Grammy’s anyone? February 15, 2012
Posted by Steve in Music, Musically Inclined, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
So what did you all think of the Grammy’s? I have to admit, I am not a big awards show viewer by any means, but I did watch most of Sunday’s show, although I began to doze off near the end. I don’t think I missed much though, maybe that crazy performance with Nicki Minaj. And am I the only one who is annoyed with Taylor Swift’s “surprised look” response to an audience’s appreciation. She always has this look like, “oh my, are they clapping for me?” I’m not saying she doesn’t have talent, it’s just she has a tendency to irritate in that regard. And what about the singer from The Civil Wars, I had to do a double-take, he looks just like Johnny Depp, well maybe a poor man’s version of Depp. Enough of my complaining, check out our selection of Grammy artists from our cd collection. One of my recommendations would be Foster the People’s Torches album. It includes the infectious “Pumped Up Kicks,” as well as a slew of other great songs. Or maybe grab an oldie and kick back with some Beach Boys after seeing their reunion performance at the Grammys.
– Steve
The Best Month(?) February 8, 2012
Posted by Julie in Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
That’s the title of John Gladden’s ”My Ohio” column in the February 2012 edition of Ohio Magazine. Except for the question mark, I added that. But c’mon, calling February in Ohio “the best” – I don’t think anyone could convince me. However, I found myself being swayed by his words and I think you can consider me converted! For example, after making it out of your warm bed into the bitter cold:
It’s work just driving around. But you do it. You make it. You get back home and you feel a lift, a sense of accomplishment. Walking through the door of your own house never feels as sweet as it does in February.
And then, his discussion of one of my favorite things, soup:
With soup, you bring you face to the food. You bend. You hunker. You hunch. You supplicate. You souplicate. You breathe the steam and it warms you inside and out. You browse the latest seed catalog while you eat, gazing at alluring pictures of Swiss chard and golden sweet corn. You feel better.
Check out the rest of his musings on February in the article in the current issue (available to read in the library), or treat yourself to some of his earlier articles for Ohio Magazine online.
— Julie
Tuesday at the Movies January 24, 2012
Posted by Dori in Movies, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
This weekend my family and I watched two movies about aliens that couldn’t have been more different. One, Cowboys and Aliens, a Hollywood blockbuster, was completely lackluster – yawn, snooze- no fun whatsover. I like a good alien movie as much as the next guy (see my post about the Alien movie film festival at my house), but this one just didn’t do it for me. And so much promise in the concept and so many good actors! (I love me some Sam Rockwell).
The other, Attack the Block, a low-budget English production, was great fun- a little scary, a lot funny, super edgy and high energy, with a bit of social commentary thrown in. Its premise: a gang of young toughs from South London are attacked by aliens and have to defend their turf. Initially, their English accents (not as posh as Downton Abbey I’m afraid) were a little hard to understand, but I got the hang of it after a while.
On to this week’s (January 24th) new releases:
50/50: An autobiographical tale of two best friends, one of whom is diagnosed with cancer, and how their lives change as a result.
Real Steel: Hugh Jackman, fighting robots – a preteen boy movie I think.
Final Destination 5: They’ve made a 5th one?
The Whistleblower: Inspired by actual events – this one is about a U.N. Peacekeeper in Bosnia who discovers a sex-trafficking ring – lots of great actors.
Beware the Gonzo: “The Gonzo” is an underground high school newspaper which gives voice to the misfits.
Another Happy Day: A family gathers at the wedding of an estranged son.
Punished: A Chinese thriller with Maggie Cheung.
Godzilla: The classic 1954 Japanese monster movie – rereleased by Criterion.
Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us: A documentary about the disappearance of bees.
Happy Watching!
~ Dori
Checking Out Titles December 27, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
There’s nothing like a good title that tempts me to take down a book from the shelf, scan it, and consider taking it home. What makes a title good? To me, it’s one that makes me wonder. Looking around now, I see a number that do/did just that: Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes, Edge, Bed, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Buddha in the Attic, Baking Cakes in Kigali, Sing You Home, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A few of them I’ve reached for in the past, read, and felt that they’ve lived up to their titles; some not so much. One title that doesn’t stand a chance with me is one with a pun. I’ve heard authors talk about slaving over the perfect title; heard others mention that their editors came up with it; and one even said that he narrowed his options by flipping coins. So there you have it. And if we’re not familiar with the author, that’s all we have to go on. Unless you’re into arresting graphics.
─Chris
Mona & Steve December 22, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
I knew of Mona Simpson long before I knew of her long-lost brother Steve Jobs. I was reading her first novel, Anywhere but Here in ’86 along with my friends and we were very excited about her work. Not only did she have a novel out at 26 years of age, but she was working at The Paris Review. Cool. Mona went on to write, and we went on to read, A Regular Guy, Off Keck Road, and most recently, My Hollywood.
