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A story to be read aloud.......
by Maxine
....preferably on a cold, snowy night. So, right now, that's true for anyone in Michigan. Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales evokes Christmases past when a man's memories of boyhood holidays included putting out a house fire with snowballs and an uncle playing fiddle while an aunt drank a bit too much parsnip wine. Told in lilting, musical language, this classic story published in 1955, still evokes smiles and laughter. Following are the first few lines:
"One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six."
Blog Post
Join us for one of the upcoming Discussion Leader Training Sessions
by amy
Learn how to start a discussion of Seeing in the Dark in your organization, church, neighborhood or just with friends by attending one of the two community Discussion Leader Training Sessions. Wednesday January 7, 2009: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: aadlfreespace. Register online to join the training session at the Ann Arbor District Library or call 327-4555.
A second Discussion Leader Training Session will be held Monday, Jan.12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Ypsilanti District Library - Community Meeting Room, 5577 Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti. To register, call the Ypsilanti District Library at 482-4110 ext. 1303.
Blog Post
Yet another "Best Books" list
by Maxine
Maureen Corrigan, book reviewer for Terry Gross's NPR program, Fresh Air, has come up with her favorite picks for 2008. Most are on other lists like the New York Times 100 Notable Books but one I hadn't heard of is 'Say You're One Of Them,' a collection of short stories by Nigerian writer Uwen Akpan. Read rave reviews besides Corrigan's. And get on the waiting list for other titles she recommends.
Blog Post
Terrifically terrifying
by lucroe
Ready for a scary book for those cold winter nights? Get your hot chocolate and jammies on, you will need them since this book will NOT make you any warmer! International Horror award winner, the Terror by multiple award winning author, Dan Simmons, brings the reader up close to the trials of the 1840s Franklin Expedition to the Canadian Arctic. The expedition, while searching for the famed Northwest Passage, was besot by foul weather and eventually became lodged in the ice, never to be seen again. Simmons takes these true events and adds some horror and a touch of the supernatural. It is a very suspenseful book and extremely well-written. You won't have to go outside to get the feeling of the freezing Arctic temperatures, Simmons does it all for you!
Blog Post
"I'd rather be reading..."
by Maxine
You've seen the bumper sticker. Now read or re-read the books, listen to the books on cd or watch all the movie adaptations of Jane Austen's novels. What better thing to do in bleak, dark December than read a well-loved copy of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy duking it out in their own inimitable way? Jane Austen was born in Hampshire, England on December 16, 1775. Today, societies all over the world are celebrating her birthday with a tea or luncheon. Austen published her books anonymously, simply stating they were by "a Lady" until her nephew published a memoir of his aunt that led to renewed interest. But it wasn't until the 1940's that her books had a wide readership leading to fan clubs of a sort composed of thousands of "Janeites." Today, The Jane Austen Society of North America has more than 4,000 members, organizes tours to England and holds an annual meeting which includes a picnic where everyone brings their food in a wicker basket as was done in her book Emma.
So cozy up with a cup of something hot and journey to 18th century England. For what is more important than, as Jane says, "...to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?"
Blog Post
Author Greg Mortenson comes to Ann Arbor in January
by amy
AADL is pleased to bring American mountain climber and humanitarian Greg Mortenson to Ann Arbor on January 24 as part of his nation-wide tour to promote the new youth and teen versions (coming soon!) of his book Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time. This event, which will include a book sale and signing courtesy of Nicola's Books, will take place on Saturday, from 6-7:00 p.m. in the Huron High School Auditorium at 2727 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor.
Blog Post
Toni Morrison's Newest Novel
by pkooger
Toni Morrison, Pulitzer and Nobel-Prize winning author of Beloved, is back with her 9th novel, a haunting story set in America's dark past. A Mercy takes us back to 17th century America, pictured as a kind of wild paradise with a poisonous edge. The story centers around an Anglo-Dutch trader named Jacob; his wife Rebekka, who has fled from a life of poverty in England; their servant Lina, one of the last remnants of a smallpox-ravaged tribe; Florens, a 16-year old African slave; and Sorrow, a racially mixed survivor of a shipwreck. Morrison expertly revisits the themes of her previous books, the main one being the devastating and damning effects of human slavery, both for those who are dominated and for those who do the dominating. A Mercy forces the reader to see more than just the obvious institution of legal slavery through the slave trade; we also see the essential slavery of the native peoples of America, the indentured lower classes, and women. Morrison's latest book is an epic tragedy and a powerful experience.
Blog Post
Michigan Notable Books 2009
by Van
The Library of Michigan's annual selection (annotations are from the Library of Michigan list):
Asylum for the Insane: A History of the Kalamazoo State Hospital by William A. Decker, M.D. (Arbutus Press)-- The Michigan Asylum for the Insane opened in Kalamazoo in 1859 as Michigan's first state institution created solely for the care and treatment of the mentally ill. In this outstanding history, complete with dozens of images and schematic maps, Dr. Decker, a former medical superintendent of the hospital, places emphasis on the treatments themselves, including hydrotherapy, electro-convulsive therapy and psychoanalysis, the various instruments used, and the growth and development of the hospital's campus and buildings.
