Staff Recommendation #23: A Chinese Sherlock Holmes

Our thanks to MPL librarian Sally Michalski for today's Staff Recommendation!

As I was looking through the mystery paperbacks in our collection, I stumbled across several white-bound books by author Robert Van Gulik, with intriguing titles like The Willow Pattern and The Chinese Bell Murders. I felt as if I had stepped back to a time when I was hooked on the Fu Manchu mysteries of Sax Rohmer, or even to the Green Ginger Jar of my childhood.

No one had taken these books out in ages, so I took home The Willow Pattern: A Judge Dee Mystery to try for myself. Here I was introduced to the Chinese detective Judge Dee. The mystery was pretty typical of a present-day murder mystery -- but the setting was China during the Tang Dynasty of the 7th century.

In reading Van Gulik's series, it's hard not to picture a modern-day setting. The culture of the Tang dynasty was sophisticated, and the acts of murder were for much the same reason that people murder today. There are even descriptions of martial arts fights between two people, described just as you would see them in the movies today.

My first impulse while reading the book was to find out more about the author of these Judge Dee mysteries. Robert Van Gulik was born in Holland, but was raised in Jakarta, where he learned to speak Mandarin as well as other languages. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1935 from the University of Leyden, and went on to join the Dutch Foreign Service, where he was primarily stationed in East Asia. As a diplomat, he was in Tokyo when Japan declared war on the Netherlands, and he worked with Chiang Kai-shek’s government in China. He married a Chinese woman and had four children. At the time of his death, he was the Dutch Ambassador to Japan.

Judge Dee -- who was a real person, living during the Tang Dynasty -- was well-known long before the fictional Sherlock Holmes came upon the scene with his powers of deduction. As part of the governing system, Judge Dee served as a magistrate, hearing criminal and civil cases and distributing justice in the best interest of the people. His reputation for fairness and his powers of deduction are what propelled him into modern-day literature.

Van Gulik’s original literary connection with Judge Dee was in a book called Dee Goong An. This is a volume that was written in the 18th century, but was eventually translated by Van Gulik. In this book, Judge Dee is involved in three murders at the same time, which is typical of the Chinese Detective novel as it has developed over the centuries.

There are elements in Dee Goong An that are not present in the Judge Dee series that Van Gulik wrote himself. One such element is fulfilling the audience's expectations for detective novels and revealing how the criminal is going to be punished, with all the gory details of the punishment vividly described. (Torture is also meted out in the magistrate’s courtroom; one apparently-favored method of getting someone to confess was through the use of screws on the wrists and ankles.)

Another modern-day author, Eleanor Cooney, has also written about Judge Dee. In Cooney's thick novel Deception, Judge Dee is swept up into the intrigue surrounding a royal concubine who will go on to become the Empress Wu. There are magical elements involving a sorcerer, visits to Buddhist monasteries, and nights of meditation in Buddhists chapels. (Divine inspiration is given to Judge Dee regarding the crime after such a night.) There's even a peek into Judge Dee’s private life.

Dee has been immortalized in recent movies. In the tradition of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this ancient sleuth has been showcased with fantastic action and brilliant scenery. From the 2010 film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, men are experiencing spontaneous combustion as they work on one of the  Empress Wu’s building projects. Of course, there are battles in the tradition of the fantastical, where warring parties seemed to be imbued with supernatural strength and physical prowess.

A new Inspector Dee movie was released in September 2013 -- Young Inspector Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon.

Inspector Dee, Judge Dee, Detective Dee; they are all the same immortalized person. If you are looking for a good mystery that is not set in England and does not include spies or terrorists, try a Judge Dee mystery by Robert Van Gulik. You will find Dee’s powers of deduction to rival those of Sherlock Holmes, as you read your way through murders by poison, knifing, arrows, or magic!


From the Catalog:

-- The Judge Dee mysteries - by Robert Van Gulik.

-- Dee Goong An - translated by Robert Van Gulik.

