Wednesday, March 30, 2011
[Book Review] GIOVANNI'S ROOM by James Baldwin
Fiction/African American Audrey reviews GIOVANNI'S ROOM by James Baldwin (Modern Library reprint, 2001).
This book is a classic of American literature. The second of Baldwin’s novels and published in 1956 while he lived as an expatriate in France, Giovanni’s Room recounts the tortured musings of a young American man, David, during several months in Paris. David’s primary struggle is with his sexuality. He cannot accept his identity as a gay man, and careens back and forth between a relationship with Hella, a forthright but ultimately conventional young woman, and Giovanni, a beautiful, intense and desperate young man.
Ultimately, the novel ends in tragedy – David leaves Giovanni, Hella leaves David, Giovanni is convicted and sentenced to death for murder of his former employer. David decides to return to the States, but is irrevocably changed by his experiences. The ending is ambiguous – will David learn from these tragedies, or merely continue to be haunted by them?
But while the book is certainly dark and brooding, I did not find it depressing. David’s struggle parallels that of many trying to find an authentic life, but lacking the courage to do so. Giovanni’s Room is a classic “coming of age” novel. It is written in very poetic language, and French phrases are sprinkled liberally throughout, so readers may want a French-English dictionary nearby. But at under 200 pages, it’s a quick read, and a rewarding and thought-provoking one.
Audrey May, LINC Department
Labels: African-American Fiction, Gay and Lesbian Fiction, Reviews by Audrey May
Monday, March 28, 2011
[Author Obit] Diana Wynne Jones 1934-2011
From Shelf Awareness:
"Obituary note: fantasy author Diana Wynne Jones, best known for Howl's Moving Castle, died on Saturday in Bristol, England. She was 76. . . Jones won two Boston Globe-Horn Book Award honors, the British Fantasy Society's Karl Edward Wagner Award for having a significant impact on fantasy and the Life Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention."
Read the full article here.
Search the catalog for more works by Diana Wynne Jones
*Thanks go out to Beth for the information.*
Labels: Author Obits
Thursday, March 24, 2011
[News and Notes] Elizabeth Taylor 1932-2011
Several books written by and about Elizabeth Taylor are available at the library, including:
Elizabeth by J. Randy Taraborelli
Liz : the Pictorial Biography of Elizabeth Taylor by Larissa Branin
Browse the catalog for more about Elizabeth Taylor.
Labels: News and Notes
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
[Resources for Book Lovers] Books on the Air
Can't remember that author who was talking about that book on that show? Sign up for the Memphis Public Library's Books on the Air newsletter and book-related updates will be sent to your e-mail.The Books on the Air newsletter, "provides descriptions of recent TV and radio appearances by authors and their recently released books."
Click the link belowSubscribe to Books on the Air and other library newsletters.
The selection is near the bottom of the list.
Labels: Resources
Monday, March 21, 2011
[Quick Picks] Women's History Month Suggestions
Why everyone should read it: Based on the author's real life, the main character Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist turned medical examiner, helps solve the mystery of death and give families peace. This is a great series, different from the television series adaptation, “Bones,” that shows the strength and intelligence that women possess. WARNING: The books contain some violence and gruesome details; not for the faint of heart.
--Beth, Highland Branch Library
Title: I CLOSED MY EYES: REVELATIONS OF A BATTERED WOMAN, by Michele Weldon
Why everyone should read it: Having experienced this lifestyle myself, I found this book to be very helpful and painful as well. It is relevant for one who is searching for personal help or as a general resource.
--Bettie Hall, Central Library
Title: JUBILEE, by Margaret Walker
Why everyone should read it: I first read Margaret Walker's Jubilee in 1971 as an undergraduate student in upstate New York where I was writing a paper titled "The Function of Literature as a Supplement to Historical Survey" and Walker's book depicting the life of Vyry in the South during slavery and Reconstruction became central to my construction of a concept of discerning history in relationship to how it was lived by everyman and everywoman. Readers of Jubilee also owe themselves Ms. Walker's 1942 poem, "For My People."
--Robert Bain, Randolph Branch Library
Title: THE ROAD OF LOST INNOCENCE, by Somaly Mam
Why everyone should read it: This is a haunting, powerful retelling of Somaly Mam’s ten-year nightmare in Cambodia’s human trafficking system and her struggles to rescue other young girls from prostitution. Somaly Mam courageously reopened old wounds, detailing her horrific experiences with unapologetic candor. Readers should read this eye-opening memoir to learn about human trafficking, as a sign of support for an end to this global plague.
--Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library
Title: SAVAGE BEAUTY: THE LIFE OF EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY by Nancy Milford
Why everyone should read it: Edna St. Vincent Millay plowed through the literary world at the age of 20 to become a bohemian superstar writer in early 20th century Greenwich Village. Milford lushly portrays Millay as a feminist poet with a pedigree in literature and love affairs. This is a rich and lovely biography.
--Ashley Roach, Central Library
Title: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, by Sue Monk Kidd
Why everyone should read it: This book is brimming with strong female characters. Fourteen-year old Lily Owens learns about the ways of life and is inspired by her caretaker, Rosalee, as they journey to escape racial tensions. They are led to the "Calendar sisters," who teach Lily about true motherhood. The Secret Life of Bees is a story of hope and survival that will uplift us all.
--Keshia Williams, Central Library
Title: STRAIGHT TALK, NO CHASER: HOW TO FIND, KEEP, AND UNDERSTAND A MAN, by Steve Harvey
Why everyone should read it: I think this book is an excellent read for all women, regardless of age or if a person is single, married, or in-between. It’s an easy read, very informative, and comical.
