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"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." -- Mark Twain

2012-02-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the weather. What I like about it, is that it's always changing. And for a person who doesn't like a whole lot of change in her life, that's a big thing. I could spend hours just watching the clouds move across the sky. I love watching the rain pounding against the window and I love watching the trees swaying in the wind. I have spent countless hours watching the Weather Channel! I even have a small weather station at home that shows the current temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed that my wonderful husband bought for me for Christmas one year.

Despite this love, I don't really know much about the history of weather forecasting at all. So imagine my surprise (and delight) to learn that there is a National Weatherperson's Day commemorating the birth of John Jeffries (February 7, 1745), who was one of America's first weathermen! Mr. Jeffries, who was also a medical doctor, is famous for his hot air balloon flights which were used to collect data about free air. The first flight took place November 30, 1784 above London. In the balloon he carried a thermometer, barometer, electrometer, hyrgrometer, and several other scientific devices. He made twelve observations of temperature, pressure, and humidity. His second (and last) flight took place on January 7, 1785. It started in Dover, England and ended near the forests of Guines, France. Unfortunately, he was unable to take any measurements, since he lost almost all of his scientific equipment due to difficulties with the balloon. Luckily, Jeffries and his partner, Pierre Blanchard, made it safely across the English Channel to France where they were met with a hero's welcome.

John Jeffries never flew in a hot air balloon again and he went back to America and led a quiet life as a physician. Though he is more well known for his flight across the English Channel, his meteorological experiments should also be remembered.

To learn more about meteorology and weather in general, check out these web sites and books:

Websites:

The Weather Channel - A great site for current weather conditions in your area or around the world.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - This is the official government site for weather and oceanic activity. The National Weather Service is a part of this organization.

Accuweather - Located in State College, PA, they provide weather conditions for your local area and all around the world. According to their website, they have the greatest number of forecast meteorologists anywhere in the world.

Books:

Weather by Dr. Stephen Dorling

Weather Whys: Facts, Myths, and Oddities by Paul Yeager

The AMS Weather Book: The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather by Jack Williams

Extreme Weather: Understanding the Science of Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Heat Waves, Snow Storms, Global Warming, and Other Atmospheric Disturbances by H. Michael Mogil.

Restless Skies: The Ultimate Weather Book by Paul Douglas

Meteorology Demystified by Stan Gibilisco

Weather: A Visual Guide by Bruce Buckley, Edward J. Hopkins and Richard Whitaker

Weather: How It Works and Why It Matters by Arthur Upgren and Jurgen Stock

Backpacker: Predicting Weather: Forecasting, Planning, and Preparing by Lisa Densmore

Weather: Air Masses, Clouds, Rainfall, Storms, Weather Maps, Climate by Paul E. Lehr

DVD Documentaries:

Tornado Interceptors

Tornado Glory: Experience the Real Chase

Wonders of Weather

Inside Hurricane Katrina

Nature's Fury

Storm Chasers

Storm That Drowned A City

Feature Films where weather plays an important role:

Twister (1996)

Key Largo (1948)

Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Perfect Storm (2000)

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

-- Post by Tracy

Birthday Biography: Charles Dickens

2012-02-07T19:10:00.000-05:00

Confession time: this English major has never read any Charles Dickens.

I know -- shameful, right? We covered Trollope and Hardy in my 19th-century British Literature class, but somehow we never got around to Dickens.

But of course, the thing about Dickens is that his influence on literature was so great that you don't have to have read his stories to know something about them.

Charles Dickens was born two hundred years ago today, to parents Elizabeth and John Dickens. John was a clerk in the Naval Pay Office and, unfortunately, was somewhat terrible with matters of money. He eventually wound up imprisoned for debt. Incredibly, Elizabeth and the rest of their eight children would soon join John in Marshalsea Prison -- with the exception of Charles himself, who was put to work instead in Warren's Blacking Factory. His father was eventually released and was able to rescue 12-year-old Charles from the factory life, but the experience had already left its mark. Charles spent the next three years as a day pupil at a London school before getting another job at age 15 -- this time as an office boy at an attorney's. By age 17 he was a freelance reporter at Doctor's Commons Courts. He'd studied shorthand during his nights at the attorney's, and by 1832 he was a highly successful shorthand reporter for debates of Parliament in the House of Commons. Dickens's first published stories would begin to appear in 1833, although he'd continue on in his career as a reporter until the runaway success of the serialized novel The Pickwick Papers allowed him to become a full-time novelist. (He'd also publish short pieces under the unusual pen name of "Boz.")

Dickens would marry Catherine Hogarth in 1836 (they'd eventually have ten children), and followed up The Pickwick Papers with Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. The following two decdes would see the serialized publication of such other novels as David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations. He'd also tour through Canada and America in 1852 (and create a bit of buzz upon publishing his American Notes, commenting a bit unfavorably on certain American habits such as tobacco chewing).

The work that is perhaps his most famous was first published in December 1844. The short novel A Christmas Carol was the first of several Christmas-themed books that Dickens would produce, but Christmas Carol would, by far, remain his most popular. The story stars Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man visited by three Christmas ghosts (of Past, Present, and Future) intent on convincing Scrooge to change his ways. The simple but memorable tale was an instant hit that's been credited with bringing a sense of "Christmas cheer" back to England and America during the era. The novella has never been out of print since its original publication and remains a perennial Christmas classic. It's been brought to life in countless adaptations and variations on the stage and the screen, with the role of Scrooge being played by everyone from Reginald Owen and Basil Rathbone, to Albert Finney and Bill Murray, to Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine -- and, most recently, Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer, and even Batman himself.

Of course, Dickens is an author so classic that you don't have to have read any of his works to have felt his influence on literature. From such famous lines as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and "Please sir, I want some more" to such characters as Scrooge, Marley, Pip, Miss Havisham, and Oliver Twist, Dickens's work has become an indelible part of popular culture. (The character of Pip has even made an appearance on the animated show South Park.)

So if, like me, you'd like to know more about Dickens -- but aren't quite ready to dive into Bleak House just yet (I've been trying to read that one for awhile) -- check out the links below for more about this literary giant.

(And, while we're making confessions: I've never read any Jane Austen either. Then again, she was born in December, so I've got some time yet!)

- Charles Dickens - the LA Times

- Dickens: A Brief Biography - VictorianWeb.org

- Five Myths About Charles Dickens - the Washington Post

- Charles Dickens Still Resonates - Christian Science Monitor

- World Celebrates 200th Anniversary of Dickens's Birth - BBC News

-- Post by Ms. B

So Our Children Can Soar

2012-02-03T17:01:00.000-05:00

Rosa Parks's courageous action that December evening wasn't the first of its kind.

The story is a famous one. On December 1, 1955, Parks was riding a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on her way home from her job as a seamstress. As the bus began to fill, Parks and three other African American passengers were ordered by bus driver James F. Blake to surrender their seats to white passengers. The other three African American passengers eventually got up. Making an instantaneous decision that she will no longer tolerate the discrimination, Rosa Parks remained seated. (Later, Parks would explain that this was not her first encounter with Blake -- he once made her get off the bus and re-enter through the rear door instead.)

Parks was arrested that day for her refusal to vacate her seat for a white man (a crime at the time under the "Jim Crow" segregation laws). But as the story of her courage spread, others were inspired to follow her example. A group of civil rights activities called the Montgomery Improvement Association organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott. (The leader of the boycott? A young Baptist minister, new to the area, by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr.) Passengers stayed off the buses in droves, choosing to walk, carpool, or bike-ride instead -- and with African Americans comprising nearly 75 percent of the riders in the Montgomery area, the bus company feels the effects. The number of buses in the city was cut, while fare prices were raised. And after 381 days, the boycott was ended -- when the Supreme Court ruled Montgomery's segregation laws to be unconstitutional.

Although best remembered for this act of courage, this was by no means Parks's only contribution to the civil rights movement -- or even her first. Rosa and her husband, Raymond Parks, were active members of their local NAACP chapter for many years before the incident in Montgomery. Later in life, Parks would go on to co-found the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development (an organization which aims to target the youth who might be overlooked by other program opportunities, motivating and directing them to reach their full potential). She'd receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 from President Bill Clinton for her lifetime of work, and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 1999.

Parks's 99th birthday would have been this February 4th (she passed away in 2005). But her myriad accomplishments -- best remembered in that iconic act of courage in 1955 -- ensures that her legacy lives on. She was and always will be rightly recognized as the "mother of the modern day civil rights movement."

For more on Rosa Parks:

- Rosa Parks Biography - Academy of Achievement

- Biography of Rosa Louise Parks - from the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development

- Rosa Parks Bus - The Story Behind the Bus

- Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Her Seat - How Rosa Parks Fought for Civil Rights (from Scholastic for younger readers)

From our Library's Collection:

- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story - by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

- Rosa Parks: a Life - by Douglas Brinkley.

- Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change - by Michelle Cook.

-- Post by Ms. B

Tesseracts

2012-01-31T16:10:00.002-05:00

"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." -- Madeleine L'Engle

It's been fifty years since Madeleine L'Engle's science fantasy novel, A Wrinkle in Time, was first published. Rejected at least 26 times by publishers before finally being accepted for publication in 1962, it's been continuously in print ever since. Marketed as a young adult novel (probably on account of its teenage protagonist), it's gone on to become a beloved classic for readers of all ages.

Describing the premise of this weird, wild, wonderful book can be tough, because there's no way to do such a unique story justice in a simplified summary. Suffice it to say, the book centers around Meg Murray, an awkward (and somewhat angry and stubborn) high school student. Living in a tiny rural town, she's lost at school but takes comfort in the understanding of her family: her biologist mother, her ten-year-old twin brothers -- and most especially her five-year-old brother, Charles Wallace, who is (to put it mildly) something of a child prodigy.

Her physicist father, however, is missing -- last seen leaving home on special assignment for the government. It's in Meg and Charles Wallace's attempt to find him (with the help of classmate Calvin O'Keefe, and three highly unusual neighbors) that the book finds its story, but to say more would be to give too much away. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that Meg's missing father is far enough away that finding him will involve a bit of traveling. Or, if you will, tessering.

What follows is a story about wormholes and missing laundry, alien planets and physics homework, time travel and midnight sandwich snacks. It's a delightfully bizarre and flawless melding of the ordinary and the extraordinary, of the daily routine and the outrageously unusual, that plays a large part in making this such a unique story (even by the standards of sci-fi!).

The book also has more unique messages than what might is often found in the standard sci-fi fare: the importance of family and relationships, that stubbornness and anger can occasionally be great gifts (if you can only use them correctly) -- and that we don't have to all be exactly alike to be equal to each other.

There's also some light -- but undeniable -- religious allegory in its pages, as issues of faith and belief are explored (albeit of an unorthodox-enough nature that L'Engle joins the ranks of such authors as J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume for having her books occasionally challenged and banned). Science and faith co-exist quite easily in the pages of L'Engle's Time Quartet (which is not to say that you need to be a religious sort to enjoy her writing).

But even more unusual at the time than her gentle blending of science and faith was L'Engle's decision to make the main protagonist of her science fiction tale ... female. Even before Anne McCaffrey and her sci-fi heroines, L'Engle had broken new ground by featuring a young girl as her main character. For this reason (among others), her publishers were unsure if the book would sell -- so it was a surprise to everyone when the book not only became a hit but won the Newbery Award in 1963.

To the book's millions of fans, however, it's not surprising at all. If you've never read this unique story, you might consider giving it a try in celebration of its fiftieth anniversary. From Camazotz to tesseracts, L'Engle's classic has something unique for every sci-fi fan.

Pressed for time? Check out a fairly complete telling of "A Wrinkle in Time" -- in ninety seconds!

"A Wrinkle In Time" In 90 Seconds from James Kennedy on Vimeo.

-- Post by Ms. B

Australia Day

2012-01-26T12:02:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to accompany my husband on a business trip to Australia. It's a country I've wanted to go to since I saw the film "The Man From Snowy River" in the mid-80s. Of course, the movie is set in the 19th century and doesn't reflect what the country is like today, but for some reason it sparked an interest in me. So when I had the chance to finally see this country that I had been dreaming about for years, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. And I was not disappointed!

Australia, as we now know it, was created as a British colony in the late 18th century as a penal colony. The first fleet of ships arrived in what is now Sydney harbor on January 26, 1788. Even in the early days of the colony, this date was celebrated. By the mid-19th century, transportation of convicts to Australia was beginning to wane, but January 26th was still marked by dinners and other celebrations in the state of New South Wales. However, it wasn't until 1994 that Australia Day was officially celebrated throughout the entire country on January 26th.

In keeping with the nation striving to improve its relationship with the indigenous people of Australia, the nation has attempted to include the history and culture of the Aborigines. Since Australia Day celebrates the arrival of the British, it has not always been a day of joy for the Aboriginal people. Over the years they have either been forced into participating or boycotting the celebration, although most of the country didn't even notice. Now, all of Australia is celebrated. And it is celebrated in ways that most Americans would find familiar - fireworks, concerts, and parades.

Australia Day 2012 update:
Unfortunately, there was some controversy surrounding this year's festival, which has already taken place due to the time difference (Australia is 16 hours ahead of Monroeville). A large group of Aborigines surrounded a restaurant in Canberra, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard was meeting with the Opposition leader and trapped them inside. Riot police had to be brought in to escort them out. Click here for more information on the incident.

Below are some links to websites about Australia and Australia Day.

Australian Government website: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia

Australia Day Information : http://www.australiaday.org.au/

Additional Australia Day Information: http://www.australiaday.com.au/

Books about Australia (history and travel):

The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

A Brief History of Australia by Barbara West

A Traveller's History of Australia by John H. Chambers

The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People by Josephine Flood

A Concise History of Australia by Stuart Macintyre

Keep Australia On Your Left: A True Story Of An Attempt To Circumnavigate Australia By Kayak by Eric Stiller

Travel Guides:

Australia (Insight Guides)

Australia (Berlitz)

Frommer's Australia

Australia (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Documentaries (DVDs):

Dreamtime of the Aborigines

Australia Revealed

Modern Indigenous Culture

Feature Films:

Australia (2008)

Danny Deckchair (2003)

Ned Kelly (2003)

Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Strictly Ballroom (1993)

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Mad Max (1979)

-- Post by Tracy

Nevermore

2012-01-24T18:13:00.002-05:00

On January 29, 1845, a poem was published in the pages of The Evening Mirror, a daily New York newspaper. The poem was an instant success, catapulting its author to fame and helping to cement his place as one of the classic American writer. 167 years after its original publication, "The Raven" remains not only Edgar Allan Poe's best-known work, but also one of the most famous poems in American literature.

"The Raven" -- along with such Stephen-King-esque fare as "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Tell-Tale Heart" -- has cemented Poe in the public consciousness as a somber, depressed, gothic figure, who may or may not have been a little crazy.

But scary stories aside (and they are true masterpieces of psychological horror, don't get me wrong), our modern-day popular perception of Poe is mostly incorrect. An innovator in the genre of science fiction, the inventor of modern-day mystery and detective novels, and a fierce literary critic in his time, Poe gets his morose, gothic reputation primarily at the hands of Rufus Griswold, the man (and literary rival) who wrote Poe's obituary.

In some ways, much of Poe's life is as mysterious as the cryptic puzzles he liked to invent for his mystery tales. The basic facts are clear: he was born in 1809 to parents who were traveling actors, although by the age of three both of his parents had died. He was raised instead by wealthy tobacco merchant John Allan, and his wife Frances Valentine Allan (from whom Poe received his "middle" name). Poe had early designs on becoming a writer and had composed enough poetry by the age of 13 to fill up a publishable manuscript, although it would be another five years before his work would first appear in print.

He attended school at both the University of Virginia and the United States Military Academy at West Point, the latter coming after Poe spent two years enlisted in the United States Army. After the death of Frances Valentine, the woman who'd raised him, Poe fell out completely with John Allan (a man he'd never gotten along with). Plagued by poverty as he struggled to make a living with his writing, he turned to his aunt, Maria Clemm. He would eventually move to Richmond and later bring Maria down to live with him -- along with Maria's daughter, Virginia, who Poe would eventually marry.

Poe's writing began to grow in popularity, but it wasn't until the publication of "The Raven" that his royalties began to grow as well. By now Poe was beginning to attract large crowds to his lectures, as well as gaining attention for being a fierce literary critic. But in 1847, Poe's wife Virginia finally succumbed to the tuberculosis which had plagued her for several years -- tuberculosis also being the cause of death for Poe's mother, brother, and foster mother.

Poe himself would die two years later, and modern-day historians still debate both his living habits of the past few years (was he really an alcoholic?) as well as his still-unknown cause of death. A few days after he died, literary rival Rufus Griswold would pen his scathing -- and patently untrue -- obituary for Poe, painting the author as a raving, drunken womanizer "with no morals or friends." Unfortunately, that (highly) inaccurate picture of Poe is still the one most people hold today.

The truth of the matter is that Poe is a much more complicated figure than that. For my part, I didn't become interested in Poe until I read his short story "The Purloined Letter" in high school and discovered, much to my surprise, that Poe essentially invented the mystery genre. His "consulting detective" character, C. Auguste Dupin, appeared in 1841 in the short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." "Murders" is widely held to be the first modern-day detective story, featuring as it does the first-ever fictional detective. (Hence the Mystery Writers of America choosing to name their annual awards "the Edgar" to honor the year's best works of mystery fiction, non-fiction and television.) A far more famous fictional detective owes his existence in large part to Dupin's inspiration -- prompting Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to offer a wry tip of the hat to Poe in one of his stories. When Dr. John Watson makes a mention of Poe's famous detective, Sherlock Holmes responds that, in his own opinion, "Dupin was a very inferior fellow." (Conan Doyle did not share his character's humorous derision, however, and was known to be an admirer of Poe's work.)

