A list of some of our favorite reads of 2012.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple. When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage Bee begins a trip that takes her to the ends of the earth to find her in this new novel from the author of This One is Mine.
Since I began working at CCPL this year, I managed to expand my already mile-long reading list to one I may never fully catch up with. While finding time to read everything has been a challenge, each book has been an adventure. Here are some of my favorites for the year.
I caught up on some of the latest crazes, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and The Hunger Games. I relished The Phantom Tollbooth and its delightful wordplay. I even indulged my inner child with some Fancy Nancy and Eloise books.
I read a slew of graphic novels and manga. Of the new arrivals to the library, I most enjoyed Kimi ni Todoke, Kamisama Kiss, and Pandora Hearts. I also enjoyed re-reading MARS and YuYu Hakusho, while impatiently waiting for more D. Gray-man and Black Butler.
Americapedia:Taking the Dumb Out of Freedom gives a review of how American government works, and also a quick, easy-to-understand rundown of many of the issues we’ve been dealing with for the past few decades–the stuff they don’t talk about in school. It does a pretty good job of keeping a neutral stance through it all, even though it covers many controversial issues. Even better, as you probably guessed from the title, they do it all with a sense of humor.
Holy Cow! An Indian Adventure is a woman’s chronicle of her time spent living in India. While laughing at her hilarious accounts of her adventures in traveling the country and experiencing different aspects of India’s many religious groups, I sympathized with her struggles with culture shock and homesickness. Her stories reminded me of similar experiences I had while living in Japan. A great read for anyone who has traveled abroad or hopes to someday.
Kate Locke’s God Save the Queen is a heady blend of some of my favorite things: steampunk, feisty heroines and non-sparkly vampires. It’s an action-packed mystery story set in an alternate version of Victorian England that has been taken over by vampires and werewolves. Bonus points to the author for making the evolution of supernatural beings sound science-y and plausible. I’m looking forward to the next book!
I’m currently working on Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible, which talks about the history of American clothes and fashion, while also giving fashion advice and plenty of examples of different iconic styles through the decades. Next up is Expletive Deleted: A Good Look at Bad Language, which is bound to wrap up my reading adventures of 2012 with a bang.
It’s the season where you read about pumpkins, scarecrows and leaves. One of my favorite titles. I found that I love along with my nephews, revolves around bats. I know, yikes! Bats–Too scary! Not this one. It isn’t a Halloween book, it is just a wonderfully entertaining children’s story written and illustrated by Brian Lies called, Bats at the Library. These adorable characters discover an open window at the library and find a whole new world filled with books for everyone’s reading taste. The illustrations are kid-friendly and the story just might inspire your own little ones to explore their library!
Many books have been turned into Oscar-nominated films; I’ve just read a few of them. I found one exception; the children’s book, “Cinderella Penguin, or The Little Glass Flipper” by Janet Perlman was adapted from her 1981 Best Animated Short Film nominee, “The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin”.
For wonderful children’s books made into Oscar-winning animated shorts, check out: “The Ugly Duckling“, Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale; “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf, about a bull who didn’t want to fight matadors; and “Gerald McBoing-Boing” by Dr. Seuss, about a boy who only speaks in sound effects.
One of my top 5 favorite films, “To Kill a Mockingbird“ (based on Harper Lee’s only published work), won the Oscar in 1963 for Best Adapted Screenplay. I decided to listen to the audiobook. This classic tells about small-town life, prejudice, and a controversial rape trial in 1935 Alabama. The portions of the book that didn’t make it into the screenplay lent fascinating depth to life in Maycomb County and the people who lived there, but none of it was necessary to the film’s narrative. I think the movie is a near-perfect distillation of the novel, and I couldn’t imagine any other voices than those of the actors in the film.
For two other excellent film adaptations of complex novels, I recommend “Gone with the Wind“, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, based on Margaret Mitchell’s epic, and “Mystic River“, adapted from Dennis Lehane’s novel , and nominated in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
Kim vonHedemann
Author Neil Gaiman has a fantastic idea – celebrate Halloween by giving someone a scary book. Genius! I find haunted house stories particularly creepy so some recommendations:
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. Not just a book but a piece of art with its different fonts and colors, even die cut pages which make a beautiful dressing for an intensely creepy story A door appears behind a closet but in this unnerving story, it most certainly doesn’t lead somewhere good, like Narnia.
Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. An isolated house, reputed to be haunted, is the scene for this unnerving story. A paranormal researcher gathers a group to investigate the house’s tragic history. Unexplainable incidents occur and as the reader you’re never quite sure if they’re proof of a haunting or one of the characters slowly losing her hold on reality.
Turn of the Screw by Henry James. A young governess, looks after two orphaned children in an isolated mansion. Odd, disquieting events happen – the result of ghosts or proof that the governess is slipping into insanity?
Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Set in postwar Britain, a doctor becomes entangled with a family living in a centuries old mansion. Their way of life is changing with the coming of the modern world but what is it really that ties them to the house? Atmospheric and chilling.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. Cas, hunts and kills ghosts. When he hears about the ghost of a young woman who attacks people, he has to investigate. Cas discovers Anna, a spirit so full of rage that she kills anyone entering her house. But there’s more to Anna than just a thirst for vengeance as Cas discovers when he tries to investigate her murder.
As promised, I have summoned my colleague Philip Koro for a further adventure in the wide world of classical music. This time around, we’ll have a look at his cd picks. In chronological order by date of composition, we’ll begin with:
Bach Sonatas for Recorder (BMV 1030-1035, for all of you Baroque nerds)-
“If you love the recorder, you can’t go wrong with these six sonatas, beautifully performed by Michala Petri, perhaps the foremost soloist in the world on this particular instrument. She is joined on the harpsichord by Keith Jarrett, who is actually better known as a jazz pianist. As far as Bach, we are all familiar with some of his orchestral works (Brandenburg Concerti, Suites), his organ music (Toccata & Fugue in D Minor) and his vocal works (Cantatas & Masses), but listening to this CD, we hear his mastery of chamber music as well. Five stars!”
“The overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written when Mendelssohn was just 17 and it is truly one of the great masterpieces of the Romantic era. Much later in Mendelssohn’s short life, he was commissioned to write the incidental music to Shakespeare’s play and the result is a number of memorable pieces, none more so than the Wedding March , played every day all over the western world as a recessional in weddings. Outstanding performance by the Boston Symphony under the direction of Seiji Ozawa.”
“Carl Orff may be known for only this one work, but what a work it is! Even if you are not attuned to listening to 20th century classical, this music is very approachable. Sung in Latin and Middle High German, Orff finished this cantata in 1936 and it is based on poems found in the medieval collection of the same name. The opening piece entitled “O Fortuna” should be immediately recognizable as it has been featured in numerous commercials and motion pictures. The performance by the San Francisco Symphony is absolutely spectacular and one the greatest I have ever heard.”
This concludes Mr. Koro’s broadcast. Tune in next time when we explore your humble dilettante’s dvd picks.
In the first part of this series, we scrutinized Philip Koro’s classical music on DVD picks. Now for my picks–this time, in the CD collection. Here they are, in no particular order:
Flute Sonatas- Joachim Quantz is not the first name that comes to mind when you think of Baroque composers (more likely it is J.S. Bach), but he deserves his recognition, too. This recording not only gives you a feel for his style, but the sound quality is amazing. Go for baroque.
The Complete Works for Piano- Today, the Debussy piece “Clair de Lune” is so commonplace that even someone without a background in classical music would immediately know the tune. It’s hard to believe, but in the rough-and-tumble world of nineteenth century Paris, Claude was a rebel–complete with disheveled beard. Expand your appreciation of this genius with Geiseking’s interpretation! Although an older recording of Debussy’s complete catalog of solo piano compositions, it still will provide hours of listening pleasure.
The Planets- Gustav Holst’s perennial favorite is one of the classical pieces that first got me hooked. Chances are, you’ve probably heard some of the compositions from this suite. The popularity of this work, while definitely deserved, obscures his other works, which are just as noteworthy. Try out his First and Second Suites for Band after you return from outer space.
Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) – This is the other work that made me an aficionado. Stravinsky’s ballet score is still as sublimely atavistic as it was back in 1913, where the opening night led to a riot by offended Parisians. Have your own riot at home or in the car (or even at work!). Not to be missed.
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis- A long time ago, my grandmother told me that one of my distant relatives roomed with Ralph Vaughan Williams at university. Whether or not this is true, his compositions are lovely– the aural equivalent of dental floss. This compilation CD has one of his most well-known works, including The Lark Ascending.
Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio- I admit, this isn’t exactly “classical music” to the genre purist. But bear with me. Claude Bolling’s piece is a rich blend of jazz and classical sensibilities, complete with some fancy work on the flute by Jean-Pierre Rampal, a noted classical flautist. It makes for a refreshing listen, one that yields more nuance with each new hearing.
Another look at what the library bloggers are reading.
Emily – Fun House by Chris Grabenstein – The 7th installment in this New Jersey-set mystery series has Officers John Ceepak and Danny Boyle reluctantly overseeing security for the raunchy and rambunctious cast of a Jersey Shore-esq reality show.
Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts – I’ve just started listening to the audio version of this mystery that stars Lucky O’Toole, a “fixer” for a major Las Vegas casino. The first in a series, Lucky finds herself investigating the mysterious death of a woman who died falling from a casino-owned helicopter.
Cara – I just started The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann (JF). I’m only a few chapters in, but I love mysterious and sinister tone that’s set for the reader as a whole town disappears, faeries are integrated into English society, and Bartholomew, a changeling, seems to be headed for trouble as a strange visitor to the town sees him for what he is. Hits shelves September 18, 2012.
Sarah – Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. YA fantasy set in an alternate Russia, where magic-wielding children are raised to form an army under the mysterious Darkling. Alina’s gift is so strong and frightening that it might save the country–if she can learn to control it without being controlled herself.
