Native American author: Leslie Marmon Silko

Next up in our featured authors for Native American Heritage month is Leslie Marmon Silko, the author of the first novel by an American Indian woman – Ceremony. Silko is one of the foremost authors to emerge from the Native American literary renaissance of the 1970s. Her works blend Western literary genres with the oral traditions of her Laguna Pueblo heritage to communicate Native American concepts concerning time, nature, and spirituality and their relevance in the contemporary world.*
Other titles available in the Miami University Libraries include, but are not limited to:

Gardens in the Dunes (Simon & Schuster, 1999)
The Turquoise Ledge: a Memoir (Viking, 2010)
Almanac of the Dead (Simon & Schuster, 1991)

*”Leslie (Marmon) Silko.” Contemporary Literary Criticism Select, Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1104140000/LitRC?u=muohio_main&sid=LitRC&xid=30fb99c6. Accessed 8 Nov. 2019.

Native American author: N. Scott Momaday

This month the blog will feature books (fiction and nonfiction) by Native American authors or about topics in Native American History. (It is Native American Heritage Month, after all!) N. Scott Momaday was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature in for his 1968 novel, “A House Made of Dawn.”   The book tells the story of a young American Indian, Abel, who, upon returning to his reservation in San Ysidro, New Mexico, after military service in World War II, tries to cope with the pressures and temptations to live in the white world and his conflicting desire to resume the ancient American Indian way of life symbolized by his grandfather.* Of Kiowa descent, Momaday has been a remarkable force in the preservation and flourishing of Native American culture. The author of novels, poetry, short stories, and autobiographical and other prose writings, Momaday is also an accomplished artist. His drawings and paintings are integral to many of his literary works and have been exhibited throughout the United States. ** Other books by Momaday available at Rentschler Library:

The Way to Rainy Mountain (Univ. of New Mexico Press, 1976)
The Ancient Child: a Novel (HarperPerennial, 1990)
In the Bear’s House (St. Martin’s Press, 1999)

Leeson, Richard M., and William Matta. “N. Scott Momaday.” Cyclopedia of World Authors, Fourth Revised Edition, Jan. 2003, pp. 1–2.
**”N. Scott Momaday.” Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 330, Gale, 2013. Literature Resource Center,  Accessed 8 Nov. 2019.

Did you know? Lots of e-books available

The Miami University Libraries is purchasing more and more e-books from many different companies. The list is almost too long to mention here. You’re better off just finding them in our online catalog. After you run a search, just limit to “Electronic Resources” using the limiter option on the left side of the screen. (see screenshot at left).  You can sometimes download the entire book (for a short period of time), just a chapter or two. It’s the same content as the print version and many of them will have a “cite” tool for your Works Cited or References page. If you run into problems or have questions about accessing an e-book, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

Day of the Dead Festival

Stop by Jefferson Park (100 East Ave., in Hamilton) this Saturday, Nov. 2, for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).  There will be music, crafts, games and prizes, face painting, hot chocolate, Pan de Muertos (Day of the Dead Bread), and a representative from Rentschler Library!  The event runs from 2pm -6pm and is run by the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31- November 2.

Need help with research? Just ask!

Got a big research paper or presentation coming up and don’t know where to start? Do you need to narrow or broaden your research topic? Just ask one of the friendly librarians at Rentschler Library for help. You can schedule a Research Consultation by filling out this online form. If you have a quick question, you can email us or chat with us online.

Did you also know? Access the Wall Street Journal

Along with the New York Times, Miami users can also activate free access to the current (and last 4 years) of the Wall Street Journal. The steps are laid out below:

• Go to the WSJ registration page.
• Enter first and last name
• Select an Account Type from the dropdown: Student, Professor, or Staff
• Enter your email address and create a password. The email address and password will allow access on other devices outside of the university network.
• Click Create to complete registration and create your WSJ subscription.
• Once you have an account you can go directly to: https://www.wsj.com/

Did You Know? Free access to New York Times

Did you know that Miami University provides you with free access to the New York Times from your computer or mobile device? Just create an account using your Miami email account while on campus. Once activated, an NYTimes.com Group Pass can be used from any location for the duration of your license period.

More info at: https://libguides.lib.miamioh.edu/nyt