As Falvey’s Cat in the Stax, Rebecca writes articles covering a broad range of topics, from academics to hobbies to random events. All the while highlighting how Falvey Library can enhance your Villanova experience!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Wildcats! Love is in the air and taking the form of flowers, stuffed animals, chocolates, and other sweets. Every nice restaurant in Philly will be packed with couples looking for a romantic dinner. It’s a day to celebrate your relationship with your partner and show how much you appreciate them.

Photo from HIS-USA.com

Fun Fact: Did you know that in Japan, it is traditional for women to give men chocolates on Valentine’s Day? And not just to romantic partners, but to all the men in their lives! Husbands and boyfriends receive a special type of chocolate known as honmei-choco, or “true feelings chocolate” while male family members, friends, and colleges are given a giri-choco, an “obligatory chocolate.” One month later, on Mar. 14, also known as White Day, men in Japan return the favor and gift gyaku-choco, “reverse chocolates,” to women they received chocolate from on Valentine’s Day.

How did chocolate come to be associated with love, gift-giving, and Valentine’s Day? Well, the connection between chocolate and romance has roots in Mesoamerican history. The Mayans used cocoa-brewed beverages in marriage ceremonies. Later, the Aztec leader Montezuma II allegedly drank cups of chocolate because he believed it to be an aphrodisiac.

Although Valentine’s Day is linked to various Christian martyrs named Valentine, its connection to romantic love first appears in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem “Parlement of Foules” where he writes, “every bird cometh to choose his mate” on “Seynt Valentynes day.”

Photo by Budgeron Bach on Pexels.com

Fast forward to the 19th century. Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday in Europe and North America, but chocolate has not yet entered the picture. Chocolate was still considered a luxury item, and people consumed it by drinking it. Then, in 1861, British chocolate manufacturer Richard Cadbury invented eating chocolates as a more palatable way of consuming chocolate. He packaged these chocolates in heart-shaped boxes adorned with Cupids and roses. The boxes were a huge hit and became a symbol of love and gift-giving.

Now we travel to America to chocolate and candy maker Milton Hershey. In 1907, Hershey created his famous tear-drop chocolate “kisses,” which were named as such because of the kissing noise the chocolate made when it was produced. The association between chocolate and love became even stronger less than 20 years later in 1923 when chocolatier Russell Stover began to sell Valentine’s Day chocolates in heart-shaped boxes. One of his biggest sellers was the “Secret Heart Lace,” a chocolate box covered in satin and black lace.

For all you chocolate lovers out there, Falvey has plenty of books and articles about this tasty treat, from stories focused on chocolate to articles discussing its production and history to chocolate cookbooks. Check out some of these texts if you’re interested:

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
• The Chocolate Tree (A Mayan Folktale)
• Chocolate Chocolate Moons by Jackie Kingon
• The Little Chocolate Cookbook
• Beans to Chocolate by Sarah Ridley
• How is Chocolate Made? by Grace Hansen
• Chocolate and Health

Rebecca Amrick is a first year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Nothing Personal, James Baldwin wrote, “The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love—whether we call it friendship or family or romance—is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! Love isn’t simply a warm feeling. Love, whether it’s romantic or platonic, is something you work at every day. It’s not an passive state of being, but an action.

Whether it’s your partner, your sibling, or your best friend, if you love them, mirror and magnify their light. Be happy for their successes and cherish their joy. Remind them that they are special. And remember that you deserve the same.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, February 12

Overdose Reversal Training | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Andy Talley Athletic Center, Room 191 | Free & Open to Students, Faculty, & Staff

Introduction to Data Visualization | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, February 13

Intro to Python | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Excel for the Humanities | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, February 14

Scraping Data from the Web (into R) | 12-1 p.m. | Room 205 | Virtual Option | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Introduction to Citation Metrics and Research Impact | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Thursday, February 15

Text Analysis: Gale’s Digital Scholar Lab and Copyright | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 12-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

2024 Literary Fest Event: V. V. Ganeshananthan | 7 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public

Friday, February 16

Falvey Data Visualization Competition Awards Ceremony | 10-11 a.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Public

Sunday, February 18

Center for Speaking and Presentation/The Learners’ Studio | 3-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Valentine’s Day is coming up this Wednesday, Feb. 14, but here are some other holidays you could be celebrating this week:

Today, Feb. 12, marks the beginning of Love Data Week, a week dedicated to all things data. If you want to learn more about Love Data Week, check out our Love Data Week page under “Data Services”. If you want to participate in our Love Data events, check out our jam-packed events line-up this week.