-- Deception - by Eleanor Cooney.

-- Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame [DVD]



Bibliography

- Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An): An Authentic Eighteenth-Century Chinese Detective Novel. New York : Dover Publications, 1976.

- Cooney, Eleanor and Altieri Daniel : Deception: A Novel of Murder and Madness in Tang China.  New York : W. Morrow, c1993.

- Gulik, Robert Van: The Willow Pattern: A Judge Dee Mystery. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1993.

The (Other) Christmas Classics

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ... there are plenty of avowed Christmas special classics. But if you're looking for something a little different to watch this holiday season, check out one of these films. They aren't Christmas specials but are, instead, movies that just happen to be set at Christmas.

Just click on the title to request it from the Library Catalog!

-- Die Hard

There's a growing movement among certain movie aficionados to name Die Hard as their favorite Christmas movie.  It's not, of course, precisely a Christmas movie, but the film -- which follows an off-duty police officer as he attempts to rescue a group of hostages trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper -- does inarguably take place during the holiday season.

It was the movie that launched Willis's career as an action hero (as, up until that point, he'd been known as a comedy actor). Co-starring Alan Rickman in the role of the villain, the movie is an action classic that, thanks to its holiday setting, can, indeed, double as your favorite Christmas movie.

(Lethal Weapon, another classic action flick, also fits the bill quite nicely.)



-- The Lion in Winter

Starring the late, great Peter O'Toole, this historical film takes a look at the lives of King Henry II and his wife,  Eleanor of Aquitaine. It's Christmas, and Henry and Eleanor are welcoming home their three sons (Richard, Geoffrey, and John) -- as well as houseguest Philip II, the king of France (who just so happens to be the son of Eleanor's ex-husband).

It might be the twelfth century, but some things remain constant and universal, including the stress of family get-togethers. Henry and Eleanor take turns talking up their respective favorite sons for career promotion (the "promotion" in this case being the next king of England), deal with Henry's would-be mistress, and handle emerging family scandals throughout the festivities. While the movie itself is fictitious (King Henry held no such family Christmas gathering), the background of the historical figures is accurate. It makes The Lion in Winter a great film for history buffs -- or anybody stressing over family during the holidays!



-- We're No Angels

This 1955 comedy stars Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, and Peter Ustinov as three convicts on the run after their recent escape from prison. Hoping to find a place to lie low, they find their way to a family-owned shop and quickly realize that offering their services as handymen will give them a more permanent place to hide out. Things get complicated when the trio realizes their new "family" is in dire financial straits -- and that they want to do what they can to help out.

Having escaped from prison just before Christmas, the film features a family holiday dinner made mostly out of stolen ingredients, not to mention a redemption story that is both funny and lightly heartwarming. (It's also one of Bogart's few comedic roles.)

-- Catch Me If You Can

We've mentioned before our love of the film Catch Me If You Can, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life (former) con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. Before he turned 21, Abagnale had cashed over 2 million dollars in fraudulent checks, while also successfully posing as an airline pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, and a college professor. Abagnale was caught and served some prison time, but redeemed himself after his release by putting his acquired skills to a more noble use. He started his own security company and served many years as a consultant to the FBI, helping to catch check forgers and creating better security against fraud and identity theft. 

The film based on his life is as much a story of his life as a criminal as it is a story about his redemption, making the recurring theme of Christmas all that more appropriate. "Christmas, Carl!" he exclaims to the FBI agent who has spent the last three holidays chasing him. "How is it we're always talking on Christmas??"

-- Iron Man 3

The latest offering in the Iron Man franchise presents us with a superhero, Tony Stark, who's fighting a different sort of bad guy: the panic attacks and PTSD brought on by the traumatic events he experienced in New York (as seen in 2013's blockbuster film The Avengers).

