Ages 18+.
Blog Post
Writers recommend....
by Maxine
The most recent book recommended in the "You must read this" feature on NPR is Tillie Olsen's Tell Me a Riddle. Scott Turow talks about the profound influence Olsen's novella had on him as a young writer in college. Other titles recently discussed on the program have been Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter, recommended by Alice McDermott and Maud Martha, Gwendolyn Brooks' only work of fiction described as "indispensable" by Asali Solomon whose book of short stories, Get Down was recently published.
Blog Post
Shedding light on Happy Meals
by K.C.
Many of us eat McDonald’s burgers and Chicken McNuggets and yet know very little about what we’re putting in our bodies. Chew on This! Everything You Don’t Want to Know about Fast Food shares what fast food industry officials would rather you not know about what’s in the food, what it does to the body, and about their campaign to lure children into a life long habit of fast food eating.
What if you ate nothing but fast food? Check out film director Morgan Spurlock's 2004 film, Super Size Me and see.
Blog Post
What Is Schizophrenia, Anyway?
by iottJen
This chronic, disabling brain disorder affects about 2.2 million Americans. Its symptoms typically appear in the late teen years or twenties. Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, it is treatable and manageable. Michael Jibson, MD, PhD, Prof. of Psychiatry and Director, UM Psychiatry Residency Education, and expert on schizophrenia, has written extensively about this disease and has a special interest in the medications used to treat it. Learn about the latest research and treatment of schizophrenia when Dr. Jibson visits the downtown Library on Mon., Nov. 13 at 7 pm. A variety of books about schizophrenia, both fiction and non-fiction, are available at the Library to help us understand the disease and its effects on the lives of those who suffer from it.
Blog Post
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, one of the Cheaper by the Dozen authors, has died
by sernabad
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey who, with her younger brother Frank, wrote Cheaper by the Dozen, one of the more endearing classic autobiographies, died Saturday, November 4, 2006, in California.
Carey (number three of the 12 children of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and his wife, Lillian Moller Gilbreth) and her brother delighted generations of readers with the antics and logistics of managing such a large household in the 1920s. Myrna Loy and Clifton Webb starred in the 1950 movie version; Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt appeared in the 2003 remake.
Mrs. Carey was 98.
Blog Post
November New and Noteworthy
by muffy
Margherita Dolce Vita* by Stefano Benni.
“An elegant little piece of dark comedy” by a prolific Italian author (FFF in translation). Wise and charismatic 15 yr.-old Margherita and her odd-ball family are transformed by their new neighbors from hell.
Harlem Girl Lost* by Treasure E. Blue.
A bright young woman fights her way out of the mean streets of New York, only to be drawn back in to save her man. A lurid, gripping debut and a self-publishing sensation.
Last Seen Leaving* by Kelly Braffet.
New Age spiritualist searches for her estranged daughter who has not been seen after being picked up by a stranger on a deserted highway, while a serial killer is on the loose. Gripping.
Love in a Fallen City* by Eileen Chang (Ailing Zhang).
Six vibrant stories depict life in post WWII China and bristle with equal parts passion and resentment.
Eifelheim* by Michael Flynn.
Young modern historian obsesses with the mysterious disappearance of a German village from all maps during the Black Death. The story intersects with the heartbreaking saga of stranded aliens from a distant star.
Vince and Joy* by Lisa Jewell.
Tired of all the heavy stuff around? Try this deliciously addictive read filled with London oddballs. First loves reunite after 17 years of miscommunication, disappointments and all the things life throw at you. Romantic.
The Sky People* by S.M. Stirling.
First of a new alternate history series with "broad-brush pulp sensibility". Space colonization and a classic love triangle.
The Orphan's Tales : In the night garden* by Catherynne Valente.
“A beautiful relayed, interlinked fairy tales” of magic, adventure, quests and murder, told by a mysterious young woman with tattoos around her eyelids. Think Sheherezade and the Arabian Nights.
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall* by Bill Willingham.
Re-imagined new lives and backstories for fairyland citizens , the likes of Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf, now living as secret refugees in New York - probably the “smartest mainstream comics going”.
*= Starred Review(s)
Blog Post
Conger Fall Home Tour
by Mazie
Want to peek inside some of Ann Arbor's loveliest homes?
On Thursday November 9, 2006 from 10 am to 4 pm you can help a good cause and indulge your interest and curiosity by joining the annual Conger Home Tour from 10 am to 4 pm.
This year the Tour is happening a month earlier than usual to offer participants more time to visit the homes. And the homes will not be decorated for the holidays but have been chosen for their unique artwork and decoration that stand out year round.
The Conger Holiday Market will happen on Tuesday December 5 and your Home Tour ticket will get you in the door.
The proceeds from the Tour support scholarships for women at the University of Michigan through the Lucile B. Conger Alumnae Group.
Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance for this tour of four Ann Arbor Homes. You can also call 734-433-9698 for further information.
Blog Post
From Horror to Heartfelt
by kay2
In Stephen King's most recent novel, Lisey's Story he continues to assault your emotions by tugging at the heartstrings of his loyal readers. "I wanted to write a story that had the same feeling as one of those good country songs that you hear on the radio...".
As Lisey sorts through the writings of her late husband's work, she confronts all of who he was. Can she cope with his disturbing family past?
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #40
by muffy
A Corpse in the Koryo* introduces, to global mystery fans a new and exciting series starring Inspector O of the Pyongyang Police Department (North Korea).
This hard-boiled, police procedural begins with a seemingly routine surveillance assignment that turns nasty, pitching a pragmatic and honorable detective against the competing military and intelligence hierarchies.
First-time author James Church (pseudonym) is a former intelligence office with decades of experience in Asia. This outstanding crime novel boasts believable characters and situations, and is "richly layered and visually evocative". A must-read.
All-starred reviews in Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.
For his Chinese (Shanghai) counterpart, try the latest in the Inspector Chen series (A Case of Two Cities,* 2006) by Qiu Xiaolong - another honest detective struggling to be true under a repressive regime.
*= Starred review.
Blog Post
New Fiction Titles on the New York Times Best Sellers List (11/5/06)
by Mazie
Just last week I wrote that Michael Connelly was my favorite American mystery writer. When I looked at the List this week I realized I had to qualify that claim. I also rank Elizabeth George at the top but her detective is the very British Inspector Lynley. The author may be from Southern California but you would never guess that from reading her critically acclaimed novels. I strongly recommend reading her series in order, beginning with the beginning in A Great Deliverance.
At #2 is The Collectors by David Baldacci: The Camel Club is back to solve a murder in the Library of Congress. Title brings back memories of an earlier book The Collector, which was made into one of the creepiest movies of all time.
At #7 is What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George: the prequel to her last mystery With No One As Witness which left many of her fans in tears.
At #10 is The Bancroft Strategy by Robert Ludlum: this franchise continues after the author's death with this thriller involving an intelligence agent and a banker caught up kidnapping, terrorists, conspiracies and the possibly nefarious shenanigans of a family foundation.
Blog Post
Starting a New Business? The MSBTDC may be able to help you
by ulrich
If you're thinking of starting a new business and are looking for information, counseling, resources and other help, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center may be able to assist you. The organization, part of a national and state network, has offices in Ypsilanti and at Washtenaw Community College. Their knowledgable staff presents regular workshops on starting a business called 'Vision to Reality' at several area locations, as well as other special programs on topics such as marketing, business planning, home-based businesses, business taxes and financing. Some programs are free of charge, for others there is a small fee. Just click on the 'Calendar of Training' button to see details about their upcoming schedule.