The English Major by Jim Harrison (Grove Press) --Harrison's 14th book of fiction is a humorous novel exploring a man's journey to self-discovery. After being dumped by his wife, Cliff, a 60-ish former English teacher turned farmer, hits the road in his old Ford Taurus with a plan of renaming all the birds and all the states. Told in a believable first-person voice, the story describes Cliff's attempt to shed his former life, by crossing the boundaries of as many states of the Union as he can reach in a year. The novel revisits many of Harrison's longtime interests: travel, literature, food and man's interaction in the natural world. This is Harrison's sixth time on the Michigan Notable Books list.
The Expeditions: A Novel by Karl Iagnemma (Dial Press)-- This debut novel by suburban Detroit native Karl Iagnemma is set in historic Michigan during the 1840s. Elisha Stone, a 16-year-old runaway, heads to Detroit to get away from trouble at home. He winds up working with a party of naturalists, embarking on a voyage to the Upper Peninsula to both discover treasure and prove theories about the origins of man. Iagnemma skillfully displays the interactions of the unstable research party, richly describes the historical attitudes and conditions of this frontier era, and reveals the interaction between father and son, as Elisha's father comes in search of his prodigal son.
Historic Cottages of Glen Lake by Barbara Siepker. Photography by Dietrich Floeter (Leelanau Press)-- More than 50 historic cottages' interiors and exteriors are documented in this beautiful publication detailing the resort community nestled in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Leelanau County. Like taking a trip back in time, the book's descriptive narratives and lavish photographs highlight each individual cottage's lore and memories, and will delight readers with interests in local history, architecture and family traditions.
"Jiffy" A Family Tradition: Mixing Business and Old-Fashioned Values by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds (Chelsea Milling Company, distributed by University of Michigan Press)-- In this well-crafted history of the Chelsea-based company that has become an icon of Americana, Reynolds perfectly blends the story of the company, the family that owned it and the charming Washtenaw County town that supported it. This is Reynolds' second time on the Michigan Notable Books list.
Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka (Viking) -- In this lively and entertaining story about growing up in Flint as the second of six brothers, Scieszka lived in a rambunctious household filled with pranks and typical boy adventures. The brief and humorous stories fit the wonderful illustrations perfectly, suiting Scieszka's mission of reaching the reluctant reader. The award-winning author of The Stinky Cheese Man, Scieszka is the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
Looking for Hickories: The Forgotten Wildness of the Midwest by Tom Springer (University of Michigan Press) -- Looking for Hickories is Springer's ode to the people and the natural world found in the heart of the Great Lakes region. Often beginning with amusement and ending with wisdom, his touching essays explore topics and issues unique to the upper Midwest, including building barns, land preservation, wild fruit, fossils and the death of the small town salesman.
Measure of the Heart: A Father's Alzheimer's, a Daughter's Return by Mary Ellen Geist (Springboard) -- In this tender memoir, Geist details her experiences as she gave up her job and returned home to Northern Michigan to take care of her ailing father stricken with Alzheimer's. Geist deftly describes the painful hardships of the disease and the factors that influenced her decision to return home, and shares the blessings of growing closer to both her parents.
The Model T: A Centennial History by Robert Casey (Johns Hopkins University Press) -- Debuting in 1908 as the first mass-produced and truly affordable car, the Ford Model T quickly revolutionized automotive design, engineering, manufacturing and sales, and American society as a whole. Complete with historic photographs and color advertisements, many from the Benson Ford Research Center in Dearborn, Casey details the story and technological innovations of this great American icon.
Ninety Years Crossing Lake Michigan: The History of the Ann Arbor Car Ferries by Grant Brown, Jr. (University of Michigan Press) -- In 1892, the Ann Arbor Car Ferries began the seemingly impossible task of carrying loaded railroad cars by ship across Lake Michigan from Frankfort, Mich., to Kewaunee, Wis. Brown has written a remarkably detailed and well-researched history of the Ann Arbor Car Ferries, how they started, and the men who ran the company, and the ferries' final days in 1982.
A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography, 1615-1860 by Brian Leigh Dunnigan (Wayne State University Press) -- Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Mackinac Island and the people that have lived there, Dunnigan's impressive collection of pre-photographic images of the Mackinac region draws from decades of research. Rare maps, plans, drawings, sketches, engravings and paintings, all in full color, are enhanced by the highly readable text. This is Dunnigan's second time on the Michigan Notable Books list.