Though the focus of the movie is not on its Christmas setting, the idea of Christmas still permeates the story -- from Tony's ongoing quest to find the perfect Christmas gift for his girlfriend, to the appearance of his very own Ghost-of-Christmas-Past in the form of ten-year-old Harley. With the story's focus on a hero who must rebuild himself, it seems only natural to place the film on the cusp of a new year -- and during a holiday season that's all about hope.



-- Post by Ms. B

In Memorium: Peter O'Toole and Joan Fontaine

This past weekend we lost two great actors - Joan Fontaine and Peter O'Toole. Both were award-winning actors with long and prestigious careers. Read on for the roles and films they are most known for:

Peter O'Toole (1932-2013)

For all of Peter O'Toole's film success he never won an Academy Award even though he was nominated eight times. He was, however, awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2003. 

-- Lawrence of Arabia (1962) -- The sweeping epic story of T.E. Lawrence earned O'Toole is first Oscar nomination (he ultimately lost to Gregory Peck for his role in To Kill a Mockingbird).

-- The Lion in Winter (1968) -- O'Toole portrays Richard II as he fights his sons and his wife to hold on to his throne. He was nominated for this role and also for again playing Richard II in Becket (1964).

-- My Favorite Year (1982) -- O'Toole plays an Erol Flynn like former matinee idol with a drinking problem making an appearance on a 1950s variety show who has difficulty not getting his young watcher in trouble. Another great Oscar nominated performance.

-- Venus (2006) -- In one of his last starring roles, O'Toole plays an aging actor who becomes smitten with his friend's much younger great niece.

From the library collection:

DVDs: Peter O'Toole's film appearances

Books: Biographies of the late actor's life

Joan Fontaine (1917-3013)

Joan Fontaine was a three time Oscar nominated actress, winning her only Academy Award for Suspicion, her second film with Alfred Hitchcock. Fontaine was the younger sister of Gone With the Wind star Olivia de Havilland.

-- Rebecca (1940) -- Fontaine starred as the unnamed heroine of Daphne DuMarier's classic book. This role earned her her first Oscar nomination. This also marked Hitchcock's American directorial debut.

-- Suspicion (1941) -- This was Fontaine's second time working with Alfred Hitchcock and also starred Cary Grant as a charming playboy who convinces Fontaine's character to run away and marry him. She slowly begins to have suspicions about her new husband. 

-- Jane Eyre (1943) -- Fontaine stars, along with Orson Welles, in this telling of the Charlotte Bronte novel.

-- Ivanhoe (1952) -- This film, based on Sir Walter Scott's novel of the same name, also stars Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor.

From the library collection:

DVDs: Joan Fontaine's film appearances

Books: Biographies of the late actor's life

-- Post by Tracy

There and Back Again

A reporter for the Huffington Post called it "quite possibly the least talked about sure-to-be-blockbuster movie of all time." Which makes an introduction to this blog post feel somewhat redundant.

Even if you're not a fan, you've heard of the Lord of the Rings films, the Peter Jackson-directed trilogy of movies released every holiday season from 2001 through 2003. The films were based on the same-titled series of fantasy classics penned by author J.R.R. Tolkien.

Last year saw the release of the first film in a new trilogy from Jackson: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Based on the prequel book written by Tolkien, this new trilogy is set before the events of the Lord of the Rings, and, though a single (and shorter) book than Rings series, The Hobbit is receiving the same three-film treatment.

December 13th marks the release of the second film in the series, The Desolation of Smaug. To find out more about the making of the movie (and the book behind it), check out our resource round-up:

From the title: Smaug, the dragon of the Misty Mountains.

From the News:

-- Review Round-up - From E! Online. Critics are divided on The Desolation of Smaug. See reviews of praise and criticism from around the web.

-- A Fantasy Fan Visits The Hobbit - From Time Magazine. Author, journalist, and fantasy fan Lev Grossman gets a look behind the magic of The Desolation of Smaug.

-- 60 Images from Middle-earth - From the LA Times. A plethora of images from The Desolation of Smaug.

-- Elevenses And Then Some: How To Prepare A Feast Fit For A Hobbit - From NPR. A how-to write-up from one correspondent who holds a yearly Lord of the Rings marathon.



