I’m not a particular fan of the snow, largely because I don’t enjoy being cold and wet and snow provides both of those sensations simultaneously. After 11 inches of snow in one day, my window has almost as much snow stuck to the outside screen:
My cat is not happy that she can’t keep up her window-vigil with her usual diligence.
Because of this, I’m pretty much planning to re-erect my blanket fort from hermitage month and seriously considering making winter hermitage season. In the meantime, I’m looking for books that take me away, bonus if they can make me laugh. So here are books designed to do just that:
Tucker Case is a “cool guy,” who discovers he’s a lot more hapless and clueless than he realized when he crashes his employer’s plane into a tiny island in Micronesia. Because it’s Christopher Moore, hilarity and intrigue ensue. Also, because it’s Christopher Moore, there’s a talking fruit bat named Roberto.
Vonnegut is a master of deadpan comedy and this classic, oddball book possibly his most well-known work after Slaughterhouse-Five. Dr. Felix Hoenikker has left the world a deadly legacy in the form of ice-nine which could bring about global destruction. One of Hoenikker’s children try to keep their family legacy under wraps by following a trail down to the Caribbean where they encounter a dictator and a religion called Bokonon. This book is for those who like a thought-provoking Armageddon with their tropical humor.
For a little non-fiction in the mist, Troost follows his then-girlfriend (now his wife) to a tiny island in the South Pacific called Tarawa, where they encounter incompetent government officials, a self-proclaimed Poet Laureate of Tarawa (who has never written a poem in his life), and an endless loop of La Macarena playing everywhere. If you’re looking for something that will take you away, make you laugh out loud and make you thankful for indoor plumbing, coffee and regular news feeds, this book will do just that.
I hope I’ve offered you a few options for one of the best reasons for reading: escape. Till next week, dear readers, stay warm and safe!
We are deep into Hermitage Month here at the Library…Lady Pole came up with the idea of turning what I had always known as Hermitage Week into Hermitage Month, and I, for once applaud her genius. There is nothing more restorative and restful, after the stress of the holiday season, and little more comforting during the dark days of winter than a good old fashioned grown-up blanket fort. As we noted here last year, “Without expectations or anticipation, there was finally time to settle down, appreciate and recover from all the business and social activities that the holidays brought with them, and, of course, read all the books.“. And that was the inspiration for Hermitage Week/Month (celebrate as you see fit, dear readers)–a time just for you to wind down, to recover (especially if, like me, you have been struck down with Whatever Is Going Around), and to indulge in a good book…or several…or discover some new books that might just become old favorites. Or even to binge-watch some new shows via Hoopla, or on DVD…or knit that shawl you’ve been itching to get on your needles…or pet the cat and daydream… The possibilities, truly are endless.
You are never too old for a blanket fort
And, in case you need help stocking your blanket fort, here are some of the sensational books that have ambled up onto our shelves this week. For even more book fort recommendations, stop by the Main Library and check out our Card Catalog Display of books guaranteed to be bigger (and better) than any snowstorm!
The Cold Eye: I am so excited that this book has arrived! The first book in Laura Anne Gilman’s Devil’s West series was one of my favorite reads of last year, and this follow-up is just as weird, creative, and wonderful an adventure. At the heart of it all is Isobel, a young women pledged to serve as the Devil’s Left Hand across the territories of the American West. Along with her mentor, Gabriel (an enigmatic, earnest, and fascinating character in his own right), she is traveling through Flood in order to meet those under her jurisdiction, and being to discover just what her title requires of her. But when Isobel comes face-to-face with a natural disaster…and a very unnatural power that is killing livestock and draining the area of its magic, she and Gabriel will both realize the limits of their powers, and the terrible force that is threatening to unravel the entire Territory. This is a series in which to wholly lose yourself–you feel the heat of the sun and the dust of the road on your skin while reading, and while this land is full of otherworldly powers and wildly outlandish creatures, it is also a world that is totally accessible, full of characters who are real, honest, and empathetic, making this series one that I cannot wait to read, and read again. Publisher’s Weekly agrees, saying of this book, “Gilman crafts a fascinating vision of a magic-infested continent, set in an unsettled and unpredictable time. As she expands upon the imminent conflict among the various factions inhabiting North America and delves into the supernatural structure of the setting, she lays the groundwork for her increasingly capable heroine to come into her own.”
