Friday, March 29, 2013

This Week's Staff Favorites: Volume 18





A Bottle in Front of Me on Bon Appetit
No matter what the occasion is, birthday, graduation or just because, "A Bottle In Front Of Me" is a terrific site if you want to get an idea of what to expect before you try it or buy it. It’s an online column by foodist and editor Andrew Knowlton. He shares his weekly picks and shares his reviews from wines to Cognac…bottoms up.

-Darlene, Circulation

I stumbled across this site while looking up reader advisory materials, and even I have to admit it’s pretty neat. The website gathers interviews from famous and not-so-famous authors, critics, and other professionals and has them recommend five books on a particular topic, whether it be espionage or history on the Middle East or Sherlock Holmes. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially because the people interviewed are (more often than not) experts in the topic and the material itself is very riveting.

-Judy, Reference

Between a Rock and a Grace Place:  Divine Surprises in the Tight Spots of Life by Carol Kent
I was surprised (pun intended) that this book was one I couldn't put down.  The author's only son was convicted of first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole which she describes in another book called When I Lay My Isaac Down.  This book has 8 chapters in which she shares stories of how she has been surprised by faith, mercy, contentment, thanksgiving, favor, joy, freedom and adventure.  Kent also weaves in other people's stories that fit those categories.  I laughed and cried.  I gave my family an extra hug.  This book is available on Acorn's shelf.

-Janice, Youth Services

NCAA  Men’s Basketball Tournament
Every year, the players grow more absurdly athletic and the division between the traditional superpowers and scrappy upstarts (Florida Gulf Coast University, anyone?) disintegrates even further. The result is a tournament filled with unprecedented drama, enthusiasm, and unpredictability. Plus, there is plenty of smart writing on the internet to stoke one’s fandom throughout, namely Grantland’s--whose coverage runs the gamut from  a seven-tiered defense of Duke to fictionalized biographies of Harvard’s band. Though there are issues that need to be resolved in high-profile college sports, March Madness provides the perfect opportunity to focus on the spirit of the game. I’ll be happy as long as Duke doesn’t win it…or Louisville…but mainly Duke.

-Megan, Reference

My most recently read comic book series is filled with supernatural horror. Three children move to Lovecraft, MA after their father is killed by the son’s classmate who was used by the spirit of the father’s high school friend. Then it gets weird. They move to their father’s childhood home, Keyhouse, where they find a series of keys that unleashes a battle of demonic proportions. The comics are available as hardcover books through SWAN.

-Mike, Reference

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