Hinsdale Sings the Blues
As a librarian I am responsible for the development of several areas of the library’s collection including our music CDs. I view my role in collection development in two parts, first I am obligated to ensure that our patrons have access to the newest and most popular music in various genres, the second aspect of my collection development strategy is to ensure that our collection reflects a broad and deep history of each music genre. This means that each month when I place my music order I not only aim to purchase those items that are climbing the current Billboard charts, but also to purchase older items that will fill gaps and round-out areas of the collection that are lacking in depth. Because my budget limits the amount of money that can be dedicated to this endeavor I make an attempt to focus my efforts on one particular area at a time.
I am currently working on building the Hinsdale Public Library’s collection of Chicago blues. Due to our location in suburban Chicagoland I feel that it is our library’s duty to maintain a collection that reflects the history of Chicago including Chicago blues. It is not always easy to attain items that were produced many years ago and this project may take some time. In the meantime I strongly encourage those of you who aren’t familiar with Chicago style blues to get your hands on music by some of the artists I list at the end of this blog. Keep in mind that even if Hinsdale Public Library doesn’t own what you are looking for we can certainly help you to track it down. I also encourage those of you who are interested in hearing some great live Chicago blues to take advantage of some of the upcoming Chicago summer festivals that will feature Chicago blues artists including the Chicago Blues Festival and this year’s Taste of Chicago which will feature Chicago’s own Buddy Guy on the Fourth of July. You might also like to take a trip out to Buddy Guy’s Legends on S. Wabash Street in Chicago. Buddy’s club is almost as famous as its founder among Chicago blues fans and you can find great live blues acts there every day of the week! Don’t forget to keep checking our blues collection for newly arrived CDs featuring Chicago blues legends and newcomers. As always, I welcome suggestions from our patrons, so feel free to recommend your favorite blues artist if we don’t have what you’re looking for.
If you are interested in hearing some real Chicago blues try these artists…
Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Freddie King, Sly Johnson, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Elmore James, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, Junior Wells, and Jimmy Reed.
For more on Buddy Guy’s Legends check out their website at http://buddyguy.com/
Literary Masterpiece of Publicity Stunt?
Jonathan Littell’s The Kindly Ones was originally published in France in 2006 where it was met with mixed reviews (to say the least). Littell’s book is narrated by a former Nazi who feels no remorse for the crimes he committed during the war and is a foulmouthed, sex obsessed narcissist to boot. So why are we even discussing this book? For one thing it won France’s top literary prize, The Prix Goncourt, and it sold like it was one of Oprah’s latest and greatest book picks. The Kindly Ones was also recently released in its translated form here in the States and everyone is anxious to see if the phenomenon will persist.
The question reviewers are asking is whether this book can be grouped with the likes of Nabokov’s Lolita, and Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho as a book that examines the rarely discussed darker human desires in a way that makes the reader question his/her own innocence along with that of the protagonist, and leaves one feeling guilty about the pleasure derived from peaking into the dirty life of a pervert or murderer. Has Jonathan Littell created a character that is more complex than he may at first appear? Does this book examine those dark little pieces of humanness that exist in us all and drive some of us to the intersection of humanity and monstrosity? Or, is this simply a Howard Stern like shock-jock’s approach to literature? To find out one must be willing to take on the 900 page colossus that is The Kindly Ones.
For more on Jonathan Littell’s The Kindly Ones check out the New York Times article here
What Now?
So after months of buildup and an unimaginable amount of time spent dress hunting the 81st Annual Academy Awards is finally over. If you missed it, no worries, the details can be found at the Oscar’s Website.
But, if you, like me, can’t possibly imagine hearing one more word about Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, The Reader, Micky Rourke, etc…. You may want to check out what’s on the new releases horizon.
Movies being released in the next month or two can be found here.
Happy Viewing!
Three Book to Film Nominees in the Oscar Race
The notion that movies that have been adapted from books are not generally as good as the original text seems to be fairly common. With three highly praised movies based on books in this year’s Oscar race I thought I’d see what others we saying about the adaptations.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
NPR
Slumdog Millionaire (movie title) Q&A (book title) by Vikas Swarup
If you would like to compare for yourself you can reserve a copy of these books to borrow from our library and look for the DVDs to be added to our collection as soon as they become available.
Happy Awards Season!
Consider Books This Holiday Season
Gift giving season is here and your Christmas bonus has likely been downsized to a company hat or coupon to your local multiplex. When wondering how you are going to satisfy all of the friends and family on your list without applying for a government bailout consider this, there is no gift so versatile, in my opinion, as a book. Think of a gift giving occasion and I promise that there will be a suitable book to be gifted. Think I’m wrong? Here are some examples;
The Holidays are a great time of year to give books because you are not necessarily constrained by any particular theme; sure you could give a Hanukkah themed book to your kids but you shouldn’t feel that you need to stick to the holiday at hand. Give a collector’s edition of your recipient’s favorite book as a show stopping Christmas gift (try eBay for first editions), or stuff the stockings with low cost paperbacks to read throughout the year. Don’t get stuck in the fiction section, sure fiction is fun but think about giving your family and friends books that they can use like a travel book for your jet setting niece, a cookbook for your son the aspiring chef, or a home improvement book for a new homeowner.
