Recommendation from the Librarian

The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.

Last night I watch this AMAZING film!

Summary
His sense of identity fading into nothingness after the spotlights dim and he experiences a close brush with mortality, a retired wrestler begins to evaluate his life while considering the comeback that could very well kill him in director Darren Aronofsky's poignant portrait of an introspective former superstar in the twilight of his career. Back in his heyday, wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was an icon in the ring. His image immortalized in action figures and video games, he would headline arenas across the globe. Twenty years later, those glory days have passed, and Randy is forced to earn his keep by brawling before handfuls of fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. In the wake of a heart attack, the former icon attempts to earn a little extra cash while working in a deli and making an effort to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Yet, despite Randy's continued attempts at convincing local stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) to settle down with him in his humble trailer, the ring still calls to him. Later, when the prospect of a high-profile rematch with his longtime nemesis presents itself, Randy is forced to weigh his mortality against his desire to hear the crowd roar one last time. The Wrestler snagged two Oscar nominations, one for Best Actor (Rourke) and one for Best Supporting Actress (Tomei). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

If the summary hasn't convinced you that this is a truly great film, click here to read the outstanding review by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Roger Ebert.

Wait! What'd I Miss?!

Have you ever bumped into a friend on the street who gushed about this totally cool program that happened at his/her library? Did you get green with envy and think "Darn it! I wish I would have known about that!" Why not sneak a peak at other RI public library websites so you can find out what else is happening in this magnificent state.

Rhode Island Public Library Web Sites is the best place online to find out what is happening at your local library. The site lists the homepages for EVERY public library in Rhody. Surfers can find out information such as programs for adults, teens and tots, library hours, community events - - its all there!

Click on any one of the links to go to the website of an Ocean State library. It's safe surfing and fun ahead for all who are willing to dive into this awesome ocean!

Locals Make Documentary

Here's more proof (as if we needed it) that Rhody folks are some of THE coolest folks on the planet. This site was passed along to me by the very proud parents of an amazing Middletown photographer who's on the adventure of a lifetime with some other Rhodies! These brave men and one woman are heading to the Northwest Passage to document what is happening both environmentally and politically to this elusive maritime route through the Arctic and Canadian Archipelago.

Over 100 years after the Northwest Passage was finally transformed by Roald Amundsen from the realm of legend, it is once again being viewed as a gateway to riches. According to the U.S. Geological survey, the Arctic contains 1/4 of the world's undiscovered energy resources. The sovereignty of the Arctic is in dispute, with five countries - Canada, Russia, the United States, Norway and Denmark - being recognized under international law. A race among these nations is underway for the Arctic's fish, diamonds, shipping routes and oil.

Hole in the Wall Productions has assembled a team of sailors, divers and filmmakers uniquely suited to not only take on the challenges of an Arctic expedition, but to capture it on film in dramatic and compelling ways that highlight environmental and political issues surrounding the Passage.

The site includes a very cool blog detailing the crew's planned route, their current location, recently taken film clips and journal entries about the day-to-day happenings of this adventurous group. Don't forget to sign up to receive email news and announcements (a link is provided at the bottom of the homepage).

So check it out! WHOO HOO! Rhody folks are so terribly cool!

On Order Now!

Amateur Barbarians by Robert Cohen

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Artfully juxtaposing two contrasting personalities (as he did in Inspired Sleep), Cohen explores the terrain of male middle age in a novel that keenly observes the dissatisfactions of contemporary life. Teddy Hastings, the 53-year-old principal of a New England middle school, yearns for a grand adventure that would celebrate his manhood. Restless and impulsive, Teddy unwittingly causes a scandal that lands him briefly in jail. Disgraced and forced to take a sabbatical, Teddy leaves his wife, Gail, behind and flies to Ethiopia, where his college dropout daughter is working with orphans. Meanwhile, Oren Pierce, the younger man appointed in Teddy's absence, skitters through life in the same manner he has always done: perennially uncommitted, congenitally irresolute, though he is eventually forced to confront the limits of his desultory lifestyle. (Gail comes into play, as well.) Teddy's sojourn in Africa is the most dynamic part of the book, though it is Gail who acts as the novel's fulcrum; witty, sensual, focused and centered in reality, she remains an indelible figure as the two men in her orbit are diminished by the collapse of their dreams and expectations.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"I'm BORED!"

Now that summer is finally, truly here (ignore today's weather) are you looking for some memorable activities to do with the Short People*?

The Rhode Island Family Guide is a website and FREE guide book that gives families in RI listings of resources for fun, adventure and well-being here in the Ocean State.

The site and guide books offer sections on family fun destinations, activities, health care, safety & emergency, shopping, camping and MORE!

The 2009 guide books are available at many state institutions including this awesome library. So stop by our Circulation Desk and ask for your free copy.

*Definition of Short People: The adorable, sweet faced little people who live in your house and constantly announce their boredom despite having access to a room full of toys and a backyard the size of a wildlife preservation.

See a Book, Take a Book. Have a Book, Give a Book.

Longtime patrons know about the Paperback Honor Books. For those of you who don't, lemme tell ya about 'em!

Our Paperback Honor Books are books that anyone (patrons and non-patrons) can take out without checking out. That's right! Simply walk over to our THREE spinning book carousels (located near the reference computers) and grab paperback copies of recent bestselling titles by today's most popular authors. And since there is no check-out, you are not required to have a library card. What a great option for when you forget your library card or have out-of-state, book-loving guests!

You may be asking yourself, "If I don't check these books out, how do I know when they are due?" This is the AWESOME part! These books are due whenever you want to return them. 2 days? 2 months? Never? Whenever! There's no late fee or charges.

And if this inspires you, we welcome you to donate your gently used paperbacks so we can keep this collection growing.

Funny Fun Fact

I couldn't resist this.

Did you know that Booksellers Magazine (this is an awesome geek mag geared towards all book lovers) runs an annual Oddest Book Title contest?

Here's the BRILLIANT list of this years nominees!

• 'Baboon Metaphysics' by Dorothy L Cheney and Robert M Seyfarth.

• 'Curbside Consultation of the Colon' by Brooks D Cash.

• 'The Large Sieve and its Applications' by Emmanuel Kowalski.

• 'Strip and Knit with Style' by Mark Hordyszynski.

• 'Techniques for Corrosion Monitoring' by Lietai Yang.

And the *winner* is (drum roll please!)....

• 'The 2009-2014 World Outlook for 60-milligram Containers of Fromage Frais' by Professor Philip M. Parker.

And if that wasn't enough silliness for you check out some of the "unlucky" titles that failed to make the list:

'Excrement in the Late Middle Ages'
'Tiles of the Unexpected: A Study of Six Miles of Geometric Tile Patterns on the London Underground',
'All Dogs Have ADHD' (This one is my PERSONAL favorite and it was clearly robbed of it's spot on the top six!)

While we don't carry any of these titles in the OSL system, email me at ChristinaWolfskehl@yahoo.com and I will gladly order you them through our out-of-state interlibrary loan service. I mean this. Honestly! I REALLY want to see that 'All Dogs Have ADHD' book!