Books for Living: I mean, seriously–if there was ever books designed for Hermitage Month, this would be chief among them. Journalist and Will Schwalbe’s newest book talks about why we read, why we read what we read, and how those books can help us with issues in today’s highly connected and all-too-fast-paced world. Each chapter deals with a different book, from Stuart Little to The Odyssey, to The Girl on the Train, and talks about what each book helped him to learn or accomplish (everything from napping to trusting). Though playful in its choice of literature, this book is an earnest, and often heartfelt exploration of books, their meaning, and their place in our lives and souls. It’s always a really powerful experience to see how another reader sees the world because of literature, and this book is no exception to that rule. Booklist agreed, saying in its starred review, “Each chapter about a beloved book—Stuart Little, David Copperfield, Song of Solomon, Bird by Bird—is a finely crafted, generously candid, and affecting personal essay… In this warmly engaging, enlightening, and stirring memoir-in-books and literary celebration, Schwalbe reminds us that reading ‘isn’t just a strike against narrowness, mind control, and domination; it’s one of the world’s greatest joys.’”
Quicksand: In January 2014, Henning Mankell, author of the Kurt Wallander mysteries, received a diagnosis of lung cancer (he passed away in October 2015). This book is a response to that diagnosis…but not, perhaps in the way you’d think. Instead of dwelling on loss, or fear, or anger, Mankell instead takes the time to explore his life in a series in intimate sketches and vivid vignettes, from the chill of a winter morning in his small Swedish home town, to living hand-to-mouth in Paris as a struggling young writer, to his love of art, to his dreams about poisoned gas and the First World War. There are elements of this book that are jarring for being so very personal, but also incredibly inspiring, because Mankell isn’t, by and large, discussing a life that the rest of us will never live. He talks about what it means to experience the world as an ordinary human being, but in a way that shows just what an incredible opportunity that is for all of us. As the Financial Times noted in their review, “Quicksand defines life not by its ending but by the creative and humanitarian content that filled—and fulfilled—Mankell’s life. . . . The essays sharpen with resounding poignancy.”
The Death of Kings: If you’ve ever read Charles Todd’s First World War mysteries, or enjoyed Dennis Lehane’s historical fiction, you need to be reading Rennie Airth’s John Madden series. Set in Britain during the Interwar period, these books are phenomenal in their historic detail, with characters that come out of the book and live alongside you while your reading. In this fifth series installment, a stunning actress is found murdered on the estate of Sir Jack Jessup, a close friend of the Prince of Wales. Though the case is quickly brought to a close, in 1949, the appearance of a piece of jewelry related to the case appears, throwing the previous conviction into question. Though happily retired, John Madden is persuaded to take on the case anew, only to find that nothing about the case is quite what it seemed. If it’s not already clear, I hold a bit of a torch for Madden, who is a genuinely honorable man with plenty of human foibles to keep him grounded. This installment expands the world of the series considerably, taking Madden onto the streets of postwar London–which is a fascinating contrast to his earlier adventures after the First World War. The New York Times Review of Books loved this novel, noting “It’s the tactics and the terrain, the morale and the characters that make the difference between an average thriller and one as good as this.”
