Plymouth Staff Choices

BORN IN THE USA: HOW A BROKEN MATERNITY SYSTEM MUST BE FIXED TO PUT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST by Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S.
Adult Nonfiction-Upper Level 362.198 W

It’s a little-known fact that the maternal mortality rate in the United States has been rising for the past 25 years, and both our maternal mortality and infant mortality rates are among the worst in the industrialized world. Wagner uses both hard scientific evidence and lots of personal experience to wade through the tangles of modern obstetrical care. Doctors and scientists are in conflict, he says, because while a scientist must assume that everything is known, a doctor must assume that he or she knows what the problem is and how to treat it in order to get anywhere. A lack of oversight, love of technology, lack of knowledge of normal birth, and a fear of litigation combine to make hospital births increasingly dangerous for mother and child. After documenting these grim facts, Wagner goes on to paint a picture of an ideal maternity system, similar to those already existing in other countries, which have been established even without the approval of the obstetrical community. For the sake of the mothers in your life, read this book.

BIG & GREEN edited by David Gissen
Adult non-fiction shelves upper level

As our cities are filling and our globe is warming, architects are looking to green (environmental) methods of building to help relieve the pressure on the earth’s resources. Aside from being environmentally sound, green designs and buildings are currently red-hot in the trends department. Big & Green, covering a former museum exhibit, displays the potential for these green methods on a large urban scale. Don’t know a lot about architecture? No matter- this book is full of pretty pictures, and the fascinating interviews with architects at the end of the book can provide a great introduction for those who are just learning. You’ll be surprised by some of the imaginative ideas that these architects have up their sleeves.

Infrastructure: A Field Guide to the Industrial Landscape by Brian Hayes
Adult Non-Fiction, Upper Level: 711.6 H

Ever wonder how water is available from your kitchen faucet, or where it goes after it runs down the drain? Ever consider how it is possible to pull a phone out of your pocket in Plymouth and call your cousin in Tampa, or how those tennis shoes arrived here from China?

Buried under the ground, hanging from poles, hidden behind fences and sitting high on towers are the ubiquitous components of Infrastructure. This large format, photograph-packed book is your introduction to the many aspects of the often hidden and rarely noticed nerve and skeletal system that makes modern society work. Author Brian Hayes turns what could be a very dry and technically off-putting collection of facts into an engaging and entertaining exploration of the incredible technologies that do everything from clean sewage, to transport natural gas across half a continent to your stovetop. From railroads to airports to oil wells to power plants, this book is a wonderful introduction to the unheralded tools that bring technology to our homes.

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Adult Nonfiction - 364.1523 L, CD Books - 364.1523 L,
Cassette Books - Larsen

Devil in the White City is a one-of-a-kind book that combines a history of Chicago at a pivotal time in its development and a riveting “true crime” story of a notorious serial killer. The main story revolves around building the “White City” for the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893. Larsen unearths the telling details that bring history to life. He gives us an insider’s view of the clash of egos, the artistic temperaments, the nervous bankers, and the near disasters related to building a city within a city. Among the challenges faced by the fair’s sponsors was finding an attraction to rival the Eiffel Tower, which had been built for the prior World’s Fair. (The attraction they created was a huge success, but I won’t ruin the surprise by revealing it here.)

In contrast to the noble struggle to build the “White City,” the book describes the “devil” – Herman Mudgett and how he constructed a house of horrors. Mudgett selected perspective victims from the ranks of jobseekers and fairgoers flocking to Chicago. He befriended them and offered them a place to stay. Once he had the victims under his roof, he had plenty of time to arrange alibis to use if and when the victims’ families got suspicious. No one knows for sure how many people Mudgett murdered. He confessed to 27, but Larsen produces convincing evidence for many, many more.

Cupcakes! From the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn – Adult Non-Fiction – Upper Level
Are you in the mood for something sweet? Well if you are and you like the idea of a little cake all to yourself, you should pick up a copy of Cupcakes! From the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn. This cute compact book packs much information about all things cupcakes including stories about cupcakes and recipes for basic cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, “cupcake-like” treats, muffins, and delicious and creamy frostings. There is even a recipe for a cupcake wedding cake. The recipes are neatly written and simple to understand. Most ingredients are items that anyone can find in their grocery aisle. When the recipe calls for something more extravagant, the author will lead you to the right place to find these items.

Anne Byrn has delivered 135 unique and fascinating recipes in Cupcakes! From the Cake Mix Doctor that will aid anyone who needs to make a tasty dessert. Whether celebrating a birthday, a dinner party, or any old day of the week, you will find the perfect recipe for your taste buds in this little cookbook. Some examples of the recipes within the book include: red velvet cupcakes, s’mores cupcakes, fortune cookie cupcakes, Halloween spider cupcakes, peach cobbler cupcakes, creamy lemonade frosting, coconut pecan frosting, and classic buttercream frosting. The recipes are divided into neat sections based on different categories such as “cupcakes for kids,” “cupcakes with class,” “celebration cupcakes,” and “muffins: breakfast cupcakes.” If that isn’t enough, there are also beautiful colored illustrations of these tasty morsels located at the beginning of the book. Looking at these delicious treats is certain to get your mouth watering for something small and sweet! In fact, it will be hard not to try and enjoy one of these recipes once you look at this amazing little dessert cookbook—Cupcakes! From the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn.

