Monday, April 23, 2012
[News and Notes] April 23 is World Book Night
World Book Night takes place tonight. Volunteers will "spread the joy and love of reading" by giving away free copies of their favorite book to the public.
Are you participating in World Book Night? Of the 30 pre-selected titles, which book or books would you give away?
Want to participate next year? Visit worldbooknight.org to learn about the participation process.
Are you participating in World Book Night? Of the 30 pre-selected titles, which book or books would you give away?
Want to participate next year? Visit worldbooknight.org to learn about the participation process.
[Book Review] THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeanette Walls
Nonfiction/MemoirAndrea reviews THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeannette Walls (Scribner Books, 2005)
Usually, when people hear the word “classic” dealing with literature, they will think of the works of Shakespeare, Twain, Austen, and various other “old books.” This memoir by Jeannette Walls has already been deemed a classic, even though it was published only seven years ago.
Walls, her brother, and two sisters had a nomadic childhood due to her father’s inability to keep a job and her mother’s hatred toward anything domestic. Because of her cunning father’s serious drinking problem and her artistic mother being a self-proclaimed “excitement addict,” the children had to rely on each other to be fed, clothed, and protected.
Walls tells an amazing story of survival with heartbreaking details. Her childhood was beyond horrible-- that’s a fact. What is impressive is she does not want sympathy; instead, she just wants to tell you her story.
Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Library
Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Andrea King
Thursday, April 19, 2012
[Awards] PEN/Faulkner and Pulitzer Prize Awards
Some award news updates...Not to be confused with the PEN/Hemingway Award, the 2012 winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award is Julie Otsuka for her novel, The Buddha in the Attic. Visit the PEN/Faulkner Fiction Award page for more details.
The 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced April 17th with a "No Award" distinction for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
The fiction nominees were The Pale King by David Foster Wallace (posthumously), Swamplandia! by Karen Russell, and Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. If the finalists fail to obtain a majority vote, "No Award" is chosen by the Board. The Pulitzer Prize Fact Sheet explains this special circumstance.
Other Pulitzer Prize winners include:
History - Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by the late Manning Marable
General Nonfiction - The Swerve: How the World Became Modern, by Stephen Greenblatt
View the full list of Pulitzer winners here.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
[Book Review] The Autobiographies of Beverly Cleary
Nonfiction/Memoir
Andrea reviews A GIRL FROM YAMHILL (Morrow, 1988) and MY OWN TWO FEET (Junior Morrow, 1995) by Beverly Cleary
I was such an avid fan of all the Beverly Cleary books when I was younger. I loved the pesty Ramona Quimby, the awkward Ellen Tebbits, and even the troubled Leigh Botts. All Mrs. Cleary’s characters seemed so real, and I felt I could relate to all of them. Needless to say, I was most excited to find out the library owns her two autobiographies!
The first book, A Girl from Yamhill, tells about Beverly Bunn’s pioneer ancestry and her childhood. She grew up in Oregon, but because of the Great Depression, her home state did not have enough educational opportunities for high school graduates. Her parents took two different extremes to how they were going to send their only child to college. Mr. Bunn, the strong, silent pioneer, refused to worry and knew it was in God’s hands, whereas Beverly’s mother was constantly fretting. These were often the attitudes her parents assumed during Beverly’s entire childhood. At the end of this story, Beverly has found out her aunt has arranged for her to stay in California where she will attend undergraduate school. The story concludes with her boarding the train to California, beginning a new chapter of her life.
My Own Two Feet picks up right where A Girl from Yamhill left off. Readers will feel like they were on the train with Beverly because she described the passengers and scenery so well. College life was not easy for her; nor did she sugarcoat her difficulties. She did stay focused in her studies, as she knew she wanted to be a librarian someday. (Yet another reason to love Beverly Cleary!)
While in college, Beverly Bunn met the reserved, patient Clarence Cleary. The two eventually eloped because of different religious backgrounds. She remarked that she didn’t worry what the neighbors thought, because they waited fourteen years to have children! Beverly knew she wanted to write children’s books because her young library customers would ask her where the books about them were. Drawing from daily occurrences, like the spareribs she had thawing in the refrigerator, she drafted her first book, "Henry and Spareribs," which was later changed to Ribsy.
Mrs. Cleary will engage readers in both memoirs because of her strong and vivid storytelling. I recommend reading both of them!
