Blog Post
Mysteries from around the World
by Robb
I've always wanted to travel the world. Fortunately I can at least travel with a good mystery from the comfort of my home. Click here for a partial list of some of these great reads. I've always enjoyed the Inspector Ghote series from India written by the prolific H.R.F.Keating. It's fun to read about the good Inspectors run in with the bureaucracy of his world. A much darker series but also outstanding are books set in Sweden written by the masterful Henning Mankell.
Blog Post
Amazon.com’s Teen Top Sellers
by jillean
It is quite a diverse list this week. SAT test preparation…check! Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance books…check! By the way, what did you think of Eragon the movie? Also, we’ve got more tales from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and wonderful classics like Things Fall Apart and 1984. Oh, and I would say more about Fast Food Nation but my pizza just arrived. Good luck with classes!
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) by Christopher Paolini
The Elements of Style by William Strunk
The Official SAT Study Guide
Things Fall Apart: A Novel by Chinua Achebe
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
How to Go to College Almost for Free by Ben Kaplan
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
1984 by George Orwell
Blog Post
Slow-burning Drama for Cold Week
by Eartoground
Sex, religion, and passion enliven The End of California by Steve Yarbrough, this week’s fiction pick at DearReader.com. In this domestic portrait of small-town life in Loring, Mississippi, the author examines the intersecting lives of two family guys with really complicated lives. To quote Publishers Weekly: “Yarbrough gives each character in his slow-burning drama the complex emotional scars of broken marriage and, more importantly, the space and voice with which to explore them.” If you're not sure yet, why not sign up for daily e-mail chunks to be sent to you from DearReader.com. Yarbrough was a PEN/Faulkner finalist for his acclaimed previous novel Prisoners of War set in the same town during World War II.
Blog Post
Anime books and magazines
by joy k
The library doesn’t just have great anime tv series and films in its dvd collection; it also has books about anime in our nonfiction collection. I especially like Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation by Susan J. Napier and The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation since 1917 by Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy.
And if you want the very latest news on anime, take a look at Newtype USA magazine, which is available at all library branches.
Blog Post
Ann Arbor's African American Community to be Discussed
by ulrich
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, local authors Carol Gibson and Lola Jones will be presenting an introduction to the history of the African American community in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County at the Sunday, January 14 session of 'Sunday Edition' at the Downtown Library at 2:00 pm. Their presentation will be based on their new book Another Ann Arbor, a photographic survey of the history and contributions of African Americans. The program will include a selection of the images from the book. Additional information about the local African American community can be found at the Another Ann Arbor web site. The 'Sunday Edition Program' is free and open to all.
Blog Post
"The fog comes on...."
by Maxine
January 6 is the birthday of poet, journalist, children's writer and biographer, Carl Sandburg. Born to Swedish immigrants in 1878 in a three room shack in Galeburg, Illinois, Sandburg was the quintessential Midwesterner. He stayed in the heartland, writing about his beloved Lincoln, the slaughter houses of Chicago and the whimsical characters of his Rootabaga Stories. Sandburg wrote what he knew from personal experience having dropped out of school in eighth grade, taken on odd jobs and traveled with hobos and tramps across the country.
Who can forget his wonderfully gravelly voice, shock of white hair and his image of fog in a poem of the same name:
"The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on."
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #46
by muffy
Starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, “this brilliant debut is a must read”.
Set in Chicago, The Blade Itself opens with a botched pawnshop robbery that would send young Evan to prison while Danny, his partner and childhood friend walks away and builds himself a respectable life. Seven years later, Evan is out and looking for payback. In an attempt to outwit Evan without succumbing to his past life, Danny devises a kidnap/ransom scheme that would bring on escalating collateral damage.
First time novelist Marcus Sakey sustains the almost unbearable tension throughout, right from the thrilling opening; and convincingly portrays the bonds and vulnerability of friendship. For reader of crime fiction and fans of Lee Child, George Pelecanos, and T. Jefferson Parker.
Born in Flint, Michigan and a former student at the University of Michigan, Marcus Sakey lives in Chicago with his wife and is now working on his second novel. He will be reading and signing in Ann Arbor at Aunt Agatha’s, 1:30 p.m. on January 20th, 2007.
Blog Post
The Most Magnificent Mosque by Ann Jungman
by Tahira
The Most Magnificent Mosque celebrates the beauty of Cordoba’s Great Mosque and the cooperation of three clever boys of different faiths.
Blog Post
Michigan Notable Books 2007
by Van
The Library of Michigan's annual selection (annotations are from the Library of Michigan list):
Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke by Dean Kuipers. Bloomsbury.
This detailed and readable account describes the 2001 tragedy on Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm's farm in Vandalia, a rural Cass County town. Crosslin founded Rainbow Farm in 1993 as a shelter for marijuana smokers, libertarians, disconnected gays and lovers of live music. Local authorities charged Crosslin and Rohm with growing marijuana, used social services to remove Rohm's son from the farm, and began taking the necessary steps to confiscate the property. Kuipers provides an account of the incident and argues that maximum force is not always morally justified when dealing with the emotional issues surrounding the War on Drugs.
