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Holiday Books-to-Movies Releases

by muffy

Frozen
Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, this family-friendly musical comedy-adventure entertains without the original tale's darkness.

The Wolf of Wall Street
This "morality tale for our time" is adopted from Jordan Belfort's gritty memoir that "dishes up the dirty details of his company and his life - from his days as a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption, and the federal govt. (Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey)

The Book Thief
Based on the 2006 runaway bestseller, and Printz-Honor Award winner, by Australian author Markus Zusak, it is the unforgettable story of the ability of books to feed the soul. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. Liesel, a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

The Hunger Games : Catching Fire
"A class-divided postapocalyptic world, teenage gladiators suffering from post-traumatic stress, and a fiery love triangle collide" in the film adaptation based on Suzanne Collins second book in the wildly successful series.

Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Parkland is based on author Vincent Bugliosi's book which recounts the chaotic events that occurred at Dallas's Parkland Hospital on November 22, 1963, following a handful of individuals forced to make split-second decisions that changed their lives and the world.

Therese
Based on Emile Zola's famous novel, Therese Raquin (English translation on order) tells the story of Therese and her lover Laurent who plot to murder Camille, Therese's sickly husband. Set in 1860's Paris, this classic tale of passion, betrayal and tragedy is a tantalizing erotic thriller.

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‘Tis the Season for Wintry Crafts!

by theshhlady

The days are getting colder and shorter and winter is the perfect time to stay indoors and start some traditional and fun crafts. Whether you’re an experienced knitter or crocheter who wants to learn some new patterns or a beginner, the library has plenty of how-to books to fit your needs. You can’t go wrong with homemade gifts for the holidays (they're also relatively inexpensive!). If you want to make something more interesting than an afghan or a pair of baby booties, you could make some creative pieces of knitted or crocheted art. You could even make something for your pet! If you’re feeling adventurous you could even try embroidery or felting.

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National Homemade Bread Day is November 17th!

by eapearce

I was surprised to learn that on November 17th, in two weeks, we get to celebrate National Homemade Bread Day! This special day is a great excuse to learn about baking bread, discover information about its history, and experience the many delicious breads that the local bakeries in Ann Arbor have to offer.

The AADL has tons of great books to help you create delicious homebaked breads in your own kitchen. Check out The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Bread Baking and Flour Water Salt Yeast: the Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza for tips on how to get started. We also have Gluten-free and Vegan Bread: Artisanal Recipes to Make at Home and many other vegan and gluten-free oriented bread and baking books for those who have dietary restrictions. Beard on Bread has been a favorite of bread bakers since the 1970s and has more than 100 recipes in it, along with illustrations that kids (and adults!) may enjoy.

Of course, “homemade” doesn’t have to mean made in your own home. National Homemade Bread Day can be celebrated with other people’s homemade bread too! Try out Jefferson Market and Cakery for some delectable baked goods and swing by Angelo’s for a slice of their thick homemade raisin bread along with your brunch.

Enjoy your homemade feasting!

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Chesstastic on Sunday, November 10 at Traverwood

by K.C.

Sunday, November 10 | 1-4 PM | Traverwood Branch | Gr. K-Adult

Come and play one of the world's most popular games with players of all ages! Chess sets (and snacks) are provided.

Coming up in the “world” of chess is the 2013 SportsAccord World Mind Games held December 12-18 in Beijing. Chess along with other mind games. Check the list of players who will compete.

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The Monuments Men

by oldnews

One of the most anticipated movies this fall is The Monuments Men, based on the book The Monuments Men : Allied heroes, Nazi thieves, and the greatest treasure hunt in history by Robert M. Edsel.

The Monuments Men, a group of men and women from thirteen nations, most of them volunteers, who were museum directors, curators, art scholars and educators, artists, architects, and archivists. These mostly middle-aged family men, walked away from successful careers into the epicenter of the war, risking—and some losing—their lives. They raced against time in order to save the world’s greatest cultural treasures from destruction at the hands of Nazi regime.

A little known fact is that one of these brave men lived among us quietly for decades - Charles Sawyer, a member of the Roberts Commission, established by President Roosevelt on June 23, 1943, charged with promoting the preservation of cultural properties in war areas, provided this mission did not interfere with military operations. Professor Sawyer was the Director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art from 1957-1972.

The Charles Sawyer Center for Museum Studies at the University of Michigan Museum of Art was founded in his honor in 2003. “Charlie” Sawyer passed away after a brief illness on February 25, 2005. Here are the Old News articles on Charles Sawyer.

