All about women

150 Fearless Women in Our World Today

In the United States, March is known for many things, the birth of spring; the end of winter; the celebration of the end of Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, and of course Spring Break; the start of spring training for baseball; and a host of other honors such as American Red Cross Month or the librarian's favorite, National Reading Day.  Most notably, however, March is Women's History Month.  Today, in fact, is International Women's Day.  So today and this month, we celebrate, honor, and pay tribute to women. 
In some of our recent discussions about women in the library (mostly over the recent birth control legislation issue), one aspect of women's history that came to light was just how recent it actually was that women gain any rights or voice in this country.  The right to vote, which for women was significantly the right to be recognized as people, actually contributing members of society, was won in 1920.  This may seem very far away to many of you, but if you think about it, for the majority of us, our grandmothers lived in a world where women could not only, not vote, but could not own their own property, any wages they earned were forfeit if they were married, or had a living male relative who could legally take every penny without cause.  Women not only did not have a voice, but were in truth, second-class citizens.  
The world has changed dramatically since then, but equality has not been achieved yet.  Across the globe, women are still faced with oppression, slavery, abuse, and an extreme lack of basic human rights. Despite many obstacles, women are still working and fighting to change the world.  Follow the link above for The Daily Beast's article on fearless women and read some of their stories.  It will inspire you!  To these women and all those who in survive, who stand up, who support each other in big and small way, we say...

Thank You

Today, we want to take a moment to acknowledge those who do so much for us and others, and we challenge you to take a moment to do the same.  Each term we have a contest in the library through which we offer you the opportunity to share with us and each other and earn fabulous prizes.  This term, our contest is all about the women.  Comment here, or post on our Facebook page to enter.  What to say?  Tell us about a woman who has cared for you, challenged you, inspired you, taught you, helped you, or has just been there for you.  We want to know about her and how she has changed your world (no one sentence answers will suffice).  Post your comments anytime between now and the end of the Month.  The winner will receive a gift basket including a gift card, Oscar winning films on DVD, incredible books, and more as well as a gift for the amazing woman you tell us about.  If you choose someone who you do not personally know who may be a hero to you for what they have done in the past or someone who has passed away, that is okay too.  Both prizes are yours.  The winner will be announced here on March 30th.

Long overdue

Over the past couple of months, I've had lots to share and many things I wanted to post here, and yet here we are in March with a rather delinquent amount of blogging happening.  I'm not sure why, but Winter term seems to get away from me every year.  Maybe it is that with the start of the new year and all to be accomplished, the daily tasks are set aside.  The problem is, coming back to them.  Right?

Now that it is beginning to feel like spring outside, I am filled with a renewed sense of excitement and ambition.  Hopefully you all have that same sense as we near the end of the term, that last push towards the finish line.  To start off this month,  I wanted to tell you about some good discussions we've been having in the library.  This year in film has been an exciting one.  To us, it feels like there have been an unusual number of incredible films and television that we were excited to watch and share with you.  With the Academy Awards just finished, I am sure that you've heard a lot a buzz about several movies.  In case you did not know, the Library collects all Academy nominated films as well as those recognized in other major film festivals and awards such as the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.  We also collect honored films that have been made for television.  So, if there is a film you have been wanting to see that was nominated for an award, we have it or will have as soon as it is available.  Today, I thought I'd share some of our favorites with you. Many of you will have heard of and possible seen The Help, Hugo, The Artist (which is still in theatres), etc.  A few you may have missed which we highly recommend...

Beginners - Christopher Plummer won the Academy for his performance in this lovely film about a man (Ewan McGregor) entering into a new relationship after his father has died. The film ties the together the fears and hopes that surround love and the past that comes with that.  This was a smart, charming film that comes highly recommended.