Likewise, Poe's short story "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" was considered a ground-breaking work of science fiction, telling a tale about space travel and otherworldly aliens -- even if it was meant, at the time, as a satiric piece poking some fun at the scientific community of the day ... as well as serving as a hoax to the readers of Southern Literary Messenger. And again, a future author of far bigger fame in the genre would go on to be inspired by Poe's writing: Jules Verne, who references the story in his own work From the Earth to the Moon.

If Poe's best-remembered stories are his psychological thrillers, his influence on other genres is nonetheless undeniable -- as is his influence on the pop culture consciousness. But Poe himself remains, in large part, a mystery.

It's been three years since the Poe Toaster has last appeared -- the Toaster being a mysterious figure who arrived at Poe's gravesite in Baltimore every year on the author's birthday to leave behind roses and a bottle of cognac. Apparently starting the tradition in the 1950s, the Toaster (or Toasters; there's evidence to suggest that there was more than one) appeared annually until 2009, the year which marked the 200th anniversary of Poe's birthday. But interest in Poe remains, with his stories being continually reinterpreted as graphic novels, fictionalized historical novels, and even a murder mystery film due for release this April (with Poe himself -- appropriately enough -- in the role of detective).

Whatever your opinion of Poe -- and whatever the truth of the man himself -- he'll always be remembered as an author who changed the literary world forever. And that's one fact, at least, that his fans and admirers can be certain of.

You can read more about Poe here at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum's homepage.

-- Post by Ms. B

Happy Birthday Cary Grant!

2012-01-19T11:35:00.003-05:00

Growing up in the 70s and 80s I watched a lot of TV. If I wasn't reading a book, I was watching some old show or movie on the very limited number of channels available to us in those days. And what I really loved, was when there would be old movies from the 30s, 40s or 50s on. It was even more exciting if the movie happened to star Cary Grant. While many of the characters he portrayed were all very similar, I loved them none the less. Growing up in a blue collar, middle class family there weren't too many people I knew who were as sophisticated and sauve as Cary Grant. Plus he was funny! Of course, he was handsome, but that wasn't really important to me when I was 10.

So to mark the anniversary of the birth (January 18) of Archibald Leach (a.k.a. Cary Grant) here some DVDs (which will include some of my personal favorites) and books to check out:

An Affair to Remember

This is one of Cary Grant's most famous and memorable movies, mostly for its importance in the film Sleepless in Seattle. Two people, while engaged to other people, meet and fall in love on a cruise. They agree to meet 6 months later on the top of The Empire State Building, but unfortunately one of them doesn't make it there. This is one of the all time great tear jerkers, so if you haven't already seen it, or even if you have, make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand!

North by Northwest

In this film, one of many made with director Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant plays a hapless New York advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. Also stars Eva Marie Saint.

To Catch A Thief

When a reformed jewel thief is suspected of returning to his former occupation, he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence. Filmed on location on the French Riviera, which only makes Grant and his glamorous co-star Grace Kelly, look even more beautiful.

Bringing Up Baby

While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard "Baby." This is one of four films that Cary Grant did with Katherine Hepburn. And while it seems to be considered a classic screw ball comedy, it is not one of my personal favorites. But since it's been a long time since I've seen it, I may have to give it another try.

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

A man and his wife decide they can afford to have a house in the country built to their specifications. It's a lot more trouble than they think! If you've ever hired someone to do any kind of renovations on your house, or had your own house built, you will understand the problems Mr. Blandings and his wife (the marvelous Myrna Loy) encounter on the way to their dream house.

The Bachelor and The Bobby Soxer

A high school girl (Shirley Temple) falls for a playboy artist with screwball results. This is a very silly movie, with a very silly premise, but I love it all the same. And once again, Mr. Grant stars with Myrna Loy.

Arsenic and Old Lace

An easy going drama critic discovers that his kind and gentle Aunts Abby and Martha have a bizarre habit of poisoning gentleman callers and burying them in the cellar. This is a charming movie despite the odd premise.

I Was A Male War Bride

Captain Henri Rochard is a French officer assigned to work with Lt. Catherine Gates. Through a wacky series of misadventures, they fall in love and marry. When the war ends, Capt. Rochard tries to return to America with the other female war brides. Zany gender-confusing antics follow.

The Philadelphia Story

And now to my all time favorite Cary Grant film: when a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned 2nd marriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself. This is a fantastic combination of Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. Some of the funniest scenes are actually between Grant and Stewart. This is a movie not to miss!

And, if you'd like to read about Cary Grant's life, here are a few biographies of note:

Cary Grant, A Life in Pictures edited by Yann-Brice Dherbier

Dear Cary: A Memoir by Dyan Cannon

Good Stuff: A Reminiscence Of My Father, Cary Grant by Jennifer Grant

Cary Grant: A Biography by Marc Eliot

-- Post by Tracy

Poor Richard

2012-01-17T18:25:00.002-05:00

I confess, I'm not particularly a Benjamin Franklin fan. Oh, it's not that I don't like him (because I do), and it's not that I don't think he was a fascinating historical figure (because he was). It's just that, of the Founding Fathers, I happen to have a particular soft spot for John Adams. (The original, that is, not his son.)

But that's just a matter of personal preference -- I'm not knocking Franklin. This Founding Father, who was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention, is rightly remembered not only as a Founding Father -- but as a writer, publisher, inventor, scientist, politician, postmaster, musician, and diplomat, among other duties. He's intriguing for both his myriad accomplishments and his witty personality, making him a figure of fascination both in his own time as well as ours, and in America as well as abroad. My favorite story about Franklin comes from his trip to France, when he traveled to negotiate support for the American Revolutionary War. When he arrived, he found his reputation as a writer and scientist had preceded him. The French admired him, both for his philosophy and his politics -- admired him so much, in fact, that many French people hung his portrait in their own homes. (He'd go on to become "perfectly sick" of having his portrait painted, which he did often at the request of friends.)

You might know Franklin as the inventor of bifocals, the (aptly named) Franklin stove ... and, of course, the lightning rod. (We'll come back to the lightning rod in a bit.) Some of his other experimentations into the fields of science and invention, however, are not always as well-remembered:

-- A frequent traveler, it was Franklin who first proposed that illnesses such as colds and flu may not be caused by exposure to cold and chill air but rather "may possibly be spread by contagion." He noticed his excursions through severe temperatures, suffering cold "sometimes to the extremity only short of freezing," failed to make him sick. He noted that people did, however, often catch cold when spending too much time in close quarters to someone who was already ill, and he became a proponent of good ventilation and fresh air year round.

-- Not only did Franklin recommend exercise as a way to stay in good health, but he was one of the first to put forth the theory that it was more than duration that was important. He suggested measuring exercise not by the length of time it was performed, but rather "by the degree of warmth it produces in the body" -- and by the increase in a person's heart rate.

-- Benjamin Franklin was one of the first people to begin to suspect that there were negative effects from the handling of lead. He began suggesting replacements be made with alternate metals to counteract the "possible" negative effects of lead.

-- He was the inventor of a musical instrument he called the "armonica," which consisted of thirty-seven glass bowls of different sizes attached to a spindle. You played the device the same way bored dinner guests might amuse themselves with their wine glasses -- by pressing on the glass pieces with wet fingers. As goofily fun as it might sound, the armonica proved to be a popular fad: Marie Antoinette took armonica lessons, and music was written for the instrument by both Mozart and Beethoven.

And then, of course, there's my other favorite Franklin story.

Everybody knows about Franklin's famous electrical experiment -- finding a link between lightning and electricity. While many other scientists (like Sir Issac Newton) had suspected a link between the two, Franklin was the first to devise a methodical test to prove that link. Hence, flying a kite with a wire and key attached, hoping to attract a spark.

What's not so well known? Franklin wasn't flying the kite.

It would have looked terrible, had Benjamin Franklin -- a quite respectable figure -- been seen dashing about a field hauling a kite wildly behind him. So he enlisted a little help: his son, William. Yes, it was Franklin's son, and not Franklin himself, who was out in the rain -- and the lightning -- testing the theory.

... well. Family is all about helping each other.

Today, January 17, marks Franklin's 306th birthday. He lived to be eighty-four, and his myriad accomplishments, trades, discoveries, and experiences make him as fascinating a figure as ever. But then again, I may be biased. Much as I love John Adams, I'll always appreciate Benjamin Franklin, first and foremost, as the creator ... of the very first public lending library in America.

(Oh, and don't feel too bad about William Franklin being stuck flying the kite. He was in his twenties at the time -- and he survived the experiment just fine.)

-- Post by Ms. B

Financial Wellness

2012-01-13T12:51:00.001-05:00

January is Financial Wellness Month -- which makes the start of the new year a great time to take stock of your current financial situation, and plan for the future.

How to measure your financial "health?" Try this simple online quiz, designed to help you take a closer look at your financial practices:

Financial Wellness Check-up

If you find yourself in need of some financial tips, tricks, and advice, be sure to check out these resources. These books, audiobooks, DVDs, and websites will help you explore your current financial habits, find ways to budget and save, discover investing opportunities, and help you plan for the future -- and retirement!

Books:

The Ultimate Financial Plan: Balancing Your Money and Life by Jim Stovall and Tim Maurer.

In the Black: Live Faithfully, Prosper Financially: The Ultimate 9-Step Plan for Financial Fitness by Aaron W. Smith with Brenda Lane Richardson.

Common Sense Economics: What Everyone Should Know About Wealth and Prosperity by James D. Gwartney.

Money Makeovers: How Women Can Control Their Financial Destiny by Christopher L. Hayes and Kate Kelly.

The Elements of Investing by Burton G. Malkiel and Charles D. Ellis.

The 250 Personal Finance Questions for Single Mothers by Susan Reynolds and Robert Bexton.

Money 911: Your Most Pressing Money Questions Answered, Your Money Emergencies Solved by Jean Chatzky with Arielle McGowen.

Protecting Your Parents' Money: The Essential Guide to Helping Mom and Dad Navigate the Finances of Retirement by Jeff D. Opdyke.

Making the Most of Your Money Now by Jane Bryant Quinn.

The Ultimate Money Guide for Bubbles, Busts, Recession and Depression by Martin D. Weiss.

Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier With Less by Peter Walsh.

One-Income Household: How to Do a Lot With a Little by Susan Reynolds and Lauren Bakken.

The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simple Truths That Help Real People Make Real Money by Jonathan Clements.

10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget by the writers of Wise Bread.

DVDs and Audiobooks:

Suze Orman's The Courage to Be Rich - [DVD]

Maximizing Your Money: Personal Finance Made Easy! - [audiobook]

The Don't Sweat Guide to Your Finances: Planning, Saving, and Spending Stress-Free - [audiobook]

The ABC's of Getting Out of Debt - [audiobook]

All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan - [audiobook]

Online Resources:

CNN Money's "How Healthy Are Your Finances?"

Annual Credit Reports: Free from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion

Yahoo!Finance Market Overview

Mind Your Finances: Personal Finance Advice, Tools, and Educational Material

-- Post by Ms. B

Scottish Mystery

2012-01-11T20:32:00.000-05:00

I love reading mysteries and I have a few several go-to authors I like to read (Elizabeth George, Minette Walters, Sue Grafton). But a few months ago I was looking for something other than the usual and boy, did I find that in Denis Mina's Garnethill series.

The first book in the series, Garnethill (1999), introduces us to Maureen O'Donnell. She is a young woman struggling in a dead end job and trying to get back to a normal life after spending 6 months in a psychiatric hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown. The cause of the breakdown is the memory of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Unfortunately, most of the rest of her family, including her alcoholic mother, don't believe her stories. On top of this she's just found out that her boyfriend, Douglas, is married. After finding out about Douglas' marital status she goes on a bit of a drinking binge with her friend. When she finally wakes up in the morning she finds Douglas, naked and tied to a chair in her kitchen with his throat slit. Naturally, Maureen is the prime suspect. The story continues with Maureen battling with Detective Chief Inspector Joe McEwan to clear her name.

The story of Maureen O'Donnell continues in Exile (2001). Maureen is now working at a women's shelter in Glasgow along with her best pal Leslie. She is even more miserable than she was before. She is still struggling with the after effects of her boyfriend's murder so when Anne, a woman from the shelter, turns up dead in the Thames, Maureen agrees to head to London to find out what happened to her. During this trip Maureen learns some new information regarding Douglas' murder and also has her own life threatened.

The trilogy concludes with Resolution (2002). Maureen's life is still in the dumps. She's even more depressed than ever and her friends (and Maureen) are afraid that she is an alcoholic. She might have destroyed her relationship with her new boyfriend and now the man who murdered Douglas is going on trial. Plus she has distanced herself from her family, except for brother Liam. Her sister is pregnant and Maureen is worried that her father will abuse Una's baby if it's a girl. And to top it off, the elderly woman at the local flea market that she has befriended has died and Maureen believes the woman's son is responsible.

These books are definitely not of the "cozy" mystery variety. They are a gritty and realistic look at the underbelly of Glasgow, especially Garnethill where much of the story takes place. Maureen O'Donnell is a character that is now always completely likable but knowing her past history makes her actions somewhat understandable. And while she is innocent of her boyfriend's murder she is not past committing other crimes to protect herself and those that she loves. What it comes down to, is that Maureen knows good from evil and is willing to do anything to defeat the evil that is around her. If you are up for a gritty, realistic look at a life in turmoil, these series is for you.

-- Post by Tracy

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

2012-01-05T18:01:00.000-05:00

With the Harry Potter films complete and the Twilight series wrapping up with their final installment this coming November, Hollywood is looking for the next hit Young Adult book series to become a blockbuster movie franchise. This March will see the release of the latest book-to-film adaptation: The Hunger Games, based on the first in the bestselling series by Suzanne Collins.

Although there have been a dozen or two film adaptations in recent years based on bestselling YA books, most other book-to-movie transitions haven't seen the success of Potter or Twilight. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Eragon, The Golden Compass, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, I Am Number Four, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, and a slew of others have appeared on the big screens, to generally mixed results. Even Martin Scorsese's recent adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret (which, strictly speaking, is based on a non-fantasy YA novel, although the story's steampunk edge gives it something of a fantasy feel) opened to rave reviews -- but it couldn't hope to match the numbers of the boy wizard and sparkling vampires.

Enter The Hunger Games.

What's the story of The Hunger Games? Suzanne Collins opens her YA science fiction series with a premise that seems like a cross between extreme reality television and Shirley Jackson's famous short story "The Lottery." In a post-apocalyptic North America, the continent has been divided into thirteen "Districts," with the wealthy Capitol governing the Districts' people. The Games are an annual contest held by the Capitol, in which one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are chosen from each District to compete. The Games have a Survivor feel to them -- a wilderness contest of strength, endurance, and survival skills, televised live to the District citizens back home. And there's really only one rule: the winner is the last person left alive.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen isn't chosen as one of the two Tributes from District 12 -- her young sister Prim is. But Katniss becomes District 12's Tribute when she volunteers to take her sister's place in competing in the Games.

What follows is a trilogy of post-apocalyptic books about survival, courage, government control -- and, in the final book, war. The stories have a decidedly darker tone (with a decidedly darker ending) than many of their YA counterparts (even if nobody could call the final Harry Potter book a light read, by any definition of the word). Which, in some ways, may make The Hunger Games an unlikely choice as the next Potter or Twilight marketing juggernaut.

Then again, The Hunger Games has already had its share of marketing success, with a wide array of themed merchandise, including journals, jewelry, t-shirts -- even a line of nail polish. (Although, to this last, there is a precedent set by Twilight -- a Twilight-themed perfume.) And the books themselves are bestsellers, appearing on the New York Times bestseller list for over 100 consecutive weeks. There's a devoted, all-ages fanbase for these books, and the novels themselves have a rich, well-developed world and cast of characters to draw on -- all good building blocks for a successful movie.

With the second book already slated to be filmed as a sequel for release next year, Hollywood is banking on The Hunger Games to be a financial phenomenon. Expect to hear a lot about this movie in the coming months, as theaters prep for what all involved hope will become the next big blockbuster. But whether or not the film series succeeds will rest in the hands -- and wallets -- of moviegoers.

-- Post by Ms. B

Science Fiction vs. Fantasy -- what's the difference?

2011-12-29T17:21:00.000-05:00

In a science fiction class I took in college, there was a day when the professor brought in a stack of paperback novels and issued our class a challenge. Could we tell, with a glance at the cover, which books were fantasy and which were sci-fi? Try it yourself with the picture above -- can you tell which is which?

Science fiction and fantasy -- which might be thought of as the "what-if?" genres -- are often considered similar enough in style and substance to warrant being shelved together in bookstores and libraries. However, as any sci-fi or fantasy fan could tell you, the two are generally quite distinct. So how to tell the difference?

Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, is credited with explaining the difference as "science fiction, the improbable made possible; fantasy, the impossible made probable."

Science fiction is a term reserved for those fantastical stories that could one day be possible. They are stories about technology that could be invented or alien planets that could be discovered. After all, some sci-fi tales have gone on to come true: H.G. Wells published The First Men in the Moon nearly seventy years before the first moon landing, and William Gibson's Neuromancer is credited with introducing the concept of the World Wide Web ... back in 1984. Of course the details may be a bit off (rockets, not "cavorite," got human beings to the moon) -- and there's plenty of sci-fi developments that will always remain fictional. But science fiction prides itself on being the genre of "what could be," if only we have the technology or discovery to reach for it.

Fantasy, meanwhile, is about the purely impossible. Wands, wizards, spells, and magic -- things that have no scientific explanation and will always remain impossible. Science fiction has science (even if it's yet-to-be-discovered, far-flung science). Fantasy does magic. It's as simple as that.