Here are some book suggestions for other celebrations:
Birthdays – This one is easy as long as you don’t make the common mistake of giving someone a book you liked or that you wish someone had given you. Remember, books are personal and just because you like it doesn’t guarantee that your recipient will too. Take the time to choose a title that will appeal to the birthday boy/girl and if you’re not sure ask a librarian or bookstore employee for suggestions. For those stereotypically tough groups like preteen and teenage boys try graphic novels or old favorites like Orson Welles.
Wedding gift – Think of books that might help a young a couple get started together like cookbooks, home improvement books, financial planning guides, or inspirational books. Try cookbooks specifically designed for couples like Robin Miller’s The Newlywed Cookbook.
Baby shower – Skip the pricey gifts from the registry and give a gift of cherished children’s books like Margaret Wise Brown’s The Runaway Bunny or Goodnight Moon.
Anniversary - I love giving couples a book that might inspire a new hobby or adventure, there are lots of books like Patricia Schultz’s 1000 Places to See Before You Die Traveler’s Journal that are fitting for any couple’s particular interests.
Graduation – This is a good occasion to give a book that is just for fun, help the graduate celebrate being done with studies by giving a lighthearted fiction book or a funny memoir. Try David Sedaris’ When You Are Engulfed in Flames.
Happy Gift Giving!
Fact or Fiction: Movies that Defy Definitions
In a New York Times article entitled “Quasi-Reality Bites Back”(September 26, 2008), writer A.O. Scott discusses the growing phenomenon of “crypto-documentaries.” The majority of us who find entertainment in the consumption of the products of Hollywood are familiar with only two types of movies, fiction and documentary. Within the broad scope of fiction films we can identify a multitude of genres including horror, romance, comedy, and drama; further, within fictional genres many of us are quite familiar with several sub-genres like romantic comedy and crime drama. But, when it comes to nonfiction film we undoubtedly stop at documentary. Before exploring the world of A.O. Scott’s “crypto-documentaries” it seems pertinent to discuss, or at least introduce, the often overlooked genres of nonfiction film. Simply, a documentary is a film that presents facts about a person or event, one could call the documentary the “Mother Genre” to all nonfiction film genres. Other nonfiction film genres can be defined as documentaries with a twist, for example, nonfiction narratives are documentaries that pose a question in the beginning of the film that is unquestionably answered at the film’s close. A documentary may, for example, inform viewers of the details of a presidential election while a nonfiction narrative might pose a question like “who will win the 2008 presidential election?” and through the course of the film the question will inevitably be answered. Other nonfiction film genres include biographies, autobiographical films, and music videos all of which present facts about a person or subject/event, but do so in different ways.
So, what is a “crypto-documentary?” According to A.O. Scott they are films whose “engagement with reality is at once impossible to miss and difficult to define.” I like to think of these as films that tell the truth in an unreal or fictionalized fashion. A great example of this pseudo-documentary style comes to life in Ari Folman’s Waltz With Bashir (2008). Folman’s movie is unquestionably nonfiction, it follows him (Folman) on his quest to recapture his own memories of the 1982 Lebanon War through a series of interviews with old acquaintances, war buddies, and friends around the world. The reality of Waltz With Bashir is, as Mr. Scott would say, also “difficult to define,” the film is animated in a way that is reminiscent of graphic novels and Folman’s personal quest to recapture his own wartime memories is being driven by the aerie recurring dream of a close friend. This friend’s dream is real yet dreams themselves are not documentations of reality, so if a real dream is brought to life in a nonfiction film is the dream fiction or reality? Further, if nonfiction events are documented using animation are they less real? There we have it, the crypto-documentary, coming soon to a theater near you.
Oprah’s Pick
Oprah has announced the title of her next book club book and I, for one, was quite surprised. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is author David Wroblewski’s first novel and it is unique to say the least . The book has been a New York Times best-seller for several months and has been popular with book clubs even without Oprah’s shining endorsement. So why am I surprised? Mr. Wroblewski has written a novel that is a modern take on Hamlet with several seemingly odd twists. The novel’s main character, Edgar Sawtelle, was born mute and communicates through a combination of nontraditional signs and invented body gestures. The Sawtelle family is in the business of dog breeding, they breed a fictional type of dog, the Sawtelles, known for extreme levels of intelligence and fierce loyalty. As might be expected Edgar is able to communicate with these super dogs with surprising ease and has formed a very close bond with one in particular.
The plot and premise of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is, for lack of a better word, weird. Add to the mix the fact that this odd story is quite long, 576 pages, and you might understand my surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I am pleased that such a nontraditional book has found main-stream success, I myself am enjoying it greatly and I hope that those of you who haven’t already done so will give it a try. I must say that I think I smell a movie, whether that is good or bad I can’t say.
Enjoy!
Give Sci-Fi a Try!
