February 2020

It’s February! Fall in love with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

Jean – Reference

Nine Perfect Strangers, by Liane Moriarty, Fiction Moriarty

This is a light, fun story that is a perfect winter read. Each chapter is in the voice of one of nine characters who are struggling in mid-life, and on impulse each one signs up for a 10-day “health retreat” in the middle of the outback in Australia. The owner of the retreat and her staff have their own secrets, and the author reveals each storyline in pieces to keep you reading until the end.

 

Chris – Technical Services

This is Really War: the Incredible True Story of a Navy Nurse POW in the Occupied Philippines, by Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, New Nonfiction 940.5472 LUC

The author describes the experiences of Dorothy Still, one of twelve navy nurse POW’s in WWII. Held captive in a POW camp, they continued to nurse the sick and dying, even though they were also facing starvation.  All 12 came home. Highly recommended, powerful story of the will to survive and fight against all odds.

 

Hubbell – Circulation

Junior: Writing Your Way Ahead in Advertising, by Thomas Kemeny, Nonfiction 659.1023 KEM

Copywriting is not what it used to be. And creative work in advertising has changed a lot since the days portrayed in Mad Men. However, not everything has changed. Thomas Kemeny did not go to a traditional ‘portfolio school’ nor did he have a pedigree to get him in the door at some of the nation’s top advertising firms. He explains in his debut book (which is somewhere between memoir and textbook) how he did it and how he made a name for himself in an uber-competitive creative field without much help. It’s also blue, which is different.

Chris – Circulation

How Starbucks Saved My Life: a Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else, by Michael Gates Gill, Biography 921 Gill

Michael Gill, who was a big time Advertising Exec, was forced to step out of his comfort zone and old privileged habits after 25 years. Let go from his job, in his 60’s, divorced, and finding it hard for anyone to hire him, set him on a humbling journey.  While he sat in a Starbucks and knew he no longer could afford the expensive coffee and needed insurance, he changed his life by excepting employment at Starbucks as a last resort.  In a not so great neighborhood (he thought) in New York, with his new role serving people, new young female manager, and people from different backgrounds, he was challenged daily. He experienced things he never had to deal with since things were just handed to him in the past. This journey was so much harder, yet he found a way to survive and accept, realizing nothing in his past life was as good as this.

Paula – Circulation

Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, and Zazie Beetz, New DVD Joker

Joaquin Phoenix takes on one of his most challenging roles yet in this extremely dark origin story for one of the most notorious villains ever created. Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a deeply troubled man with a mental illness no one understands. All Arthur has ever wanted to be since he was little was a comedian, but all of his efforts at becoming one have failed. His dead-end job as a clown and mediocre stand-up gigs only make him a target of brutal physical and verbal abuse. As you watch Arthur’s descent into madness, you are torn between sympathizing for him and being utterly disturbed by him. Phoenix does an excellent job of portraying the tortured man, and shows how abuse from others can drive a person into darkness. The film is a good platform for raising awareness of mental health issues while also giving us a viewpoint for the Joker that we’ve never seen before.

Michelle – Administration

Jexi, starring Adam DeVine, Alexandra Shipp, and Michael Pena, New DVD Jexi

I had not heard of this comedy starring Adam Devine, but I was looking for a laugh so I gave it a try. The movie proved to be very silly, but made me giggle. The story follows a guy named Phil who gets a new phone with a very intrusive AI assistant named Jexi. At first, Jexi seems to be able to help Phil improve his life, but then things take a turn to the ridiculous. If you are looking for a fun way to unwind, I recommend you check out this movie!

Cathy – Circulation

The Best We Could Do: an Illustrated Memoir, by Thi Bui, Nonfiction 973.0495 BUI

This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves.

 

January 2020

It’s January! Spend the new year with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa – Technical Services

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond, Nonfiction 339.46 DES

Desmond won the Pulitzer for this work. It’s an eye-opening account of how both poor tenants and landlords who cater to low-income families struggle. He follows several people living in Milwaukee in 2008-2009. He does an amazing job of showing the full, cyclical impact poverty can have on a person; how much of their government benefits go towards rent (hint: they have not received a dime more towards housing costs since 1995); how evictions are used strategically; how landlords know they can take advantage of poor tenants. He doesn’t paint landlords as villains, however. In his opinion, they aren’t. They often overlook missed rents and work with people to the extent that they can, but they too have much at stake. This book reads like a novel, and for many of us, can function as eyes into a lifestyle we are fortunate enough to not have to endure.

