Christy's blog

I had the opportunity to see the musical Footloose over the weekend which was an enjoyable revamp of the classic 80's movie starring Kevin Bacon.  Seeing the musical got me thinking about about the many 80's movies that featured such great music to the point where when you hear the song now you say "that's the song from ..."  Check out my picks for 80's movies with great music and please feel free to recommend your own favorites:

• Footloose (Songs- Footloose by Kenny Loggins, Almost Paradise by Ann Wilson & Mike Reno)
• Dirty Dancing (Song- (I've Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes)
• Top Gun (Song- Take My Breath Away by Berlin; You've Lost that Loving Feeling by The Righteous Brothers)
• The Breakfast Club (Song- Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds)
• Back to the Future (Song- The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News)
• Cocktail (Song- Kokamo by The Beach Boys)
• Rocky III (Song- Eye of the Tiger by Survivor)
• Ghost (Song- Unchained Medley by (The Righteous Brothers)
• Risky Business (Song- Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger)

From classic cars to movie stars, the 1950's are an iconic period in American history.     Stop by the library and check out our display of books and movies reminiscent of the 1950's.  If cars are your thing, check out the books showcasing the cool cars from the 50's.  If it's fashion and pop culture- we've got that covered too.  Plus any number of movies featuring stars of the 1950's like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Steve McQueen.  And if you're wondering what great literature came out of the 1950's check out these authors:

• Beezus & Ramona by Beverly Cleary (1955)
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (1957)
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952)
• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)
• The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952)
• The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis  (1950)
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1958)
• The Old Man & the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (1951)
• Peyton Place by Grace Metalious (1956)

Inspired by the Library's recent program, Pie Party- check out these mysteries featuring food:

• Conant Susan & Conant Jessica.   Series Star: Gourmand Chloe Carter.  First Book: Steamed.
• Diane Mott Davidson- Series Star: Goldy Schulz, a caterer from Colorado.  First Book: Catering to Nobody.
• Joanne Fluke- Series Star: Hannah Swensen, a bakery chef from Minnesota.  First Book: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.
• Tamar Myers- Series Star: Mennonite Magdalena Yoder, owner of the Penn Dutch Inn.  First Book: Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth.

Have other favorites?  Post a comment and share you favorite foodie authors. 

If you like humorous books where anything can happen and often will, then check out author Carl Hiaasen. With crooked politicians, corrupt enviromentalists, and a whole host of inept criminals and zany heroes, Carl Hiaasen's novels are hilarious thrillers set in Hiaasen's vividly described home state of Florida.  

There has long been a debate over whether it is better to read the book first and then watch the movie or vice versa. Some will argue that it's better to first read the book as you will get the most complete version of the story as the movie almost always leaves something out. Others will argue it's better to watch the movie first as the book is almost always better so this way you can enjoy the movie without the prejudice of the book.

If you're one of those who prefer watching the movie first you'll be exited to learn that the best selling book The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is now released on DVD and is available to request here at Brookfield.   The movie was produced in its native Sweden & has English subtitles.  So if you want to see the story that's got everyone talking, put in a request for the DVD of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo today!

Like a bookstore- the library does contain a humor section- just look under in the Non Fiction section under 817 and there you'll find favorite authors like Dave Barry, David Sedaris, Jen Lancaster, Chelsea Handler and the Sweet Potato Queens.

In fact though, humor exists in many places throughout the library- we have humorous fiction by authors like Christopher Moore, Jennifer Crusie,  and Janet Evanovich.  Humor can be found in the DVD section in classic series like Monty Python or newer titles starring modern comedians such as Steve Carrell or Will Farrell.  There is even humor among the more traditional areas of Non Fiction like histories written by Sarah Vowell or Bill Cosby's parenting advice.

And if you're the type of person who needs live action to find something truly funny, check out our special after hours Improv Night @ The Library on Saturday July 17 at 7 pm.  Local improv enthusiasts will making us laugh by doing skits and games based on audience suggestions.  

Love the Earth?  Check out Marilyn's list of "Green Books"

• 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth by Joanna Yarrow (333.72 YAR)
• American Earth (333.72 AME)
• Do One Green Thing by Mindy Pennybacker (333.72 PEN)
• Farewell, My Subaru by Doug Fine (333.72 FIN)
• Green Guide (333.72 GRE)
• The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers (333.72 ROG)

• Living Like Ed by Ed Begley Jr. (333.72 BEG)

• This Moment on Earth by John Kerry (333.72 KER)
• True Green (333.72 MCK) 
• Wake Up & Smell the Planet (333.72 WAK)
• You Can Save the Earth (333.72 YOU)

"Get Your Green On @ your library" this summer by checking out these ecologically themed fiction titles: 

• Cape Perdido by Marcia Muller (MYS Muller)

When a South Carolina company wants to take water from Cape Perdido the town's residents protest.  Things get ugly and someone is killed.

• Dust by Charles Pellgrino (FIC Pellegrino)

A biological thriller with fungus gnats, bugs, & vicious mites eating their way up the food chain set in a world gone wild- all because of human misunderstanding.

•  A Friend of the Earth by T.C. Boyle (FIC Boyle)

Follows the adventures of an eco-terrorist whose efforts to save the planet place his own family at risk.

• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (FIC Quinn)

A man & an ape conduct a series of conversations that ask the question-"Does the Earth belong to humans or do humans belong to the Earth?" 

• Mother Nature by Sarah Andrews (MYS Andrews)

Geologist Em Hansen digs into greed, deception, murder and other natural disasters.

• Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (FIC Kingsolver)

•  Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen (FIC Hiaasen)

"Comic eco defense in Florida"

• Wish You Well by David Baldacci (FIC Baldacci)

Siblings battle the foces of industry to save the family farm.

• The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood (FIC Atwood)

Click on the titles to see their records in SWAN

The 1940s through 1960's hold a special place in American History.  It's the baby boomer era, the space race, television and rock & roll.  This idyllic period has been through modern books, music, movies & TV that pay tribute plus the many classics the originated from that period like Elvis, I Love Lucy  and The Catcher in the Rye.  If you fondly remember the 40's-60's or find that period interesting come to our progrom on Thursday June 24 at 7 pm as local musician Steve Cooper presents highlights of Commericals & TV Theme Songs from TV's Golden Age.   This program will be held in the lower level of the Brookfield Village Hall.  Plus check out the recommendations below. 

With crooked politicians, corrupt enviromentalists, and a whole host of inept criminals and zany heroes, Carl Hiaasen's novels are hilarious thrillers set in Hiaasen's vividly described home state of Florida.  

June's Book Discussion pic- Skinny Dip features slightly murderous biologist Chaz Perrone who is being stalked by the wife he tried to kill.    Will attempted murder victim Joey get revenge against her egomaniac husband?   Check out the book to find out and come to book discussion on June 15 & share your thoughts on Skinny Dip.