 The Tree of Life - a beautiful, brilliant, astounding film that will challenge your every sense of what film-making is or should be.  Director Terrance Mallick creates an entirely new experience for viewers as he explores our thoughts, hearts, present, past, and the connectedness that makes us all part of the beauty that is humanity.  If you love movies not just for the thrill of them, for the entertainment value, but for the artistry and journey which they can take you one, then this is a film not to be missed!
Warrior - yes, I know, another film about boxing.  Despite my own skepticism about this film, I found myself very glad to have watched it.  This film is raw with an honest look at the complexities of father-son relationships and the lasting effects of hurt, anger, misunderstanding, as well as the strength of family.  Nick Nolte was nominated for his role as the father in this film.  We send it out to you all with high recommendations.
These are just a few recommendations for now.  Don't hesitate to stop by the Library and we'll share more with you.

Something new

Every fall, the Library works to offer something new to our students.  Our goal, to meet the needs of students by offering new and innovative library materials or digital resources.  This year, we have added several new products.  One we are very excited about is the Playaway audiobook.  I know you are all holding your breath to find out just what this great new audiobook format is, right?  Playaway is a digital audiobook that plays by itself.  No more carrying around a case of CDs, switching them in the car while driving, or having a CD end just when something exciting is about to happen.  Playaway holds the entire book on a small player (smaller than most cell phones) which can be carried with you anywhere.  It is great for driving.  It is perfect for listening while running or working out.  You use it like an iPod or an MP3 player.  All you need are a pair of earbuds and away you go.  If you don't have a pair, we'll give you one to get you started.  Now are you excited?
Here are a couple of books we have on Playaway that we think you will enjoy.

The Patience Stone

by Atiq Rahimi
In Persian folklore, Syngue Sabour is a magical stone, a patience stone, that absorbs the plight of those who confide in it. But here, the Syngue Sabour is not a stone, but a man lying brain-dead. His wife sits by his side, resenting him for not resisting the call to arms, for wanting to be a hero, and in the end, for being incapacitated. Yet she cares, speaking to him, revealing her deepest desires, pains, and secrets. She speaks of her life, not knowing if her husband hears, confessing about sex and love and her anger against a man who never understood her, and who mistreated her. Free of oppression, she leads her story up to a great secret that is unthinkable in a country like Afghanistan. Rahimi captures with great courage and spare, poetic, prose the reality of everyday life for an intelligent woman under the oppressive weight of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. (summary from Blackstone Audio)

The Mask of Zorro

by Yuri Rasovsky (based on the book by Johnston McCulley)

This is a sensational recording read by Val Kilmer and a full cast.  The voices will keep you on the edge of your seat the length of the novel.  

Wealthy, young aristocrat Don Diego de la Vega is the son of the richest ranchero in the country. Don Diego is an idler who has never concerned himself with more than the cut of his clothes. But Vega’s timorous reputation is merely a mask to conceal his alter ego—El Zorro. As Zorro, dressed in black and wearing a mask, he is transformed into a cunning swordsman who fearlessly pulls off dashing and daring escapades in his quest to avenge the helpless, aid the poor and oppressed, and punish cruel officials. Deemed an outlaw by California’s corrupt governor, he is ever-hunted by the Commandante of La Reina de Los Angeles, Capitan Ramón, and his henchman, Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez. 

 

Cleaning Nabokov's House

by Leslie Daniels
Barb Barrett has inadequate skills for relationships. In particular, she cannot follow her husband’s instructions. Because of this character “flaw,” she falls through the safety net of her lousy marriage, losing custody of her children and her home as she plummets. Guided only by her intense inner life, and a questionable business plan, Barb is determined to reinvent herself. She moves into a house once occupied by the literary genius Vladimir Nabokov, author of the notorious Lolita. She discovers what could be Nabokov’s last unpublished manuscript and from there begins a painful yet joyous journey that is deliciously romantic, both darkly comic and wise.(summary from Blackstone Audio)

The Ninth Wife

Amy Stoll's novel The Ninth Wife is an interesting and enthralling read.  This story centers around a woman, Bess, who has given up hope of ever settling down until she meets Rory.  He seems to be everything she's been waiting for and she falls completely in love.  Life has definitely taken a turn for the best, that is until Rory asks Bess to marry him.  After the proposal, Rory confesses that he's been married eight times.  Without giving Rory an answer, Bess feels she must discover what is hiding in his past and sets upon an adventurous road trip with her gay neighbor and her 65 year old grandparents to meet the first eight wives.  This journey provides for a rich look into the very heart of relationships as well as how the past plays a vital part of how we live and who we are.  This was fun, mind-blowing, inspiring, and an overall great read.  Come check out our book of the week today.