Cathy – Circulation

The Dog Who Knew Too Much: a Chet and Bernie mystery, by Spencer Quinn, Fiction Quinn

A nice cozy mystery told from a dog’s point of view. Chet and his owner Bernie are a team of private investigators. They are hired to find a kid who has gone missing from a wilderness camp in the high country. The boy’s mother thinks the boy’s father, her ex, has taken the boy, but Chet makes a find that sends the case in a new and dangerous direction. Perfect for a cold winter’s read!

 

Paula – Circulation

Star Wars Trilogy. IV, V, VI, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, DVD Star Wars Trilogy V. 4, 5, 6

With the newest movie of the saga in theaters, it’s time to revisit the trilogy that started it all. The original Star Wars trilogy is an icon in movie history, and it is one of the absolute best sci-fi series ever made. Everyone and their grandma has seen Star Wars. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Don’t listen to the nay-sayers and haters who think it isn’t good. They’re wrong. With an amazing cast of characters, epic space battles, and the adventure of a lifetime, Star Wars is a classic for people of all ages.

Chris – Technical Services

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, New Nonfiction DVD 921 RONSTADT, L.

The most popular female artist of the 1970’s, Linda was the first artist to top the Pop, Country, and R & B charts simultaneously. Her extraordinary vocal range and ambition created unforgettable songs across rock, pop, country, folk ballads, American standards, classic Mexican music, and soul. She was the voice of my generation.

 

 

The Art of Mending, by Elizabeth Berg, Fiction Berg

The author asks the question, “Is it too late to mend the hurts of the past?” She skillfully explores family secrets, sibling interactions and rivalries, and the black sheep of the family.  She confronts some of the deepest mysteries of life, as she explores how even the largest sins can be forgiven by the smallest gestures, and how grace can come to many through the trials of one.

 

 

December 2019

It’s December! Enjoy the holidays with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

Brigitte – Youth Services

Gremlins, starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, and Hoyt Axton, J DVD Gremlins

Want to watch something truly magical this holiday season? Try the 1984 classic movie Gremlins. Gremlins are cute & cuddly…until you get them wet or feed them after midnight. When a wary inventor buys a mogwai as a Christmas present for his family, he has no idea what wrath he hath brought. So pop some popcorn & get ready to laugh at this Christmas horror movie!

 

Hubbell – Circulation

True Detective Season Three, starring Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, and Carmen Ejogo, New DVD True Detective Season 3

Series creator Nic Pizzolatto’s True Detective veered off course in Season Two but was outstanding in its third iteration. This may well be because Pizzolatto himself is a native of New Orleans where the first season took place. After Season Two’s detour to L.A. and the CHP, this story feels so much more authentic taking place in rural western Arkansas, examining the disappearance and potential murder of a brother and sister. Mahershala Ali plays Wayne “Purple” Hays, a Vietnam vet and Arkansas state trooper alongside his partner Roland West, played by Stephen Dorff. The show spans over 30 years, with parallel story lines from the time of the investigation itself and of a present day documentary crew revisiting the unsolved crime after unearthing new evidence that could damage the reputations of the investigators themselves. Ali is amazing as always, being instantly believable as a sharp-witted, fearless detective and a semi-lucid but still focused, aging man. Just like in Season One, the story twists and turns, exposing secrets along the way which even the most seasoned TV seer can’t envision.

Michelle – Administration

Let It Snow, by Nancy Thayer, New Fiction Thayer

If you are looking for a light-hearted story for the holiday season, this book is for you. The story follows a Nantucket shopkeeper who finds love with a rich businessman, just to discover that his father, who happens to be her landlord, is the biggest Scrooge of all and is planning to raise her rent and drive her out of business. The story takes place over Christmas and the author really brings a festive spirit to the book.