Do you have any books you would like to recommend? Leave us a comment.
Labels: Quick Picks, Staff Recommendations, Women's History Month
Thursday, March 17, 2011
[Book Review] FOXY: MY LIFE IN THREE ACTS by Pam Grier
Nonfiction/Memoir Karen of the North Women's Book Club reviews FOXY: MY LIFE IN THREE ACTS by Pam Grier with Andrea Cagan (Springboard Press, 2010)
In this revealing memoir, Pam Grier tells of her experiences as an actress during the black exploitation film era. She shares surprising details about her relationships with celebrities such as Richard Pryor and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Ms. Grier also discloses her struggles concerning racism and sexism, opening up about being a victim of rape and overcoming such trauma. Ms. Grier also gives insight about her ordeal with cancer.
Readers will find a deeper respect for a person who many thought of her life as a continual yellow brick road. We must also note that our male readers have fallen in love with Pam Grier even more!
Karen Hall, North Branch Library
The North Women's Book Club will discuss Bae's Rhapsody by local author Rutha Jones on Saturday, March 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Labels: Book Club Reviews, Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Karen Hall
Monday, March 14, 2011
[Book Review] LOVE, HONOR, AND BETRAY by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Fiction/African AmericanThe North Branch Renaissance Men's Book Club reviews LOVE, HONOR, AND BETRAY by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central, 2011)
The book club readers really enjoyed this book. This book is a part of the notorious Rev. Curtis Black saga, with a lot of twists and turns!
Curtis Black's wife, Charlotte, is the central character. Curtis Black has fathered a child by his mistress. The mistress dies and now Black must decide if he will take care of his illegitimate two-year-old daughter, Curtina, or send the child to be cared for by another family. Well now! Black chooses to take Curtina in, but this is to the dismay of Charlotte. Charlotte resents Curtina and takes out her frustrations on the girl. Charlotte also begins spending more time away from family and more time with her ex-boyfriend.
This book is a good read for those familiar with the infamous Curtis Black and for readers who like a lot of drama!
Karen Hall, North Branch Library
The Renaissance Men's Book Club will discuss Someday, an Inspirational Romance by local author Jae Henderson on Saturday, March 19th, at 2:00 p.m.
Labels: African-American Fiction, Book Club Reviews
Friday, March 11, 2011
[News and Notes] Read Like a Patron
Check out Rebecca Vnuk's Read Like a Patron series at Shelf Renewal. The series was designed to help library staff enhance their reader's advisory knowledge, but all readers can utilize her tips to broaden their reading tastes.
Here are two RLAP suggestions:
"The next time you are getting a particular book off of the shelf for yourself, pick a random book that looks good from nearby."
"Read a book in a genre you think you can’t stand. You might be really surprised. At the very least, searching for a book in an unfamiliar genre and then reading it will help expand your RA [Reader's Advisory] skills."
Click here to view more posts.
Labels: News and Notes
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
[Book Review] I BELIEVE I'LL TESTIFY by Lily M. Berry
Nonfiction/MemoirKaren of the North Branch Women's Book Club reviews I BELIEVE I'LL TESTIFY: A STORY OF THE GRACE AND POWER OF GOD by Lily M. Berry (Trafford, 2005)
This memoir is a stirring recount of how Mrs. Berry overcame the negatives of living in poverty in Mississippi. Mrs. Berry tells how someone "put a fix" on her mother, how her family experienced the dark side of the occult, and episodes of sexual abuse. Her story describes the wonder of God's grace and redemption.
Our adult readers expressed that this book made them more appreciative of their childhoods and teen years. Mrs. Berry is willing to attend book clubs and discuss her book. This makes for an even more interesting book club discussion.Karen Hall, North Branch
Labels: Book Club Reviews, Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Karen Hall
Monday, March 07, 2011
[Book Review] UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Lee Kravitz
Nonfiction/MemoirLaura reviews UNFINISHED BUSINESS: ONE MAN'S EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS by Lee Kravitz (Bloomsbury USA, 2010)
This book tells how the author took a crisis in his life and turned it into an opportunity. Lee was fired from a job he had for many years. Although he sensed it might happen, when it did, he was bewildered and depressed. He postponed his job search to take stock of his current situation and get some motivation for what would come next. As he was cleaning up his vacation home, he thought of several times in his life when his job took over and gave him a reason to not contact people he cared about in their time of need. Lee made a list of ten of these occurrences, and resolved to postpone his job search for a year to right these wrongs.
In reconnecting with the family, friends, and relatives he was once close to, and discussing the past with them, he often found that their experience of the relationship and that time in the past was very different from his own. Lee found that each of these reconnections was a great learning experience for his family, friends, and relatives, as well as himself.
Not everyone can afford to put off a job hunt for a year after being laid off in order to right the wrongs from their past, but most of us could find a way to invest a little more time and effort to appreciate the people we are close to, perhaps preventing losing contact with them when life’s challenges arise.
I was delighted to read about the unexpected positive results from each of the ten reunions on Lee’s list. Unfinished Business was very positive and encouraging, telling us that it is not too late to change the way we approach life, even in middle age.
Laura Salehi, Bartlett Branch
Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Laura Salehi
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
[News and Notes] Read Across America Day--March 2, 2011
From L.A. Times Jacket Copy blog:
"March 2 is the birthday of Theodor Geisel, known to generations of young readers as Dr. Seuss. In his honor, it has been declared Read Across America Day by the National Education Assn. This is the 14th year that thousands of participating schools, libraries and community centers will celebrate the day by reading together. Geisel died in 1991." Article
Many developed a passion for books and reading thanks to Dr. Seuss.
What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
Labels: News and Notes
