Staff Recommendations June 17, 2008

Anne-Marie Delupy – Library Assistant

Attack and Release by the Black Keys

Last year, Gnarls Barkley’s sound scientist, Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, asked the Black Keys to write songs for an album by Ike Turner. When Turner died in December, so did the project, but its ideas took root. The Black Keys went ahead with the music and Danger Mouse signed on to produce the album. Attack and Release is a psychedelic hybrid of vintage Southern R&B,  British Invasion rock, and country blues. This is a whole new direction for the Black Keys, but they still have their strong blues/rock roots. I recommend putting it on without expectations and just enjoying the multicolored set.  

 

Lisa Monteiro – Library Assistant

The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music

By Steve Lopez

   I became familiar with Steve Lopez’s column in the L.A. Times while I was living in Long Beach. I would scan the papers for updates on a story about a homeless man he had befriended that was once a promising musician who was classically trained at Juilliard. The Soloist tells the story of Nathaniel Ayers, of a love for music, and how despite his battle with schizophrenia Lopez is able to slowly take steps to try and get Nathaniel off the devastating streets of Skid Row. “Relationship is primary,” a doctor tells Lopez. “It is possible to cause seemingly biochemical changes through human emotional involvement. You literally have changed his chemistry by being his friend.” Lopez creates a story of compassion, of struggle, of growth, and improvement — not just for Nathaniel, but also for himself.

 

Heidi Clark – Librarian

Bronx Masquerade*

By Nikki Grimes

        Told from the unique and individual points of view of 18 students in a high school English class, Grimes reminds us all that beneath the surface, we are more alike than different. Mr. Ward and his class have been studying poetry from the Harlem Renaissance. In response the students began to write and then perform their own poetry. White, Black, and Hispanic, many of these young people find respect and validation for the first time in their lives. They also find the strength to be themselves in a world that looks down on them. Each student has a voice in the text, and in the poems that follow their stories. Watching these young people grow reminds me that while we have so much to be grateful for, we need to continue supporting the next generations, and create a world worthy of them.  

 

*Ask at the front desk how you can get a copy!

 

 

 

April Staff Recommendations April 17, 2008

Mary-Catherine Crose – Librarian

Kiss Me Like a Stranger by Gene Wilder

In one of the most honest and touching memoir pieces, Gene Wilder describes the path he took to find love and the understanding of art. He does not hold back about his faults, though he states he has “no regrets”. It is true testament to the power of love, art and living life your way. He lets his audience in on acting, adultery, neuroses and death in this intimate biography. Wilder began acting as a teenager at summer camp and eventually earned some acclaim on Broadway, but not much money – he says he was still colecting unemployment checks when he began shooting his breakout film role in Mel Brooks’ original film version of The Producers (1968). The movie flopped commercially , but Wilder’s comedic chops were established. A string of successes followed: Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka, Stir Crazy. Off camera, things were more complicated. After two troubled marriages, Wilder married Saturday Night Live’s Gilda Radner, a brilliant erratic woman who battled bulimia and mood swings. His story is like an inspirational breath of fresh air that assures you: finding inner peace has nothing to do with becoming perfect.  

 

Heidi Clark – Librarian

Here There Be Dragons By James A. Owen

 A must read for all sci-fi and literary fans of all ages. John, Jack and Charles have been charged guarding the “Imaginarium Geographica” a book which maps all the lands of folklore, myth and legend. When John’s mentor, and the previous Guardian of the Geographica is killed, things really take off. 

 

 

Lisa Monteiro – Library Assistant

Persepolis By Marjane Satrapi

Marjane Satrapi was only ten years old when the Islamic Revoltion occured in Iran, this is her story.  A memoir in the form of a graphic novel, Persepolis will have you lauging out loud and at times fighting back tears. This book can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, even if you are not a fan of comics of graphic novels. The book is an easy read that brings a very stirring impact. Satrapi’s story gives a human face to the region and addresses themes that are greater that geography, culture and religion.  

March Staff Recommendations March 3, 2008

 

Lynne Wheaton – Library Assistant

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss 

Lynne Truss manages to make punctuation an enjoyable subject. Helped by great illustrations, the implications of right and wrong punctuation become evident. This book became a best seller and it is no surprise why! This “zero tolerance approach to punctuation” will not only make you laugh but you may even learn a thing or two along the way. Punctuation can alter the sense of a string of words, for example: A woman, without her man, is nothing. A woman: without her, man is nothing.  That a book on grammar could be this much fun is unbelievable. Written in a wry British style, this book twinkles with dry humor, sarcastic remarks and witty double entendres.        

Lisa Monteiro – Library Assistant

The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman

  In Principles of Uncertainty, Kalman touches on nearly every human emotion – yielding a book that is tender, tough, ironic, big-picture, “God is in the details”, mellow, poignant, funny – you name it. In her deceptively naive paintings she captures the essence of things – relationships, beauty, life cycles. I first became aware of Kalman a few years ago through her art work for the New Yorker, she has also written several children’s books. With this one she is at the top of her game. This book offers a lovely, honest and inspiring look at slices of life by a wonderful artist, observer, and touching writer. A must read for anyone who appreciates beauty, love and those small moments that make life worth living.       