 

Jean – Reference

Their Little Secret, by Mark Billingham, Fiction Billingham

A detective mystery set in England. DI Thorne is investigating what appears to be an open and shut suicide case of a woman who jumped in front of a metro train. He feels compelled to dig deeper, and uncovers a con-man who is preying on vulnerable women and swindling them out of their life savings. I really enjoyed the interaction of the male and female detective partners, as well as the English setting and euphemisms the author intersperses throughout.

 

Chris – Technical Services

Hidden In Plain View: The Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad, by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Nonfiction 973.7 TOB

The patterns we see in quilts originally had hidden meanings which historians are just starting to decipher. Using geometric patterns as codes and stitching, information could be passed in a non-written way. Many West Coast African cultures used oral history to pass on knowledge and brought this with them when they were enslaved.

 

Paula – Circulation

Christmas is Here!, by Pentatonix, CD 781.72 Pentatonix

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the angelic voices of Pentatonix tackling some of our favorite Christmas songs. Pentatonix, one of the best known a cappella groups in the music world, put their unique spin on holiday classics such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas, and Here Comes Santa Claus, and a few other winter related songs like Sweater Weather and Waltz of the Flowers. Their five-part harmony perfectly blends together to create a seamless transition from song to song. This is only one of four Christmas albums Pentatonix has; check out their other three as well!

 

November 2019

It’s November! Give some thanks and enjoy our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

Michelle – Administration

Red Joan, starring Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, and Tom Hughes, New DVD Red Joan

Red Joan is the story of Joan Stanley, the longest serving British KGB spy, who is arrested after years of espionage. She is played by Judi Dench in the present and the story is told in flashbacks. In these flashbacks, we learn how she became a communist sympathizer and how she was recruited by the KGB. The story is very loosely based on real life spy Melita Norwood, who began working as a spy for the Russians in the 1940s and wasn’t discovered until 1992. The movie is superbly acted and is engaging throughout. It really makes you think of how far you would go to do what you think is right.

Pat – Circulation

Chernobyl, starring Stellan Skarsgard, Jared Harris, and Emily Watson, New DVD Chernobyl

Chernobyl is a five-part mini-series that relives the events that unfolded on the day, and days after, the Soviet nuclear horror. This show is intense and eye opening. It covers so many aspects of what everyone had to deal with to avoid this disaster from becoming something worse.  It shows beautifully the heroic, ordinary people of Russia and the Physicists, who against the Russian state, made the authorities come to terms with what happened. This is a series not to be missed.

Cathy – Circulation

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls, Biography 921 Walls, J.

The Glass Castle is even more profound than Educated. The crazy poverty the kids survive is amazing. It has been adapted into a movie as well. Check it out!! I promise the fans of Educated will love this and if you have not read either- what are you waiting for?? Get these books checked out!

 

 

Paula – Circulation

Love, Hate, and Other Filters, by Samira Ahmed, Fiction YA Ahmed

Maya Aziz just wants to be a normal teenager. She wants to go to the senior prom, date the boy she likes, and go to NYU, her dream school, to study film. Her traditional Muslim parents have other plans for her though: graduate high school, attend a college close to home in Chicago, and marry a nice, Muslim boy. However, with fierce determination and a little help from her sympathetic aunt, Maya starts to turn her dreams into reality. But when a terrorist attack hits close to home, Maya and her family become targets of anti-Muslim hate crimes, causing Maya’s world to fall apart. Love, Hate, and Other Filters dives into the issue of Islamophobia and its harsh impacts on those just trying to live a normal life. It is an excellent YA read of romance, family, and the struggles of modern Muslims living in American society.

Jean – Reference

Suggested Reading, by David Connis, New Fiction YA Connis

I thoroughly enjoyed this YA read that explores the issue of book banning in a real-life setting. Clara is a senior at an expensive, private high school, but is not part of the wealthy class, and is relying on winning a coveted scholarship in order to attend college. Unlike many of her privileged peers, she works hard, volunteers in the school library, started a “Free Little Library” in her neighborhood, and moderates a book club in her free time. Because of her job in the school library, she gets wind that the school board has instructed the principal to remove a list of titles deemed inappropriate from the library shelves, and anyone caught with one of the books will face disciplinary action. Clara devises a plan to run a “banned book” library from her locker. Her actions will have unforeseen consequences, not only for herself, but also for everyone.

