from the archive


Author: Dana Treichler

Dana works as a Librarian in the Adult Services Department at Princeton Public Library. A firm believer that the right book can change a life, she relishes the opportunity to help community members find their next great read. Outside of the library, she enjoys traveling, exploring, learning and a great story of any kind.

A long history


April is here, the sun is shining, the weather is warming and baseball is back. To me, nothing is more synonymous with spring and summer than baseball. To catch a game, we sit outside under the sun, snack on hot dogs and popcorn, enjoy a cold beer or soda and watch a game that has […]


Teachable moments


Life is scary sometimes. On any given day, there are happy moments and sad moments. There are times when you’re angry and times when you’re truly elated. There are plenty of things in life to be anxious about, like going to a new restaurant and trying new foods, a meeting with your boss, or even […]


The tell-all


It has been about a week since “Spare,”  the tell-all autobiography by Prince Harry, was released. It immediately broke the UK record for the most sales on the first day of publication for a nonfiction title, which can be chalked up to society’s love (or obsession) for the royal family. What makes them so interesting? […]


A snowy Princeton


As the holidays approach, I look forward to certain changes around town. Holiday décor and lights gradually get added. You hear the bustling of shopping bags and the familiar sounds of holiday music drifting from the storefronts. And my favorite coffee shops are offering their holiday blends and specials. The holidays in Princeton are something […]


Book shame


It’s time I made a confession. I, Dana Treichler, librarian and book nerd from Princeton Public Library, did not like “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the popular novel penned by Delia Owens. This book, which has influenced the publication of books of a similar nature, a Reese Witherspoon-backed film and 4.3 out of 5 stars from […]


Hope and healing


As the anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks nears, I find myself feeling off. Sad, solemn, uneasy, and down are all words that come to mind but just don’t do this feeling justice, a feeling that all Americans know too well and few can put into words. I try not to focus on the […]


Summer reading wrap-up


With PPL’s Youth and Adult’s Summer Reading programs coming to an end in less than a week, I find myself reminiscing and thinking about how fast this summer went by. Memories of vacations, cook-outs and strolls fill my mind, as do my chosen reads for the Summer Reading program. This summer, participants received a scratch-off […]


The magic of coincidence


I’ve never been a big believer in coincidences. While something may seem accidental or random, I’ve always enjoyed the idea that there may be a little bit of magic behind it. Most of us have many interests and pursuits and lives, so to speak, and it can be helpful to keep them neatly wrapped in […]


The art around us


According to the Oxford English Dictionary, art is a “skill; its display, application, or expression.” And, it is all around us. We see it in the pages of books, on street corners and the sides of buses, on display in buildings and homes, and even create it ourselves.  Libraries themselves are havens for art and […]


Tales and tails


As writers, we are consistently drawing inspiration from and making connections to the events in our lives. Everyday interactions and momentous occasions can cause a ripple effect, leading us down a new path of adventure and wonderment. Over the past year or two, I’ve gotten married, earned a Master’s degree, purchased my first home and […]


Master of information


Some call us wizards or the keepers of knowledge. Superheroes, geniuses, guides and human search engines – we’ve heard it all. I recently earned my master’s degree and, when it came in the mail, it read “Master of Information.” This got me thinking, what makes us, librarians, the masters of information? Yes, the years of […]


Big books, small books, old books, new books


When I was a little girl, my grandfather gave me a copy of Richard Henry Dana, Jr.’s “Two Years Before the Mast.” This wasn’t his favorite book, in fact, he had never read it. Its sole purpose was to put a smile on my face when I saw the singular word written across the spine, […]


Researching your roots


My grandmother came from a very large family, one that I knew very little about. Growing up, she has told me stories here and there, including those about her oldest brother who fought and lost his life in WWII. She never mentioned more than that because, as it turns out, she never really knew what […]

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Explore the AAPI experience through books


Painful, scary, worrisome and difficult. These are a few of the many words that come to mind when I think about some of the recent events in this country. This has been a time of challenges for all people, but it has been especially hard for our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers, sisters, friends […]

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Short and sweet


We’re almost a month into the new year and, just like during any other, I find myself thinking about what I want to accomplish. Of all I have to look forward to this year, a wedding and earning a Masters’ degree, all I can think about are the books I want to read. My reading […]

