Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by patron reviewer
I re-read “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole as part of my Adult Summer Reading Program checklist (re-read a book you loved). It was a favorite among my friends in college, and re-reading confirmed why we loved it. It’s absolutely brilliant — laugh out loud hilarious, magnificent in its detail, timeless in its character portrayals and so good that you just don’t want to put it down. Not a word in the book is wasted. Ignatius Reilly is one of the all-time great characters in fiction. The tragedy, of course, is that John Kennedy Toole committed suicide never knowing that his manuscript — and now classic work of fiction — would be published.
Three words that describe this book: Hilarious, Brilliant, Timeless
You might want to pick this book up if: You want to laugh, and you appreciate clever writing.
Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Decimal Diver
Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.
“Unrest” Website / Reviews
Journalist Jennifer Brea documents her struggle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. After spiking a 105 degree fever shortly after being accepted to a PhD program at Harvard, Brea manifested a mysterious cluster of symptoms, including extreme weakness, fatigue, full-body pain and mental confusion. After being dismissed by doctors, she discovered a community of patients similarly struggling with the mysterious disorder.
“Black Panther” Website / Reviews
Based on the Marvel Comics series, this film follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.
“Little Women” Website / Reviews
Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, this three-part adaptation was originally shown on PBS. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the story follows sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March on their journey from childhood to adulthood. With the help of their mother, Marmee, and while their father is away at war, the girls navigate what it means to be a young woman: from sibling rivalry and first love, to loss and marriage.
Summer is a great time to discover new authors. Here are some of the titles by debut authors that hit the shelves in June. For more, please visit our catalog.
Based on a true story of scandal and betrayal in the art world of 1797s London.
Ann Jemima Provis and her father offer American artist Benjamin West a long coveted secret—the formula for master painter Titian’s famous coloring—which they claim to have uncovered in an ancient manuscript. A beautiful young woman and herself a talented painter, Ann demonstrates the technique for Benjamin, drawing him and the Royal Academy of Arts, of which he is president, deep into scandal and fraud.
A disease that solidifies the blood has sparked an epidemic of vampirism that begins in the United States and then sweeps across the world. Those who survive the virus are left with an increased lifespan in exchange for a diet of fresh blood. They are called “Gloamings,” and soon people begin to clamor for rebirth as one of the elite, despite the risk of death if their bodies can’t handle the disease.
What follows is a drastic shift in society and the emergence of a Gloaming Crimes Unit, an anti-Gloaming sect, and the first Gloaming candidate for senator all of which are building up to a bloody vampire revolt.
Summer is the season of travel and adventure. The kids are out of school, adults have vacation time to use and the great wide world is calling. Would-be adventurers imagine exotic trips with fascinating companions, but in reality the joy of travel is usually tempered by a host of unpleasant logistics. This is why the best travel experiences are often those found in books about other peoples.
For hardy souls who believe the only true adventure includes a physical challenge, start with “Shark Drunk: The Art of Catching a Large Shark From a Tiny Rubber Dinghy in a Big Ocean,” by Morten Strøksnes. Norwegian journalist Strøksnes makes a pact with a friend to try to catch the elusive Greenland shark, a creature that can grow to 24 feet long and may live to be 500 years old. Their quest brings a myriad of challenges, including procuring a rotting bull corpse for bait and rigging a rubber boat for an oversize catch — all while they ponder life and death and the nature of myth. Continue reading “Literary Links: The Armchair Adventure”
Growing up, I didn’t go to summer camp. Most days, my mom simply sent us kids outside to play. I spent many hours at hopscotch and jump rope with neighborhood kids who also had been turned out of their homes for a few hours. I was vaguely aware of a place called summer camp. It seemed to me something like Camelot, a land of adventure and merriment in a faraway time and place.
