"Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls"- David Sedaris
Pretty disappointed by Sedaris' last compilation of fictional essays "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk," I was reservedly excited about his latest release. Luckily, Sedaris returned to mostly personal essays, an area in which he shines. I was able to see Sedaris speak at the Auditorium Theater last November, so some of the stories were familiar, but all ranged from amusing to hilarious, filled with Sedaris' trademark wry commentary on his family, life as an expat in both England and France and the banal trials of growing older. I highly recommend this title, along with most others in his collection, all of which are available at Acorn. Also, tickets go on sale today to hear Sedaris speak this November at the Auditorium Theater!
-Jen, Youth Services
The Travels of Marco Polo: The Illustrated Edition
I’ve been interested in Marco Polo since I read Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino a few years ago. In Calvino’s fictional account, Marco Polo describes the beautiful, but impossible-sounding cities of Kublai Khan’s empire to the aging Khan. Calvino’s descriptions, which are alternately picturesque and unimaginable, have stuck with me. Marco Polo’s account is interesting not for the writing, but because it is (allegedly) true. His account of his travels from Venice to Shanghai and back are not to completely trusted, but they are enjoyable in the same way as Herodotus’ Histories. The illustrations in The Travels of Marco Polo: The Illustrated Edition make it worth the read. You can find our copy on the New Books Shelf and through SWAN.
-Mike, Reference
In Our Nature
In Our Nature is filled with bits of humor about an estranged father and son who unexpectedly show up with their partners, each working out their relationships mixed with family dynamics around a table of vegan meals, and learning things about each other. Soon each comes full circle with mutual respect for one another. Zach Gilford,Jena Malone, John Slattery,and Gabrielle Union star in this film is available through SWAN and is located on our New Books Shelf.
-Darlene, Circulation
The Underground New York Public Library
Experimental photography has always been curious and beautiful to me; to be able to capture a moment in history in an unprecedented way is absolutely fascinating. Here, artist and storyteller Ourit Ben-Haim takes a routine and commonplace occurrence - reading a book while riding the subway - and turns it into riveting works of art. Snapshots of countless people reading a variety of materials fill the pages of his website and I can’t help but wonder two things: 1) why these subjects are reading what they’re currently reading and 2) what does my reading material say about me. Ben-Haim’s photographs are an insight into a mundane but very personal part of our lives and like Ben-Haim states on his website, “it’s an attempt to reveal us as we are”.
-Judy, Reference
Living with Less: How to Downsize to 100 Personal Possessions by Mary Lambert
This is a new book I picked up on the new shelf this week. Lambert is a British decluttering consultant. The book was a quick read with helpful questionnaires, pictures, blog entries, monthly goals, and a variety of areas in life to consider in the realm of decluttering. Personally, I am not sure I could really get myself down to 100 items, but I am in the process of trying to declutter my home. It's not easy, but with baby steps, I believe it can be done. (On a side note, the city of Oak Forest is having their city-wide garage sale on Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. It's a great way for people to declutter their homes. Of course, it may mean more clutter will enter the buyer's home, but one must use discernment!)
-Janice, Youth Services
Openculture.com
This website presents an inquisitive, curatorial view of the internet. Recent posts cover a Muddy Waters/Rolling Stones concert from the Checkerboard Lounge (as well as Keith's musings on his band's cultural appropriations and a "bitter" John Lennon), Geoffrey Baer's new series called Ten Buildings That Changed America, and a hypnotic, whimsical video tour of 1927 London. Additionally, Open Culture offers extensive, up-to-date resources for finding the best online freebies, from MOOCs to textbooks to educational tools for kids.
-Megan, Reference
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