It's About Growing Up

I came across the cutest Beverly Cleary interview:   

Beverly Cleary: What She Wants You to Know About Her

Happy Friday!

The Baby-Sitters Club

A little slow on current book news, a friend just informed me that The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin has been re-released. Apparently, this announcement was made way back in January of this year, but I completely missed it!

The re-release was kicked off by the publication of The Summer Before, the prequel to the series.  The prequel was written by Ann M. Martin herself and details what Kristy, Claudia, and Mary Ann were up to before they started the infamous club. 

As a member of the Babysitters Club generation, I am very excited that this series is coming back into publication.  While the technology will be updated, the stories that emphasize friendship, family, and work ethic will be the same.  In the modern world that we live in today, a relatively scandal-free series is exactly what young girls should be reading.  As my mother used to say, "You are only (insert age) once.  Enjoy it."  When young girls are encouraged to grow-up too quickly, they miss a vital piece of their childhood that can never be reclaimed.  Although I am (overall) glad that my tween years have concluded, I am excited to read the prequel and re-visit that time where life was so much simpler. 

Check out the book and let me know what you think.  Personally, this information has me reminiscing about the great excitement I felt each time I would go to the library or bookstore knowing that I would be coming home with the newest book in the series.  The memories really do last a lifetime.


P.S.  If you liked this post, you should check out the BSC Headquarters blog I added to the blog list today.  

The Cast of THE HELP

 Just for fun . . .

According to People Magazine, the casting of the screen adaptation of The Help is nearly complete.  People reports that Viola Davis will be playing Aibileen and Octavia Spencer will be playing her best friend, Minny.  The casting that this Book Keeper is super excited about: Allison Janney as Charlotte Phelan (Skeeter's mother).  I am personally in love with the idea of Allison Janney bringing Charlotte to life on the big-screen.  PERFECT casting in my mind.  I am also excited about Emma Stone as Skeeter and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly.  Both Stone and Howard have great potential to bring these beloved characters to life, but I have to agree with the masses that I see Claire Danes as the perfect Skeeter. 

Two roles that are not filled:  Celia and Elizabeth.  Let me know who you think should play these characters!  I am thinking Scarlett Johansson for Celia and Kristen Bell or Michelle Williams as Elizabeth.

Beverages & Books

A recent request by a fellow book club member got me thinking about how certain beverages are tied so closely to performing certain activities.  The book for July is A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.  The request was to discuss the book over wine.  Apparently, the book becomes quite provocative in the later chapters (I will let you know after I have finished it).  Going back to the topic of beverages, I realized how many activities I link directly to what is inside of my cup.  There are common associations like water & exercise and hot chocolate & ice skating.  But then again, I have, what I would consider, uncommon associations.  I think of nothing else but a skinny flat white each time I walk the dog through the park.  Just stepping inside the front door of my mother's home creates a thirst for a big glass of ice cold milk.  And, bringing this discussion back to books, when I am reading a good book, my taste buds yearn for a big mug of hot tea, no matter what the thermometer reads.

Two Questions:  What beverage do you associate with reading a good book?  Any uncommon beverage associations?

The Help

"In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another." kathrynstockett.com

During our book club discussion of The Help, one woman posed the question, "do you think you would have abided by these unspoken rules if you grew up during the 1960s?" Of course, growing up in a different time period would present extremely different opportunities and experiences for a child. If I grew up during the 1960s rather than the 1990s, I would not be "me."

That being said, I immediately thought of a related question: Are there lines that we abide by TODAY that we would be ashamed to admit?

I highly recommend this book. And I think you will recommend it to others, too. According to Ms. Stockett's website, the book will soon be a major motion picture. So read the book NOW to ensure that you are ready to scrutinize Dreamworks' film adaptation. Click on the link above for a synopsis.

SHREK!!!

Here in the Library Under the 'L', Shrek is something BIG. Shrek: The Musical is currently playing at The Cadillac Palace Theatre and the final film installation, Shrek Forever After, is in cinemas. Everywhere you turn it is SHREK! I was completely surprised to discover that Shrek was first a BOOK! How did I not know this fact? Did you???


In case you are interested, here is a biography for William Steig.

Predictive Analytics

I have often joked with my Mother that it is HER picture on the wall in every marketing firm's conference room; she is the target audience. I recently read the book Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It was a fantastic book. I am not the only person who thinks it is a fantastic book. The book was published in 2009. It is currently #4 on the New York Times Paper Back Bestseller's List. Without talking about the story (the publishers specifically direct readers not to share any details), I will say that there is a little boy who wears a commercial Batman suit - complete with the cape, utility belt, and mask.

As I was watching television this week, I could not help but notice the little boy in the cute little garden yard watching his father pull out of the driveway in a brand new Subaru. I don't know what the little boy looked like because he was wearing a commercial Batman suit - complete with the cape, utility belt, and mask.

