Burbank Library Blog

"Hey Ma, look what I found" or serendipity on the book shelves!

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:31:00 +0000

I recently had occasion to search for some books on a list of problems and noticed that some of the found books were quite intriguing and deserved to be brought to your attention for reading consideration. So with no further delay, here is what I found, hope you enjoy them!

The invention of Clouds by Richard Hamblyn "tells the extraordinary story of an amateur meteorologist, Luke Howard, and his groundbreaking work to define what had hitherto been random and unknowable structures-clouds. In December 1802, Luke Howard delivered a lecture that was to be a defining point in natural history and meteorology. He named the clouds, classifying them in terms that remain familiar to this day: cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and nimbus." This truly can qualify as a "small treasure" on our shelves...the book is only 5.5" high!

A Sense of the World : How a blind man becam history's greatest traveler by Jason Roberts With a title like that, how can one not be intrigued to read about the life of James Holman who was "known as the Blind Traveler-a solitary, sightless adventurer who, astonishingly, fought the slave trade in Africa, survived a frozen captivity in Siberia, hunter rogue elephants in Ceylon, and helped chart the Austrailian outback". Whew, wonder what he did in his spare time?

The Dangerous World of Spies and Spying by Robert Liston This book, while 40+ years old would hold great appeal to readers fond of mystery or espionage fiction or true crime readers. It does lack illustrations or photographs but has morse code to decipher at the beginning of each chapter and how can one resist a chapers entitled "The corpse that "talked" or "How spying stopped Hitler's secret weapons".

Seven Underwater Wonders of the World by Rick Sammon An International panel of Marine scientists selected the seven underwater wonders of the world and the aptly named Sammon visits, explores and writes of his time spent at all seven wonders. The seven underwater wonders are The Belize Barrier Reef, Lake Baikal, The Northern Red Sea, The Galapagos Archipelago, The Great Barrier Reef, Deep Ocean Vents and Palau. The beautiful photography alone is reason enough to check this book out!

What We're Reading: Stitches

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:27:00 +0000

David Small, award winning illustrator and children’s author has written his memoir, Stitches, in the form of graphic (illustrated) nonfiction. The memoir begins in Detroit when David was 6 years old, and we see his troubled family through his eyes. Through the years we get more glimpses of his family and their unspoken emotions and secrets that tremendously impact David’s life. At the age of 14 he woke from a “harmless” operation to find his vocal chords cut, leaving him unable to speak . The reader follows David’s life and his struggle to live with his family and his parents’ secrets. Until finally, as an adult he finally begins to unravel the secrets and to understand his parents, as well as himself.

This is the first graphic book I’ve read and I was surprised that the author could communicate the scope of his life and his feelings in so few words. A particular group of 11 pages with no words at all was so moving I was brought to tears. I’m now a convert to graphic novels and nonfiction if they continue to be as interesting and moving as this book.

Posted on behalf of Leslie

What We're Listening To - Sgt. Pepper Live by Cheap Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +0000

In recent years, it has become fashionable for Rock 'n Roll groups to play the entirety of an album live in concert. Pink Floyd [Dark Side of the Moon], Steely Dan [Aja, The Royal Scam, Goucho], Van Morrison [Astral Weeks] and even Bruce Springsteen [Born to Run]. A great concept that is sure to please fans!

That said, perhaps the most unusual take on this concept is one that I've been listening to, that of Cheap Trick performing the Beatles masterpiece Sgt. Pepper.

Sgt. Pepper Live is intriguing for two basic reasons, one it is Cheap Trick not doing their own material and taking on the Beatles [takes a lot of confidence to do a concert and nary a song is your song] and two, what Beatles fan hasn't wondered "what if". What if the Beatles had continued to tour what would it sound like? Confidence it takes, talent helps too, and I think you'll find Cheap Trick up to the task in honoring the Beatles with this disc. BTW the last track is last part of the famous medley that so famously concludes the Abbey Road album and makes a great conclusion to a very satisfying listen.

What We’re Reading: Teens’ Top Ten

noreply@blogger.com (EMME) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:20:00 +0000

I’m working my way down the list of the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten books, recently announced during Teen Read Week (see blog below for the entire list). I’m having a hard time doing it, however, because the books are all so popular that I can never find one on the shelves! This week, however, I managed to grab The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart, in between check-outs. I have wanted to read it ever since we bought it for the collection, just because I love the name. I’m happy to say that the book lives up to its quirky and provocative title.