The Boy Who Escaped Paradise: It isn’t often that we get a novel set in North Korea that isn’t a spy caper or political thriller–but J.M. Lee’s book, part mystery, part love story, part history, and totally fascinating–is one of the rare exceptions. When an unidentified body is discovered in New York City, with numbers and symbols are written in blood near the corpse, the police investigation focuses immediately on Gilmo, a North Korean national who interprets the world through numbers, formulas, and mathematical theories. Angela, a CIA operative, is assigned to gain his trust and access his unique thought-process. Gilmo once had a quiet life in Pyongyang, but when it was discovered that his father was Christian, he and Gilmo were immediately incarcerated. There, he met Yeong-ae, the girl who became his only friend, and the girl for whom Gilmo would risk everything, escaping the camp and braving the world of East Asia’s criminal underworld, eventually bringing him to the strange new world in which he finds himself today. Scattered through with math problems and numerical riddles, this is a book that is both wildly imaginative in its outlook, and deeply insightful about its unique characters. Library Journal loved this book, giving it a starred review and praising, “Channeling timeless quests from The Odyssey on, while highly reminiscent of the contemporary cult classic Vikas Swarup’s Q&A (the literary inspiration for celluloid sensation “Slumdog Millionaire”), Lee’s latest should guarantee exponential growth among savvy Western audiences searching for a universal story with global connections. In a phrase, read this.”
I don’t know about you, dear patrons, but it feels like it’s been a really long week. I’ve been snowed on, rained on, discovered holes in the soles of my shoes that I never knew existed…and that’s only the beginning.
You know what this calls for?
A blanket fort.
Thankfully, the interwebs has provided yet another list of Do’s and Dont’s for Blanket Fort Construction–which specifically states that Blanket Forts go better with books. And, if your feeling really ambitious, take a look a this...the world’s largest blanket fort, made by Challenge12, Big Box Education, North London Collegiate School, Benchmark Scaffolding and Mace Group in London last summer:
Courtesy of http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Can you imagine the sheer number of books you could fit in a 3,304 square foot fort?!
Here are a few titles to get you started, selected from the new books that clambered up onto the library shelves this week. Come in and find some to stock your blanket fort for a lovely restorative weekend!
Tuesday Nights in 1980: For all you who remember hammer pants and shoulder pads–get ready. Molly Prentiss has crafted a tale of lost souls and fortuitous meetings, set in SoHo at the opening of the 1980s, bringing together a synesthetic art critic, and an exiled Argentinian painter and revolutionary. Both men are wandering, somewhat aimlessly, through the New York art scene, until they are brought together by the arrival of a stunning woman and a lonely orphan, who help these two men rediscover themselves, and begin to change them irrevocably. I am in loved with the brilliantly-colored cover of this book, and there are a number of critics and readers who are equally as enamored of the words between those covers; Booklist gave this one a starred review, saying: “An agile, imaginative, knowledgeable, and seductive writer, Prentiss combines exquisite sensitivity with unabashed melodrama to create an operatic tale of ambition and delusion, success and loss, mystery and crassness…she also tenderly illuminates universal sorrows, “beautiful horrors,” and lush moments of bliss. In all, a vital, sensuous, edgy, and suspenseful tale of longing, rage, fear, compulsion, and love.”
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos: The enduring hero of Dominic Smith’s latest novel is actually a painting that spans four centuries and brings together two remarkably talented and passionate women. In Amsterdam in 1631, Sara de Vos becomes the first woman to be admitted as a master painter to the city’s Guild of St. Luke, and defies all convention and tradition by refusing to paint indoor subjects, and instead paints the portrait of a young girl standing by a window. Nearly three hundred years later, in New York of 1957, young and hungry art student Ellie Shipley agrees to paint a forgery of Sara de Vos’ painting in order to help her wealthy patron dupe an art dealer…but it is a choice that will come back to haunt Ellie later in life, threatening to expose all the secrets she has so carefully hidden away. I am fascinated by books that use words to describe the visual–like the painting at the center of this story, and it would seem that Smith has mastered that unique art in this book. Kirkus gave this novel a starred review, hailing, “This is a beautiful, patient, and timeless book, one that builds upon centuries and shows how the smallest choices—like the chosen mix for yellow paint—can be the definitive markings of an entire life.”