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Halloween at the Library!

by eapearce

Halloween is a great holiday for all ages to celebrate, and the AADL has excellent resources to help you make this Halloween especially fun! Browse in our Halloween section to find books like Tricks and Treats: The Ultimate Halloween Book, A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations an Destinations, and Halloween: The Best of Martha Stewart Living.

Check out our music collection to find Halloween CDs to help set the scene for a Halloween party or to play while kids get ready for trick-or-treating. We have Spooky Scary Sounds for Halloween, Andrew Gold’s Halloween Howls, 57 Kids Greatest Halloween Songs, Games and Stories, and many other Halloween-themed CDs.

We have tons of Halloween picture books for kids in our youth Holiday section, and we have a number of youth-oriented Halloween events this year, too. There will be two Halloween Parties on October 31st downtown, from 9:30 to 10:00AM and from 10:30 to 11:00AM, and a Halloween Story Time at our Pittsfield Branch that evening from 7:00 to 7:30PM, where kids will be able to hear Halloween stories and make a craft. Come celebrate with us!

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100 Great Children's Books | 100 Years

by Enzy

Our friends at the New York Public Library have compiled a list of 100 children’s books that have long been considered classics and are still very much in demand. Out of all these titles you are bound to find some of your favorites as well as discover some new ones. A few books on the list include…

Charlotte’s Web: When the runt of the litter's life is spared, Wilbur the pig doubts life could get much better. However he becomes inconsolable when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner. Only friendship and a crazy scheme can save him.

Esperanza Rising: Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California. It is here where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

The Story of Ferdinand: A true classic with a timeless message, this is a story about a docile bull who would rather smell flowers than engage in the bullfights in Madrid.

The Phantom Tollbooth: This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey.

Check out the complete list here.

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Happy Polish American Heritage Month!

by eapearce

Cześć!

Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month (ongoing throughout October) at the AADL! This annual event was first started in 1981 and celebrates Polish history, culture and pride, as well as the many achievements of Polish Americans. Whether or not you have Polish heritage, participating in Polish American Heritage Month is fun and easy. Listen to traditional Polish fiddle music by the Karol Stoch Band and try your hand at some Polish recipes. Kids may enjoy hearing ancient Polish fables and folktales read aloud to them, too.

The library also has many books written in Polish in our World section, as well as books and CDs to help you learn and master the Polish language, whether you are an interested beginner or an out-of-practice native speaker. Try Colloquial Polish: the complete course for beginners, or Mastering Polish with 2 audio CDs, which also comes with a Polish-English dictionary.

For information about Polish history in Michigan, read about the first Polish people to settle in Detroit in Detroit’s Polenia, by Cecile Wendt Jensen. You can also learn about the contributions Polish people have made to Michigan culture and about the attraction that many Polish people feel to our state in Poles in Michigan, by Dennis Badaczewski.

Happy Polish American Heritage Month, and Miłego dnia!

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It's Time for Indoor Gardening!

by eapearce

With fall upon us and winter approaching faster than some of us might prefer, it’s time to think about indoor gardening! Indoor gardening can be as simple or complex as you like, from keeping a few house plants in the living room to maintaining a full herb garden or a bonsai display in your home. The library has a number of great books to help you get started, give you advice on how to move outdoor plants indoors, and tend to plants that are struggling now . Don’t Throw It, Grow It! even gives tips on how to grow plants on windowsills from food scraps. For the ambitious, books on more unique plants or on caring for the finicky bonsai trees are also available.

Kids can get involved in keeping things green over the winter too. Check out My Indoor Garden by Carol Lerner for easy suggestions for helping kids choose and care for plants during the chilly months.

To learn more about both common and unusual houseplants, think about attending Life as an Epiphyte at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on November 16, when artist Penrith Goff will speak about over 6,00 types of bromeliads.

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Dia De La Familia Latina

by Beth Manuel

The excitement will be Sunday October 6th at the downtown library of AADL, as we unite with The U of M Comprehensive Cancer Center to bring Dia de la Familia Latina. This event is aimed at raising awareness of cancer & other health issues among Latinos. We will be featuring the countries of Argentina and Brazil This informational activity - which takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month - will include health information and resources from local community agencies & organizations that serve Hispanics and Latinos. There will also be fun crafts & activities for children as well as refreshments and entertainment for all! Join us Sunday from 2:00-5:00 pm!