This Week's Staff Favorites: Volume 16

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
I finished the debut novel of Ruta Sepetys called Between Shades of Gray a few months ago, and while it’s listed as a YA novel I think that the themes touched upon in the book can apply to almost all ages.
It goes back and forth from past experiences of a young Lithuanian girl named Lina to the current WWII setting where she and her family are forced into a desolate work camp in Siberia. Her family faces the possibility of starvation, separation, and death every single day throughout the narrative. What particularly stood out to me is that this is a retelling of a part of history that not many people are aware of. After the Soviet Union received Lithuania and other countries in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, most of the people in these countries and their families were deported and forced into secluded work camps because they were considered a threat to Stalin’s regime. This included military personnel, librarians, doctors, lawyers, and many other educated professionals. The novel shows another side of WWII and that even in times of great loss and devastation, it is possible to keep hope alive no matter what. Between Shades of Gray is available through SWAN.

-Judy, Reference


Sewing in a Straight Line by Brett Bara
I started sewing a few years ago by taking 6 months of classes at a local sewing store.  There, I learned the basics on how to operate a sewing machine, how to read a pattern, and ended up creating a few pairs of PJ pants, a couple of ill-fitting shirts and one tote bag that I use often.  I quit my sewing machine for a while, mostly because I am just not a fan of deciphering patterns to only have a questionable article of clothing to show for it in the end.  Not so long ago, I got back into sewing when I got this fantastic book via ILL! As the title denotes, all you really need to be able to do is sew in a straight line (much harder than it sounds!) to create any of the over 20 featured projects.  Personally, I've made the "Easy Breezy Blouse" which turned out to be not that easy, but is definitely breezy, the "World's Easiest Zippered Throw Pillow" which actually lives up to its moniker, the "Make It Your Way Ottoman Cover," which superbly covers an iron burn on my ottoman, and the "On-the-Go Jewelry Keeper," which is begging me to take it on a trip.  This book is available through SWAN.

-Jen, Youth Services

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
We expect the love we think we deserve. In the 2012 film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower",
two friends take Sam under their wing after spending his young life on the sidelines of life until his friends show him how to participate in life.  
We can’t choose where we come from but we can choose where we go from there.  Its a fun film to watch with a group of friends and you might see a bit of Sam in yourself.

-Darlene, Circulation


Coursera
I’m really impressed with Coursera, which offers free online classes through some of the world’s best universities. Each course is structured differently, but most are five to eight weeks long and consist of weekly video lectures, written assignments, quizzes, and forums for engaging with your professor and classmates. Coursera has a preponderance of technology and computer science offerings, but there are dozens of art, philosophy, finance, and nutrition classes as well.

So, are massive open online courses (MOOCs) the future of education? That remains to be seen, but they provide an exciting service for people who are eager for information and instruction without a hefty tuition payment. 

-Megan, Reference

Pope Francis
My favorite thing this week is the fact that Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose to be known as Pope Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, my favorite saint. St. Francis decided to live a life of poverty and devotion after his experience among the beggars in St. Peter’s Basilica during a pilgrimage to Rome. He is best remembered today for his love of nature and his connection with animals -- he is usually depicted holding a bird in his hand.

-Mike, Reference
 

This Week's Staff Favorites: Volume 15

Benediction by Kent Haruf
In a tiny Colorado town, a man known to his friends as “Dad” is about to die from lung cancer. He only has months left, and almost everyone is trying to prepare themselves for his eventual death. But as Dad muses back on his life, we get a glimpse of other townspeople reflecting on their own lives and making the narrative all the more powerful. From a misunderstood preacher to a young girl who is frightened by death, we get a solid impression of what is fundamental to these people, the regrets they have, and what they are doing to survive their current journey of life. I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but this novel is pretty intense & beautiful at the same time. A word to the wise: I cried a lot, so if you’re a crier buy an extra box of tissues. It’s available on our New Book Shelf or through our online catalog.

-Judy, Reference

Cléo from 5 to 7
This movie chronicles of the life of Cléo (Corinne Marchand), a seemingly superficial young singer, as she awaits her cancer diagnosis in real-time. Directed by Agnès Varda, it documents one woman's sudden struggle with mortality, but it’s also a celebration of life’s ephemeral joys-- the Citroen DS, butterflies, encounters with eccentrics, and the charm of polka-dotted A-line dresses to name but a few.

