"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

One of our most-favorite books, by one of our most-favorite new authors is now slated to become a major motion picture! Dreamworks has acquired The Help. This is such big (and welcome) news!

Read all about it right here.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett has been on The New York Times Best Sellers list for 48 weeks. That speaks volumes about this volume from one of the most charming people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. (Congratulations Kathryn!)

You can reserve your copy of the bestselling book, by clicking here.

I love good book & movie news!! Don't you?

The men took over this week at Meet Us on Main Street! Alan and Kyle happily took over the Street and gave a really great presentation talking about their favorite books and films. We learned that Alan likes (LOVES!) series - highlighting the works of Patrick O'Brian, S. M. Stirling, W.E.B. Griffin, Robert Crais, and Robert B. Parker. He also talked about one of my (seriously) favorite series authors, Lee Child. Child's newest book, 61 Hours (his 14th Jack Reacher novel), comes out in May. (And just in case you missed the newest news about our Spring Author Series (speaking of series), Lee Child will be our featured speaker, on Sunday, June 6th at 5:30 p.m.!)

Film Screening: Monday, March 22 at 2 PM
Book Discussion: Thursday, March 25 at 3 PM

Our Spring Classics Discussion Series continues with a coming-of-age story for the ages! We're spending March with the March Family, reading and watching the beloved American classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. Based loosely on her experiences growing up as the second of four daughters, Alcott's treasured novel follows the fictional March family sisters, from the forward-thinking Joe and the reserved Meg to the compassionate Beth and the dramatic Amy, through years of self-discovery as their father fights in the war.

First, join us for a screening of the 1994 film adaptation of Little Women, for which Winona Ryder gives an Academy Award-nominated performance. The film also boasts an A-list cast, including Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Eric Stoltz, and Trini Alvarado.

Then, come to our discussion of the book, the time period, and the author. There's so much to share, and we'll talk about it all over afternoon tea in our beautiful Classics Room.

This morning, at Meet Us on Main Street, Judy and Priscilla took a turn and spoke about their favorite books, movies, TV series, and more. As the weeks go on, more and more Library staff members are becoming involved in presenting at Meet Us on Main Street and it's more fun than ever!

Join us every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. for this entertaining and informative program. We believe that you will not leave empty-handed.

To see a list of all of the titles that we discussed this morning, click below. To see a list of all of the Meet Us on Main Street books and movies that have been discussed (from the very first one back in the summer!), click on our Meet Us on Main Street tag. 

How do you make the impossible possible? For writer Roger Rosenblatt, it’s facing a new reality after the sudden and unexpected death of his daughter, who left behind a grieving husband and three young children. Rosenblatt and his wife move into the family’s home and start the process of moving forward while absorbing an impossible loss…they answer heartbreaking questions from the children, attend school events and carpool to play dates, create silly songs and new routines, and yes, learn to make toast to each child’s specifications.

This memoir has the potential to be overly sentimental and maudlin, but Rosenblatt keeps his tone upbeat and maintains a forward motion that rings true. There are moments of grief, moments of bright laughter, setbacks and moments of great courage, and even humor. Making Toast is an intimate, frank account of how one family faces the impossible and finds a new path, together.

Where can you possibly go and hear talk of Kathy Griffin and Robert S. McNamara at the same time? Nigella and Auletta? Tasteful decorating and dumpster diving? On Main Street, of course. This morning's Meet Us on Main Street included exactly those references among the recommended books and movies. We always have a great time during this fun and social gathering!

Please join us every Wednesday at 11 a.m. for Meet Us on Main Street, where you may hear things like:

"More far-fetched than the guy in the tree with the sheet?"

"Should we call it 'Ti-gling.'?"

For the answers to those questions (and MORE!), Meet Us on Main Street!

Click below to view the the full list of today's talked-about selections.

This weekend, if you just can't seem to find the perfect Valentine's Day cards to express your unconditional feelings for the ones you care about, here is a little help from best-selling author Deborah Tannen, who, in my opinion, says it best:

It’s time for the latest installment of what we are reading/watching/listening to!  And with a weekend of foul weather ahead we are making sure that we not only have the necessary bread/milk/eggs, but that we also have laid in wonderful books and movies too.

Jen D.

I am loving the latest from Chris Bojhalian Secrets of Eden.  From the very beginning you are sure that something is not quite right with the Rev. Stephen Drew and you just can’t put your finger on it.  However, if you have ever read Bojhalian before, you know that it will be even more twisted than you ever dreamed.

Barbara M.

It would seem that Barbara is in serious nesting mode!   Her pick is Your Home, Your Sanctuary by Clodagh.  It is a Rizzoli book so you know it will be beautiful.

She is also reading Enemies of the People: My Family’s Journey to America by Kati Marton. Sure, Marton’s family survived the Nazis but little did they imagine that the worst was yet to come under Communist rule.  Everyone who we have spoken with who has read it loves this book.

Abby S.
Abs is slogging through the new Ian Rankin Doors Open.  She reports that she does not like it as much as she did the Rebus series but she’s sticking with it.

Bill T.
Bill liked the Hurt Locker a lot.  This movie is about the US Army bomb disposal unit stationed in Iraq.  Not at all political in nature, this film simply tells of the not so simple job these soldiers do every day.

And I must confess that we are still discussing Game Change and can’t wait to get our hands on The Politician:  An Insider’s Account of John Edward’s Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal that Brought Him Down by Andrew Young.   Pat T. asked the very thought provoking question at lunch, "would you still vote for the canidate of your choice at the time after reading this book?"  I told you that we can be a tad obsessive!  

Have a great, safe weekend!

 

As you may know, Meet Us on Main Street has returned and meets every Wednesday at 11 a.m.!

(In case you didn't know and/or would like to join us, you'll find us just inside the main entrance. Warning: It's habit-forming.)

We've been talking and listening and talking and listening (and talking) and now it's time to catch up. Click below to find out what all the buzz (and talk) has been about.

If you're like me, you are SO EXCITED for tonight's premier of Lost. I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.

There's lots of speculation about the little hints dropped by the writers of the show, and one thing people like to theorize about is the books that turn up. Here's a list of some of the books that have made appearances on Lost. Maybe if you read them, you'll be able to figure out where the island is?