Cold Barrel Zero: Former journalist Matthew Quirk’s debut novel was an international hit, and is currently being developed as a major motion picture–and, just in time for your weekend, his second thriller is being hailed as a sure-fire hit, feature two men who were once close as brothers–but now are caught in a desperate game of cat and mouse. Special Operative John Hayes went rogue on a deep-cover mission and betrayed his own comrades, and is now trying to return to his wife and daughter before launching his final revenge. The only man who can stop him is Thomas Byrne, a former combat medic who fought by Hayes’ side. As their quests bring them treacherously closer, both men will be forced to consider–and re-consider–whom they can really trust, in a world where the rules are constantly changing. Publisher’s Weekly loved this book, cheering, “Quirk goes flat-out explosive in this superior military adventure novel. . . . There’s plenty of cool cutting-edge technology, but in the end it comes down to action, and the riveting battle scenes are among the best in the business. Readers will look forward to seeing more of the skilled and deadly John Hayes.”
The Story of Kullervo: There’s always a risk in publishing a dead author’s unpublished works–the stuff that probably was never meant to see the light of day. On the one hand, there is an uncomfortable invasion of privacy that need to be considered, but, for scholars and dedicated readers, these pieces can immeasurably add to an author’s legend and cannon. The latter seems to be the case with this ‘previously unpublished’ story by the great J.R.R. Tolkien. Dedicated fans will see inklings of The Silmarillion here, as the ugly, sharp, and magical Kullervo, son of Kalervo launches on a plan of revenge against the magician who destroyed his family and his life. This copy of the story includes a forward and introduction by Verlyn Flieger, who transcribed this work from Tolkien’s original manuscripts. Booklist said of this work–considered the foundation of many of Tolkien’s fantasy novels–“The tale blends Tolkien’s trademark prose and epic poetry, and it is fascinating to catch this tantalizing glimpse into his brilliant mind . . .Will please readers who wish to unveil how Tolkien’s creative process evolved.”
The Rise of the Rocket Girls: Many of us grew up hearing about America’s Space Race, and the impressive brains that made it all possible…but no textbook ever told you about the women who worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Amazon’s reviewer mentions that they invented the pant suit…le sigh. These women were some of the brightest minds of their generation, consistently broke down barriers, not only in their workplace but in academia, and Nathalia Holt has at last put their story on the page in a tale that Library Journal says “seamlessly blends the technical aspects of rocket science and mathematics with an engaging narrative, making for an imminently readable and well-researched work.”. Now…once and for all…who says women can’t do math?
1) In one week, we get some daylight savings time, and in a little more than two weeks, it’s spring! (She says, looking at the snow incongruously falling outside…)
2) Sunday is National Oreo Cookie Day. Celebrate accordingly.
3) FORT FURNITURE. Apparently, we have single-handedly launched the Blanket Fort Revolution, my friends, as Flavorwire is now highlight all these cool pieces of furniture that double as forts. Seriously.
4) This Beluga Whale, who is part of a species that seems always happy to make new friends:
5) New books! Always new books! Here are five of those new books that leapt onto our shelves this week.
The Opposite of Everyone: Brilliant and outspoken Paula Vauss spent her childhood with her free-spirited mother, an itinerant storyteller who re-interpreted and re-invented history with every tale she told. But Paula’s own attempts to tell stories ended with her losing everything, even her birth name, Kali Jai, as she ended up in foster care. But when she receives a note from her mother hinting at a final trip, and suddenly finds herself the caretaker of her heretofore unknown sister, Paula realizes that, having spent her career separating families, she is now going to have to begin putting her own back together. Aided by her ex-boyfriend, a romantic PI named Birdwine, Paula sets off on a journey of discovery and self-redemption that is causing a number of critics to sit up and take notice. RT Bookreviews made this book a Top Pick for the month, cheering, “Beautifully written, fascinating and deep, The Opposite of Everyone is another must-read novel… Jackson has done a phenomenal job of weaving the past with the present and unfolding the story layer after layer. This is a masterfully written tale that readers cannot put down.”