Hubbell – Circulation

The Pioneers: the Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West, by David McCullough, New Nonfiction 977 MCC

Preeminent American historian and author David McCullough’s most recent work is The Pioneers. It examines a lesser known period of American history following the Revolutionary War in which the newly formed United States settled and populated what are now considered the Midwest states. It is told in a way only McCullough can, through the lens of those living at the time. He follows several main characters from the time they settled a town in the wilderness of Ohio, drawing from a vast amount of primary sources. As always, it is meticulously researched and visualizes the era vividly.

October 2019

It’s October! Check out our Staff Picks for some good tricks and treats!

 

 

 

 

Paula – Circulation

Doom Days, by Bastille, New CD 781.66 Bastille

Bastille is back at it again with their third album Doom Days. The songs on this album continue to have the same haunting yet beautiful sound that the previous albums do, but the album itself is set up in a new way. Doom Days tells a story, and all of the songs are connected to each other. It takes place over the course of one night at a party, the first song starting at 12:15am, and the last song starting at 8:34am. The party takes you through an emotional whirlwind of euphoria, helplessness, hope, madness, and relationships on what seems like a night that the world is ending. One of the best parts of the album is that every song is relatable. They encompass raw human emotions, and remind us that when we feel hopeless in a world full of chaos, we can always manage to find things that give us joy.

Chris – Circulation

Vietnamese Food Any Day : Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors, by Andrea Quynhgiao Nguyen, Nonfiction 641.59597 NGU

Author Andrea Nguyen came from Saigon with her family at a young age. She had to learn to adapt in America, its food in particular, without the same Asian influences. Her mother had to improvise some of her recipes with American ingredients, shopping at several grocery stores to get it right. She tried to keep them true to their culture and taste combining the two. This book is exactly that. I found the flavor and the ease of each recipe to be tasty and simple, finding all the ingredients for an authentic Vietnamese meal. The soups are my favorite and having meals under 60 minutes even better ….yum.

Michelle – Administration

The Institute, by Stephen King, New Fiction King

Stephen King’s newest novel follows the story of a boy named Luke who was kidnapped from his home in the middle of the night and taken to the mysterious Institute. There he meets other children with special abilities. Why have they been taken? What does the Institute do with these special children? King unravels this mystery and keeps you turning the pages, eager to find out how all these pieces come together. Stephen King has proven, once again, why he is one of the best writers out there. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a twist.

Chris – Technical Services

The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood, New Fiction Atwood

Some books you slowly saver, this one I devoured! I could not read it fast enough. It filled in the back-stories of the characters in The Handmaid’s Tale. I would definitely read them in order. Revenge is sweet, but you must have patience.

 

 

 

 

Melissa – Technical Services

‘Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King, eBook on OverDrive

There are a few newcomers in the small town of Jerusalem’s Lot: a writer revisiting his hometown, and two new businessmen who open an antique shop. All three are there for one reason: the Marsden House. It’s an old, abandoned home that once belonged to a mafia hitman, which has stood empty for decades since the owner murdered his wife then turned the shotgun on himself. The writer, Ben Mears, is drawn to it after a terrifying experience in the house during his childhood that won’t subside. The two antique dealers are actually vampires hoping to take up residence in the Marsden house and infect the town. The story begins when two young brothers take a shortcut through the woods, and only one comes out. King’s talent for setting an eerie scene in a small town is perfect for fall.

