Books Blog

Happy Birthday, Edith Wharton

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:36:00 GMT

Today is the 151st birthday of the great American author Edith Wharton, admired as much now as she was during her lifetime for her wit, her brilliant social commentary, and her courage and determination to work as a writer in spite of the limited opportunities afforded to women of her elite upbringing during the Gilded Age. You can find her best known works - The Age of Innocence (winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for fiction), Ethan Frome, The House of Mirth, The Buccaneers - on our shelves in whatever format might suit your taste, from print to audiobook to ebook to movie. Her autobiography and her short stories are here, too, including a compilation of the ghost stories that were so popular in her time.

On Valentine's Day we'll declare our fondness for Mrs. Wharton by discussing The House of Mirth, her first widely read, critically recognized novel. Published in 1905, it examines a beautiful young woman's struggle to secure her position in New York society's upper reaches and, at the same time, to discover her true self. Please join us.

Classics Book Discussion

Thursday, February 14, 2013

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Central Library

2nd Floor Conference Room

Elizabeth II, in Film and Fiction

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:00 GMT

Britain’s Royal Family is always a source of curiosity, and their Monarch is no exception. Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, has been featured in a number of films, documentaries, and books over the past several years. Here are a few to enjoy.

The Queen, a 2006 feature film starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, portrays the turmoil in the Royal Family in the days following Diana, Princess of Wales’ death. This film portrays the public’s strong sentiment in favor of the Princess, as the Queen struggles with a proper response to her former daughter-in-law’s death. Mirren’s portrayal is sensitive, with a bit of humor thrown in, and well worth the viewing.

As Queen, Elizabeth has sometimes seemed detached from her subjects, and fiction authors have responded by imagining her in creative ways. Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader poses a unique notion: What if Queen Elizabeth became such an avid reader that she loses interest in her “duty,” and becomes more introspective and sympathetic to others? This novella is a quick, pithy read, and sure to bring a smile.

Author William Kuhn creates a different scenario for the Queen. In Mrs. Queen Takes the Train, the longtime Sovereign of the United Kingdom ponders what she might be find missing in her life. The answer, strangely enough, is Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch. Alone on an inclement winter’s day, Elizabeth grows restless. First, she decides to visit one of her horses, also named Elizabeth. Then she’s off to the cheese store to buy Elizabeth (the horse) some of her favorite cheese. And finally, Elizabeth boards a public train bound for Scotland to visit her beloved yacht. The chaos that ensues among the Queen’s staff and acquaintances by her unexpected journey helps cement relationships, and demonstrates loyalty beyond “duty” to their Sovereign. This book, like The Queen and The Uncommon Reader, adds a bit of warmth and compassion to a celebrated historical figure.

For more in the Library’s catalog about Queen Elizabeth, click here.

Grab a warm cup of tea and your favorite QEII tale, and enjoy!

Six Degrees Game: the Book Version

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Let's play a literary version of the popular association game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Here’s the Wikipedia explanation of the original idea.

Ready? Here goes:

How are best-selling writer Laura Lippman and Vernon Jordan, the first author to be selected for One Book, One Community of Southwestern Indiana, connected?

1. In 2008, Laura Lippman’s What the Dead Know received the Anthony Award for Best Mystery Novel.

2. Louise Penny, herself a recipient of several Anthony Awards, sets her Inspector Armand Gamache series in Three Pines, a small town outside of Quebec, Canada.

3. Canada is the title of the latest book by Richard Ford, whose break-through novel was The Sportswriter.

4. Sportswriter John Feinstein took a leave from absence from the Washington Post to research A Season on the Brink: a Year with Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers, which topped the New York Times Bestseller List for 16 weeks in 1987.

5. Preceding Feinstein’s book as #1 on the NYT Nonfiction Bestseller List was Fatherhood by Bill Cosby.

6. While studying at Temple University, Bill Cosby joined Omega Psi Phi fraternity, whose list of notable members includes former National Urban League President Vernon Jordan, author of Vernon Can Read: a Memoir.

There you have it!

Why not give the game a try and share the results with us? Send your list of 6 literary connections to pmc@evpl.org. We'll post them as we’re able. Feel free to incorporate movies and music – anything that’s available in the library’s catalog. Happy connecting!

(Thanks to readers' advisor superstar Sarah Statz Cords for this suggestion.)

You Gotta Do When the Spirit Says Do

kiya@evpl — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:04:00 GMT

Whether you need to make a gift for someone, or just keep your hands busy so you don't eat all the Christmas cookies at one time, the library has plenty of books and videos that tell you how to stay busy making things. My particular fascination at the moment is knitting, so here is a smattering of the kinds of things the library has about knitting.