The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron
by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind
Adult Non-fiction 333.79 M

The Smartest Guys in the Room
DVD Collection – Documentary – ENR

The current meltdown in the sub-prime mortgage market reminds me in some ways of the Enron collapse. Aside from the similarities to the current mortgage/credit/housing disaster, the story of Enron as told in The Smartest Guys in the Room is well worth a look. This true story of real events and larger-than-life personalities reads like a suspense novel. The authors, Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, dish out the juicy details about wild corporate excesses, such as one "meeting" held while motor biking through Mexico; an Enron executive who spent most of his work day time at a local strip club; and Ken Lay wandering the halls to solicit opinions about the décor on his new corporate jet as the company is unraveling. These high jinks are juxtaposed with the human interest stories of people who had the courage to stand up for what was right, such as, Sherron Watkins, who found out about the imaginary profits and took her concerns to top management. The authors also show the devastating consequences for the folks who lost their livelihoods and their retirement savings when Enron collapsed.

What makes this book unique is that McLean and Elkind (both writers at Fortune Magazine) provide easy-to-understand explanations about how corporate finance works so that the average person can understand how Enron’s management was able to create billions of dollars in nonexistent profits. From there, it is easy to follow the story through the desperate gambles necessary for Enron's management to keep the charade going for as long as they did. The book explains how Enron used its virtual monopoly of the California energy supply as a "cash cow" to forestall bankruptcy. There is convincing and detailed evidence that Enron insiders knew what they were doing when they urged others to buy Enron stock just as they were dumping theirs.

The documentary focuses on the dramatic and human interest sides of the story with a brief description of how the financial sleight-of-hand worked. Of course, the book has much more information than the film. I did need to flip back and forth in order in the book in order to keep the players straight, but that's a minor quibble when compared to how well the authors have organized a complicated and far-flung story.

The authors do leave some important questions unanswered. How did a handful of insiders perpetrate a fraud worth billions that duped not only the "average" investor, but also professional financiers? If Enron suffered from a “culture of corruption," how and when did Enron become corrupt? What were the systemic flaws within our economy that allowed Enron to happen and wreak such havoc on the markets? The authors have provided an accurate and engaging story about what happened at Enron, but it remains for someone else to analyze how that story relates to the economy as a whole.

For readers interested in business and investing who would like a more detailed (if less dramatic) narrative about the various missteps on the slippery slope to corporate failure, I recommend Final Accounting: Ambition, Greed and the Fall of Arthur Andersen by Barbara Lev Toffler. Toffler worked at Arthur Andersen during its ill-fated relationship with Enron. As an ethics expert, she was both an insider and an impartial observer to how Arthur Andersen, an accounting firm with a sterling reputation for integrity, got caught up in the Enron mess. She also offers valuable insights into how the events at Arthur Andersen and Enron related to the economic climate at the time.

Freakonomics: a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything by Steven D. Levitt
Adult Non-Fiction Upper Level

Seemingly absurd questions are asked, and answered, by the brilliant economist, Steven Leavitt, in this thoroughly engaging book. For example, what do Sumo wrestlers and public school teachers have in common? Or, why do drug dealers still live with their moms? I guarantee that some of the answers will surprise you.

Perhaps the greatest virtue of Freakonomics is that it encourages the reader to think critically and challenge conventional wisdom. As Leavitt points out, conventional wisdom was created by an economist to describe certain ideas that are generally accepted by the public to be true, regardless if they are or not.

The book boils down to the basic premise that doubt is a good thing. An Iranian proverb reminds us that “Doubt is the key to knowledge.” After reading Freakonomics odds are that you will begin to doubt a few things yourself.

Journey Through Heartsongs
Written and Illustrated by Mattie J. T. Stepanek.
Adult Non-Fiction - Upper Level - 811.54 S

This is a beautiful collection of poetry from a very inspirational young man—Mattie Stepanek. Mattie suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. However, despite his suffering, Mattie was able to find constant joy in the most simplest of things. That is what his poetry in Journey Through Heartsongs is all about—having faith and spreading love (your “heartsongs”) to one another so that we can create a better world.

Some of the titles of his poems are: “Peace of Patience,” “Believing for the Journey,” “Touch of Heaven,” “Sunset,” and “Eternal Echoes.” Mattie truly was a special young man, and these poems are sure to inspire all those who read them!

Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit, and the Era of Predatory Lenders by James D. Scurlock
DVD 332.743 M
New Adult Nonfiction 332.743 S

The main theme of Maxed Out is that the rules of the credit game are changing faster than investors and consumers can keep up with them. James Scurlock demonstrates this by looking beyond the financial pages to tell the stories of real people caught up in the credit industry. In addition to the usual "talking heads" - economists, academics, financial advisers, and industry spokespeople - we hear the perspectives of collection agency owners, pawn brokers, real estate agents, and many others. But the real emotional punch of the movie is the unforgettable interviews with average folks caught in financial nightmares that they never saw coming and which they can not control.

Scurlock also deserves credit (excuse the pun) for identifying the hidden liabilities in the mortgage industry and correctly predicting the economic melt down that would ensue. (Maxed Out was completed near the end of 2005, when the housing/mortgage market was still going strong.)

