December 2008 - Posts
Hello Everyone!
This is just a little note wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season! I will be out of town for awhile, then it is the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. Because of the timing on this, I will most likely not be doing reviews again until the New Year. Let me rephrase, I will be reading and writing the reviews, but probably not posting until after the New Year. Please come back!
Just a reminder about the library's hours over the break:
Extended Hours for Finals:
Monday, December 8 - Thursday, December 11 8 am - 1 am
Friday, December 12 8 am - 8 pm
Saturday, December 13 8 am - 10 pm
Sunday, December 14 3 pm - 1 am
Monday, December 15 - Tuesday, December 16 8 am - 1 am
The library will close at 5 pm during the week starting on December 17th. We will close at 4:30 pm on Fridays as usual. The library will not be open on weekends starting December 20 until school is back in session.
The library will also be closed on the following days: December 25 - January 4th.
The hours are also posted on the doors to the library and the library's wiki, Viking Voyageur.
Leonardo's Swans
By: Karen Essex
I am a sucker for historical fiction, especially if it's set in England or Italy. (France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Scotland and Amsterdam all qualify as well, but England and Italy are my favorite!) In Leonardo's Swans the year is 1489 at the beginning of the story: this is the time of the Medici's, Savonarola, Da Vinci and Botticelli. Da Vinci is not the main character in this story, although he is central in the development of the relationship between Isabella, her husband Francesco, Beatrice (Isabella's sister) and her husband, Ludovico.
Isabella is the main narrator in the story, but we do get to hear from Beatrice for a short time. It is critical to get Beatrice's side of things to truly understand the dynamics in the relationship between the sisters, and that of Ludovico and Beatrice, as well as Ludovico and Isabella.
Basically, the girls are raised to be good wives. Both are betrothed at a young age, and a matter of a few days is what determined what sister married which man. Ludovico had sent for Isabella's (the eldest) hand, but she had just been betrothed to Francesco, so he settled for Beatrice. (Settled does not sound good, but there is really no other term that would accurately describe Ludovico's state of mind at the time.) The reason for his delay? He was having too much fun with his mistress and not really excited or ready to do his duty by his title and status.
A major portion of the story deals with Isabella's interest in art, Leonardo's painting a portrait of her, her interest in her husband, and her interest in her sister's husband. The rest is really the details of Ludovico's ambitions to become the Duke of Milan. That rumors and gossip surround him doesn't even concern him - he has set his sites on the title and he will encourage the current Duke in all of his immoral pursuits until the timing suits Ludovico. He is a calculating man and a hard one to read. Sometimes I felt he was really telling the truth, and at others I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It's a beautiful story: love, passion, family, art, war, betrayal are all there. It was a book that I found difficult to put down - but it contained many subjects I have an interest in: art, history, Italy, mythology (the myth of Zeus and Leda is prevalent throughout the text.) If you're really into the story, you may even figure out what the most famous of all of Leonardo's portraits contains as its subject.
Notes on the Cover:
It totally intrigued me. It's Da Vinci's portrait of ‘Leda and the Swan.' The myth is mentioned in the story, as is the painting. As you turn the book over you see two of the broken shells with babies in them. In the painting there are really 4: Helen and Clytemnestra, Pollux and Castor. Are you familiar with your mythology? Because this is the Helen that was the ‘cause' of the Trojan War (recall Helen of Troy from a few months ago?), Clytemnestra was Agamemnon's wife and that relationship did not end well, and Castor and Pollux fought for the return of their sister Helen. Castor was mortal and Pollux was not. Zeus gave Pollux the opportunity to save Castor - they are now the constellation Gemini. Fascinating stuff, mythology!
Recommended To:
- Historical fiction fans
- If you liked Helen of Troy I think you'll like this one
- Italy fans - you can't escape it in this book - it's like a character!
- Everyone!
Thunder Rose
By: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson
I'll admit, the illustrator of this tale is what intrigued my to look at it in the first place, but then I get a tall-tale of a young girl born during a huge thunder and lightning storm that has more strength than an adult male!
When Rose is born she doesn't make a sound, until she responds to the Dr.'s statement about her growing up good and strong saying that she "reckon(s) that she'll do more than that." Keep in mind she has already grabbed some lightning and rolled it into a ball. She even tells her folks what name she likes!
As Rose grows, she continues to do things that would have adults shriek back in horror, but her parents have obviously accepted the fact that their little girl is something quite special. She's so special that she lassos a wild bull and even tries to squeeze rain from the clouds.
This tale really reminds me of the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox tales. Rose is larger than life, and she does things that the majority of us would run shrieking in the other direction from (wild bulls, tornadoes, outlaws). She's only about 12 at the end of the story, but she is quite grown-up for her age!
Notes on the Illustrations:
I heart pretty much anything Kadir illustrates. The grace and details he gives to his art are really something else. Rose is tough, yet soft and lovable at the same time. With a personality as big as hers, I assure you this could not have been an easy task to portray her personality so thoroughly.
