Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Pocketful of Posies

Pocketful of Posies by Salley Mavor.
Youth New Book Shelves – Lower Level – J398.8 M

I have only this year discovered the wonderfulness that is the artwork of Salley Mavor. This is her latest effort, a collection of nursery rhymes illustrated with her signature felt and found object dioramas with the little dolls, here looking more involved yet than in her how-to book, Felt Wee Folk. It is stunning. I hauled this book around everywhere with me for three weeks, showing it off to people whenever I could pry it away from my toddler, and everyone I showed it to was sucked into exploring the details. There’s the look of exasperation on the Old Woman in the Shoe’s face, embroidered rain drops, little silver jingle bells growing on plants in Mistress Mary’s garden. There are branches used for roofs, shells and acorn caps, buttons and beads mixed in. I read that she spent a month on each page, and it’s easy to believe. Some rhymes have a whole page devoted to them, while others are grouped thematically, with illustrations flowing from one rhyme to the next. For example, one spread shows a street full of village shops and includes rhymes relating to them. The rhymes seemed to me a good mix of familiar and new, including things like “Simple Simon” and “Polly Put the Kettle on”, but also “I Eat my Peas with Honey”. The language is slightly modified from what I grew up with, but, unlike many modern nursery rhyme collections, the rhymes are not updated to fit modern values. This is now my favorite nursery rhyme collection, good both for cultural literacy and beautiful art.


Saturday, November 26, 2011

Measure of the Earth



Measure of the Earth: The enlightenment Expedition That Reshaped Our World by Larrie D. Ferreiro
New Book Shelves - Upper Level - 526 F


In the 1730s, a group of scientists from France and Spain decided that they needed to measure the earth. Knowing its shape would help them navigate the oceans and map new places, giving them military and economic power. They went to Peru, a Spanish-owned country at the Equator, and literally measured a degree of latitude. This book, though non-fiction and based on real history and science, reads like an adventure novel. The scientists have weather, mountains, suspicious native people, and plenty of other hostilities to deal with in their quest. This is an exciting book about an important time in history, when Europeans learned more about South America and scientists made great strides in understanding our world.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Bride and Prejudice

Bride and Prejudice
DVD collection - Main Level - MUSICAL BRI

Like many people I know, I have a special place in my heart for Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. During the years that my sister was studying South Asian culture, she also introduced me to the joyous synthesis of squeaky-clean romance, music, dance and colorful costume changes that are Bollywood movies. Bride and Prejudice is the initially unlikely but quite successful synthesis of these two – Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day India, with lots of globe hopping. This setting translates the concerns of the original novel quite brilliantly. In modern-day India, marriage is still much more socially important than it is in the UK or America. I confess I don’t know anything about the Indian province of Amritsar, where Jaya, Lalita and their two younger sisters live, but it’s described in the film as a beautiful backwater. It has lovely cultural artifacts like the Golden Temple, but not much in the way of modernity. Lalita loves it passionately, and defends it fiercely both to American businessman Will Darcy, in town for a wedding with his best friend, and the Indian ex-pat distant cousin. The cousin is crass and wealthy and, even though he thinks America is better in so many ways, wants a nice traditional Indian girl for his wife. Very helpfully to fans of the book, while the girls’ names are changed to traditional Indian names, the men mostly have the same names as in the book. The plot is simplified and Austen's marvelous dialogue doesn't come over at all. But there’s music and dancing in plenty, both as part of regular life and when the characters sing and dance out their feelings. This isn’t true Bollywood, as it’s done by the UK team that did Bend it Like Beckham, so hard-core fans may find it lacking. However, for people like me who need to be able to fold laundry while watching a movie, having it in English was a big help. Bride and Prejudice is a delightfully fluffy movie, good for the liberal Austen fan and as an introduction to Bollywood.


Friday, November 18, 2011

Brave New Worlds


Brave New Worlds by John Joseph Adams
Adult Science Fiction-Main Level - BRAVE


The dystopian fiction genre has fascinated readers for generations. Dystopian literature often seeks to comment on contemporary society and also serves as a warning for the future. The anthology Brave News Worlds carries on this tradition and is clearly influenced by authors such as Orwell, Huxley, and Bradbury. These previous authors wrote groundbreaking works depicting terrifying visions of the future. While many of the stories in this anthology collection borrow elements from these previous works, there is enough variety of content to keep dystopian fiction fans entertained if they are looking for different spins on the genre. One advantage an anthology collection holds is the ability to skip around to different sections of the book. If a reader is not captivated by a certain story, he or she can always choose to try their luck with an offering from a different author. Anthologies are also an excellent way of sampling an unfamiliar author’s style and I know that many of these stories have made me interested in searching out further works by several of the authors.



The dystopian genre is diverse enough to satisfy many types of readers and the assortment of stories in this anthology run the gamut from sci-fi to horror. Fans of 1984 will enjoy entries such as “Ten with a Flag” and Peter Skilling.” A reader who wants less of a straightforward narrative might be interested in the bizarreness of “The Pearl Diver” or “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” a story that gives us a world that is seemingly perfect in every way except for the monstrous price only one individual has to pay. Brazil fans will feel right at home in the worlds of “Dead Space for the Unexpected” and “ ‘Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” which shows us a world fanatically devoted to the concept of being on time. Several of these stories were written decades ago but are still applicable to our society today. The mark of any great piece of literature is the ability to remain relevant for many generations and the stories in Brave New Worlds will certainly serve as cautionary tales for decades to come.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Chasing Lincoln's Killer


Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
Teen Zone Nonfiction-Main Level - 973.7092 S


I tend to get bored with Non-Fiction books but I loved Chasing Lincoln's Killer!

