All Hallow’s Read! (aka Happy Halloween!) October 31, 2011
Posted by stacey in Fiction, Holiday Books.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Happy day full of black cats, pretty bats, and tasty candy! Oh, and also: Good spooky reading! I love this idea so much that I need to talk about it more than once! Mr. Neil Gaiman is an established fan of libraries (thank you! Mr. Gaiman!) and we like him back, but he reached a new level of cool with the idea of All Hallow’s Read! There are all sorts of fun extras including: a printable bookmark -swoon!, gift tags and book drop stickers, but the kicker of the site must be the super handy round-up of book recommendations! I do love me a list!
Of course you can make a list of your own using The Reading Room! Just do a little search using the descriptor Halloween or horror or magic, but my favorite search might be superstitions, which brings up a list of 13 titles… no lie! Or send us a Reader’s Request form and we’ll choose three titles -just for you!
I know! It’s hard to handle this much fun, isn’t it? But let’s do our best to try! Enjoy the day my friends!
— Stacey
Paula McLain Discusses The Paris Wife, Hemingway, and Writing October 28, 2011
Posted by megan in Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction.Tags: Best seller, Local Authors, The Paris Wife
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Last night Paula McLain, author of the New York Times bestseller The Paris Wife spoke to a full house at Rocky River Public Library. I’ll confess, I almost didn’t go because I haven’t read the book yet. I am so glad that my desire to hear an author speak and get a book signed was greater than my desire to be lazy. Paula McClain was charming, engaging, and contagiously passionate about the inspiration behind her book-Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson. She made me want to run home and dive right into Hadley’s world (after Project Runway, of course).
McLain discussed everything from the inspiration for the book (reading A Moveable Feast by Hemingway), to her research process(she didn’t know what she was getting herself into when she began), to her opinions on Hemingway’s poetry (apparently it’s dreadful). She read snippets of Ernest’s and Hadley’s letters as well as a particularly stressful passage from her book. During the Q & A session she revealed that the subject of her next book is Marie Curie. Afterwards while signing books she further revealed to a select few where she gets her fabulous haircut and where she found her awesome handbag.
What a lovely evening! Just hanging out with a famous (and local) author talking about Hemingway, handbags and haircuts. How cool is that?
If you haven’t read The Paris Wife yet, I think you probably should. I think this weekend I will head to a cafe and enjoy my signed copy with a latte and a scone.
˜Megan
I Love to Listen-Awesome Audio October 26, 2011
Posted by megan in Audio, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Thrillers, Women's Fiction, Young Adult.Tags: audiobooks, Favorite books
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I know I have talked about this before, but it bears repeating: audiobooks are awesome. I mean really, what else are you doing during your morning commute? I suggest switching off the “downer” news, pop in a book on cd and see how much better you feel when you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam. Switching to books in the car has done wonders for my blood pressure since I am no longer in a furious rush to get anywhere. Why would I rush when I have someone telling me a story? Same deal with walking the dog. As soon as I pull out the Playaway my dog is jumping around and drooling with excitement because she knows that I could walk forever once I get into my “book.” Between my 20 minute daily commute to and from work, driving around town running errands, and walking the dog on a semi-regular basis, I have managed to “read” 36 books for far this year just by listening. Not too shabby. So, you are ready to give listening a try? Where to start? Here are some of my favorites:
One of my favorite series to listen to is Alan Bradley’s Flavia De Luce mysteries. Narrator Jayne Entwistle does a marvelous job of giving the precocious youth sleuth and amateur chemist a voice. Meet Flavia in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Her adventures continue in The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag and A Red Herring Without Mustard. I am anxiously awaiting the next book, I am Half-Sick of Shadows. These charming and hilarious mysteries are a real crowd-pleaser.
Looking for something more suspenseful and fast-paced? Richard Doestch’s The 13th Hour is just that! This book has it all-edge of your seat action, murder, mystery, and time travel.
Is nonfiction your thing? I loved the audio version of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This is the thought-provoking story of how one woman, without her knowledge or permission changed the world of medicine.
How about historical fiction? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is currently shelved in the Teen collection, but I know plenty of adult book clubs that selected this one to discuss. It is a heartbreaking and moving look at WWII, told from the point of view of Death. On many occasions I found myself sitting in the driveway after work listening instead of going inside.
I also really loved Water for Elephants, everything Sarah Addison Allen writes (Garden Spells, Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and The Peach Keeper), Blood Oath, and Going Bovine.
Did you find something to listen to? I hope so!
˜Megan
Movie Monday October 24, 2011
Posted by Dori in Movies, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
“Movie Monday” is a new addition here at Read it or Weep that will focus on the stellar DVD collection at RRPL. I’m hoping to include a weekly list of new DVD releases, highlight movies I’ve seen or want to see and maybe chat about any other movie related items that strike my fancy.