If you want to celebrate the love you have for your closest friends, Galentine’s Day is tomorrow, Feb. 13. While NBC sitcom Parks and Rec popularized the idea of Galentine’s Day as a day for women to celebrate their cherished female friendships, it’s not just for women. It’s an opportunity to celebrate platonic love and friendship.

Photo by Josh Felise on Unsplash

Wednesday might be Valentine’s Day, but it’s also Library Lovers’ Day, a day for library appreciation. We might be a bit biased, but libraries are a vital pillars of our communities, whether here at Villanova or in your local community. They provide immense (and free) resources, from community safe spaces and quiet study areas to research guidance and educational programming. Not to mention the countless collections and databases that allow academia to flourish. If you want to celebrate both holidays, check out some of the romance books in our new Popular Reading Collection.

If you’re not sick of sweets by the end of the week, this Friday, Feb. 16, begins Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. If you want to enjoy a treat while also supporting a non-profit and local girls, buy some Girl Scout cookies this weekend.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

Happy Friday, Wildcats! Falvey Library is delivering you another semester of Weekend Recs, a blog dedicated to filling you in on what to read, listen to, and watch over the weekend. Annie, a graduate assistant from the Communication department, scours the internet, peruses the news, and digs through book stacks to find new, relevant, and thought-provoking content that will challenge you and prepare you for the upcoming week. 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, making it prime time for all things love and romance. Although I believe this is also a time to celebrate platonic and self love, romance typically takes the spotlight. In the spirit of the holiday, here are some romance recs to get you feeling festive.

If you have 5 minutes…and want your faith in humanity restored, read the latest “Tiny Love Stories” from New York Times.

If you have 15 minutes…and want some ideas for Galentine’s Day (or to learn more about Galentine’s), read this article. Galentine’s Day, observed Feb. 13, is all about platonic love and celebrating your friends (and despite the name, it’s not just for female friendships).

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

Bonus: if you have a Peacock subscription, you can watch the Parks and Recreation episode that popularized this holiday.

If you have 1 hour and 42 minutes…and love the classics, watch Casablanca, available to stream online through Falvey.

Bonus: if you want to watch a newer classic, watch Clueless, available to stream online through Falvey.

If you have 7 hours…and want to support Black romance authors during Black History Month, read You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi, available in our new Popular Reading Collection. While this romance novel (obviously) involves somewhat steamy romance, it also focuses on healing from the trauma of loss.

If you have 9 hours…and haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon, read Red, White & Royal Blue, also available in our new Popular Reading Collection.

Bonus: Yes, obviously if you’ve read the book, you should watch the film adaption of Red, White & Royal Blue, starring Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez. But if you want to watch another queer romance rife with similar angst (just the right amount), watch The Wedding Banquet, available in our DVD Collection.

If you need a date night idea for Valentine’s Day (or the rest of the week), check out Villanova Theatre’s latest production Crazy for You, a romantic musical set in the 1930s directed by Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. Tickets are available here. 

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

Happy Friday, Wildcats! Falvey Library is delivering you another semester of Weekend Recs, a blog dedicated to filling you in on what to read, listen to, and watch over the weekend. Annie, a graduate assistant from the Communication department, scours the internet, peruses the news, and digs through book stacks to find new, relevant, and thought-provoking content that will challenge you and prepare you for the upcoming week. 

What makes you feel loved? Maybe it’s when your partner gives you their devoted attention. Maybe it’s when your best friend sends you a considerate text. Maybe it’s when your parent fills your gas tank up when it’s running low. The things that make you feel the most loved might point to your love language, a concept introduced by Dr. Gary Chapman that has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon akin to MBTI types and astrology. The five love languages are: acts of service, physical touch, quality time, receiving gifts, and words of affirmation.