Hubbell – Circulation

The Hot Zone, starring Julianna Margulies, Noah Emmerich, and Liam Cunningham, New DVD Hot Zone Season 1

Ebola bad, Julianna Margulies good. She plays Army scientist Nancy Jaax in charge of studying infectious diseases in 1989. The Hot Zone shows what happens when everything goes wrong and an endemic strain of ebola threatens to begin spreading domestically within in the US. Flanked by her army officer husband (the awesome Noah Emmerich), Dr. Jaax realizes before anyone else that a strain of ebola from Africa being tested on chimps is extremely virulent and uncontained. What unfolds is at least one monkey kidnapping, near-disasters in haz-mat suits, and paranoid lab techs infecting themselves. In the end, with the help of her estranged mentor Wade Carter (played by Game of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham), Dr. Jaax confronts the bureaucracy in an effort to expose the country’s vulnerabilities. The six-episode series is loosely based on Richard Preston’s nonfiction work and is anchored by solid performances from the leads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2019

It’s September! Get ready for Fall with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

 

Paula – Circulation

It, starring Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, and Sophia Lillis, DVD It

Before the sequel It: Chapter Two hits theaters this month, be sure to check out the first movie It. One of Stephen King’s most well-known novels, It brings to life the story of Pennywise, the horrifying monster who preys on the innocent children of Derry, Maine and takes the form of a clown. In order to defeat Pennywise, a band of bullied outcasts, who call themselves the Losers Club, must face their own fears and venture into Derry’s underground. Bill Skarsgard does an outstanding job as Pennywise. A better actor could not have been cast to play the evil clown. The children cast as the Losers Club are also perfect in their roles. Their hilarious banter and fearless determination make them one of the best parts of the film. It is the perfect movie for all fans of Stephen King, horror, and creepy clowns.

Michelle – Administration

Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, and Jamie Bell, New DVD Rocketman

Rocketman tells the story of Elton John in a unique and interesting way that I have not seen before. The movie is half musical biopic and half fantasy, creating a fantastic journey through John’s life. Taron Egerton gives an amazing performance as Elton. The movie also stars Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother. I would recommend this movie to any music lover or anyone interested in the inspirational story of a man who overcame the odds to become one of the most recognizable music legends.

Chris – Technical Services

Every Man a Hero: A Memoir of D-Day, the First Wave at Omaha Beach, and a World at War, by Ray Lambert, New Nonfiction 940.54214 LAM

Sgt. Lambert, a medic, gives a very direct and forthright story of his experiences in three of the major campaigns of WWII: the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and lastly, Normandy on D-Day. He is also a recipient of the Silver Star. A great read for anyone interested in WWII.

 

 

Cathy – Circulation

Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein, Juvenile Nonfiction J 811.54 SIL

Classic, silly, and fun poems for children of all ages! Pay special attention to the poem “Sick;” it applies to students and people working Monday through Friday. Its fun! A tidbit of information: Shel Silverstein wrote songs for Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show consisting of some great folksy music from the 60’s and 70’s. Enjoy!

 

Hubbell – Circulation

Succession Season 1, starring Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and Jeremy Strong, DVD Succession Season 1

Imagine if an HBO crew followed around Rupert Murdoch and his family as they make their attempt for global domination of mass media. That’s pretty much what Succession is. Logan Roy is the patriarch of the Roy family and his global media conglomerate. His three children jockey for position within both the family and the company. (There’s a fourth child but he is resigned to lesser aspirations, like running for president). There is also an ugly duckling in the form of bumbling Greg, an outcast grandnephew who falls into the family drama completely by mistake. There is conniving, backstabbing, infidelity, and hilarity; the standard HBO fare. The series begins with Logan suffering from health problems, which the family to form a plan of succession. But when Logan recovers and returns, his children are not immediately thrilled by the development. And, then the finale happens, and no one is ever the same again.

 

August 2019

It’s August! Enjoy the rest of the summer with one of our Staff Picks!

 

 

 

Paula – Circulation

The Public, starring Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, and Michael K. Williams, New DVD Public

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work in a public library? Written and directed by Emilio Estevez, The Public shines a pretty accurate light on the daily happenings of public library life. Estevez stars as Stuart Goodson, an overwhelmed librarian who makes an effort to care for the library’s regular patrons, many of which are homeless or mentally ill. When a bitter cold snap hits the city of Cincinnati, the homeless population bands together for a sit-in at the library to seek shelter from the cold. The “occupy” movement forces the police to be involved, causing a standoff between the police, the homeless population, and the librarians who have chosen to defend them. The film also acts as a good social awareness message for the challenging issues of homelessness and mental illness, and what actions must be taken in order to help address them. The film is as moving as it is educational, and even provides a few good moments of library humor.