This week is a little barren for new DVD releases. For you comic book movie fans, there’s Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel’s comic adventure set during World War II about Steve Rogers’ transformation from scrawny kid into superhero. It’s supposed to be action packed and full of period details and will help prepare you for The Avengers coming out in May of next year (and partially filmed in Cleveland!). Also here this week is family favorite Winnie the Pooh Movie, a trip back in time full of gentleness and charm.
Of course, All Hallow’s Eve and Dia de los Muertos are fast approaching and you may want to check out a horror movie, turn down the lights and scare the pants off yourself! I’m not a big fan of movies that threaten death and dismemberment, but I do like scary films like The Birds or The Shining. Check out our display of “Eerie Movies” and celebrate the season.
Happy Watching.
~ Dori
Latest Additons October 24, 2011
Posted by stacey in Fiction, Non-Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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If you look up the definition of surprise, you’ll see that I can no longer feel good about using it in relation to the fact that it’s raining. Isn’t that too bad? At least there was sunshine over the weekend, right? And if you believe weather can be forecasted in a fairly reliable manner; Weather.com is providing hope for a few more glimpses of the Sun in the next ten days -including Halloween! Are you looking for ways to spend your rainy days? (Can anyone guess what I might be suggesting? Hmm?) What about reading! (Really, you had to see that coming.) What about one of the books recently added to The Reading Room:
Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen
Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
Rescue Ink by Denise Flaim
Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward
Now that you have some good choices, are you ready for more wet weather? (No, me either -but I think it’s coming anyway…) Enjoy!
— Stacey
Once Upon a Time: Grown-up Fairy Tales on TV and in Graphic Novels October 21, 2011
Posted by megan in Fantasy, Graphic Novel.Tags: Fairy Tales, Graphic Novels
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They say everything old is new again, eventually. That is certainly the case for the nearly 200-year-old tales penned by the Brothers Grimm (did you know they were librarians?) in 1812. This fall these ageless tales are going to be updated for a modern TV audience.
First up is ABC’s Once Upon a Time.
Once Upon a Time, starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison (you will recognize her from House and How I Met Your Mother) premiers Sunday, October 23 at 8pm. The show is about Emma Swan (Morrison), a young woman who is drawn to Storybrooke, a tiny town in Maine, by the son she gave up as a baby. Ten-year-old Henry believes that Emma is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and that Storybrooke is under a spell cast by the Evil Queen. He claims that the curse has trapped fairy tale characters in the modern world with no recollection of their true identities. Despite her skepticism, Emma is about to witness the beginning of an epic battle between good and evil.
Sounds good to me! The DVR is all set for this one.
And if that wasn’t enough, the following week you can catch NBC’s Grimm.
Grimm, starring David Guintoli and Russell Hornsby, premiers Friday, October 28 at 9pm. Grimm is about Nick Burkhardt, a homicide detective in Portland, Oregon, who learns that he is a descendent of an elite group of hunters known as “Grimms.” As the last of his kind, it is his destiny and duty to protect humankind from the sinister characters of fairy tales who infiltrate the real world.
I think I may have to give this one a try too.
I find the timing of these two shows to be perfect, as I have recently discovered the Fable series by Bill Willingham. This series originated as a comic book in 2002 and was complied into book form beginning in 2003. The author has reinvented characters from fairy tales and folklore and brought them together in modern-day New York City. They call themselves Fables and have made their home in a luxury hotel, known as Fabletown. Those fables who can not pass for human live on The Farm in upstate New York. Fabletown began centuries ago, when an enemy known only as The Adversary began conquering their homelands. After centuries of peace Fabletown has found itself in the midst of political upheaval and dramatic change. There are currently 16 volumes in the Fables series and a number of spin-offs, including series starring Jack Horner, Cinderella, and Peter Piper, his wife Bo Peep and his brother Max. Willingham recently announced plans to start a new series, Fairest, which will follow the lives of many female fables. So many fun fables, so little time…
If you are looking for a quick, clever read I highly recommend checking out Fables by Bill Willingham.
˜Megan
It’s Read-a-Thon Time! October 19, 2011
Posted by megan in Uncategorized.Tags: Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-Thon
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Are you overwhelmed by a massive pile of books to be read? Do you need a little motivation to tackle the list? Do you love games and winning prizes? If the answer is YES, I have just the thing for you!
I suggest you join Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon, which takes place this Saturday, October 22. This online event began in October of 2007 and has been growing ever since. I participated during part of the April Read-a-Thon and it was tons of fun. I had to work that day so I wasn’t able to do the entire 24 hours, but that is my goal for this weekend! It’s so easy to join. Simply go to the website, 24hourreadathon.com, fill out the form, find your start time (if you are here in the Cleveland area with me it’s 8 a.m.) and get ready to read! If you are near a computer, be sure to follow the blog for mini-challenges and chances to win prizes. The website offers lots of tips, but from experience I can say comfy clothes, coffee, and lots of snacks are read-a-thon essentials. I am all signed up, now I just need to pick my books…
Anyone out there care to join me? C’mon, you know you want to! You can follow my progress on my YA blog, YA? Why Not?
