Shhh...secrets

Have you ever wondered if your house had a secret tunnel at one time? 

 

Or perhaps a famous (or infamous) occupant?

Your home may have a fascinating history, and the process of uncovering your home’s past can be a fun and worthwhile project. House Histories: A guide to tracing the genealogy of your home by Sally Light and How to Research your house: Every home tells a story by Pamela Brooks are great books to help you get started. If you would prefer to watch instead of read, the HGTV series If walls could talk...explores homes rich in history.

This featured photo of a house on Michigan Ave is from the Benke photograph collection, to find more click on this link Images of Manitowoc. 

Epic, Wicked, Classic

What is a classic?  The definition of a classic is threefold.  A classic work of literature has universal appeal, expresses an artistic quality, and stands the test of time.  One of the goals of the selectors of our library is to find the "hottest reads" (Nora Roberts, James Patterson) for the readers in our community.  However, we also work diligently to maintain a collection of books that meet the above criteria of a classic or in Victor Hugo's case, offer our readers an epic tale of poverty, vice, and redemption.  How does this particular book stand the test of time?  After all, isn't it just a love story and a condemnation of France's legal system of the time?  Response:  haven't you heard the phrase "class warfare" used in the news and by various politicians recently?

Moving on from the French, Charles Dickens' books about poverty and the social injustice in England also stand the test of time.  Most of us have read David Copperfield for a school assignment or watched A Christmas Carol during the month of December.  Have you tried Oliver Twist, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, or Great Expectations?  If you can't stomach all the wicked characters that live in Dickens' books, consider another English author like Thomas Hardy. His book, Far From the Madding Crowd has similar themes to Dickens' but uses a pastoral setting.  If you like love stories to end happily, any Jane Austen title will do.  Austen has a special gift for blending social commentary in with an old-fashioned romance. 
American classics cannot be forgotten.  The Awakening by Kate Chopin is every bit as relevant (and depressing) as any Thomas Hardy novel.  Edgar Allan Poe is known for his stories of horror and suspense but his tales go far beyond a mere mystery.  Finally, what early American author captures the spirit of adventure better that James Fennimore Cooper?  He is best known for The Last of the Mohicans but did you know that it's part of a series of five books about early American frontier life featuring Natty Bumppo?  Or is it Hawkeye?  La Longue Carabine?  Pathfinder?  Deerslayer?  Finally, if you're a true Wisconsinite and you enjoy stories about early America, you will be eager to revisit August William Derleth. 

So put the brain candy aside for now, and pick up some meat and potatoes.  Enjoy a classic today!

 

American Pickers

Do you know these guys?  If you don't, well, you should get to know them. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz became famous when their lives as pickers were turned into a highly rated television show on the History Channel.  A new book now recounts their story and teaches the reader how to become a picker.  American Pickers Guide to Picking was written by Libby Callaway with input from Mike, Frank, Danielle and a number of other experts and pickers.  Libby's mother dealt in antiques and Libby met a lot of pickers that her mother bought items from.  She was surprised when she met Mike Wolfe for the first time in December of 2008 because he was so different from the people her mother dealt with.  Mike was young, handsome, and charming. Libby and Mike met when they were both visiting a mutual friend, a photographer. 

Mike got bored during a photo shoot of women in lingerie and asked to borrow a scooter.  He was back in 30 minutes with an enamel Oliver Tractor sign from the 1940's that he was able to sell within minutes, more than doubling his money.  Libby was stunned.  She had never heard of someone driving around and finding likely sellers of antiques and collectibles.  She couldn’t imagine herself knocking on doors but greatly admired someone who could. 

Interesting tidbits related in the book include Mike’s strategy of looking at ads in old magazines.  A few years ago, he saw an ad for a 1912 Indian racing motorcycle.  Even though the journal was from the 1970’s, he called and found out that the motorcycle had never been sold.  He immediately got on a plane and flew to Florida to try and make a deal.  The owner was very reluctant to sell, but Mike used his winning personality to eventually make a deal. 