Well ... maybe not that simple. Like Mysteries vs. Thrillers, sometimes a book will have elements of both genres mixed into it. Star Wars, for instance, tells the story of an ancient order of knights who channel a mysterious power and duel in sword fights ... with robots and aliens in spaceships. It's that last bit that keeps Star Wars classified as science fiction, even though many of its elements (such as the Force itself) seem more like fantasy. When deciding whether to classify a book in the Library as sci-fi or fantasy, we librarians sometimes rely on the author's reputation or the publisher's recommendation.

Of course, sometimes it's an easy decision to make -- often by simply looking at the cover of the book itself. You can be pretty sure that this is a science fiction read:

Whereas this is a fantasy story:

Just keep in mind that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. That book with the dragon on top, Dragonflight? That's the first novel in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series -- a series featuring a planet colonized by spaceship-traveling humans, who scientifically create genetically-altered dragons on their new home. There's not a bit of the magical about it -- once you get past your own expectations after seeing a dragon on the cover. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, on the other hand, sounds like straight-up science fiction with its talk of alternate universes ... until you meet the witches, daemons, and talking polar bears.

Bit of a trick question. Sorry about that. I'll chalk it up to the influence of my sci-fi lit professor, who was always trying to show us a new way to look at everything. Including science fiction book covers!

-- Post by Ms. B

Staff Recommendation #4: "The Changeling Prince" by Vivian Vande Velde

2011-12-27T12:17:00.003-05:00

Today we've got a very special book review, written by teen volunteer Amanda. Enjoy her funny, insightful look into two YA fantasy reads!

* * * * *

The Changeling Prince by Vivian Vande Velde

Let me start this off by making one point clear: I hate the Twilight series. (Irrelevant as you might think it is, that’s important.) That being said, I did not expect much from The Changeling Prince. Ever since I had the displeasure of reading the new “Stephenie Meyer” rendition of werewolves, picking up a book with werewolves in it has brought me both mental and physical pain (the physical pain being caused by me violently throwing the book against my foot whenever I read a new passage about how attractively attractive the werewolf looked). So once I’d finished reading The Changeling Prince and my feet were still in perfect condition, I knew it had been a success.

Here’s the story: For his entire life, Weiland (the main character, in case it wasn’t completely obvious from me mentioning his name first) has been under the control of the evil sorceress Daria. She kidnapped him when he was still just a wolf pup, and changed him into a human. Now, he isn’t the only animal-turned-human that Daria owns. She has a wide variety of bears, wolves, birds, etc. (like a Beanie Baby obsession gone bad). Whenever Daria wants them to do something for her, she’ll change them back to their original animal form and send them out. Naturally, being a main character and all, Weiland is not satisfied with this lifestyle. He doesn’t want to kill people, he doesn’t like waking up and tasting blood in his mouth: the usual. But how can he manage to escape when Daria has complete control over him? And that’s when the adventure begins.

Now I can tell you that Weiland is one of my favorite characters I’ve read about. Ever. And that’s because he isn’t all moral. Sure, he doesn’t like to kill people, but he’ll beat you pretty hard if you deserve it (and maybe sometimes even if you don’t). That’s a characteristic you often see in side characters -- while the main character is being moral and brave, trying to hold the side-character back. To see this from the main character was really refreshing. In any case, I don’t want to spoil any more (actually, my fingers are starting to hurt from this annoying computer keyboard, but same difference), so the main point I am trying to get across is: read the book.

The Conjurer Princess by Vivian Vande Velde

Now, after finishing The Changeling Prince, to my extreme joy I discovered that there was a sequel. Oh, how I wish I hadn’t. Apparently, Vande Velde wrote this book ten years before she wrote The Changeling Prince, and it shows. Honestly, I liked it so little that I can’t even remember most of the plot … or the main character’s name. (I just Googled it: It’s Lylene.) Alright, so Lylene is supposed to be this good, caring, brave, perfect (I know … already you can’t stand her) heroine. Instead, the author accidentally made her bratty, annoying, awful, flirty, and just plain unbearable. The only reason I could even finish this book at all was the fact that Weiland was in it (and honestly, he wasn’t nearly as awesome as he had been in The Changeling Prince). So, the main point I’m trying to get across with The Conjurer Princess is: don’t read this book. Don’t. You will regret it. I promise.

So, if you’re an author, and you’re reading this, it is a warning. If you ever decide to write a prequel to a book you wrote ten years ago, don’t. No matter who you are, or how good you think you were at writing ten years ago, your style will have changed within the last decade (hopefully on the improving side -- but really, it goes both ways). If you’re not careful, you could end up with this disaster happening to you, and the next time someone writes a review like this, it will be about your book series. Be warned.

Request The Changeling Prince by Vivian Vande Velde

And, if you care to risk ignoring Amanda's sage advice, borrow an interlibrary loan copy of The Conjurer Princess

-- Our thanks to teen volunteer Amanda for her fantastic reviews!

Home for the Holidays: Last-Minute Resources For Planning the (Almost) Perfect Holiday Gathering

2011-12-22T11:58:00.001-05:00

So, something scary is happening at my mother's house this holiday season: I'll be preparing my first-ever Christmas dinner.

I always spend the holidays at my mom's -- but every year since I can remember, she's always been the cook. Over the last few years, it finally occurred to me that she's been preparing massive holiday dinners three or four times a year, every year, for nearly three decades -- and therefore definitely deserves a break. Which inspired me to volunteer to prepare the big Christmas meal this year instead.

I've been cooking for years, but this is the first time I've ever attempted a full-blown holiday feast. (I'm already wondering if my menu -- which includes roasted walnut and pear salad, potato gratin, and green beans with almonds and caramelized shallots (none of which I've ever made before) -- might prove to be a bit audacious.) I'm hoping I don't end up with a meal inspiring such reactions as you can see from the Barone family (of Everybody Loves Raymond) in the video above.

So as I busy myself preparing for my big Christmas cook-off (such as it is), I thought I'd share some of the online resources I've found to be particularly useful in preparing for the big holiday events. We have some wonderful holiday cookbooks and craft guides here at the Library -- but if you find yourself in a pinch and need some last-minute ideas for your holiday celebration, be sure to check out these sites.

-- Ms. B

RECIPES

AllRecipes.com -- Great for recipes, menu ideas, and how-tos.

FoodNetwork.com -- Another great resource, along the lines of AllRecipes. Features recipes from your favorite Food Network chefs!

Cooks.com -- Users submit their own original recipes, with other cooks logging in to rate and review after trying the dish themselves.

Betty Crocker -- Kitchen expertise from Betty Crocker "herself."

Epicurious -- Some fancier dishes for your inner gourmet chef. Includes resources like recipe-specific shopping lists, wine pairings, and a food dictionary.

Rachel Ray -- Rachael Ray is my favorite chef, and her holiday recipes are not to be missed! Particularly useful if you're planning a holiday brunch, or looking for a different kind of dessert.

CookingLight.com -- For those watching their waistline, or just hoping for healthier holiday treats, check out Cooking Light's ultimate holiday online cookbook.

Healthy Eating at Your Holiday Party -- Another list of healthy holiday choices (with recipes) ... from the Mayo Clinic!

Joy of Baking -- This site is a baker's dream resource. With tons of recipes, baking tips, and instructional videos, this is a must-visit. (Be sure to check out the holiday cookie section!)

Cocktail Enthusiast -- For the sommeliers (or just if you're a cocktail fan), here are some holiday mixed drinks, from eggnog and beyond.

CRAFTS AND PREPARATIONS

Martha Stewart -- Craft projects, entertaining tips, and also plenty of recipes.

Better Homes and Gardens -- A one-stop shop for ideas on decorating, entertaining, and cooking tips.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft - Christmas craft projects from Jo-Ann Fabric! Includes centerpieces, candy decorations, and even holiday outfits.

Michael's -- Some more ideas for Christmas projects from Michael's craft store.

DIY Network's Christmas Decorating and Craft Ideas -- Decorations, gift ideas, and tips on how to design your very own outdoor light display.

Good Housekeeping -- A different sort of holiday guide. Features step-by-step guides to getting your house "guest-ready," gift-wrapping tricks and tips, and product gift reviews.

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDES

Holiday stress can get to us even during the merriest of celebrations -- because there's just so much to do! Let these "survival guides" give you some tips and tricks to surviving the season with your sanity intact -- and enjoy the holiday season.

Making the Most of the Holiday Season -- The APA offers five quick tips to ensure a worry-free time of the year.

Dealing with Holiday Family Stress -- NPR interviews humorist Brian Copeland for some advice on using humor to deal with our more difficult relatives.

Coping Tips for the Holidays -- The Mayo Clinic steps in again to offer tips for preventing holiday stress and depression.

Holiday Stress-Busters: for Parents -- How to make the holiday season memorable for your children and for yourself.

Happy Holidays from Ms. B, Tracy, and all of us at Monroeville Public Library!

Ho Ho Ho: Comedies for the Holiday Season

2011-12-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

I love the holidays. There's plenty of reasons for this: the warmth, the joy, the time with my family, the mounds of gifts. (Obviously I am kidding about that last one.) (Sort of.)

But one of my favorite things about this time of year are the stories. I'm a book-lover, not to mention a movie-buff, and so tales about my favorite time of year naturally rank among my favorite books and films. There's plenty of holiday movies that I love, for making me smile -- or for tugging at my heartstrings.

But the holiday comedies tend to be my favorites. With so much food, fun, and family (especially the family!), the holidays can be a crazy time of year. It's the comedies like these that make me laugh, put this time of year in perspective -- and remember what the holidays are really all about.

So if you could use some holiday cheer, check out the list below of ten seasonal comedy classics. Happy Holidays!

Please note that not all of these films are family-friendly. Be sure to check the ratings first!

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol

With the newest Muppet movie still currently in theaters, this makes it a great time to check out their best Christmas special. The Muppets take on Charles Dickens classic story "A Christmas Carol," with Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge ... and, er, "starring" Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit. It's a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the original story -- if, of course, a bit Muppet-fied.

2. This Christmas

Family and the holiday season go hand-in-hand -- whether we like it or not. The Whitfield family is gathering together for the first time in four years, and the kids -- and their mother -- all have their share of unexpected developments to share with the rest of the family. Sparks fly, personalities clash, and the family generally drives each other crazy (complete with an all-out wrestling match) before everybody starts to remember what drew them together in the first place.

3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

While the family's trip to Wally World still remains my favorite, the Griswolds manage to put their own unique twist on The True Meaning of Christmas in this comedy classic.

4. Elf

You don't have to be a Will Ferrell fan to enjoy this crazy comedy about a human raised by elves at the North Pole -- only to return as an adult to New York City to see if he can track down his birth parents.

5. Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights

An animated musical comedy that is not intended for all ages, this holiday movie is one of the few holiday films to focus on Jewish characters during the Hanukkah season. Adam Sandler voices a character whose mischievous ways get him in trouble with the law and leave him with a choice: spend the holiday season performing community service as an assistant referee for a youth basketball league -- or go to jail. Wacky hijinks ensue.

6. The Ref

This one's a comedy about holiday family dysfunction -- with a twist. Denis Leary stars as a thief who, coming out of a botched robbery attempt, kidnaps a married couple when his own getaway car goes missing. He quickly regrets the decision, however, when the bickering married couple (and their squabbling relatives) turn out to be more of a hassle than jail could ever be.

7. Love Actually

A bit more serious and sweet than some of these other entries (yet often still quite funny), this British romantic comedy features interlocking stories about average (and not-so-average) couples during the holidays. It's also a veritable who's-who of British actors, including performances from Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson -- and Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister.

8. Scrooged

There are enough adaptations of "A Christmas Carol" to warrant two versions on the list. This one is a darker comedy than the Muppets' entry, featuring Bill Murrary as a modern-day Scrooge whose a cynical, cold-hearted TV exec. A must-watch for Murray fans.

9. Home Alone

I can't watch this movie without being whisked back in time to my childhood. Directed by Chris Columbus (who would go on to be the first director to bring Harry Potter to the big screen), this is a movie that does what it says on the tin. Kevin McCallister's a nine-year-old kid who wishes his overbearing family would just disappear -- only to wake up one morning to find they've done exactly that. Left behind by mistake while the rest of the family flies to France on holiday might be bad enough, but then Kevin finds out his house is the target of two bungling burglars. (The sequel's not a bad watch, either.)

10. A Christmas Story

Looks like I've saved the best for last. (And come to think of it, I can't watch this movie without being whisked back in time to my childhood, either.) Ralphie only wants one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun. But what's a nine-year-old to do when all the adults are convinced he'll only shoot his eye out? A nostalgic look back at Christmas, childhood, and the 40s, there's probably one or two scenes in here that'll have you nodding along at your own childhood memories of the holiday season.

Or maybe that's just me. (But be honest -- those mail-in prizes were never as good as you thought they were going to be, were they?)

-- Post by Ms. B

"And Then What Happened?" - Part II: Preferring Pastiches

2011-12-15T18:16:00.000-05:00

In our last entry, I discussed the curious phenomenon of having a new writer come in to finish the uncompleted manuscript or incomplete series of an author who had passed away before being able to finish the work themselves. While such books can often prove quite popular with some fans, others will often complain that the writing style of the new author is too different, that the characters don't feel the same, or that the book goes in a direction the original author never would have intended. (I admit I tend to distrust such sequels and continuations myself.)

But there is a different type of book "sequel" that I'm much more fond of -- the pastiche.

The word "pastiche" technically means "an artistic work that imitates the style of a previous work." In the case of literature, it refers to any book which is written in the style of (or perhaps in homage to) a story which has come before. Often, the authors of pastiches are not only writing a new story with classic characters, but are also trying to match the style and cadence of the original author's writing.

I tend to use the word "pastiche" to refer to those new stories that feature classic characters, written by someone other than their original author. There's an inherent difference, to me, in writing a story using fictional characters that are old enough to have become a part of our literary culture's history, rather than completing the work of an author who has only recently passed away. Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan are characters who have become a part of our collective unconscious -- they are characters people know and recognize even if they've never read the story or seen the film in which those characters originally appeared. Writing the further adventures of Holmes intrigues me in a way that a Michael Critchon "sequel" cannot -- simply because the classic characters have become larger than life. Large enough, in fact, that they seem to exist outside the boundaries of their original printed pages. So why not write new stories about them?

Sherlock Holmes pastiches are, by far, the most popular. After you check out the new movie, you might want to try a few of these unauthorized Holmes "sequels." And, if Arthur Conan Doyle isn't for you, take a look at some of our other classics pastiches:

Sherlock Holmes

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King.

The popular Mary Russell books by Laurie R. King tell the story of a young woman who starts off as a protege to the retired Sherlock Holmes, going on to eventually become his partner ... and his wife. While the series never quite hit the right note with me personally -- my "version" of Sherlock Holmes is not the marrying type -- many love this series for the relationship between these two characters.

Sherlock Holmes in America edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Daniel Stashower.

A collection of stories, from a variety of authors, featuring Holmes and Watson sleuthing their way across America. (It's not as far-fetched as it sounds, given original author Doyle's known appreciation for the U.S.) An intriguing premise with some real story gems.

Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson by Lyndsay Faye.

A number of books feature the famous fictional detective becoming entangled with the infamous, real-life serial killer. This novel is one of the best. Not to be missed.

The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes edited by John Joseph Adams.

Ghosts. Curses. Aliens. Shapeshifters. Dinosaurs. Is there a rational explanation for the weird and wild encounters in this collection of short stories, or do Holmes and Watson uncover the real thing? A must-read for anyone who's a fan of genre crossovers. (There's a tale by Stephen King, to boot!)

The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett.

This high-action thriller -- taking place once again in America -- might be of particular interest to anyone who's a fan of the Guy Ritchie film adaptations.

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution: Being a Reprint From the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D. by Nicolas Meyer.

Dr. Sigmund Freud attempts to council Sherlock Holmes through his various neuroses and addictions. A fascinating character study into the mind and heart of Sherlock Holmes. Robert Duvall and Alan Arkin star in the film adaptation.

Other Pastiches

An Assembly Such as This: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan.

The first in a trilogy, Aidan retells Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Mr. Darcy.

Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund.

Drawing from a brief mention the Captain makes of his beloved young wife, Naslund spins a completely new tale out of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. Though titled "Ahab's Wife," the story belongs to Una, the wife of the mad sea captain. A national bestseller.

Alice Through the Needle's Eye by Gilbert Adair.

This "third" book is meant to follow Lewis Carroll's original stories Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. As a big fan of the Alice books, I was pleasantly surprised to find how closely Adair manages to capture Carroll's original wit and tone, even while crafting a completely new tale for Alice.

Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean.

For decades after the usual expiration date, the Great Ormond Street Hospital held the rights to J.M. Barrie's original story Peter Pan and Wendy. (Barrie had willed the copyright -- and all related royalties -- to the hospital.) In 2004, McCaughrean was chosen as a contest winner by the Hospital to write the first "official" sequel to the original Peter Pan story.

Cosette: The Sequel to Les Miserables by Laura Kalpakian.

More romance novel than sprawling epic, Kalpakian writes an unusual sequel to Victor Hugo's revered saga. More for those who like dramatic historical romance, than for fans of Hugo's original tale.

Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James.

Although Dracula The Un-Dead got most of the attention for being written by Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew, this companion book by James should not be missed by anyone who's a fan of vampires and romance. Twilight readers, take note.

-- Post by Ms. B

"And Then What Happened?" - Part I: Solving the Mystery Of Edwin Drood

2011-12-13T17:55:00.001-05:00

I'm a big Michael Crichton fan. Jurassic Park was the first "grown-up" novel I ever read, which I'd been inspired to pick up because I'd fallen completely in love with the movie version when it was released. The "Jurassic Park" movie was the Star Wars of my generation, a film which became a smash-hit primarily because it was absolutely unlike anything we had ever seen before.