Maxed Out also highlights some surprising facts about how the credit industry conducts business, such as:

• Most credit card companies and banks are MORE likely to loan money to borrowers who are LEAST able to pay off their debts, because these customers generate the most profits.
• Credit card customers who pay all of their charges every month are known within the credit industry as “free loaders” and “deadbeats.”
• Approximately 1 of every 10 credit reports contains, at least, one error and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove an error from a credit report.

One minor criticism of the movie is that it covers such a broad range of issues - credit cards, pawn shops, payday loans, sub-prime mortgages, Las Vegas real estate, gambling addiction, FICO scores, collection agencies, the Great Depression, the national debt, bank mergers, and more – that it can be hard to follow how all these things are connected. Luckily, most of these questions are answered in the companion book.

The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin
Adult Nonfiction - 978.02L

When I saw people walking around downtown Plymouth in shorts at 9PM in early January in Michigan, it reminded me of this amazing and true account of the school children’s blizzard of 1888. That day 120 years ago began with unseasonably balmy temperatures and ended tragically when a ferocious blizzard, gale force winds, and sub-zero temperatures exacted a terrible toll in hundreds of lives lost. The morning dawned so warm that many children were able to travel to school for the first time in weeks, in many cases without coats or shoes. The storm was dubbed “the school children’s blizzard” because so many of its victims were children on their way home from school or trapped in buildings without heat.

The storm aligned with the conditions of pioneer families struggling to survive in a harsh landscape with tragic results. Although the settlers came from northern and eastern Europe and were used to cold weather, they were unprepared for the volatile and violent shifts in weather on the prairie. Because each homestead was an isolated island on a sea of grass, anyone caught in the storm would have to walk miles to find shelter in the blinding, wind-driven snow with few landmarks to guide them across a featureless landscape.

David Laskin tells the story of this terrible storm from several perspectives. He gives the background on several families: why and how they emigrated from Europe, why they choose to become homesteaders, and what they were each doing when the blizzard hit. Laskin provides background on the state of the westward expansion, how weather patterns form, why the Army Signal Corps didn’t warn the settlers in time, and the effects of hypothermia on the human body.

The most compelling and memorable parts of the book are the accounts of the individuals trapped in the blizzard. There’s the story of Minnie Freeman, who employed ingenuity, bravery, and a long rope to get her young pupils to safety. (Her story can also be found in a children’s picture book, The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard by Marty Rhodes Figley.) Some men working in the fields huddled with their livestock through the worst of the storm. One woman unable to see her hand in front of her face literally stumbled into a frozen haystack – her shelter in the storm. Accounts of that terrible day have been passed down through the generations of families who endured it. These accounts and David Laskin’s research make for a compelling read.

I feel a little guilty reviewing books on the bestseller list. After all, anyone can read the bestseller list; these books maybe don't need more people promoting them. But here it is. I read it, I loved it, and now I will share the love.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L. Hopp, and Camille Kingsolver
New Book Shelves - Upper Level - 641.0973 K

Kingsolver, her husband, and two children set out in this vivid nonfiction adventure to spend and document a year spent eating only locally produced food. After years spent living in suburban Arizona, the family moves to rural Appalachia, with the intent, Kingsolver says, of living in a place that contains more than one of the three basic necessities of life. Starting the year with the first asparagus and some trepidation, they head to the farmer's market to see what they can find. What they end up with is delicious bounty – different things at different times of the year, to be sure, and no bananas – but always good, varied food in the peak of flavor. Trying for the first time to raise enough to eat year-round rather than a small vegetable garden provides room for meditation on the loss of vegetable varieties and the fragility of farmers' livelihoods, while harvesting their turkeys and chickens brings up the issues of carnivory and the difficulties with both CAFOs and vegetarianism. An early autumn trip to Italy shows a culture where food and culture is still deeply connected to the land. As Kingsolver narrates the year, Hopp steps in as "Dr. Science", with factual sidebars, while teenaged Camille provides a week's worth of meals with recipes for each month. It can be a little preachy, but if you already believe that the earth and our diets are in need of some help, it's inspirational rather than disturbing. All the authors are clearly passionate in showing that eating locally is delicious and doable by anybody with a will and a local farmer's market or garden. (Their total costs for delicious local organic food came out to significantly less than typical supermarket fare.) After listening to the audiobook, with Kingsolver's gently twangy voice, my husband and I were both inspired – I to tomato canning, and he to trying home cheese making, as well as more frequent trips to the farmer's market. For anyone who cares about good food, this is an essential read.

>The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
New Book Shelves – Upper Level – 330.122 K

Journalist Klein gives us a superbly researched look at the intersection of modern economics, politics and poverty that ranks among the most disturbing things I have ever read, on par with the literature I read for the Theology of the Holocaust class I took in college.

The current popular theory of economics started in parallel with two seemingly unrelated people. One was a psychologist named Ewan Cameron, who researched how to break down personalities. At the same time, a man named Milton Friedman was developed a new theory of economics. Instead of controlling businesses and taxing businesses and people to level society, Friedman claimed that capitalism could regulate itself, and become a thing of abstract beauty. The way to get there was to shock a people or a nation into acceptance, either by the sheer economic shock of making massive changes all at once or using whatever means were necessary.

