Blog Post
Coney Detroit
by manz
It’s summer and things are hot and busy. Time to grab a dog, a Coke, and head to the beach. Perhaps a coney dog has your number, and if so, you aren’t alone. Apparently no one in the world is as crazy about coney dogs as metro Detroit is. Have you ever thought about the sheer amount Coney Island restaurants? Ever thought about the technique of what constitutes a great coney dog, or perhaps a coney pizza, coney omelette, or coney wrap?
The book Coney Detroit talks about the lore, the history, and the business of all things coney. It focuses on some establishments in Flint, Jackson, Port Huron, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City. It’s a fun little book, chock full of photos, for those interested in all things local.
The book is a collaboration of twenty, and was written by Katherine Yung (Detroit Free Press reporter) and Joe Grimm. It was photographed by EXPOSURE.Detroit and printed in Detroit. Interestingly, all proceeds from the book go to the Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Blog Post
AADL Talks to Local Author Fritz Freiheit
by sherlonya
Fritz Freiheit has been writing science fiction for years. For most of those years, he was working toward an end goal of getting his book published in the traditional manner. He was shopping for agents and dreaming of seeing his book in bookstores. Then Borders closed, and he began to think of things differently. Here, Fritz talks about his decision to self-publish, and introduces us to Dispensing Justice, his alternate-world, coming of age, novel.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| AADL_Talks_To-Fritz_Freiheit.mp3 | 48.78 MB |
Blog Post
Comic Artists Forum – Jannie Ho and Adobe Illustrator
by K.C.
Sunday June 3 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Downtown 4th Floor Meeting Room
Chicken girl is back! Cartoonist and children's book illustrator Jannie Ho will offer a demonstration on the use of Adobe Illustrator for creating comics and discuss the pros and cons of creating and submitting work with Illustrator. Illustrator is a popular tool in the publishing world and one to become acquainted with if you have never used it.
Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, and network with other cartoonists.
Blog Post
Fabulous FIction Firsts #334
by muffy
The Green Shore opens in Athens, on an April evening in 1967, when a military coup in Greece ushered in a period of devastating brutality and repression. Told from the multiple perspectives of one family that share strong political conviction, it is "a family saga and revolutionary romance."
Eleni, a widowed doctor, struggles with the latest challenge to democracy when the hospitals are forbidden to treat torture victims. While son Taki chooses to emigrate, 21 year-old Sophie, a student of French literature, gets swept up in the dangerous resistance movement, partly inspired by her uncle (Eleni's brother) the poet Mahalis. The youngest, Anna, watches events unfold with increasing anxiety.
"As Eleni's family and their circle of friends and lovers fight for their ancient country's history, tradition, beauty, and future, they also discover hidden strengths and harbor secret longings that will have unforeseen repercussions. Deeply imbued with the passion and honor synonymous with Greek culture, abundant with sensuous imagery and stimulating discourse, this debut novel is a sumptuous and provocative portrait of the nexus of the personal with the political."
Debut novelist Natalie Bakopoulos is a graduate and current faculty of the University of Michigan. A recipient of a 2010 O. Henry Award, a Hopwood Award, and Platsis Prize for Work in the Greek Legacy, she is a contributing editor for the online journal Fiction Writers Review. Each summer she teaches creative writing at the Aegean Arts Circle in Andros, Greece.
On Tuesday, June 5th @ 7 pm, Natalie Bakopoulos will be at Nicola's Books for a reading and signing of her novel. For more info.
Blog Post
"Let's Pick It Up A Bit" -- Marathon Running Event Downtown
by Caser
Are we in the midst of a second running boom in the U.S.? The numbers from Running USA's Annual Marathon Report certainly indicate that. Last year alone, over 500,000 people finished the 26.2 mile distance at a race in the U.S., continuing the upward trend over the last ten years.
On May 2, the AADL welcomes seasoned marathoners, John Farah and Nelson Williams, to the Downtown Library from 7 - 8:30pm to present their wisdom and experience with living actively. Their new book, "Let's Pick It Up A Bit: A Guide To A Running Lifestyle" is more than a collection of tips for runners - it is about creating a strong foundation to keep active, fit and healthy, not just physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well. The challenge of life is to learn how to keep growing to keep getting better!
Join John and Nelson as they discuss their new book and the art of maintaining a healthy lifestyle! Books will be on sale at this event, which will also include a book signing.
The AADL has a diverse collection of marathon training books, for the novice to the pro.
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #320
by muffy
Ann Arborites are no strangers to Sanjay Gupta. This home-grown (raised in Novi, MI) celebrity, received his undergraduate and MD degrees as well as his neurological surgery residency at UM. In his copious spare time, he sang with the Men’s Glee Club. He is the author of 2 non-fiction titles, Chasing Life (2007), and Cheating Death (2009). Currently, he is the CNN's chief medical correspondent.
