Blog Post
Stories from Inside Iran
by emilyas
In Weekend Edition earlier this month, NPR interviewed the author of the new book, "Prisoner of Tehran : a Memoir." The author, Marina Nemat, talks about how she was almost executed in Iran, but was saved by a man who required her to marry him and convert to Islam. Listen to the NPR interview and check out the book here at the library.
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction First #68
by muffy
Set in a contemporary Dublin suburb, the first of a projected series, In the Woods* by Tana French is an “engrossing if melancholy” police procedural.
Young Katy Devlin's battered body has been found in the woods where an archaeological dig is in progress, the same woods, where 20 years ago three children went missing. The criminal investigation named "Operation Vestal" is led by Detectives Cassie Maddox and Adam Ryan. Unbeknownst to everyone including the police (except for Cassie), Adam is the only survivor from the earlier case.
When chilling similarities between the Devlin murder and Ryan’s flashes of recollection surface during the investigation, and the relationship between the partners becomes more complicated, we are treated to a psychological thriller with a breathtaking climax and a satisfying conclusion.
Readers of Harlan Coben's latest The Woods would find the storyline uncannily similar. You think they talked?
* = Starred Reviews, "An outstanding debut" ~Booklist
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #67
by muffy
Critics are calling Rebecca Stott’s academic thriller Ghostwalk* “hypnotic”, “intelligent”, and “stunning”, (where) “Isaac Newton joins Dracula and Leonardo da Vinci”. Curious? I was.
Elizabeth Vogelsang, a Cambridge University scholar at work on a potentially controversial biography of Isaac Newton is found drowned and clutching a prism in her hand (a clue?). Lydia Brooke, a successful screenwriter is asked by Cameron Brown, her former lover and Elizabeth’s son to ghostwrite the last chapter of Elizabeth’s manuscript.
Lydia soon finds that Elizabeth’s cottage might be haunted and she is drawn into solving two series of murders centuries apart, both connected to 17th Century alchemy and present-day animal rights.
This well-researched and intricately crafted debut novel by British historian Stott (bio.) is a clever whodunit that entertains and instructs - of such varied subjects as optics, neuroscience, and animal testing. More interesting trivia on 17th Century Cambridge could be found on her website.
* = Starred Reviews
Blog Post
How do you spell "misspell?"
by Maxine
Believe it or not, the word "misspell" is one of the 100 most commonly misspelled words. Try your luck with many more challenging words as you watch the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals. You know the spelling bee has made it big when it's broadcast on ESPN. The finals are happening today and tomorrow in Washington, D.C. Newspapers around the country send up to 250 young people who with sweat beaded lips and heads that barely reach the microphone compete. If you can't make it to the competition, you can do the next best thing and watch Spellbound, an engaging movie that puts a human face on the "bee" culture. Also, to find out everything you ever wanted to know about spelling, check out the Library's resources.
Blog Post
Bellies, Babies and Breathing
by lola
Spend the morning pampering yourself on Saturday, June 9 from 10 AM-12 PM in the Downtown Library Multipurpose Room. Relax your aching back to the tranquil sounds of nature, and the refreshing smell of lavender.
Keleigh Lee of Belly Beautiful Henna will create simple henna designs on beautiful pregnant bellies.
Jen Fife-Adams and Stephanie Schaldenbrand will also be here from Lamaze to discuss childbirth tips and exercises, while giving soothing hand massages. Plus, find out what the library can do for you once your baby comes to the world. See about baby playgroups and peruse our parenting collection.
Blog Post
Theodore Was Here
by Debbie G.
100 years ago this week, Teddy Roosevelt, the 2nd greatest president of the 20th century (after his cousin Franklin) addressed the Michigan Legislature. The Michigan Library and Historical Center will commemorate President Roosevelt’s visit with a 2-day tribute that includes an address by H.W. Brands, author of T.R.: The Last Romantic, a reenactment of the speech in the Michigan Senate chambers and a special appearance by the President’s great-grandson, Tweed Roosevelt. Other recommended books on Teddy are The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and River of Doubt by Candace Millard.
Blog Post
Mississippi journey
by Maxine
Mary Morris, author of another travel journal, Nothing to Declare takes a different kind of journey in The River Queen. The Mississippi River is her trail and a fixed up junker which she names the River Queen is her boat. With two eccentric but skilled boatman, Tom and Jerry, Morris makes the trip in tribute to her father, recently deceased, who grew up along the river in Illinois. Morris includes facts about the river and the personalities she encounters. She tries to come to terms with the difficult father she knew by visiting the run down towns and hot tourist spots he frequented. A good story for women who may be facing a similar passage as well as anyone who is fascinated by the lure of the great river.
Blog Post
Doggy Love
by anonymous
John Grogan adapted his New York Times best-selling memoir Marley & Me for a younger audience in two books released in May. Bad Dog, Marley!, intended for ages 3-7, is a picture book that illustrates how mischievous, and yet how irrefutably indispensable, a young pup can be. Marley: A Dog Like No Other, meant for ages 8-12, is a “kid friendly” version of Marley & Me. Grogan is also in the digital world with a website devoted to Marley and our other four-legged friends. On the site, learn more about Grogan, peruse his blog, and read other doggy stories!
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #66
by muffy
If you love adventures, steamy romance, political intrigues, religious passion, a bit of history painted in vivid colors, or simply a good story well told, you wouldn’t want to miss Tim Willock’s The Religion*.
First of a planned trilogy, it is set against the backdrop of the 1565 Great Siege of Malta. Roguish and disarmingly handsome Mattias Tannhauser, kidnapped by Muslim raiders as a child and trained as a holy warrior is now a soldier of fortune. What he does not bargain for is the charming Contessa Carla La Penautier to complicate his wild and boozy ways.
On the eve of the Turkish blockage of the island - the last strong hold of The Knight of St. John (a.k.a. The Religion), Carla agrees to marry Tannhauser (thus making him a Lord) if he would travel to Malta with her to rescue her son abandoned at birth. With the largest ever Ottoman armada on their tail and a vicious battle imminent, their quest is made even more overwhelming when the Pope’s brutal inquisitor with a secret agenda is working against them.
The story moves at a break-necked pace with non-stop action, without sacrificing good character development, historical details and a complex plot. Remarkable. Sure to become this summer’s blockbuster.
* = Starred Reviews
Blog Post
Be careful what you wish for
by joy k
xxxHolic by CLAMP, the all-female manga artist group, is the story of Watanuki Kimihiro, a high school student who has always been able to see spirits. When spirits chase him into the shop of a mysterious witch, Yuuko, she offers to grant his wish to never see spirits again. There's just one catch: Watanuki has to work in Yuuko's shop until he pays off the price of his wish.
CLAMP likes to include many crossovers between its series, and xxxHolic is no exception. The first volume of xxxHolic features a major crossover with Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, vol. 1; you don't have to read both for the story to make sense, but it's certainly more fun if you do. (Props to the first person who identifies the other crossover in xxxHolic, vol. 1 in the comments!) If you're a fan of either series, or just of anime and manga in general, be sure to come to the June 5 meeting of the teen Animanga Club: we're going to be screening episodes of the brand new Tsubasa anime.