July 2018

It’s July! Celebrate summer and the 4th of July with some of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle – Administration

Love, Simon, Starring Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, and Josh Duhamel, New DVD Love, Simon

Love, Simon is an adorable coming-of-age story, made in the same style as my favorites from the 80’s, but modernized to reflect society and teens today. The movie, which made me both laugh and cry in equal measures, is based on the YA book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” and follows the story of Simon Spier, who is keeping a huge secret from everyone in his life.

 

Chris – Technical Services

The Child in Time, Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kelly MacDonald, and Stephen Campbell Moore, New DVD Child in Time

The Child in Time is a BBC Masterpiece Theatre 2017 production. Based on the award winning novel by Ian McEwan, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Kelly MacDonald as a couple who has lost a child. Don’t be put off by the heartbreaking story for it is “heart mending”, as a father works through the pain of a daughter lost. It is an exploration of love, loss, acceptance, and renewed hope and joy. I highly recommend it.

Hubbell – Circulation

The Sinner, Starring Jessica Biel, Bill Pullman, and Christopher Abbott, New DVD Sinner Season 1

Jessica Biel is a happy new mother enjoying a day at the beach with her family when she commits a shocking act of violence without any provocation. She confesses, but the case’s detective, Bill Pullman, begins to ask questions about the true motivations of her crime. What is uncovered is a sad and sordid story of a sheltered girl, her devotion to a dying sister, and a hidden troubled upbringing. The Sinner surprises often, both in plot twists and sheer subject matter.

Paula – Circulation

The Lord of the Rings, Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen, DVD Lord…Fellowship, DVD Lord…Two, and DVD Lord…Return

One of the greatest fantasy series of all time, The Lord of the Rings is an absolute work of perfection. The series follows a young Hobbit named Frodo and his group of friends who are sent on a quest to destroy the One Ring of Power in order to save Middle Earth from falling into darkness. In the book series, J. R. R. Tolkien, a master of fiction, created an entire world full of unique characters and breathtaking landscapes that are beautifully depicted in the films. Each major character has their own story line that progresses throughout the films and captivates the viewers in a way that most stories do not. The Lord of the Rings is by far my favorite movie series, and is a must-see for all lovers of fantasy, adventure, friendship, and heroism.

 Mary – Reference

The Caregiver: Poems, by Caroline Johnson, New Nonfiction 811.54 JOH

This collection of poems is both beautiful and powerful, and while written as a tribute to the author’s parents, they are relatable to everyone. Managing her parent’s terminal illnesses over twelve years, the author states to have, “found caregiving to be the most important, profound job I’ve ever had. It has been a privilege and an honor…”

 

 

Jean – Reference

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere, by Julie T. Lamana, Juvenile Fiction J Lamana

The experience of Hurricane Katrina written in the voice of a 10-year old girl, living in the lower-ninth ward. This story will transport you to the world of a young girl who wants nothing other than to celebrate her birthday party with her happy, tight-knit family, and yet finds her life literally ripped apart by the devastating hurricane and its aftermath. Prepared to be sad, moved and inspired – this book will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading it!

 

Melissa – Technical Services

Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders, Fiction Saunders

 “Bardo” is a state of being after death, similar to purgatory or limbo. It is where Abraham Lincoln’s youngest son, Willie, finds himself after dying of typhoid. He is not alone, rather surrounded by a truly colorful cast of characters whose forms are shaped by the lives they led; an artistic rendering of perpetual suffering. The prose itself is unique too, as the story is comprised entirely of either dialogue or quotes from historical sources. This is Saunders’s first novel, and it’s apparent why he won the 2017 Man Booker Prize for it. It’s vivid yet dark, and wholly transcendent.

 

 

 

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June 2018

It’s June! Summer is just around the corner! Grab a good read and enjoy the warm weather.