Hungry Planet: what the world eats photographed by Peter Menzel; written by Faith D’Aluisio
Adult Non-Fiction - Upper Level - 641.3 M

Everybody eats. This book is an intimate look at one of the most universal activities—eating. Photographer Peter Menzel and journalist Faith D’Aluisio chronicled 30 families in 24 countries. These profiles vividly depict family life and offer a close-up of food gathering and eating around the globe. Each family purchased a week’s worth of groceries and arranged a family portrait with their food; whether it was sacks of grain and plantains or pizzas and packaged cereals. The stories give an inside look at their shopping and eating habits, and recipes for special dishes are included. Sidebars provide enough information to fill an atlas. The cost of Big Macs, cigarette use, and alcohol consumption are some of the data featured for each nation.

We meet families including the Baintons of Great Britain, whose charming portrait includes Polo the terrier and his box of kibble. Meanwhile, the Natomos of Mali struggle to feed a family of nine children on $26.39 a week. Another picture shows a TV satellite dish in Bhutan used as a container to dehydrate chili peppers. While the photography is gorgeous, it’s the issues that these images bring to light that make this book so fascinating.

Celebrate Earth Day, Spring, and our new Gardening Collection all at the same time.

Ann Lovejoy's Organic Garden Design School by Ann Lovejoy
Adult Gardening Collection – Upper Level – 635.0484 L

Organic gardening may be good for the planet, but Lovejoy gets into that only briefly in this comprehensive look at organic garden design. For her, the primary benefits of an organic garden are minimal care, plants that thrive without taking over, and gardens that tie into the surrounding landscapes. The pictures are beautiful, and the descriptions inspiring. The hitch, of course, is the amount of planning and research that goes into making these extremely site-specific gardens - since she's from the West, you'll want to pair this with one of our books on Michigan gardening. The book leads you through it all, though, concluding with a 30-pages workbook to help figure out what you want and how to get there. If you follow the steps, you’ll be rewarded with a garden that needs little more than annual compost to keep it beautiful.

Go! Scuba Dive by Monty Halls.
Adult Non-fiction 797.23H

Interested in Scuba Diving? Although scuba diving can be very rewarding, there are important safety precautions that should be taken. Monty Halls does a good job of addressing this by providing both a basic background and instructional information on this extreme sport. The focus of this book is not on photographing marine life of diving sites, but rather is designed as an overview of the sport. The pictures greatly enhance his how-to explanations.

For those who find it frustrating to learn techniques from a book, the book is accompanied with a DVD that provides the same basic information. The DVD is a wonderful addition as it allows the viewer to actually see what is happening. It is important to remember, however, that no amount of studying a book can compare to actually practicing the sport, but this book is a great introduction of what to expect or good for a quick refresher.

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Adult Non-Fiction - Upper Level - 814.54 F

This book is a collection of essays about books and reading, every one of them just delightful. The first essay, “Marrying libraries” talks about how long it took for her and her husband to combine their libraries, and the difficulties of doing so. “Never do that to a book” talks about the difference between courtly lovers of books, who would never write in or otherwise mutilate their books, and carnal lovers of books, who do so as a matter of course. (My mother, who refuses to write even in pencil on photocopied music, definitely falls into the courtly camp. I have seen her write only penciled corrections in poorly edited books.) “The His’er Problem” talks about the difficulties of gender in language, where using non-gendered language is awkward and ungainly, but gendered language really does exclude people of the non-mentioned gender. And while “essay” sounds dull, every one of these had me laughing and reading bits aloud to whomever was unfortunate enough to be around. If you are reading this blog in the first place, it’s a fairly safe assumption that you like books. And if you like books, you’re missing out if you haven’t read this one.

Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen.
New Book Shelves - Upper Level – 636 Q
Dogs truly are man’s best friend and in Good Dog. Stay, Anna Quindlen lovingly describes the everlasting bond between human and canine. This book is a written tribute to her beloved black Labrador retriever, Beau. As you read, you will share in the triumphs and struggles of Beau’s life with Ms. Quindlen and probably think of your own little “Beaus” who have produced the same pleasures and frustrations.

Good Dog. Stay. is truly a touching portrait of the special bonds we share with our animals. Sprinkled throughout the text are lovely black and white photographs of dogs of all sizes and types. Thus, if you have ever experienced a slobbery kiss or a moony-eyed glance from a beloved pet, this book is perfect for you!

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff.
Adult New Non-Fiction - 362.29 S

Beautiful Boy takes the reader into the heart and soul of a father as he struggles with his son’s meth addiction. In this raw account, we follow young Nic from his seemingly normal childhood into his teenage years where he starts experimenting with illegal substances. Family dynamics rapidly change as he spirals deeper into addiction. Nic repeatedly gets in trouble with the law, and finds himself in and out of both treatment facilities and work. He has hurt everyone that loves him, but his addiction has a firm grip on him that does not seem to want to let go.

This is an educational book that reads more like a fictional story that will appeal to many audiences. From parents experiencing similar struggles, to teachers and social workers, to anyone who has contact with today’s youth, Beautiful Boy is a must read. Not only does Sheff’s careful introspection of what happened with his family take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, but he also has written a book that can provide hope and guidance to those in similar situations.