George, who Mike and Frank turn to when they need an expert opinion, offers this advice: “You can’t just go out picking if you don’t know anything.  You should have either a very specialized knowledge or a very broad knowledge,  You have to know a lot about a little or a little about a lot.”  Mike and Frank obviously know a little about a lot and a lot about a little.  Read this book and you’ll know a little bit more yourself.

Don't have cable?  You can watch the first season of American Pickers by checking out this DVD from the Library.

We've got that TOO

Remember these guys?  If you don't, well, you should get to know them.  It's shocking to realize that there may be some folks out there who aren't aware of all the wonderful things the library owns that AREN'T books.  If you're not into Muppets like Statler and Waldorf, we have a plethora of movies both old and new available for you.  Everything from the entire Nightmare on Elm Street series (who knew they could keep bringing Freddie back like that?) to Les Miserables to State Fair to Casablanca to the entire Seinfeld series is available at the Manitowoc Public Library.  Maybe you missed a documentary like Ken Burns' Prohibition on PBS?  We're getting that one too.  We have an enormous variety of movies.  Everything from the very latest to the greatest classics.  But wait, there's more...

Do you have a long drive to and from work?  Have a difficult time keeping up with your book club?  Fall asleep every time you sit down with a novel?  Is your vision not what is used to be?  The solution is the audiobook.  Audiobooks are a wonderful tool to help readers continue with their reading lifestyle.  They help pass the time when you're waiting for your kids or spouse.  They keep you company when you're cleaning your house.  Books on CD are portable and can help keep kids entertained on a long trip.  (My personal favorites are the narrators from the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket series.)  Audiobooks are also available through Overdrive (the link can be found on our website) and can be downloaded onto an MP3 player or laptop computer.  Listening to books is an easy way to keep your hands free and your mind and body active.

If you are afraid that you will fall asleep to the dulcet tones of a narrator, how about some music?  We own thousands of CDs.  Looking for Mozart?  We've got it.  Looking for Phantom of the Opera?  We've got it.  Want to relive your memories from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's or an earlier decade?  Most likely you will find your favorite song and artist from those decades and beyond here.  And we have more....Emmy winners Lady Antebellum, we've got it.  Techno dance music, we've got that too.  Music for a themed Hawaiian dance party or Halloween blowout, don't look any further than your library.  How excellent is our music selection?  We have over 40 music CDs by the Beatles alone.  And when you can't find that special song?  We'll help you borrow it from another library system in Wisconsin.  Stop by the Service Desk, we can find it. 

So the next time that you visit your library, remember that we carry so much more than books.  Want to borrow a Kindle?  We've got it.  Looking for an old article on your family from the newspaper?  We have it on MICROFILM.  Don't know what that is or how to use it?  We're here to help with that too.  Maybe you just want to find the next mystery in a series by your favorite author.  You KNOW we've got that too.   

   

funny things happen when you open a book

This is a picture book with a message for parents.  Teach your kids to enjoy books now, and don't forget to show them how they "work".

I grew up trying to get my mom's attention when her nose was stuck in a book.  Sometimes we would yell "Fire!" just to see if she would evacuate the house or die reading.  When we finally DID get her attention, the look on her face was somewhat similar to his....

Share your knowledge; share the experience; fall into the story.  Learn to read for life.

BRAIN CANDY IS GOOD

The undead have feelings too. After being passed over for centuries by vampire love and hot werewolves, zombies are finally coming into their own. It's a zombie revolution, guard your brain. Brains, in case you missed the cult classic movies "Dawn of the Dead" or "Night of the Living Dead", are delicious candy to the zombie with a discerning palate and NOTHING can stop them from seeking out more. Here are a few new titles on the continuing saga of the undead and the people who live (briefly) with them. How does one deal with a ferocious, expressionless, unstoppable attacking zombie?

