Thank you Arthur C. Clarke! March 25, 2008
Posted by Donna in Book Awards, Fiction, Non-Fiction.comments closed
“I’m sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people think about it. I’m rather proud of the fact that I know several astronauts who became astronauts through reading my books.”
~Arthur C. Clarke~
Address to US Congress in 1975
The great science fiction writer of almost 100 books, Arthur C. Clarke, died on March 18, 2008 at the age of 90. He influenced not only American astronauts, but also scientists such as Carl Sagan plus movie and television producers such as Gene Roddenberry. His works have been translated into over 40 languages and many of his books like Childhood’s End have been continuously in print with sales estimated at more that $25 million dollars. The world will miss his imagination and prophetic scientific writings. Check out his 90th birthday reflections in this YouTube video:
~Donna
Teen Fiction Makes It to the Big Screen March 17, 2008
Posted by Victoria in Fiction, Uncategorized.comments closed
There are two movies set to film in 2008, both based on teen novels. There’s one other interesting thing they have in common. Each features one of the stars of the Academy Award winning film Juno.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The movie is due to be released in theaters in the Fall, starring Michael Cera (Paulie Bleeker in Juno).
A marathon first date is the subject of this story about two teens who meet at a punk concert. Nick O’Leary asks Norah Silverberg to be his girfriend for five minutes in order to avoid his ex. She agrees, since she knows the ex and would love to show her up. Press play.
From there, Nick and Norah are off on a first date adventure that spans the length of 24 hours in New York City. In alternating voices, (Levithan writes Nick’s part, Cohn writes Norah’s part,) their date falls into a rhythm that eventually syncs up, and can only be compared to a mix tape that makes sense in the end.
David Levithan and Rachel Cohn are both successful authors of teen fiction. This collaboration is an amazing showcase of their talent. It captures the awkwardness and excitement of a first date perfectly.
by Shauna Cross
The movie version of this title will be called Whip It! It will feature Ellen Page (Juno herself) in the starring role, and will be directed by Drew Barrymore. Look for it on the big screen in the Spring of 2009.
Bliss Cavendar is a sixteen-year-old, blue-haired, Indie rock-loving rebel who stands out in the small town of Bodeen, Texas. When her mother urges her to compete in the local beauty pageant, she revolts. In search of a place to fit in, she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin, and joins. Her life is changed forever.
In case you haven’t heard, roller derby is becoming hotter with rebellious young women than vintage clothing shops and tattoos. It’s sweeping North America, with leagues popping up in every major city in the U.S. and Canada. The author of Derby Girl is a roller derby queen herself, and a screenwriter. Her novel gives the reader a good feel of the excitement and appeal of roller derby, bruises and all.
A Rebel Yell That Stood the Test of Time March 14, 2008
Posted by Victoria in Non-Fiction.comments closed
It’s that time of year when we think of all things Irish. Soda bread, shamrocks, lyrical poetry, jigs, and of course, who could forget the best Irish import of all, U2.
U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. That’s how long they have been around . It all started in the kitchen of Adam Clayton,the band’s bassist, in 1975. Fourteen-year-old Paul Hewson was just a rebellious kid then, known for his fighting ability. He was later given the nickname Bono Vox, which means “a good voice” in Latin. It later got shortened to Bono.
Since then, the group has evolved from a group of talented teenagers to a striking force in rock music. They have sold more then 170 million albums worldwide, and have won more Grammies than any rock band in history.
Known for his political consciousness and impassioned, anthemic vocals, Bono has become well-respected in the world for his activism which extends beyond the band. Dave Evans (The Edge) has been studied by musicians for his ability to produce a unique, piercing sound on the electric guitar.
U2 fans, rock lovers, and even just the curious will find the pictorial U2 by U2interesting. It chronicles their journey from an anarchic punk band to superstardom in private detail through photographs, journal entries, letters, and more.
For those who want to learn more about Irish musical ability, and why it is such a force to be reckoned with, check out the documentary From a Whisper to a Scream: the Living History of Irish Music.
I’m Lost without a Book March 13, 2008
Posted by Evelyn in Audio, Fiction.comments closed
Someone just asked me for something “good to read.” My first thought was which one should I talk about? People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks that I’m listening to on CD in my car? Obedience by Will Lavender—the first novel that I’m reading right now? (I love first novels!)
Or maybe I should mention The Bone Gardenby Tess Gerritsen that I just downloaded onto my MP3 player. Oh, I almost forgot… I have The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier on a Playaway tucked into my purse—just in case.
I even keep a book of Sudoku puzzles in the glove compartment of my husband’s truck for those times he gets carried away talking with the guys and leaves me just sitting there.
You’re probably wondering how I keep all the stories straight, but all I can say is I can. It isn’t a problem at all. Within a sentence or two, I’m completely immersed back into the story. Hmmmm…..Maybe I’m more those Gen Y’ers than I think—they multitask on their cell phones, iPods, and laptops—I just do the same with books. ~Evelyn
Book Page March 3, 2008
Posted by Ann in Uncategorized.comments closed
Check out the latest issue (March 2008) of Book Page, a free periodical available at Rocky River Public Library and many other public libraries as well. Cleveland authors are well represented in this issue. In the Burning Questions (letters to the editor section), one reader asks about Les Roberts. He does have a new book scheduled to be published by Gray & Company later this year; it’s a Milan Jacovich book, King of the Holly Hop.
In that same column, the editors point out that another Cleveland author, Elizabeth Becka follows up her Trace Evidence with Unknown Means, another forensic science mystery set in Cleveland.
A few pages later in the same issue, the latest book by Cleveland area author, Maria Doria Russell is reviewed. The new book, Dreamers of the Day, revolves around an unmarried schoolteacher living in Ohio at the end of World War I. She heads to Egypt and the Holy Land to realize a lifelong dream and finds herself mingling with pepole like T.E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill at the Cairo Peace Conference.
~Ann
