Season's Readings: Week Two
The staff at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) hope patrons enjoyed reading our music and book reviews last week. Perhaps you discovered one or two new titles to add to your reading and music lists!
We invite you to share your own favorite books, films, and music with the BPL. Please send your recommendations to BPL.Development@cobpl.org and we'll include them in our series of Season's Readings blogs this month.
This week's blog features our very first patron review. If you're unfamiliar with American fiction writer Garielle Lutz, the commentary below will convince you to check out her latest publication.
Among the BPL staff suggestions are Jennette McCurdy's happy-yet-sad memoir of growing up as a child actress, a collection of never-before-seen drawings by acclaimed graphic novelist Jaime Hernandez, and Ken Layne's Desert Oracle, Volume 1: Strange True Tales from the American Southwest.
Please remember the Birmingham Public Library in your year-end giving plans. Your donation helps the Birmingham Public Library further its mission of providing the community with the highest-quality experience of lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. Thank you!
WORSTED
Garielle Lutz
The most recent collection by Garielle Lutz, Worsted, provides her devoted admirers what they expect—her peerless eye, rambunctious diction, and roller-coastering syntax—but also something new. Longer pieces breathe with dignity while they ruminate on the everyday vulgarity of atomized American life. An inspiring, witty, and empathetic addition to an already impressive bibliography.
Request this book through an Interlibrary Loan or talk to your local librarian about getting a copy.
J. Campbell
Birmingham Public Library Patron
I'M GLAD MY MOM DIED
Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy's first memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died caught eyes with its title, but it won a Goodreads Choice Award for a reason. McCurdy tells of her rise to stardom up to her present life with a sense of humor that makes this book an engaging and manageable read. This book gave me better insight into what being a child star is like and the complexities of her relationship with her mother—someone who made herself the center of Jennette's world as her best friend while simultaneously harming her. The holidays always bring up family, but not everyone has a family they can spend time with. If you can get your hands on it, I recommend spending some time these holidays laughing and crying with Jennette McCurdy.
Cheyenne Trujillo
Central Library—Public Relations
ORFORD PARISH MURDER HOUSE: A VISITOR'S GUIDE
Compiled by Tom Breen
Written in the style of a tourist handbook, this short volume details the history of Orford Parish, a picturesque little New England town that just so happens to have a huge list of gruesome murders. Short and sweet collection that I found funny and very enjoyable.
Request this book through an Interlibrary Loan or talk to your local librarian about getting a copy.
QUEEN OF THE RING: WRESTLING DRAWINGS BY JAIME HERNANDEZ 1980–2020
Jaime Hernandez and Katie Skelly
Outside of drawing and writing the long-running comic book series Love and Rockets, Jaime Hernandez is a fan of a women's wrestling dating back to his childhood. Through his drawings and sketches, Jaime shows a fictional history and cast of women wrestlers from the 1950s to the 1970s. We see Jaime's characters change over time, which was the key draw to me. I wanted to know more about the career of Bettie Ray and Kitty Perez. You also see the evolution of Jaime's drawing skills and talent. You get a sense of the true passion he has for these fictional characters.
Weston Flippo
Central Library—Business, Science, and Technology
Desert Oracle, Volume 1: Strange True Tales From The American Southwest
Ken Layne
Author Ken Layne's compendium of essays, tirades, and folk tales ranges between the isolation and communion, the geology and nightscape, and the wildlife and mythology of the American desert. Before digging in, would-be readers can listen to the Voice of the Desert on Layne's weekly late-night radio show of the same name (available each Friday live on Joshua Tree's KCDZ 107.7 FM or anytime via the show's podcast feed). I recommend Episode #117, "Armada of the Dragoon Mountain," which explores the amazing life and unique burial of Apache hero Cochise, as well as the odd sightings still observed over his former mountainside stronghold. Watch the skies—everyone has a story once night falls on the desert.
Request this book through an Interlibrary Loan or talk to your local librarian about getting a copy.
Carrie Campbell
Central Library—Development
Read our Festive Eating: Week Two blog to find more holiday recipes.
By Margaret Splane | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Development Office
Comments
As you mentioned, this week's blog features a review from a patron who enjoyed Garielle Lutz's latest publication. It is always exciting to hear about new authors and their work, and I would encourage others to check out Lutz's book based on the positive review.
I also appreciate the staff suggestions of Jennette McCurdy's memoir, the collection of never-before-seen drawings by Jaime Hernandez, and Ken Layne's Desert Oracle. These all sound like interesting and engaging works that I would enjoy reading.
Finally, thank you for reminding patrons to consider the Birmingham Public Library in their year-end giving plans. Your support helps the library continue to provide high-quality services and resources to the community.