I'd been as wowed as the rest of the world by the lifelike "dinosaurs" of the film version. But Crichton's original book enchanted me in a different way: I was captivated by the way Crichton wrote his sci-fi. With stories about time travel and artificial intelligence, it's true that -- at quick glance -- Crichton's sci-fi devices aren't much different from what you'd encounter in a typical episode of Star Trek. What always made Crichton's sci-fi writing unique, to me, was the way he'd take the scientific advancements of the day and push them a few fictional steps forward. There was scientific reasoning behind his cloned dinosaurs -- and, while scientists will point out that his fictionalized scientific process wouldn't quite work, the science of Crichton's work still always holds some basis in reality. It makes for fascinating reading.

So I was crushed when Crichton passed away three years ago at the age of 66. He left behind a completed manuscript hidden in the recesses of his computer hard drive (Pirate Latitudes) -- and an unfinished techno-thriller about microbiology and nanotechnology.

This unfinished novel was about a third of the way completed, with notes, outlines, and extensive research on the rest of the story also left behind. This led to Crichton's publisher approaching author Richard Preston with a request: to finish the last two-thirds of Crichton's final novel according to the notes Crichton had left behind. Which led to the publication of Micro.

Which leaves me, as a Crichton fan, with one very important question: do I read a Crichton book that isn't really by Crichton?

Micro is not the first time that fans of a particular author find themselves trying to decide if they want to read the next chapter in a story when that chapter's been written by someone else. From Douglas Adams to Robert Jordan, from Robert B. Parker to Frank Herbert, dozens of popular authors who have died before penning the official "end" of their current project have had their novels and series finished out or continued on by someone else. (This is a somewhat different phenomenon from the "pastiche," which is a topic we'll be getting to in the next entry.) And, as you might expect, reactions of fans and critics alike can be -- at best -- mixed.

Often, fans find it more reassuring if the new writer picking up the reins of the story has been approved by the original author. Anne McCaffrey had already handpicked her son, Todd, to continue writing her Dragonriders of Pern series before she passed away. Robert Jordan, author of the popular Wheel of Time series, did not choose his successor -- but Harriet, Jordan's wife and editor, did. Having an author-approved (or relative of the author-approved) replacement often goes a long way towards quelling fans' doubts about the newcomer's ability to produce a worthy sequel.

And, of course, as the saying goes, your mileage may vary. Eoin Colfer was already well-known as the author of the hugely popular Artemis Fowl young adult series when he was commissioned to write another book in the classic science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Hitchhiker's Guide series -- books best described as being science fiction comedy -- is a cult classic of stories that started life as a radio comedy broadcast that Adams only later turned into a series of novels. (In keeping with typical Hitchhiker's Guide logic, Adams's five-book series is often referred to as the Hitchhiker's trilogy.)

While it's true that Adams has always intended on writing a sixth book in the series, he hadn't left behind a half-finished manuscript or a pile of notes and outlines for Hitchhiker's Guide. (Adams did leave behind an unfinished manuscript, but it was for the Dirk Gently book The Salmon of Doubt, which was eventually published in its fragmented form.) Contrast that with Robert Jordan, who left behind complete outlines and copious notes for his Wheel of Time series that replacement author Brandon Sanderson could faithfully follow. This might explain why Jordan's fans felt more satisfied with Jordan's replacement than Adams's fans felt towards Adams's own (as measured by reviews left at Amazon.com and Goodreads.com). Jordan's fans at least have the reassurance that Sanderson is taking the story in a direction the original author not only approved of, but came up with himself. While any Hitchhiker's fan, if choosing to read And Another Thing..., is left with the question: "Is this really a Hitchhiker's book?"

So. Should "replacement" authors be brought in to finish a popular series if an author passes away before the books are completed? Or should creative works be left alone once their creator is gone?

The answer, of course, will always vary from fan to fan, both for book series and for stories beyond the printed page. (Plenty of Trekkies will swear that Star Trek actually got better after the passing of original series creator Gene Roddenberry.) Whether it's a good idea to continue the story beyond what the original creator created is a question fans will debate back and forth forever ... or as long as publishers and production studios keep bringing in newcomers to keep the old stories going.

As for me, I tend to be mistrustful of books that have been finished up or continued on by someone other than the original creator. It's more than outlines and plot points that make up my favorite reads -- it's the life and personalities the author breathes into the characters, and the themes each author touches on, and the style of the writing itself. Those are things I don't think can easily be recreated, no matter how much a newcomer-writer may love the original author's work.

Still, all the same -- I may give Micro a try. I'm intrigued enough by the premise to give a whirl. But then again, that particular book isn't so close to my heart. If Richard Preston ever writes another Jurassic Park book, I'm afraid I'll definitely be out.

-- Post by Ms. B

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-08T18:10:00.000-05:00

December is a month jam-packed with holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all well-known celebrations at this time of year, celebrated by families the country and world over.

But December is chock-full of other, lesser-known holidays, anniversaries, and celebrations. From Festivus to Bacon Day, here's a look at some of the other special days in December that you've never heard of before:

December: Bingo's Birthday Month
The game of Bingo was created into its modern form by Edwin S. Lowe in 1929. (An older form of the game dates back several centuries.) Lowe, a toymaker, would also develop Yahtzee.

December 3: Anniversary of the First Heart Transplant
Dr. Christiaan Barnard, a South African surgeon, performed the world's first successful heart transplant at Cape Town in 1967.

December 5: Krampuslauf (or Krampus Day)
An Austrian holiday celebrated as being the day before St. Nicholas's Day. In Austrian folklore, the Krampus is a devilish companion of St. Nicholas's who is out to scare bad children. Kids are encouraged to throw snowballs at the Krampus (played by someone, usually a young man, in a Krampus costume).

December 10: Melvil Dewey's Birthday
Born in 1851, Dewey was an American librarian. He was also the inventor of the Dewey Decimal System, which many libraries (including our own) still use to sort and organize their non-fiction book collection.

December 11: The United Nations' International Mountain Day
Mountains cover a quarter of the Earth's total land surface, and are home to 12% of the world's population. The UN General Assembly uses this declared holiday to help raise awareness of the importance of mountains and mountain communities, to highlight the opportunities and considerations to be taken for mountain development, and to build partnerships for positive change to the world's mountain and highland regions.

December 12: Bonza Bottler Day
Elaine Fremont invented Bonza Bottler Days in 1985 to ensure that every month had at least one holiday. How do you know when it's this month's Bonza Bottler Day? Easy -- it's the date of the month that has the same number as the month itself. (January 1, February 2, March 3 ...) "Bonza" means "super" or "fantastic" to Australians.

December 15: Cat Herders Day
If you can say that your job -- or your life! -- is like trying to herd cats, than this is the day to celebrate! (Er ... or not.) Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy, this is one of the many humorous holidays they've invented (and popularized) to celebrate the "unsung" joys (or at least humor) of everyday life.

December 17-23: Saturnalia
Perhaps the earliest December holiday? The Ancient Romans used this week-long festival to honor Saturnus, the god of agriculture. It was a time of celebration after the work of seasonal harvesting and wine-making. (Like a few other December holidays, gifts were even exchanged.)

December 21: Yalda
Celebrated on the longest night of the year (at least in the North Hemisphere), this Iranian holiday has an Indo-Iranian origin. Light and Goodness are said to spend this long night struggling against Darkness and Evil. People are encouraged to stay up all night -- telling stories, eating special food, and waiting to see the sun appear triumphant with the dawn.

December 23: "Festivus"
"A Festivus for the rest of us!" This humorous holiday was invented for an episode of Seinfeld and is meant to be celebrated by anyone who wants to enjoy the holiday season without getting bogged down in all the holiday pressure and commercialism. Charlie Brown might approve.

December 23: Humanlight Celebration
Started by the New Jersey Humanist Network in 2001, this holiday is meant to celebrate humanist values: tolerance, compassion, empathy, honesty, free inquiry, reason, rationality, and more.

December 26: Junkanoo
Celebrated with, among other things, a street parade, this day of sound and spectacle may put you in mind of Mardi Gras. Celebrators wear colorful costumes and play instruments (often homemade) in many towns across the Bahamas. (The largest parade generally takes place in the capital city of Nassau.)

December 30: Bacon Day
A particularly specific gift-giving occasion! Created in 1998, it's been celebrated in many cities the county over. Celebrate with a party and serve ham, pork rinds -- or even facon.

Happy Holidays!

-- Post by Ms. B

St. Nicholas (or is he Santa Claus?)

2011-12-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

I love Santa Claus and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Over the years, I've been slowly collecting Santa Clauses of all types and sizes which always go on display at my house for Christmas. My collection includes Santas from many different nationalities and I'm intent on getting more!

But until I met my husband in 1998 I was not that aware that not every one who celebrates Christmas believes that Santa Claus brings their presents. In Germany, where my husband is from, the Christ Child brings presents for all of the good boys and girls on Christmas Eve.

So where does St. Nicholas fit into this?

St. Nicholas of Myra was born in 3rd century Turkey to wealthy parents, but was orphaned at a young age. He was a devout Christian who become Bishop of Myra. Tales of his benevolence and goodness, especially when it concerned children, spread throughout the area. The date of his death, December 6th, is now celebrated through out the world by the giving of gifts, following his example of generosity.

To find about more about the life of Saint Nicholas and how his life and the story of Santa Claus are related check out these titles:

Nicholas: The Epic Journey From Saint to Santa Claus by Jeremy Seal

Saint Nicholas: Life and Legend by Martin Ebon

The True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas by William J. Bennett

Who is Santa Claus?: The True Story Behind a Living Legend by Robin Crichton

Santa Claus, Last of The Wild Men: Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years by Phyllis Siefker

And some books for the kids:

The Real Santa Claus by Marianna Mayer

The Gift From Saint Nicholas by Dorothea Lachner

The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale retold by Aaron Shepard

And for even more information be sure to check out these sites:

The Saint Nicholas Center

Nicholas of Myra: The Story of Saint Nicholas (this is the official site for a film now in production)

-- Post by Tracy

DragonLady

2011-12-01T17:48:00.000-05:00

Before Christopher Paolini and Eragon, there was Anne McCaffrey and the dragonriders of Pern.

In 1967, Analog magazine published the novella Weyr Search. The novella would eventually serve as the basis for McCaffrey's first Pern book, Dragonflight -- kicking off a series that includes over 20 novels and two short story collections. Weyr Search tells the story of Lessa, a young woman living on the colonized planet of Pern, who is picked by the dragonriders to be a Candidate for the new queen dragon. If she's chosen (by the dragon, not the riders) to actually become a rider herself, she'll become the most powerful person on the planet, telepathically bonded to a queen dragon who is virtually unstoppable. And yet, it's a dangerous time to be the only queen rider on Pern, because something is returning to the skies ... something that only the dragonriders can stop ...

McCaffrey said that she came up with the idea for the Pern series by asking herself, "What if dragons were the good guys?" Before McCaffrey, the dragons in most fantasy and sci-fi series followed the model of J.R.R. Tolkien's Smaug, the dragon (and evil antagonist) of The Hobbit. McCaffrey was one of the first modern authors to imagine a world where dragons were the heroes instead of the villains. But it wasn't just dragons that benefited from the "good press" they received in McCaffrey's science fiction tales.

Weyr Search would give Anne McCaffrey the distinction of being the first woman to win either a Hugo or Nebula award (which are awards given to authors of science fiction and fantasy). She'd win both, in 1968, for the novella. (Author Kate Wilhelm also won a Nebula that year for her short story The Planners.) But in addition to presenting dragons in a positive light, McCaffrey also brought another rarity of the time to her sci-fi stories: strong female characters.

With characters like Ripley from the Alien films, Sarah Connor from Terminator, and Dana Scully from The X-Files, it's easy to forget that engaging, well-developed female characters are still a relatively new phenomenon in the fictional worlds of sci-fi. And in the late 60s, such characters appeared far less frequently. But in her stories of Pern, as well as in books like The Ship Who Sang and Crystal Singer, McCaffrey presented female characters that were strong, capable, flawed, changing, and -- above all -- human. Rightly known for her inventive story devices (read more about the "brainships" in The Ship Who Sang) and skill at worldbuilding (her world of crystal singing being almost as engaging as Pern), she's also beloved as a writer for her characters. In a time when few were writing about female characters as anything but shallow stereotypes, McCaffrey tried to write her female characters as real people -- and she succeeded.

When I was in high school, I was a big McCaffrey fan, and a huge Pern nut. Looking back on it now, it's not hard to see why McCaffrey's dragon stories appealed so much to me (and to millions of other fans; McCaffrey's books routinely topped the best-seller lists). Who wouldn't want a super-intelligent dragon as their best friend? There's always an element of cool escapism to sci-fi and fantasy, and just as readers of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series might imagine the fun of being a wizard, McCaffrey's intricately-detailed sci-fi worlds offer a similar window of imagination.

And yet, like all great sci-fi and fantasy, McCaffrey's stories go beyond mere escapism. Take away the unicorns and dragons, and you're left with intently human stories about characters who are struggling to overcome obstacles and help each other. McCaffrey's worlds are about escapism, but her characters inspire her readers. To young female readers in particular, the Pern books provide characters to both relate to and admire, in a field where such characters were once severely lacking.

McCaffrey passed away last week at the age of 85, but Pern will continue on, both in the novels she wrote and in the Pern stories still being written by her son Todd McCaffrey. And her fans -- myself included -- will remain grateful for the wonderful worlds she took us to.

-- Post by Ms. B

Don't Know Much About History

2011-11-22T17:53:00.000-05:00

American History

In time for Thanksgiving, here's a few of our favorite -- and somewhat unusual -- books about the history of our country ...

Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States by Dave Barry.

"In the words of a very wise dead person, 'A nation that does not know its history is doomed to do poorly on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.'" So says Dave Barry, with the sort of wry wit that has made him a beloved humor writer for close to thirty years. While not nearly as historically accurate as another of his history-heavy books, Dave Barry Slept Here is an always-amusing journey through the history of our country ... or, at least, through the typical American history textbook.

The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell.

Speaking of humor, it doesn't get much more humorous than Sarah Vowell, a journalist who manages to write researched, accurate books about history while also keeping her sense of humor firmly intact. The Wordy Shipmates is one of my favorite Vowell reads, exploring as she does the Puritan roots of our nation by discussing the little-known rift between the Plymouth Puritans and the Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans.

The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805 by Richard Zacks.

The promise of a pirate story might be enough to pique your interest. But Zack's book is also a little-known chapter from Thomas Jefferson's history: implementing America's first covert operation. The plan was to replace the Bashaw of Tripoli with the ruler's brother, in the hopes that the new Bashaw would be more sympathetic to our new nation. Jefferson would send disgraced diplomat William Eaton -- with eight Marines (and a few hundred mercenaries) -- to achieve the objective. The mission was impossible -- but the results, quite surprising.

Poisons of the Past: Molds, Epidemics, and History by Mary Kilbourne Matossian.

This one might be the most unusual of the lot, particularly for a listing of American history reads. And, indeed, the chapters in this book do not deal solely with American history. But there is a section in which Matossian makes an intriguing case for a scientific explanation for the Salem Witch Trials: mold. Ergot is a type of fungi that can grown on rye -- and, if ingested, can cause ergotism in humans. Symptoms of ergotism can include temporary blindness, burning sensations, visions, and suffering from "fits" -- all of which fit the pattern of those claiming to be under the thrall of witchcraft. Mastossian makes an intriguing and surprising case for one of the darker moments in our nation's early history.

John Adams by David McCullough.

Perhaps the most comprehensive biography on one of our most unusual Founding Fathers (and later president). There's also a miniseries starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.

-- Post by Ms. B

Give Thanks

2011-11-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

It's easy to overlook Thanksgiving, nestled as it is between Halloween and the winter holidays. Most shops swap out the Halloween decorations for the Santas and snowmen without using the time in between to spread a bit of Thanksgiving cheer.

But as far as I'm concerned, Thanksgiving has always been worth a little attention. While not as flashy as the holidays that bookend it, the fourth Thursday in November has always been a time for family to me. And, let's be honest, a time for food. Lots and lots of food. (In particular, pie. My mother makes a mean pumpkin pie.)

As we prepare to give thanks for our family, friends -- and food, food, food -- check out some of these films to get you in the Thanksgiving mood. The mad dash of December will come soon enough (even sooner than usual this year), so take a moment to relax and enjoy a few of these Thanksgiving treats.

And have a happy holiday.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

While the Peanuts' Christmas special gets more of the attention, this Thanksgiving special is a classic in its own right. There's food, family, friends -- and, of course, football.

Holiday Reunion

All Mitch Snider wants is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with his entire family in attendance. Unfortunately, his long-lost (and completely nutty) relatives turn to be more than anybody bargained for.

Hannah and Her Sisters

A must-watch Thanksgiving movie for any Woody Allen fan.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

Based on the short story by Louisa May Alcott.

Squanto: A Warrior's Tale

A film about the Native American man credited with bringing about the first Thanksgiving.

Home for the Holidays

Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Jr., and Anne Bancroft star in a tale of grown children returning home to answer the age-old question: can you ever truly go home again?

Pieces of April

Opinions clash in this politically-minded family as they try to find some common ground during the holiday. Starring Katie Holmes.

American Son

A powerful film about a young man home on Thanksgiving holiday leave from the Marines -- before shipping off to serve in Iraq.

Dutch

Dutch Dooley offers to give his girlfriend's son a ride cross-country as they both travel home for Thanksgiving, figuring it's a chance to get to know the kid better. Easier said than done.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Steve Martin and John Candy star in this classic comedy about a man who just wants to get home in time for Thanksgiving dinner -- and the guy who won't stop getting in his way.

The House of Yes

Parker Posey and Freddie Prinze, Jr. star in this raunchy Thanksgiving comedy.

Son-in-Law

A too-cool college student spends the Thanksgiving holiday at a classmate's family farm. A fish-out-of-water comedy.

Nobody's Fool

A gruff grandfather gets a chance to bring his son and grandson back into his life during the Thanksgiving season. Starring Paul Newman.