It is not that I think that dressing up as a superhero is a unusual activity for a little boy. For me, it was more than the costume that led me to my theory. The scenery, the age and the underlying message about the father-son relationship consumed my thoughts until I finally sat down at the computer to write. The theory? Predictive Analytics.

According to Wikipedia, "Predictive analytics encompasses a variety of techniques from statistics, data mining, and game theory that analyze current and historical facts to make predictions about future events. Predictive analytics (and a lot of computer programming) are responsible for helping Borders tell you what books you would most likely enjoy. You know what I am talking about . . . If you liked Little Bee, "you may also enjoy": A Reliable Wife, The Last Child, Look Again, The Forgotten Garden, and The Little Giant of Aberdeen County.

This Book Keeper is positing that the wonderful people at Subaru (or the advertising firm representing Subaru) might have gotten their hands on a predictive model showing that the the target audience for a new Subaru "may also enjoy" the book Little Bee.

Of course, this post is just a theory.

It's Wedding Season!

Recently this book keeper has attended quite a few weddings. Each, of course, was special in its own right. Ordinarily, wedding trips provide a great opportunity for me to catch up on my reading. However, this wedding season I have not had a moment to sit down! I suppose wedding season is my excuse for neglecting "The Library Under the 'L'." So, in line with the "Wedding Season" theme, I have decided to make a posting ALL ABOUT WEDDINGS!

My FAVORITE wedding book is Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings. The pictures are just unbelievable. I am so impressed by the way Mr. Bailey is able to take a location and transform it into a completely new and spectacular world for guests to explore.



I look through the pictures and can only imagine how the masterpiece (because his designs truly are art) makes each moment so magical.

However, if you are looking for a book with more of a literary component, I always think of The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. The follow-up to The Notebook, the wedding tells the story of a couple who have grown apart during their 30 year marriage and a husband's struggle to express his emotions. I think I like this book because it turns "the fantasy" upside down. Talented people like Preston Bailey can present an extraordinary event to celebrate the vows taken, but in the end it is up to the bride and groom to create the true fantasy - a love that lasts forever.

Three Works by Curtis Sittenfeld

It just occurred to me that I have read every Curtis Sittenfeld novel! I was surprised because I am not the sort of reader who "follows" one particular author.

Just after sitting for the bar, a friend suggested that I ease my way back into reading for pleasure with Sittenfeld's Prep.

Prep was the perfect book to reintegrate myself back into the world of reading for pure enjoyment - no deeper meaning - no hidden stop lights (cookies to anyone who knows what I am talking about here) - no sudden desire to change my life or the world around me. I enjoyed Prep so much because it took me right back to my high school self: the self doubt, ambition, test anxiety, the crushes and first dates, first learning to balance all life has to offer, and making those first hard decisions (some of which you had no idea would actually shape who you became years later). I would recommend Prep as a bathtub read - easy, fun, but not my first recommendation to a friend looking for a good book to read. However, I did like Prep enough that while pursuing an airport bookstore, I came across American Wife and purchased it instantly.

American Wife tells the story of the unlikely path that led Alice Blackwell to become First Lady of the United States of American. What I absolutely loved about this book was that from the moment I met Alice, it felt as though she was one of my closest friends. The great care Sittenfeld took to make Alice so believable is a lesson to every aspiring novelista. Each period in Alice's life is so convincing because Alice's thoughts and words are completely age appropriate. If you are looking for character development, pick up this book!

Of course after reading American Wife, I could not turn down an offer to borrow Sittenfeld's second novel, The Man of My Dreams.

I really did enjoy this book, but not nearly as much as American Wife. Sittenfeld examins through Hannah's romances (or lack there of) the personal choices (starting at age 14) that compound a woman's search for her soul mate. This book is what I would call "the train read." Something I could pick up and put down after each ride on the L.

Overall, I would recommend all three books. If I had it to do over again, I would read them in order of publication: (1) Prep; (2) The Man of My Dreams; and (3) American Wife. If you like Prep even just a little bit, you will enjoy the next two even more. If you only have time for one . . . skip directly to American Wife.

As for me, I would be lying if I said I was not excited for future works by Curtis Sittenfeld.

The Reading Room

It has been two years since I first set eyes on The Reading Room in Bates Hall of the Boston Public Library. The room instantly commanded silence from its visitors. Staying silent was not difficult as the architecture alone struck awe in this Book Keeper. I kept imagining what it would be like to have this room at my disposal - would I actually use it or would it just be another stop on the tour for out-of-town guests? Often times, I think it is so easy to visit new places and find something you would like to see in your hometown. But what about the Chicago Public Library??? I have no idea what treasures lie within that building . . . perhaps a reading room to blog and brag about?!?!

What about YOU? What "reading rooms" have you visited that you would like to bring back home with you?

Suggestions for May's Book Selection

Post the title and the author of a book you are interested in reading and discussing in the month of May! Feel free to include a description or a link!