Frances Rose “Frankie” Landau-Banks is a legacy girl at Alabaster Prep, an "exclusive, expensive and academically rigorous" boarding school in Massachusetts. She has blossomed during the summer from a gawky freshman with frizzy hair to a sleek sophomore who, on her first day back, attracts the attention of senior Matthew Livingston. Golden boy Matthew never before noticed her existence, even though she was introduced to him at least twice last year by her older sister. Becoming Matthew’s girlfriend admits her to his inner circle, and she soon discovers that she has fallen in love with his friends and the relaxed and secure atmosphere they project.

But Frankie soon realizes that she is excluded from something all the others are a part of, just by reason of gender: The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. Her father was a Basset back when he was at Alabaster, but it’s an all-male secret society, and Frankie can’t pry any details out of her father or her new friends. Her frustration, combined with a class she’s taking called “Cities, Art and Protest” and a little inspiration from P. G. Wodehouse galvanizes Frankie: She’s smarter than the Bassets, she’s more creative, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make everyone at Alabaster sit up and take notice. Frankie, with her irreverence and daring, is a great addition to Lockhart’s list of heroines.

E. Lockhart is also the YA author of the Ruby Oliver books (The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, The Treasure Map of Boys), as well as Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, and How to Be Bad (with Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle). Disreputable History was also a Printz Award honor book, a finalist for the National Book Award, and recipient of the Cybils Award for best young adult novel. If you want to know more about E-is-for-Emily and her books, go to http://e-lockhart.com/main/?page_id=14.

Teen Writing Contest: Tales of Terror

noreply@blogger.com (EMME) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:52:00 +0000

We received 39 entries for our Teen Read Month writing contest, which ended on Hallowe'en. The challenge was to write a scary story, tell a tale of terror, and be a master of the macabre, and Burbank teens stepped up, with such terrifying titles as “The Revengeful Ghost,” “The Werewolf in the Mist,” “Dance of the Dead,” and “Her Evil Twin.” On the contest flyer, we indicated that we would announce the three prize-winning entries on Tuesday, November 10, at a screening of Twilight. Unfortunately, that event has been cancelled, so we will instead notify the three top writers by telephone and/or email. Thanks to everyone who submitted--we teen librarians expect to have a nightmare-filled week reading all your stories!

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:24:00 +0000

November is National Family Literacy Month

National Center for Family Literacy is celebrating online with new resources for families. Spend time together with your family to have fun and learn !

EXPLORE THE LITERACY HOUSE and see how simple it is to help your child learn through daily activities using everyday household items. And Check Out NCFL’s:

FREE RESOURCES
GET INVOLVED
LITERACY & THE PARENTS

In Los Angeles, Check Out First 5 LA - Ready. Set. Grow !

First 5 LA believes that the first 5 years of life establish the foundation for the future success of our children - increasing the number of children from the prenatal stage through age 5 who are physically and emotionally healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

America's 2-to-5 year olds spend a whopping 32 hours per week watching TV - NY Daily News: October 30, 2009 by Rosemary Black

America's couch potatoes in training – its 2- to 5-year olds – spend nearly as much time watching TV as their parents spend at work, according to new research. Preschoolers log more than 32 hours of tube time each week, according to a study by the Nielsen Co.

"Parents depend on the TV as a way to get things done, but when you let your kids watch TV constantly, then they don't know how to do anything except watch TV," says Mike Mosiman, co-author, with his wife, Renee, of "The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child's Intellectual Potential." "And the kids who are the most addicted to the TV tend to get bored easily when the TV is off."

If you're thinking of switching off the electronic baby-sitter and getting those bored little tube addicts engrossed in actual play, it may be easier than you think. While you're at it, if you have older children as well, take note of their viewing habits. That same Nielsen study found that 6- to 11-year-olds watch a little less (28 hours a week), but that's because they have to interrupt their tube time to attend school. READ MORE !

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Did You Celebrating Teen Read Week: Oct 18 - 24 ?
Did You Encourage teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it ?

Check Out Teens' Favorite Reads I, II, and III @ Burbank Public Library

. . . or . . .