Garfield's Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not the ideal time for anybody to go on a diet ... particularly not Garfield!

Miracle On 34th Street

Though traditionally a Christmas film, the action kicks off in the aftermath of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

-- Post by Ms. B

Dead & Loving It

2011-11-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

This Friday marks the release of what is sure to be one of the most popular movies of the year: the fourth installment in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn: Part 1. Taking a cue from the blockbuster Harry Potter series, the final novel in the Twilight series has been broken into two feature-length films, with Part 2 due out next year.

A young adult series that's become popular with readers of all ages, most know that the Twilight series tells the story of an ordinary high school girl who falls in love with a not-so-ordinary classmate -- a classmate who just so happens to be a vampire. There's also a pack of local werewolves, a band of evil vampires out for revenge, and even a scene or two of vampire baseball (see the first installment for more about that). But while Meyer's vampiric series is renowned in its own right for its devoted fanbase, it's also ushered in a fresh wave of vampire fiction, on the printed page as well as the screen. From Sookie Stackhouse's Bill and Eric (in the decidedly for-adults HBO series True Blood) to Mitchell, the vampire hero of the British television program Being Human, vampires are all the rage.

Edward Cullen -- the dark, handsome, and brooding vampiric hero of Meyer's Twilight series -- is on his way to becoming one of the iconic vampire characters of fiction. It makes him the latest in a long line of iconic vampire (or vampire-hunting) characters who have made their own (bite)marks on the genre of paranormal fantasy fiction for several centuries.

But before you buy your tickets for Friday's premiere, let's take a look at some of the characters Edward shares the spotlight with:

Buffy Summers: The character was the star of a somewhat ill-conceived movie before returning in proper form (and with a new actress) in her own television series (and, now, a comic book). Subverting the trope of the helpless high school cheerleader who gets eaten by the monster before the first commercial, Buffy is the Slayer -- the Chosen One of her generation whose destiny it is to stop vampires (and all other manner of supernatural creatures) throughout her seven onscreen seasons. Aided by her friends and her Watcher (the latter being one of the coolest librarians in fiction), Buffy kicks vampire butt to keep her new hometown of Sunnydale safe.

Lestat de Lioncourt: The vampiric main character of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, Lestat first appears in the novel Interview With the Vampire (he'd later be portrayed by Tom Cruise in the film version). Born in the eighteenth century, known for his charism and defiance, Lestat is the quintessential vampire anti-hero -- making him popular with readers and movie-goers the world over.

Barnabas Collins: The late-60s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows did not start off as a supernatural show; ghosts and other paranormal elements were not introduced until the series had already been running for six months. The character of Barnabas Collins was brought in by producers as a last-ditch attempt to save the show from flagging ratings, and he proved to be the breakout character the series needed to stay alive. Posing as a long-lost relative from England, the 200-year-old vampire moves into the Collinwood estate -- though he slowly transforms from a threat to the Collins family into their protector. (Look for the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows film coming out next year.

Dave of The Lost Boys: With a title referencing the "lost children" of J.M. Barrie's stories of Neverland, The Lost Boys features a teenage vampire gang, led by Kiefer Sutherland's character Dave. Intended to be a vampire version of The Goonies, the film was credited for its successful blend of horror and comedy ... with classic results.

Dracula: Arguably the character that started the modern vampire craze, Bram Stoker's title character first appeared in a 1897 novel. Partially inspired by Vlad the Impaler, Dracula has not only become a staple of popular culture (appearing in books, films, TV shows, stage, comics, and countless other incarnations), but has defined our standard idea of a vampire -- with bats, wooden stakes, garlic, and sunlight all a part of his vampiric mythology. Although he's been portrayed by more actors than any other character in the history of horror fiction, Bela Lugosi's version of the character from the 1931 film remains a recognized classic.

-- Post by Ms. B

Time And Relative Dimensions

2011-11-11T16:42:00.000-05:00

On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, and the world was changed forever. What if you could change it back? Stephen King’s newest novel, entitled 11/22/63, tells the story of Jake Epping, a thirty-five-year-old high school English teacher who is presented with the opportunity to alter history. Jake's friend Al, who runs the local diner, shares with Jake a secret: Al's restaurant contains a portal to the year 1958. So begins Jake's trip back in time -- to the world of Elvis, sock hops, big American cars ... and JFK. It's the world of troubled loner Lee Harvey Oswald, and of high school librarian Sadie Dunhill -- both of whom will have an impact on Jake's life in a way that transgresses all the ordinary rules of time.

King's novel is being touted as a fascinating look into America in the 50s and 60s, as well as being a thrilling page-turner with a great premise and fully-realized characters. It's also King's first real foray into that sub-genre of science fiction known as time travel, which got me thinking about time travel stories in general.

Since H.G. Wells arguably invented the genre with his classic story The Time Machine (see below for a link), time travel stories have flourished on the printed page as well as in movie theaters and on television screens. So while you're waiting for your reserved library copy of 11/22/63, check out these other great stories about traveling through time:

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis.

Here's a novel about someone presented with the chance not to alter the course of history -- but rather to study it. Kivrin will be traveling to the fourteenth century to observe one of the deadliest eras in human history: the Black Death sweeping through Europe. While on the surface, the assignment seems easy -- she'll just receive her modern-day inoculations and be on her way -- things get complicated when a crisis leaves her stranded in the past. While her instructors try desperately to get her back, Kivrin is left to struggle her way through one of the most harrowing periods of the Middle Ages. A different sort of time travel story, this novel places less emphasis on flashy technology and action sequences, and more on the unfolding of character growth and development.

Night Watch: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett.

Pratchett's infamous Discworld series has been renowned for years for its sharp humor and witty satire of the typical fantasy tropes. But as the series has continued its grown into a fine (and funny) fully developed story of its own, with fully-developed characters and fresh ideas of Pratchett's own. This particular installment in the series stars the put-upon leader of the Watch, Sam Vimes, as he's dragged back in time to serve as a mentor ... to his younger self. And it's up to the two Vimes to deal with a revolution -- which, for the elder Vimes, has already happened.

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus by Orson Scott Card.

Most famous for his young adult sci-fi series about Ender Wiggin and his fellow classmates from Battle School, Card has also written a number of other science fiction and fantasy titles. This book, the first in a planned series, follows a group of future scientists sent back in time to observe Colombus's westward exploration. They find out more than they bargained for when they discover that Columbus is acting under the orders of another group of scientists -- these from an alternate future -- who were sent back to try and prevent their own terrible timeline from coming to pass. The scientists from our own timeline send back three agents to various turning points in history, trying to find an outcome for history that won't result in the genocide of the Native American people -- but the agents will never know if they succeed. Sound confusing? It is, but Card pulls off the the twisting, turning plot-tangle with aplomb.

Yesterday's Enterprise - from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Trials and Tribble-ations - from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

The various Star Trek series -- there are five in total -- are full of episodes about time travel and alternate timelines. Here are two of the most famous: in Yesterday's Enterprise, the crew of the starship Enterprise suddenly find themselves in an alternate timeline where dead crewmates haven't died, the Federation is at war with the Klingons -- and only one person on board knows anything has changed. And in Trials and Tribble-ations, the DS9 crew travels into the past to the time of Captain James T. Kirk, in an episode with such plot twists (and with an impressive use of CGI technology used to place DS9 actors onto the bridge of Captain Kirk's Enterprise) that the story would be nominated for a Hugo award.

Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality by Ronald L. Mallett, with Bruce Henderson.

A non-fiction read about time travel? Not as far-fetched as it sounds. Dr. Ronald Mallett, a Pennsylvania native (who is also one of the first African-American theoretical physicists), writes about his discovery of the basic equations that he believes are needed to one day develop a working time machine. Interwoven with his personal journey about his life and family (he first became interested in the concept of time travel after losing his father at the age of ten), this book is both science thesis and memoir -- and truly original.

Time Travel Classics:

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.
Wells's classic novel has been adapted into audiobooks, radio plays, and films.

Doctor Who - the series.
This classic British television series -- about an alien called the Doctor and his time-traveling blue police box -- was recently updated for modern audiences.

Back to the Future - Complete Movie Trilogy.
Join Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in the famous film trilogy about an ordinary high schooler and his mad scientist friend traveling into the past and future as they try to keep their own timeline intact.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain.
A nineteenth-century man is transported back in time to the land of Camelot.

Terminator - film.
A cyborg assassin is sent back in time to kill the mother of future rebel leader John Connor -- before Connor can even be born.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
Though not having quite as much time travel as its three sequels, the first novel in L'Engle's YA, sci-fi, time-traveling quartet is easily the best of the lot.

Peggy Sue Got Married - film.
A fainting spell at her high school reunion send Peggy Sue back in time to her senior year of high school -- and gives her another chance at getting her future "right."

-- Post by Ms. B

"Amazing things do happen, I know, but always to someone else ..."

2011-11-08T18:07:00.002-05:00

Today marks the release of Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. It's the fourth and final novel in Paolini's young adult fantasy series, which began in 2003 with the blockbuster book Eragon.

Even if you're not a fan of fantasy books -- or young adult novels in general, for that matter -- you've probably heard about Paolini, who garnered national attention for being fifteen years old when he started writing the book Eragon. Home-schooled (and finishing his high school courses at age 15), Paolini wrote Eragon and then had the book published by Paolini International, his parents' publishing company. To promote Eragon, he toured dozens of schools and libraries, talking to audiences about writing -- and about his book.

While people were reading Eragon, the book would probably not have seen the popularity that it did had the stepson of author Carl Hiaasen not picked up a copy from a Montana bookstore (where Paolini lives). Hiaasen's stepson read the book and loved it, prompting Hiaasen to bring the book to the attention of a major publishing house, Alfred A. Knopf. Knopf promptly published the book the following year, and Eragon would go on to become a national best seller, bringing on three more books (Eldest and Brisingr, as well as Inheritance) and even a film adaptation.

Some praise the Inheritance series as an epic tale by an author whose talent belies his years. Others say the series relies too heavily on plot points seemingly derived from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. But regardless of opinion, there's no denying the accomplishment of a best-selling teenage author -- though, surprisingly enough, Paolini was hardly the first.

The Young Visiters: or, Mr. Salteena's Plan by Daisy Ashford.

That misspelled title is not a typo. It is, instead, the work of Ashford, who wrote her amusing classic about life for the upper crust in nineteenth century England ... when she was just nine years old. The book was originally published with a forward by J.M. Barrie, and was enjoyed as such a satiric work of wit that many accused Barrie of having written it himself. Daisy Ashford was a real person, however, and she really did write this novella on her own -- along with several other works, before retiring from writing in her teens.

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Atwater-Rhodes was only fourteen when she published her first novel, and as since gone on to publish a book every year. She was writing about teens and vampires five years before the first Twilight book was released, and is known for her independent main characters and the strong fantasy elements in her novels.

Gordon Korman

I've been a fan of Korman -- and of Jeremy Bloom, Korman's middle-school poet character -- for years. What I didn't know is that Korman completed his first book at the age of 12, as part of an English assignment, and was published when he was 15. I wonder now if Ms. Terranova, the put-upon English teacher of The D- Poems of Jeremy Bloom, might not be based on the real-life teacher who apparently helped inspire Korman to become an author.

Zlata's Diary, by Zlata Filipovic.

Everyone knows Anne Frank, a teenage girl who kept a diary of her experiences in Amsterdam during the Holocaust, hiding with her family from the Nazi occupation. While Zlata Filipovic's story has a far happier ending than that of Anne Frank's, Filipovic has been called "the Anne Frank of Sarajevo," as she used her diary to record her experiences living in wartorn Sarajevo. Her diary is a fascinating, heartbreaking look into the life of an average teenager trying to live as normal a life as she can in a world torn apart by war.

Don't Get Perconel With a Chicken by H. Allen Smith.

Not all young writers' work ends up on the best-seller list. Still, you should check out this hilarious collection of poems, short stories, letters, and vignettes, all written by kids and teens. (Be sure to check out the limerick summing up the entire myth and legend of King Arthur.)

-- Post by Ms. B

All About Atwood

2011-11-03T10:31:00.002-04:00

My favorite author is Jane Austen. My favorite living author, however, is Margaret Atwood. While on the surface that might appear odd, but I think they have more in common than you would think. Plus I like to read a variety of things.

To me Jane Austen was a great observer of human nature. She had a keen eye for the everyday foibles of the average person. Margaret Atwood is also a keen observer of human nature in all its frailties. The big difference is that Jane Austen's protagonists almost always have a happily-ever-after ending; Margaret Atwood's characters are not always so lucky.

I first read one of her novels over 15 years ago and have been hooked ever since. She is an incredibly prolific writer having published over 50 books which include novels, poetry, non-fiction, short fiction and children's books over more than 40 years. She has been short-listed for the Man Booker Prize on numerous occasions and won it in for The Blind Assassin in 2000, which just happens to be my favorite Atwood book.

If you are interested in reading any of her novels, you might want to check one or more of these:

The Handmaid's Tale (1986)

I first read this about 10 years after it was published and really had no idea what I was getting into! This was one of those moments of serendipity while browsing at my local library at the time. To this day I'm not sure what drew me to this title or how I stumbled upon. Maybe I had heard something about it at some point and it stuck in my head. No matter what lead me to it, it turned out to be unlike anything I had ever read before. The story is set in the near future of Gilead (the fomer U.S.) after a monotheatic government has taken over and forced women into becoming "breeders". Women no longer have their own name, they take the name of their husband. The main character is Offred ("Of Fred"). She tells us how this new Republic came to be and the life she had before which included a husband and child. This is a powerful statement by Atwood regarding the Moral Majority of the 1980s and the backlash against feminists of that time period.

This was also made into a major motion picture in 1990 starring Natasha Richardson and Aidan Quinn.

Alias Grace (1996)

This was the 2nd Margaret Atwood book I read, which was about 5 years after the first. I found this while living in Germany (where the English language section at the Essen Public Library saved me!). This is a rare attempt by Atwood into historical fiction. It is also another examination of the status of women by Ms. Atwood. The story is based on the 1843 murder of Canadian Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper and lover, Nancy Montgomery. Grace Marks, 16, who worked for Mr. Kinnear, was convicted of the crimes. Her death sentence was commuted to life in prison. Ms. Marks claims to have no memory of the murders. Ms. Atwood explores the relationship that develops between Grace and an American "mind doctor", Simon Jordan, who is intent on clearing Grace's name. We learn of Grace's life through her talks with Dr. Jordan, but we never know what exactly to believe from Grace. She seems to only tell Dr. Jordan what she wants him to know. Did she or didn't she do it? You'll have to read it for yourself to find out!

The Blind Assassin (2000)

As much as I loved the first 2 Atwood books I read, they lost their place as soon as I finished reading The Blind Assassin. In my humble opinion, I think it is Ms. Atwood's finest work of fiction, if not one of the best novels I have ever read. She is once again exploring the history of Canada, but this time it is entirely fictional. The Blind Assassin is also a book within a book and it's very important to not skip that "other" book because by the end it's hard to know where the one story ends and the other begins. The book opens with the death of Toronto socialite Laura Chase in 1945. How this relates to her sister Iris, Iris' husband, a young man named Alex Thomas and science fiction book written by Laura is the roller coaster ride you will be on if you read The Blind Assassin.

Oryx And Crake (2003) and The Year of the Flood (2009)

I'm going to address these together because, although The Year of the Flood is not a sequel to Oryx and Crake, they are intertwined in so many ways. In these two books, Atwood returns to the dystopian subject she loves so well, this time involving the near destruction of the environment. The environment is very important to Ms. Atwood and it shows in these stories. From a young age she was exposed to the wilderness of her native Quebec. These family trips obviously left a lasting impression on her.

Oryx and Crake is a dark look into what could be our future on this planet. The main character, Jimmy, recalls the life he knew before the ecological disaster that befell Earth. While he struggles to survive amongst genetically altered "humans", he remembers his friends Crake and Oryx. Crake (a.k.a Glenn) was a childhood friend and Oryx was a young, Asian girl sold to a sex-seller. Life before the disaster was not a pretty one and it's a future that Atwood posits could be ours if we don't come to our senses.

In The Year of the Flood, we are introduced to another side of Jimmy's story. This time we see the destruction of the ecological plague through the eyes of Toby and Ren. They are both members of a Christian environmental group called God's Gardeners. After the waterless flood hits, they both struggle to survive. Their story, especially Ren's, is intertwined with Jimmy's. By the end, Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood will intersect. This is continues the same theme as the previous novel - the near ecological destruction of the our world at the hands of powerful corporations.

If you've already read The Year of The Flood or after you do read it, you might want to check out an interesting DVD called In The Wake of The Flood. Filmmaker Ronn Mann follows Margaret Atwood on her tour of Great Britain and North America as she promotes her book by staging theatrical versions of the book, instead of a traditional book tour with readings and autographs. The DVD includes one of these productions.

-- Post by Tracy

Friends of the Library Book Sale @ MPL

2011-11-01T17:38:00.001-04:00

Book Sale Dates:
Thursday, November 3 ~ 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 4 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6 ~ 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"This is the 12th Annual Library Book Sale," says Barbara Martinelli, Vice President of Monroeville Public Library's Friends of the Library. "And the quality of donations is really wonderful this year!"

The Friends of Monroeville Public Library are holding their Annual Used Book Sale from November 3 through November 6. Items for sale will include books, DVDs, CDs, games, craft and cooking magazines, children's books and games, and plenty more. And the Friends, Barbara included, have already been hard at work preparing for the sale since the summer.

"Once a week, we'd sort through the donations [to the library] and box them up by genre," Barbara says. "The week before the sale, we open the boxes and start setting up the donations."

In fact, the volunteers work from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon for at least six days straight, arranging ... and arranging ... and arranging. It's a lot of hard work, but the volunteers always seem happy to be there (and happy to be helping) -- it is, after all, for a good cause!