Michelle – Administration

Shazam!, starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, and Asher Angel, New DVD Shazam!

The DC universe finally takes a break from the doom and gloom with Shazam! This is the story of a 14-year-old foster kid who gets the ability to transform into a fully grown adult superhero on command. It’s a funny and touching story of family and responsibility in a world full of super powers, superheroes and super villains. The movie stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong and Asher Angel.

Chris – Circulation

The Clean Plate: Eat, Reset, Heal, by Gwyneth Paltrow, Nonfiction 641.563 PAL

Gwyneth has made it her lifestyle to live green and clean. The recipes in this book may challenge you to try something new, maybe making it your regular go-to. She has listed foods to avoid and foods to add on a daily basis that can help reset and heal. She will introduce you to her favorites and special treats that are actually tasty. She also has some expert Q&A on detoxing, heart health, and more.

Brigitte – Youth Services

Ottolenghi Simple, by Yotam Ottolenghi, New Nonfiction 641.512 OTT

The end of summer leaves me exhausted, hot, and unable to even think about using my oven. With Ottolenghi Simple by world famous chef Yotam Ottolenghi I have been saved. This is truly the cookbook for the laziest of people. Every recipe takes 30 minutes or less with 10 ingredients or less. Every recipe is a celebration and is guaranteed to make you look like a professional chef, even when you’re not. Minimal hassle, maximum joy; exactly what I want after a long day of serving OBPL patrons!

Hubbell – Circulation

Lingo: Around Europe in Sixty Languages, by Gaston Dorren, Nonfiction 306.44 DOR

Linguist and polyglot Gaston Dorren’s accessible Lingo takes us on a quick jaunt through Europe’s languages. We don’t learn grammar or syntax trees here; rather, we’re introduced to the many quirks and overall diversity of the European languages. Don’t expect to gain fluency from Dorren’s book, but do expect to be surprised.

 

 

July 2019

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

 

 

 

Melissa – Technical Services

Fates and Furies, by Laura Groff, Fiction Groff

Fates and Furies tells of a fiery relationship between actor/playwright Lotto and his wife Matilde. We see life and the relationship through Lotto’s eyes in the first half and switch to Matilde’s in the second. The prose is artsy and decadent, doing much to draw the reader into their fierce passion. This book is reminiscent of Julian Barnes’s The Sense of Ending in that it explores the power of perception and how the consequences of actions can ripple through time.

 

Jean – Reference

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II, by Sonia Purnell, New Nonfiction 940.5486 PUR

The true story of an American woman who worked for a highly-selective British intelligence unit specially formed to build up the Resistance in France early on in the war against the Nazi invasion of Europe. At a time when women were not thought to be suited nor qualified for the male work in intelligence, Virginia Hall proved to be more formidable and brave than many of her male peers. Add to the fact that she had a disability after losing a leg during a hunting accident, it was unheard of for her to be selected for the highly risky, top-secret spy mission. Little recognition was given to her because of her sex after the war, but thanks to author Sonia Purnell, we now know the story of this historically brave woman who served the Allies’ cause with honor.

Michelle – Administration

Waiting for Tom Hanks, by Kerry Winfrey, New Fiction Winfrey

This is a perfect summer beach read. It follows rom-com obsessed Annie, who dreams of living her own rom-com fantasy. She gets a job working on a movie set when they come to her Ohio town and the pieces begin falling into place. If you are looking for a light bit of fluff to pass the time, then this book is for you!

 

Cathy – Circulation

Sunny Side Up, by Jennifer Holm, Graphic Novel J Holm (Graphic bk)

Have you wondered what the kids are reading and why they love graphic novels? Check this one out! You don’t need to be a kid to love this book, the graphics are great and the story fun and timeless. The drawings really help tell the story. This book opened up a whole new genre for me, and it might for you too.