Love languages were originally theorized (and not empirically validated) in order to help couple’s better understand the needs of their partner, but they can apply to any type of relationship in your life. So, coming off the heels of a love-themed week, this weekend’s recs will focus on love languages.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

If you have 3 minutes…and haven’t heard of the potential 6th love language, watch this TikTok. It’s definitely an interesting contender.

If you have 7 minutes…and aren’t familiar with the 5 love languages and what they entail, read this Forbes Health article. This will give an explanation of each love language and some other key info.

If you have 10 minutes…and want more information on the love languages, including some criticisms, read this New York Times article.

If you have 20 minutes…and want to figure out what your love language is, take the quiz. The quiz will also rank your love languages, so you can gauge which might be most and least important to you. (For example, quality time is the most important to me, and receiving gifts the least important).

If you have 30 minutes…and enjoy some healthy skepticism in your life, watch this video essay on Youtube breaking down some of the biggest flaws in Dr. Chapman’s work (and manages to tie Shakespeare into it).

If you have 1 hour and 37 minutes…and want to watch something only tangentially related to love languages, watch 10 Things I Hate About You, available in Falvey’s DVD Collection. It is one of the only romance films that arguably manages to pull off the bet/dare trope (and also one of my favorite rom-coms of all time).

If you have 7 hours…and want to take a deeper dive into love languages, read Dr. Chapman’s book, also available through Inter-Library Loan.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and graduate assistant in Falvey Library.

By Anna Jankowski, Ethan Shea and Annie Stockmal

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Falvey’s Curious Cats (now including Graduate Assistant Annie Stockmal) asked some Falvey patrons what their ideal Valentine’s Day dates would be. Do you dream of romantic beach getaways or would you prefer a movie night? Let us know how you would respond in the comments below!

“Today is Taco Tuesday, so I’d definitely want to make homemade tacos.”

— Tara Chomienne ’25

“I’d say a day on the water. Maybe take a boat to an island and have a picnic.”

— Eleanor Buchanan ’26

“Mine is doing anything with my friends.”

— Lily Greer ’24

“Mine is the beach, pizza, sunset … Yeah, all of that.”

— Rachel Stanton ’24

“A nice dinner and maybe a movie after.”

— Connor O’Neill ’26 (Third from right)

“I would say just a nice dinner.”

— Charlotte Niedzielski ’26 (Second from right)

“Probably a Galentine’s Day party with charcuterie and chocolate.”

— Molly Pawlik ’26 (Right)

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Senior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde wrote, “You are a wonderful creation. You know more than you think you know, just as you know less than you want to know.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! This week is all about spreading love and kindness, and thus, I thought it was fitting to choose a quote that could help do just that, whether you use it as a positive affirmation for yourself or a different perspective in understanding the people around you.

My message: You are all wonderful. When we get wrapped up in our busy, stressful worlds, we sometimes lose perspective of just how far we’ve come, how much we’ve accomplished or overcome, and just how much we’ve grown (and will, hopefully, continue to grow). Take a minute to bask in the wonder of living, even if it sometimes (a lot of the time) isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, February 13

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, February 14

Love Data Week 2023: Falling in Love with Data | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, February 15

Love Data Week 2023: Present Real-Time Analytics with ARCGIS Dashboards | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Thursday, February 16

Love Data Week 2023: Introduction to Data Visualization | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Friday, February 17

Villanova Gaming Society Meeting | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Public

Sunday, February 19

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

As you likely know, Valentine’s Day is this Tuesday, Feb. 14, but here are some other holidays worth celebrating this week:

Photo by Ditto Bowo on Unsplash

Not feeling in the Valentine’s spirit? Today, Feb. 13, is Self-Love Day, a day for you to practice self-love and by extension, self-care. Take some time for yourself today, whether you read a book, do a face-mask, or go for a walk. And, if you want to celebrate the platonic relationships in your life, today is also Galentine’s Day, a day (made popular by Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec), dedicated to celebrating female friendships (although, I think friendships of any gender will suffice).

