Monday, March 26, 2012

Shakespeare lives!

We’ve all been through it. I don’t think you can get out of high school without it. For some it may be a struggle and for others an appreciation. What am I talking about? Why of course studying Shakespeare!
Now it’s been a great many years since 12th grade English, but I can still recite parts if not all of the “Tomorrow” speech from Macbeth. Shakespeare’s words speak to all generations. Shakespeare knew just how to draw in his audiences. He wrote not only for royalty, but for the general masses. Shakespeare’s words remain timeless, pure classic.
William Shakespeare was baptized April 26, 1564 and died April 23, 1616. He was an English poet and playwright who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist according to Wikipedia.
Shakespeare grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and married Anne Hathaway at age 18. He had three children, a daughter, Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Shakespeare’s early career began in London where he worked as an actor, writer and part owner of a playing company.
Most of Shakespeare’s works were written between 1589 and 1613. He was a prolific writer who wrote both comedies and tragedies, and later in life tragicomedies commonly known as romances. He also wrote poems, sonnets and historical drama. Some of his greatest works include Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and King Lear as well other popular titles.
Although Shakespeare was well thought of during his day, his rise to greatness wasn’t until after his passing. Generations of students, scholars, writers and historians continue to study and interpret his works. His plays remain forever popular with audiences around the world.
Most Shakespeare titles in book format can be found on the shelves of the Weyenberg Library in the call number area of 822.33. Here you will find books about the person, complete works, individual plays, guides, criticism and interpretation.
If you are uncertain of where to begin your studies, it’s always best to begin with an overview of the topic. While an encyclopedia such as the World Book Encyclopedia may provide you with a good summary, you may also want to choose a simple introduction such as:
· An introduction to Shakespeare by Marchette Gaylord Chute
· Gale Research edition of Shakespeare for students
If you would like to know more about the man himself you may enjoy the following titles.
· William Shakespeare: the man behind the genius: a biography by Anthony Holden
· Shakespeare as political thinker edited by John E. Alvis and Thomas G. West
If you want to talk like Shakespeare be sure and check out this book.
· Speak the speech: the Shakespeare quotation book by William Shakespeare
If you enjoy watching Shakespeare performances you may want to review this book before you go.
· A theatergoer’s guide to Shakespeare’s characters by Robert Thomas Fallon
If you would like to know more about what Shakespeare’s Globe Theater was like may we suggest the following book?
· Shakespeare and his theatre by John Russell Brown
If you would rather listen to or view Shakespeare’s works, the Library has a large selection of audiobooks and DVDs of popular Shakespeare plays for your listening and viewing pleasure. Don’t forget to check out the Children’s department for additional titles suited for younger audiences.
Join us on Tuesday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. for the Weyenberg Public Library Foundation Fine Arts series with an interactive presentation of To Be: Shakespeare here and now with the Optimist Theatre.
Picture courtesy of Google Images.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Great New Teen Series!

Are you looking for a new series to fill the spot of Harry Potter, Twilight or The Hunger Games? Do you like action/ adventure novels? Fantasy novels? Dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games? How about fairy tale retellings? Or books like Twilight? Well, here are some new teen series that may appeal to a lot of people, not just teens!

Fantasy Fiction
One of my favorite genres is fantasy, so I am always excited to find a new fantasy series or author that I really enjoy. Here are some great fantasy series that are new or have a new book being released soon. I am a huge fan of both Kristin Cashore and John Flanagan, so I cannot wait for their new books to come out!

Seven Kingdoms Trilogy by Kristin Cashore
(Book 1: Graceling, Book 2: Fire, Book 3: Bitterblue)

Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima
(Book 1: The Demon King, Book 2: The Exiled Queen, Book 3: The Gray Wolf Throne, Book 4: The Crimson Crown)

The Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan
(Book 1: The Outcasts, Book 2: The Invaders)

Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa
(Book 1: The Iron King, Book 2: The Iron Daughter, Book 3: The Iron Queen, Book 4: The Iron Knight)

His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers
(Book 1: Grave Mercy)

Beyonders by Brandon Mull
(Book 1: A World Without Heroes, Book 2: Seeds of Rebellion)

The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen
(Book 1: The False Prince)


Dystopian Fiction
By now, a lot of people have read The Hunger Games and are eagerly awaiting the movie release. If you enjoyed Suzanne Collins’ books, or have read The Maze Runner or The Knife of Never Letting Go, here are some other dystopian books that you may enjoy!