Check Out 2009 Teens' Top 10
- over 11,000 teen voters chose Paper Towns as their favorite book

Paper Towns - John Green (Penguin/Dutton)
Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
Identical - Ellen Hopkins (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins)
Wake - Lisa McMann (Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse)
Untamed - P.C. and Kristin Cast (St. Martin's Griffin)
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks - E. Lockhart (Disney-Hyperion)
Graceling - Kristin Cashore (Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

. . . take a look at a survey of What Teens Read:

What do Teens Want ?

PW: October 26, 2009 by Carol Fitzgerald

In an industry without a lot of good news to report, the one consistent bright spot has been publishing for teens. The survey reflects teens who are already drawn to books; not studying what keeps nonreaders from picking up a book.

- Avid readers during the summer: 41% read more than 20 books

- Continue reading for pleasure during school: 34% read more than 10 books

- Genres: 87% fiction; 76% series; 74% romance; 69% fantasy; 64% adventure; 61% mysteries; 53% books made into film; 44% horror; 43% classics . . .

- Formats: 79% paperbacks; 74% hardcover; 6% audiobooks; 6% e-books

- Adult Titles: 31% read them without reservation; 58% read depending on the book; 11% do not read adult titles - The most popular adult authors include Mitch Albom, Jane Austen, Meg Cabot, Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Suzanne Collins, Michael Crichton, Janet Evanovich, John Grisham, Charlaine Harris, Sophie Kinsella, Dean Koontz, George Orwell, Chuck Palahniuk, James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, David Sedaris, Nicholas Sparks and John Steinbeck.

- Social Networking
Facebook: 71% -26% check in more than once a day; 14% once a day
MySpace: 42% -8% use it more than once a day; 7% once a day
Twitter: 25.7% -6% use it more than once a day; 2.7% once a day
also use Goodreads, Shelfari, Library Thing and a few use Flickr

- E-books: reading for fun if price were affordable:
46% preferred printed books; 38% would like one; 16% not sure how they felt

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:14:00 +0000

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure: Episode 3
By Kate DiCamillo - Illustration by Calef Brown

THE FOUND CLUE
It was Boppo, of course. His hair was standing up on top of his head in a way that was not at all attractive. It made him look quite mad.

How to be a better pet parent

noreply@blogger.com (Louise) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:14:00 +0000

The Burbank Public Library hosted an evening devoted to pets and their "parents" on October 15. Several speakers discussed the various aspects of selecting the right pet and good pet parenting. Denise Fleck, an expert in Pet First-Aid introduced the program and gave a demonstration of pet CPR. Volunteers from the Burbank Animal Shelter discussed choosing the right pet, what types of pets to avoid, shelter success stories, and the shelter's kitten fostering program.

Obedience trainer Cyndy Wood had a lot of good tips for dog training, some important dos and don'ts when dealing with animal behavior problems, and ways to solve canine behavior issues. If you'd like more information on obedience training, visit her website at http://www.sitstaygooddawg.com/.

Veterinarian Liz Koskenmaki (Dr. Liz) stressed the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary care for your pets. She currently practices at the Media City Animal Hospital in Burbank. Learn more about Dr. Liz at her website, http://www.docliz.com/.

The program participants left with a great deal of valuable information. One told Denise Fleck, "this talk should be mandatory for anyone adopting a pet. I learned so much I wish I knew before I became a dog mom!" Visit Denise's website at http://www.sunnydogink.com/ for more information about pet first aid.

What We’re Reading: Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

noreply@blogger.com (dmaxwell) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:49:00 +0000

After writing four novels, including Postcards From The Edge, the thinly fictionalized account of her life and relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds, Fisher has written a memoir. As a general rule, it is usually safe to assume that the fictionalized account of a life will be the more colorful, but with Fisher, while Postcards From The Edge is definitely color, Wishful Drinking, her own account of her life is a full-blown, over-saturated Technicolor extravaganza!

While the account jumps around, it covers everything from her birth, her parents’ tumultuous relationships (with each other and their other partners/spouses), growing up as the child of a star, her own bouts with stardom (and a relationship with George Lucas that, according to Fisher, requires her to send him money each and every time she looks in a mirror), her own two marriages, her rounds of addiction and recovery, her use of “electro-convulsive therapy” and the birth of her daughter. All of which are described in almost uncomfortable detail (Fisher states that, by the end of the book, you’ll feel so close, you’ll want to divorce her, but you will get no alimony!).

