Search results matching tag 'fiction'

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!

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

If you could live your life over again

kiya@evpl — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:59:00 GMT

Ever wanted a second chance?
Ken Grimwood's novel "Replay" is story of the ultimate second chance. Jeff Winston, the main character, leads a "successful" but not very happy life, until at age 43, he has a heart attack and dies at his desk. The next thing he knows, he's waking up in his college dorm room, at the age of 18, with all his 43 years of memories intact.

This is a book I loved the first time I read it, and have re-read several times since then. I continue to enjoy it, but in somewhat different way twenty years later. I'm not the only one.

Brad Meltzer, best-selling author says:

"Of course, this being a thriller, there's a love interest and a bad guy. But the best part of Replay isn't the plot; it's the fact that the book is about you - yes, you.

The moment Ken Grimwood has his authorly hooks in you, you can't help but look at your own life and think, 'What would I do differently if I could live my life again?' And not in the way we all casually play this game. Really - What would I do differently?"

Join us Tuesday, May 1, 2012, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the North Park Branch meeting room as we discuss this fascinating novel, and what it has to say about a life well-lived.

Grimwood's novel has inspired lots of fans, multiple rumors of movies to be made, and even has its own Wikipedia page. [warning - the Wikipedia entry contains spoilers]

One fan made his own video reviewing the book and providing information on this little-known author.

Brad Meltzer's episode on NPR's You Must Read This

Copies of Replay at EVPL

Discussion Questions that other Book Groups have used:

1. Discuss the differences between the lives of Jeff Winston and Pamela Phillips.

2. Jeff Winston tries to re-connect with his first wife, Linda on the exact day, at the exact same beach where they first met but fails. Would there have been any way for him to do that that wouldn't be creepy?

3. Jeff and Pamela finally meet. What was your first reaction to this?

4. Is there a parable in the story? What is it trying to say about life?

5. What conclusion do you draw from the epilogue?

He Says, She Says -- Getting Both Sides of the Story

kiya@evpl — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:46:00 GMT

It's intriguing to hear both sides of a story - especially if you aren't personally involved, or stuck in the middle.

I like books which cover the same events from two or more perspectives. There are a lot of books coming out now which show multiple viewpoints, and the ones I've found have been enjoyable:

Notes from the blender / Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Will Grayson, Will Grayson / John Green & David Levithan

Girl meets boy : because there are two sides to every story / edited by Kelly Milner Halls

Jenna & Jonah's fauxmance / Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

Boy Girl Boy / Ron Koertge

Sometimes the author will use two (or more) books to show the different sides of a story.

James Howe: The Misfits / Totally Joe / Addie on the Inside

Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game / Ender's Shadow

Stephanie Meyer had intended a fifth book in the Twilight series: Midnight Sun, which told the story of the first book again, but from Edward's point of view, rather than Bella's. When someone leaked the first part of the manuscript as she was writing it, Meyer stopped work on the project, and posted the work-in-progress on her website. As far as I know, she has no plans to go back and finish it.

If you have other titles to suggest that show two or more viewpoints, I'd like to hear them. Movies, too - I can only think of one right now.

Harry Potter eBooks, downloadable audiobooks now available

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:27:00 GMT

Harry Potter eBooks & downloadable audiobooks are now available in our OverDrive collection!

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince: eBook | MP3 Audiobook
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: eBook | MP3 Audiobook

Why did it take so long? The Harry Potter titles haven't been available in digital formats until now. They released to the general public on Tuesday, with availability to libraries starting yesterday.

Now that they're available in digital formats, will you be reading/re-reading these books?

New Book Group

LemmyCaution@evpl — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:19:00 GMT

Page Turners is a new book group focusing on thoughtful works of fiction from different time periods, countries, and genres. Each season the list of books will revolve around a theme which will stay consistent and then change with each new season. The first four books listed focus on exemplary works of literary American fiction from the second half of the twentieth century. So if you enjoy engaging works of fiction please feel free to stop in. Also at times the library may not have enough copies, but additional copies can be made available by contacting the North Park Branch Library at (812) 428-8237. The book group meets on the third Monday of each month at the North Park Branch Library around 6:30 p.m.

October 17: The second book we will be discussing is Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49. In the novel Oedipa Maas has just received word that she has inherited a fortunate from a former boyfriend, which will lead her on a mysterious quest to find out whether or not an alternative postal system exists in the United States. This satirical and eccentric work examines the rising counter-culture movements in 1960's southern California and the search for meaning in an increasingly fragmented America.

November 21: The third book will be discussing is the National Book Award winner, White Noise by Don DeLillo. White Noise is the story of a professor at a small college in the Midwest who has pioneered the field of Hitler Studies. After a rail car releases a toxic chemical spill, a black cloud covers the small town and forces the professor to evacuate his family. DeLillo's novel touches on a variety of themes from consumerism to death, all with a satirical and shrewd eye towards the excesses of the eighties.

December 19: The last novel we will be discussing for the season is Philip Roth's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, American Pastoral. American Pastoral tells the story of Seymour Levov a star high school athlete who goes on to marry Dawn Dwyer, the 1949 winner of the Miss New Jersey pageant, and form a seemingly perfect life. However, his idyllic American life becomes interrupted when his daughter commits an act of terrorism in protest of the war in Vietnam and sends his life spiraling out of control.

The Hunger Games Series!

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:09:00 GMT

Last fall when I was preparing my presentations for Teen Read Week, I came across the book Catching Fire. I did not think much of it as I added it to the list of books to talk about in the schools I was visiting. Then Teen Read Week came and my visits started. In each classroom I showed the Catching Fire book trailer, and I began to notice that the teens sat up a little taller and I had their attention a little bit more. I didn't understand. What was the big deal about this book?