From the Web:

-- Middle Earth Recipes - From Merry's Mulled Cider to Sauron's Eyes (they're cookies), there's a recipe here for every occasion.

-- TheOneRing.net - "Forged by and for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien." THE website for Lord of the Rings fans.

-- The Tolkien Society - An online society of Tolkien fans.

-- The Official J.R.R. Tolkien Book Shop - Looking for a particular edition of The Two Towers?  Or curious about Tolkien's life and letters?  Check out this online bookstore.

-- My Handmade Hobbit Hole: Bag End from Lord of the Rings - Up-close photos of one fan's incredibly rendered miniature hobbit house.

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins -- the hobbit.

From the Collection:

The Hobbit - the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Hobbit [audiobook] - listen to the story on CD or Playaway.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Visual Companion - Photos and concept artwork from the second film in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Visual Companion - See more about the making of the first movie. With forward by Martin Freeman.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Official Movie Guide - Find out the behind-the-scenes scoop on the shooting of the first film.

The Art of the Hobbit - The complete artwork of J.R.R. Tokien, created for his classic novel.


The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [film] - on DVD and Bluray.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [soundtrack] - on CD.

Click here to see Stephen Colbert (cameoing in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug") 

schooling actor James Franco on Tolkien trivia.

-- Post by Ms. B

Chairman of the Board

Chairman of the Board. Ole' Blue Eyes. The Voice. The Sultan of Swoon.

Whatever you choose to call him, Frank Sinatra was a one of a kind performer. Born December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Frank Sinatra, is considered by many to be the greatest entertainer of the 20th century. His career spanned seven decades and included acting as well as singing. He was a member of the infamous Rat Pack and was swooned over by the first teeny boppers, then known as bobby soxers. There isn't much that Frank Sinatra did not achieve in his long and illustrious career.

Here are some highlights:

1940 -- Joins The Tommy Dorsey Band as principal singer.

1942 -- Started making young girls "swoon" after leaving Tommy Dorsey Band to perform as a soloist, one of the first singers to do break out on his own.

1943-1946 -- Had 17 hit singles on Columbia Records.

1941 -- Made his first film appearance in Las Vegas Nights.

1950 -- Record sales begin to slump, as does his reputation, when his relationship with actress Ava Gardner is revealed.

1953 -- Signs with Capital Records which will start the pinnacle of his recording years. He and conductor Nelson Riddle begin recording full length concept albums.

1954 -- Comeback is official after his Oscar winning appearance in From Here to Eternity.

1960 -- After many successful years at Capital Records Sinatra decides to start his own record company, Reprise Records, the first major artist-owned label. This period also was the start of his Rat Pack days with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. They performed together on stage and in such films as Ocean's 11 and Robin and the 7 Hoods.

1965-1970 -- Once again Sinatra reimagined himself through the last half of the decade with a successful television special (A Man and His Music) and recording songs with a more diverse sound. This produced such hits as "Strangers in the Night" and his signature song, "My Way".

1970-1980 -- Sinatra announced his retirement from show business in 1971, but of course that wasn't to last. He continued performing and recording with a variety of musicians from around the world. This is also the time when he records "Theme from New York, New York", the defining song of his career.

1990-1998 -- There was one last final comeback when a generation of young people discovered the Rat Pack and once again made them hip. This was followed in 1993 by an album, Duets, which paired him with many of the top performers of the day covering many of Sinatra's own hits. He continued to tour well into his 70s with his last concert in 1995. Frank Sinatra passed away on May 14, 1998.

From the Library collection:

Music: Check out our large selection of Frank Sinatra tunes, covering many decades of songs.

Films: Check out the wide selection of films, videos and television appearances from different times in Sinatra's career.

Books: Check out the many biographies (authorized and unauthorized) of Ole Blue Eyes.

-- Post by Tracy

Master of His Fate, Captain of His Soul

"I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people."

