Ruidoso Public Library remembers Dec 7, 1941

Thursday, at 10 am, join Ruidoso Public Library to watch a video of Chester Nez, the last surviving Code Talker, who spoke last December at Aztec Public Library.

Then, on Friday, watch the movie, Windtalkers, starting at 10am.  Both events are downstairs.

Several Book Reviews

Book reviews have been popular blog posts in the past, so here are a few more.

Fool by Christopher Moore

What is Shakespeare's play, King Lear, like when told from the court jester's point of view?  That was Moore's goal when he wrote this book with dark humor.  As in Shakespeare, the words are often coarse, the jokes quite lewd, and dialogue is exquisitely crafted.  Unlike the tragic play, this book is definitely a comedy.

Readalikes include Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen.






Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

This is Cashore's third book with Graceling characters. These books may be read in any order--each story will enrich the history of other characters, but no need to fear spoilers.  Why am I drawn to Cashore's books?  I believe it is the diversity of characters and their acceptance/tolerance of diversity.  Perhaps it is more to the point that when I have the chance to escape reality in a book, I really want to leave the mundane behind.

Readalikes: Across the Universe or Hunger Games



Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

If you still doubt the power of a graphic novel, Wonderstruck may convert you.  Brian Selznick presents two separate stories, one in words and another in pictures (referencing the power of silent movies).  But you don't have to take my word for it: see what Abby the Librarian wrote, or read Jeff Kinney's comparison of Wonderstruck and Okay for Now.  Brian Selznick's other novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret became the movie, Hugo, last year.





Neverwhere written and read by Neil Gaiman
Before Gaiman wrote a script for Dr. Who, even before his books, Coraline and Stardust became movies, he wrote about how it feels to disconnect from the world.  Gaiman reads this story himself, and does a wonderful job (though it may not be optimal in a car as the quietest whispers and loudest shouts tend to happen one-after-another).  Neverwhere is a modern fairy-tale, dark, uncomfortable at times, and rich with imagery.  
Read-alikes include: Susanna Clarke, Clive Barker, or Kurt Vonnegut, or Walter Moers

A Crack in the Edge of the World written and read by Simon Winchester

Winchester studied geology at Oxford before becoming a journalist and writer.  A Crack in the Edge of the World came about decades later when an editor asked if geology  had any great stories to tell.  This book covers Winchester's road trip across America's geology, the history of San Francisco's growth, and the impact of the San Andreas Fault today (Alaska pipeline, anyone?).  Winchester's elocution is inspiring and soothing, at least to my ears.  The print version has an amazing fold-out cover (no longer possible to view on the library's copy or any paperback) covering all of Winchester's books.




Where do you go for book suggestions?  Are there books you have heard of, but would like to read more about?

It's the 3rd Blogoversary! Movies all week and Compassionate Communications Saturday

image by Felix42 contra la censura on Flickr

The Ruidoso Public Library's blog is three years old this week.  Thank you for reading and helping us improve with your comments and suggestions (still welcome, too!).


With the local schools on Spring Break, the library can be a great place to interact with your (grand)kids!  Stop in for movies during the week or discover an interest you share.  Many books have been remade as movies, perhaps start with comparing two formats of the same story.  Here are a few for this year:  Hugo Cabret, The Great Gatsby, The Woman in Black,  John Carter, Hunger Games, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunger, The Bourne series, The Hobbit, Life of Pi, World War Z, or Great Expectations.


This Friday is a great evening to visit Alamogordo.  Alamogordo's Friends of the Library (with NMSU-A, A Daily News, and Tularosa Basin Historical Society) host Enchantment: the 1st 100 years by Richard Melzer (we have the book).  This will be held at the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts.  Mr Melzer is a historian and author; see the images from this book and learned lots of history.


This Saturday, the Building Common Ground events continue with Jack Lehman, who will explore compassionate communication.  If you missed the meditation event on March 3, you can watch the webinar recording anytime.

Read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan before the movie release

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beebe_library/3351651448/

Photo by Lucius Beebee Memorial Library

Lisa See's novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, is now a movie (New Mexico release date: August 5th).  Ruidoso Public Library has two copies.  Kathryn Stockett's The Help, has been in high demand, too, with a release date of August 10th.  The Help is available in audio, large print, and regular print.

Summer reading continues this week with a family movie about horses Tuesday at 2pm.  Wednesday at 10:30, storytime explores fairytales from around the world and makes sombreros.  Thursday at 2pm there are two events: Under 10 y.o.s can make origami and those over 10 y.o. are invited to Chinese calligraphy, like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20745656@N00/
Photo by Alki1