Blog Post
"Gonzo" on "Gonzo"
by Maxine
If you're familiar with the writings of journalist Hunter S. Thompson, you'll want to see "Gonzo", a new documentary film by Alex Gibney. Coincidentally, today is Thompson's birthday. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1937. He was known as a troublemaker in high school and arrested for robbery and vandalism. After time in the Air Force, he was asked to write an article about the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang which when expanded became his first book. He went on to describe his hallucinogenic experiences in Las Vegas (both drug and city induced) in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He also wrote articles for Rolling Stone Magazine, most of which were scathing portraits of American political figures. No one, Republican or Democrat, could escape his poison pen. Known for his irreverence and ego-centered approach to journalism, i.e., having no fear of inserting his own opinion, Thompson became increasingly disenchanted with American politics and culture and basically dropped out of public view for the last twenty years of his life. He committed suicide in 2005.
Blog Post
Sancho's Scene: Community Events that Wander off the Path
by Sancho Panza
Sadly, this is Sancho’s last blog (he is going to graduate school to study quixotic literature and eating big lunches and taking afternoon naps). Happily, there’s a great event coming up at Motte and Bailey Booksellers on 4th Ave. in Kerrytown next Tuesday. M&B will be hosting Dr. Jackie LaRose of Eastern Michigan University’s Teacher Education Department to talk about great books for teens. Fodder for parents and teens alike! See you there!
Blog Post
He cooks, but does he read?
by muffy
You know who I am talking about, don't you? He's been sighted feasting at a picnic table at Zingerman's, rubbing shoulders with Michael Moore at the Traverse City Film Festival, and never without his signature orange crocs.
That's right - celebrity chef Mario Batali - that's who - who, bless his heart, has made Northern Michigan his summer home for many years, and had the good sense to marry a Michigan grad. On top of that, he READS!. Here is a list of Mario's Summer Reads. (Frankly, I am impressed!)
Speaking of the Michigan connection - you will also see a list of Ruth Reichl's Summer Reads, cookbooks she is cooking from, and her audio books of choice.
BTW - Madonna's movie, I Am Because We Are is a new documentary that she wrote, produced, and narrates. It will be shown as part of the fourth annual Traverse City Film Festival on August 2, at 8:00 p.m. at the State Theatre. Madonna will introduce the film (we'd been told).
Blog Post
Kay Ryan is 16th U.S. Poet Laureate
by sernabad
For a self-described ”modern hermit”, Kay Ryan has a lot to learn about keeping a low profile. Tomorrow, she will be named the 16th U.S. Poet Laureate by the Library of Congress.
Ms. Ryan, whose most recent book of poetry, The Niagara River, was published in 2005, has won four Pushcart Prizes, the prestigious Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize (2004), and received a fellowship from The National Endowment for the Arts.
Ms. Ryan, 62, who has been compared to Emily Dickinson, is a huge library fan. When she saw the message to call the Library of Congress this week, Ms. Ryan said, “I can’t have that many overdue books.” She plans to use her new visibility to put libraries front and center in the national arena.
Blog Post
Summer Reading for the Food Obsessed
by darla
I'm not much of a "foodie" but I do love to travel and was intrigued by the title Around the world in 80 dinners : the ultimate culinary adventure 50,000 Miles, 10 Countries, 800 Dishes, and 1 Rogue Monkey. In 2005 culinary experts Cheryl and Bill Jamison, known for award winning titles like The big book of outdoor cooking and entertaining, used their giant stash of frequent flier miles to head off on a three month vacation around the globe in search of food and adventure. In March they published this book, offering readers the chance to live vicariously through their journeys in Bali, Australia, New Caledonia, Singapore, Thailand, India, China, South Africa, France and Brazil. This is not a cookbook, although they do provide authentic recipes from their destinations, as well as travel information about hotels, restaurants and points of interest (like the National Elephant Institute in Lampang, Thailand). If you're looking for a literary masterpiece, this is not the book for you - due mainly to the quirky flip-flopping between first and third person narrative. However, if you seek some light, insightful and humorous reading, filled with enthusiasm for food and travel, this will make a great choice for summer.
Blog Post
Slam
by jaegerla
Nick Hornby has done it again: he has written a relatable and engaging book that gives a peek into the realities of the average mind. A fun read for anyone looking for a shorter book to check out, Slam is carried at each of our locations. The library carries Hornby's other works as well, including High Fidelity, A Long Way Down, and How To Be Good.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - Tigers and Pancakes
by ryanikoglu
Storytime at Malletts Creek and Pittsfield Branches featured Tigers and Pancakes this week.
The original story of "Sam and The Tigers" was written by Helen Bannerman in 1899. By the mid-1900s the story and illustrations were viewed as racist. In early 2000 this story was re-published and newly illustrated in three significant versions.
The Story Of Little Black Sambo
The Story Of Little Babaji
Sam And The Tigers.
Fix pancakes for supper (with cinnamon tiger stripes).
Don't forget the tiger butter!
Blog Post
Enough Crying, It's Summer
by Caser
Tired of all those gut-wrenching, weepy tales of loss and sacrifice from Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, and other emo-mongers? Looking for a fun summertime read instead? Then jump on the Benzini Brothers' traveling circus train with 23 year old Cornell vet school dropout Jacob Jankowski and the amazing menagerie of creatures and freaks that he brawls and befriends in Sara Gruen's novel, Water for Elephants. This novel is a splendid book club selection because the AADL owns copies of the book club to go! We also own single copies of the book and copies of the audio book.
Blog Post
A sad but ultimately triumphant novel
by Maxine
British novelist Sadie Jones has won me over with her first novel, The Outcast. In an uptight, status conscious suburb of London in the 1950's, Lewis's father, Gilbert, returns from war. Already cold and unapproachable, he withdraws all affection from Lewis after the tragic death of his wife from drowning while at the river with Lewis. Suffering from the trauma of her death as well as the emotional abandonment of his father, Lewis expresses his pent up anger in a violent act that lands him in prison. On his return, two years later, his only solace is in the fickle attentions of beautiful Tasmin and the sincere love of her younger sister, Kit, both daughters of an abusive father. Lewis's guilt and anger consume him until, in a dramatic act of redemption, he proves himself the loving and compassionate person he truly is. Disturbing and gripping, The Outcast will hold you till the final page.
Blog Post
Estate Planning
by cecile
Have you been thinking about getting your affairs in order? It is a necessary but daunting task. A recent survey estimates that upwards of 60% of Americans do not have a will. If you keel over without a will or a living trust, probate court makes all the decisions. That means a big, sad mess for your surviving loved ones.
Kiplinger’s Estate Planning by John Ventura is an easy and painless (almost) way to begin. It is well organized and uses language we can all understand. It takes you through finding a good estate planning attorney, a worksheet for inventorying your assets and liabilities, explains trusts, taxes and the probate process.
It even explains how to minimize the potential for estate disputes because sometimes the nicest people get ugly when money is involved.