He was South Africa's first black president -- a position he achieved after a twenty-eight year imprisonment for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa. On December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.

Born in 1918 in the Cape of Good Hope, Mandela was the son of Chief Henry Mandela of the Xhosa-speaking Tembu people. Renouncing his claim as his father's successor, Nelson Mandela chose instead to become a lawyer, attending the University College of Fort Hare and studying law at the University of Witwatersrand. In 1952, he joined with fellow lawyer Oliver Tambo to open their own law firm -- eight years after he became a member of the African National Congress (ANC), a black-liberation group.

He was arrested for his involvement with the ANC, and sentenced to life in prison -- a sentence that was overturned after nearly thirty years. In April 1994, four years after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela was elected president in South Africa's first all-race election. In a single term, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (which investigated the human rights violations that had occurred under apartheid), fought to improve living conditions for the country's black population, and oversaw the enactment of a new democratic constitution. Electing not to seek a second term as president, he retired from active politics in June 1999, after the completion of his single term. For the remainder of his life, he remained an activist and a source of inspiration for those fighting for equal rights.

Read on to find out more about the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela:

-- Nelson Mandela Death: World Mourns South Africa's First Black President - from CNN. Includes a slide show of mourners gathering to pay their respects around the world.

-- Nelson Mandela: 10 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn't Know - from CNN. Did you know scientists named a nuclear particle after him?  Discover some little-known but fascinating facts about Mr. Mandela.

-- In Mandela's Own Words - from CNN. "No one is born hating another person." Eleven quotes that showcase Nelson Mandela's wisdom and understanding of our world.

-- A Collection of Reflections on Mandela's Life and Legacy - from NPR. See photos, listen to the audio from speeches, and read all about the life and legacy of South Africa's first black president.

-- The World Remembers Nelson Mandela - Read statements from political leaders around the world.

-- South Africa's National Liberation Movement - See their tribute to Nelson Mandela, including a biography, a collection of Mandela's articles and speeches, and messages of condolence from around the world. (You can also submit your own message.)

-- "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" - from IMDB. More about the newly-released film starring Idris Elba.

Click here to see President Obama speak in memory of Nelson Mandela.

From the Catalog:

- "Long Walk to Freedom" - Nelson Mandela's autobiography.

- "Conversations With Myself" - a collection of Mandela's personal papers.

- "In the Words of Nelson Mandela" - compiled and edited by Jennifer Crwys-Williams.


-- "The Color of Freedom" [DVD] - starring Dennis Haysbert.

-- "Endgame" [DVD] - with Clarke Peters.

-- "Invictus" [DVD] - starring Morgan Freeman.

-- "Winnie Mandela" [DVD] - starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard.



-- Post by Ms. B

The Girl on Fire

It's been a little over two weeks since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released and it still tops the box office charts. In that short time it has grossed almost $300 million in the US alone. Adding in international receipts, it has grossed more than $570 million. It seems that the films are turning out to be just as popular as Suzanne Collins's books.

In case you don't know anything about The Hunger Games trilogy I'll give you a little synopsis. Katniss Everdeen is a young woman struggling to survive in a future, dystopian world. She volunteers to take her sister's place in The Hunger Games, the annual fight to the death of teenagers from across the ruins of what was once the United States. Her surprising victory has made her an enemy of the President and has lit a fire of resistance throughout the districts. Katniss, along with her friends and family, become a part of this fight that will cost them more than they could ever imagine.

Read on for reviews of the film, an interview with author Suzanne Collins and links to the books and films in our collection!

From the Web:

- "Striking Where Myth Meets Moment" - The New York Times review.

- "'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' gets spark from Lawrence" - USA Today review.

- "Jennifer Lawrence is a force once again in darker 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'" - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette review.

- "'Hunger Games' author Suzanne Collins, in rare interview, muses on war and the cycle of violence" - Christian Science Monitor.

- "'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire': Are you an expert? Take our quiz" - Christian Science Monitor.