How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman
Adult Nonfiction – Upper Level – 610.69 G

Doctors think fast. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are scarily wrong. And the methods that doctors who make correct diagnoses even in tricky cases are not the methods that medical students are taught to use. Groopman writes as both doctor and patient, pulling apart cases of the best and worst medical thinking both to help doctors improve their own thinking and to help patients give better information to their doctors and know when to ask for something else. The examples were fascinating, and fortunately nearly all with happy endings. My biggest quibble was that I wanted it to do a better job of pulling out specific steps and questions for both doctors and patients. The chapters were organized around medical specialties rather than specific errors or strengths in thinking, leaving the pulling together for the individual reader. Still, it was good information for anyone who deals with doctors, and those interested in puzzling medical cases for their own sake will find this fascinating.

Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz
Adult Nonfiction – Upper Level – 306.81 C

Is marriage as an institution in crisis? The answer seems to be yes almost uniformly, although what the problem is and what to do about it varies from one end of the political spectrum to the other. Author Coontz agrees that marriage is going through a rough time right now – but her analysis of why is unique. Coontz examines marriage around the world and through history, examining who, how and why people married, and their attitudes towards issues like children, fidelity, choice of partners and inheritance. Filled with juicy details of the alliances of kings and queens, as well as excerpts from diaries and letters, she manages to focus both on the personal and overall trends. Her conclusion: while marriage has always been in flux, today’s emphasis on love and mutual satisfaction has made the modern marriage both the most satisfying and the most fragile in history. This is a fascinating read for anyone interested in where we’ve come from and where we might be going.

Joseph Epstein’s fun little book “Fred Astaire” takes a close look at one of the most unique stars in Hollywood history. While it touches the basic biographical bases, the best parts of the book analyze the career of a man who revolutionized the movie musical in the 1930's and set the precedents for generations of television shows like “American Bandstand”, “Dance Fever”, and “Dancing with the Stars”. Epstein examines Astaire’s highly successful pairing with Ginger Rogers, and why he never equaled it with partners such as Cyd Charisse, Audrey Hepburn, or Rita Hayworth. He also discusses Astaire’s singing style, and why songwriters loved him despite a mediocre singing voice. Epstein concludes that Astaire was not a particularly good-looking man, and a limited actor, but an exceptional dancer with great charm and style to spare.

Readers borrowing this book should also check out a couple of Astaire’s movies to watch him in action. We have 21, including all eleven with Ginger Rogers. I recommend “Top Hat”, “Swing Time”, and “Irving Berlin’s Easter Parade”.

Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy
Adult Non-fiction - Upper Level - 639.9 T

Beautiful photographs of native plants and insects, along with the author's very engaging and occasionally humorous style, make this book a treasure. Author Douglas Tallamy explains fully the importance of beneficial insects as pollinators, as sources of food for other wildlife, and as predators of other harmful insects.

The rationale for planting more native plants becomes abundantly clear when we learn that very little in our suburban landscape supports our beneficial native insects.

Celebrate the power of the individual as the author suggests anyone can easily create an attractive corner or border with native plants. Enjoy some interesting buzzing or fluttering insects, and know it is something good for the planet.

Stomp Live Directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas

Adult Nonfiction

Stomp is an eight member percussion ensemble (each member a dancer/musician/athlete) using primarily uncustomary instruments performed with energy, style, humor and complex rhythm. (Keep in mind that from the comfort of your own home it is socially acceptable to join in the fun using your own household items… perhaps the remotes, a toothbrush, maybe the toolbox.) The professionals on stage use brooms, matchboxes, hands & feet, a pedal bin (foot pedal to open lid of garbage can), pipes, sinks (yes, the performers are supporting sinks filled with water and various dishes, pots & utensils… the mess leaves enough water on stage to enable use of the next instrument of percussion)… plungers. The program continues with water jugs, lighters, chairs, the wall of the set, newspapers, basketballs, tea chests & walkers, bags (both paper & plastic), and bins (makeshift drums & cymbals). Note… there is just a bit more performance following the roll of the credits. Enjoy interviews, biography and behind-the-scenes footage in the DVD extras.

Body, Breath and Being: A New Guide to the Alexander Technique by Carolyn Nichols
Adult Nonfiction – Upper Level – 613.78 N

I’ve studied the Alexander Technique for over a decade now, and credit it for pulling me out of chronic tendinitis in my wrists and keeping me free of back pain during my pregnancy. But what the technique is and does and how to explain it to the vast majority of people who’ve never heard of it has always been a challenge. While common in Australia and Britain, it’s relatively unknown here, and that, too, makes it difficult as it’s really best to work with a teacher and those are hard to come by here. This book does an excellent job of explaining both the theory and the practice of it. It talks about how to recognize and inhibit unhelpful habits and gently encourage your body towards better use. Nichols profiles several of her students from their own points of view, explaining their difficulties before starting the Technique and how it helped after they started. I’ve seen other similar books use fictional, overly-easily resolved examples instead of real people; hearing the real stories, including where there are still difficulties, as well as pictures of the people doing their work, was very helpful. While I could feel my body improving just by reading the book, it also includes an audio CD with guided workshops for each chapter. While there’s obviously no substitute for a trained teacher working with you personally, as your own bad habits feel right to you, this is the first book I’ve seen that looks like it could help you improve on your own. The Alexander Technique is traditionally used by those in the performing arts, but anyone whose life or work causes physical tension or pain will benefit from this book.