As an adult, I think the idea of summer camp sounds pretty fun and wonder why it should be an experience only for kids. Who’s with me? I see lots of hands going up out there. Whether you find yourself longing to recreate the wonder of your own childhood summer camp memories, or aching to fill a hole in your life that was caused by camp deprivation, your library is here to help. Continue reading “Adult Summer Camp: Design Your Own Adventure”
Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2018 by patron reviewer
“Carnegie’s Maid” is the story of Clara Kelley, an Irish immigrant, who takes on the role of another Clara Kelley who died on her voyage to America, and who becomes the personal lady’s maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. She uses her wits to not only excel in her new role, but also to learn the inner workings of the Philadelphia business society. Along the way, she falls in love with the iron magnate himself, and convinces him to use his wealth to make the world a better place for all.
This was a good story, if a little spare in places. We are told repeatedly that Clara is educated, bright and resourceful; unfortunately, her actions in the story don’t necessarily show us those traits. This leaves the readers feeling as if they need more to make the story feel complete. This is an interesting look into the lives of servants to the American nouveau riche, and while not a life-changing testament to the power of philanthropy, still a worthy summer read.
Three words that describe this book: interesting, entertaining, historical
You might want to pick this book up if: You’re a Downton Abbey fan or are interested in the stories of servants to the wealthy and famous.
In 1870 Congress passed a law making Independence Day (that’s July 4, in case you weren’t sure) a federal holiday. Since then many of us get that day off and spend it eating grilled meats, watching fireworks and enjoying activities associated with summer. While there is a nebulous love of country in the air (stars and stripes tank top anyone?), the original intent of the holiday often isn’t the focus. The holiday was declared to commemorate the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopting the Declaration of Independence and announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. But a history lesson doesn’t really say “summer fun.”
Fortunately both summer fun and colonial history are available in a very American medium — comics. I spent much of my youthful summers reading comics — regularly biking in the heat to spend my lawn mowing money at the comics shop — and I don’t think I’m alone in that experience. Now you can enjoy the thrill of comics and immerse yourself in our nation’s early history with the series “Rebels” by Brian Wood. The series takes a period of history very familiar to most of us from grade school and creates a fresh take in both the form it’s presented and from the perspectives the stories are told.Continue reading “Independence Day Read: “Rebels””
Here is a quick look at the most noteworthy nonfiction titles being released this June. Visit our catalog for a more extensive list.
TOP PICKS
In “Jell-o Girls” by Allie Rowbottom, a descendant of the Jell-O dynasty traces the privilege, addiction and illness that has impacted generations of her family, tracing her late mother’s obsessive research into a link between their family’s lifestyle and poor health. Part memoir, part family history, this title presents an enthralling examination of the dark side of an iconic American product. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup – July 2018”
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 by Decimal Diver
Writers face many struggles in their chosen craft. How do they get inspiration and explore their chosen subjects? How do they portray themselves to get an audience? Check out these documentaries about writers.
Acclaimed food writer Jonathan Gold sets off on a journey to explore the panoply of regional cuisines and trademark dishes to be found within the vast urban sprawl of Los Angeles. With eternal curiosity, razor-sharp intellect, and existential longing, Gold is a culinary geographer taking us where no critic has gone before. Continue reading “The Write Stuff: Docs About Authors”
I’m excited to share these LibraryReads with you so you can start your summer off right! There’s a great variety, including thrillers, romances and mysteries. We even get a new book from the ever-popular Fredrik Backman! Take a peek at these newly-published librarian favorites:
I re-read “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole as part of my Adult Summer Reading Program checklist (re-read a book you loved). It was a favorite among my friends in college, and re-reading confirmed why we loved it. It’s absolutely brilliant — laugh out loud hilarious, magnificent in its detail, timeless in its character portrayals and so good that you just don’t want to put it down. Not a word in the book is wasted. Ignatius Reilly is one of the all-time great characters in fiction. The tragedy, of course, is that John Kennedy Toole committed suicide never knowing that his manuscript — and now classic work of fiction — would be published.