From the Collection:

The Hunger Games (book 1)

Catching Fire (book 2) 

Mockingjay (book 3) 

The Hunger Games (motion picture)

And may the odds be ever in your favor!

-- Post by Tracy

Astonish the Rest

Still remembered as one of our greatest humorists, Mark Twain is among the best-known and best-loved authors in American history. Born on November 30, 1835, he was named Samuel Clemens -- "Mark Twain" was a pen name he'd permanently choose after first trying out such names as "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass" and "Josh."

Best known for such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain's writings are celebrated to this day for their wit, fun, and forthright wisdom. So let's give thanks to one of our favorite authors by taking a closer look at the life and times of Mark Twain:

- Samuel Clemens chose his pen name based on the phrase used by Mississippi River steamboat crews to announce that the water was at least 12 feet deep -- and, therefore, safe enough to travel.

- He encouraged his younger brother, Henry, to also become a steamboat pilot. Henry was eventually killed when a boiler on his boat exploded -- an event which Twain claimed to have seen in a dream before it happened.

- While growing up, Twain's family once owned 19 cats at the same time. (Twain was prone to finding colorful names for his cats, including Sin, Sour Mash, and Famine and Pestilence.)

- Though there were some drawbacks to using it -- it only typed in capital letters, and you had to use a foot pedal to advance to the next line -- Twain purchased his first typewriter in 1874 for $125.

- A mark of his fame: he once received a letter from a fan, who wrote down for the address: "Mark Twain, God Knows Where." (That was enough for the postal service!)

- The author put The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on hold while he invented and patented his very own memory game. (See it here!)

- Twain asked that all his unfinished manuscripts be burned when he died. (No chance of someone coming along to finish his unfinished stories!)  One unpublished work remained, however: his autobiography, mostly written by dictation, which he left with strict instructions that it was not to be published until a century after he died. His request was (mostly) honored -- and the first two (of three) volumes were published in 2010 and 2013.

- Halley's Comet (named after English astronomer Edmond Halley) passes through Earth's vicinity once every 75 years, give or take. When Twain was born, the Comet was visible in the night sky, a fact which Twain was quite proud of:

"I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. ... The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.' Oh, I am looking forward to that." 

Twain proved right; when he passed away in 1910, the Comet had just emerged from the far side of the Sun.

Some words of wisdom from Twain:

"It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them."

"There are two times in a man's life when he should not speculate: when he can't afford it, and when he can."

"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter."

"The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right."

"A sin takes on a new and real terror when there seems a chance that it is going to be found out."

"All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure."

"Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest."

"When in doubt, tell the truth."

On the web:

- The Official Web Site of Mark Twain

- Mark Twain Biography - from Biography.com

- Mark Twain House and Museum - the official site for the Connecticut museum.

- "The Eternal, Charming Chatter of the "'Autobiography of Mark Twain'" - from the New Yorker.

- "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses" - In my favorite Twain piece, the author reviews The Last of the Mohicans and the other books in James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking series.


At the Library:

- From the Catalog - Twain's books and audiobooks, as well as filmed adaptations of his works, available through the Library Catalog.

- The Autobiography of Mark Twain - Volumes 1 and 2 now available from the Library Catalog.



-- Post by Ms. B

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is next week. Are you ready? Do you still need a few last minute ideas to add to your menu? Are you looking for some decorating tips? Or maybe you want some craft ideas to keep your kids busy while you prepare the meal?

If so, you've come to the right place. Check out these websites and books and DVDs from the county library collection for lots of great ideas.

And have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

On the Web:

PBS Food -- Thanksgiving recipes, meal planning tips and more.

King Arthur Flour -- For your baking needs (includes gluten free recipes).

Eating Well  -- Looking for a healthier menu for the big day? Then be sure to check out the recipes from the cooks at Eating Well.

Cooking Light -- More recipes and advice for a healthier menu at Thanksgiving.