The 2008 Hugo award winners were announced this month at Denvention 3, the 66th World Science Fiction Convention. While many science fiction devotees know that the genre has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, the perception that sci-fi is all aliens, vampires, and talking apes still abounds. The reality is that sci-fi contains a number of subgenres that may surprise readers that don’t think that they would enjoy science fiction books. For example alternate history is often included among science fiction; these books ask, “What if a known historic event had a different result?” Commonly authors change the outcome of a war and explore how our lives would be different if things had gone the other way.
Subgenres of Science Fiction
Ø Apocalyptic, holocaust, and post-apocalyptic stories – These books are based on end of the world scenarios.
Ø Time travel
Ø Dystopian and Utopian – Often (but not always) these novels focus on exploring gender roles and race relations and ask, “What if women were in charge?” Or, “What if a particular racial group took over the world?”
Ø Science fantasy – These books throw-out known scientific theories and explore life without them.
Ø Near-future – The themes in these novels focus on currently in-progress or near future developments so the settings and technological references should be familiar to the reader. Common themes may include genetic testing, gene selection, and cloning.
Ø Cyberpunk – This subgenre uses technology, computers, hacking, and robots as primary elements/themes.
These are only a few of the common science fiction subgenres many of which are often marketed as mainstream fiction, so you may be a sci-fi reader and not even know it!
Wanna give sci-fi a try? Here are some of this year’s Hugo award winners,
Best Novel
- The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins, Fourth Estate)
- Brasyl by Ian McDonald (Gollancz; Pyr)
- Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer (Tor; Analog Oct. 2006-Jan/Feb. 2007)
- The Last Colony by John Scalzi (Tor)
- Halting State by Charles Stross (Ace)
The Dog Days of Summer
These long hot summer days can be a drag but your summer reading doesn’t need to be! Keep your reading light and breezy by sticking to short stories. Short story collections allow you to put the book down and come back to it later (even much later) without feeling like you’ve forgotten the plot, you can read a whole story in the time it takes to wait out a child’s swimming class or read a few while sitting by the pool. An additional benefit to picking up a short story collection is that if you don’t like one you can skip it (this is especially helpful when listening to the audio versions on road trips).
Lucky for all of us short story fans several great collections have been published and added to our collection recently among them are;
Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth - 8 stories written in Lahiri’s soothing and beautiful prose that detail and compare the struggles of everyday life for characters in remarkably different places.
Elizabeth Berg’s The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted - Stories that convey the trials of womanhood at all ages, from preteen years to the onset of old age. Some of these stories will draw a chuckle while others are truly touching.
Libby Fischer Hellmann’s (editor) Chicago Blues - A collection of 20 stories written by local authors in a noir crime/mystery fashion, this collection will appeal to mystery and crime readers especially.
While your here don’t forget about nonfiction essays and collections, short and sweet just like their fiction counterparts!
Try Something New This Summer!
With the kids away at camp or otherwise occupied outdoors have you found yourself with a little free time on your hands? Perhaps you have found that you are craving a little grown-up time in your life? Maybe the inevitable and much dreaded question, “what do you want to do tonight?” has been popping up at an alarming rate lately.
Let me make a suggestion….
It would seem that Oprah can be credited, yet again, for making something that was once passé popular anew. Although Oprah and I don’t always see eye-to-eye, I must admit that her book club has refreshed the activity and has really sparked a wide-spread interest in group book discussions among adults. For those of you that are not currently participating in a book group (not counting Oprah’s) I would strongly suggest checking one out. Not only do they provide an excuse to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and lose yourself in a book, they also require that you participate in discussions that don’t revolve around children, spouses, mortgages, or work (unless these topics happen to be relevant to the plot).
Should you happen to not know of any local book groups or if those that you are aware of don’t happen to suit your taste/needs… start one of your own! While the founding of a book group is not difficult there are a few things you should consider before you get started.
1. The general size of your group: I have known people who participated in groups with over twenty members, and while they claim that these large meetings were fun and full of energy I prefer a smaller more manageable group of between 5 and 10 members. Keeping the group size relatively small ensures that everyone will get a chance to speak. A great way to maintain a small group without having to feel exclusionary is by defining the group members, for example, you may start a book group among colleagues within only your department or among members of your block or apartment/condo association.
2. Where will the group meet: Make sure it’s a comfortable environment that everyone can get to easily. If you plan on meeting in a restaurant/coffee house clear it with the proprietors first to ensure that there is not a meeting fee or bill requirement.
3. Discussion rules: Will one person lead the discussion and be responsible for bringing questions, or will the discussion format be organic? If you choose to have a discussion leader will it be the same person every time or will it change?
4. The Books: How will books be chosen? Will there be a theme for the group, will it change? I have found that it is not useful to try to stick to rigid rules like “we only read fiction” or “we only read books with female characters,” this tends to get boring and you may find that you are selecting books because they follow the rules rather than because you want to read them.
A few other things to keep in mind;
1. Be open-minded: book groups are about trying new things and meeting new people, enjoy it!
2. Don’t forget that you can get help at HPL: We are happy to put together reading toolkits that include discussion questions, book descriptions/reviews, and author bios., HPL patrons simply pay the cost of printing!
3. If you don’t think that you have time to read it – listen to it: You can get many popular books, both fiction and nonfiction, on CD so you can listen as you run errands or clean the house!
4. Enjoy!