 

 

 

 

Jean – Reference

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women, by Kate Moore, YA 363.17 MOO

If you have ever wondered if corporations have the public’s or worker’s best interest at heart, this book will cure you of that belief. This is an amazing and under-told story of young women in their early twenties (and teenagers) after WWI who worked in factories painting luminous watch dial-faces with paint mixed with toxic radium. These women suffered terrible effects of radioactive poisoning and died horrible deaths within years. The companies knew of the harmful effects, and kept their employees in the dark. Some workers were even outright fired as they became ill. The women brought ‘David and Goliath’ lawsuits (some on their deathbeds) against the corporations and won hard-fought protections for workers everywhere.

Paula – Circulation

Westworld, Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Anthony Hopkins, and Ed Harris, DVD Westworld Season 1

Westworld is the thrilling tv series about a theme park gone wrong. Set in the future, Westworld exists as a park that allows vacationers to indulge in their wildest fantasies without any consequences. The inhabitants of the park are robotic hosts that are created to serve the needs of the guests that come to visit. However, as some of the hosts begin to gain sentience, a chain reaction of events occurs, plunging the park into complete chaos. Westworld is a phenomenal series full of complex details and unforgettable characters. The fast-paced story and numerous plot twists will leave you guessing until the very end.

Hubbell – Circulation

Deadwood, Starring Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, and Molly Parker, DVD Deadwood

HBO’s Deadwood is frequently classified as a show which was canceled too soon. It is an ultrarealistic time period piece taking place in the black hills of South Dakota in the 1870’s. The main characters are, generally, based off of real-life ones, including brothel owner Al Swearengen, sheriff Seth Bullock, and other famous western characters like Calamity, Wild Bill Hickock, Annie Oakley, and others. The show takes care to frame the drama in the historical context of its time. It was simultaneously hilarious, shocking, dirty, and endearing.

Jacob – Administration

The Durrells in Corfu, Starring Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, and Milo Parker, DVD Durrells in Corfu

The Durrells in Corfu is a PBS Masterpiece television series about an English mother that moves her four reluctant children to a Greek island in hopes of starting anew. The series tracks the ups and downs of this family, often in a comedic way, as they acclimate to a new culture and a new way of living. The series has great characters and breath taking scenery. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

 

Chris – Technical Services

The Tree of Forgiveness, by John Prine, New CD 781.64 Prine

The Tree of Forgiveness is an excellent album by John Prine, a folk, country, and protest musician from Chicago. If you visited the clubs in Old Town in the ’70s, you would have definitely heard him.

 

May 2018

It’s May! Enjoy the warm weather with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

Paula – Circulation

Lady Bird, Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Tracy Letts, New DVD Lady Bird

Lady Bird is a beautiful coming-of-age story about a high school senior who dreams of getting out of her hometown of Sacramento. Christine, who goes by the name Lady Bird, is tired of her poor, under-average life, and longs to go to a more sophisticated college in New York City. The film follows Lady Bird as she pushes herself to overcome the challenges of “living on the wrong side of the tracks,” and of the strained relationship with her strong-willed mother who she constantly butts heads with. Filled with charming humor and a wonderful cast of characters, Lady Bird is a heart-warming film worthy of its five Academy Award nominations.

Chris – Technical Services

So B. It, Starring Talitha Bateman, Alfre Woodard, and Cloris Leachman, New DVD So B. It

Based on a bestselling book by Sarah Weeks, and with excellent performances by its three main female characters, this story is of a young girl’s struggle to seek the truth about her family which then sends her on a cross country journey.

 

Lisa – Youth Services

Loving Vincent, Starring Douglas Booth, Saoirse Ronan, and Aidan Turner, New DVD Loving Vincent

A unique and beautiful film. Each scene is hand painted in the style of Van Gogh’s paintings. The story takes place after the artist’s death and follows various people and scenes he painted in Arles.