FYI, Beverly Cleary turns 96 today!
Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Library
Andrea reviews A GIRL FROM YAMHILL (Morrow, 1988) and MY OWN TWO FEET (Junior Morrow, 1995) by Beverly Cleary
I was such an avid fan of all the Beverly Cleary books when I was younger. I loved the pesty Ramona Quimby, the awkward Ellen Tebbits, and even the troubled Leigh Botts. All Mrs. Cleary’s characters seemed so real, and I felt I could relate to all of them. Needless to say, I was most excited to find out the library owns her two autobiographies!
The first book, A Girl from Yamhill, tells about Beverly Bunn’s pioneer ancestry and her childhood. She grew up in Oregon, but because of the Great Depression, her home state did not have enough educational opportunities for high school graduates. Her parents took two different extremes to how they were going to send their only child to college. Mr. Bunn, the strong, silent pioneer, refused to worry and knew it was in God’s hands, whereas Beverly’s mother was constantly fretting. These were often the attitudes her parents assumed during Beverly’s entire childhood. At the end of this story, Beverly has found out her aunt has arranged for her to stay in California where she will attend undergraduate school. The story concludes with her boarding the train to California, beginning a new chapter of her life.
My Own Two Feet picks up right where A Girl from Yamhill left off. Readers will feel like they were on the train with Beverly because she described the passengers and scenery so well. College life was not easy for her; nor did she sugarcoat her difficulties. She did stay focused in her studies, as she knew she wanted to be a librarian someday. (Yet another reason to love Beverly Cleary!)
While in college, Beverly Bunn met the reserved, patient Clarence Cleary. The two eventually eloped because of different religious backgrounds. She remarked that she didn’t worry what the neighbors thought, because they waited fourteen years to have children! Beverly knew she wanted to write children’s books because her young library customers would ask her where the books about them were. Drawing from daily occurrences, like the spareribs she had thawing in the refrigerator, she drafted her first book, "Henry and Spareribs," which was later changed to Ribsy.
Mrs. Cleary will engage readers in both memoirs because of her strong and vivid storytelling. I recommend reading both of them!
FYI, Beverly Cleary turns 96 today!
Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Library
Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Andrea King
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
[Library Events and Programs] What's Your Flavor?
The library's What's Your Flavor? series returns this month. Like last year these sessions are open to any book lovers who want to learn more about different genres and gain suggestions on what to read next.
The first session is Monsters, Wizards & Otherworlds, Oh My!
Text from flyer: Join Alan Stewart and learn all about the Science Fiction and Fantasy Fiction genres. Learn the history, trends, and tips for what to read next.
The first session is Monsters, Wizards & Otherworlds, Oh My!
Text from flyer: Join Alan Stewart and learn all about the Science Fiction and Fantasy Fiction genres. Learn the history, trends, and tips for what to read next.Thursday April 19, 2012
9 - 11 AM
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3030 Poplar, Room L-56
Labels: Library Events and Programs, What's Your Flavor
Monday, April 09, 2012
[News and Notes] National Library Week 2012
National Library Week takes place April 8 - 14, 2012. What is National Library Week?
"National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use."
Author Brad Meltzer is this year's Honorary Chair.
Visit atyourlibrary.org/national-library-week for events and more details.
The Memphis Public Library's What's New page lists upcoming and ongoing library events, online tools, and exhibits. Visit any branch this week to show your appreciation for libraries and library workers.
Labels: News and Notes
Monday, April 02, 2012
[Awards] The Vampire Novel of the Century is. . .
I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson
The Vampire Novel of the Century Award was announced along with the 2011 winners of the Bram Stoker Awards at the Horror Writers Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Bram Stoker winner for Superior Achievement in a NOVEL is
The Bram Stoker winner for Superior Achievement in a NOVEL is
FLESH EATERS by Joe McKinney
View other winners at the Horror Writers Association blog.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Bram Stoker Award.
Labels: Awards
THE MEMPHIS READS QUESTION: April 2012
by AndreaWe all know settings are just as crucial to a good book as much as the plot or characters need to be. Settings can inspire, intrigue, or even relax readers.
Memphis Reads wants know: Have you read about any place, in a fiction or nonfiction book, where you wanted to pack your bags and visit?
Share your responses for this week's Memphis Reads question by clicking on the comments link below.
Labels: Memphis Reads Question