All of this is told in Fisher’s strong, fearless, but biting, voice. The book isn’t really a tell all, but also doesn’t pull any punches. And while Fisher readily admits that she has had a privileged life, she has also had some real difficulties (and the sources of some of those difficulties have been that privileged life). These two extremes seem to balance each other out, allowing for her to make real and honest insights and observations, all of which are funnier than expected when described by Fisher.

Fisher says that you are only as sick as your secrets and, that if that’s true, she is really, really healthy!! It’s only funny because it’s true!

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:57:00 +0000

National Day of Writing: October 20
The National Gallery of Writing

Writing is a daily practice for millions of Americans, but few notice how integral writing has become to daily life in the 21st century. To draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in and help make writers from all walks of life aware of their craft, NCTE has established October 20, 2009 as the National Day on Writing.

Encourage Writing:

National Writing Project (NWP) sites work with teachers to improve writing instruction in America's schools. Many NWP sites offer special writing programs for children. Typically, these programs combine motivational and skill-building activities, peer group interaction, and publishing opportunities. To find a writing project site near you, please check NWP's map of sites.

On the National Day on Writing a gallery of submitted works will be opened up for everyone to view a wide variety of pieces. Groups will also be celebrating the day across the country.

The National Gallery of Writing is collecting all kinds of writing from people from all walks of life—people just like you. Submit 1 composition: stories, poems, recipes, emails, blogs, even audio, video, and artwork. NGW will accept submissions until June 1, 2010 and will remain open to readers through June 30, 2010.

A Web cast of the national event will air live from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, on Tuesday, October 20.

Father Damien

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Two statues represent each state in the Capitol and Statuary Hall in Washington, D. C. Ronald Reagan and Junipero Serra represent California, and representing the state of Hawaii is Father Damien (or Jozef de Veuster), famous for his work with Hansen’s disease patients in Kalaupapa, Moloka’i. On October 11, 2009, Father Damien was canonized as a saint in Rome along with Sister Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński, Sister Jeanne Jugan, Father Francisco Coll Guitart and Rafael Arnáiz Barón.

Aside from the plethora of books written about Father Damien and occasional movie interest, one book stands out about the history of Kalaupapa. The book is The Colony by John Tayman. Having visited the settlement of Kalaupapa and meeting some of its residents, I found this book to be fascinating. How the state of Hawaii dealt with residents who contracted leprosy and the courage of someone like Father Damien, a Belgian who went to work among them only to die of the same disease, makes this a “must read” if you ever plan to visit the island of Moloka’i or want a good book. This is a darker side to Hawaiian history, but one that must be told.

Submitted on behalf of Librarian Bonnie.

What We're Reading: $20 Per Gallon

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:03:00 +0000

In $20 Per Gallon, Christopher Steiner engages us in a somewhat painful thought experiment - as the price of gas increases, how will our lives change? It's a little more palatable because of his optimism, and his feeling that life will ultimately change for the better the more the cost at the pump. We got a little taste of it at $4 a gallon, as the value of SUVs plummeted. However, what about when we catch up with other parts of the world who already pay $8 per gallon of gas? Or, what about $20? The chapters aren't set up in strict numerical order, but rather dollar amounts - $6, $8, $10, $12, and so on.

There are obvious benefits to the environment, surely, with fewer gas powered cars on the road and the like. However, we will also find better ways to harness our waste and turn it into energy we can use. West Virginia Alloy is a good example; they manufacture silicon and gobble up a lot of energy to do so. The sweltering heat that is produced from the process can be used by a steam turbine to turn it into 50 megawatts - enough to power 40,000 American households - that can be routed right back into the plant for its own energy needs. That makes environmental and business sense. Win-win.

There's more than I could ever hope to cover here, which is why you just need to read it. From the revitalization of our city centers to the renaissance of rail, there is much to mull over. Much of the truly interesting predictions come toward the end of the book, which makes sense. At $20 per gallon, our nation will certainly look a lot different than it does today. You may not agree with everything - people have been sounding the death knell for Walmart for a while now and they will most likely find a way to survive - but it's a lot of fun to think about nonetheless. In the end, you may even find yourself rooting for the inevitable rise of gasoline prices.

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0000

2009 State of America’s Brain Health

life’sDHA Index of Brain Health– an evaluation of brain health indicators in areas of diet, physical health, mental health and social well-being.

Take the Brain Health Quiz – note questions 12 & 13
#12: How many minutes do you spend reading for personal interest in a day ?
#13: How many hours do you volunteer in a typical month ?