"Last year, the Friends raised $10,000 for the Library through our book sales," says Barbara. "We want to reach that goal again this year!"

This year's sale features something special -- a collection of vintage, antique books, donated by an anonymous source. "A Friends volunteer worked hard to price them all," says Barbara, adding that these antique books range in price from $4.00 to several hundred. (See below for pricing on the more recent items.)

While the vintage books will be available for purchase throughout the sale, those who want first crack at these special antiques (as well as the rest of the items up for sale) should consider attending this year's Preview Party, held this Wednesday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. (More details about the Preview Party are also below.)

Having seen the sale set-up firsthand, I can say the amount of books -- and the level of organization for them -- is beyond impressive! "Most patrons love our sale, in part, because it's so well-organized," Barbara tells me. "Items are alphabetized, so it's easy to shop. Come and shop!"

The Preview Party will be held Wednesday, November 2 from 6:30–8:30 pm. There will be a $5 donation per person to enter the Preview Party.

Hardback books are priced at $3.00, large (trade) paperbacks at $2.00. Small mass-market paperback books are $.50. DVDs are $3.00, CDs are $2.00.

Sunday will feature the Bag Sale. Donate $10.00 for a bag the Friends provide and fill the bag with as many items as you can fit!

Proceeds benefit the Monroeville Public Library. Our thanks to the Friends of the Monroeville Public Library for their incredible hard work and dedication!

-- Post by Ms. B

Scary Movies

2011-10-27T14:03:00.000-04:00

With Halloween almost here, it started making me think about all of the scary horror films so many people seem to love. To be honest, I am not a fan of the slasher films. Maybe when Halloween first hit the cinemas back in 1978, it was original -- but now they all just seem like variations on the same theme to me. I much prefer a story that leaves more to my imagination. That's a much scarier place!

So here, in no particular order, are some of the films that I have found frightening.

Psycho (1960)

Norman Bates is a troubled son who believes "a boy's best friend is his mother." Marion Crane is an ill-fated traveler who checks into the eerie Bates Motel wanting only a hot shower and a warm bed. Her journey ends sooner than she planned in the shocking scene that has haunted generations of movie-watchers. The tension and horror mount when a private detective and Marian's sister search for her, and for the true identity of the mysterious Psycho.

Silence of the Lambs (1991)
FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to help find a missing woman and save her from a psychopathic serial killer who skins his victims. Attempting to gain a better insight into the twisted mind of the killer, Clarice is sent to talk to another psychopath -- Hannibal Lecter.

Alien (1979)
"In space, no one can hear you scream."
A mining ship, investigating a suspected SOS, lands on a distant planet. The crew discovers some strange creatures and investigate.

The Omen (1976)
A chilling suspense mystery, this riveting tale of the supernatural explores the Biblical prophecy of the warning which will foretell the coming of Armageddon. The final confrontation between the forces of good and evil will begin with the birth of the son of Satan, in human form.

The Changeling (1980)
Scott stars as Dr. John Russell, a composer living in New York City, who moves cross-country to Washington state following the deaths of his wife and daughter in a traffic accident while on a winter vacation in upstate New York. In suburban Seattle, Russell rents a large, old, and eerie Victorian-era mansion and begins piecing his life back together. However, Dr. Russell soon discovers that he has unexpected company in his new home — the ghost of a murdered child. It shatters windows, abruptly opens and shuts doors, and manifests itself during a séance. Russell investigates and finds that the mystery is linked to a powerful local family, the heir of which is a wealthy United States senator.

The Sixth Sense (1999)
"I see dead people." The film tells the story of Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a troubled, isolated boy who is able to see and talk to the dead, and an equally troubled child psychologist (Bruce Willis) who tries to help him.

-- Post by Tracy

About the Classics

2011-10-25T18:14:00.002-04:00

This weekend saw the release of the movie The Three Musketeers -- the latest offering in over twenty film adaptations of the classic Dumas tale. Since the early days of motion pictures, Dumas's classic stories of the adventures of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan have graced the silver screen in a variety of interpretations and incarnations.

The interpretations are as varied as the filmmakers behind them. There's the silent Douglas Fairbanks version, the classic two-parter with Oliver Reed and Raquel Welch, the fluffy but fun modernized Disney take. (This newest version does appear to be the first adaptation in 3-D. To be fair.)

Dumas joins a cadre of fellow authors -- like Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and William Shakespeare -- whose classic works are often adapted for the big (and small) screen. But for every version of A Christmas Carol or Sherlock Holmes that appears -- as adaptations become farther and farther removed from their source material -- it's interesting to go back and look at the original stories ... and their authors.

Read on for a handful of little-known facts about the authors behind some of the biggest-known stories in history (with a particular look at Mr. Dumas himself):

-- Alexandre Dumas suffered from insomnia.

-- It's important to have a hobby: Charles Dickens was interested in hypnotism and conjuring. Lewis Carroll was an amateur photographer; Jane Austen did embroidery.

-- Number of books Dumas wrote in his lifetime: 272.

-- Master of Mystery Agatha Christie went missing for several days in December 1926, shortly after discovering her husband was having an affair. She was found at a health resort in Yorkshire ten days later. (There have been rumors of suicide attempts and amnesia, although the time-travelling science fiction show Doctor Who has the most unique explanation for her disappearance.)

-- Meanwhile, the Master of the Macabre -- Edgar Allan Poe -- is reported to have never started to write until he had completely mapped out his story, setting, and characters. He is also said to have paced back and forth across the room to get revved up before beginning to work.

-- Dumas wasn't just an author; during the 1830 French revolution, he operated as a secret agent, helping to place the Duc d'Orleans on the French throne.

-- It is rumored that Victor Hugo considered calling The Hunchback of Notre Dame "What there is in a bottle of ink" because he penned the last line of the novel with the last drop of ink in the bottle.

-- Dickens doubled as an actor. He is said to have gotten so excited performing his own work onstage that he'd sometimes pass out from overexcitement.

-- There are actually two authors by the name of Alexandre Dumas: Alexandre Dumas pere (father) and Alexandre Dumas fils (son). (The father was the one of Musketeer and Monte Cristo fame.)

-- Hugo wrote his first play when he was only 14.

-- Dumas was once asked to donate 25 francs towards the funeral expenses of a recently deceased bailiff. Not a fan of the office, Dumas apparently tossed over 50 francs and snapped, "There you are -- bury two of them!"

-- H.G. Wells always carried two pens with him, one large and one small. He claimed the big one was for the long words and the little one was for the small ones.

-- William Shakespeare had eleven different ways of spelling his name.

-- Dumas's supposed last words, referring to his unfinished book: "I shall never know how it all comes out now."

-- Post by Ms. B

Have I read this before?

2011-10-13T09:53:00.001-04:00

If you read a lot of books, you have probably asked yourself this question many times as you stand in the library or the bookstore browsing for a new read: "Have I read this before?" Luckily, I'm usually able to figure out if I've read something before or not. But for some people, like my Mom, they can be halfway through a book before realizing that they have read it already. Thankfully, there are many ways to keep track of what you have read and what you would like to read.

The first way is a good old-fashioned written list. This can be as simple as writing down titles on a scrap of paper or buying a Book Journal. Some people will even try keeping a list on their computer using a spreadsheet. While this is a good option, there is always the problem that you could lose your file if your computer crashes.

The other option is keeping track of your books at an online "catalog" service. The big three are LibraryThing, Shelfari and Goodreads. These are a bit more safe because your titles are being saved somewhere other than your personal computer.

LibraryThing

This site was created in 2005 as "an online service to help people catalog their books easily." A free account with LibraryThing lets you catalog up to 200 books. If you have more books than that, a personal account with no limit costs $10 a year or $25 for a lifetime. This site is most appropriate for readers who are most interested in keeping track of their personal library collection, more than just tracking what they have read. LT allows you to use Library of Congress or Dewey subject headings, or you can create your own tags. There is a social aspect to LT, but it is not the main function of this web site.

Shelfari

Shelfari began in October 2006 and is has been owned by Amazon since 2008. This is a social networking site for book lovers. Here you can create a virtual bookshelf of your books. Then you can rate, review, and tag your books. If you are so inclined, you can share this information with your friends. You invite friends and find friends in much the same way as you would on Facebook. In fact, if you have a Facebook account, you can allow Shelfari to access it and share your Shelfairi comments with your Facebook friends. There are also thousands of groups on Shelfari that are generally open to anyone to join.

Goodreads

Started in December 2006, it is the newest of the three sites, but equally as popular. The creators of Goodreads envisioned it as a place to not only keep track of what you've read, but also as a place for book recommendations from your friends. Like Shelfairi, Goodreads is a very social site, with virtual bookgroups available to join (or you can create your own). GoodReads also has sections for trivia, quizzes, and favorite novel and author quotes -- which are a lot of fun and very addictive, so be careful!

Overall, the three sites are quite similar, in that they give you a place to keep track of your reading. The biggest difference is that LibraryThing is restricted to only 250 books for free, while Shelfari and GoodReads are not. After that, which one you choose to use is based on personal taste.

And while they all provide a form of book recommendation, don't forget about your friendly librarians here at Monroeville Public Library. We are here to help you find your next book, DVD, or CD -- in person, by phone, or via email.

-- Post by Tracy

iPixar

2011-10-11T16:39:00.001-04:00

The online world was shocked and saddened last week with the news that Steve Jobs -- the cofounder of the computer company Apple Inc. -- had passed away. Famous for his work with Apple computers, Job is credited as one of our great modern inventors and entrepreneurs, having been listed as either the primary inventor or co-inventor in over 300 US patents and patent applications.

If you've heard the name "Steve Jobs" before last week, changes are good that you knew him as "the Mac guy." What's not so well-known is that Apple Inc. is not the only company that Steve Jobs had a close connection to. There was NeXT Computer, an American computer company that never received the attention or recognition that Apple did, but which was notable for manufacturing powerful computer workstations for places of business and higher education. And then there's Pixar.

Yes, as in Pixar Animation Studios. Known now as the Disney-partnering company that has produced such animated films as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and WALL-E, Pixar started off as a division of the company Lucasfilm, Ltd. -- the George Lucas company behind such movies as the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series. Jobs purchased the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm from the company for $10 million, establishing it afresh under the new name "Pixar." About 44 people were employed by Pixar at the time, and in 1986 the company released its first animated short: Luxo Jr., starring the now-famous Pixar lamp. The short would go on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film.

Interestingly enough, Jobs's original intention was not for Pixar to solely produce animated films (in the early 90s, Pixar Animation consisted of dozens of computer-animated commercials for various companies). Jobs actually envisioned Pixar as a high-end computer hardware company that would sell its Pixar Image Computer to agencies and corporations. One of those corporations would, however, be Disney studios, who in 1990 commissioned Pixar to animate three computer-generated films. The first of those would of course be "Toy Story," the first-ever film animated exclusively with CGI, or Computer-Generated Imagery. (Next time you pop "Toy Story" into the DVD player, watch the credits closely: Steve Jobs is listed as one of the film's executive producers.) The film would go on to gross over $360 million worldwide, ushering in an era of Pixar/Disney-partnered productions: A Bug's Life; Toy Story 2 (the first film in history to be entirely created, mastered, and exhibited digitally); Monsters, Inc.; Finding Nemo; and The Incredibles. To put it mildly, the films were a critical and commercial successes, smashing box office and DVD sales records while sweeping the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Annie awards.

In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar through an all-stock transaction of $7.4 billion -- a transaction that left Steve Jobs as the single largest shareholder of Disney stock. Under the Disney umbrella, Pixar would go on to create such films as Ratatouille, Up, and Toy Story 3, and continues to be one of the biggest animation studios -- both in terms of critical acclaim and box office success -- in the world.

A major Pixar fan myself, I can still remember sitting in the movie theater to see "Toy Story," the first-ever computer animated feature film. Nowadays, of course, CGI is the norm for animated films -- but back then, it was unlike anything audiences had ever seen before. The level of detail and realism to the movie's computer-wrought world was breathtaking, ushering in a whole new era of moviemaking and storytelling.

Steve Jobs will rightly be remembered as a master innovator and entrepreneur, without whom the technological world would not look the same. But we can also offer him our thanks for his hand in the creation of the worlds of Pixar. Film would not have been the same without him.

Pixar's Animated Short "Night and Day"

-- Post by Ms. B

Beyond the Horror

2011-10-07T14:47:00.001-04:00

Last week I discussed my all-time favorite author: Stephen King. I mentioned how odd it was, in some respects, for me to be a fan of his -- primarily because I am absolutely not a horror fan. And yet there's something about Stephen King's writing style and thematic story elements that draw me to his writing regardless of that.

But another reason I can enjoy him so much is that he's not, strictly speaking, a "horror writer." Oh, he definitely writes horror -- make no mistake about that -- but many of his books can be classified as thrillers, or mysteries, or science fiction. And even his straight-up horror offerings have more to them just the scares (not that he doesn't write some pretty great scares).

So if you, like me, are not generally a fan of the horror genre, but find yourself wanting to give King a try, here are some alternate-genre reads of his that might be more up your alley.

Duma Key

Edgar Freemantle, owner of a construction company, hasn't sketched a picture in years -- until a construction site accident leaves him with an amputated right arm, memory and speech problems, and a flush of anger issues. Renting a beach home on the west coast of Florida to recover, Edgar takes up his old art hobby once again, only to discover two things: his paintings are better than they've ever been before, and the things he's painting are starting to come true. While many critics commented on the obvious parallels between Edgar's experiences and Stephen King's own near-death experience from several years previous, what I was more impressed by with this novel was the characters. The main characters are interesting and well-developed, and you come to genuinely care about them by the end of the novel.

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" // "The Body"

"Different Seasons" collects four short novels by Stephen King, and two of those -- "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body" -- are among his finest non-horror works ever.

"Rita Heyworth" -- considered to be one of King's all-time masterpieces -- tells the story of two prison inmates: Red, a "lifer" who has just been denied parole; and Andy, one of the more unusual inmates to serve time at Shawshank. What follows is a story that is equal parts hope and redemption; to give away any more of the plot would be a disservice to the story.

//

"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. ... does anyone?"
"The Body" details the summer adventure of four pre-teen boys in 1960s Maine. While the object of their quest -- another boy who went missing and is now presumed dead -- is macabre, the story itself is not. It is, as the saying goes, about the journey, not the destination, and it's more about the stories of these four boys than it is anything else. King captures the voices of four youthful characters with his usual precision -- the kids are buoyant, silly, crude, and above all optimistic, giving a portrayal of childhood that is far from idealistic but still, in its way, fondly remembered.

(Both of these novellas happen to have been made into truly excellent film adaptations: The Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and Stand By Me, starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, and Richard Dreyfuss.)

The Eyes of the Dragon

As I mentioned last week, this was my first Stephen King novel, given to me by my mother when I was in high school. George R.R. Martin meets Grimm fairy tale, it's a high fantasy adventure about two royal brothers -- one of whom is Crown Prince, while the other becomes a witness to a murder of their father and King. Simply and straightforwardly told, it's something most fantasy fans should enjoy -- while also being a pleasant change of pace from the usual Tolkien derivative fare.

The Dead Zone

This one's a science fiction read that doubles as a thriller: if you could see the future, how far would you go to prevent it? Johnny Smith is injured in a car accident and put in a five-year coma; when he awakens, he finds himself with five years of his life gone, his parents stressed to the breaking point, and his former girlfriend now married to someone else. That in itself could have made for an interesting story, but King takes it a step further: the accident has left Johnny with psychic abilities. By touching an object, he has visions about the person that the item belongs to -- including visions of the future. And one vision in particular is cause for alarm, detailing the cataclysmic fate that awaits the world if presidential hopeful Greg Stiltson is elected to office. As sci-fi thrillers go, you can't ask for much better than this. (And yes, this book resulted in both a motion picture adaptation, as well as a six season TV series.)

The Green Mile

King is well-known to his fans for being unafraid to try different formats for his work: Riding the Bullet was originally released exclusively online, Ur is only available to read on the Kindle, and his new short stories are still routinely released in magazines. With "The Green Mile," King tried his hand at the serial novel -- the book being released in six parts that were issued monthly in low-priced paperback format. (The book has since been collected into one large novel.)

Another prison novel, this one differs from "Shawshank Redemption" in its supernatural twist. Told from the perspective of Paul Edgecombe, the block supervisor of the Cold Mountain Penitentiary death row, it details the story of inmate John Coffey, a man on death row for a crime he may or may not have committed. Another story about redemption and innocence, with a decidedly different twist from "Shawshank," this story comes to focus on Coffey and the question of his innocence or guilt -- not to mention his mysterious healing powers. This book, too, has been made into a well-known film, starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland is hiking with her mother and brother when she falls off the trail for a few minutes to get away from her family's bickering. A nightmare follows when a wrong turn finds her lost in the woods with nothing but a backpack of snacks, a Walkman, and her Tom Gordon baseball cap. The plot is simplistic in set-up, but the story it tells -- about courage, determination, family, and the power of faith (in both God and baseball) -- is anything but. I read this book for the first time over a decade ago, and it still remains my favorite King read.

The Dark Tower series

"Go, then -- there are other worlds than these." Stephen King's masterpiece is also his hardest work to describe. Science fiction? High fantasy? Epic? "Epic," at least, is certainly a word to describe this seven-book series that was nearly 20 years in the making, and which also serves to tie together many of the characters, settings, and stories of the rest of King's novels. And yet, it's not a horror series, reading more like a Spaghetti Western tribute crossed with post-apocalyptic fantasy ... and that's just the first book. Whether you like fantasy, science fiction, Westerns, or Epics, there's probably something in this book for you. (There's even a Harry Potter reference for the particularly sharp-eyed!)

-- Post by Ms. B

Ghost Agnostic

2011-09-28T17:18:00.000-04:00

I love Stephen King.

