History Bits - 19th Century Libya

Wed, 03/08/2006 - 11:54am by ryanikoglu

At the end of the nineteenth century in Libya, eleven-year-old Malika simultaneously enjoys and feels constricted by the narrow world of women. This slim piece of historical fiction draws a picture of Malika's daily Muslim life, which includes generous and understanding parents, well-drawn family and cultural roles, and a compelling story to keep the pages turning. Shadows Of Ghadames is a timeless glimpse into a traditional Muslim village.

Hoop Dreams. . .Who Will be Chosen by Bobby Knight?

Wed, 03/08/2006 - 9:56am by Bertha

To better understand what makes Coach Knight tick, you may want to check out, Knight : My Story or the book by Steve Alford, Playing for Knight : My Six Seasons With Coach Knight. It's probably already decided as to who fits the current profile of that one needed player on Texas Tech anyway. If you're inspired to get ahead of the fitness game and start conditioning now, these titles might give you a jump start:
Bigger, Faster, Stronger by Greg Shepard
Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook
Complete Conditioning for Basketball 50 Court Drills for Players by Greg Brittenham
52 Week Basketball Training by Chip Sigmon

Are you ready for the "Big Ten?"

Mon, 03/06/2006 - 1:59pm by Maxine

With the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament coming up, get inspired by the following 2 books and expanded dvd.

Transition Game by L.Jon Wertheim, writer for Sports Illustrated, is the story of Wertheim's return to his alma mater, Bloomington North High School where he witnesses the transformation of the game from crisp cuts and mid-range shooting to the hip-hop high flying style of the current NBA. He takes off from this example to examine changes in basketball nationwide. To underline the bittersweet nature of success, he follows the fortunes of one Sudanese family whose sons get basketball scholarships. Also, check out a two disc collector's edition of the 1986 film, Hoosiers that includes footage of the Milan vs. Muncie 1954 Indiana High School championship game.

Glory Road by Dan Wetzel and Don Haskins is the story of Haskins who in 1966 as a coach for the Texas Western Miners defied tradition by bringing black players onto the court to win the NCAA title against Kentucky. Haskins does not see himself as a social crusader and in fact was a merciless coach who drove his players hard. Now a feature film, Glory Road is a great story of triumph against the odds.

An American Story

Sun, 03/05/2006 - 1:33pm by sstonez

National Public Radio's Story Corps seeks oral histories from ordinary folks "as a record of the way we live today--and how we got here." In the case of Blanca Alvarez this is very literally a story of how she got here. In the Story Corps interview with her daughter, Connie, Alvarez describes crossing the border from Mexico to the United States over thirty years ago and the jobs she held to support her family in those difficult early years. Connie goes on to talk about how her mother's example inspired her to achieve her dream of graduating from college. The pictures and stories of both famous and ordinary Mexican-Americans in the Mexican Family Album illuminate the histories and culture around the Alvarez family. Theirs is just one family story, but as in the Mexican Family Album, it is a story that speaks to the experiences of millions. In addition, their stories might spark conversations about your own family--how do you live now? And how did you get here?

Writing Tips from Judith Dewoskin

Sun, 03/05/2006 - 11:08am by Bertha

Creative Catharsis: Writing with Judith Dewoskin

Community High School's well-known creative writing teacher extraordinaire will talk about the writing process and offer tips to aspiring writers.
Tuesday, March 7, 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Don't miss an opportunity to ask questions and get advice from one of Ann Arbor's best creative writing teachers. Get some insights that might help you finish that short story and get it turned in for the Short Story Writing Contest deadline March 20th.
No registration required.
Call 827-8301 for any questions.

Animanga Blog Trivia Challenge

Sat, 03/04/2006 - 11:55pm by Edith Wharton

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Having just gotten back from Disney World, I'm interested in seeing if you know more about Asia than Epcot. Really fabulous prizes will be awarded March 15, 7pm at NEB for the most truthy, and perhaps factual answers.

Question number 6: What is important about the Edo period in Japan?
(1603-1867)

Past questions:
5: What or when is Edo?
4: What is a "kitsune"?
3: Is Xellos Good or Evil? Explain.
2: What is the Japanese name for Japan?
1: What is the difference between a Japanese and Chinese Pagoda?

"Gold Soundz" from the slacker kings

Fri, 03/03/2006 - 5:31pm by called worse

Looking for something that's a little off the beaten path (or at least off the current pop charts)? Take a stroll through the charming little collection of alternative rock selections we've got. There are some beauties from the eighties and ninties, such as Pavement's 1997 Brighten the Corners and the Jesus and Mary Chain's singles. I have a particular soft spot for Pavement, as well as their ex-singer's new solo work, since it has that slacker quality of sounding both lazy and intense.

For some hints on searching for music by genre in the catalog, follow the "read more..."

Do some digital browsing by choosing "Subject" from the dropdown menu in the catalog, and searching for rock music or alternative rock. It's an easy way to look at music (and books about that music) of a particular genre in a single shot.

Fabulous Fiction Firsts #9

Fri, 03/03/2006 - 11:00am by muffy

A former researcher at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics and currently a student at Stanford Medical School, Josh Spanogle’s debut medical thriller will bring to mind The Andromeda Strain; written by another young medical student named Michael Crichton some years back.

…"(F)rightening, scalpel-sharp, surprising, challenging," Isolation Ward takes hold of you immediately when young, brash Dr. McCormick must race against time to identify the baffling and unstoppable virus that racked the bodies of three female mentally impaired patients in a Baltimore hospital, and threatens to become an epidemic.

Starred review in Kirkus. A sure bet from a promising newcomer. Read an excerpt

Aquamarine: Another Movie Based on a Book

Thu, 03/02/2006 - 6:14pm by lola

This Friday Aquamarine will hit theaters. This movie based on the book by the same name by Alice Hoffman and is toted as a Fish-Out-Of-Water comedy. A love-struck mermaid played by Sara Paxton is discovered in a swimming pool by two twelve-year old best friends, played by Emma Roberts of Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous and singer JoJo. And the adventure goes on from there. Check this book out before you go see the movie! And just for a little pop culture trivia, Emma Roberts is the niece of the famous Julia Roberts.

If you like Hip Hop...

Wed, 03/01/2006 - 10:54am by jillean

...then you might already know what's cracking this weekend. Common will perform at theMichigan Theater this Friday March 3rd at 7:30pm . From classic albums like Resurrection to the more recent success of his Grammy-nominated album Be, Common’s socially conscious lyrics have long been a staple for Hip Hop “heads” across the globe.

If you like Common you might also enjoy these artists and albums:
Mos Def – The New Danger
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show
Talib Kweli - Right About Now
Digable Planets - Beyond the Spectrum
Jean Grae - This Week
The Roots - The Tipping Point

If you are interested in learning more about hip hop, the Library has plenty on the subject. For a history of hip hop, check out Yes, Yes Y'all : The Experience Music Project Oral History of Hip-Hop's First Decade and Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of Hip Hop Culture. If you want to know specifically about women emcees you might like Check it While I Wreck It: Black Womanhood, Hip Hop Culture and the Public Sphere. For a look at hip hop journalism check out And it don't stop?:The Best American Hip Hop Journalism of the Last 25 Years. And for information on lyrics and criticism, Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide might be a good resource.