Top 10 . . . California is 20th

District of Columbia
Maryland
Washington State
Vermont
Connecticut
Colorado
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Maine
New Hampshire

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse ?

It's not what you might think. An Exquisite Corpse is an old game in which people write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold it over to conceal part of it and pass it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud.

Our "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" works this way: Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has written the first episode, which is "pieced together out of so many parts that it is not possible to describe them all here, so go ahead and just start reading!" He has passed it on to a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who must eventually bring the story to an end.

Every 2 weeks, there will be a new episode and a new illustration. The story will conclude a year from now. "This story starts with a train rushing through the night . . . ." No one knows where or how it will end !

Episode 1 – Jon Scieszka
Episode 2 – Katherine Paterson
Episode 3 – Kate DiCamillo . . . coming October 23, 2009

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is a project of the Center for the Book and the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.

2009 Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to....

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:48:00 +0000

Herta Müller, a Romanian-born German novelist and essayist who is known for her writings about the oppression of dictatorship in her native country and the unmoored existence of the political exile, won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday.

The Burbank Public Library owns 3 novels by Muller but as often happens, winning the Nobel Prize will open up the American publishing market for her books and I think it safe to say that you'll see her spotlighted more in bookstores and that we'll acquire more titles when they become available. In the mean time you can read what we own!

Click for more details about this event.

What We're Reading: Hero by Perry Moore

noreply@blogger.com (dmaxwell) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:12:00 +0000

Thom Creed is a typical teenager: his parents are separated and he’s living with his father, a blue collar worker that doesn’t understand him, he’s balancing working a part time food service job, volunteering at the Community Center and his commitment to his high school basketball team. Like most teenagers, he also has some secrets he’s trying desperately to keep from his father, like the fact that he has just damaged the family computer trying to hide the sites he’s been visiting, the fact that he is developing superpowers, most likely given to him by his absent mother, and that he’s gay and has a crush on The League of Superhero’s poster-boy Uberman.

When Thom accepts an invitation to try out for The League, he is teamed up with Ruth, who sees the future, Scarlett, who can control fire, Typhoid Larry, who can make anyone as sick as he wants by touching them and Kevin/Golden Boy, who has super speed and a super attitude to match. This unlikely team must learn to trust each other and work together to solve the mysterious deaths of several League members.

Hero is set in an alternate reality populated by caped & cowled superheroes (just an adjective or two away from a copyright suit from the owners of DC comics). There’s even a mysterious “vigilante” that operates outside of the League’s purview and has his own secrets. Most of the story takes place in the suburbs of a major metropolis that has recently suffered a disaster of 9/11 proportions that was not prevented by the costumed community and for which Thom’s father, a disgraced former superhero himself, has become the scapegoat.

The “secret identity,” a staple in costumed superhero stories, is given an interesting tweak in this story where everyone has secrets and no one is what they appear on the surface. And when Thom is faced with difficult choices, he realizes that he must choose what type of person, and hero, he really wants to be. Hero is Perry Moore’s debut novel and, while the story seems clear cut, it takes several unexpected twists and turns as more is revealed about the characters. The story is told from Thom’s perspective, whose voice is clear and authentic, and many of the situations will both resonate with teenagers and sound remarkably familiar to adult readers that remember that period of self discovery.

Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs

noreply@blogger.com (AMBY) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:07:00 +0000

UAB Study Suggests Link Between Health Literacy, Happiness
April 20, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A new University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) study published in the advanced online edition of the journal Social Indicators Research suggests a link between the ease with which older adults can access and understand health information and their happiness.

In the study, researchers surveyed 383 older adults in Alabama ages 50 and up who were under the care of primary care physicians. Those surveyed were asked if they could read and answer questions on medical forms unassisted and to rate their level of happiness.

The study found that those with lower levels of health literacy - those who reported having the most problems reading and understanding medical forms - were more than twice as likely to report being unhappy regardless of health and socioeconomic status. READ MORE !

Health Literacy Month is an annual awareness-raising event started in 1999 by Helen Osborne along with a team of health literacy advocates.

The theme for Health Literacy Month 2009 is "Why Health Literacy Matters: Sharing Our Stories in Words, Pictures, and Sound."

Sign-Up for Health Literacy Consulting’s free monthly "What's New" e-newsletter.

. . . some health literacy sites of interest . . .

