Monday, February 28, 2011
[News and Notes] February 2011
Twenty-eight books from Thomas Jefferson’s personal library were recently discovered at Washington State University in St. Louis, Missouri. The New York Times article notes that Jefferson described himself as having a “canine appetite for reading.”
According to a New York Times article, Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, is being sued by a family maid for Stockett’s alleged use of the employee’s likeness in her best-selling novel without consent.
We posted an extensive list of books being made into movies last month. A recent article from npr.org details upcoming attractions from our list and more.
If you still have Oscar fever, browse a special list of Academy Award-winning films on the library catalog.
Labels: News and Notes
[Book Review] THE CAMEL CLUB by David Baldacci
Fiction/Mystery Hollye of the Parkway Village Book Club reviews THE CAMEL CLUB by David Baldacci (Warner Books, 2005)
When we choose this book for the book club, we knew it was going to be different than many of the books we have read. This book is about government conspiracies and the group of men that uncover them. The group calls themselves “The Camel Club,” and they meet once a week to share information that they have gathered.
All of the men in The Camel Club are less than conventional. One member, who calls himself “Oliver Stone,” is an ex-military man. He camps out across the street from the White House and reports what he sees. Oliver has vast knowledge of what happens in the government and appears to be hiding from something in his past. One member has obesssive-compulsive disorder and repeats numbers over and over in a ritual. Another member is a librarian who deals with old books, not people, and the last member is an ex-military man with a past drinking problem. Most people would never suspect that these men could get the information they are able to obtain.
The Parkway Village book club really enjoyed this book. David Baldacci was eerily right about things going on in the United States and other countries. This book was written in 2005 and Baldacci predicted many things that are happening now, including riots in Egypt. The book club members enjoyed the mystery and suspense in the book and several members want to read more by him. Most agreed that this was not an author they would have chosen otherwise, but after reading this book, they want more.
Hollye Ferguson, Parkway Village Library
The Parkway Village Library book club will discuss Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah, on March 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Labels: Book Club Reviews, Book Clubs, Fiction, Mystery, Reviews by Hollye Ferguson
Friday, February 25, 2011
[Library Events and Programs] What's Your Flavor? March 2011
Horror FictionBenjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3030 Poplar Avenue, Room L-56
Labels: Library Events and Programs
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
[News and Notes] 2010 Nebula Award Nominees
The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America have announced the nominees for the 2010 Nebula Awards.
"Other awards to be presented are the Andre Norton Award for Excellence in Science Fiction or Fantasy for Young Adults, the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation and the Solstice Award for outstanding contribution to the field." -Source
Click here to browse the list of nominees. The winners will be announced at the Nebula Awards Banquet on May 21, 2011.
Labels: Awards, News and Notes
Thursday, February 17, 2011
[Book Review] FORT MOSE: COLONIAL AMERICA'S BLACK FORTRESS OF FREEDOM by Kathleen A. Deagan and Darcie MacMahon
Nonfiction/History Darletha reviews FORT MOSE: COLONIAL AMERICA'S BLACK FORTRESS OF FREEDOM, by Kathleen A. Deagan and Darcie MacMahon (University Press of Florida, 1995)
This non-fiction offering details the history and rediscovery of Fort Mose (pronounced mo-SAY), a Spanish colonial fortress in Florida. Originally built by free black soldiers, Fort Mose served as a military stronghold against English invasion. According to researchers, it was the first free black town in the United States, and the only known fort of its kind where black families worked and lived in a thriving community.
While England, Spain, and American Indians were engaged in conflict, African slaves from the Carolinas escaped to St. Augustine, a city located in Florida's Spanish-controlled territory. Runaway slaves were granted freedom after converting to Catholicism and pledging their allegiance to Spain. As more runaways arrived in the early 1700s, Spain established "Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose" as a city for escaped slaves. The fort and surrounding homes were abandoned when Florida became an English colony. With legal and financial support, Kathleen Deagan began research on marshland believed to be the location of Fort Mose in 1986.
I recommend this book for adults and teen readers who enjoy learning little-known facts from history. Short paragraphs and captions are provided throughout this 53-page book; photos of artifacts, artwork, and maps stimulate the eyes. This book provides an enlightening view of blacks in early America who lived independently decades before the Emancipation Proclamation. The history of blacks in America isn't limited to slavery--this book successfully proves that.
Darletha Matthews, South Branch
Labels: Nonfiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
[News and Notes] WPYL's Book Talk
Michael Oher will visit the Central Library this month for a taping of WYPL's Book Talk program. He will discuss his memoir, I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blind Side, and Beyond. The Commercial Appeal featured a great article about his inspirational story on February 6.On February 16 at 2 p.m., Isabel Wilkerson will discuss her book, The Warmth of Other Suns, with Book Talk. The Commercial Appeal's blog Shelf Life recently profiled this Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and author.
Book Talk tapings and broadcast dates are available at WYPL's Books & More Blog.
Labels: Book Talk, News and Notes, WYPL
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day to all book lovers.
Labels: News and Notes
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
[Author Obit] Brian Jacques 1939-2011
From Shelf Awareness: "Brian Jacques, whose Redwall series, set in the mythical Redwall Abbey, has sold more than 20 million copies, died last Saturday of a heart attack. He was 71." Article
View novels by Brian Jacques in the library catalog.
Labels: Author Obits
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
[Books & Movies] Coming Attractions 2011
Below are movie attractions based on novels. Titles are listed in alphabetical order.Film title: Adjustment Bureau
Based on: “The Adjustment Team,” a short story by Philip K. Dick
Film title: Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Based on: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn by Herge
Film title: Barney’s Version
Based on: Barney’s Version by Mordecai Richler
Film title: Beastly
Based on: Beastly by Alexandra Flinn
Film title: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
Based on: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Film title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Based on: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Film Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Based on: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Film title: The Help
Based on: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Film title: I Am Number Four
Based on: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Film title: Jane Eyre
Based on: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Film title: The Lincoln Lawyer
Based on: Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Film title: Mildred Pierce (HBO mini series)
Based on: Mildred Pierce by James Cain
Film title: Mr. Popper's Penguins
Based on: Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
Film title: The Rite
Based on: The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio
Film title: Thor
Based on: Thor by Stan Lee
Film title: Water for Elephants
Based on: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Labels: Books and Movies
Thursday, February 03, 2011
[Library Events and Programs] What's Your Flavor? February 2011
Black History Month is celebrated during the month of February, a great time for book lovers to learn about the history and diversity of African American fiction."What’s Your Flavor? is a four-part series at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library that explores different fiction titles and offers recommendations on what to read based on individual preferences."
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Labels: Library Events and Programs