A Gathering of Shadows: Did you ever have one of those days when you see a new book on the shelf and scare people because you start jumping up and down and singing a happy song to see the sequel to a phenomenal book has arrived? I did when I saw V.E. Schwab’s newest book on our shelves. Fans of her A Darker Shade of Magicwill be thrilled with the return of the Kell, his multi-dimensional coat (I want that coat. So badly.), and the multiple Londons through which he travels. This book picks up four months after the close of the first, with Kell dodging lingering feelings of guilt and suffering from dreams of magical foreboding–dreams that becoming terrifyingly true when a new London begins emerging. A London that everyone believed dead. And in order to keep the balance, Kell realizes that another London must invariably fall. Schwab has already earned herself quite a reputation as a YA author, but her foray into adult novels has made her the talk of the proverbial town, and this series is an absolute joy, not in the least because of Schwab’s courage in showing a caring, conflicted hero, and a heroine who is willing to take on the world without reservations. Publisher’s Weekly gave this book a starred review, saying “Tensions rise steadily, culminating with the exciting Element Games, and the finale will leave readers breathless. This is how fantasy should be done.”
Imbeciles : the Supreme Court, American eugenics, and the sterilization of Carrie Buck: In 1927, during the height of the eugenics craze (a movement which championed the creation of a “perfect race” through sterilization and over racism), the Supreme Court permitted the state of Virginia to sterilize a young woman named Carrie Buck, on the pretense that she was an “imbecile”. There was nothing wrong with Carrie Buck, but, as Adam Cohen reveals in this conscientious and timely work of history, she, and some 70,000 other Americans, were victims of a world that eagerly downgraded the humanity of many in the pursuit of creating a utopian society. In the process, Cohen reveals that even those men whom history upholds as legal heroes, from William Taft to Oliver Wendall Holmes, were willing to give credit to eugenicist before their victims. This is not an easy read, but it is a vital one; and Booklist say of it, “Cohen not only illuminates a shameful moment in American history when the nation’s most respected professions—medicine, academia, law, and the judiciary—failed to protect one of the most vulnerable members of society, he also tracks the landmark case’s repercussions up to the present.”
Ways to Disappear: When celebrated Brazilian writer Beatriz Yagoda disappears, her American translator, Emma, takes it upon herself to discover Yagoda’s whereabouts. But upon her arrival in Brazil, she finds a far more complicated mystery than she ever imagined. Yagoda left behind an enormous gambling debt, and a wealth of quirky, fascinating people, each eager for her return (for various, and not always benevolent reasons). Idra Novey is herself a translator, and her insight in the workings of words makes this fiction debut one that is delighting many a reader. NPR lauded this book, saying, “Novey’s novel delivers on its promises in so many ways. Yes, there’s carnage, but there’s also exuberant love, revelations of long-buried, unhappy secrets, ruminations about what makes a satisfying life, a publisher’s regrets about moral compromises in both his work and his use of his family wealth and connections, and an alternately heartfelt and wry portrait of the satisfactions and anxieties of the generally underappreciated art of translation.”
A Murder Over a Girl: Justice, Gender, Junior High: When psychologist Ken Corbett first hear of the murder of high school student Larry King, who was shot on Feb. 12, 2008, at E. O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, California by his 14-year-old classmate, reportedly as a result of Larry’s decision to use the name “Leticia” and wear makeup and jewelry to school, he was, understandably, devastated. However, the subsequent media reports of the case staunchly refused to discuss the gender and identity aspects of the case, giving Corbett the impetus to travel to LA, and observe the trial for himself. This book is more than just his observations, however; it is the work of a scholar who has spent his career studying gender, sexuality, and the human mind, and the way that a single act of violence can damage an entire community. He details this case with the precision of a scientist, but the heart of a human being, making this an accessible, moving, and very necessary work. Library Journal writes, “Corbett powerfully documents the life-threatening consequences of America’s persistent fear of gender difference. This will be read by those with academic, political, and personal interest in making the world safer for LGBT youth.”
So it’s really cold out there today. Like, record-breaking, it-hasn’t-been-this-cold-on-this-day-in-over-a-century cold out there. Do you know what that means?
Buzzfeed
According to the entry in Wikipedia, blanket forts are “a staple of early childhood entertainment”, however, we here at the Library know that blanket forts are for everyone, and blanket forts are for always. In case you need some inspiration, there are a number helpful hints here, though we recommend bringing your books into the fort, rather than using them as counterweights. Books work much better as books.