Death's Door: The Truth Behind Michigan's Largest Mass Murder by Steve Lehto. Momentum Books.
This book explores the enduring mystery and drama surrounding the 1913 Christmas Eve tragedy at Italian Hall in Calumet. After a still-unidentified man falsely cried, "Fire," more than 70 people, many of them children, were crushed to death in the stairwell amidst the panicked crush to flee the building. The author expertly analyzes the objectivity of the local newspaper coverage, the coroner's inquest, and the mystery surrounding the doors (did they open inward or outward?), and reaches several thought-provoking, startling, and controversial conclusions.
Donutheart by Sue Stauffacher. Alfred A. Knopf.
In this young adult sequel to Donuthead set in fictional central and west Michigan, Franklin is still obsessive but begins to gain a heart for others. His good friend Sarah needs help, but will not tell Franklin what is going on. Will Franklin take action and help Sarah? An enthralling tale of two youngsters who each learn to make their own decisions and deal in very individual ways with a puzzling grownup world. The story is a beautiful mixture of funny and original characters, intermingled with the frustrating issues of growing up.
Fresh Water: Women Writing on the Great Lakes edited by Alison Swan. Michigan State University Press.
The lilting, poetic language of these essays brings to life the sights, smells and sounds of Michigan's best-known resource. As they reveal stories of childhood and family, of nature and history, these distinguished writers provide insight into everyday Michigan, and both the gifts and perils along Michigan's shores and in their own lives.
Guilty at the Rapture by Keith Taylor. Hanging Loose Press.
Heart-touching poetry and prose, filled with clear insight and humor, combine to tell stories of the human condition. The Ann Arbor poet draws from memories of a life well lived, rich in sensory details and filled with vivid emotion.
The History of Michigan Law edited by Paul Finkelman and Martin J. Hershock. Ohio University Press.
This collection of essays by members of the legal community and academia traces the evolution of Michigan law, exploring the state's leadership in developing civil rights law, the impact of industrialization, and the history of labor law. In addition to analyzing Michigan law, the highly readable and engaging book serves as an introduction to the history of Michigan politics.
House of Fields: Memories of a Rural Education by Anne-Marie Oomen. Wayne State University Press.
Drawing on ordinary moments from her childhood, with settings such as her family's farmhouse and the local schoolyard, the author employs a gentle touch and poetic details to tell a compelling coming-of-age story in rural Oceana County.
Keewaydinoquay: Stories from My Youth by Keewaydinoquay Peschel. Edited by Lee Boisvert. University of Michigan Press.
Told in first-person, these stories of a Michigan woman with both Native American and white heritage shed light on the experiences of growing up in an Ojibway community in northern Michigan during the early 1900s. Peschel's stories span several generations, recounting her education in public schools and highlighting the role Christianity played in Native American culture during her youth, and emphasize the importance of maintaining traditional customs while living and functioning in a "white" world.
Landscaping With Native Plants of Michigan by Lynn M. Steiner. Voyageur Press.
This beautifully illustrated guide to gardening in Michigan describes the state's native plants, explains how to grow them successfully, and gives tips and advice on solving common gardening issues.
Mackinac Bridge: The Story of the Five-Mile Poem by Gloria Whelan. Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. Sleeping Bear Press.
Set in the 1950s, while the "Mighty Mac" was being built, the story introduces a young boy whose father will likely lose his business when the bridge is completed, and covers the changes that progress brings and how people cope with those changes. Beautifully illustrated and well researched, this timely story coincides with the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the bridge in 2007.
The Muskegon: The Majesty and Tragedy of Michigan's Rarest River by Jeff Alexander. Michigan State University Press.
Take a journey down the Muskegon River in this well-written scholarly study that explores the waterway's environmental history and possible future. Detailing and exploring the responsibilities every Michigan citizen has for taking care of the Muskegon River watershed and the Great Lakes, readers are challenged to be better custodians of our cherished waters.
Nicotine Kiss: An Amos Walker Novel by Loren D. Estleman. Forge.
In this 18th novel of the award-wining series featuring hard-boiled Detroit PI Amos Walker, Walker's old friend and longtime cigarette smuggler has turned up missing. Walker's loyalty to his friend pulls him into an exciting case that involves an evangelical religious group and counterfeiters with links to international terrorism. The 1997 Michigan Author Award winner, Estleman successfully weaves a 9/11 plot line into Walker's Detroit and takes readers on a wild ride.
Saving Daylight by Jim Harrison. Copper Canyon Press.
Northern Michigan, as well as the mountains and forests of the American West, play a central role in Jim Harrison's 10th book of poetry. Contrasting the complexity and absurdity of our current sociopolitical world with the lessons offered in rivers, thickets, the moon, birds, and the companionship of dogs, Harrison's poetry relishes the art of living and explores life's mysteries that hold us up and keep us going.
