Blog Post
Harry Potter
by Brad B.
Do I really need to say anything more to get your attention? Is the excitement for the new book bubbling over in your brain until you can't think straight? Have you listened to the audio version of HBP (Half Blood Prince) 24 times; have you meticulously plotted out how Luna Lovegood is really Voldemort in disguise; are you lining up a date to get a lightening bolt tattooed on your forehead? Well, if the wait till July 21 is making you a little crazy, here are a few books about Harry Potter to tide you over until then!
The Great Snape Debate
Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter (DVD)
Harry Potter and Philosophy
The Science of Harry Potter
Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody
The Unauthorized Harry Potter
Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter
Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World
The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter
A Charmed Life : the spirituality of Potterworld
The Sorcerer's Companion : a guide to the magical world of Harry Potter
Triumph of the Imagination : the story of writer J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling Biography
Conversations with J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling : the wizard behind Harry Potter
God, the Devil, and Harry Potter:A Christian minister's defense of the beloved novels
We love Harry Potter! : we'll tell you why
(Also teens don't forget about Harry Potter Trivia Night July 16, and of course Harry and the Potters July 31!)
Blog Post
New French books at the library
by Tara LS
Look for new French books on the shelf at all branches very soon marked with "NEW" stickers. The library just received many new French books. The selection includes:
Books by Francophone African authors:
Kiffe Kiffe Demain by Faiza Guene
La Retournee by Fawzia Zouari
Les Sirenes de Bagdad by Yasmina Khadra
Books translated from other languages:
La Maison aux esprits by Isabel Allende
Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Le Zahir by Paulo Coelho
Other new French books include:
Impuretes by Philippe Djian
Plateforme by Michel Houellebecq
La ligne noire by Jean-Christophe Grange
Blog Post
Local music groups on stage
by Maxine
A great display of local talent is on hand at Top of the Park this summer. Following are groups whose music you can continue to enjoy by checking out their cd's at the Library:
Hullabaloo. "This rousing band indulges in hip-shaking ska, Latin and rock." "Hullabaloo is sheer energy and fun." (Current Magazine)
Nomo. "Nomo swings a sense of spirituality, soul and grace into pop music." (Detroit Metro Times)
The Terraplanes "A rhythmn and blues powered vehicle that will take you along the entertainment highway to a swinging place where you can jump and shout. (terraplanes.net)
II-V-I Orchestra "Through it all shines the professionalism and dynamic vocal performance of Al Jacquez and the crack II-V-I horn section." (http://home.comcast.net/~iiviorchestra)
The Raisin Pickers "Fans of traditional American music who appreciate aces fiddling, boffo banjo work, strong songwriting and harmonies as sweet as sugar..."(raisinpicker.com)
Dick Siegel "Songs from SNAP! like Angelo's and Carry Me Away
show his troubadour knack for writing both sweet and sorrowful love songs." (CD Baby)
Madcat and Kane "...virtuoso playing and vibrant interpretations. Ruth...one of harmonica's greats...Kane provides a solid rhythmn while still getting in her electrifying solos." (Dirty Linen)
Corndaddy "Corndaddy's music harkens back to the glory days of country rock through filters of power pop, bluegrass and British invasion bombast. (Corndaddy.com)
George Bedard and the Kingpins "...as solid and dependable as a '57 Chevy and as flashy and flamboyant as a long-finned '59 Caddy covertible."
(Arborweb)
Blog Post
Looking for something to read? Try...
by wheloc
In the back of Fly By Night, Frances Hardinge gives us the following warning: "This is not a historical novel. It is a yarn. Although the Realm is based roughly on England at the start of the eighteenth century, I have taken appalling liberties with historical authenticity and, when I felt like it, the laws of physics."
What she fails to mention is that it's a rollicking good yarn. It follows the adventures (and mis-adventures) of Mosca Mye. Her problem is she loves words of all shapes and sizes (her father broke convention and taught her to read before he conventionally died) but she lives in a world where most folks fear education and distrust any sort of writing. In trying to better herself and broaden her horizons she encounters a variety of colorful characters, from con men to tradesmen, dutchesses to revolutionaries. Written by, for and about bibliophiles; Fly By Night is ultimately a story about the power of words, and whether this power should be feared or embraced.
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Civic Band March Mania
by Sarah T
Were you like me and spent your formative years in various bands? Not the kind with kids with cool haircuts and loud guitars, rather the kind with uncomfortable uniforms and instruments with spit valves. If you can relate then you should check out the Ann Arbor Civic Band as they kick off their summer season with March Mania, June 27th at 8pm in the West Park Band Shell. Concerts will run weekly through July.
If you are eager to get in the marching spirit listen to The World's Greatest Marches, the United States Marine Band, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. And just for giggles, check out the picture book, Olivia Forms a Band.
Blog Post
Polish your school or job skills this summer
by annevm
Summer is a good time to learn – and AADL has a great resource to help you: LearningExpressLibrary. This collection of interactive online practice tests and tutorials is designed to help students and adults pass academic and licensing tests. Categories include Advanced Placement, Math Skills, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, and SAT Preparation.
Blog Post
It's that time of year again...Cherry season!!
by emilyas
It's almost cherry season again, and that means we now have lots more reasons to think of creative ways to use this famous Michigan fruit. NPR has an article about cherries that includes several recipes. So grab your canvas bag and head to the farmer's market in July to gather up the sweet taste of Michigan cherries!
Blog Post
2006 Mitten Award Announced
by kidlit
Last week the Children's Services Division of the Michigan Library Association announced the winner of the 2006 Mitten Award.
The Award goes to Cynthia Lord for her first novel Rules. This is the story of how twelve-year-old Catherine deals with her autistic younger brother. This title also won a Newbery Honor Medal, the Schneider Family Book Award and is an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. I think this title deserves all these accolades.
There were three Mitten Honor books announced.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Counting on Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop
The Mitten Award honors one children's book every year as the best published in the calendar year.
Blog Post
The Venice Biennale in Ann Arbor
by muffy
Well, only a small piece... but so exciting!!!
Works of contemporary Japanese photographer Miyako Ishiuchi exhibited at the 2005 Venice Biennale are on view in the current exhibition Out of the Ordinary/Extraordinary: Japanese Contemporary Photography at the University of Michigan Museum of Art/OffSite.
These elegant and large-format photographs are part of the series called Mother’s, a tribute to her mother whose death in 2000 deeply affected her. By photographing her mother’s possessions, she hoped to come to a better understanding of this extraordinary woman whom she never really got along with.
Apart from Miyako Ishiuchi's, this UMMA exhibition presents works of 10 other young photographers, most of whom are unknown to North American audiences and “challenges conventional Western assumptions about Japanese aesthetics and culture.”
Blog Post
Ann Arbor Summer Festival Top of the Park
by Sarah T
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is kicking off June 15th with music, food, film, and other live performances. While you can pay to see performances such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Lyle Lovett , be sure to check out Top of the Park for free. This admissions-free portion of the festival is held on Ingalls Mall on University of Michigan’s Central Campus and features musical performances, dance demonstrations, films, and even a Brazilian Festival. The three-week festival will kick off with performances by local favorites such as Salmagundi, Hullabaloo, Owen B. and the Overtime Band, and NOMO. Get a sense of the history of the festival by checking out AADL’s collection of posters from some of the past events starting in 1985.