Blog Category: all
Posted by JDavanza on Mon, Dec 01
directorsnotebook:
Director’s Notebook December, 2008
There’s a quirky 1950’s movie starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson that I’ve always been drawn to called Sunset Boulevard. What always fascinated me, other than Swanson’s gloriously over-the-top performance, were the glimpses of the early days of movies and the larger than life escapades of the silent picture stars. That’s probably one of the reasons that I first decided to read The Age of Dreaming by Nina Revoyr,...
Posted by KChin on Mon, Dec 01
Director’s Notebook December, 2008
There’s a quirky 1950’s movie starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson that I’ve always been drawn to called Sunset Boulevard. What always fascinated me, other than Swanson’s gloriously over-the-top performance, were the glimpses of the early days of movies and the larger than life escapades of the silent picture stars. That’s probably one of the reasons that I first decided to read The Age of Dreaming by Nina Revoyr, since it is a novel...
Posted by JDavanza on Tue, Nov 25
PULITZER! MAN BOOKER! NATIONAL BOOK AWARD!
Help yourself to some of the BEST books EVER – now on display in the new magazine section on the main floor of the Library
Posted by JDavanza on Tue, Nov 25
Periodically, we will feature several recommendations from local book clubs whose selections Barrington Books has kindly shared with us -
Ava’s Man Rick Bragg
Bragg recounts the life of his grandfather, Charlie Bundrum, whom he never met. Big-hearted but flawed, Charlie was totally devoted to his wife and children, but a tenuous provider (a roofer by trade, he also cooked and frequently tasted his own moonshine) who fiercely defended his clan from trouble and hardship...
Posted by JDavanza on Mon, Nov 24
Building Peace and Prosperity in Africa, a presentation and discussion led by Topher Hamblett from the Foundation for West Africa will be featured at Barrington Library Wednesday, December 3rd at 7PM.
Learn how independent radio has made a real difference in West African community rebuilding!
Posted by JDavanza on Sat, Nov 15
Event NotebookDecember 2008
Enigma
There’s a chilling moment during the lull between songs at the end of Bob Dylan’s 1966 “Royal Albert Hall” Concert when a guy in the audience shouts out “Judas” and the crowd erupts. There’s cheering and clapping, maybe some boos, followed by indistinct shouting, and Dylan’s response, “I don’t believe you. You’re a liar.” Then with his instruction to the Band, “Get loud,” Dylan launches into a vitriolic and sneering version of Like a Rolling Stone...
Posted by JDavanza on Sat, Nov 15
ComicsNovember 2008
Stupid
A while back, I knew a guy who was a cartoonist. He had won a Xeric grant to self-publish his comic book shortly before I met him. Peter Laird, one of the creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, put some of his millions into a foundation to give grants to aspiring cartoonists, and my friend used his award to pay for the printing of his book.
Like cartoonists everywhere, he was well read. He was familiar with most of the comics and the cartoonists...
Posted by JDavanza on Wed, Nov 12
GIANT BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 IS THE PAID PREVIEW. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 FROM 9 TO 5 IS FREE! TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, ALL SORTED BY CATEGORY! STOCK UP NOW!
Posted by JDavanza on Mon, Oct 27
Event NotebookNovember 2008
Context
When I was in my early 20s, I had the opportunity to pal around with a 76-year-old. He was a retired steamfitter who started in the profession as a teen. He was also a curious and insightful man who had cultivated his intellect through extensive reading. He had experienced a lot in his life, and he had many compelling stories to tell.
Some of those tales were about his childhood. He was the son of Hungarian immigrants, and he grew up in an older part...
Posted by KChin on Thu, Oct 23
Library Director’s Notebook
October, 2008
When I was much younger, say in college or even in high school, I really loved the stories of W. Somerset Maugham. There was something about the exotic locations, the history, and the sense of the sun never setting on the British Empire that appealed to my budding anglophile heart. Years later, and with more understanding of the many negative aspects of the...
