Latest Additions March 26, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Geez. Who can keep up with Mother Nature at the moment? Not me… I don’t mind having a bit of chill come back, so maybe we can get a proper Spring, but it felt ridiculous to turn the heat back on yesterday. And yet? I *had* to! Didn’t you? Or was I the only wimp? (I hope not!) I wonder what’s coming next? Maybe it will start to rain chocolate candy? (I hope so!) While we wait for the newest weather phenomenon, would you like to read one of these:
Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
Heft by Liz Moore
The Man from Primrose Lane by James Renner
The Dark Rose by Erin Kelly
I think I might bundle up and read outside soon… with a bowl nearby to catch the candy!
— Stacey
We remember… March 21, 2012
Posted by Emma in Fiction, Non-Fiction.Tags: In Memorium
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The Diary of a Shirtwaist Striker by Theresa Serber Malkiel published in 1910 chronicled the conditions many young women were forced to endure at work. Striking shirtwaist makers were seeking better pay, a shorter 52-hour workweek, four paid holidays, employer-furnished supplies, etc
Approximately one year later on March 21, 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City at 4:45 pm. According to http://www.osha.gov/oas/trianglefactoryfire.html, “The building had only one fire escape, which collapsed during the rescue effort. Long tables and bulky machines trapped many of the victims. Panicked workers were crushed as they struggled with doors that were locked by managers to prevent theft, or doors that opened the wrong way. Only a few buckets of water were on hand to douse the flames. Outside, firefighters’ ladders were too short to reach the top floors and ineffective safety nets ripped like paper.” The fire lasted 18 minutes and left 146 workers dead.
The owners of the company were indicted on charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter. Fortunately new workplace safety standards were put into law in the State of New York, setting an example for the rest of the country.
~EmmaTuesday at the Movies March 20, 2012
Posted by Dori in Fiction, Movies, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
Well, it wasn’t much of a movie watching week folks; the weather has been too beautiful, I’ve been a little too tired to stay up, and of course, there was some Irish heritage to celebrate! Last weekend we watched a movie that was well worth propping my eyes open for: Hugo. Based on Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret, it was a treat -visually awesome, magical, an ode to movies and moviemaking. If you haven’t read the book that inspired it, rush to the library! I also saw Beginners. I liked it, liked the introspection and wistfulness of it, and Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer were great, but it was just a bit too precious. Oh - and let’s not forget the very cute Jack Russell named Arthur in it (and what is with the cute Jack Russell appearances in movies lately?). If you liked Beginners, you may want to check out Thumbsucker, director Mike Mills’ first feature film.
It’s hard not to talk about movies without mentioning the gigantic movie event coming this Friday: the release of The Hunger Games, based on the first of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. I admit it - I’m excited!
Onto the new releases:
3/13:
The Three Musketeers: swashbuckling fun.
Melancholia: Lars von Trier’s latest film starring Kirsten Dunst that takes place during a marriage ceremony as a planet is hurdling towards Earth. Weird? Yes, but intriguing as well…
The Descendents: A Best Picture nominee about a man dealing with the death of his wife, his relationship with his children and his family inheritance.
My Week with Marilyn: The perspective of a 23 year old assistant on the set of the Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier movie The Prince and the Showgirl.
The Adventures of Tintin: Based on the comics of Belgian artist Herge, this family film follows the adventures of reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy.
Young Adult: Penned by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, this effort stars Charlize Theron as a woman returning to her home town to relive her glory days and win back her high school sweetheart who’s already married.
Neverland: a TV miniseries based on the Peter Pan stories.
3/20:
The Muppets: What’s not to look forward to about this one – Muppets!
J. Edgar: a film biopic about Hoover of the FBI starring Leonardo Dicaprio.
The Sitter: a silly film about a suspended college student who ends up babysitting – mayhem! off-color jokes!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: the American film based on the bestselling book – it’ll be interesting to compare with the Swedish version.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Based on the novel by John LeCarre about British intelligence – lots of good actors, including Colin Firth and Gary Oldman.
Hop: this one comes out on Saturday, just in time for the Easter holidays.
Roadie: a roadie fired by Blue Oyster Cult returns home to see his mom.
Carnage: based on a well-regarded play and starring a great group of actors, this one’s about two pairs of parents facing off over a tiff between their small children.
Little Girl: an Italian film about a 2 year old girl who’s taken in by a hard luck family of circus performers.
Gainsbourg: a French movie biopic about French singer Serge Gainsbourg.
One Lucky Elephant: a documentary about a circus elephant looking for a good home.
Louder than a Bomb: a documentary that tells the story of four Chicago high school poetry teams as the prepare to compete in the world’s largest youth slam.
Happy Watching!
