Ages 18+.
Blog Post
Oasis
by french_film_grl
Oasis is a Korean film made in 2004 by director Chang-dong Lee. It is an unconventional love story set in modern day Korea. I can truly say this movie contains some of the best acting I have ever seen. Kyung-gu Sol, who plays Hong-Jong Du as the main character, and Moon So-ri, who plays his love interest, are two of the most convincing and captivating characters ever to grace the big screen. This wonderful film is definitely worth watching for the performances alone. However, if that isn't enough to convince you to commit an evening to this film, the storyline should be. Can a social misfit, and a handicapped young woman create a lasting relationship in this world? Will the people around them allow them to explore, experience, and cultivate their relationship even if they don't approve of or understand it? This movie explores these poignant issues regarding love and life. The official FFG rating of this movie is a 10.
Blog Post
Mark Harris, creator of Henry Wiggen, has died
by sernabad
Mark Harris, prolific author who wrote a four-book series of baseball novels immortalizing the endearing Henry Wiggen, died June 2nd.
Bang the Drum Slowly (1956), the second of the four books, is narrated by Henry Wiggen who takes the dying Bruce Pearson, a catcher for a fictional NY team, under his wing, encouraging his teammates to give Pearson the dignity he deserves. First in the series is The Southpaw (1953). Numbers three and four respectively are A Ticket for a Seamstitch (1957) and It Looks Like For Ever (1979).
Bang the Drum Slowly was made into a movie by the same name in 1973, starring Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro.
Harris died of complications from Alzheimer’s.
Blog Post
Hot Summer Reads #1
by muffy
Figure It Out, is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program. Registration starts June 15 at all library locations. Watch the events page for fun programs and fantastic prizes for all ages.
To start your summer reading off with a bang, here is the Chicago Tribune's suggestions for Hot Reads for the Summer.
Blog Post
Portrait of a Justice
by Sis
Washington Post reporters Kevin Merida and Michael A. Fletcher have interviewed many to form a portrait of one of the most staunchly conservatives on the Supreme Court. Supreme Discomfort examines the many factors in the professional and personal life of Clarence Thomas that shape his views and influence American life.
Blog Post
Arabic books at the Ann Arbor Library!
by Tara LS
At all of the Ann Arbor Library's branches, we have Arabic books available for checkout. The library has a growing collection, from contemporary authors such as Najib Mahfouz and Elias Khoury to Arabic translations of novels from other languages. Arabic books are available at every branch in the "Foreign language collection" under the call numbers FLC ARA. You can also search the catalog by call number "FLC ARA". Please check these books out and if you have any suggestions, comments or questions about Arabic books (or any other foreign language materials) at the library, please e-mail stantont@aadl.org. We welcome any book suggestions and comments.
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
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
Dinosaur Jr. at the Blind Pig
by Sarah T
Did you wear flannel shirts and Doc Martens in the early 90's? Do you strongly identify as a Generation Xer? Then, you'll be happy to know that Dinosaur Jr., the indie rock band from the 90's, will be in Ann Arbor June 3rd and 4th at the Blind Pig. The original members recently reunited for a new album, their first since 1988, and are now on the road. However, if you're expecting a greatest hits set, you'll be a bit disappointed. The band is said to be primarily performing from their latest album, Beyond. So leave your flannel at home and discover something new. Doors open at 9:30 pm starting with Michigan band, Awesome Color.
Meanwhile check out their last album before they dissolved the name Dinosaur Jr. in 1997 as well as the book, Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground. Dinosaur Jr. is just one of the many bands chronicled in the book.