Extreme Birds: The World’s Most Extraordinary and Bizarre Birds Dominic Couzens
598 C

If you are generally familiar with the feeder behavior of your seasonal backyard bird population or enjoy nature walks with bird identification guide in hand; this book will surely pique your interest. Full page photographs in an oversize book are each accompanied by a page of descriptive text describing extremes in the world of birds (covering over 120 species). Extremes are organized by form, ability, behavior and families. From extreme form, learn about the wandering albatross with the widest wingspan (facilitating dynamic soaring) to the comb-crested jacana with the longest toes (for walking over floating vegetation). From extreme ability there is the sooty tern holding the record for longest time aloft (four years), to the flock coordination of European starlings. From behavior learn about the black heron creating a shade canopy with its wings to facilitate hunting at the water’s surface, the purple sandpiper mimicking rodent sounds to lure predators away from the bird’s nest, and the palm cockatoo using a stick as a percussive tool to impress the ladies. From families learn about which bird has the coziest nest to most eggs in a season to the most precarious nest site. Extreme Birds is an interesting and colorful book sure to add to your knowledge of our feathered friends.

Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston
Adult Nonfiction 977.43L

In a detailed history of Bob-Lo Island, Patrick Livingston discusses international borders, illegal immigration, race relations, the advent of the auto industry, provocative dance, war economics, and, of course, the boats, dance halls, roller rinks and amusement parks. I had had no idea there was such intrigue associated with the Island, recalling only the mostly boring boat ride required to get to the amusement park.

The ferry company that serviced the island and other river destinations in the early years found itself in competition with the Ambassador Bridge, Windsor Tunnel and the popularity of the automobile. In later years, of course, competition came from Cedar Point. In between, there were management changes, bankruptcies, population shifts, morality shifts, and the like.

Summer Dreams is filled with pictured miscellany, photographs and advertisements from the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and the authors own collection. Read and reminisce.

From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China Isaac Stern

Adult Nonfiction DVD 782.2S

This DVD, produced by Hopewell Foundation and Thirteen/WNET, documents the first visit of a Western Musician to China following the end of the Cultural Revolution. Isaac Stern was invited by the Chinese government to tour the country, teach students, and otherwise share musical experiences with musicians in China. The original film covers Stern’s 1979 journey, brief tours of the countryside, and the teaching of master classes. Only a few minutes are spent on the impact of the Cultural Revolution on musicianship… western musical education ceased… teachers of western music were imprisoned. This DVD also includes documentary film of Isaac Stern’s return trip to China 20 years later (2000). He comments that the musicians are playing better now, more able to express themselves individually in music; and he reiterates the importance of music in the development of a civilized society. I would refer you to one of the extras on this DVD… the film called “The Gentleman from Shanghai”. In this 26 minute retrospective, Professor Tan’s narration of his life in music is interspersed with historical accounts of Japan’s invasion of Shanghai in 1937 and subsequent surrender in 1945, the nationalization of the orchestra in 1948, the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in 1966. Tan speaks at some length about his imprisonment, and later, about forgiveness. View this DVD for a look at classical music education and cultural exchange against the backdrop of 20th century Chinese history.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Adult Biography - Upper Level - Bauby

While “Elle” magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby was familiar with fashioning words for his articles, the creation of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” was an altogether different undertaking. On December 8th, 1995 Bauby suffered a stroke that left him in a coma for 20 days. When Bauby awoke, he found that he had all his mental faculties in tact but he was suffering from “locked-in syndrome” which rendered him unable to move most of his body. It was from this state Bauby began working on this recollection of memories and his day-to-day struggles after the stroke. While the book itself is a lyrical testament to the power of the human mind, the creation of the book itself is nearly as interesting.

The entire book was written by Bauby blinking his left eyelid, which took ten months (four hours a day). A transcriber repeatedly recited a French language frequency-ordered alphabet (E, S, A, R, I, N, T, U, L, etc.), until Bauby blinked to choose the next letter. The book took about 200,000 blinks to write and an average word took approximately two minutes. With this laborious procedure Bauby was able to create an eloquent journal of his thoughts that captured his spirits unwillingness to let his condition destroy him. Unforutanetly Bauby died of pneuomnia two days after the release of his book. However, the book itself and the Academy Award nominated movie that spawned from it ensure that his spirit will live on.

For the film:

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Foreign Film DVD's - Main Level - DIV

Boys Will Be Boys By Jeff Pearlman
Adult Nonfiction - Upper Level - 796.322 P

The Dallas Cowboys of the 1990’s, a dynasty by any definition, put together one of the greatest championship runs in the history of professional sports by capturing 3 Super Bowl titles in 4 seasons. What led to their meteoric rise and similarly rapid decline are detailed in this excellent account by Jeff Pearlman. But this story has much more to do about what happened off the field than what actually occurred on it.