And speaking of books….why not pick up a few books from the library to bring into your fort? Here are five new titles that have graced our shelves this week that would love to come and visit:
My American Duchess: There are very few writers, especially romance writers, whose every release is a sure-fire success, but Eloisa James is absolutely one of them. Instead of building a story around a tragic event, or a dark, traumatic past, or a lurking secret, she tells stories about real, honest, troubled, lovely, loveable people who are empathetic and whose relationships are wholly believable; in sort, she writes real, honest-to-goodness love stories that are just irresistible. In this newest release, Merry Pelford arrived in London with two failed engagements in her past, but she has vowed that her third engagement will be a success, no matter what. And things seem to be going along swimmingly–until she meets the Duke of Trent. Trent could very well be everything that Merry wants in a man…if she weren’t already engaged to his brother. This trope is a tricky one, but James pulls it off in a story that is light, wise, and perfectly charming. RT Book Reviews agrees, cheering “Smart heroines, sensual heroes, witty repartee and a penchant for delicious romance have made James a fan favorite … readers will be hooked from beginning to end.”
Youngblood: Non-fiction writer Matt Gallagher’s first novel begins as the American Army is about to withdraw from Iraq, but newly-minted lieutenant Jack Porter can’t seem to find any reason to celebrate. A series of backhand deals and schemes have made this withdrawal possible, and he knows that chaos still looms just around the corner. But even as the arrival of a new, brutal commanding officer unleashes Jack’s worst fears, he finds himself growing increasingly intrigued by a tale of a lost American soldier, and Rana, a local sheikhs’ daughter, a story that could bring down Jack’s new commander–or lead to his own destruction. But as his fate grows intertwined with Rana’s, Jack realizes that the truth may be worth any price. This book has been getting a good deal of attention, partly because it manages to tell a kind of parable out of such hard and true facts, and partly because of Gallagher’s intense humanity in depicting some of humanity’s greatest shortcomings. Kirkus gave this book a starred review, calling it, “A complex tale about the Iraq War, intrigue, love, and survival…Gallagher subtly weaves throughout this excellent, brutal tale intrigue, a mystery, and two compelling love stories… A fresh twist on the Iraq War novel adds depth to this burgeoning genre.”
The Killing Forest: Sara Blaedel’s work has flown off the shelves in her native Denmark, and her series featuring DI Louise Rick has grown into an internationally-bestselling one, so now seems like a perfect time to jump on the bandwagon! In this eighth series installment, Louise Rick has returned to work at the Special Search Agency, an elite unit of the National Police Department, and is quickly assigned the case of a 15-year-old boy who disappeared the previous week–but Louise soon realizes that this new case dovetails with her own personal investigation into her long-ago boyfriend’s death. But the farther she digs into the past, and re-enters the complex world of her hometown, the more she realizes that some secrets are better left uncovered, and some truths are too dark for the light of day. Booklist loves Blaedel’s work, and calls this book “Another suspenseful, skillfully wrought entry from Denmark’s Queen of Crime.”
Shylock is My Name: Howard Jacobson takes one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters from out of the pages of The Merchant of Venice, and re-imagines him in the present day, as an art dealer named Simon Strulovitch. While remaining faithful to the basic premise that Shakespeare set out, Jacobson uses Shylock’s feelings of betrayal, his anger, and his shocking bargain (in the original, a pound of flesh, but Jacobson gets a bit more creative….) to explore questions about Jewish and English culture that makes this story feel wholly original. Critics in the UK are going wild over this book, and the Independent has declared it “Supremely stylish, probing and unsettling…This Shylock is a sympathetic character in his private life…In his dialogues with Strulovitch he is both savagely funny and intellectually searching, both wise and sophistical, intimate and coldly controlling… Jacobson’s writing is virtuoso. He is a master of shifting tones, from the satirical to the serious. His prose has the sort of elastic precision you only get from a writer who is truly in command.”