This fact often surprises people. I am not the sort of person you'd think of as being a fan of a horror writer, mostly because I'm not a fan of horror stories. At all. I avoid horror movies at all costs and don't read any horror novels that don't have Stephen King's name on the cover. I hate the Saw films without ever having seen them and I don't like zombies even though I've been a Monroeville resident for nearly seven years now.

And yet -- Stephen King. He is, hands-down, my favorite author. But why? How does an author like King appeal to someone who has a general dislike of horror fiction?

King -- with a literary career spanning 40 years, nearly 50 books, and over 350 million copies of his works in print -- is known as America's Horror-Meister. And yet part of my love for his storytelling may stem from the fact that King may not completely deserve the title. ("You can't even be a 'mister' when you write horror," King commented recently. "They downgrade you to 'meister.'")

The first King novel I ever read -- given to me by my mother when I was a high school student -- was The Eyes of the Dragon. It was not a horror story but rather a high fantasy novel, in the vein of George R.R. Martin or Robert Jordan. It took place in the same sort of vaguely-medieval settings that high fantasy novels always seem to take place in, and the story had more to do with magic and family than it did guts and ghosts. True, it did possess some of the trademark darker flares that make up King's style (there's the standard touches of gore and vulgarity, which always strike me as being less about sensationalism and more about King's perspective of the grittiness of life). But for the most part, The Eyes of the Dragon is a fairytale-like fantasy story, less like a horror read and more like a lost volume of Lord of the Rings. (Only, y'know, more interesting; forgive me, but I am not personally a Tolkien fan.)

Speaking of The Eyes of the Dragon, King's magnum opus is also not horror, but rather a crazily epic, science-fiction/high-fantasy blend of a series called The Dark Tower. This seven-book series took nearly 20 years for King to finish and has sold over 30 million copies alone, and was inspired chiefly by the poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" by Robert Browning. (This series is particularly notable to die-hard King fans -- like myself -- for being the series which ties many of King's other works together; there are numerous references to other characters and stories from most of King's other novels.)

Of course, King's written plenty of novels that focus on the things that go bump in the night: 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Pet Sematary, It. But King has a very specific interest in horror, and it's not just about cheap thrills. It is, rather, his fascination in what can happen when "the window between reality and unreality breaks and the glass begins to fly."

One of my favorite King quotes is from the dedication in "It," when he says that, "Fiction is the truth inside the lie." King's horror isn't really about gore and violence for the sake of gore of violence, but rather are gateways to the themes he really likes exploring: how hard it is to close Pandora's box once it's opened, why terrible things happen to good people, the thin line between fantasy and reality. (Check out King's memoir On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft to hear him discuss these themes himself.) And, too, themes about love, family, friendship, and God.

Ultimately, King is an optimist. Can an author be a "Horror-Meister" if he's also an optimist? True, King has said, "Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Sometimes, the monsters in King's books win -- but most of the time, his books are about bad things happening to good people and the good people overcoming in the end. The good guys don't always win (Cujo, Bag of Bones, and one of my favorites -- Duma Key -- have victories that come at a price). But most of the time the good guys do win, possibly because, as King himself says in The Shawshank Redemption, "Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best thing, and no good thing ever dies." It's that, more than anything, that makes me such a King fan -- well, that and the fact that he's a crackerjack storyteller. (A King novel, for me, is the very definition of a page-turner; putting one of his books down when I'm in the middle of a great scene is more or less impossible.)

Last weekend, George Mason University presented bestselling author Stephen King with the Mason Award, for his "extraordinary contributions to bringing literature to a wide reading public." It was part of GMU and Fairfax, Virginia's annual "Fall for the Book" festival, a weeklong community event that celebrates authors, readers, books, and literacy.

I was lucky enough to be there. King came out to give a wonderful speech about his experiences as an author (including a delightfully terrible -- or perhaps terribly delightful -- story about the worst place where he'd ever been asked for an autograph). This was followed up by a Q&A session (when asked if he believes in ghosts, King merely answered that he was a "ghost agnostic"), before he was presented with the award.

For me, the thrill of the evening came towards the end of the speech when he read a new passage from his current project, a novel he's titling "Dr. Sleep." If there's anything more awesomely entertaining than getting to hear your favorite author tell you a story, live and in person, I haven't found it yet.

Whether you're a horror fan or not, the world is frequently a scary place. But by writing about the dark places, Stephen King shines a light on the better things. His novels may be frightening, but they're also full of hope -- which might be one of the real reasons King appeals not just to me, but to his millions of Constant Readers.

That, and the fact that, as my mother says -- the man can tell a story.

(Check back next week for Part Two of this entry, where I'll share some of my favorite, horror-lite King reads.)

-- Post by Ms. B

Pittsburgh's Day of Giving

2011-09-22T13:18:00.003-04:00

Pittsburgh's Day of Giving @ Monroeville Public Library

October 4, 2011

On October 4, all charitable donations made to Monroeville Public Library through the Day of Giving website will receive a portion of The Pittsburgh Foundation's pool of matching funds (totaling $500,000).

You can give to Monroeville Public Library at anytime on that day (from 12:00 a.m. midnight to 11:59 p.m.) to see your donation matched. It's simpler than ever to make a difference -- here's how!

Go to www.PittsburghGives.org at any time on October 4.

Click on "Donate Now."

Enter your name, email address, and phone number in the appropriate boxes.

From the drop down box, select "Monroeville Public Library Fund."

Enter the donation amount and your credit card information.

Click "submit."

And -- that's it! So mark your calendar now for this year's Day of Giving on October 4th. And check out our website for additional details on this important day. (You can also check out our profile at the Pittsburgh Gives website.)

Many thanks for your continued interest in and support of Monroeville Public Library!

TV Tropes

2011-09-20T17:15:00.001-04:00

2001:

VS

2011:

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a really fantastic documentary called Exporting Raymond. It was written by, directed by, and starred Phil Rosenthal, whose name you might not recognize but whose work you almost certainly do. Rosenthal was the creator, executive producer, and head writer of the much-loved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Raymond -- which, as you probably know, was a show about a guy living with his family, with the in-laws living right across the street -- ran for nine years. During its run it won 13 Emmys, and from Season 4 onward it remained in the top ten of most-watched shows in the U.S. Critics attributed its success -- almost certainly correctly -- to its honest and hilarious portrayal of family life. (Nearly all the episodes, including the one with the fly lady, were based on true stories from the lives of the writers.)

Exporting Raymond details the experience Rosenthal had when he was sent by Sony Pictures International to Russia, to assist a Russian production team in getting their own version of Rosenthal's show up and running. It was a somewhat unusual situation (though not unheard of), as many production companies will go in their own direction while remaking a show -- but in this case, they wanted Rosenthal's input. So off Rosenthal went to Russia, ready to help assist the production team in the making of their pilot episode for Everybody Loves Kostya.

The documentary is at once a great look at culture clash (with Rosenthal's fish-out-of-water experiences in Russia) and being lost in translation (Russian culture has a different sense of humor than American culture, the Russian production team asserts -- and the American humor of Raymond won't work here). But it's also a look at what makes stories and storytelling any good -- and whether or not the answer differs from culture to culture. (And, perhaps, from decade to decade.)

You'll have to watch the documentary yourself to see what conclusions Rothenthal draws to these particular issues. But between this documentary and last night's Emmy awards, I found myself thinking about the shift in television-watching that we've seen over the past decade.

Everybody Loves Raymond is notable for being one of the last "classic" sitcoms to become a phenomenon. By "classic," I mean any sitcom in the multiple-camera, live-studio-audience, broad-laughs vein -- one of the oldest forms of the television series (going back to series like The Honeymooners, which Rosenthal has cited as one source of inspiration for Raymond.)

The classic sit-com is not completely extinct -- Jim Parsons's second Emmy win Sunday night for his starring role in The Big Bang Theory is proof of that, and before his publicized collapse Charlie Sheen was the highest-paid actor on television for his work on Two and a Half Men. These classically-shot sitcoms are becoming the exception rather than the norm, however, as single-camera, audience-less sitcoms have taken over. Newer sit-coms like Modern Family, which won 5 Emmy awards on Sunday -- or the long-running American version of The Office (which, much like Everybody Loves Kostya, is a show which started in another country).

Reality shows and cable TV have also changed the face of television, the former providing uber-popular shows at a fraction of the cost of traditionally-scripted programming, the latter allowing for niche entertainment that the broadcast networks couldn't afford to support. When it comes to cable, well -- whether you were a fan of USA Network's Monk or FX's Rescue Me, shows on cable television can be considered big hits despite pulling in a fraction of the audience size of network television. And HBO shows like The Sopranos have allowed for further cable hits like True Blood, Dexter, and Game of Thrones -- shows which have ratings to sometimes rival network offerings.

And then there's the final new twist on the television-watching experience: watching television without a television. Hulu, Netflix, and TV channels' own websites all offer episodes of TV shows available for streaming online onto your computer (with limited or no commercial interruption). And DVD sets of complete television series -- which you can check out, ahem, from your local library -- are available in a way that simply did not exist ten years ago. (Anybody remember taping episodes of their favorite TV show on VHS cassette tapes so that they could rewatch them later? Now we all just wait for the DVDs to come out.) Nowadays, people watch TV shows on their laptops the day after the show had aired on television -- or pop in DVDs of shows that haven't been on the air in twenty years.

Thinking about the way American television has changed just in the past decade makes some of the facts in Exporting Raymond seem all the odder. Before Everybody Loves Kostya, Russia's top-rated sitcoms were remakes of three other American shows: Married ... With Children, Who's the Boss? and The Nanny. (In particular, the Russian version of Nanny was such a runaway success that after the Russian production staff ran out of American episodes to adapt, Sony brought back the original American writing team for the show to come up with 25 more original stories for the Russian version.)

Nowadays, Americans seem to have traded The Nanny for SuperNanny and Nanny 911. Reality shows, cable, and the internet have given us television in a way unheard of a decade ago. With critics proclaiming the death of the sitcom and shrinking TV ratings due in part to digital viewing, television -- like all technology -- is changing fast. And, some would argue, not necessarily for the better.

Of course, if Exporting Raymond is about anything, it's about universal storytelling truly being universal -- even in television. Despite the changes, good storytelling will always endure, no matter its methods in being told.

Or, so Rosenthal hopes to prove. Check out the documentary for more.

Click here to find out more about the history of television.

-- Post by Ms. B

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."

2011-09-15T11:45:00.000-04:00

Working at a library can sometimes be very frustrating when you love to read. We are surrounded by so many books but we don't have time to read anything while we are at work, even though we really want to! And unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way of reading when we are away from work. At least this is my personal point of view. So if I had more time to read, these are a few of the titles I would like to try:

Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

Two women running away from their marriages collide cars on a foggy highway, killing one of them. The survivor, Isabelle, is left to pick up the pieces, not only of her own life, but of the lives of the devastated husband and fragile son that the other woman, April, has left behind. Together, they try to solve the mystery of where April was running to, and why.

Swamplandia by Karen Russell

Twelve year old Ava must travel into the Underworld part of the swamp in order to save her family's dynasty of Bigtree alligator wrestling.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Discovering a magical manuscript in Oxford's library, scholar Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches who has rejected her heritage, inadvertently unleashes a fantastical underworld of daemons, witches, and vampires whose activities center around an enchanted treasure.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

A haunting novel about the tenuous friendship that blooms between two disparate strangers--one an illegal Nigerian refugee, the other a recent widow from suburban London.

2030: The Real Story of What Happens to America by Albert Brooks

The first novel from actor, writer, and director Brooks--set in the near future where a dramatically aging population combined with an unprecedented natural disaster leads to a nation so hamstrung by debt that the only way out is almost unthinkable.

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

The Andreas family is one of readers. Their father, a renowned Shakespeare professor who speaks almost entirely in verse, has named his three daughters after famous Shakespearean women. When the sisters return to their childhood home to care for their ailing mother, and to lick their wounds and bury their secrets, they are horrified to find the others there. But the sisters soon discover that everything they've been running from might offer more than they ever expected.

-- Post by Tracy

Meet Rick Riordan!

2011-09-11T20:33:00.001-04:00

Rick Riordan -- author of the popular young adult series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, and The Heroes of Olympus -- is coming to Pittsburgh!

Riordan will be coming to Carnegie Library's Lecture Hall on Wednesday, October 5, at 7:00 p.m. as part of his Olympian Week Tour to promote his new Heroes of Olympus novel, The Son of Neptune (released the day before).

To celebrate, Monroeville Public Library is giving away two FREE passes to this event! From Monday, September 12 through Monday, September 19, you can stop by the Library and enter our raffle for the passes.

How to get your hands on raffle tickets? Easy! Simply come into the Library and check out at least one Rick Riordan item (a book, audiobook, or DVD copy of the Percy Jackson movie). If you check out at least one Riordan item this week, you'll receive two raffle tickets for the drawing.

Stop by the Adult Reference Desk or the Children's Desk to enter the raffle. (When you do, you can also receive one additional raffle ticket by saying the codeword HALF-BLOOD.)

A winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, September 20, and notified by telephone. Good luck!

Tickets also go on sale at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12. Call 412-622-8866 or go to pittsburghlectures.org to purchase. Tickets are $20 each.

"I prefer to let George Lucas disappoint me in the order he intended."

2011-09-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

In many ways, it's a fine time for anybody who, like myself, has a bit of an Inner Nerd. The relaunch of 52 new DC comic books has brought about record-breaking sales, Star Wars is coming out on Blu-ray, and we've even got a new Lord of the Rings (well, actually, it's The Hobbit) coming out next year. Not to mention what a great summer Pittsburgh has had ...

(Speaking of The New 52, I'm excited to say that Monroeville Public Library has added some of the new issues to our collection! Be sure to stop by the Magazine Room or Teen Area at the Library to check them out.)

And yet, despite all the excitement, not all of us sci-fi and superhero fans are happy. Because much of this excitement hinges not on something new, but rather on something old being changed. And there is a bit of a stereotype about sci-fi fans and their dislike of change to their favorite stories. This accusation is not always completely without merit -- as the brouhaha over, for instance, Wonder Woman's new pants goes to show.

Or take the upcoming Star Wars Blu-ray set (874 customer reviews on Amazon.com, most of them negative, and the discs hasn't even come out yet). You may wonder about the pessimism; surely Star Wars fans should be excited to have all six movies coming out in crisp Blu-ray release? But fans are already up in arms about the more-than-a-few changes that George Lucas has inserted into the set. It's certainly not the first time Lucas has used modern computer effects to tinker with his original low-budget sci-fi stories. (Remember, if you can, a time when a Star Wars movie could actually be considered low budget?) Fans have generally decried each and every tweak, however -- and, while some of these newest additions (blinking Ewok eyes) don't sound particularly heinous, others (Darth Vader crying "NOOOO!" as he steps in to save Luke from the Emperor) are less promising.

You'd think, from some of the subject headings to various Amazon.com reviews ("For shame" -- "Please make it stop"), that people were posting about the economy, the job crisis, or any one of the other political issues currently affecting the country. Which makes it easy to take pot shots at the overreacting fanboys and fangirls who are getting worked up about a DVD release. C'mon, people, you find yourself thinking as you read through the internet vitriol. It's just a movie ... just a comic book character ... just fiction. What's the big deal?

But I found myself reflecting, while scrolling through negative review after negative review of the new Star Wars, that it's unfair to think this is a geek-only sort of problem. Because whether you enjoy science fiction and fantasy films or not, odds are pretty good that you're simply not a big fan of change.

The odds are good for this because most people aren't particularly wild about change. Human beings are good at adapting, but that doesn't mean we enjoy it. And it often doesn't matter if the changes take place in our politics, our jobs, our home lives, or even our fiction -- where change happens, somebody somewhere is not going to approve.

The nature of and need for change are topics particular relevant to libraries in this day and age, as changing technology and shifting culture affect what it is people need and expect from their libraries. From the introduction of ebooks (which we've got here!) to "virtual" librarians and reference texting, the face of the modern library is changing along with its services.

And change is tricky, not only because of the adjustment time but because it's hard to know what changes to embrace and what changes may merely be a passing fad. Do we, for instance, start a virtual online "chat" reference service when text messaging seems to be almost completely replacing instant messaging? Should we continue MPL's Facebook Page or jump on the Google+ bandwagon? What's here to stay and what isn't?

In a world changing as rapidly as ours, that's a question even the best of reference librarians may be stymied in trying to find an answer to. And so the answer, to me, seems to be the same sort of advice I'd give to anybody facing a change, whether in libraries, politics, or even a new sci-fi film release:

Give the new stuff a chance. And if it doesn't work out, well ... you can always change it again. Change, as they say, really is the only true constant.

Even in Star Wars.

(By the way, you get bonus Nerd Points if you recognize where my subject quote is from.)

-- Post by Ms. B

Gud Dog

2011-09-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

I love dogs. Growing up, my family and I were dog people all the way (this was partly by default, as we loved animals but my dad wasn't much for cats). I can't remember a time when we didn't have at least one dog -- more often we had two -- and our various canine companions have been, and continue to be, an important and unforgettable part of my life.

I'm hardly the only person to feel this way, which probably explains the high number of dog books, stories, and films out there -- and which explains these stories' consistent popularity. You've probably heard all about "Marley and Me," but scroll down the list to find some lesser-known works about the world of dogs (and their people).

No More Dead Dogs, by Gordon Korman.

From main character Wallace: "Pick up any book with a dog and an award sticker on the cover. Trust me, that dog is going down."

This book (and this character) work to remedy that, in the most humorous way possible. A children's book for those of all ages with a sense of humor.

Watchers, by Dean Koontz.

Koontz is a well-known dog-fan. If you're a fan of both canines and Koontz, don't miss out on one of his best-loved titles.

The Hidden Life of Dogs, by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas.