Rising from the ashes of a disastrous 1-15 campaign in 1989 was a young, fierce squad ready to conquer the league. Team owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson assembled a young and talented roster that flourished on the field, but was fueled by the off the field lifestyle that came with being a Cowboy. Their all night partying, drug use, and womanizing are notorious, but these activities accurately portrayed the attitudes and beliefs of their owner, Jerry Jones. The team went so far as to purchase a large home in suburban Dallas, known as the White House, where teammates could openly engage in the debauchery that made them famous.

Despite all of this, the team thrived on the field. After back-to-back Super Bowl victories, Jimmy Johnson realized the tension between him and the owner was too much to handle, so he resigned. While the team was able to capture another Super Bowl with Barry Switzer at the helm, the Cowboys were never the same. The lifestyle that made them a dynasty also led to their downfall, ending literally in a pool of blood during the team’s training camp in 1998. The inside information gathered by Pearlman allows him to present a fully detailed account of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty. Highly recommended for any football fan.

The Passion of the Hausfrau by Nicole Chaison
New Book Shelves – Upper Level – 814.6 C

Chaison’s memoir of motherhood hits both the humor and the hurt of motherhood, told in text with comic-style illustrations in the margins. She talks about giving birth – once in a hospital utility closet and once in a feeding trough; about grocery shopping and Halloween costumes with children; about trying to maintain her relationship with her husband. But she also traces her journey to self-actualization, aligning her journey with those of the male and presumably childless heroes in the classics that fill her bookshelves. It’s this angle, I think, that got her a cover blurb from Alison Bechdel, whose Fun Home, while less funny, also journeyed through the classics. Chaison’s version of motherhood requires large amounts of both courage and humor seasoned with profanity; for those of similar bent, this is well worth reading.

Stealing Lincoln's Body by Thomas J. Craughwell
Adult Nonfiction-Upper Level – 973.709 C

During this year of Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial, books dealing with his life have flooded the bookshelves. Stealing Lincoln’s Body (published in 2007) deals not with his life, but his death, choice of final resting place, and ultimately the plot to steal his body by a group of counterfeiters in 1876. Their goal, it seems, was to hide the coffin and hold it for a $200,000 ransom as well as gain the release of a fellow counterfeiter named Ben Boyd from prison . The plot was foiled by the work of the Secret Service, but it led to the eventual moving of the entire deceased Lincoln family's remains into a new and impenetrable tomb in 1901. Along with relating the bizarre plot, Stealing Lincoln’s Body describes to readers the huge problem of counterfeiting in the early years of our country and the corruption of law enforcement in dealing with it. This fast-paced, slim volume includes contemporary photographs and is sure to fascinate Civil War buffs and admirers of Abraham Lincoln.

At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream By Wade Rouse
Adult Biography - Upper Level - Rouse

David Sedaris channels Thoreau. If this concept intrigues you, you must read At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream by Wade Rouse. Flamboyantly gay, city loving Wade turns 40 and realizes he is disillusioned with his life. He hates his job and dreams of becoming a writer. Wade decides to change his life and sets new goals that match the tenets and principles that Thoreau set forth in Walden, the book that Wade’s beloved Grandmother read to him during his childhood. While on a vacation in Saugatuck, Wade and his partner Gary spontaneously decide to sell their home in St. Louis and move to rural Michigan, where Wade is sure he will be inspired to write. This always funny, often moving story recounts the misadventures that inevitably ensue in his trying to adapt to country life. A fun, lighthearted read.

Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase by Jen Lancaster
New Book Shelves-Upper Level – 814.54 L

Pretty in Plaid is Jen Lancaster’s fourth memoir. She writes about different experiences her from childhood up until she penned this book. Jen started off as Jeni, a Brownie that could not wait to be in Girl Scouts because she liked the uniform better. Once she sums up her early years and drops the “i” she moves onto the best stories; which are from her college years. She wants to be a sorority girl in the best sorority on campus but does not understand why some girls call their purses “Louis” (Louis Vuitton handbag) or why anyone would carry around bags with “C’s” (Coach handbag) on them. Once she gets older and discovers the loveliness of designer handbags she vows that one day she will buy one. She will also say it is never a good idea to stand in the unemployment line carrying one! Jen is very excited to get her first real job once she finally completed college. Yet on her first day she feels clueless because she has never used a fax machine or collated anything in her life. Jen tells hilarious but insightful stories, if you want to laugh out loud and enjoy some easy reading check out Jen Lancaster’s books.

Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomanical, Self-Centered, Smartass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster
Adult Paperbacks-Main Level – LANCASTER

Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are All These Idiots and Why Do They Live Next Door to Me?

Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big; Or, Why Pie Is Not the Answer by Jen Lancaster
Adult Non-Fiction-Upper Level – 814.54 L

Elegant Enigmas: The Art of Edward Gorey by Karen Wilkin
New Book Shelves - Upper Level - 741.973 G

Macabre, darkly humorous, and uniquely hard to describe are just a few ways to sum up Edward Gorey’s work. Gorey, an author and illustrator of “children’s books” that are a bit too dark to be for children says as much himself, "Ideally, if anything [was] any good, it would be indescribable." This of course makes it woefully hard to write a recommendation of his works. Good thing this recommendation is about a book about his books, way less confusing.