So Cold a Sky: Upper Michigan Weather Stories by Karl Bohnak. Cold Sky Publishing.
From the first European explorers to pioneer settlers to modern-day Michiganians, the Upper Peninsula's inhabitants have faced weather's most devastating challenges: extreme snowstorms, heat waves, floods, fires and more. Combing historical accounts from as early as the 1600s with personal tales from U.P. residents, this narrative peppered with weather maps, nature photos and snapshots offers an in-depth look at the region's most severe weather.
A Stronger Kinship: One Town's Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith by Anna-Lisa Cox. Little, Brown, and Company.
In this powerful story of 19th century Covert, blacks and whites lived peacefully and equally with shared political power, integrated schools, and interracial marriage. Despite national trends toward segregation and violence, this remarkable southwest Michigan community became and remains racially integrated. The author draws remarkable detail and drama from local newspapers, personal diaries, and reminiscences in this inspirational story of hope that still resonates today.
Summer of the War by Gloria Whelan. HarperCollins.
In this beautifully written young adult novel set on an island in Lake Huron during World War II, Belle and her two siblings take their annual summer trip to their grandparents island home, where they are surprised by an unknown cousin who fled Paris to escape the war. The sophisticated Parisian clashes with the simple island lifestyle, as Belle starts to have new perspectives on her family and going through growing-up pains.
Taking Care of Cleo: A Novel by Bill Broder. Handsel Books.
Set in Prohibition-era Charlevoix, and complete with booze, bootleggers, and the Purple Gang, this engaging novel with a strong historical sense of place details the lives of the Bearwalds, the only Jewish family in this small Lake Michigan resort community. Rebecca dreams of attending the University of Michigan to escape "taking care of Cleo," her autistic older sister. After Cleo stumbles across a beached yacht full of contraband liquor, she renovates the boat and recruits Rebecca to help sell the booze, leading to a case of mistaken identity and run-ins with Detroit gangsters.
An Unquiet Grave by P.J. Parrish. Pinnacle Books.
In this suspenseful thriller, Florida PI Louis Kincaid, a native of Detroit, is called back to Michigan by his foster father, who needs help with a personal situation. As events unfold at a notorious sanitarium, modeled after Eloise, Kincaid learns of a dark conspiracy and troubling revelations, not just about his foster father's situation, but also about himself.
The Widower: A Novel by Liesel Litzenburger. Shaye Areheart Books.
Memorable characters and a strong sense of place dominate Litzenburger's novel. Swan Robey struggles to carry on after an automobile accident takes his wife's life and leaves him physically damaged and wracked with guilt. He is gradually brought back to life when hired hand and ex-con Joseph Geewa discovers an abandoned baby in Swan's northern Michigan apple orchard. The ensuing road trip tofind the baby's mother shows readers the healing and redemption that takes place with the two wounded and shattered men.
William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate by Dave Dempsey. University of Michigan Press.
This political biography explores the life and career of William G. Milliken, Michigan's 44th and longest-serving governor (1969-1982). Milliken's Republican tenure reflected his belief in civility, decency, and support for the environment, while also revealing his strength in building effective coalitions, such as with Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. Milliken's moderate views are frequently at odds with today's political landscape, making this accessible biography more relevant and inspiring.
Blog Post
January New and Noteworthy
by muffy
The Song is You* by Megan Abbott.
Noir crime fiction by an Edgar Award nominee. "Shiz-bang adventure through Tinseltown's underbelly" when two starlets gone missing. A retro thrill ride.
The Sidewalk Artist (FFF) by Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk.
Alternating between contemporary Paris and Renaissance Italy this debut novel follows two parallel, intertwined romances. Novelist Tulia Rose comes to Europe looking for inspiration but unexpectedly finds romance with a mysterious, talented sidewalk artist while researching the story of Renaissance painter Raphael and his secret lover. A touch of magic and plenty of cappuccino.
Arlington Park* by Rachel Cusk.
Over the course of one rainy day, the Whitbread Award-winner plumbs the extraordinary inner nature of the ordinary suburban English life. “Darkly comic, deeply affecting and wise”.
The Bastard of Istanbul* by Elif Shafak
Turkish author recently cleared by the government of “denigrating Turkishness” because of her frank look at Turkish-Armenian antipathy, gives us this enlightening and entertaining novel of 4 generations of the Kazanci women, set in Istanbul.
The Terror* by Dan Simmons.
Scurvy, frostbite, botulism, and an enomous THING out on the ice plagued Sir John Franklin’s failed 1840 mission to find the Northwest Passage. A spellbinding sea story with grisly details.
Red River* by Lalita Tademy
A follow-up to her 2001 Oprah sensation Cane River – this time the repercussions of the Colfax Riot of 1873 – an engrossing and eye-opening emotional family saga.
* = Starred Review(s)