 

 

Hubbell – Circulation

Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, New DVD Patrick Melrose

HBO’s 2018 mini-series Patrick Melrose is a show loosely based on a series of novels by English writer Edward St. Aubyn. The titular Melrose, played brilliantly by Benedict Cumberbatch, struggles with substance abuse and recovery, as well as confronting his past and his relationships with his parents. The series begins with Melrose visiting New York from England to retrieve his father David’s ashes. He quickly spirals out of control, but also vows to cease drugs and drink. The show is also a reflection and commentary about Britain’s upper class and the trappings of social privilege. Melrose is given everything in life and while afforded every opportunity to expand socially, he maintains very few close friendships, for those to whom he is closest, his family, are the ones responsible for his personal demons.

Paula – Circulation

Bad Blood, by Bastille, CD 781.66 Bastille

Having just released their third album, Bastille’s Bad Blood is a must-listen. It is the first album from the British indie rock band that contains their first single “Pompeii” that brought them to fame. It introduces the brooding yet melodic sound that Bastille is known for. Their music may sound happy and upbeat at first, but after a close listen, the lyrics suggest otherwise. As the band puts it, they have “quite the catalog of depressing songs,” but their lyrics take on a deeper meaning than most bands. They focus on real-life issues and emotions, and draw them out with their haunting tunes. Their songs may be a little somber, but they balance them out with beauty and passion.

June 2019

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

 

 

 

Chris – Technical Services

The Rough Guide to Scottish Folk, New CD 781.62 Scottish Folk

Sung in Scottish, Gaelic, and English, this hour of folk songs by various artists sing of the history of Scotland and preservation of their musical traditions.

 

Jean – Reference

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl, by Timothy Egan, Nonfiction 978 EGA

An excellent story along the lines of Grapes of Wrath, but unlike the story of the mass migration, this one is told from the point of view of those who actually remained in the panhandle during the “Dirty Thirties” due to stubbornness, or because they were too poor to leave. It’s also a good treatise on how humans can have a devastating impact on climate and on the earth. An amazing account of our country’s history that everyone should read.

Melissa – Technical Services

Normal People, by Sally Rooney, New Fiction Rooney

A Man Booker Prize nominee, Normal People tells the story of two teens who could not be any more different, but are inexplicably drawn to each other when no one else is watching. Connell is charismatic and popular, and Marianne is withdrawn; a true rebel who doesn’t care a whit about other’s opinions. They keep their friendship, and eventually their relationship, secret. As they move to college and grow as adults, their relationship and personalities change shape. They cannot be together, but they cannot be apart. The tale is not so melodramatic as this summary makes it seem; it’s subtle and intoxicating. It’s a look into how small nuances can shape the deepest relationships.

11/22/63, by Stephen King, Fiction King

King puts forth a time travel tale that is both vivid and riveting. A portal exists in a small-town diner that links modern day to September 9, 1958 every time it is used. After learning of it from the diner’s owner, Jake Epping is tasked with going from 2011 to 1958 to live for 5 years, gather information, and then attempt to stop the assassination of JFK. Within those 5 years, Jake’s “life” begins to catch up with him. But this is a Stephen King novel, so it is not without some paranormal elements (aside from time travel, that is). It is eerie, fun, and reflective.

 

Theresa – Youth Services

The House We Grew Up In, by Lisa Jewell, Fiction Jewell

If you like reading about dysfunctional families, this is the book for you!  The Bird family consists of Lorellei (Mom), Dad, Meg, Beth, and the twins, Rory and Rhys. Most of the story takes place in Cotswolds, England in their house, which over years becomes more and more filled with Lorelei’s “precious mementos.” Lorelei loves the early years of her children so much that she tends to collect mementos in an effort to somehow freeze time. She insists on hanging up every single piece of art produced by the children, along with craft items that they could never in a million years use. The yearly Easter egg hunt is extremely important to her, especially saving the candy egg “foils.” One Easter weekend a tragedy occurs, so terrible, that it begins to tear the family apart. Much is swept under the rug. Issues are not discussed. Years pass by, the children become adults, and Lorelai has become the county’s worst hoarder. After becoming a recluse, alienating her husband and children, something beckons them all back home… to the house they grew up in… and to what really happened that Easter weekend so many years ago. I really enjoyed this. Each character has their own story. It gives a great deal of insight as to why someone would become a hoarder.