~Dori
Latest Additions March 19, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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It’s been so pretty recently, and it looks like it’s going to last! I think we’ve earned it considering how off-kilter last year’s weather turn out, but it’s taken me by surprise and I’m unprepared for Spring to have Sprung. Now I should be doing all those de-Winterizing chores sooner rather than later -but I’m busy reading! Oh, the struggle between knowing what’s right and knowing what’s fun! Perhaps a compromise is in order? Maybe I’ll read while my cold-weather sweaters are getting all sudsied-up! Would you like to find a book to compromise over too?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
Sonoma Rose by Jenifer Chiaverini
A Woman of Consequence by Anna Dean
Enjoy!
— Stacey
Two Delightful Irish Authors March 16, 2012
Posted by Emma in Fiction.Tags: Fiction
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Patrick Taylor
is a distinguished medical research worker, an off-shore sailor, a model boat-builder, genealogist, and author. The “Irish Country” series is reminiscent of James Herriot. The series is set in the rural Irish town of Ballybucklebo, a small Northern Ireland village filled with delightful characters.
1. An Irish Country Doctor (2007) 2. An Irish Country Village (2008) 3. An Irish Country Christmas (2008) 4. An Irish Country Girl (2010) 5. An Irish Country Courtship (2010) 6. A Dublin Student Doctor (2011)
Ralph McInerny
who died in 2010, was a professor of philosophy and medieval studies at the University of Notre Dame and a popular mystery writer. The “University of Notre Dame” mysteries features Roger Knight, a Notre Dame professor, and his brother Philip, a semi-retired private investigator.
1. On This Rockne (1997) 2. Lack of the Irish (1998) 3. Irish Tenure (1999) 4. The Book of Kills (2000) 5. Emerald Aisle (2001) 6. Celt and Pepper (2002) 7. Irish Coffee (2003) 8. Green Thumb (2004) 9. Irish Gilt (2005) 10. The Letter Killeth (2006) 11. Irish Alibi (2007) 12. The Green Revolution (2008) 13. Sham Rock (2010)
Happy Reading!
~Emma
Latest Additions March 12, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Did you know that the first official day of Spring is eight days away? I think that’s strange! It’s been feeling so spring-like for weeks now, it’s just hard not to think the calendar is wrong… right? To keep myself occupied for the next week plus one day, I believe I might bury my head in a book! Would you like to do the same? Maybe with a book that has been newly added to The Reading Room? What luck! I have a list to share! Ready?
Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale
Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey
The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar
American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar
Comfort and Joy by India Knight
So there you go, plenty to keep busy with over the next eight days! And so read away my friends! Read away those days!
— Stacey
Latest Additions March 5, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Who knew? After all that time without snow. Who knew there would be so much snow in the past two days? Not me! How lucky that this wacky weather goes so nicely with the wacky year of 2012! (Really, it’s been a weird year so far -don’t you think?) Better yet? If the snow keeps on coming? You can choose more than one of the books recently added to The Reading Room and you’ll be all set!
12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn by James Proimos
The Rook by Daniel O’Malley
Halt’s Peril by John Flanagan
Ed King by David Guterson
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander
420 Characters by Lou Beach
Quite an interesting mix! How can you not be hoping for snow now?! (Okay. I’m not, but lots of good books could make me reconsider…)
— Stacey
Latest Additions February 27, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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And now that I can see it coming? It’s hard not to be excited that this one of those magical, only every four years event… It’s a Leap Year! Now are you saying to yourself, “What’s the big deal about Leap Year?” Making my obvious reply to you, “Leap Year gives us all an extra day to read!” Oh the joy and the pressure! What will you read on this gift of a day? Maybe one of these:
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
The Cat Sitter’s Pajamas by Blaize Clement
Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
Or maybe you’d like a more personal recommendation? Try our Reader’s Request form and let us suggest books to suit your reading needs!
Enjoy!
— Stacey
Latest Additions February 20, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Hey! It’s an official holiday today! Happy Combo-Birthday President Washington and President Lincoln! (Actual birthdays? President Washington was born February 22, 1732 and President Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 =that’s a lot of cake to hold all those candles!) I hope in celebration everyone can find time to do something Executive or Governmental or maybe throw a party -and invite a government worker? Why yes, I *am* available for cake tasting! But as I can’t be everywhere at once, I believe many of my co-workers, government employees all, may also agree to attend your impromptu President’s Day parties! The library *is* open, so come by and take a chance? Or you might want to stop by and pick up a book? Maybe you’d like one of these:
In Search of the Rose Notes by Emily Arsenault
The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney
The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson
Gem of a Ghost by Sue Ann Jaffarian
Or let us suggest something, just for you!, with the Reader’s Request form!
Enjoy!
— Stacey
Latest Additions February 13, 2012
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
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Uh oh. I’ve got nothing! Not that this was not an eventful weekend, but relaying my thoughts today seems nearly impossible… I apologize for n0t chatting, but I’m going to just move on to sharing titles today. Yes? Yes!
The Litigators by John Grisham
How It All Began by Penelope Lively
Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner
Chocolate Covered Murder by Leslie Meier
And now? Let’s all enjoy the sunshine -with a good book!
— Stacey