In addition to Valentine’s Day, International Book Giving Day is also celebrated this Tuesday, Feb. 14. Now, I’m not knocking flowers and chocolate, but what’s more in the spirit of Valentine’s Day than sharing a book with someone? Whether it’s your favorite book, a book that you never got around to reading, or a brand new book (if you’re feeling fancy), gift a book.

Friday, Feb. 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day. If you’re in the giving mood, try to do something kind for someone else. Whether you pay it forward in a drive-thru, write a positive note for someone struggling, or even holding the door open for someone who needs it, you can make a small but meaningful difference in someone’s life today.

Sunday, Feb. 19, is National Chocolate Mint Day, a day to celebrate this surprisingly somewhat controversial flavor combination. If you’re one of the supporters, celebrate with some mint chocolate treats. The options are plentiful: mint chocolate chip ice cream, York Peppermint Patties, Thin Mints, or some peppermint hot cocoa.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and graduate assistant in Falvey Library. 

By Ethan Shea

Image courtesy of National Geographic

It’s that time of year when everyone searches for creative ways to express their feelings for each other. You may choose to buy chocolates, write a poem, or send flowers, but maybe you could learn a thing or two about romance from the animal kingdom.

As humans, we’re inclined to believe our methods of courtship are more sophisticated than our avian and marine cohabitants, but I think our mating rituals are outshined pretty often. If you don’t agree, check out how the following animals express their love for one another and think about the last time someone put that much effort into an attempt to win your affection.

To kick things off, the Magnificent Riflebird certainly lives up to its name. This feathered fellow is known for its dancing skills in the animal world. The male Riflebird will reveal his sparkling blue throat feathers then proceed to rapidly shake his head from side to side to impress a potential mate. You can check out an example of such a performance here. Personally, I think the Riflebird’s mating ritual is a much better idea than putting on a flashy outfit then hitting the dance floor. I’ve heard one has a markedly higher success rate than the other.

Image courtesy of PBS

The male White-Spotted Pufferfish has an equally elaborate strategy to attract mates. This hardworking fish works tirelessly, 24 hours a day for an entire week, to create a form of undersea crop circle. He uses his flippers to create patterns in the sand and even adorns his creation with shells. You can watch the artist himself at work here. If you’ve ever painted or sketched something for a potential partner, just know the White-Spotted Pufferfish has forever raised the bar for all of us romantic artists.

Remaining in the underwater world for the moment, certain species of Anglerfish have a courtship routine we should treat as an example of what not to do. When it’s time to mate, the male Anglerfish will attach himself to the female and cling to her like a parasite. Eventually his body withers away and he survives only from nutrients he receives from her blood. Talk about a toxic relationship with a clingy boyfriend! To see what such a couple looks like, click here.

If you love learning about the natural world as much as I do, you’re in luck because several episodes of Planet Earth are available to stream on Falvey Library’s website. Here, you can learn about everything from wildlife to the formation of the planet itself.

I hope these mating rituals inspire you to put some extra effort into your Valentine’s Day plans this year! Just remember, you shouldn’t be too clingy, but don’t be afraid to learn an extravagant dance routine to impress your crush!

Ethan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library.

By Jenna Renaud

Happy Friday, Wildcats! After a year off, Falvey Memorial Library is bringing back Weekend Recs, a blog dedicated to filling you in on what to read, listen to, and watch over the weekend. Jenna, a graduate assistant from the Communication department, scours the internet, peruses the news, and digs through book stacks to find new, relevant, and thought-provoking content that will challenge you and prepare you for the upcoming week.

Valentine’s Day is here and whether you’re celebrating this year with your friends, family, or a significant other, we have a variety of weekend recs to make the holiday special! This week we cover everything from diving into the archives to fine dining and theatre. Check it out below, whether you have 2 minutes or an entire evening.

If you have 2 minutes… read Anna Jankowski’s TBT this week, where she dove into the digital library and found Valentine’s Day themed content.