For a quick knitting project, take a look at these books:

Big Needle Knitting, edited by Bobbie Matela

Speed Knitting: 24 quick and easy projects, by Kris Percival

7-day afghan book by Jean Leinhauser

The Knitter's Year: 52 make-in-a-week projects, by Debbie Bliss

One Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant

If you are a beginning knitter, there are many books and DVDs to teach you how to knit. Here are a couple:

The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day

The Absolute Best Way to Learn How to Knit, with Leslye Solomon

For the experienced knitter, there are books about knitting with different

materials, or all kinds of projects beyond the traditional scarves and sweaters:

Knitting with Beads, by Jane Davis

Knit 2 Together, by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark

Fast Fun and Easy Fabric Knitting, by Cyndy Lyle Rymer

Easy Accessories: 50 chic projects to knit and crochet, from Family Circle

100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet, by Lesley Stanfield

Cowlgirls: the neck's big thing to knit, by Cathy Carron

Home Knits: luxurious handknits for every room of the house, by Suss Cousins

Easy Toys: 25 delightful creations to knit and crochet, from Family Circle

The only real risk to checking out what the library has on your hobby is that you will end up like me, with too many projects and too little time!

Taking on Virgil

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:22:00 GMT

In her novel Lavinia, celebrated author Ursula LeGuin gives lyrical voice to her title character: the daughter of mythical King Latinus and the woman fated to cause The Aeneid's culminating war. This lushly detailed account of ancient Italian ritual and daily life, which was named a 2008 Best Book by Library Journal, is an intriguing companion to Virgil's epic poem. Check them both out and join the Classics Book Discussion on December 13th as we consider one of the cornerstones of Western literature.

Cassics Book Discussion

Thursday, December 13, 2012

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

2nd Floor Conference Room

Central Library

Deeply disturbing

bookchick@evpl — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:43:00 GMT

I just finished reading a most intriguing book called Your House is on Fire, Your Children All Gone by Stefan Kiesbye. This story of four young growing up in Hemmersmoor, a small town seemingly removed from the world, is a haunting tale of childhood gone wrong. Deep, dark secrets best left behind closed doors are exposed in a town where all the inhabitants seem to have given free reign to their impulses. I wouldn't call this a book of horror but it is horrific. Elegantly written, I couldn't put it down until the final dark secret was revealed.

Christmas is Coming

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:48:00 GMT

I don't want to alarm anyone, but Christmas is coming; in fact it's less than two months away. Now, it's still entirely too early to be putting up tinsel and whatnot, but it is absolutely time to get on the waiting lists for these new Christmas cookbooks!

I'm personally very much looking forward to trying out the recipe for toffee thins on page 86 of Sweet Christmas: Homemade Peppermints, Sugar Cake, Chocolate-Almond Toffee, Eggnog Fudge, and Other Sweet Treats and Decorations by Sharon Bowers, with photographs by David Bowers.

Other new Christmas cookbooks to be excited about:

Christmas Baking: Fun & Delicious Holiday Treats by Mia Ohrn

A Home-Baked Christmas: 56 Delicious Cookies, Cakes, & Gifts from Your Kitchen

American Christmas

If you really can't wait for these titles, I recommend checking out a copy of an older title, A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies by Dede Wilson, which has a nice variety of cookies to try.

Thanksgiving

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:50:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is maybe one of our simpler holidays. We give thanks for what we have and we eat good food. The giving thanks part usually doesn't require a lot of preparation; maybe just a few minutes quiet consideration. The good food, on the other hand, can sometimes be a challenge. Last November, it seemed like a lot of people came to the library looking for Thanksgiving cookbooks, so I thought I'd highlight a few here this year.

Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well by Sam Sifton

Thanksgiving by Lou Seibert Pappas, with photographs by Lara Hata

How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings by the editors of Fine Cooking

Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook

Thanksgiving 101 by Rick Rodgers

Vegetarian Times Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook by the editors of Vegetarian Times

If you're looking for something beyond the food, try these titles:

The Thanksgiving Book: A Companion to the Holiday Covering Its History, Lore, Traditions, Foods and Symbols, Including Primary Sources, Poems, Prayers, Songs, Hymns, and Recipes, Supplemented by Chronology, Bibliography with Web Sites and Index by Laurie C. Hillstrom

Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday by James W. Baker

Quick and Easy Bookbinding Program

wag.mado@evpl — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:53:00 GMT

Local artist, Kimberly Jones is going to offer an exciting program on the Japanese art of bookbinding. This program is scheduled on Thursday, October 18th at 6:00 PM in the Large Group Room on second floor at Central Library. She will teach us how to create and bind our very own journal from a recycled book.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn the art of Japanese Stab Binding and take home your very own creation. The program is free and open to the public. All materials will be provided.