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A kind of paradise


“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ― Jorge Luis Borges As librarians, we’re natural-born readers who eat, sleep and breathe books. So, it should come as no surprise that the library where we work feels more like a cozy home, surrounded by our favorite things, rather than a job. […]

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The handwritten word


I’ve always considered myself an introvert, placing value in my time alone. But during our new norm consisting of self-isolation and social distancing, I’ve found myself reaching out to others, craving conversation and social interaction. We are lucky today because we have so many formats in which we can talk to or even see our […]

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Brighter days are beyond the stacks


The stay-at-home orders have been in place for close to two months and, in a way, it feels like it is only the beginning of a new reality. I worry about my health and safety of those close to me. I’m nervous to go to the grocery store and wonder if they will even have […]

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Queen of the Negro Leagues


These last few years have been filled with inspirational female voices. From the Women’s March and #MeToo, to political powerhouses like Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, and Hillary Clinton, women have made it clear that their opinions matter and they intend to be heard.  I learned from Marie Curie, Grace Hopper, and Rosalind Franklin. I devoured […]

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This too shall pass


Am I good enough? What’s wrong with me? These questions, along with constant nervousness, stem from the paralyzing anxiety I deal with every day. Social situations can prove to be difficult and worrying about the smallest task is all too common. Struggling with anxiety is no easy task. It can cause me to lose focus, […]


Giving thanks


With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I can’t help but count my blessings. As I consider what I am most thankful for this holiday season, my family and friends first come to mind. I’m also grateful to be surrounded by books and fellow bibliophiles every day at the library. I loved to read as a child […]

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Books to make you smile


The world we live in can be a scary one, filled with what can seem like endless trauma and fear. This is just one of the many reasons why books are so important. There is a certain power that comes with reading. The simple act can instill knowledge, create and change emotions, and immerse us […]

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When you’ve got the Creativebug…


I’m sure we can all agree that life can quickly become busy and overwhelming. Between wedding planning and graduate school, any extra money I have lately is spoken for, which makes trying to personalize and decorate my new home a bit challenging. Thankfully, the library has just begun to offer free access to Creativebug, a […]

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Hello spring!


Is there any time of the year that’s better than spring? Flowers are blooming, the weather is finally warm and it feels as if the entire world is smiling. One of my favorite authors said it best: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” And me? […]

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The stories behind the sports


Drama, intrigue and excitement – words commonly used to describe a good book or story. But, they are also synonymous with great sporting events. Many people are not interested in sports and see them as boring or too “macho” but the reality is nothing like the stereotype. They are filled with thrilling victories, crushing defeats […]

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To be read . . .


I adore books. I love the crisp, clean pages of a new release, the way a small paperback fits perfectly in your purse, even the old, musty smell of a great library book. Because of this infatuation, I have a long list of books on my “To Be Read” list – 162 books to be […]

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Anything but ordinary memoirs


As Mason Cooley once said, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” From Hogwarts and Narnia to East Egg and the Pequod, books have the power to transport us to different times and cities, even an alternate universe. As an avid reader, I most enjoy books that show […]

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The more things change…


Many people believe libraries to be antiquated and, with the invention of the internet and e-readers, to serve little purpose. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When I decided that I wanted to be a librarian, quite a few people were perplexed as to why. Why did I want to do that? Is that […]

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Bookshop bliss


As an avid reader, my home is filled with books. Whether it is one bookshelf or five or a coffee table made out of stacks, there are piles of books in every nook and cranny. Old copies and new copies, leather-bound and paperbacks, first or signed editions, not yet read or spines broken from love, […]


Love in the stacks


With Valentine’s Day approaching, I began thinking about the different types of love in my life. My family and friends, various pets, my job, traveling and exploring new places and, of course, books. Books were my first love and will always be the greatest love of my life. In them, I have learned magic at […]

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Sylvia & Co.


“No one that I ever knew was nicer to me…she was delightful and charming and welcoming and behind her, as high as the wall and stretching out into the back room which gave onto the inner court of the building, were shelves and shelves of the wealth of the library.” -Ernest Hemingway, A MOVEABLE FEAST If […]


Baseball and the bibliophile


October means something a little different for everyone. For some, it is the start of fall and everything pumpkin spice. For others, it is scary costumes and one step closer to the holiday season. But for me, October signifies Major League Baseball’s postseason. Having been a sports fan since I was a child, I have […]

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