Health literacy articles, videos and images @ asterpix

The Health Literacy Special Collection:
Curricula - Health Info for All - Multilingual Health Info - Resources
Funding Sources - Cultural Competency - Plain Language

Health Information Literacy @ Medical Library Association

What We're Reading - Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware.

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:46:00 +0000

It is a land of WONDERS!

It is a land of MYSTERY.

It is a land that TIME FORGOT (or chose specifically not to remember).

Cut off from the civilized world for untold years, this land is called DELAWARE.

I've previously sung the praises for the very tongue-in-cheek children's adventure/mysteries by M.T. Anderson and after reading his third book in his "Pals in Peril" series, "Jasper Dash and the flame pits of Delaware", I'll sing my praises again. This guy is flat out fun to read. Silly, over-the-top action, plenty of terrible wordplay all mixed up with a genuine affection for children's series books from the past make Anderson a winning read.

This time around Jasper Dash, boy Technonaut and his two able sidekicks, Lilly Gefelty and Katie Mulligan have to venture to that most dangerous land...Delaware where they must try and save the lost monastery of Vbngoom and battle dinosaurs, forest squids, gangsters and the flame pits of Delaware. Fun and aimed at 5th grade and above readers and don't forget to check out my review of Whales on Stilts and The Clue in the Linoleum Lederhosen.

What We’re Reading: A View From The Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Dmaxwell) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

In 1982, Nicholas Meyer was tapped by Harve Bennett and Paramount Studios to write the script for the second Star Trek film (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) in twelve days. Meyers not only accomplished this task, but went on to direct the film, which is widely viewed as the best of the Star Trek feature films and is credited with saving the franchise for the studio.

Meyer is best known for his work on Star Trek II, IV & VI, and the bulk of this book recounts the years he was involved in working on these films. However, he has had a wide and varied career as an author (The Seven Percent Solution), Screenwriter (Elegy, Sommersby, The Human Stain) and Director (Time After Time, Volunteers, The Day After) and his work on these other projects, as well as ones that never made it to the screen, is described as well. This memoir takes readers through his nearly life-long love of film, including his recounting of a five year project to film his own version of Around the World in Eighty Days started when he was twelve years old, and how he was able to create a career in Hollywood that has lasted more than three decades.

Honest and candid, without dishing dirt, A View From the Bridge is Meyer’s personal accounts of his experiences, triumphs and regrets from both his personal and professional life. He also shares his insights and views regarding the motion picture industry and the tenuous balance that must be maintained between film as an art and film as a business. While A View From the Bridge is a must read for Star Trek fans, it is also a fascinating look at Hollywood for anyone interested in the film industry.

What We're Listening to - Van Morrison live.

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:59:00 +0000

Recently I've listened to two different live concert CDs by Van Morrison.

The most recent release is this year's Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl. Taken from performances on November 7 and 8, 2008, when four decades after its initial release, at the age 63, Van Morrison revisited Astral Weeks live in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl.

The second CD is "...It's Too Late to Stop Now..." In contrast, this set captures "Van the man" in his early prime during some 1973 concerts including local venues The Troubadour and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. This CD includes early hits like Gloria, Brown Eyed Girl and a mix of covers of various soul classics.

Both CDs are testimony to the songwriter, singer and performer.

Van Morrison has a long history of being the definition of a mercurial, talented, sometimes erratic and often brilliant performer and musical artist. I've never had the pleasure of seeing him live in concert, but I can guarantee that both of these CDs underscore the brilliance that Van Morrison can deliver and will make you want to see him the next time he is in town. Great music and it is fun to listen to both knowing that they capture an artist 35 years apart but delivering terrific music. Van Morrison is truly "the man", take a listen and hear why!

For an extra tasty musical treat, visit his website which features a performance of "Sweet Thing" from the Hollywood Bowl shows.

What We're Reading: Summer World

noreply@blogger.com (RTKO) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Summer World: A Season of Bounty
Bernd Heinrich

I have always looked forward with anticipation to the publication of a new book by Bernd Heinrich, certainly one of the finest natural history writers of the last twenty years or so. The genre may vary, but his books are always interesting reading, whether the focus is on a single species, like Mind of the Raven, the Geese of Beaver Bog, and Bumblebee Economics, his family memoirs, or the volumes that are miscellanies, like A Year in the Maine Woods and Winter World. Summer World is much like Winter World, an exploration of the life and behavior of various species made over a number of years during the summer season.