Ravens in the Storm: A Personal History of the 1960s Antiwar Movement by Carl Oglesby (Scribner) -- In this powerful first-person account of the Students for a Democratic Society (S.D.S.) and the University of Michigan during the 1960s anti-war movement, Oglesby draws from more than 4,000 pages of government intelligence on himself and the organization he led. As a former employee in the defense industry with high security clearance, Oglesby became president of S.D.S. and a leading anti-war spokesman; his centrist stance on many issues made him unpopular with S.D.S.' more militant members.
Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer by Jamie O. Smith. Illustrated by Jef Mallett (Velo Press) -- With a keen sense of humor and a wealth of experience as a cyclist, Smith explains the wonderfully addicting but equally strange world of bicycle racing, including many of its charming habits and obsessive practices. Training, diet, several of the Michigan courses, cycle repairs, race strategies, and the puzzling question of why cyclists wear Lycra are all outlined in this unique book. Mallett's comic illustrations perfectly complement the narrative.
Sirens of Chrome: The Enduring Allure of the Auto Show Model by Margery Krevsky (Momentum Books)-- A fascinating glimpse at the "real" auto show models, Sirens of Chrome illustrates the history of models and female imagery in sales advertisements and promotions, dating back to the origins of the auto industry. Many of the photographs are of Detroit's auto show over the years and come from the National Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library.
Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (Wayne State University Press) -- Located nearly 20 miles south of Detroit, Bob-Lo Island served as the ultimate summer playground for many southeastern Michigan families for nearly 100 years. In this well-researched and nostalgic book, Livingston explores the island's history from its discovery by the French to its use by missionaries, the British military, escaped slaves, farmers, and finally the wealthy class that transformed it into a summer resort. This is Livingston's second time on the Michigan Notable Books list.
The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry by Don Faber (University of Michigan Press) -- Long before their legendary battles on the gridiron, Michigan and Ohio fought over a narrow slice of land in 1835 known as the Toledo Strip. Utilizing newspaper accounts from the era, Faber expertly explores the roots of the conflict, the politically charged environment contributing to Michigan's delayed admission to the Union, and the many fascinating personalities involved. Although Ohio technically "won" by maintaining possession of the strip, Michigan received a large portion of the Upper Peninsula as a consolation, thereby answering the popular trivia question, "Why is the U.P. part of Michigan?"
War as They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest by Michael Rosenberg (Grand Central Publishing) -- The greatest years of the storied football rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s amidst campus unrest, Vietnam War protests and great political and social upheaval. More than just a history of the rivalry, Rosenberg integrates the story of the two iconic head coaches with the unfolding national dramas of the era.
When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music by Deborah Smith Pollard (Wayne State University Press) -- Pollard provides a detailed overview of the contemporary gospel music scene in Detroit. Often difficult to distinguish between R&B and hip-hop, contemporary gospel has become much more urban and commercial than the traditional sound of the past. Pollard expertly explains these changes and explores how the various changes are being received in the black church community.
Who's Jim Hines? by Jean Alicia Elster (Wayne State University Press) -- Based on real events about Douglas Ford, Jr., a 12-year-old African-American boy growing up in Detroit during the Great Depression, Elster's novel geared toward young readers touches on family, father-son relationships, racism and friendships. Doug's father owns a lumber company, and when Doug is forced to join his father in the physically demanding work of delivering lumber, he unravels the mystery of a man named Jim Hines, whom he always hears about but has never seen.
Wreck of the Carl D.: A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea by Michael Schumacher (Bloomsbury USA) -- 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Carl D. Bradley. Caught in one of the most violent storms in history on Lake Michigan, the Bradley sank on Nov. 18, 1958. Intended as a tribute to the men who died aboard the ship, Schumacher's powerful narrative explores the circumstances of the shipwreck itself and the resulting devastating impact on the small community of Rogers City, where many crew members were from. This is Schumacher's second time on the Michigan Notable Books list.
Blog Post
Listen up!
by Maxine
Don't miss the the 8th Annual Poetry Night in Ann Arbor this Thursday, December 11 at Rackham Auditorium at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:15 if you want to get a good seat). This celebration of the spoken and written word will feature poets Marty McConnell and Tim Seibles and a special return guest appearance by Paco, the 2003 Ann Arbor Youth Poetry Slam Champion and former U-M Poetry Slam Champion. Also appearing will be poets from the Volume Youth Poetry Project and A2 Wordworks, a U of M troupe. This is always an "electric" evening full of the passion and joy of these young people who literally speak truth to power.
To gear up for the event, check out the library's great spoken word poetry collection as well as the rich array of other poetry books.
Blog Post
"When I consider..."
by Maxine
Today is the 400th birthday of English poet, historian, civil servant and champion of freedom of the press John Milton, who was born on December 9, 1608 in London. Milton is most well known for his epic poems, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. He also wrote treatises on the justification of divorce on grounds of incompatibility and spoke out against the oppressive regimes of Charles I and II. It is said that Milton's depiction of Satan in Paradise Lost caused readers to view Satan as the most sympathetic character.