A hilarious twist on a beloved classic is Seth Graham Smith's, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: the classic Regency romance-now with ultraviolent zombie mayhem! Be prepared to laugh ruefully as Elizabeth and Darcy fight zombies, not their love for one another. They admire one another for their equally amazing zombie annihilation skills. Mr. Collins, a character that anyone familiar with the original story deplores, gets what he deserves and more. The undead success of this book has been followed by a prequel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and a sequel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, both by Steve Hockensmith. You will laugh out loud as you enjoy tea and crumpets while checking the locks on the doors.

Zombies have also found success with the younger generation. Stacey Jay's You are So Undead to Me combines teen angst with hungry zombies. Megan Berry, the heroine, must save homecoming, work on her cheerleading try-out, and attempt to attract the attention of her crush all while dealing with the dead that are not dead. For those interested in the romantic lifestyles of the undead, there is I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked it by Adam Selzer or the Generation Dead series by Daniel Waters. Whether you love them or hate them, they are sure to keep your mind off of your real problems.


Finally for those who wish to be prepared for the coming of the undead apocalypse, there is World War Z: an oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks. When the zombie hordes are calling, it will be important to know their habits and how to deal with zombification competently. Mac Montandon's Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies will help provide answers for everyone hosting the ravenous horde. To learn about the inner workings of the zombie mind, try Brains: a zombie memoir or Zombie, Ohio: a tale of the undead.

Brain candy, it's not just for zombies anymore.

It’s NOT of this world

 Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Having barely survived an attempt to colonize earth by an alien, insectoid race, earthlings devise a plan to destroy the aliens before another attack.  A military battle school in space is created where the most promising children in the world are sent to train.  The Wiggins are allowed to have an unheard of third child, Ender, because their first two children were geniuses but lacked the personality to lead soldiers.  Ender's sister, Valentine, was too meek.  His brother, Peter, was too much of a psychopath.  Protected by constant monitoring during his first six years, Ender shows enough promise that the military leaders decide to test him by removing his electronic monitor to see if he can survive the attentions of his brother.  He passes that challenge and now must survive the battle school where there are other students will stop at nothing to win.  Ender is the ultimate survivor but can a child save earth?

The Manitowoc Public Library will be hosting a book discussion on Ender's Game, Thursday, September 8^th at 6pm to celebrate Sputnikfest. Sputnikfest in Manitowoc is a self-proclaimed wacky, tacky, fun event that commemorates ACTUAL space debris from Sputnik IV landing in the middle of 8^th St. on Sept., 6^th in 1962. This year's festivities will be held Saturday, Sept. 10^th starting at 10am. To find out more about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc, visit their website at http://www.sputnikfest.com/.

Discussion Questions for Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

1. Ender's father said that it was better to play the war games and have a better chance of surviving when the buggers came again. He was referring to children playing a make-believe game. How does this philosophy represent the theme of the book?
2. Is it ethical to place children in the position of being maimed or killed? Is it ethical to make children responsible for saving the earth?
3. Is Ender's brother Peter a psychopath or good at pretending to be a psychopath?
4. Ender is afraid that he is a monster like Peter. Is Ender a monster?
5. Colonel Graff is called a monster. Is he?
6. Why did Ender agree to attend Military school?
7. How is the Battle Room useful for learning how to fight against the buggers?
8. Peter has a new focus after Ender leaves. What are his motives?
9. Did Valentine betray Ender by convincing him to return to his training?
10. Was it necessary to destroy the entire race of buggers?
11. What made Ender a good leader?
12. Was it best for Ender to leave earth? Was it best for earth?
     

If you liked Ender's Game, David recommends-

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (first in a trilogy)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (first in a trilogy)

On Basilisk Station by David Weber (first in the Honor Harrington series)

The Giver by Lois Lowry (first in a trilogy)
Matched by Allyson Braithwaite Condie