 

 

Melissa – Technical Services

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals that Protect Us from Violence, by Gavin de Becker, Nonfiction 362.88 DEB

De Becker has spent his career predicting violent behavior. His firm advises many of the world’s most prominent figures and helps them to evaluate threats, including our own government. In this book, he explains how true fear is a gift, and uses real-life cases as examples for ordinary people can predict violent behavior. Whether it be an angry ex-boyfriend, a disgruntled employee, or a persistent suitor, these types of people always give clues as to their intentions. Violence is never truly “out of the blue”. De Becker shows readers how they can be more attuned to the red-flags, as well as how to best handle those types in volatile situations. Definitely a must-read for true crime fans.

Jean – Reference

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies, by Jason Fagone, Nonfiction 652.8 FAG

Excellent story about a lesser-known female figure who actually had an out-sized role in early code-breaking. Elizebeth Friedman worked for the Coast Guard, which fell under the government branch of the Treasury Department before there was a National Security Administration, FBI, or CIA. Although her husband William was a co-founder of the NSA and Signal Intelligence, her work was classified and unknown until recently. This is an easy-to-read and fascinating account of code-breaking, first with an aim to bust rum-running operations during prohibition, and then during WWII to bust the German Enigma code machines, using little more than just her brilliant mind, paper, and pencil.

April 2018

It’s April! Spring into the new season with one of our Staff Picks! April 8-14 is also National Library Week, so show your local library some love by stopping in for special activities!

 

 

 

Jean – Reference

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder, Nonfiction 331.398 BRU

Retirement is often viewed as a time that is earned after one puts in a life-time of hard work, including idyllic views of selling the family home and traveling the country in a recreation vehicle. However, after the economic collapse in 2008, when many retirees lost their savings and many people found their mortgage underwater, living in an RV, car or van became a necessity after many walked away from their homes, no longer able to afford them, or able to sell them. Having little-to-no retirement savings left, these retirees find themselves traveling the country looking for temporary work in order to pay for gas and food. They are referred to as “Workampers” and corporations such as Amazon and large agricultural conglomerates have tapped into this alternative sub-set of the workforce by providing campground facilities surrounding their warehouses and farms. The work these seniors do is often back-breaking, low-pay, and often provides no benefits and few worker protections. It’s a fascinating, yet dire, look at a subculture of the labor force in America.

Hubbell – Circulation

Artemis by Andy Weir, New Fiction Weir

Andy Weir’s second novel following his made-to-movie The Martian stays closer to home and follows the story of Jazz Bashara, a porter (and sometimes smuggler) working in the Moon’s first city, Artemis. Jazz is drawn into a mystery involving the city’s wealthiest resident, its government, and, most importantly, the unique mineable resources which make the entire endeavor profitable. Like in The Martian, Weir’s humor and down-to-earth, if not salty, dialogue shine in the rendering of the novel’s protagonist and we find her just as easy to follow as the mystery and intrigue itself.

Paula – Circulation 

Dunkirk, Starring Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, and Cillian Murphy, New DVD Dunkirk

Dunkirk is the heart-pounding true story of the evacuation of Allied soldiers that were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France during WWII. Surrounded by German forces, British and French troops desperately tried to stay alive while waiting to be rescued. The film is told in three separate timelines, each focusing on events that occurred on land, sea, and in the air. Nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, Dunkirk is an awe-inspiring and emotional film that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Pat – Circulation

The Glass Castle, Starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts, New DVD Glass Castle

The Glass Castle is a biographical drama based on Jeannette Walls’ best selling memoir. It depicts Walls’ real-life childhood spent squatting in homes and living in poverty.
Four siblings must learn to take care of themselves, as their free-spirited parents both inspire and inhibit them. On the way home from a dinner with her fiancé, Jeanette (Brie Larson) spots her parents, Rex (Woody Harrelson) and Rose Mary (Naomi Watts), digging through the trash. She then remembers her childhood, when she, her parents, and her siblings would go on the run every time her father lost a job, their lack of food, Rex’s drinking and the time she burned herself as a child while boiling hot dogs. She also remembers the wondrous times such as planning the “glass castle” that they hoped to build someday, or Rex letting the children choose their very own star as a Christmas present. Outstanding acting, the movie is a powerful story of dysfunction, abuse, and thriving against all odds.