Chris – Circulation

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, by Maxwell King, Nonfiction 921 Rogers, F. Kin

In this book, Fred Mcfeely Rogers, the famous Mister Rogers, walks us through his beginning as a Harvard graduate to his over 30 years in television. His program “Mister Rogers” touched almost all our lives, teaching us our virtues and how to be a good neighbor. His passion and unique way to show us that we are all different was part of his story, just as he was different. Showing children how to deal with events or just learn how to whistle was his magic. His puppets, movies, and regular guest visitors were a treat and lesson. He very much enjoyed this role he was blessed with in his life.

Hubbell – Circulation

A Private War, starring Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, and Stanley Tucci, New DVD Private War

The late Marie Colvin was a tenacious and outspoken journalist. She died covering the Syrian Civil War in 2012 and had covered numerous conflicts during her career including Sri Lanka, Iraq, and numerous other Middle Eastern countries. Matthew Heineman’s A Private War (the director’s first dramatic piece) includes an excellent supporting cast including Jamie Dornan and Stanley Tucci. It uncovers Colvin’s life’s mission to show us the cost of war while also movingly personalizing her story.

Paula – Circulation

The Breakfast Club, starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Judd Nelson, DVD Breakfast…

The Breakfast Club is one of the most iconic movies of all time. A classic John Hughes masterpiece, the film centers on the lives of five teenagers stuck in detention on a Saturday. By spending the whole day together, the teens, who were strangers with nothing in common, become good friends and learn more about themselves through sharing some of their deepest secrets with each other. Full of some of the most memorable quotes and 80’s nostalgia, The Breakfast Club is a movie that people of all ages will enjoy.

 

 

May 2019

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

 

 

 

 

Michelle – Administration

Welcome to Marwen, starring Steve Carell, Leslie Mann, and Merritt Wever, New DVD Welcome to Marwen

Welcome to Marwen tells the true story of a man, played by Steve Carrell, who was viciously attacked and finds solace in the creation of a fictional world. He turns that fictional world into a highly regarded art installation. In the film, the art comes to life in a way that is unique to any other movie experience. It is worth watching for the visual thrill alone, but the story keeps you engaged and tells the tale of a man fighting to survive in his own way.

On the Basis of Sex, starring Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, and Justin Theroux, New DVD On the Basis…

This is the origin story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and follows her from the start of law school, through her career as a professor, and into her first court case. The film also shows the beautiful love story between her and her husband Martin. They had a marriage that was way ahead of its time, just like most aspects of RBG’s life. This movie is quite powerful and shows how one woman fought to make change and became a national icon.

 

Paula – Circulation

Marvel’s The Avengers, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth, DVD Avengers

With the final movie of the original Avengers out in theaters, take a look back at the one that started it all. Marvel’s The Avengers was the first film that brought all of original superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe together, such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. It was the first film, in my opinion, that really introduced the massive impact the MCU has on the superhero film industry. All of the actors have amazing chemistry with each other that has lasted throughout the entire series. Its fun, fast-paced action and cast of unforgettable characters has made The Avengers one of the best movie series of all time.

 

Hubbell – Circulation

Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ben Whishaw, New DVD Mary Poppins…

Lin-Manuel Miranda speaking Cockney?! Dick Van Dyke tap-dancing?! Disney’s newest reboot in Mary Poppins Returns hits all the right notes to trigger some serious nostalgia. But, it also modernizes the tale as we the original movie’s siblings all grown and facing their own hardships and trials. Emily Blunt is perfect in her portrayal and we quickly find ourselves endeared to this newer iteration. Oh, and the Miranda-led BMX bike-riding, lamp-lighting crew is a sight to behold.

 

Chris – Technical Services

Songs of Our Native Daughters, by Rhiannon Giddens, New CD 781.62 Songs…

Four female musicians reclaim the untold stories of their ancestors inspired by New World slave narratives. It is reminiscent of early minstrel and banjo music. Highly recommended.