Notes on the Cover:
Again, it's by Kadir, but what's not to love about the cocky young girl in chaps with her steel wire over her shoulders? It's obvious she's pretty young, but she's already got that old-time experience kind of expression on her face. And the stalk of wheat in her teeth? Priceless!
Recommended To:
- Story time with your children! Holy cow will they like her! Especially if they like Paul Bunyan!
- Everyone!
On our shelves!
Stealing Your Life
By: Frank W. Abagnale
I'll admit one thing right now: I rarely read non-fiction. There, I said it. I realize that as a librarian I should be reading a wide variety of books on a wide variety of topics, but I just don't. I like what I like, and I tend to gravitate towards the books that I think I'll like. So why did I pick up this title? Because I suffer from paranoia (we'll just leave it at that!) and when I glanced at this book about people stealing your life I was intrigued, and horrified.
You may recognize the name of the author. Frank Abagnale is the subject of the movie, ‘Catch Me If You Can,' a novel about Frank's life and his skill at forging checks (amongst other things). He currently works trying to make life more difficult for criminals, but honestly, even with the things he's done to try and help, there is still a long ways to go.
Did you know that many states still have social security numbers as the id number on their driver's licenses? How about the fact an infant, just weeks old, can have their identity stolen? Or that college students are easy targets since they don't have any credit, and when they're finally looking into it, they have none since some thief ran up thousands of dollars of debt and now no one will hire them because of their bad credit? Did you know that if a family member has died their identity can still be stolen? How about the importance of those ‘Changes to Your Account' notices you get from banks and credit card companies? They actually do put pertinent information in those - now I have to read them and I am so not excited, as they are apparently about as easy to read as a foreign language you've never studied.
Besides giving you some horror stories, Abagnale walks you through the steps you would have to take if your identity were to be stolen. He also gives you the means to help protect yourself before something actually happens. Let me tell you, I'm actually considering the ID theft protection some credit card companies offer that Abagnale helped to develop. It's not fool-proof and there's a monthly fee (hence why I have not even thought twice about it before), but in the long run, it could very well be worth it.
Notes on the Cover:
Well, I have the library's copy, so it no longer has the dust jacket on it, but on Amazon it looks fun. It's got a big padlock with the title on it. Perfect! Oh! And you can get it in paperback! Need a gift idea? Give this book! Especially to recent college graduates, your mom, dad, sibling, co-worker, anyone!
Recommended To:
- EVERYONE! This time I really mean it!
- This book would make a fantastic gift for a recent college graduate, friend, co-worker, mom, dad, sibling, spouse....you name it! Hurry - Save yourself the hassle of being ‘thieved'. Take matters into your own hands!
ON OUR SHELVES!
‘Tis the Season
By: Lorna Landvik
I don't believe I've reviewed a Landvik title for you yet and that is a shame! Lorna is a Minnesota author whose writing is full of humor and honesty that really help to make you feel connected to her characters. She's right up there in the top ranks of my favorite authors to read (yes, they are subject to change). How do I know she's a favorite? Because every time she has a new book coming out I rush out to the bookstore a.s.a.p. to pick it up and this has been a constant for quite a few years now!
This book takes a unique look at celebrity, past relationships, mean-spirited teasing and the spirit of the holidays in which the characters come together in a unique and interesting way. The entire book is a dialogue of e-mails from people who know, have known or are just meeting the other person. There are 4 major characters and 2 or so minor characters that help give you a complete picture of the personality of one of the main characters. Have I lost you yet? Okay, stay with me! There is also a weekly ‘gossip' column that is in the book. I find these to be quite interesting pieces: they are a main reason for many of the characters e-mailing each other, and the author of the column (and those e-mails are great!). The column and subsequent e-mails also take a look at our current celebrity-obsessed culture and what kind of consequences tracking every single movement of their day can bring. It's really quite fascinating and could explain a lot about the behavior of some celebrities (I'd name some names, but that seems futile as you probably have your own in mind!)
The e-mails between the characters are, for the most part, generous, warm and caring. They are about the concern we have for someone who is having a difficult time - and they also illuminate that even the seemingly strongest of us may need help too, even if it's not asked for.
All in all, a real holiday treat! The e-mail format of the book makes it a breeze to read through. You're getting all the juicy bits of a good story in a shortened format!
Notes on the Cover:
I love, love, love the bright yellow background. It's just fantastic! It really makes the hearth stand out - that and the fact that there's quite the variety of ‘stockings' hung! There are four different types, and you'll know what belongs to whom fairly early in the story. I will admit the shoe threw me a bit, but I recovered and everything is fine now!
Recommended To:
- Having low self-esteem issues? This one will perk you right up!
- Those in need of a good, quick read!
- Fans of Landvik!
- Everyone!