Michelle – Administration

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 1, Starring Elizabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, and Alexis Bledel, New DVD Handmaid’s Tale Season 1

Based on the book by Margaret Atwood, the show is a dystopian look at a not-too-distant future that could be waiting for us. Following a coup, America is ruled by a repressive, religious regime that has taken away the rights of all women. Due to environmental reasons, there are few women who are able to bear children. Those women have been collected and forced to become Handmaids. The show follows the story of one Handmaid named June and those around her. The book was written in 1985, but its themes are so relevant to the concerns in today’s society. The Handmaid’s Tale has received both Emmy and Golden Globe wins. Catch up now before season 2 begins on April 25.

Chris – Circulation

Origin of Symmetry by Muse, CD 781.66 Muse

Regarded by many as their seminal work, Origin of Symmetry put Muse on the UK’s map back in 2001. This is the album that would gain them genre labels such as progressive rock and space rock, which are accurate descriptions of the kind of music they made for this album. Their use of synths and electronic effects create an atmosphere of both hurtling through space and of gently floating wherever momentum takes you. Both of these feelings are present on “Citizen Erased” and “Space Dementia,” two of the progressive tracks on the album. Standout straight up alt-rock singles from this album are “Bliss” and “Plug In Baby,” the latter of which features one of the most iconic guitar riffs of the 21st Century. Muse expertly blends rock with classical, electronic, and progressive influences. This is an album not to miss if you have not heard it before.

 

 

 

 

March 2018

It’s March, and you’re in luck! We have more picks for you at the library!

 

 

 

 

Pat – Circulation

Alone: Lost Overboard in the Indian Ocean by Brett Archibald, New Nonfiction 613.69 ARC

In this intense memoir, Archibald describes how in the middle of the night in 2013, he fell into the Indian Ocean off the side of a boat he and his friends had chartered for a birthday surfing trip. His friends discovered his disappearance eight hour later. For the next 28 hours he struggled to survive.
A breaking news story surfaces on social media and a frantic search got under way.
Alone is the incredible tale of what it takes to defy needle-in-a-haystack odds and survive what should have been certain death. I highly recommend this book.

Jean – Reference

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, YA Fiction Cline

This exciting novel is set in the near future, where the online world has become more immersive and all-consuming, and people now spend their entire days connected to a virtual reality world called OASIS. The founder of OASIS is worshipped by gamers and computer programmers who document every minute detail of his video games, writings and 1980s pop culture. The founder dies and in his will, he leaves his billion dollar fortune and ownership of the OASIS to the winner of an online game he has created. With so much at stake, and cut-throat competition from mega-corporations, homeless teenager Wade embarks on a dangerous quest to solve the riddle and escape his dreary reality to win the ultimate prize. *Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg*

Paula – Circulation

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, Starring Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, and Bella Heathcote, New DVD Professor Marston

Everyone is familiar with Wonder Woman, the most iconic female superhero of our time. This movie reveals the secret and unconventional history of Wonder Woman’s creator and the women who helped to inspire her. William Moulton Marston, a psychology professor and contributor to the invention of the lie detector, was in a polyamorous relationship with his wife and one of his former students. Forced to hide their relationship from the public, Marston used this and the feminist ideals of his partners to create the Wonder Woman comics. The movie does a fantastic job of portraying controversial issues such as sexual freedom and support for the gay community during a time when such issues were not to be discussed in public. It is not only intriguing and informational, but it also tells a powerful story of love and fighting for what you believe in.