-Megan, Reference

Free Fries!
For the frugal spender:
Burger King is giving away free fries and green ketchup for St. Patrick’s Day! Don’t forget to check it out on St. Pat’s Day, next Sunday the 17th!

-Darlene, Circulation

Foxygen’s Album - 21st Century Ambassadors

I like Foxygen’s new album because it has a retro sound without being annoying or feeling like a total rip-off. The lyrics are playful and the soft delivery goes really well with the piano. The song “San Francisco”, with its call and response chorus, is the best kind of earworm. Acorn’s copy should be available soon. For now, you can place a hold through SWAN.  

-Mike, Reference

Patron Review: Rick Steves' Iran

I watched the DVD Rick Steves' Iran. It is an overview of Iranian history and culture.

What I learned is that Iranians are Persian, not Arab. Their written history goes back over 2500 years. This is the home of Babylon, the place of exile for ancient Hebrews.

In 1951, the popularly elected prime minister nationalized oil companies. People rallied against this move. The CIA intervened in 1953, to remove the prime minister and bring in the Shah of Iran. The oil companies came to life again. But the Shah irritated some Iranians because he imbibed liquor, lived richly, and generally behaved decadently in their eyes. Eventually students erupted in 1979, and took Americans in the embassy hostage for over 400 days. Most of us remember this. Now Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is a president, but it is the Imam who has final say about government actions.

For a delightful look at the country, which our Congress loves to hate, and to see young and old sending loving greetings to Americans, check out this DVD.

Another detailed look into Iran that I would recommend is Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi's book, Iran Awakening, which is in Acorn Public Library's collection. A most readable entree into understanding Iran.

-Janice Gintzler, Acorn patron

This Week's Staff Favorites: Volume 14

Ed Bruker and Sean Phillips Comics
I’ve been enjoying the Criminal series written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Sean Phillips. They are really entertaining crime noir stories with overlapping characters and plots. They don’t need to be read in order, but I’d start with Coward.  At Acorn, we have Death Chases Me, book one of the Fatale series. It has the hard-boiled detective vibe plus a beyond-the-noir supernatural aspect that I really enjoy. Even if you don’t think you like comics, Brubaker is worth a try.

-Mike, Reference

MythBusters: Science Fair Book
It's that time of year--time to start helping my daughter think of an appropriate, educational experiment to do for the school science fair.  I have looked through several books.  My favorite has turned out to be one called MythBusters: Science Fair Book by Samantha Margles.  The pictures draw the reader in and the text is easy to understand.  I'll have to let you know in a few weeks how the experiment goes!

-Janice, Youth Services

A Place at the Table Campaign
A lot of people don’t realize this, but according to current statistics, 50 million people aren’t sure where or when they will receive their next meal (that includes children). It’s shocking to think that so many are living this way. Two hopeful individuals, Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbrush, have made a documentary telling stories of how average Americans are not only struggling to put food on the table, but cannot afford healthy food - resulting in illness & shortened lives. Their hope is that through this documentary, lawmakers will change legislation and people will become more involved. The documentary comes out today in theaters, on iTunes, and OnDemand. (You can view the trailer on YouTube, too!) The book A Place at the Table has not come out yet, but will be soon; you can put a hold on it electronically through SWAN. And even if you don’t take advantage of these items, the campaign’s website is worth taking a look at: there are events listed for the campaign nationally, updated news that directly impacts consumers (wildlife, poverty, agriculture, etc.) and there are online resources listed if you or someone you know needs food assistance. Federal food programs are listed, as well as how to contact your local Congressman about the issue and how to get further involved. This is such a worthwhile cause; it’s definitely worth checking out!!!

-Judy, Reference

Enlightened: The Complete First Season
Laura Dern stars as Amy, a woman who is hell-bent on saving the planet--beginning with herself, her burnout ex-husband, and an evil, mysterious corporation known as Abaddon. Enlightened weaves together interesting topics (like self-help, activism, addiction, consumerism, and social hierarchies) and ever-shifting moods (comedy to drama to satire) in a uniquely sharp, unexpected, and often poignant way. Frankly,  it's the best television show I've seen in years. I recommend that you request it from SWAN immediately!

-Megan, Reference