Ages 18+.
Blog Post
Father of ecology activists
by Maxine
Today, January 29th is the birthday of author and environmentalist, Edward Abbey. Abbey was born in Indiana, Pa. in 1927. He's best known for his novel, The Monkey Wrench Gang about four men who liberate parts of Utah and New Mexico wilderness through sabotage. Abbey moved to the Southwest as a young man and worked in Arches National Park as a fire lookout and a ranger. His book, Desert Solitaire is about that experience. In it, he says, "This is the most beautiful place on earth. There are many such places. Every man, every woman, carries in heart and mind the image of an ideal place, the right place, the one true home,..." Abbey went on to write many essays that foretold our current environmental dilemmas.
Blog Post
DVD Bits - Parent Tales
by ryanikoglu
I don't know how well the kids relate to these sitcoms, but as a parent, I find them very fun. The Library has the first season of Malcolm in the Middle. Newly arrived is the first two seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond. Soon, the first two seasons of Grounded For Life will arrive. If you believe you need to improve your parenting tactics after watching, remember the "parenting books" are in the non-fiction collections around Dewey # 649.1. It's always time to laugh.
Blog Post
RED
by french_film_grl
This 1994 French film is part three of the Three Colors Trilogy directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The trilogy includes the movies "Blue", "White" and "Red". The movies coincide with the three colors of the French flag.
"Three Colors, Red" stars Irene Jacob as a young model named Valentine. She experiences a chance meeting with a bitter older man, and soon realizes the man has a penchant for spying on his neighbors.
The man is lonely, and although he lives vicariously through the lives of others, she comes to understand him.
As her understanding of this man deepens, she discovers an unbelievable link that binds them together.
This knowledge takes her on amazing journey.
This is a fabulous movie, and is a perfect example of why I love this type of film making. Check it out, and maybe you will realize you're a French Film Fanatic too!
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #97
by muffy
Oh, how I hate being late to the party! At the American Library Association Midwinter in Philly last week, the hot topic was nordic mystery and the most eagerly anticipated read was The Redbreast* (and I am still #13 on the waiting list!)
People-in-the-know are calling Norwegian Jo Nesbo's English debut "an epic new novel, brilliant in scope and design - a deep and fearless investigation of betrayal spanning two centures and three continents". It also introduces to North American readers Police Detective Harry Hole who finds himself sitting on top of an international conspiracy during a presidential visit to Oslo.
This winner of the Glass Key prize for the best Nordic crime novel, "fans of Henning Mankell and Karin Fossum will have a seriously difficult time putting down", writes Bruce Tierney of BookPage.
*= Starred Reviews (Jessica: Enjoyed yours in LJ)
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts # 96 (Books to Fall In Love With)
by muffy
The countdown to Valentine's Day is on! (Already?) The wonderful folks at Bookrerporter.com have some sweet and heart-themed treats for you. From January 25th through February 6th, readers will have the chance to win one of five Bookreporter.com Valentine's Day baskets. They are filled with one copy of each of the featured books - from heartwarming novels, philosophical commentary, musical analogies, to some titles that are just plain fun.
I am especially excited with Beginner's Greek by first time novelist (former editor at the Times) James Collins.
Peter Russell is a deeply romantic guy who believes the woman of his dreams is destined to sit next to him on an airplane. And there is Holly, a pretty, strawberry blonde woman who reads Thomas Mann for pleasure. A thousand complications ensue in this delicious novel of missed opportunities, second chances, and lost love. I won't spoil it for you. Enjoy the ride.
Blog Post
A "Room of Her Own"
by Maxine
Today, January 25, is the birthday of writer, Virginia Woolf who was born in London in 1882. She never went to school but read books chosen by her scholar father. At 22, she began to write literary criticism for the Times Literary Supplement. In 1917, Woolf and her husband, Leonard Woolf established the Hogarth Press which allowed Woolf to publish her experimental fiction in which she tried to capture the inner lives of her characters. Her first success was Mrs. Dalloway about the thoughts of a middle-aged woman on the day she gives a party. The whole story takes place in one day in which she muses on the city sounds around her and about her past and present. Other books followed including To the Lighthouse and The Waves. But she was also one of the greatest essayists of her day. One of her longest, A Room of One's Own is an admonition to women to explore their creativity: "So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters..."
Blog Post
Stardust
by Cherie Lee
Best movie of 2007 (in my opinion anyway) now available at the library! It's based on the illustrated novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. If you haven't seen it, put it on hold or rent it from our Zoom Lends today!
I was expecting to be supremely disappointed by this movie, but watching an interview with Neil Gaiman coaxed me into seeing it. I'm glad I did. I loved this movie. This was one of the best fantasy movies I've seen in years. Period. I really shouldn't have doubted Neil. Of course, to be fair, it was actually Hollywood I was doubting which I think is entirely fair. The God of movies is often fickle and cruel, but every so often true gems fall to Earth from his devilish workshop and Stardust is one of those gems.
Blog Post
Great Courses available @ AADL !
by aadl-news
The library has DVD’s and Books on CD available from the Teaching Company called Great Courses. Professors are chosen to lecture on topics from Shakespeare, Mathematics, World Religions, World History, Philosophy, Art and much more! Use the keyword "Teaching Company" to access over 600 items! Enjoy lifelong learning!
Blog Post
Your Home, Your Future
by MarilynG
Your house is one of your most valuable possessions. If you are facing financial uncertainty which could threaten making your mortgage payments on time, there is a source of free advice that could help. MSU Extension is holding a series of free seminars at various locations across the county on preventing foreclosure. Register now because space is limited.
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #95
by muffy
Shortlisted for the CWA's New Blood Dagger Award, this compulsively readable debut novel by Kitty Sewell is dark and intriguing.
Ice Trap* is set in Moose Creek, a tiny outpost in Canada's Northwest Territories where Dr. Dafydd Woodruff returns after an absence of 14 years to investigate a paternity claim against him. He was sure he never had sex with Sheila Hailey, a head nurse who is beautiful, cruel and manipulative but the positive DNA test clearly points to Sheila’s twin being his.
Sewell’s skillful mixing of long buried secrets and past shame, depiction of Dafydd’s crumbling marriage, and the puzzle surrounding his newfound family make for a compelling read.
For other mysteries set in the Canadian arctic, try The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney and Consumption by Kevin Patterson.
* = Starred Review