Chris – Circulation

Science Fiction by Brand New, New CD 781.66 Brand New

If the rumors are true, this album may be the last from alternative/indie legends Brand New. They are set to break up in 2018 with Science Fiction being the long-awaited product of the eight years since their last full-length effort. If it is truly their last, it certainly makes a statement, not by being loud and bombastic, but by the notable lack thereof. This is a very understated album compared to the rest of their work. They removed the sudden shifts in energy within a single song from their previous two albums. This one is more consistent and flows from song to song steadily–it is certainly in no hurry to leave. The beauty this time, instead of a package of immediately catchy alternative tunes, is in the production and craftsmanship of each song and their cohesiveness as a whole. I recommend “Lit Me Up,” “Out of Mana,” and “Batter Up.”

February 2018

It’s February! Keep warm inside for a bit longer with some of our recommendations!

 

 

 

 

Chris – Technical Services

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: how to free yourself and your family from a lifetime of clutter by Margareta Magnusson, New Nonfiction 648.5 MAG

“Dostadning” or Swedish death cleaning, is a term than means remove unnecessary things and make your home nice and orderly, before you pass on. By deciding how to get rid of things now, it removes the burden of your family having to do it later. In this quick-reading, 100 page book, she gives examples of how to go about it in the most efficient way. This art of decluttering can be done by anyone at any point in their life.

“Death cleaning is as much for you, as for the people who come after you.”

It is also something you can do for yourself, for your own pleasure. “One’s own pleasure, and the chance to find meaning and memory, is the most important thing. It is a delight to go through things and remember their worth.”

Michelle – Administration

Goodbye Christopher Robin, Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Will Tilston, and Margot Robbie, New DVD Goodbye Christopher Robin

This movie tells the story of Author A.A. Milne and his young son Christopher Robin, who was the inspiration behind the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. The instant fame for both father and son changed their lives and their relationship completely. It is a well told story behind the story that we all know and love. The movie stars Domhnall Gleeson as A.A. Milne and the adorable Will Tilston as his son. It also features Margot Robbie and Kelly Macdonald.

Paula – Circulation

Outlander, Seasons 1 and 2, Starring Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, and Tobias Menzies, DVD Outlander

After the end of WWII, British combat nurse Claire Randall and her husband Frank travel to Scotland for a second honeymoon. While there, Claire is transported back in time to 1743 amidst a battle between the British army and the Scottish Highland clans. In order to survive, she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior with a haunting past and stubborn will. The two develop a passionate relationship, causing Claire to be torn between her past with Frank and her new life with Jamie. Outlander is an excellent mix of fantasy, romance, and history. It centers around the events of the Jacobite rebellions seen through the eyes of the Scottish clans and their efforts to save their way of life. As you follow Claire through her adventures, you can’t help but get swept up in the grand cultures of the 18th century and the relationships she develops with a vast array of characters.

Chris – Circulation

Luciferian Towers by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, New CD 781.66 Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is one of those bands that presents to you an experience in the form of an album. In the past, this experience has included extended passages of drone or ambient noise, but this time around, they switch it up a bit. Shorter than their previous efforts and seemingly more focused, Luciferian Towers does away with most of these stretches and fills them in with spacey guitar or drums. GY!BE is a band known for their social commentary on heavy topics, usually reflected in their music and song titles. But despite the dark album title, the music contradicts it in what is perhaps an album of hopefulness displayed in the energy and melody infused by the instrumentalists. This is a fantastic album to introduce new listeners to the band and their unique style.

January 2018

It’s a new year! Resolve to check out your library and some of our staff picks!

 

 

 

Michelle – Administration

Wind River, Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, New DVD Wind River

Wind River is the story of a veteran tracker with the Fish and Wildlife Service (Jeremy Renner) who helps a young FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) to investigate the murder of a young Native American woman, and uses the case as a means of seeking redemption for an earlier tragedy. It is well-acted and the story held my interest throughout. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, letting me learn bits and pieces as the investigators made those discoveries. The movie states that it is “based on true events” but is actually all fictional, but based upon the fact that a number of Native American women go missing every year.