Thoughts on Sarah's Key

Leave a comment or a question you would like to pose at this month's meet-up!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Bookworms!

Happy Valentine's Day Book Worms!

What is your favorite love story? Do you have more than one? Leave a comment and let us know the title of the book and why it touches your heart!

Attention Book Club Members: What question will YOU ask in our discussion of The Weight of Silence?

We are well into February now, so I thought we should start posting our questions for the February gathering! Hopefully, you did not forget . . . . . . we are discussing the book The Weight of Silence.

Remember, don't make your comment until you are done reading the book . . . otherwise you risk reading spoilers!

Happy Reading!

Fanciful Friday: Let Them Eat Cake!

One of our general rules is that our book club does not read biographies. However, if someone is itching to pick one up, I would highly recommend Marie Antoinette: The Journey. The author, Antonia Fraser, does not even attempt to hide the fact that the last queen of France was not a natural born leader. What she does do is focus on Her Majesty as a person set up to fail by explaining with great detail each disastrous decision - no matter how small - that led to her unfortunate end.

Note: Fashionistas will love reading about how the Queen was practically an 18th century Coco Chanel.

Still not interested? Check out the movie. Even though the French were not happy with Sophia Coppola casting Kirsten Dunst as the most famous Versailles resident, I thought the film was fabulous and could not get enough of the costume design. And in terms of "fancifulness," no one can argue against the fact that Marie Antoinette is marked in history, at least in part, by her unrestrained imagination.

One Last Thing Before The Weekend Sets You Free:

Forget the fact that Marie Antoinette most likely never said "Let Them Eat Cake" (you will have to read the book), the phrase and French pastries on this cover remind me of how much I enjoyed reading this book. You can buy your own at Etsy.

Books and Baby Names: Are Book Keepers really that easily influenced?

I never thought about the way a popular book (or book series) could influence the process of selecting a name for a new baby. After a separate discussion led me to look through a recent list of popular baby names, I noticed some names were identified as being "new on the chart." The names identified are as follows: Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett. Sound familiar?

All three names are main characters in the popular Twilight Saga. Also interesting is that the names Isabella (#2 on the list), Bella (yes, listed separately from Isabella), Edward, Jasper, and Alice have jumped more than ten spots each on the chart. Just a coincidence? Taking into consideration this increase in popularity as well as the fact that the names Victoria and Jacob have fallen over ten spots tends to support the theory that popular books may indeed influence name selection more than we, as book lovers, would care to admit. I mean, what mother would wish for their child's name to be associated with a famous book villain? Mothers want their girls to grow up and become Bella: beautiful, smart, articulate, and self-assured. As for Edward, he is also portrayed as handsome, wise, (more than) articulate, and certainly self-assured . . . AND he loves his mother. In fact, he brings his wife home to live with him under his mother's roof! What could be a better plan for mothers insecure about their baby boys "leaving them" for a life of their own?

As far as the drop in popularity for the name Jacob, I don't believe it is because Mothers do not want their children to develop his qualities (although transfiguration is a little disconcerting) . . . I just think the book keepers of the world have spoken: Team Edward, without a doubt.

A Book Keeper's Best Friend

Sometimes there is nothing better than snuggling up with a good book and a furry friend. New Leash on Life is an organization committed to finding loving homes for shelter dogs. Recently, there has been a surplus of dogs abandoned by owners in financial crisis; NLOL's work is needed more than ever. New Leash on Life is teaming up with Ed Swiderski (ABC's The Bachelorette) to hold a fundraiser this Saturday, February 6 at Grand Central Bar (Lincoln Park). Here is the link for more information:

New Leash On Life Kick-Off 2010 Fundraiser

Fanciful Friday: This Book Keeper needs a Bookbook

Is this not the PERFECT laptop case for the book lover . . . or better yet, The Book Keeper??? I have been searching for a case that captures my personality for nearly a year now. Somethings are just worth the wait.

The Next Two Books: February & March 2010

The February 2010 selection is The Weight of Silence. Follow the link to the book's website to find a brief description of both the book and its Midwest author.

The March 2010 selection is Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. I did not have any luck finding an official book website. If someone knows of an official website, please let me know! Here is a brief description from Publishers Weekly found on Amazon.com:

De Rosnay's U.S. debut fictionalizes the 1942 Paris roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested, held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver outside the city, then transported to Auschwitz. Forty-five-year-old Julia Jarmond, American by birth, moved to Paris when she was 20 and is married to the arrogant, unfaithful Bertrand Tézac, with whom she has an 11-year-old daughter. Julia writes for an American magazine and her editor assigns her to cover the 60th anniversary of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she and Bertrand plan to move into was acquired by Bertrand's family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive—the more she uncovers about Bertrand's family, about France and, finally, herself.

To feel most beautifully alive means to be reading something beautiful,

ready always to apprehend in the flow of language the sudden flash of poetry.

~ Gaston Bachelard ~