For those still left in the dark about Gorey’s illustrations and writing look no further, Elegant Enigmas is just for you. For those of you who are devout Gorey fanatics look no further, Elegant Enigmas is also just for you! In addition to providing a glimpse behind the curtain of Gorey’s personal life, author Karen Wilkin takes selected pieces from Gorey’s books and explains their influences as well as the subtext behind them.

An example of this would be Gorey’s penchant for showing (or not showing) horrible events out of the panel. Wilkin compares this to a Greek play where the set up and aftermath of a violent event will happen on stage, but the event itself will happen off stage.

B is for Basil Assaulted by Bears

This leaves a lot up to the imagination, and this is a technique that Gorey uses not just with violent pieces but as a narrative, sometimes only giving the reader threads that they must piece together on their own.

On the surface Gorey might look simple, but there is a lot going on between his "sublime" lines. Take a look at Elegant Enigmas and you'll see why.

For more Gorey bug your librarian to order his books.

Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide by Glenn Kay
Adult Non-Fiction - Upper Level - 791.436K

Odds are if you’ve walked outside or turned on the television lately you’ve seen a festering plague spreading onto the streets. No, I’m not talking about skinny jeans, although those are pretty frightening. Really, I’m serious! Have you seen fourteen year old boys wearing them? It’s just not right! No, this is far worse than some terrible fashion trend that people blindly follow shuffling around like some sort of…um…what’s the word?

There are a plethora of zombie graphic novels like “The Walking Dead,” and “Marvel Zombies.” (Peter Parker feasting on Mary-Jane’s brains anyone?) There are a ton of zombie videogames such as “Resident Evil” (Yeah, yeah, so the last two games didn’t technically have zombies but close enough) “Call of Duty: World at War,” (who doesn’t love shooting Nazi zombies?), and the “Left 4 Dead” series. Then there are zombie books like “World War Z,” and the timeless “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” I’m sure Jane Austen would be thrashing and moaning in her grave if she knew about it.

Of course one would be remiss to forget the zombie’s greatest benefactor, the ubiquitous zombie movie. From the 1932 Bela Lugosi film “White Zombie” to George Romero’s classic “Night of the Living Dead,” all the way up to 2004’s comedy “Shaun of the Dead” the amount of zombie related cinema can be daunting. If only someone would create some sort of zombie movie guide there might just be a way to sift through all these films and find the real gems. (It might also give this long rambling entry a point as well.) Well look no further because “Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide” is here! This guide contains loads of photos, detailed summaries of nearly every zombie film you can think of, and interviews with horror greats like make-up mastermind Tom Savini. So whether you’re looking for “Kung Fu Zombies,” a little zombie romance with “My Boyfriend’s Back,” or just a good old fashioned existential zombie crisis such as “The Cemetery Man” AKA “Dellamorte Dellamore,” “Zombie Movies” is sure to make any fan groan with delight.

The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Adult Graphic Novels - Main Level - WAL

Cemetery Man by Michele Soavi
DVD Collection - Main Level - SCI/FI HORROR CEM

Shaun of the Dead by Edgar Wright
DVD Collection - Main Level - SCI/FI HORROR SHA

Night of the Living Dead by George Romero
DVD Collection - Main Level - SCI/FI HORROR NIG

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Adult Science Fiction - Main Level - Austen

World War Z by Max Brooks
Adult Science Fiction - Main Level - Brooks

Fiber Gathering by Joanne Seiff
New Book Shelves – Upper Level – CRAFTS 746 S

For those who feel passionate about their fiber crafts, there are fiber festivals, all over the country, where the people who use fiber – especially animal fiber – meet with the people who produce it and the tools to work with it. Some are enormous, with people travelling from all over the world to attend them. And some are mostly regional festivals, limiting vendor attendance to locals to provide a show of truly local color. Author Seiff provides descriptions and drool-worthy photographs of eleven fiber festivals from around the country, with sheep and llamas, hand-dyed roving and yarn, and booths of lamb-based food. Each festival is followed by a couple of projects related to the specialty of the gathering just discussed. They are not just knitting projects either – they are projects to knit, crochet, dye, hook, or spin, including very basic spinning, how to clean a raw fleece, and how to help at a sheep-shearing. I’ve never been to the Michigan festival, although it is profiled in this book. I was terribly amused to see the author describe Michigan as a state where August is cool enough that we’re already thinking about wooly sweaters. Not in this part, for sure, but perhaps in Allegan County, where the festival takes place, it’s not quite so sticky. This is a beautiful book, sure to inspire fiber-lovers to seek out their own nearest festival, or perhaps even travel farther abroad.

Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende

Adult Nonfiction 303.483B

This is the story of a hands-on experiment to determine “What is the least we need to achieve the most.” The author was studying technology’s influence on humans as a graduate student at MIT when he began to come to conclusions that made his mentors uncomfortable. Abandoning his formal studies, Brende and his new bride decided to move to a community that he dubbed “the Minimites” and see what life was like when modern technology was removed from life’s equation. They agreed to spend 18 months farming and trying to sustain themselves by depending on fellow humans instead of machines. In following with the rigid standards of their new community (more strict than the Amish), they forewent conveniences such as electricity and indoor plumbing and discovered that for every thing they lost, they gained something else. This fascinating book is as entertaining as the best works of fiction. It will make you reassess the role that technology plays in your life.

Posted by Alice on February 1, 2010 5:42 PM | Permalink