Chris – Technical Services

Viceroy’s House, Starring Gillian Anderson, Hugh, Bonneville, and Michael Gambon, New DVD Viceroy’s House

If you like historical/biographical movies you will enjoy Viceroy’s House, directed by Gurinder Chadha. The final Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, is tasked with overseeing the transition of British India to independence, but meets with conflict as different sides clash in the face of monumental change. Hugh Bonneville & Gillian Anderson play the Lord and Lady Mountbatten.

Chris – Circulation

Atomic by Mogwai, CD 781.63 Mogwai

Atomic is the latest soundtrack effort from Scottish post-rock giants Mogwai. This album is the result of the band reworking the soundtrack they created for the BBC documentary Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise which examines the atomic age, from the accidents to the wars. What Mogwai created is an emotional journey to different aspects of this era. The science is evident on tracks with an industrial feel, like being in a centrifuge. Other tracks represent the devastation wrought on societies with melancholic strings and passages of quiet. This entire instrumental album is more restrained than Mogwai typically are with their compositions, but that just makes it tighter and more consistent on a thought provoking topic.

Hubbell – Circulation

Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich by Norman Ohler, Nonfiction 362.2995 OHL

Many are familiar with the evidence about the use of drugs, especially amphetamines, by Hitler himself. In Ohler’s book, he examines the widespread use and production of narcotics by the Nazi regime. Using the nation’s developed industrial network, the Third Reich poured resources and money in developing and distributing forms of amphetamines and cocaine to its populace and also to its soldiers. The Third Reich simultaneously demonized drug and alcohol use by its perceived internal enemies while using the same propaganda machine to peddle its own drugs to its people.

Broadchurch Seasons 1-2, Starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, DVD BROADCHURCH

The first season of this murder mystery series gripped Britain at the time. The mystery of who killed young Danny Latimer was even hidden from the cast until the last two episodes. David Tenant and Olivia Colman play detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller in the fictional town of Broadchurch in southern England. The cliffs and views of the area along with great performances from the primary and secondary characters have made Broadchurch a hit. The second and third seasons deal with new crimes in the area but the story and characters from Season 1 are still very much involved.

December 2017

It’s December! ‘Tis the season to be reading (and watching and listening to) some of our staff picks!

 

 

 

Paula – Circulation

A Christmas Story, Starring Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, and Darren McGavin, J DVD Christmas Story

A Christmas Story is a classic holiday movie that the whole family will enjoy. No Christmas is complete without watching nine year old Ralphie struggle to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect gift to receive. Narrated by Ralphie as an adult, the movie hilariously reflects on childhood memories that anyone with a crazy family can relate to. From leg lamps, to flat tires, to pink bunny suits, A Christmas Story will leave you laughing as Ralphie and his family celebrate the holiday season in their own unique way.

Lisa – Youth Services

Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory, YA 921 Gregory

This bittersweet autobiographical book accounts the author’s upbringing as a survivor of MBP (Munchausen by Proxy). Decades go by of missing out on school and friendships while her mother takes her to hundreds of physicians claiming her daughter has a fictitious heart condition. A good read.

Chris – Circulation

Sleep Well Beast by The National, New CD 781.66 National

Indie/alternative rock act The National are back with their seventh album, Sleep Well Beast. This effort continues the tradition of mildly bending their sound in a different direction with each release. This time, they make use of electronics to compliment their signature sound, but not overtake it. A few songs break from the normal ambling pace that The National are known for to bring a bit of a hurried tone to this album. But otherwise, that melancholy drifting and Matt Berninger’s iconic baritone are as good as they ever were, as is his dark, intelligent, and dense songwriting. So while some elements may sound new, it is still unmistakably another excellent album by The National.

Hubbell – Circulation

Land of Mine, Starring Roland Møller and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, New DVD Land of Mine

Land of Mine is an Academy Award nominated Danish film which tells the story of German POWs forced to defuse land mines on the Danish coast after World War II. The movie explores the relationship between the German prisoners (many of whom were mere teenagers) and their Danish captors. Two of the Danish officers take vastly different approaches to the POWs, creating a dramatic conflict and resolution.

