Butterbeer Recipe:
Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)
Servings: 4

* 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons water
* 6 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
* 3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
* Four 12-ounce bottles cream soda

“In a small saucepan over medium, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer.”

“Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature.”

“Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.”

“In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.”

“To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about 1/4 cup for each glass). Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.”

For the original post see No Magic Needed to Enjoy Butterbeer at Home by Alison Ladman of the Associated Press.

The Loser's Guide to Life and Love by A.E. Cannon

Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream gets a modern reworking in this funny quick read by A.E. Cannon. The story unfolds through the alternating voices of four teens: Ed, who has a summer job at a Salt Lake City video store that requires him to wear a tux and frilly shirt and a name tag belonging to a previous employee known only as “Sergio”; Scout, who works with Ed, drives her brother’s powder blue Mustang, and has a secret addiction to regency romances; Quark, Ed’s next-door neighbor who in spite of not having watched a movie since he was nine years old has developed a sudden interest in screwball comedies; and Ellie, a young woman with an amazing voice who is visiting her Aunt for the summer.  When Ellie walks into the video store  Ed decides he might have better luck with a good looking girl as “Sergio.” Each character has his or her own secret fears, and romantic mix-ups abound. Themes of friendship, identity, and first love thrive in this sweet tale.

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

If you haven’t discovered Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief of Attolia series, then you should head over to the library quickly and get started. Turner is a master of pretzel-twisted surprise endings, and the fourth book (which came out this month) is no different. In fact, I don’t want to say too much for fear of giving something away. I’ll just explain that the book takes place in an imagined landscape that feels a lot like ancient Greece. Three countries–Attolia, Eddis, and Sounis–all inhabit the same island, and constantly struggle for dominance. But when outside forces threaten to overtake them, they must figure out some kind of balance, or risk falling all together. And to keep things interesting, the local gods have a tendency to stir things up a bit, on occasion. Political intrigue, suspense, adventure, and fascinating characters–the series has it all. And they’re all available here at the library, so come and see for yourself!

All the Broken Pieces tells the story of Matt Pin, a Vietnamese-American boy who was airlifted out of his war-torn home and brought to America, where he was adopted by a physician and his wife. His new parents are kind and loving, but Matt is dealing with the emotional scars left by a traumatic past. He also faces hatred from Americans who also lost loved ones in the unpopular war. This book is both heart-wrenching and incredibly hopeful (don’t let my tears dissuade you—I’m an absolute boob when it comes to books—and Hallmark commercials!). I hope it spends less time on the shelves and more in people’s hands.

You can see some more clever examples at 100 scope notes

Give it a try!

For some more leprechaun fun, pick up the new book Green by Laura Peyton Roberts. From our catalog description:

Abducted by leprechauns on her thirteenth birthday, Lilybet Green learns that there is more to her family tree–and to her bond with her late grandmother–than she ever imagined.

Of course, there’s always Artemis Fowl and his adventures with LEPRecon officer, Holly Short.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all!

While you’re here you can register for the Writer’s Panel with authors Connie Willis and Steven Gould on April 8 at 4:00 pm.

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