitches, darning, and weaving. In addition, the book addresses the way mending leads to a more mindful relationship to fashion and to overall well-being. In essays that accompany each how-to chapter, Katrina Rodabaugh explores mending as a metaphor for appreciating our own naturally flawed selves, and she examines the ways in which mending teaches us new skills, self-reliance, and confidence, all gained from making things with our own hands.

 

An Almost Zero Waste Life
By Megean Weldon

Available on Hoopla

What is zero waste living? Although the practice has been around for generations out of necessity, it is making a comeback as concerns grow about the fate of our environment. To put it simply: it is attempting to send no waste to landfills. Although you may have read or heard about “zero waste,” “sustainable,” or “green” living, the concept can sometimes seem too complicated, the author’s tone a bit self-righteous, or riddled with advice geared for people with 5 acres of land in the country with dreams of raising livestock and homesteading. This is not that book.

Can a “regular” person do this? Absolutely! Zero waste isn’t necessarily about zero, but more about changing or altering the way we see the world around us, how we consume, and how we think about waste. It’s about making better choices when we can, and working to reduce our overall impact by reducing the amount of packaging and single-use plastics we bring into our life.

 

Handmade Soap Book
By Melinda Coss

Available on Hoopla

In a world filled with pollution and chemicals, this book shows you how to create your own soaps and bathtime luxuries using only natural ingredients and very little specialist equipment. Create the perfect gift for family and friends, kids and grown-ups. This book features a huge range of tempting ingredients, such as peach, peppermint, ylang ylang, cinnamon and chocolate, and includes recipes for shampoo bars, body splashes and bath creams. The simple, sumptuous and easy-to-follow recipes and luscious photography will be an inspiration to anyone who cares about what they put on their skin.

 

Start Your Own Etsy Business
By Jason R. Rich

Available on Hoopla

Whether you’re a master crafter, a carpenter, a jewelry designer, or have become passionate about making the best home décor in town, now is the time to go from hobby to full-time business owner. And with million shoppers ready to discover your unique offerings it only makes sense to join the largest, most successful online community of creative entrepreneurs on Etsy. Our experts have teamed up with successful shop owners to provide you with Start Your Own Etsy Business, an easy-to-understand, comprehensive blueprint that takes you through setting up, branding, marketing, and managing your store. Plus, gain worksheets, templates, resource lists and tips designed to go from passion to profits. If you’re ready to share your passion for your craft with millions around the world, this guide is for you.