American Gods Season 1, Starring Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, and Emily Browning, New DVD American Gods Season 1

American Gods, based on author Neil Gaiman’s book of the same name revolves around the main protagonist Shadow Moon. After being released from an unwarranted prison sentence, Shadow Moon meets Mr. Wednesday, one of the old gods. The plot of the series pits new gods (like Mr. World, the god of globalization) against older ones (like Bilquis, the Goddess of Sheba). The gods wield power based on the number of followers they have. The old gods have lost power over the years and fight to regain control of the people’s faith. The series can be disjointed at times but is visually stunning and has received excellent reviews.

November 2017

It’s November, a time to be thankful for everything good in life including family, friends, food, books, and music. Check out some of our recommended titles!

 

 

Theresa – Youth Services

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, New Fiction Honeyman

Thirty-year-old Eleanor Oliphant has worked the same job since getting out of school. She can’t stand her coworkers and looks forward to her weekends which entail ordering pizza and drinking large quantities of vodka. The only time the doorbell rings is if it’s the landlord, the gas company, or her Social Services case worker. (We later find out why this is the case.) Her only phone conversations are with “Mummy,” who does nothing but ridicule her.

One day everything changes. She and the unhygienic IT guy from work happen to witness an elderly gentleman collapse in the middle of the street as they are leaving work. Eleanor, who would never have become involved, is begrudgingly coerced into action. This incident has flung Eleanor into social situations she has never experienced. Her life drastically changes from here.

This book will have you laughing out loud at Eleanor’s lack of social skills, commentaries, and brutal truthfulness. As the story progresses, we learn why Eleanor is the way she is, and how she overcomes the tragedies she has endured.

Melissa – Technical Services

The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova, Fiction Kostova

In her newest historical adventure, Kostova writes of Bulgaria in post-WWII times. The protaganist, Alexandra, has just arrived in Sophia from America in the spring of 2008 to teach. Her first encounter with native Bulgarians proves to be a bungle, and she finds she has accidentally left with one of their packages: an ornately carved urn inscribed with a name. As she attempts to find its owners, she learns more about the man whose remains she carries, and it proves to be both an exquisite and excruciating life. Kostova’s researched details and heavy reliance on setting pull the reader in on another journey both through continents and through time.

Chris – Tech Services

We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of the American Women Trapped on Bataan by Elizabeth M. Norman, New Nonfiction 940.5475 NOR

The “women” were the Army and Navy nurses left on Bataan and the island of Corregidor tending the wounded, when General Wainwright surrendered on May 6, 1942. For them, war became Hell.

The nurses, along with soldiers and civilians were caught by the Japanese and sent to prison camps at San Tomas and Los Banos for three years to wait out the war. Upon coming home after the Japanese surrender; life continued to be hell for many. This was due to malnutrition, tropical diseases, what we refer to as post-traumatic stress disorder,
and lastly the non-recognition of their female leaders who kept their morale up and kept them focused.

All written from first-hand accounts, diaries, letters and in-person interviews, it is a true saga of women in WWII.

Pat – Circulation

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, New Nonfiction 921 Knight, C. Fin

This is the true story of a 20 year old man who walked into the Maine woods with a small number of items who chose to live in seclusion. He robbed lakeside summer camps (vacation cabins) for food and basic supplies. He devised systems and carved a life that allowed him to live for 27 years in the brutal Maine woods, sometimes in 20+ below zero winter weather. He only interacted with other people twice, once saying “hi” to a hiker and once with hand movements and body language only.

The story of Christopher Knight is a remarkable one. It is well worth reading for the insights it gives into an extraordinary mind and the amazing tale of survival that very few could have accomplished.

