Gail Tsukiyama's sixth book, The Street of a Thousand Blossoms is the story of Japan before, during and after World War II as seen through the eyes of the two main characters, brothers Hiroshi and Kenji Matsumoto. The boys are raised by loving grandparents in Tokyo. In 1939, Hiroshi dreams of becoming a sumo wrestling champion and Kenji of learning the art of making masks for the Noh theater. But when war breaks out, their plans are put on hold but not extinguished. Tsukiyama brings Japan to life in her vivid yet understated writing about the horror of war, the saving grace of art and the reconstruction of Japan.

Today, September 25 is the day the first American newspaper was published in 1690. This was the first and only edition of "Publick Occurences Both Foreign and Domestick" published by Benjamin Harris at the London-Coffee-House in Boston. The paper was four pages with the last left blank for readers' opinions. It contained news as well as exposes, was considered offensive and was shut down.

To read more on the history of American newspapers, check out these new titles from our collection:

William Randolph Hearst: Final Edition, 1911-1951, by Ben H. Proctor. The second and final installment of the biography of this larger than life newspaper magnate.

Travis Holland's debut novel, The Archivist's Story traces the period of Pavel Dubrov's life when his job is to destroy books in Lubyanka prison where political prisoners are kept in the Stalinist Moscow of 1939. A former teacher of literature, Dubrov, in verifying an author for an unsigned work, discovers that the manuscript is two unpublished stories by Isaac Babel, one of his beloved authors. He steals the manuscript and hides it in a brick wall in his apartment basement. Although Russian society is breaking down during this tyrannical regime and Dubrov and his friends are filled with despair, his action provides some seed of hope for the future. A well-written and researched novel from this University of Michigan instructor.

September 10 is the birthday of Hilda Doolittle one of the first of the Imagist Poets. She was born in Bethleham, Pa. in 1886. Often referred to as H.D., Doolittle was known not only as a poet but a novelist, writer of non-fiction and actress. She was friends with the ex-patriate poet, Ezra Pound who introduced her to the literati of Europe at the time. She was an admirer of Ancient Greek culture which is evident in her work. The Imagist style demands "the perfect word" and musical, lush visual language. Following is one of Doolittle's poems, "Stars Wheel in Purple," which comes close to the Imagist ideal:

Stars wheel in purple, yours is not so rare
as Hesperus, nor yet so great a star
as bright Aldeboran or Sirius,
nor yet the stained and brilliant one of War;

Today, August 21st is the birthday of two literary luminaries, Ray Bradbury and Annie Proulx. Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois in 1920 but his family moved to Los Angeles when he was twelve. Hoping to be an actor, he was encouraged by two of his high school teachers who saw promise in his writing to take that road instead. He first published in small science fiction magazines but got his first break when one of his stories was accepted in the 1945 edition of the anthology, Best American Short Stories. Perhaps his best known novel is Fahrenheit 451 about a fireman in a future society whose job it is to burn books. But on taking one home and reading it, he decides to join a revolutionary group that tries to keep literature alive.

Here is a selection of new adult Spanish books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Spanish books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!
Su mejor vida ahora: siete pasos para vivir a su máximo potencial
Spanish translation of "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" by pastor Joel Osteen.
Una vida con propósito : para qué estoy aquí en la tierra?
Spanish translation of "The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" by the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in California, Rick Warren.
La audacia de la esperanza/The audacity of hope por Barack Obama
Spanish translation of the #1 New York Times Bestseller by U.S. presidential candidate and Illinois senator Barack Obama

Here is a selection of new adult Spanish books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about Spanish books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!
La fortuna de Matilda Turpin por Álvaro Pombo
Winner of the 2006 Premio Planeta, Alvaro Pombo's novel is a forceful novel about dealing with loss, grief and family. The main character, Juan Campos, a retired philosophy professor, deals with the mixed legacy of his late wife, Matilda Turpin, a spirited businesswoman who died suddenly, leaving behind three children and Antonio and Emilia, a couple who has been the family's servants and friends for decades.
La dama azul por Javier Sierra

Here are more new adult German books at the library. Use the links below to reserve a book or browse the shelves at each branch looking for the "NEW" stickers on each book. The selection is different at each branch. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about German books at the library, e-mail stantont@aadl.org. Enjoy!

Militärmusik by Wladimir Kaminer
Macht nichts: eine kleine Trilogie des Todes by Elfriede Jelinek
Vergangenheitsschuld und gegenwärtiges Recht by Bernhard Schlink
Mein liebster Feind : Essays, Reden, Miniaturen by Robert Schindel
Nachtrandspuren: Gedichte by Jose F.A. Oliver
Der Hof im Spiegel: Erzählungen by Emine Sevgi Özdamar
Mozarts Friseur by Wolf Wondratschek
Er oder Ich by Sten Nadolny

Today, July 27, is the birthday of New Yorker writer, Joseph Mitchell who was born in Fairmont, North Carolina in 1908. His Southern roots informed his writing although most of his stories were of eccentric characters living on the edge in New York City. He talked with fishmongers, gypsies and Mohawk Indians who worked as riveters on bridges and skyscrapers. He interviewed criminals, politicians and celebrities. He wrote about gin mill owners, con artists and a flea circus operator. Most of his writing is collected in the book, Up in the Old Hotel. Mitchell thought of himself as a good interviewer because "he had lost the ability to detect insanity."

New popular fiction translated into Spanish. Any questions, comments or suggestions on Spanish language materials or any foreign language materials, please e-mail stantont@aadl.org

Cell por Stephen King
A translation of King's popular novel in which a single pulse transmitted through every operating cell phone on the planet turns people everywhere into inhuman killing machines, and civilization grinds to a halt in a terrifying riot of violence. It falls to a small group of survivors to turn the tables and take back the streets--or die trying.
Laberinto de sueno y angustia por Atiq Rahimi
Translated directly from Persian, Rahimi is the Afghan author and producer of the novella and subsequent film "Earth and Ashes".
Tiempo de matar por Lisa Gardner
Translated from English "The Killing Hour", a novel by popular mystery and suspense writer Lisa Gardner.