During the time she went from being a struggling writer to an award-winning one, she was also developing a close relationship with her computer-genius brother, Steve Jobs. How lucky for them to connect in 1985 and befriend each other, even if it was only for 26 years.
I think of what their biological mother must feel having given up her son for adoption at birth only to find out later that he had become Steve Jobs. His biological father never found out; Mona met him when she was an adult. Yet, they were the natural parents of two extraordinarily gifted people. Now there’s a story.
─Chris
Ann Patchett’s bookstore December 22, 2011
Posted by Ann in Thoughtful Ramblings.Tags: Book news, Bookstores
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There is still hope for brick and mortar bookstores, and Ann Patchett, author of the best-selling, State of Wonder, believes that is true. She has opened an independent bookstore in her native Nashville, Tennessee. Calling it Parnassus Books, Patchett feels that people still want bookstores, and many prefer to visit smaller stores. Read and listen to the story here. NPR’s story about Patchett’s bookstore
~Ann
Top Ten of 2011 December 14, 2011
Posted by Chris in Book List, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.1 comment so far
These are some of the books I loved in 2010 and briefly why:
Bossypants by Tina Fey because we laugh at the same things
Starting From Happy by Patricia A. Marx for two totally lovable characters
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain for a believable and unique take on Hemingway
The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement by David Brooks—interesting and smart
Ladies and Gentlemen by Adam Ross because “how does he come up with this stuff?”
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides for a good story that feels real
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt for a beautiful rendering of family love
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes—wow
I Thought You Would Be Funnier by Shannon Wheeler because these cartoons are still playing in my head weeks later
Blue Nights by Joan Didion because it’s by Joan Didion.
—Chris
Living with Books December 10, 2011
Posted by Chris in Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
I once heard an interior designer say that she often told her clients to group their books by color before shelving them. I imagined it. And even though I liked what I saw, I knew it wouldn’t work for me, because when I want a particular book, I want it instantly. Even though I own many books and have books in every room in my house, I still know where I can find what I’m looking for quickly. My first floor bookshelves hold books that I refer to on a regular basis; my end tables are piled with books I’m reading or am about to read. Library books have their own space. The table by my bedroom has “quiet” books—in tone or subject matter—that I like to read before turning off the lights. Upstairs I keep books that I’ve read and expect to reread along with a growing pile to donate. And depending on the amount of books in a given area, I may sort them by genre or topic. It works for me. But I can’t help thinking what it would be like if we shelved our books in the library by color. No doubt, we’d all become browsers.
—Chris
Savory and Sweet Eats November 23, 2011
Posted by Rosemary in Book List, New Books, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.add a comment
It’s full steam ahead for the holidays with all their magical delights! The food and music of the season add that special touch to any gathering of friends and family. M.F.K. Fisher writes in An Alphabet for Gourmets: ”Gastronomical perfection can be reached in these combinations: one person dining alone, usually upon a couch or a hill side; two people, of no matter what sex or age, dining in a good restaurant; six people, of no matter what sex or age, dining in a good home.”
Here are seven recent cookbooks that the library has purchased to help you attain a semblance of perfection in the kitchen: All About Roasting by Molly Stevens; Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible by Paula Deen; Lidia’s Italy in America by Lidia Bastianich; Food52 Cookbook by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs; Ruhlman’s Twenty by Michael Ruhlman; Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi; and Desserts from the Famous Loveless Cafe by Alisa Huntsman.
No matter which of Fisher’s combinations you fall into, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
~Rosemary
Poetry in America November 16, 2011
Posted by Rosemary in Book Awards, Literary Fiction, New Books, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
On the evening of Wednesday, November 16th, the National Book Award winners will be announced at the NBA Benefit Dinner in NYC. The awards are given by the book publishing industry and honor the very best of American literature. Each selected author receives a prize of $10,000.
Since poetry is a special love of mine, I am particularly interested in the Poetry Award. These authors are the finalists for this year’s award: Nikky Finney, Yusef Komunyakaa, Carl Phillips, Adrienne Rich, and Bruce Smith. I wonder which poet will carry home the beautiful crystal sculpture and prize?
If you can’t choose a favorite from among this esteemed group, why not try one of our poetry anthologies? Two of my favorites are edited by none other than Garrison Keillor: Good Poems for Hard Times and Good Poems American Places. He has selected poems heard on The Writer’s Almanac on public radio. These anthologies contain so many beautiful, thought-provoking poems. No matter your taste in poetry, I think you will find a few gems in these books.
~Rosemary