You may visit Kimberly's blog spot here.

Registration is required. Please click here to reserve your spot.

Read By the Author

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:30:00 GMT

I love to listen to memoirs read by the authors that wrote them. Not so long ago, I was quite skeptical of all audiobooks. I viewed listening to a book as cheating, unless it was a matter of poor eyesight. I have, however, warmed somewhat to audiobooks, and memoirs read by their authors have become a favorite of mine. When it comes to memoirs, what could possibly be better than someone's story in his or her own voice?

Here are some of my favorite memoirs read by their authors that I've had the pleasure to listen to so far:

Haven Kimmel's memoirs about growing up in Mooreland, Indiana, A Girl Named Zippy and She Got Up Off the Couch. These two are good enough I recommend listening to them, even if you've already read them.
Kate Braestrup's Here if You Need Me, about being chaplain for the Maine Warden Service and her part in their search-and-rescue missions, plus her second memoir, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity.
Advice columnist Amy Dickinson's The Mighty Queens of Freeville, about the strong women in her family, including her mother, sisters and daughter.
Tina Fey's wildly popular Bossypants.
Anna Quindlen's recent memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. I don't think I'm the target audience for this one, but I enjoyed it very much anyway.
Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose, the story of how he became a musician, then a comedian, the drugs he did and the hearts he broke along the way, and his decision to become an American citizen (he was born & raised in Scotland), might be a bit heavy on foul language for some people, but it charmed me.
Bill Bryson's memoir of growing up in Iowa in the 1950's, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is most amusing read in his slight British accent-- he lives in England now.
A. J. Jacobs' The Year of Living Biblically details the year he attempted to follow the Bible really, truly literally. Unfortunately, this is an abridged audiobook, meaning some parts of the original text are not included.

Do you have a memoir read by the author to recommend to me?

Additional titles added to Axis 360 eBooks

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:22:00 GMT

Additional titles have been added to our Axis 360 eBook collection! Popular reads, such as the following, are now available:

View all of the additional titles...

These additional titles, as well as all eBooks in our Axis 360 collection, are accessible through your Blio app or our Downloads page at evpl.org/downloads. Compatible devices include PC, Android, and iOS.

These titles are part of a test eBook partnership between EVPL and Hachette Book Group.

Bad Movie Night: The Atomic Brain (1963)

wag.mado@evpl — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:37:00 GMT

The plot of this week's Bad Movie is about a wealthy but miserable old lady who schemes with a scientist to have her brain implanted in a sexy young woman. The movie itself, along with the help from the Mystery Science crew make this movie a must-see to believe.

Come join us for lots of laughs and refreshments at 6:00 PM in Central Library's Browning Room B on Thursday, July 12.

As always, this program is free and open to the public.

Protecting Your Personal Information on the Web

wag.mado@evpl — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:16:00 GMT

Do you know what kind of personal information about you can be found on the internet? Almost everyone who uses the internet has questioned at one time or another, the safety of their personal information on the web. Most people wonder if they are doing everything they can to protect that information.

If you are interested in finding out more about this important topic, please join us for the next Savvy Senior Series program on Wednesday, July 11 at 6:00 PM in Central Library’s Browning Room B. Dr. Kenneth Shemroske from the University of Southern Indiana will present, "Protecting Your Personal Information on the Web. He will offer information and tips, as well as answers to your questions.

As always, this program is free and open to the public.

For information on future Savvy Senior Series programs, please click here.

Crime Prevention with Officer Kevin Corbin

wag.mado@evpl — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:09:00 GMT

Do you wonder if you are doing everything possible to avoid becoming a victim of a crime? Officer Kevin Corbin from the Evansville Police Department is going to give strategies and tips to ensure you and your loved ones are as safe as possible in your surroundings.

Please join us for this important and informative program on Thursday, July 5 at 6:00 PM in Central Library's Browning Events Room B.

As always, this program is free and open to the public.

For information on future Savvy Senior Series programs, please click here.

Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky

wag.mado@evpl — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Come join us for the next Savvy Senior Series program on Thursday, June 21st at Hickory Lake Apartments to learn about the pack horse librarians of Kentucky during the Great Depression. The program will be presented by EVPL's Jan Steinmark. You'll see the children's book, Down Cut Shin Creek: the Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt that started our speaker's interest in this historical event, as well as some incredible black-and-white photographs.

As always, this program is free and open to the public. It is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

For a list of all Savvy Senior programs, please click here.