Book of the week

I've been reading a lot of poetry of late.  Poetry fits the growing busyness of this month as assignments are coming due, events are being held, and the cold weather is creeping in.  I find myself snatching a poem or two in between meetings or classes.  What I love about reading poetry like this is the foothold it seems to give me to the world beyond my daily tasks.  Each day provides us with a myriad of things to start, things to finish, calls to return, messages to send, and on and on.  A poem gives a moment, a glimpse into a feeling, a thought, another life.  It takes little from us and still manages to give us pause and a breath.  For me, it is that moment that allows me to breathe.  It gives me space to stop and look around, to see something in the world about that is not of myself and to appreciate it.  The book that I want to feature this week is an amazing, fairly new book of poetry by former United States Poet Laureate, Kay Ryan.  The Best of It is filled with poems which will give pause to the day, a smile, a laugh, and that moment we are all seeking to breathe.  The Best of It won the Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry this year and I can see why.  It's our feature book and it comes highly recommended!
Here's a poem from Kay Ryan's book that I wanted to share with you.
Backward Miracle

Every once in a while
we need a
backward miracle
that will strip language,
make it hold for
a minute: just the
vessel with the
wine in it--
a sacramental
refusal to multiply,
reclaiming the
single loaf
and the single
fish thereby.

Take a moment today for yourself and enjoy the world around you.

A cool fall day and a good book

I love fall and all the changes, colors, smells, and feelings that come with it.  It is my favorite season.  Days start slowing down.  Even the earth seems to begin quieting itself, nestling in to a time of rest, of quiet, of rejuvenation.  As leaves fall, rains come, and the air outside settles into a cool crisp routine of days, there is a distinct smell that invades the senses letting every part of the body feel the coming of fall. 
For me, this is what fall is.  It makes me want to drink hot cider, sit in a comfortable chair and read a good book.  Right now I am reading The Paris Wife which I'll write you all about as soon as I'm finished.  So far, it's fabulous.  Next on my list to try is a series that several students have recommended so we've just added them to the Library.  The series is Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments books.  The first three books are on our Library shelf now, and the newest one is on order as soon as it is published. 
These books follow Clary, a young girl who drawn into a world of demons, demon hunters, mysticism and dark secrets when her mother disappears and she herself is nearly killed by a monster.  Existing in the dark underworld of the city, she discovers and soon becomes a part of a world only imagined in stories or television shows. 
This series has come very highly recommended by many of you, so I'm posting it here on your recommendations.  These books have been compared to the TV shows Angel and Supernatural and are recommended by authors of similar books such as Twilight's Stephanie Meyers.  Try them and let us know what you think.  Cassandra Clare has other series that we could add to the Library shelves if you are interested.  Come check them out today and enjoy the warmth of the fall season with a good book.

Contest Winners

Finally, we are publishing the two winners to our Fall Banned Books Week contest.  We drew two names this year and the winners are, A.J. Barker and Andrea J.  Stop by the Library anytime and pick up your prizes.  Thank you to all for responding.  If you haven't had a chance to read all the comments on the last two blog posts, you should.  It delights us to see how passionate some of you are about your freedom to read and protecting that right for those around you.  Also, if you didn't get a chance to watch any of the YouTube videos or come to our live reading, they are still available on the BBW YouTube channel.  There are some great videos by several of our favorite authors that we encourage you to check out.