For her "behind-the-scenes" look at the animal we humans have the arguably closest ties to, Thomas did not research wolves in their natural habitat nor packs of wild dogs, but rather her own "pack" of pets over a dozen-year span. I read this book back in high school, but Thomas's fascinating look into the world of dogs -- which we think we know so well -- has always stuck with me.

We3. Writer, Grant Morrison. Artist, Frank Quitely.

A trio of strays -- with artificially enhanced intelligence -- band together to escape the science lab and, hopefully, find a way home. To put it simply.

Honestly, this one sort of defies description. If you like sci-fi and love pets, you'll be hooked. Just be prepared for a high weirdness quotient (for you comic book newcomers, know that weirdness is sort of Morrison's MO).

The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training, by Paul Owens.

Though the other guy is the more famous "Dog Whisperer," Owens has plenty of training advice for pet owners with less "excited" animals than the sort Millan generally works with. A good read for pet owners who are looking for a basic training approach.

See Spot Run [videorecording].

There's plenty of family-friendly dog films out there -- most especially "Marley and Me." This, however, is one family movie that's more hilarious than heart-wrenching. And, of course, as a comedy, that means we make it to the end without the dog ... well, but let's not spoil the ending.

Cujo, by Stephen King.

Odds are, you already know what this one is about. As a King fan, I had to give it a mention.

(By the way -- this blog's subject heading? Nope, not a typo. Trust me.

-- Post by Ms. B

Before the New 52

2011-08-31T20:29:00.002-04:00

Despite the popularity of film franchises like X-Men, Iron Man, and Christopher Nolan's Batman series, the average American does not read comic books. (I was going to say that the average adult American does not read comic books, but the truth is that comic book readership isn't that popular among younger readers these days, either.)

Now, when I say "comic books," I'm talking primarily about superhero comic books -- the capes-and-tights-wearing characters who fight crime on the streets of their various fictional (or fictionalized) cities with their respective superpowers or high-tech gadgets. Comic books starring superheroes have been around in the mainstream of pop culture since the appearance of Superman in 1938, although their popularity over the years has ebbed and flowed with the changing cultural zeitgeist. Their focal audience has shifted as well; while children were generally the main target audience of superhero comics in the beginning, the last few decades have seen publishers concentrate more on appealing to adults.

Nowadays the monthly comic book is suffering from dwindling sales and is struggling to find new readers. And in the hopes of reviving a stagnating industry, publishing company DC Comics (home of such characters as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman) is trying something completely different.

This Wednesday, DC Comics launched the New 52: fifty-two comic books all starting at Issue #1. All of their previous on-going titles have been cancelled, which is somewhat remarkable when you consider that the company has been publishing comics for more than 75 years and that some of their titles have run pretty consistently since their first appearances (their "Action Comics" series had just recently crossed the #900 issue mark).

While many of the characters in the new #1 monthly lines are familiar -- Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are all returning in new series -- their stories are being started afresh. It's a chance to move forward from a clean slate, for the writers and artists behind the books as well as for readers themselves.

While not all of the characters are starting back at the beginning (there's not another lengthy story showing how Bruce Wayne became Batman, for instance), their backstories have been streamlined and simplified. And the stories that will be told from here on out are being told from the beginning, allowing first-time readers the chance to pick up an issue and be able to follow a story that's not weighted down with decades' worth of backstory.

This undeniably bold move on the part of DC Comics -- in conjuncture with their new same-day digital download policy (new issues will now be available to buy virtually on the same day as their physical-copy release) -- is an attempt by DC to bolster enthusiasm and readership in a industry plagued by declining readership. And while it's a move that has definitely paid off in the short-term -- in pre-orders alone, seven of the #1 issues have already become best-sellers -- only time will tell if the gamble continues to make a difference. Will DC succeed in attracting new readers, or will the massive changes fail to appeal to newcomers and alienate the core fanbase already in place?

As a DC fan myself, I'm apprehensive about some of the changes ahead (the writing out of Lois Lane and Clark Kent's marriage) and excited for others (the return of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl). But overall, I applaud DC for taking such a big risk, because taking chances and pushing the boundaries of storytelling is the only way to keep the storytelling fresh. It was time for a change, and a change this massive makes it a fascinating time to be a comic book fan.

Whether you're a lifelong comic book reader, a relapsed fan, or someone who's never picked up a comic book before, now's a great time to give the medium a chance. Take some time this month to swing by our local comic book shop, Phantom of the Attic, and check out some of the #1 issues (Wednesdays are Release Day for new arrivals).

And, if you'd like to check out some of DC's rich character history, try some of these graphic novels from your Library! While some graphic novels are nearly incomprehensible without a healthy helping of backstory (note to newcomers: stay away from any DC title with the word "Crisis" in the title), these stand-alone titles should make great reads for first-timers as well as loyal fans:

Please note that many of these titles are intended for older audiences.

Batman: The Killing Joke. Writer, Alan Moore; Artist, Brian Bolland.

The Joker decides to prove to Batman that we're all "just one bad day away" from becoming as crazy as the Joker is. A modern classic.

Lex Luthor: Man of Steel. Writer, Brian Azzarello; Artist, Lee Bermejo.

A story in which we found out that Lex Luthor views himself as the real hero out to save humanity.

Green Lantern: No Fear. Writer, Geoff Johns; Artist, Darwyn Cook.

Pilot Hal Jordan returns to his role as the Green Lantern -- and a fighter pilot -- in this reboot.

Birds of Prey: The Battle Within. Writer, Gail Simone; Artist, Joe Bennett.

When it's the superheroes themselves who need saving, they call in The Birds of Prey.

Kingdom Come. Writers, Alex Ross and Mark Waid; Artist, Alex Ross.

A "what-if" story about Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and heroes of the future.

-- Post by Ms. B

Quake, Rattle, & Roll

2011-08-25T16:52:00.002-04:00

The 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit 35 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia this past Tuesday was even felt out here in Western Pennsylvania -- and further! It was remarkable to us Pittsburghers not because it was so severe this far north (it wasn't, though there were a few spots of damage here and there), but because it was so unusual.

It's not the first time an earthquake has been felt in the Pennsylvania region, but it didn't make the afternoon any less surprising!

So to commemorate such an odd occurrence, catch up on your earthquake fiction with some of the novels and films below:

After the Quake, by Haruki Murakami.

Japanese novelist Murakami tells six short stories that take place between the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the poison gas attacks in the Tokyo subway later that year. Bizarre, haunting, and poignant, these surreal short stories take a look at what life is like after the effects of natural disaster.

Strong Motion, by Jonathan Franzen.

Best known for his books Freedom and The Corrections, Franzen's second novel centers around one Massachusetts family whose lives were being rocked even before a series of unusual quakes start hitting Boston. Trying to discover the source of the quakes is only the beginning of the Holland family's struggle to sort out their difficulties.

The River Wife, by Jonis Agee.

From the 1811 New Madrid earthquake to the bootlegging days of the 1930s, this sweeping romantic saga has a darker tale behind it as 17-year-old Annie Lark discovers her new husband's family legacy -- skeletons and all.

1906, by James Dallesandro.

Historical fiction meets crime noir mystery. Taking place around and during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, this book delves into political intrigue and natural disaster with cinematic scope.

Richter 10, by Arthur C. Clarke and Mike McQuay.

A disaster thriller with a sci-fi plot, Clarke and McQuay combine politics and business corruption with a straight-out-of-the-summer-blockbusters main storyline. Lewis Crane is on a mission to rid the world of earthquakes once and for all -- by setting off nuclear explosions along major fault lines.

The Last Book in the Universe, by Rodman Philbrick.

This YA, futuristic sci-fi novel tells the story of an epileptic teenager on a mission to restore everything that's been lost in a massive, planet-wide earthquake.

Earthquake Terror, by Peg Kehret.

An adventure tale for middle-schoolers about a twelve-year-old boy who must fight to keep himself, his sister, and the family dog safe after an earthquake disrupts the family's camping trip.

Earthquake [DVD] -- 1974

This well-known film starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner does exactly what it says on the tin. Big-action disaster movie of the 1970s!

-- Post by Ms. B

Overlooked Books

2011-08-18T15:46:00.002-04:00

I'm not much of a bestsellers kind of reader. As a librarian it's my job to know what's on all of the bestsellers lists, but I'm usually not in a hurry to read any of them. I'm more of the type of reader that likes books that are a little off the radar. Or I just wait until the frenzy is over!

So no matter what kind of reader you are you might want to give one or two of the following titles a chance. They were all well received, but did not sell as many copies as a lot of other books. You never know, you might find a new favorite author!

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde - From the bestselling author of "Thursday Next" comes a brilliant new novel--part social satire, part romance, part revolutionary thriller--about a world where social order and destiny are dictated by the colors one can see.

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín - From the award-winning author of "The Master" comes a moving historical novel set in Brooklyn and Ireland in the early 1950s, concerning a young woman torn between her family and her past in Ireland and the American who wins her heart.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - The author of the phenomenally successful novel "The Time Traveler's Wife" returns with a spectacularly compelling and haunting second book set in and around Highgate Cemetery in London.

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers - When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a prosperous Syrian-American and father of four, chose to stay through the storm to protect his house and contracting business. In the days after the storm, he traveled the flooded streets in a secondhand canoe, passing on supplies and helping those he could. A week later, on September 6, 2005, Zeitoun abruptly disappeared. Eggers's riveting nonfiction book, three years in the making, explores Zeitoun's roots in Syria, his marriage to Kathy -- an American who converted to Islam -- and their children, and the surreal atmosphere (in New Orleans and the United States generally) in which what happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun was possible.

Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton, with Erin Torneo - Jennifer Thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified Ronald Cotton as her attacker. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken-- but Jennifer's positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After eleven years, Ronald was allowed to take a DNA test that proved his innocence. He was released, after serving more than a decade in prison for a crime he never committed. Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face to face-- and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. In their own words, Jennifer and Ronald unfold the harrowing details of their tragedy, and challenge our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America by Dave Eggers - In "The Worst Hard Time," Egan put the environmental disaster of the Dust Bowl at the center of a rich history. Now he performs the same alchemy with this story of the largest-ever forest fire in America, painting a moving portrait of the people who lived through the disaster.

-- Post by Tracy

The Hypnotist

2011-08-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

Ever since The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson was published in the US in 2008, there has been an increased interest in mysteries and psychological thrillers written by Scandinavian authors. The latest title to hit the bookshelves is The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler (a pseudonym for a married couple). The only witness to a triple homicide in Sweden is a teenage boy who is in a state of shock and of no help to the police. Detective Joona Linna calls in a hypnotist to find out who the killer is. This leads to terrifying results for all involved.

If you would like to read more titles like this check out some of these authors:

Henning Mankell:

Mankell is famous for his Kurt Wallander series. The first title in the series is Faceless Killers (1997). The books were also developed into a television series by the BBC and broadcast in the US on PBS. The DVDs are available through the library.

Jo Nesbo:

Nesbo is a Norwegian mystery writer, who also has written children's books. His series follows Detective Harry Hole. The first book published in the US, is The Redbreast (2007). His latest book, The Snowman, is the 5th book published in the US.

Camilla Lackberg:

While only 2 of her books (The Ice Princess and The Preacher) have been published in the US so far, she has published 7 in her native Sweden. Her books are set in a small coastal village in Sweden called Fjällbacka, which is also the town where Ms. Lackberg grew up.

Check out these other Scandinavian authors:

Karin Alvtegen
Ake Edwardson
Kerstin Ekman
Kjell Eriksson
Mari Jungstedt
Asa Larsson
Hakan Nesser
Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo
Johan Theorin

-- Post by Tracy

There Once Was A Boy Named Harry

2011-07-29T13:35:00.001-04:00

You probably know that the final installment in the infamous Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, was released two weeks ago to record-smashing acclaim. Two weeks in, Deathly Hallows 2 has already had the biggest midnight opening of all time ($43.5 million from the opening midnight launch alone), earned the highest-grossing opening weekend ever, and hit the $900 million mark in worldwide box office returns faster than any movie in history.

As impressive as the numbers are, it shouldn't overshadow what may be the true accomplishment of the Harry Potter movie franchise -- a ten-year series of films featuring the same trio of young actors who literally grew up in front of our eyes. Few film series feature eight installments; fewer still manage to deliver a compelling, emotional story in their final chapters that don't leave the audience feeling the franchise has worn out its welcome. There's a reason the Potter stories aren't just popular, but rather are a true worldwide phenomenon -- there is undoubtably something special about them.

Only two weeks out in theaters, Deathly Hallows 2 is sure to be playing for quite some time, and won't be released to DVD for months. But while we're waiting, let's take a look back at what has led up to this final film: a movie series a decade in the making.

(Or, if you're pressed for time, feel free to check out one musically-gifted teen's sung version of all seven stories ... in 99 seconds. Definitely worth a watch!)

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" [2001] -- Directed by Chris Columbus, this movie is still touted as a favorite entry in the series by many a Potter fan. Columbus faithfully renders the story and world from the book onto the big screen, telling the already-beloved story of the bespectacled boy who finds out he's really a wizard. This is, first and foremost, an origin story, and Columbus allows the movie to open naturally and deliberately, which lets us feel as amazed as Harry himself at the unfolding story. While the film has its weak points (the special effects looked dated even back in 2001), you can't ask for much more in a first-story book-to-film adaptation than this.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" [2002]

Director Chris Columbus continued the tradition he'd begun in the first film of creating film adaptations that were faithful to the original source material. Indeed, it became perhaps a bit too faithful: clocking in at 161 minutes, it's the longest film in the series, despite being developed from one of the shortest books. Nearly every plot detail from the book is preserved, making this an enjoyable experience for book purists but dragging a bit for the average movie-goer. Still, it's a pleasure to fall back into the "groove" of Hogwarts now that the origin story of the first film is past. And there are some wonderful performances, in particular Jason Isaacs as blonde bad-guy Lucius Malfoy, Shirley Henderson as the ghost-girl Moaning Myrtle, and Richard Harris in his final performance as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" [2004]

New director Alfonso Cuarón takes the Harry Potter series in a new direction for this third installment, giving us signs that both the child actors and the film series as a whole are growing up. This was the first film to really break away from the by-the-numbers book-to-film transition that Columbus had diligently employed in the first two movies. And, indeed -- now that the world of Harry Potter had been so well established by Columbus, it became more feasible to shake up the movie translations of the source material. What results is a weird, wonderful little movie that is perhaps the most self-contained entry in the series: Voldemort isn't the bad guy this time around, which gives the story a chance to stand completely on its own merits. With the introduction of a real "family" member for Harry, there's also a surprising amount of emotion, as for the first time we're presented with a story exploring Harry's past. This is easily my favorite film of the bunch (with the possible exception of the final entry).

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" [2005]

As Potter's first British director, Mike Newell enters in to continue the trend begun by Cuarón in pushing for a darker mood for the story, as well as taking more liberties with the source material than Columbus had. Many Potter fans are divided in their opinions on Goblet of Fire (as well as on Prisoner of Azkaban, for that matter), as book storylines are removed and whole characters are excised. The payoff is a story that, again like Azkaban, has more time to focus on prevailing storylines of Harry's struggles in the wizarding world and the build-up to the return of the primary bad guy of the series: Lord Voldemort. This movie is famous for also being the first to feature the death of a semi-major character, setting the stage for the upcoming battles -- and losses -- to come.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" [2007]

David Yates becomes the fourth and final director to come into the Harry Potter series; he will remain on board through the final three films. Voldemort has finally and properly returned, so it's no surprise that this film is among the darkest in the series, with a struggling Harry fighting to deal with pressures both inside and out: Voldemort's return, the wizarding world's prevailing belief that Harry cannot be trusted, and Harry's own teenaged self-doubt in his friends and himself. New characters are introduced, familiar characters are lost (continuing the trend of Goblet of Fire, a major character is killed during the big battle), and Harry is left reeling from a particularly poignant loss. And yet the film seems to lack something, perhaps due to the temporary replacement of screenwriter Steve Kloves with Michael Goldenberg. Being the longest book in the series, Order of the Phoenix was always going to have to be pared down; but despite grounding the story primarily in Harry's emotional arc, the emotional response for the audience seems to be lacking. Being my favorite book of the series, I was disappointed not to better enjoy the film adaptation.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" [2009]

Dealing in large part with the backstory of Voldemort's rise to power, Half-Blood Prince must have been difficult to adapt for film. Yet screenwriter Kloves returns to meet the challenge, writing a script that finds a surprisingly graceful balance between dark secrets being revealed and some truly light-hearted comedy about the imperiling journey through the teen years. During its comedic scenes, Half-Blood Prince is an amazingly funny movie, allowing its teen characters to, for a little while, just be teens. Meanwhile, the large strokes of Voldemort's backstory are brought into the story without slowing down the plot so completely as to lose the audience's interest. A word of caution, however: while a growing problem since the third film, Half-Blood Prince is the movie where a reading of the book becomes essential if you want to completely understand the ins and outs of the plot. This movie also features another heart-rending character death, although if you've ever seen Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, you already know it's coming.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1 [2010]

The filmmakers chose to split the final book installment of the Potter series into two films -- for preserving artistic merit or for the cash, your call. (I suspect different motives for different people involved in the process.) With the Final Battle off in the wings waiting for Part 2, this movie can't help but be heavy on set-up, reestablishing Harry and friends' quest for the Horcruxes (see Half-Blood Prince for more) and introducing the Deathly Hallows (three mystical objects with the power to make their owner "the Master of Death"). That doesn't stop the film from presenting us with plenty of action -- including several mini-battle sequences and a rip-roaring aerial chase across London -- and even some light moments of humor. ("Right. Perspective.") And if you've grown as attached to these characters as much as I have over the last decade, your heart will be in your mouth by the ending sequence -- which is just the ticket to get you geared up for Part Two.

-- Post by Ms. B