Best American Essays 2012:
The annual Best American Essays series compiles the year's most noteworthy essays, with 2012 dwelling on such diverse topics as modern psychiatry, Edward Hopper, the evils and joys of transcendentalism, the nostalgia of physical objects, boredom, and the multiverse. The essays in this collection are eye-opening and often haunting: though most collections will have you poking around like a Whitman's sampler (as noted by '07's editor David Foster Wallace), this is one of the first in the series where every essay deserves being read and re-read. The Best American Essays 2012 can be found on Acorn's New Books shelf.
-Anna, Youth Services
The Moth Podcast:
The Moth storytelling shows feature people telling true stories, on stage in front of a live audience, without notes. What sounds to me like a crazy nerve-racking experience for anyone other than the most gifted of professional storytellers creates a variety of amazingly entertaining stories told by all kinds of people. Some are touching, some are implausible, some are scary, and some are sobering, but most are also incredibly funny. The Moth holds live storytelling events in several cities, including Chicago! I would love to attend a show, but until then, the free podcasts available online and on iTunes will have to suffice.
-Jennifer, Youth Services
Beginners:
As you may recall, Christopher Plummer won an Oscar earlier this year for his role here as Hal, a 75-year-old man who comes out as gay after the death of his wife, and who dies himself of cancer several years later. So is this a sad, sentimental exploration of death and identity? Certainly, but it's also quirky and hilarious (and perhaps even heartwarming), as we watch Hal's son Oliver (Ewan McGregor) deal his father's death by falling in love with a French actress and hanging out with an immensely wise Jack Russell terrier named Arthur.
-Eric, Director
Visions by Grimes:
Grimes--a 24-year-old Canadian named Claire Boucher--combines breathy vocals, stomping industrial beats, and ghostly atmospherics in this unique confection, which the internet sportingly describes as “witch house” and “grave wave.” At any rate, I heartily recommend this album to anybody who likes their shamelessly cheesy pop with a hint of something sinister.
-Megan, Reference
Senna:
Ayrton Senna da Silva was a three-time Formula One World Champion who tragically died in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The documentary focuses on his racing career, but offers just enough of his intense and charismatic personality to keep you wanting more. If you’re interested in Formula One, sports documentaries, or just want an exciting movie, watch Senna.
-Mike, Reference
Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens:
I'm not really a fan of Christmas music, but Stevens has changed my mind (for the moment, anyway). He's compiled five mini-albums of traditional Christian Christmas songs with his unique signature folksy style and original ones as well that make holiday music more than bearable. Unique tracks (and my favorites) include: "The Friendly Beasts", which tells the story of the nativity through the eyes of the animals present, "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella", and "Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day (Well, You Deserved It!)".
-Judy, Reference
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