Monday, December 27, 2010

Interview with Pittsburgh Poet Samuel Hazo @ SoundWAVS

Check out our interview with Pittsburgh poet Samuel Hazoa in a new episode of SoundWAVs, Monroeville Public Library's official podcast!



Hear philosopher and psychologist Dr. Kipling Forbes interview Dr. Samuel Hazo, who is the author of poetry, fiction, essays, various works of translation and four plays. In his poetry, Samuel Hazo has explored themes of mortality and love, passion and art, courage and grace in a style that is unmistakably his own. As the founder and Director/President of the International Poetry Forum, Hazo has brought more than 800 poets and performers to Pittsburgh over the past forty years. In 1993 Governor Robert Casey named Hazo Pennsylvania’s first State Poet, a position in which he served until 2003. To listen, visit the SoundWAVs MPL Podcast page.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Celebrating Jane Austen



December 16th marks the 235th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. It is remarkable that a woman who published 6 novels in the early 19th century is still remembered and appreciated all of these years later. Her simple idea of writing about 5 or 6 families in an English village has lead to several made for television movies, major motion pictures and numerous spin-offs involving her characters as well as Jane herself!

In recognition of Jane Austen's birthday, take some time to check out some of the titles by and about Jane that are available at the Monroeville Public Library.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Holiday Edition of MPL's Podcast



Check out our special holiday edition of Sound WAVs, Monroeville Public Library's official podcast. (Podcasts are free, online audio files that you can download and listen to on your computer, iPod, mp3 player, or even burn to CD.)

This month's podcast features our teen volunteers reading a Hanukkah poem by Nicholas Gordon, a dramatic reading of Clement Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and some information on the history and significance of Kwanzaa. There's also a "highly exclusive" interview with two of our best teen volunteers! Drop by our website to download the episode.

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Hanukkah

Last night at sundown marked the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Here are a few titles from our collection regarding the celebration of Hanukkah. (Click on the title to reserve it.)

Books:
Celebrating the Jewish Year by Paul Steinberg: Book Cover

by Paul Steinberg


Hanukkah by Ron Wolfson: Book Cover

by Ron Wolfson

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah by Susan L. Roth: Book Cover

compiled by Wendy Wax

CDs:

Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous HanukkahThe Klezmatics: CD Cover

by the Klezmatics



by Western Wind and Theodore Bikel

Oy Chanukah!

Oy Chanukah!
by the Klezmer Conservatory Band





Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Mystery vs. Thriller -- what's the difference?



In a true mystery novel, the murder or action has already taken place and the rest of the story is devoted to finding out who-done-it and why. Motivation is part of the puzzle; and most of the action takes place in the mind of the protagonist. Often, the villain remains unidentified until the very end, while characters are developed and the lead sleuth gains important psychological insights into all the suspects.



By contrast, a suspense novel is one in which the action or crime is yet to happen. The reader is led to the climax as tension rises continuously. Often the reader knows exactly who is going to perform the anticipated event -- without knowing exactly when, where, or how it will occur.



When in doubt as to how to classify a book -- Mystery or Suspense -- we take our cues from the author’s reputation or the publisher’s recommendation. For example, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson has elements of both mystery and suspense. By applying all the criteria, we have placed this entertaining novel in our Mystery Section. Check it out on your next visit!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

New York Times Bestsellers List October 24, 2010

Click on title or book cover to request title from Monroeville Public Library. Many are also available in audiobook and large print.

FICTION

1. Reversal by Michael Connelly

The Reversal (Harry Bosch Series #16 & Mickey Haller Series #3) by Michael Connelly: NOOKbook Cover

2. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett: Book Cover

3. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen: Book Cover

4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium Trilogy Series #3) by Stieg Larsson: Download Cover

5. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks: Download Cover

6. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris: Download Cover

7. Don't Blink by James Patterson

Don't Blink by James Patterson: Download Cover

8. Painted Ladies by Robert B. Parker

Painted Ladies (Spenser Series #38) by Robert B. Parker: NOOKbook Cover

9. Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans: Book Cover

10. The Help by Katherine Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Download Cover




NON-FICTION

1. Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward

Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward: Download Cover

2. Earth (The Book) by Jon Stewart

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (the Book) by Jon Stewart: Book Cover

3. Trickle Up Poverty by Michael Savage

Trickle up Poverty by Michael Savage: NOOKbook Cover

4. The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza

The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza: Book Cover


5. Assholes Finish First by Tucker Max

Assholes Finish First by Tucker Max: Book Cover

6. At Home by Bill Bryson

At Home by Bill Bryson: Book Cover

7. Pinheads and Patriots by Bill O'Reilly

Pinheads and Patriots by Bill O'Reilly: Book Cover

8. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

Washington by Ron Chernow: Book Cover

9. The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris

The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris: Book Cover

10. The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking

The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking: Book Cover


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

New York Times Bestsellers List October 17, 2010

Click on title or book cover to request title from Monroeville Public Library. Many are also available in audiobook and large print.

FICTION

1. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett: Book Cover

2. Don't Blink by James Patterson

Don't Blink by James Patterson: Download Cover

3. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen: Book Cover

4. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks: Download Cover

5. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris: Download Cover

6. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium Trilogy Series #3) by Stieg Larsson: Download Cover


7. Naked Heat by Richard Castle

Naked Heat by Richard Castle: Download Cover


8. Legacy by Danielle Steel

Legacy by Danielle Steel: Download Cover

9. Bad Blood by John Sandford

Bad Blood (Virgil Flowers Series #4) by John Sandford: Download Cover

10. The Help by Katherine Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Download Cover




NON-FICTION

1. Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward

Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward: Download Cover

2. Earth (The Book) by Jon Stewart

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (the Book) by Jon Stewart: Book Cover

3. Assholes Finish First by Tucker Max

Assholes Finish First by Tucker Max: Book Cover

4. The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza

The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza: Book Cover

5. The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking

The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking: Book Cover

6. Pinheads and Patriots by Bill O'Reilly

Pinheads and Patriots by Bill O'Reilly: Book Cover

7. Operation Dark Heart by Anthony Shaffer

Operation Dark Heart by Anthony Shaffer: Download Cover

8. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern: Book Cover


9. Even Silence Has An End by Ingrid Betancourt

Even Silence Has an End by Ingrid Betancourt: Download Cover

10. Crimes Against Liberty by David Limbaugh

Crimes against Liberty by David Limbaugh: Download Cover