Friday, January 14, 2011

January Staff Picks: Jessie's Pick


The Enchanted World Series: Ghosts

This book is part of a 21 book series that covers different subjects ranging from dragons to water spirits. The Stories in the Ghosts book have roots in many countries such as England, Ireland, and Japan. Each story has wicked illustrations and mini side stories on the margins of the pages. This book is lots of fun if you like folklore and is convenient if you have a short attention span.

January Staff Picks: Kreig's Pick


Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
PS 2600 .F66 1966


"Once Upon a Midnight Dreary, As I pondered Weak and Weary, Over many a Quaint and Curious Volume of Forgotten Lore." These sentences begin one of the Iconic and most well known pieces of gothic nineteenth century poetry. The writer, Edgar Allan Poe, through his use of diction and alliteration makes the words of not just his dark poetry jump off the page but as well the sentences and paragraphs within his short stories. From the quick successive movement in a Cask of Amontillado to the long drawn out suspence in The Fall of the House of Usher, Poe is sure to have written one story or poem which can grab any reader and throw them head first into a world of pure imagination. Any reader of any age can eaisly understand Poe's distress and his depressive mood while reading either The Raven or Lenore.

January Staff Picks: Connor's Pick


Into Thin Air
Jon Krakauer
AUDIOBOOK KRAKAUER

Into Thin Air, written by former climber and journalist Jon Krakauer, is an extraordinary account of his accent of Mount Everest in May 1996. This story illustrates the allure of the highest point on earth, and why so many people seek it, despite the number of lives the mountain has claimed. Krakauer's thrilling first person testimony of the tragedy that occured on May 10th will leave the reader breathless.

January Staff Picks: Tim's Pick


The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
AUDIOBOOK HOSSEINI

This story is one of my favorites. I would highly recommend that you read the book, however if you don't seem to have the time to read, what about just listening to the book? The next best thing if you are like me and don't have time to sit down and read. This is great to listen to going between classes or listening to as you drive. Enjoy the story and have a great semester!

January Staff Picks: Ben's Pick


Friday Night Lights
By: H.G. Bissinger
GV 958 P47 B57 1991

Friday night lights is about a west Texas high school football team and their individual lives and how the football team just brings them together and almost reaching a state title and came up just short. I strongly recommend this book it’s twice as good as the movie and it is just an all around great book.

January Staff Picks: Hannah's Pick


Tao Te Ching
Laozi
BL 1900 L3 F46 1972

This is an excellent book of which the religion Taoism is based on. It’s sure to provide any reader with a lifetime of ancient wisdom. If you enjoy reading philosophical teachings, are trying to better yourself, or just want to learn about an eastern religion I recommend this book. One of my very great friends gave me this book and it is the gift that keeps on giving.

January Staff Picks: Kristy's Pick


But I love him
by Dr. Jill Murry
HQ 801.83 .M87 2001

Have you ever heard anyone say that about Mr. Not-so-right? “But I love him” she says- and almost everyone else can see the danger she is so quick to disregard with this little statement? The sub-title to this book is “protecting your teen daughter from controlling, abusive dating relationships” and it’s a must-read if you have, or suspect you have, a daughter in that situation. But if you have ever heard a friend or family member speak those very words then you should read this book as well!
Dr. Murray does a good job discussing this topic in an informative way that is easy to read.

January Staff Picks: Candy's Pick


Coffee: A Dark History
by Antony Wild
TX 415 .W5 2005

Coffee has a 500 year-old history told here by Antony Wild. He is a coffee trader and historian and tells the tales behind how important coffee has been to some countries and even politics. It is eye opening and revealing, so be careful with your next cup!

January Staff Picks: Cory's Pick


The 19th Wife (audiobook)
by David Ebershoff

Ebershoff, who was Norman Mailer’s last editor, has written a patchwork novel that manages to illustrate the roots of and emotional realities of polygamy in historic and modern times. He focuses on the evolution of the practice in the original LDS church, and Brigham Young’s 19th wife, Ann Eliza’s role in its demise. To do this, he employs several voices – Ann Eliza and her family (including Brigham Young), a young man banished from the modern FLDS church and his family of 50+ siblings and a variety of purported historical documents being collated by a BYU graduate student. Overall, a memorable story about faith, loyalty and perspective.

January Staff Picks: Jan's Pick


Meet the Malones
Lenora Mattingly Weber
PZ 7 W398 ME 1943

Mary Fred Malone is a young Denver resident in the 1940’s whose family is reminiscent of the Little Women family. The war years make the daily living focus on making-do with simpler things and caring for the soldiers who are fighting for our freedom. A simple story with positive values told from the viewpoint of a teenage girl struggling with the family and peer pressure issues that are timeless. Enjoy the step into the past.

January Staff Picks: Juli's Pick


FOOD, INC.
DVD HD 9005 .F66 2009

Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature
This documentary will hopefully educate you about where your food really comes from and inspire you to make educated, conscious decisions about the foods you purchase AND consume.
• Should corporations be allowed to control our food industry?
• Do you trust how your food is grown, handled, and delivered?
• Do you know HOW you get your food?
If these issues are even remotely important to you, “you’ll never look at dinner the same way again” thanks to this DVD.