In Europe’s Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond: Journalist Robert Kaplan has made his career by writing about the Balkans, and all of his books are beautifully sympathetic and insightful, offering a fascinating blend of history and current events that will make you feel like you’ve lived there with him for some time. In this newest release, he focuses on Romania, a country that exists somewhere between the East and the West, a place that experienced some of the worst effects of Communism, that is now, somehow, transforming itself into a place for Western tastes and tourism. Kaplan makes the generations of history that have formed Romania’s ambiguous relationship with Europe, and it’s very tense, storied experience with Russia clear, accessible, and deeply empathetic, and may just make you want to back your own bags for a visit. The New York Times Book Review seems to agree, calling this work a “haunting yet ultimately optimistic examination of the human condition as found in Romania . . . Kaplan’s account of the centuries leading up to the most turbulent of all—the twentieth—is both sweeping and replete with alluring detail.”
Until next week, beloved patrons, keep warm and happy reading! If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my blanket fort….
I don’t know about you, but it seems that the presidential election has already reached a fever pitch…and there are still nine more months to go….
For those of you who revel in the election process, who thrive on the political wrangling and debate, we celebrate your good fortune–particularly in these next few days, as the political machine has descended on New Hampshire. The airwaves, newspapers, and, in general, any public space, seemed full of debate and commentary–and commercials. Endless commercials….
….And for those who who are very seriously considering hiding in your Officially Library Approved Blanket Fort until November, then you, likewise, have our full support. Election decisions are difficult enough without the incessant stress that this process can induce in people, and the realization that the whole to-do is only getting started can be more than a little overwhelming…Either way, we at the Library are here to support you with voting assistance, informational resources, or a quiet sanctuary away from it all.
For today’s If/Then post, we are looking to merge the two, by offering you a selection of political films and tv shows to keep you in the election spirit, but ones that are firmly rooted in fiction, to help you escape the realities of this specific race (or at least the commercials!) for a little while. This list has been curated, hopefully, with a blend of optimism and cynicism to suit any mood or taste. So, without further ado…
If you’re looking for some election-themed viewing entertainment, Then check out….
The West Wing: This show had to be at the top of the list. For many, it was the medium through which they learned how the electoral and judicial process worked, and in Martin Sheen’s performance as President Josiah Bartlett, a generation of young voters found their ideal Commander-In-Chief. This show also became legendary for Aaron Sorkin’s linguistically complex, lightning-paced scripts that help characters sound better than any human being had a right to do. All seven seasons of this series makes for ideal binge-watching, but even a season or two are sure to help you escape–and you’ll definitely come away with a wealth of factoids regarding the Presidency that you never knew you needed.
Dave: Part Prince and the Pauper, part political commentary, this utterly quirky and perfectly heart-warming film is an all-around feel-good success. Kevin Kline stars as Dave Kovic, an idealistic young man who makes some spare money by impersonating President Bill Mitchell. But when he is called upon to help the President cover-up a personal rendezvous, he finds his job become much more permanent–Mitchell is incapacitated by a stroke, and Dave is forced to assume his duties…and in the process turns Washington upside-down. There is plenty to be said about the shortcomings of politicians, but Dave’s wide-eyed optimism is enough to calm the most cynical of viewers, and the unexpected romance within this story rounds out a delightful film.
The Thick of It: Fans of British television should not miss this savagely funny series that satirizes politics across the pond. Centered around the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, this show looks at the wild u-turns, bitter feuds, and hysterical side-shows that accompany every government policy and decision. At the helm is current Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi as one of the most foul-mouthed, ill-tempered anti-heroes in television, who somehow still manages to be weirdly sympathetic. Fans of Veepon HBO should also keep a sharp eye out for Chris Addison, the show’s current director, as Ollie, one of the most slimiest young upstarts you’ll ever hope to meet. The cast reunited to make In the Loop, a feature film that shares many similarities with the show, so be sure to check that out, as well.