Vanessa – I am reading Private Patient by PD James. It’s an Adam Dalgliesh mystery that is British detection at it’s finest. If you’re looking for a good mystery whose ending you’ll never see coming, PD James is your lady!
Laura S. – I’m only reading books with their cover art painted by Daniel Dos Santos. Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch, My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland, Moon Called by Patricia Briggs are the first titles in some of the series. He only picks the best books to work on, they are all hilarious; the covers reflect that. He paints them all in traditional oils.
Phyllis – The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty – historical fiction loosely based on the life of Louise Brooks, silent film actress.
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews – Love lost, love found and secrets revealed.
Donna - Currently, I’m reading a cozy mystery in “A Cat in the Stacks Mystery” series titled Classified as Murder by Miranda James. This series is a fun read, I love that the main character is a college librarian in a small southern town. His Maine Coon Cat, Diesel, adds a lot of character to the story.
I’m listening to The Innocent by David Baldacci, a really exciting mystery that is making me tempted to drive farther so I can listen to just one more chapter.
MacKenzie – I’m reading The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making by Catherynne Valente. With a title like that you know it’ll be good. I’m also reading “The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year’s Best Science Fiction” edited by Gardner Dozois.
Andrea – I’m listening to Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand about four high school students and their families after a fatal car accident on Nantucket.
I’m reading Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson who survived a plane crash with third-degree burns over 80 percent of her body and embraces the fullness of life, love, motherhood and faith everyday.
Laura – I’m reading Spy the Lie in which former CIA agents explain how to spot signs that someone may be lying to you. Interesting to discover that things that we all accept as a sign of lying like not making eye contact isn’t actually a reliable sign at all.
Susan – When the Mississippi Ran Backwards; Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes by Jay Feldman. The 1811-1812 earthquakes that violently shook the midwest in and around New Madrid, Missouri are the backdrop to major historical events including the Indian and U.S. Government relations between Tecumseh, his brother The Prophet, and William Henry Harrison, the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the first steam boats to run on the Mississippi river. This was a time when Ohio was still considered “wilderness”, Indian tribes were plentiful and Spain, France and England were still influential in the young United States development.
Diane – I’m listening to Night Watch, by Linda Fairstein. Book 14 in her Alex Cooper series, we find Alex in France with her lover, Luc Rouget, famed restaurateur. 48 hours into her one week vacation, a former employee of Luc’s is murdered. Before Alex can become embroiled in this case, she’s called back to New York for a high-profile rape case involving, coincidentally, an important French economist.
Perhaps your idea of a vibrant start to the day is the ”Sunrise” movement from Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite. If you are rather pensive or just confused, perhaps you think there’s no better accompaniment to your brown study than Elgar’s Enigma Variations. But you need not despair! After the profusion of postmodern work and worry, there’s always Eine Kleine Nachtmusik to round out your day and return equilibrium to your soul.
Sure, classical music isn’t all about tranquility, but the library provides resources for the afficionado in whatever mood they might be in. And if you happen to be both an aficionado and a couch potato, the library offers a new collection of classical music performances on dvd!
Philip Koro, the adult reference librarian at Union Township and I, your humble author, will be reviewing some of our favorite classical works from our collection. Since Philip is the more sedentary of us two, he chose these following gems:
Mozart and the Dolomites- A “beautifully rendered” version of Mozart’s Requiem that uses time-lapse film to match the mood of Philip’s favorite vocal work.
Homage to Claude Debussy- Aldo Ciccolini’s performance for Italian Television, although obviously dated, has both a great interpreter and excellent sound quality. Includes such well known works as Sarabande, Claire de Lune and selections from Children’s Corner.
Ode to Freedom- A historic performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Berlin after the fall of the Wall. Most notable is the replacement of the word ”freude” (“joy”) with “freiheit” (“freedom”) in the final movement.
Join us soon as we take a look at some of your humble author’s picks. Until then, we hope you’ll find the time for a fugue, but not of the sort where you lose your memory.
What ever happened to “chick” lit? It seems to have gone out of favor lately, but I would like to recommend three recent titles that are just right for a light summer read with a dash of romance and a serving of self-discovery for the main female characters:
Wallflower in Bloom – The story of a woman who emerges from the shadow of her overbearing family and finds herself voted on as a last-minute replacement on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Wife 22 – Baring her soul in an anonymous survey for a marital happiness study, Alice catalogs her stale marriage, unsatisfying job, and unfavorable prospects and begins to question virtually every aspect of her life.
The Next Best Thing – Believing she is realizing her dreams when her sitcom is bought, television writer Ruth Saunders finds her happiness threatened by demanding actors and executives as well as an unrequited crush on her boss and her septuagenarian grandmother’s upcoming wedding.
The main female characters are likeable, but far from perfect and you will enjoy learning what happens behind the scenes on DWTS, the launch of a new TV series and supposedly anonymous internet surveys. Quick reads for a summer that is already passing by too fast!