Whatever the natural history subject, you can expect a familiar combination of characteristics in Heinrich’s writing that make his approach original and unique. Stephan Jay Gould’s essays had their own distinct appeal, but they were far ranging topically, something to be expected in light of their periodic origins. In contrast, Heinrich groups related subjects and themes. While the location of his studies is always the area around his home in New England, and the subjects are species in what is his own backyard, so to speak, his inquiry cannot be dismissed as homespun charm or country lore. He is a field naturalist, the questions he poses are scientific, the specific answers he proposes are those founded in observation of a particular species in a given habitat over a long period of time, and they are elucidated by reference to classic evolutionary theory.

The major attraction of Heinrich’s writing, however, is in the way in which he allows his readers to be part of the process of scientific inquiry. You feel like you are walking the woods with him, patiently sitting on a branch of the same tree with him, and that the particular problem to be studied, the why to be answered about some observed natural phenomenon, is one that is companionable with your own sense of curiosity, however rusty that may be compared to Heinrich’s restless delight in wanting to know the answer to some unexplained natural mystery. A journey with Heinrich is about curiosity for its own sake, about the pleasure of knowing as an end in itself, a reconnection with an important and characteristic human faculty that seems less frequently a source of intellectual frisson for us these days. He is able to lead you to the same sense of wonder he feels in the answer, the discovery of yet another ingenious adaptation or strategy of life

While the demonstration of some fundamental principal of natural history often comes in a surprising manner, it never fails to come without reference to the fundamental physical laws that inform Heinrich’s view of nature, chiefly the small and unforgiving margins of nature’s economy, and the sense of the complex hyper-interdependence and vulnerability of species as they are shadowed by the remarkable resilience of life itself.

Heinrich accompanies his text with his own skilled drawings in a way that reminds me much of the way the early 19th century naturalists like Thomas Huxley or Joseph Dalton Hooker would sketch their discoveries of new species. He employs a time honored antiquarian approach with contemporary scientific insights and applies it to fresh inquiries in natural history. It is a combination that works well. In his hands the natural world we take for granted, more closely observed and queried, becomes richer and yet more spare, plastic but implacably circumscribed.

What We're Reading: An Edible History of Humanity

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:32:00 +0000

An Edible History of Humanity, by Tom Standage, looks at the history of civilization through the prism of something seemingly minor: its food. However, food changed the way humans lived, allowing people to settle down through the advent of agriculture. That's fairly common knowledge. What is so striking is the part it played at other times in human history - particularly in its ability to contribute to the outcome of war. Those that could find ways to travel light and still feed the army were those most likely to win the day; it helped Napoleon to conquer much of Europe, and proved to be his undoing as his soldiers marched deeper into Russia.

Food was, arguably, the catalyst for exploration, leading to the discovery of the New World and the quest for spices. With its increased production, some people could leave the farms for different jobs, bringing about the Industrial Revolution. It is the focus of the debate about biotechnology vs. organic agriculture. Of course, nothing we see on the farm existed in the wild; genetic modifications had to occur to bring out traits that were ideal for human needs. It can be political - many people refused to eat sugar for a time because it was connected to slave labor. There are an amazing amount of tasty tidbits to discover in these pages. Recommended for history buffs who would like a different perspective, and those who want to learn more about history in a relatively quick and painless manner.

The Big Read PSA

noreply@blogger.com (Duedsml) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Come meet Edgar Allan Poe Thursday night, October 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Buena Vista Branch Library.

noreply@blogger.com (EMME) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:18:00 +0000

“Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore.’”

As a partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, the Burbank Public Library is participating in the NEA Big Read again this year. The book we invite you to read (appropriately for the season) is Nevermore, a collection of the stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Many activities relating to the Big Read will be on offer during the entire month of October, some at the Boys and Girls Club and others at the library, including book discussions, screenings of classic movies, and a haunted house! For more information on specific events, check the library calendar and the Burbank READS Blog.

The kick-off event for the Big Read will take place this coming Thursday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Buena Vista Branch Library. Broadway and film veteran Duffy Hudson will walk on stage as Edgar Allan Poe, to share his life story and perform three of his most memorable works—The Raven, Annabel Lee, and The Tell-Tale Heart. Join us to learn more about this American master of the macabre—but don’t be surprised by the chill running down your spine….