Veep: Since we’re on the subject, don’t miss this show, that fans and critics seem to agree is one of the smartest comedies out there. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as former senator Selina Meyer who becomes the erstwhile second-in-command. Though a British-conceived and produced show (the show’s creator, Armando Iannucci, also created The Thick of It), a number of Washington insiders have commented on the accuracy of the absurdity of it all. It’s also wildly refreshing to have such an ambiguous female lead in this show, and to have the chance to follow her wild ride to power, and there is no one who can pull this all off better than Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
House of Cards: Though based off a British mini-series of the same name, the American version of this show, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, has become the stuff of legends, and given viewers permission to revel in the dark side of politics. As the conniving Frank Underwood, Spacey’s almost Shakespearean bid for total power is a somewhat-terrifying, but wholly captivating performance that caused my mother to hang up on me whenever I called while it was on. Best of all, all three seasons of this show are available through the NOBLE Network, so you don’t have to miss a minute!
Ah, the respite of the blanket fort, a cushioned haven from reality about which our terrific blogger-in-residence Arabella has already expounded upon beautifully. I made my own bid for the blanket fort several weeks ago when I said that my hermitage week is more like a hermitage month, but now that month that I typically associate with long, languorous bouts of reading is coming to a close. The bouts of reading might get a bit shorter as the days start to get longer and general busyness starts to pick up a bit, but the spirit of the hermitage stays with me all year long. While I never (ever) need an excuse to read, I do find that sometimes I need to offer others who don’t sympathize with my passion for reading quite so much a reason for one of my favorite downtime (or in many cases anytime) activity. This week, for those of you who have a similar problem, I’ve compiled a list of ready-to-go reasons (backed by science, no less!) to let people know that having a book as your constant companion and reading whenever downtime presents itself is not only normal, but healthy.
Reading makes you a better person
In a somewhat ironic twist, given that readers are often considered to be introverts, being an avid reader can help you interact better with other people. Reading literary fiction with its complex characters who aren’t always easy to get to know (or like), can make that reader a more empathetic person in general. The logic behind this is that working harder to get to know characters and understand their motivations and emotions. This in turn makes readers more practiced at empathy which carries into real-life social interactions as well. (This can also explain why we get so attached to characters in some of our favorite books.) Readers in general tend to be more empathetic overall because reading stimulates the part of the brain that helps you visualize movement. In essence, readers actually feel part of the action in a book happening to them. It’s a similar process in assuming the emotions characters are showing in a book. The reader ends up feeling those emotions, too giving readers higher levels of emotional intelligence and awareness.
“Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation”
Science has shown that not only is reading a stress-reducing activity, it can reduce stress more than other commonly employed stress-busing activities like yoga, enjoying a cup of tea or listening to music. Dr. David Lewis of the University of Sussex (whose quote from The Telegraph introduced this paragraph) indicated that reading reduced the stress levels of experiment participants by 68 percent and according to the study, “subjects only needed to read, silently, for six minutes to slow the heart rate and ease tension in the muscles… [often] to stress levels loser than before [the subjects] started.” We could all use a little less stress in our lives, so picking up a book, even for a short time can definitely help. The study didn’t address the effects of long-term reading habits, but I can only image the possibilities…
Reading helps your brain
This one probably won’t shock any bookworms out there, but there are studies that indicate exercising your brain with reading can increase both intelligence and overall brain power. Books generally expose readers to new vocabulary (even more than TV) and exposure to new vocabulary can make you smarter. Plus, reading books can help keep you smarter, longer. “Exercising” your brain with activities like reading has a similar effect on the brain as cardiovascular activity has on your heart: it makes it run better for longer. This can help stave off some of the cognitive issues associated with age, like memory loss and declining brain function.
It’s free!
Thanks to libraries making it our mission to provide people with as much reading material as possible, reading can be free for all who possess a library card. Because of libraries, reading is cheaper than an Netflix subscription, joining a gym, going to a movie, shopping, taking a trip and many other activities in an increasingly commercial world. So not only can you become a better person by reading, it doesn’t have to cost you a cent in order to do it.
So this week, dear readers, instead of recommending specific books, I simply recommend that you read whatever you want, whenever you want, and for as long as you’d like. Keep that book fort erected and let your “I’m-A-Reader” flag fly over it proudly. You’re not just enjoying yourself, you’re improving yourself. And isn’t having fun the best kind of self-improvement, anyway?
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." ~Frederick Douglass
Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost
The Cold Eye
Books for Living
The Boy Who Escaped Paradise