If you have an evening… visit The Refectory for dinner and drinks. They have a special Valentine’s Day menu this Friday, Saturday, and Monday, so make your reservation today! The perfect date night option without having to venture too far from campus.

If you have a sweet tooth & a couple hours… make one of these 57 Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes from Brit + Co. If you do, make sure you tag Falvey so we can see your creations!

If you have 1 hour and 37 minutes… get together with your Galentines and watch the coming-of-age 90s classic comedy, Clueless, currently available on HBO Max. Check out this list of the 30 Best Galentine’s Day Movies for You and Your Bestie to Enjoy for more movie recs.

If you have 2 hours… go on a date to the theatre – the Villanova Theatre. This week marks opening weekend of Villanova Theatre’s newest show, The Revolutionists. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Jenna Renaud is a Graduate Assistant in Falvey Memorial Library and a Graduate Student in the Communication Department.

By Anna Jankowski

In preparation for Valentine’s Day, this week’s TBT focuses on this quirky miscellaneous satirical dime novel. The art of kissing: curiously, historically, humorously, poetically considered was published and sold in 1902. The 120-year-old book is still relevant today as it is “Dedicated to all who love”. Check out this cheeky resource available online through Falvey’s Digital collection!

Below are some additional photos captured of students sharing some smooches in the 1969 Belle Air Yearbook!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins. Photo credited to New Line Cinema/WingNut Films.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Wildcats! Instead of swooning over the classic literary romances, this blog celebrates the other relationship we rely on—friendship. Commemorating confidants, Falvey Memorial Library staff shared their favorite novel(s) that spotlight friendship. So, find a comfy spot, grab some coffee (and chocolate), and check out one (or a few) of the recommendations below!

David Burke, Metadata Librarian: “The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien celebrates the friendship between Sam and Frodo.”

Sarah Wingo, Liaison Librarian for English Lit, Theatre, & Romance Languages: “Sam’s friendship to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy is for me one of the most beautiful friendships in literature. One of the only things I was annoyed with in the movies is Sam abandoning Frodo on the steps of Cirith Ungol, because Sam WOULD NEVER! They get separated in the books, but Sam does not leave Frodo.”

Jeannine Ahern, Finance/Administration Specialist: “I really enjoyed Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.”

Roberta Pierce, Access & Collections Coordinator: “Firefly Lane—The Netflix adaption is really good.”

Regina Duffy, Communication and Marketing Program Manager: “Becoming by Michelle Obama. I thought it was a really compelling memoir. Michelle talks a lot about the importance of being able to lean on friends in tough times and making sure to keep space for them in her life, even when she thought she was too busy. Being that person of support for your friends is important as well.”

Luisa Cywinski, Director of Access Services: “I’d like to recommend The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The complicated friendship between exploited Black maids and a privileged White woman came across as honest and didn’t lead to a ‘happy ending,’ but instead highlighted the importance of talking about and exposing racism.”

Darren Poley, Associate Director of Research Services: “True Friendship: Where Virtue Become Happiness by John Cuddeback; Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship by Colin Duriez; Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh; The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos; The Song of Ronald by an unknown author, translated by Dorothy L. Sayers; The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle; The Adventures of Tintin by Georges Remi; Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen; and The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel by Robert Alter.”

Linda Hauck, Business Librarian: “The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes and The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer.”

Joanne Quinn, Director of Communication and Marketing: “Life is good!: Lessons in Joyful Living written by Trixie Koontz. Donna Chadderton sat in the desk next to mine for years when we both worked in Access Services. We talked about interlibrary loan and how much we hated troubleshooting the public computers. But most of all, we traded stories about our golden retrievers. At the time, our family had Duffy, and she and Ron, Professor Emeritus in Villanova’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, had Buddy. When Duffy passed away, she gave me a beautiful little gift book entitled Life is good!: Lessons in Joyful Living written by Trixie Koontz (a golden herself, owned by author Dean Koontz—who I suspect also may have had a hand in writing the book). The book was a treasured token of our friendship, and since Donna retired, I often think of her great dog training advice, her devotion to the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR), and the many, many conversations we had about our fluffy BFFs.”

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library.