Anne-Marie Delupy – Library Assistant

La Vie En Rose - Directed by Olivier Dahan

 Biopic movies can easily be boring, but once in awhile you find a daring director that truly understands the magic of the character’s life he is working on and gives it back to you in an astonishing movie. “La Vie En Rose” is far from a classic approach and that’s fortunate because Edith Piaf, the iconic French superstar, didn’t start here and go there; she was always at every age, even before she had the name the Little Sparrow. The action moves back and forth from her childhood to her final illness, from applause to desperation, from joy to heartbreak. Marion Coitillard truly became Edith Piaf.  She really deserves the numerous awards she has collected for her incredible performance in this heart wrenching but spectacular movie.

February Staff Recommendations February 4, 2008

           

            Lynne Wheaton – Library Assistant

          Voices – Ursula K. LeGuin

     Ansul, once a beautiful and peaceful city of traders and scholars was conquered seventeen years ago by the Alds – men of the desert who believe reading and writing to be evil acts, punishable by death. They also believe The Oracle House, where the last few undestroyed books are hidden, is seething with demons. But to seventeen-year-old Memer, the house is a blessed refuge, a place of family learning, ritual and memory. It is the only place where she feels truly safe. Then one day Orrec and his wife Gry arrive and everything in Memer’s life begins to change. Will she, her family, and the people of Ansul find the power and courage to rebel against their oppressors?  The second book of the Annals of the Western Shore, Voices, is a haunting and gripping coming-of-age story set against a backdrop of violence, intolerance and magic. 

  

         

          Mary-Catherine Crose – Senior Library Assistant

        Into the Wild – Soundtrack by Eddie Vedder   

     Eddie Vedder (minus the rest of the brilliant band Pearl Jam) was hand picked by Sean Penn to provide the soundtrack for the movie “Into the Wild”.  The film is a sad, but true story about a young man who tragically bowed out of “normal society”. Vedder did an excellent job echoing the story in the form of music.  His amazing voice accompanied by touching lyrics (most of which were written by Vedder) moves even the most passive listener.  This earthly, folk mix tempers the romance of achieving absolute freedom by leaving everything you have behind.  The entire album has a pleasurable eerie tone which just makes you want to listen to it over and over again.

  

           

          Heidi Clark – Librarian

        The Bloody Tower: A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery*  By Carola Dunn

      This latest installment in an on-going series, finds upper-class journalist Daisy, and by extension her husband Alec – a Scotland yard detective, entangled in yet another mystery. This time Daisy literally stumbles over a body while researching information for an article on the Tower of London. Further complicating the situation are Daisy and Alec’s two-month old twins. How Daisy helps solve this senseless murder and learns to manage the nanny is a delightful read for history and mystery fans alike.

*Call 559-685-2341 to find out how you can get a copy!

January Staff Recommendations January 8, 2008

         

Heidi Clark – Librarian

Snow Treasure*

By Marie McSwigan

  Children can be heroes too. In this historical novel, based on actual events, the reader is transported back in time to Norway during the Nazi occupation.  Sledding was something of a national past-time for the children of Riswyk.  It was fun, but it was also a convienient method of transportation.  And when the Nazis occupied Riswyk it became the safest way to transport the local stash of gold to the coast before the Nazis discovered it.  Join Peter, Michael, and the rest of their friends as they hatch a daring plot to save their town.

    

     

Betty Williams – Tulare READ Tutor

Three Cups of Tea*

By Greg Mortenson & David O. Relin

 Greg Mortenson’s course in life changed after unsuccessfully attempting to climb the world’s second tallest mountain in Pakistan.  He fell ill and while recuperating in a small village he promised to build a school there to thank them for their kindness.  The people in these villages were very poor and hadn’t lived with an education system.  The villagers first wanted to teach Greg about their culture.  By drinking tea together they were able to do so. They follow an ancient proverb that, “the first time you share tea with a Balti you are a stranger, the second time and honored guest, and the third you become family”.  As an american living in a post 9/11 middle-eastern country Greg’s job was deemed by some as impossible and by all as a very dangerous one.  This book will open your mind as well as your heart to the positive changes that just one person can make.

    

     

Mary-Catherine Crose – Senior Library Assistant

Devil in the White City*

By Erik Larson

  Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty.  In one of the most exciting times of American History, architect Daniel Burnham built the Chicago World’s Fair; while serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his Hotel, designed for murder.  Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness.  Though it is written like a mystery novel, this is completely factual with references to all historical information.  “Devil in the White City” is entertaining and will keep you guessing until the end. 

*Call 685-2341 to find out how to get a copy!