Chris – Circulation

Slowdive by Slowdive, New CD 781.66 Slowdive

British shoegaze/dream pop band Slowdive have returned with a new album after 22 years, and boy was it worth the wait. Universally acclaimed by music critics, this album doesn’t falter like others do when bands decide to reform after a lengthy hiatus. It continues and even expands upon the band’s former work, taking it in new, masterfully-crafted directions from veterans. Listeners can expect to become enveloped in atmospheric, swirling guitars and airy vocals that blend into the mix. The music will soothe the spirit and send it into a “slow dive” into euphoria. Standout tracks are singles “Star Roving” and “Sugar for the Pill,” and “Falling Ashes,” the album closer that, to me, sounds exactly like its title describes.

Paula – Circulation

Gotham, Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, and Robin Lord Taylor, DVD Gotham Season 1

Before becoming the police commissioner of Gotham and a major ally for Batman, James Gordon fought crime as a detective on the Gotham City police force. This series centers on a young Jim Gordon and his struggles to clean up the crime ridden streets of Gotham, while also helping a teenage Bruce Wayne along on his journey to becoming Batman. One of my favorite things about the series is that it also places a significant focus on the origins of popular Batman villains, such as Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman. The villains are each given a major personality that causes them to be some of the most likable characters on the show. You will find yourself rooting for the villains rather than the so-called heroes of Gotham. This series does an amazing job of delving into the years before Batman, and shows how the darkness of Gotham corrupts even the lightest of hearts. It is a must-see for all Batman fans.

October 2017

It’s October! Check out our picks for some sweet treats!

 

 

 

Chris – Circulation

Villains by Queens of the Stone Age, New CD 781.66 Queens of the Stone Age

Sludge rock superstars Queens of the Stone Age are back with something a bit different than their typical grime-heavy sound this time around. They called on Mark Ronson, the prolific producer of artists such as Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kaiser Chiefs, for Villains and it shows. The whole album is infused with more rock’n’roll and dance vibes from vocal melodies to guitar sound. But what makes Queens of the Stone Age and this album so great is that they don’t lose their unique identity, their swagger, their musicianship, even while toying with their sound. Josh Homme’s haunting and cocky vocals, crunchy layers of guitar, and those deep bass lines are all still present, if a little bit cleaner. Songs in particular to check out include their first single “The Way You Used to Do,” “Feet Don’t Fail Me,” “The Evil Has Landed,” and “Villains of Circumstance.”

Michelle – Administration

Concrete and Gold by Foo Fighters, New CD 781.66 Foo Fighters

To be honest upfront, I have to admit that I am terribly biased as the Foo Fighters are one of my all-time favorite bands. That being said, I think that their new album is a great addition to the Foo catalog. The songs are catchy and you’ll definitely find yourself tapping along. If you enjoyed any of their previous albums, I’m sure this one won’t disappoint.

Hubbell – Circulation

The Vietnam War, New DVD 959.704 Vietnam

Renowned documentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s most recent film covers the history of the Vietnam War. Using raw primary source footage and countless interviews from soldiers and officials from both sides of the conflict, Burns & Novick provide an objective account of one of America’s most controversial wars. In addition to recounting the military and political aspects of the conflict, the film also contextualizes the entire experience within the seismic cultural shifts of 1960s America.

Toni Erdmann, starring Peter Simonischek and Sandra Huller, New DVD Toni Erdmann

One of this years Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language film, Toni Erdmann is a quirky but profound film about a father’s attempt to reconnect with his workaholic daughter. Winfreid’s father creates an alter-ego, Toni, and infiltrates his daughter’s professional and personal life. Full of dark humor and also tender moments, the film is deserving of its critical accolades: “If a single movie were enough to silence reports of the death of cinema, it would be this one” (NYT).

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson, Nonfiction 934.086 LAR

Larson, author of The Devil in the White City, Dead Wake, and many other narrative fiction works, tells the story of the American ambassador to Germany, William Dodd, in the months leading up to the outbreak of World War II. It is an incredible first-hand account of the actions of the Third Reich as they created the national support for the war. It provides a nuanced review of how the world let the Reich become what it did as the international community looked the other way.