His debut novel Monday Mornings (in audio) follows the lives of five surgeons at Chelsea (Michigan) General (fictitious), as they push the limits of their abilities and confront their personal and professional failings.
Monday Mornings refers to the scheduled Morbidity and Mortality conference (known as M & M, considered the most secretive meeting in all of medicine) where surgeons answer for bad outcomes. The novel provides a unique look at the real method in which surgeons learn - through their mistakes as they strive for redemption.
"Hospitals are, after all, Gupta's turf. His insights into the craft of surgery combined with vivid storytelling make Monday Mornings a gripping and wonderful read right down to the wire." ~ Abraham Verghese
Shooting for Chelsea General, a TNT pilot based on Gupta's novel and starring Alfred Molina and Ving Rhames is already in progress.
A bit of Gupta trivia.... Gupta was named one of the Sexiest Men of 2003 by People magazine and in January 2011, he was named "One of the 10 Most Influential Celebrities" by Forbes magazine.
Blog Post
Chef Brian Polcyn Of Birmingham's Forest Grill And Milford's Cinco Lagos
by hillary dorwart
Sunday February 19, 2012: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Consider yourself a foodie? Or just love a good meal? Don't miss a visit with award-winning chef Brian Polcyn! Chef Polcyn is nationally recognized for his creativity and culinary talents and is the visionary behind some of Detroit's most acclaimed restaurants - including Birmingham's Forest Grill and Milford's Cinco Lagos. Brian is also the author of two books: "Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing" (nominated for a James Beard award) and the upcoming "Salumi: The Craft of Italian Dry Curing."
Join us as he prepares an incredibly delicious sample dish and discusses his life and his books. This event, cosponsored by the Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor, includes a book signing and books will be on sale.
Blog Post
826michigan Hosts Writing Workshop with Author V.V. Ganeshananthan
by karaelise
Are you a fiction writer? Have you ever wondered about the writing techniques of a journalist? Well, now is your chance to get your questions about journalism answered! 826michigan’s “How to Write Like I Do” writing workshops presents: The Reported Imagination: Journalism Techniques for Fiction Writers. Heading up this workshop is none other than V.V. Ganeshananthan, Zell Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and author of the critically acclaimed 2008 novel, Love Marriage. Topics of discussion will include how fiction writers can use journalism techniques, such as interviewing and arduous editing, in their craft.
This fun event is for adults only, and takes place on Saturday, February 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 826michigan. Participants will be treated to Zingerman’s coffee and pastries.
Cost for this event is $25 per participant. However, 826Michigan is running a Bring-a-Friend special that allows you to purchase two tickets for $40! All proceeds from the event go to support 826michigan’s free creative writing program for youth ages 6-18 in Washtenaw County. So, get out your pen and paper or computer, and come join V.V. Ganeshananthan in a discussion about incorporating journalism techniques in your fiction writing!
Date: February 4, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Place: 826michigan
115 East Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Cost: $25 for 1 person
$40 for 2 people (the Bring-a-Friend special)
Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com
Blog Post
"Rock and Revolution" Exhibit Opening This Friday!
by amy
Friday, December 2, 2011: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. -- Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
Join us this Friday evening for the opening of Rock and Revolution a Downtown Library exhibit featuring the works of celebrated poster artist Gary Grimshaw and photo journalists Leni Sinclair and David Fenton, plus documents on loan from the John and Leni Sinclair Papers at the Bentley Historical Library.
Michael Erlewine, founder of the All-Music Guide and ClassicPosters.com, will present a brief talk on Michigan Rock Concert Posters from the 1960s & 1970s. Light refreshments will be served. Leni Sinclair and Gary Grimshaw will be in attendance and some of their work will be available for purchase. We'll also have several drawings for free posters signed by Gary Grimshaw!
This exhibit and opening are part of the Library's Freeing John Sinclair series of events to mark the 40th anniversary of the John Sinclair Freedom Rally and our upcoming freeingjohnsinclair.org website (premiering December 9). The exhibit will be on display in the Library's Lower Level Multi-Purpose Room, the Lower Level Glass Cases and the Third Floor Display Area from December 2 - January 15.
Blog Post
Comic Artists Forum with Guest Artist Joe Foo
by K.C.
Sunday, November 6 | 1-3 PM | Downtown / Multipurpose Room | Grade 6-Adult
Cartoonist Joe Foo will answer the question "What makes a good character?" In the process, Joe will discuss classic comic characters and draw parallels to his own characters, like Desmond of Desmond's Comics.
Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, share, and network with other cartoonists.