8 hours before President Abraham and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln arrive at Ford Theater, actor John Wilkes Booth learns of their evening plans and sets in motion a plan to assassinate not only the President, but the Vice President and the Secretary of State. From that point forward, James L. Swanson follows the actions of Booth, his co-conspirators, their pursuers and the parties of Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and then-Vice President Johnson up until the point of Booth's capture and his accomplices' prosecution and hanging.

Swanson's telling of this story is exhilarating, emotional and action-packed while staying true to historical events (the author notes in the opening notes of the book that the events described are "[...] far too incredible to have been made up.") Chasing Lincoln's Killer based on Swanson's adult book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, is specifically geared toward a youth and teen audience, but I didn't feel at all like I was reading a "dumbed down" version of another book at all.

The Lincoln assassination is a much more complex and interesting story than any history teacher ever told me and I walked away from this book feeling both interested in and well educated on the subject! It was definitely an interesting and worth-while read for teens and adults looking to actually have a great time learning about an important event in American history!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel



The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
by Anthony Horowitz Main Level New Book - Horowitz

Never underestimate the power of pure blind luck. Anthony Horowitz himself could not have dreamed of the unexpected topicality of this book while writing it. Without giving the plot away, the events of the last two weeks have given sudden relevance to a book of fiction set in 1890. Arthur Conan Doyle could never have gotten this Holmes story published then, which leads to the device that Watson wrote it decades after the event, and then kept the story under lock and key for another century. Only now can the story be told...

Horowitz does a very good job of evoking the familiar milieu of 221B Baker Street and includes cameos from several characters from the Conan Doyle canon. He understands the dynamic of the Holmes/Watson relationship and treats Watson with respect. Serious Sherlockians will find some nits to pick, but for more casual readers this is a delightful historical read that also happens to correlate with current events through pure blind luck.





Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Good Sister



The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell
Adult Paperbacks- Main Level– CAMPBELL


Roxanne has taken care of her younger sister Simone all of her life due to an absent father and an abusive mother. Roxanne believes that she can finally have a life of her own when Simone marries a wealthy man. Roxanne was wrong though, Simone has been through multiple pregnancies desperate for the hope that she will deliver a baby boy. Between the pregnancies and suffering from postpartum depression Simone has been negligent in taking care of her 3 daughters. Even though Simone has a nanny, a maid, and her mother all on her estate to help her raise the girls she still turns to Roxanne for help. Simone believes she is doing the best she can given her circumstances and that does not change even when she is placed on trial for the attempted murder of her children. Simone and her lawyers fight hard to prove that she was insane and not in her right mind when the attempted murder happened. Roxanne tries hard throughout the sad events to stay true to herself and her husband knowing that she has done everything she could to help Simone but part of her wonders if she will ever be free of sister to live her own life. Postpartum depression is a real issue and this novel portrays what can happen to a women suffering from it and other mental conditions.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children



Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Teen Zone New Fiction - Main Level - RIGGS


Here is a creepy book for anyone who likes stories about orphans, asylums, and supernatural powers. Jacob and his father visit a remote island off Wales, once the home of Jacob's grandfather in an orphanage there. When Jacob goes to the orphanage, he finds some peculiar children, and begins to question everything he knew to be true about his grandfather's life...and his own. The book includes vintage photos collected by the author, which fit into the storyline perfectly and make it even more disturbing and eerie.

Reading with the Stars



Reading with the Stars: A Celebration of Books and Libraries by Leonard Kniffel
Adult Non-Fiction Shelves - Upper Level - 027 K


This is a fun little book in which celebrities share their love of libraries and books. Each essay is just a few pages long, but some are quite powerful. For example, Pulitzer Prize-winner David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross) calls the Chicago Public Library his "alma mater" because he would skip school to read there. The essays by Ken Burns, who spent a remarkable afternoon with NYPL's Vartan Gregorian, and Ralph Nader ("I really don't need another cause, but reading about the state of libraries made me blush with shame." p.114) are especially poignant. The book includes lists of titles written by and/or recommended by the celebrities. Anyone who loves reading and libraries will appreciate this little gem.


Thursday, November 3, 2011

My Fair Lady



My Fair Lady
DVD Collection - Main Level - MUSICALS MY


“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” to have glorious musicals made for movie theaters again? While it seems this genre of film isn’t as popular as it used to be, fans of musical theater and motion pictures are lucky to have the classics restored and put on DVD to enjoy again and again. One such gem is My Fairy Lady with Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.

My Fair Lady tells the story of poverty stricken flower girl Eliza Doolittle and her ascension into ladyhood. Professor Higgins, a phoeneticist, is the wealthy gentleman that takes her in and tries to teach her how to speak proper English. Of course hilarious events ensue as Miss Doolittle believes she can already speak proper English, and Mr. Higgins keeps having Eliza repeat simple words and phrases such as “The Rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” The recitation of this phrase begins a special turning point for Eliza because she finally pronounces her “a’s” correctly. Soon Eliza, Professor Higgins, and Colonel Pickering are dancing around the parlor room to “The Rain in Spain” which is just one of the many beloved songs in the musical.

Based upon the theater musical, the movie does not disappoint. Miss Hepburn is magical as Eliza Doolittle. She speaks with her beautiful eyes and is completely believable and delightful in her character. In addition, Mr. Harrison captures the aloof yet caring professor perfectly. Mr. Harrison originated the role on Broadway. The other actors and characters along with the gorgeous music (written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe) are added icing to this delightful classic. If you are looking for a wonderful musical with comedy and heart then My Fair Lady is your ticket. It is a classic that will be around forever. In fact, there are talks of a My Fair Lady motion picture remake starring Colin Firth (winner of the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actor) as Henry Higgins. For now though, we can enjoy the beloved classic that won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Picture!