Martha Stewart -- Feeling ambitious? While it might be a bit late to plan a Martha Stewart style Thanksgiving, you might still find a thing two that might work for you.

Food Network -- From the many chefs at Food Network, you will find all kinds of Thanksgiving advice.

Cook's Illustrated -- A Thanksgiving Guide from America's Test Kitchen. Also, check out their cooking timeline for helping in getting organized.

From Our Collection:

How to Cook a Turkey : And All the Other Trimmings by the Editors of Fine Living -- Never cooked a turkey before? Have, but it's been awhile? Then this is the book for you.

Thanksgiving: Festive Recipes for the Holiday Table by Chuck Williams -- This Williams-Sonoma book well help you create a happy and festive holiday atmosphere.

Thanksgiving : How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton -- From a former New York Times restaurant critic comes this handy book that tells you how to prepare, and survive, your Thanksgiving dinner.

All New Crafts for Thanksgiving by Kathy Ross -- This book has instructions for kids to make place cards, napkin rings and even a cornucopia out of everyday items from your home.

Jacques Pepin Celebrates! Thanksgiving -- Want to try a French take on Thanksgiving? Then check out this DVD with famed chef Jacques Pepin and his family sharing their holiday traditions.

Vegetarian Times Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook by the editors of Vegetarian Times -- If you'd rather have a vegetarian Thanksgiving check out this cookbook filled with lots of meatless alternatives for Turkey Day.

Thanksgiving: The American Holiday by Laurie C. Hillstrom -- If you are all prepared for Thanksgiving day, then you might want to spend some time learning more about the history and traditions of this great holiday.


-- Post by Tracy

The TARDIS, Weeping Angels, and BBC America ... all @ MPL!

Watch it on BBC America right here at the Library!

You might recall that we here at Monroeville Public Library are big fans of the long-running sci-fi adventure series, Doctor Who. That's why we're so excited for this Saturday -- when we're having a day-long celebration of the Doctor's 50th Anniversary!

Best of all, at 2:50 p.m., we'll be watching "The Day of the Doctor" -- the all-new 50th anniversary special airing on BBC America!

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Program Room

FREE and open to all ages!

We'll have a life-sized TARDIS on display, as well as a life-sized Weeping Angel! (Taking photos will be welcomed and encouraged.)

At 2:50 p.m., we'll watch the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special, "The Day of the Doctor," on BBC America right here at the Library! Be sure to come before the airing so that you can:

- Get your picture taken with our life-sized TARDIS and Weeping Angel
- Enter our costume contest
- Compete in our Doctor Who Trivia challenge
- Snack on Gallifreyian finger foods
- Try your hand at Whovian crafts
- Enjoy a "Doctor Who" marathon (of new and classic series)
- Win prizes
- Have fun!

All this leading up to "The Day of the Doctor" at 2:50 p.m. on BBC America!

Any questions, you can contact the Library at 412-372-0500, ex. 19. Just ask for the Teen Librarian.

Hope to see you there. Allons-y!

-- Post by Ms. B

Almost Human

The newest Mars Rover is searching for evidence that the Red Planet could have once supported life. The stock market's been closed by its first-ever robotic bell ringer. Robot toys are reaching new heights of sophistication. And Almost Human, a new sci-fi series about a futuristic worlds where human cops work side-by-side with robotic partners, premieres on FOX this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST.

It's a good time to be a robot fan -- particularly for those of us in the Pittsburgh area, where cutting-edge robotics is one of our area's biggest and best industries.

Read on to find out more about robotics, including some recommended robot reads (fiction and non-fiction), robotics news from around the 'Burgh and around the world, and a few just-for-fun robotic links.

Robot Fiction - From the Catalog


- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

The robots of Asimov's fiction are governed by three unbreakable rules, meant to keep robots safe and obedient to humans. Of course, rules are fraught with ambiguity, and Asimov does a fascinating, entertaining job of coming up with a slew of short stories that exploit each and every loophole.


- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Serving as the inspiration for the film Blade Runner, this novel centers on Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter on the prowl for six rogue androids masquerading as humans.


- Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

Our dependance on robots and technology is ever-increasing. In this novel, robots find a way to use that technology against humanity itself.

Robot Non-Fiction - From the Catalog


- Robots, Androids, and Animatrons: 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build by John Iovine.

You don't have to be an expert to a roboticist!  These 12 projects are intended for those with a new interest in the field of robotics.


- Robots of Westinghouse, 1924-Today by Scott Schaut.

From the New York World's Fairs exhibits to a mechanical dog, this book takes you through the history of the robotics designed by Westinghouse.


- Robotics: A Very Short Introduction by Alan Winfield.

A good jumping-off point for the robotics beginner.


- Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right From Wrong by Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen.

Isaac Asimov would approve of this non-fiction book, which makes the argument that, as robots and technology increases in sophistication and intelligence, morality must become a component of programming.

"Hoops," the basketball-dunking robot at the Carnegie Science Center

Local Robotics

- Robot City: How Machines are Driving the Future of Pittsburgh - from The Verge.

Steel production may no longer be Pittsburgh's best-known export -- but we're still working with metal. Robotics remains a primary industry of Pittsburgh, with local scientists and engineers working to create personal robotic butlers, design robotics-based prosthetic limbs, and even deliver exploratory robots to the moon.


- RoboWorld - from the Carnegie Science Center.

It's billed as "the world's largest permanent robotics exhibition" -- and it's right here in Pittsburgh. RoboWorld's exhibits include robots that shoot hoops, answer questions, play air hockey, create artwork, and more. (Be sure to stop by the basement of the Science Center on your way out to get some robot-served ice cream.)


- The Robot Hall of Fame - from Carnegie Mellon University.

Created by CMU in 2003, the purpose of the Robot Hall of Fame is to "call attention to the increasing contributions of robots to society." Inductees include real-life robots like the Sojourner, Spirit, and Opportunity Mars Rovers; Honda's humanoid ASIMO; and the vacuum-cleaning Roomba. (There's also such fictional robots as Star Trek's Data and Star War's R2-D2 and C-3P0.) There's even a place to nominate your favorite robots for the 2014 induction ceremony!

The robot rover "Curiosity" takes a self-portrait on the surface of Mars

Robots Around the World - And Beyond

- Superfast Rock-Paper-Scissors Robot "Wins" Every Time - from BBC News.

Okay, it sort of cheats a little bit. But this robot, which uses high-speed recognition programming to "read" what shape the human hand is going to make, is virtually unbeatable at Rock-Paper-Scissors. Watch the video and be amazed!


- Robotics - from Time Tech.

Vehicles that perform their own valet parking?  A robot that solves Rubik's cubes?  A robot comedian? Take a look at these articles (and fascinating accompanying vidoes) for some of the most cutting-edge -- and truly unique -- machines from the modern age.


- Robonaut 2 - from NASA.

One small step for a robot, one giant leap for robot-kind. "R2" is the first humanoid robot to make it aboard the International Space Station. Cool and fun, the real purpose of the robonauts is also to help NASA work closer to developing robots that can help humans work and explore outer space, lending an extra pair of "hands" or taking on tasks deemed too dangerous for humans.

Just for Fun


- Robot Reportedly Commits Suicide After Becoming Fed Up With Doing Housework (Or, You Know, It Was Just a Machine Malfunction) - from Time.

A Roomba robot wheeling itself to its doom?  Maybe those sci-fi stories were right after all.


- Skiing Robot Not Very Useful But Totally Fun to Watch - from the Singularity Hub.

Sometimes being fun to watch is what makes a robot useful. Check out the videos here!


- "Chiron Beta Prime" - from Jonathan Coulton.

Robotic overlords can't stop this family from enjoying the holiday season. Enjoy this music video from "geek musician" Jonathan Coulton.

-- Post by Tracy and Ms. B