Then I finally started reading The Hunger Games. And I was hooked. For those of you new to the series, The Hunger Games is the first book in the trilogy. Katniss Everdeen lives in the 12th district of the country of Panem, and this district is located in what was once called the Appalachian Mountains. In this new nation of Panem, each district is separated by industry and importance, and the 12th district is the poorest of them all. Every year the districts draw two names- one boy and one girl- to participate in The Hunger Games, a fight to the death in which the victor is the last person standing.

I don't want to give too much away because this series is one that I think everyone should read. Similar to the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games trilogy will catch the interest of young and old readers. To all those teens out at Thompkins and Plaza that loved this series long before I did: thank you from this librarian.

A Very Unique Murder Mystery

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:27:00 GMT

I was very much looking forward to reading Heads You Lose, a murder mystery by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward. Lisa Lutz's Spellman series is one of my absolute favorite series of books and I was sure this new book would be wonderful even though it wouldn't feature the Spellman family. I wasn't wrong but I wasn't really right either.

Let me tell you about the format of Heads You Lose. There is an editor's note and a few more pages of reading before you get to the title page. Don't skip these or you'll be a bit out of the loop before you hit page one. From there it gets more unique. Lisa Lutz wrote the odd numbered chapters and David Hayward wrote the even numbered chapters. Notes between the authors are featured throughout but mostly between chapters. These notes were distracting at first but eventually they became the best part of the book.

The mystery itself wasn't very thrilling. I honestly got bored with it about half way through, even as more bodies were turning up in the small California town were brother and sister Paul and Lacey Hansen live and work. There were some good characters but they weren't enough to keep me interested when the awkward plot let me down. I did finish the book but I didn't really like the resolution and mostly felt relieved to be done with the book. My overall feeling about the book is that it's just okay; different but not quite special.

There's word that there will be fifth Spellman book next year and I'm still looking forward to it. David Hayward hasn't written other novels but I believe he could write a good one. I just don't think this collaboration worked out very well.

The book's website: http://headsyoulose.com/

Lisa Lutz's website: http://lisalutz.com/

Visiting Another World - Welcome to Westeros

kiya@evpl — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:57:00 GMT

Lately, my reading time has been spent in Westeros, a world created by George R. R. Martin for his series, A Song of Ice and Fire. My son is a longtime Martin fan, and many library customers are as well: all are anxiously awaiting Book 5 in the set. Meanwhile, HBO is producing a TV series based on Martin's works. Called A Game of Thrones (also the title of the first book), the first episode airs April 17, and the first season is supposed to roughly correspond to the first book. I decided it was time to read the books - before the TV show airs. I'd been putting it off, because these are big books, and I have to be in the mood to read fantasy. I was soon captivated by the world of Westeros, and the intrigue and complications of life in a somewhat medieval society.

Martin has lots of realistic, complicated characters. It isn't easy to tell the heroes and villains apart. The heroes have flaws and make mistakes, and even the worst villains have some redeeming qualities (well, maybe not one of them...). Entranced by the first book, I started the second as soon as I finished the first. I enjoy piecing together bits of information to figure out something, and that happens in these books.

When I finished reading the books, I listened to the audiobooks and caught some details I had missed. Roy Dotrice, who performs the first 3 audiobooks, is marvelous; he brings the characters to life. Realistic characters I can care about are very important to my enjoyment of a book, and Martin's books are well and intricately plotted, too. There is profanity in the books, as well as graphic violence and sex. If that isn't a problem, then I highly recommend these books for folks who like to spend some time in another world.

Writing this, I‘ve remembered some of the other worlds I have loved to visit. I was in junior high when I discovered Sylvia Louise Engdahl, and her 3-book Children of the Star series, as well as her Enchantress from the Stars/The Far Side of Evil set. These are favorites which I reread every few years. Mercedes Lackey has written several related series taking place in a world she calls Valdemar. Marion Zimmer Bradley created a world called Darkover, and even invited readers in to play. Along with Bradley's books, there are collections of short stories by other writers which take place in the world Bradley created.

I love getting immersed in another place and time, and seeing the world from that different point of view. J. K. Rowling created a wonderful magical world with her Harry Potter series. In his Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer created another magical world, just as wondrous, and completely different from the Potter world. I enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind, and am hoping that the sequel, The Wise Man's Fear, will be just as wonderful when it comes out this week.

Turtle in Paradise

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:08:00 GMT

The title is misleading. No, this book is not about terrapin, but it is about paradise-the Florida Keys. The main character is a little girl named Turtle. During the Depression jobs are hard to find, but Turtle's mother gets another house cleaning job. This time the lady hates children, so Turtle is sent to live in a place she knows nothing about with people she has never met. To appreciate this book, the reader needs a picture of Hemingway's Key West. By 1934, Key West was bankrupt and declared a welfare state by the governor. Paying jobs were hard to find. Cigar and sponging industries had moved. The Navy and Coast Guard had left. Henry Flagler's railroad was bankrupt and Mallory Steamship lines no longer stopped. Key West, once Florida's most affluent city, was 5 million dollars in debt. The city could not pay police, firemen, garbage collectors. Most residents were on welfare. The streets were littered and filthy. Homes were run down and industry gone.

This is the Key West Turtle comes to. The reader will think they are reading an island version of Huckleberry Finn as they enjoy Turtle's enterprising, free-footing, cousins, neighbors, and colorful characters of Depression era Key West. By the end of the book, Turtle really does find paradise. You'll enjoy this touching, well written read with historical notes at the end. Written by Jennifer Holm.