Matched by Ally Condie
(Book 1: Matched, Book 2: Crossed, Book 3: Reached)

Clarity by Kim Harrington
(Book 1: Clarity, Book 2: Perception)

Insurgent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
(Book 1: Divergent, Book 2: Insurgent)

Dustlands by Moira Young
(Book 1: Blood Red Road)

Science Fiction
Science fiction is another one of my favorite genres, made memorable to me after I read A Wrinkle in Time and Ender’s Game for the first time. From there, I devoured all the other books in the two series. Here are some new teen books/series that having been getting a lot of buzz lately and hopefully will inspire others to read more science fiction titles. I especially enjoyed Cinder!

Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
(Book 1: Clockwork Angel, Book 2: Clockwork Prince)

BZRK by Michael Grant
(Book 1: BZRK)

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
(Book 1: Cinder)

Paranormal Fiction
I love paranormal fiction. I have always been a fan of books about vampires, werewolves, faeries, ghost hunters...etc. So, when I read about a new paranormal series coming out, I get excited and cannot wait to read the first book. Here are a few new paranormal titles that sound really good, including print versions of the e-book sensation and bestseller Amanda Hocking!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
(Book 1: Everneath)

Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking
(Book 1: Switched, Book 2: Torn, Book 3: Ascend)

Violet Eden by Jessica Shirvington
(Book 1: Embrace)

Monday, March 12, 2012

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH



March is Women’s History Month! It is a time to celebrate the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

Women’s History Month has only been around since 1987 when Congress expanded the focus of Women’s History Week to a whole month. It began as a way to teach the topic of women’s history in the classroom, as it was a subject generally ignored; the event was a way to increase knowledge of the American population.

Women have made contributions in many areas including science, sports, art, politics, civil rights, and medicine, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work. Take some time to pick up a book or do research on your own to learn more about these amazing people and their involvement in shaping the world we know today.

For more information on Women’s History Month take a look at these websites:
http://womenshistorymonth.gov/
http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/whm/
http://www.nwhp.org/whm/history.php

Here are some great biographies on remarkable women:

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life by Lisa Chaney
Amelia Earhart: the Turbulent Life of an American Icon by Kathleen C. Winters
The Curies: A Biography of the Most Controversial Family in Science by Denis Brian
Florence Nightingale: the Making of an Icon by Mark Bostridge
There Is No Alternative: Why Margaret Thatcher Matters by Claire Berlinski
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by Randy J. Taraborrelli
Becoming Jane Austen: A Life by John Spence
The Beecher Sisters by Barbara Anne White
My Name is Anne, she said, Anne Frank by Jacqueline van Maarsen
Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson
Kate: the Woman Who Was Hepburn by William J. Mann
Rosa Parks by Douglas Brinkley
With Billie by Julia Blackburn
A Necessary Spectacle: Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs, and the Tennis Match That Leveled the Game by Selena Roberts
Oprah: A Biography by Kitty Kelley
The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown
The Bronte Myth by Lucasta Miller
Tete-a-Tete: Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre by Hazel Rowley
Virginia Woolf by Alexandra Harris
Jane Goodall: the Woman Who Redefined Man by Dale Peterson
Emma Goldman: Revolution as a Way of Life by Vivian Gornick
Georgia O’Keefe: 1887-1986: Flowers in the Desert by Britta Benke
Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits by Linda Gordon
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books by William M. Kuhn
Ball of Fire: the Tumultuous Life and Comic Art of Lucille Ball by Stefan Kanfer

For Kids:

Amelia Earhart: the Legend of the Lost Aviator by Shelley Tanaka
Marie Curie: Discoverer of Radium by Margaret Poynter
Susan B. Anthony by Martha E.H. Rustad
Eleanor, Quiet No More: the Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Mia Hamm by Clay Latimer
Indira Nehru Gandhi, Ruler of India by Carol Greene
Eva Peron: First Lady of the People by Kremena Spengler
J.K. Rowling by William Compson
Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross by Barbara A. Somervill
Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and the French Revolution by Nancy Plain
Elizabeth Blackwell: the First Woman Doctor by Ira Peck
Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy by Judith Bloom Fradin
The True Story of Pocahontas by Colleen Adams
Sally Ride: Astronaut, Scientist, Teacher by Pamela Hill Nettleton
Sacagawea: A Photo-Illustrated Biography by Barbara Witteman
Harriet Tubman: Freedom Leader by Tanya Savory
Sojourner Truth: Speaking Up For Freedom by Geoffrey M. Horn
Dirt on Their Skirts: the Story of the Young Women Who Won The World Championship by Doreen Rappaport