˜Megan
Latest Additions October 17, 2011
Posted by stacey in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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It’s up. It’s down. It’s too confusing! Why won’t the temperature level out at something decent? Where’s Fall? Why aren’t the leaves slowly turning beautiful colors before they gently fall to the ground in picturesque piles? Why?!?
Phew. The angst. It’s (mostly) out now.
And now I can turn my attention to two fabulous things! 1. There are new titles to share today! 2. Halloween is right around the corner and I’ve found a super fun site to share! (Not bad for a Monday, right?) Let’s do first things first, shall we?
The Submission by Amy Waldman
Angelina’s Bachelors by Brian O’Reilly
Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven
The Clone Codes by Pat McKissak
Rescue Ink by Denise Flaim
And the second moment of joy today comes courtesy Neil Gaiman, a sometimes spooky-type author! I think he explains it better than I ever could, so head off to this website: All Hallows Read, watch Mr. Gaiman’s informative video, and start spreading the Halloween holiday joy! The Book Recommendations and Extras are fully entertaining in their own right, but you’ll want to poke around the whole site to get the full effect…
Enjoy!
— Stacey
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night… October 15, 2011
Posted by megan in Horror.Tags: Horror
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It’s a gloomy Saturday here at the library, which got me thinking about spooky stories, which made me think “It was a dark and stormy night…”, which led me to research the origins of the famous first line. The phrase was the opening line of the popular book Paul Clifford, published in 1830 by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Though not as well-known as his famous pal Charles Dickens, Bulwer-Lytton is also responsible for the much-quoted adage “the pen is mightier than then sword.”
Now that my brief but educational detour is over let me get back to the matter at hand-scary stories. Tis the season for spooky and if you are motivated enough to leave the cozy comfort of home to visit us at the library you might want to stock up on some pre-Halloween reading supplies. We have everything from the classic tales of horror by H.P. Lovecraft to modern-day classics by Stephen King. We have zombies, vampires, werewolves, and good old-fashioned ghost stories. Just let us now how you want the bejeezus scared out of you and we’ll do the rest!
˜Megan
Pleased to Meet You Stephanie Plum. Jack Reacher, You’re Cool Too. October 11, 2011
Posted by megan in First Novel, Thrillers.Tags: Books into movies, series, Thrillers
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I will be the first to admit that I am often late to the party, so to speak. In the case of Janet Evanovich’s spunky bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, I am beyond fashionably late for this party. I have to admit, this seventeen book series (plus four novellas, and a collection of short stories) is a daunting undertaking, but I am game!
It all began with One For the Money, way back in 1994 when a newly divorced and unemployed Stephanie went to work for her bail bondsman cousin, Vinnie. She was looking for an office job, but after a little convincing, finds herself employed as an apprehension agent. Her first cases are to find Joe Morelli, a cop from the Burg accused of murder and Benito Ramirez, a professional boxer and homicidal madman. Of course Stephanie is not left to flounder on her own. She gets a crash course in Bounty Hunter 101 from the dark and mysterious Ranger. With her hamster Rex around for moral support, and a comically insane family around to feed her, Stephanie survives to draw another case.
I now understand why there are so many books in this series and so many fans! These books offer the perfect blend of suspense, humor, steamy romance, and unforgettable characters. They are the ultimate pleasure read because they are fast-paced and fun. I am up to Three to Get Deadly and I am not longer overwhelmed by the number of books in the series, I am excited that there are fourteen more for my reading pleasure! The best part? I can finally start participating in some Ranger vs Morelli debates, just in time for the movie!
Lee Child’s Jack Reacher is another character who has been around for a while (sixteen books and counting). I am currently getting to know him in his debut, The Killing Floor. Back in 1997 Jack Reacher was a drifter. The former U.S. Army Military Police Major spent six months travelling the country with nothing more than some cash and an expired passport in his pocket. He never stayed in one place for very long, until the fateful day he got off the bus in Margrave, Georgia. When an unidentified man is found dead in a town that has been crime-free for decades, the most likely suspect is the strange newcomer. And so begins Jack Reacher’s involvement in the deadly affairs of a small town. The corruption spreads far and deep, but Reacher, upon learning he is connected to the dead man, is bent on revenge. With the help of the only two cops who believe him, he sets out to learn the truth about the brutal murders plaguing Margrave.
I haven’t finished this yet, but it is certainly a page turner. Jack Reacher is a cool, calm, and calculating hero. Despite his stoic and aloof nature, he is still a likeable guy. I look forward to more adventures with this wandering hero.
Are you all caught up on your favorite series?
˜Megan
