New resource: Oxford Bibliographies

The Northeastern University Libraries presents Oxford Bibliographies in six subject areas: Atlantic History, Cinema and Media Studies, Criminology, Islamic Studies, Sociology, and Victorian Literature. Developed cooperatively with scholars and librarians, each bibliography provides authoritative research guidance with a large collection of articles addressing major themes and topics within a discipline, with commentary and selective, annotated bibliography. The articles cite resources in many formats: books, along with more recent online sources, such as digital archives, datasets, electronic encyclopedias, and more. Output options for saving, annotating and sharing citations and searches are available with each article. The Oxford Bibliographies provide access to important themes and topics in a field of study or discipline for scholars, researchers, and students. Have a look and see how they might help you in your research!  

New: African Newspapers, 1800-1922

Northeastern University Libraries now provides access to over 40 historical newspapers from throughout Africa. Key titles include the East African Standard, Baira Post, and Cape Town Gazette. Newspaper languages include English, French, German, Sotho, and others. This online, fully searchable collection supports the World History Program, as well as other key programs at the university. Additional resources can be found on the History Subject Guide.

Suggested Summer Reading from Snell Staff (Part 2)

With just weeks remaining in the summer, you’re going to have to jump into your summer reading if you haven’t yet gotten started! We collected a first round of staff picks in part one to give you some summer reading suggestions, but if nothing looked interesting to you, or you’re still waiting for the right book… here are some more options. Let us know in the comments, below, what you’re enjoying this summer, and if you’ve read any of these, what you thought of them.  

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire hunter

By Seth Grahame-Smith

Suggested by Ernesto Valencia Abe Lincoln Killing Vampires and abolishing slavery! What’s not to like!?        

Wolf Hall

By Hilary Mantel

(Apparently a big hit among Snell staff!) Highly recommended by Karen Merguerian, Ernesto Valencia, and Ethan Bren        

Little, Big

By John Crowley

Suggested by Tom Urell I read this early this summer, and can’t get it out of my head. Like an arabesque or a mandala, the more you look into it, the further it goes. Ostensibly an epic family saga, Little, Big seems modest at first, but then grows into a rich universe of its own.      

A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Part 1: A Game of Thrones)

By George R.R Martin

Suggested by Ernesto Valencia Because court intrigue and epic fantasies are fun!        

The White Darkness

by Geraldine McCaughrean

Suggested by Hillary Corbett It’s a real page-turner! I picked it up because I love anything about Antarctica – and although I was a little skeptical of the far-fetched plot at first, I found it to be gripping, masterfully written, and totally believable. It’s classified as a young adult novel, although I think it could easily be shelved in adult literature.    

Punishment of Virtue: Inside Afghanistan after the Taliban

by Sarah Chayes

Suggested by Karen Merguerian            

 An Object of Beauty

by Steve Martin

Suggested by Jen Anderle This is a humorous yet elegantly written novel about the fine art world of Manhattan and the people that live in it. Steve Martin’s main character starts as an equal in complexity and allure to the pieces she works among and tragically wastes away like a passing fad. Yet another example of Steve Martin’s talent!  
So there you go. And if you still aren’t interested in one of our suggestions, the library has hundreds of thousands of print books in the stacks and almost as many e-books online.  One of them is bound to be your perfect end-of-summer read.
What’s your summer pick?

Suggested Summer Stories from Snell Staff

There are 42 days until the first day of fall semester classes.  That’s six solid weeks; more than enough time to take advantage of the rest of the summer by reading some great books! Here are some suggestions from our library staff to get you started. Click on the book title to see the record for the book in our collection. — Jen  

River of Smoke 

by Amitav Ghosh

Suggested by Will Wakeling I’m just finishing Amitav Ghosh’s River of Smoke, the 2nd volume of the historical trilogy begun with the wonderful and exotic Sea of Poppies. Everything you ever wanted to know about the early 19th century opium trade into Canton and southern China. A great way to learn the basics of Chinese Pidgin English, too – worth a “look-see.”  

Bring Up the Bodies

by Hilary Mantel

Suggested by Ethan Bren I read Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. It’s the sequel to Wolf Hall, which won the Man Booker Prize in 2009. Both books are really terrific pieces of historical fiction that I enjoyed immensely.    

 Graceling

by Kristin Cashore

Suggested by Krishna Patel My vote would be for Graceling and its sequel, Bitterblue, and the companion as well, Fire – all of which we own!  Written by a local (squee!), it’s a beautifully crafted fantasy tale about two delightfully strong and unorthodox ladies in a Tolkien-meets-King-Arthur sort of way. I’ve been suggesting them like a crazy person to anyone who asks, and I’ve not had bad feedback yet. Take that, Twilight!  

Canada by Richard Ford

Suggested by Jamie Dendy It carries one away through a riveting plot, yet drops one on the ground from time to time to ponder issues of crime and inheritance.      

Dogma by Lars Iyer

Suggested by Karen Merguerian Lars joined us for one of our Meet the Author Talks in Spring 2012! Watch the video here.      

The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow

Suggested by Jen Ferguson What I’m loving about it: Who knew that a book about probability could be so engaging?       Now go forth and capture some quality summer days! Soak up the weather, drink something sweet and cold, and read your book way too fast.

Let us introduce ourselves!

This July I am one of three new co-ops who will be working in Snell Library through the Fall semester. We are all very excited for the months ahead and would love to introduce ourselves (before people start thinking we just spend all day, everyday, in the library… although we love Snell and would if we could!) — Jen   Esra.M  Ezra Mitchell Archives Co-op My name is Ezra Mitchell, I just finished my third year at Northeastern studying History and Political Science. I am from Providence, RI and during my free time I enjoy rowing and reading.              Brittany Tassone DMDS Co-op My name is Brittany Tassone and I am now working in the Digital Media Design Studio as the new DMDS co-op. I am a middler majoring in Graphic Design, and minoring in Communication Studies. I enjoy traveling and photography and I hope to someday work for a high fashion magazine.       Jen.A  Jen Anderle Marketing and Events Co-op My name is Jen Anderle and I am the new Marketing and Events Co-op in Snell Library’s Advancement office. I am a middler majoring in Art and minoring in Business Administration. This semester I will be working on marketing and organizing library events as well as communicating daily happenings at Snell Library to the Northeastern Community. Otherwise, I enjoy sailing, painting and travelling.     We look forward to working with everyone!