Check out these films for entertainment pertaining to influential women:

Marie Antoinette
The Young Victoria
Pocahontas
Evita
Becoming Jane
Elizabeth, the Golden Age
My Week With Marilyn
A League of Their Own
Coco Before Chanel


Picture from http://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker-news/womens-history-month-profiles-courage

Monday, March 5, 2012

I Want to Read a Bestseller!

If you enjoy reading the books that everyone’s talking about, or simply like to stay abreast of current books, the New York Times Bestseller list is a great resource. You can access it directly through Easicat: from the Easicat page choose the “Search” tab, and then either “Keyword” or “Browse”. On the left side you’ll see a sidebar that says “NY Times Bestsellers.” If you click on the drop-down arrow, you can choose from bestselling fiction, non-fiction or advice titles (advice includes self-help, cookbooks and fitness books), as well as children’s and young adult chapter books (think Hunger Games), paperbacks, and picture books.


The best part about viewing the bestseller lists from Easicat is that you can immediately request a title by clicking the “Request” button. Or if you’re like me, and you have more books checked out than you have time to read, Easicat will keep a list of books you hope to read in the future: log on with your barcode number and PIN under the “Patron Account” tab, and then when you find a book you’d like to read, click on “Add to list” on the right-hand side of the screen.
While the NYT bestseller lists are top-10 lists, you’ll find as many as 50 entries in the Easicat version of the list. That’s because each book is listed in all the available formats. You can decode these by looking at the icon that appears next to the picture of the book.
means it’s a traditional book
means it’s a large print book


indicates a non-musical sound recording, which is a book on CD


Got an e-reader or an mp3 player?


indicates an e-book which you can download onto your e-reader or computer and


is the icon for an audiobook which you can listen to on an mp3 player or computer. Just click on the link that says “Click here to access the title or place a request” and it will take you the Wisconsin Library Digital Download Center (Overdrive).




Looking at the NYT Bestseller list is an easy way to find your next great read. Here’s a few I’ve read or listened to lately:




From the Adult Non-fiction list: Unbroken: a World War II airman’s story of survival, resilience and redemption by Laura Hillenbrand—I didn’t think I would be interested in the story of a WWII airman who was shot down over the Pacific Ocean, but so many people recommended it to me I decided to give it a try. I found myself riveted to the story of a man whose determination and mental toughness brought him to the 1936 Olympics, enabled him to survive weeks at sea in a lifeboat, and then carried him through months of brutality and horror in Japanese POW camps. It sounds like a grisly story, but in the end is an inspiring one.




From the Adult Fiction list: Fall of giants by Ken Follett—The master historical fiction writer wows us again with this book, the first in a series of three that will take us through the twentieth century. Follett’s characters include the rich and the poor, the influential and the ordinary, and the stories take us from the United States to England, France, Germany and Russia as we trace the fates of five inter-connected families.




From the Adult Advice list: Heaven is for real: a little boy’s astounding story of his trip to heaven and back by Todd Burpo—This is a wonderful story about a boy whose brush with death left him with stories about heaven that are nothing short of remarkable. He tells of people he met in heaven who he would not otherwise know because they were not alive during his life on earth, and he tells details of heaven that are consistent with facts in the Bible which he had not yet been taught in his short life. This book will bolster your faith in God, and provide comfort to any who are mourning those who have preceded them to heaven.




From the children’s chapter book list: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik—This book tells two stories simultaneously: the story of a young boy looking for his father, told entirely with words, and the story of a deaf girl, who has no words, told entirely in pictures. It is by the same author as The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was the inspiration for the movie Hugo.




Other NYT Bestsellers that have been made into award-winning movies include War Horse by Morpurgo, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, The Descendants by Kaui Hemmings, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carre, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, and The Vow by Kim and Krickett Carpenter. You can check out the book or the DVD, which is indicated by an icon that looks like this:




What should I read next? There’s bound to be something great on the New York Times Bestseller List.













Photo courstesy of Google Images