staff picks

I laughed my way through most of this book. It is a clever,  funny book written by an NPR correspondent who travels the globe searching for the place of happiness.  Part travelogue, Weiner travels to countries like Switzerland, wondering if people there are happy because it is the most democratic country in the world.  Then, a visit to Iceland, where people are presently creating their own culture.  What makes us happy, and what doesn’t make us happy? It is  insightful and hilarious, peppered with quotes from philosophers (from Russell to Nietzsche), scholars, and spiritual leaders.  Great non-fiction read.  I also highly recommend the audio book version too–narrated by Weiner himself.
-Sam

Rachel  Benjamin, a 10 or 11-year-old Hasidic girl living with her large family and rabbi father in a bungalow colony in New York, has the same dreams as any teenager, but she lives in an isolated and restricted world of religious and cultural laws.

The book follows her through young adulthood , her first jobs outside her home, her approaching marriage and her battle with the home and family she loves and despises. Through her struggles runs the solace and excitement she finds in reading forbidden romance novels, letting her see the world she yearns to join. Going beyond the illicit sheer stockings and short skirts she covets, she wants a mind she can call her own. This is a fascinating glimpse at another world. -Barbara

Ondine is a contemporary fairy tale set in Ireland. It is the story of Syracuse, (Farrell), a lonely fisherman who while out fishing one day brings a beautiful woman up in his net. She is barely alive. From the beginning Ondine is very mysterious, and chooses to remain in seclusion and re-cooperate in Syracuse’s deceased mother’s house rather than go to the hospital. Syracuse’s daughter, Annie soon discovers Ondine and believes she is a “selkie,” a mythical creature from the sea, who can shed its skin and grow legs and walk on land with humans. When Annie helps Ondine bury a bundle she retrieves from the sea, Annie is convinced Ondine is burying her seal coat and her suspicions were right. Either way, Ondine brings a new found joy and hope into the lives of Syracuse and Annie. The film will keeping you guessing as to whether or not, Ondine is real or truly a creature from the sea. -Ellie

This book is set in Boston about a decade ago, and although fiction, it clearly mirrors the true, ugly events which exploded in the catholic community about that time.  This work of fiction provides us with an intimate point of view as we meet one particular family torn apart by the scandal, and the very different reactions of the various family members.  If all you’ve read about is what hit the newspapers, this book is a clear reminder that behind every article is another different story altogether, one which may rock your faith, test it, or may even restore it.  -Sharon

Foxboro Hot Tubs, A.K.A. Punk Rock icons Green Day, step outside their Punk roots with Stop Drop and Roll!!!.  The songs on this CD have a kind of, early 60’s, Garage Rock feel to them.  This CD is fun, and fast, and is sure to be a treat for any Green Day fan.  The song, Mother Mary, stands out as my favorite off of this CD. -Becky

Emerald Rose, a Celtic Rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, somehow manage to blend Folk, Rock, and Celtic music with a little bit of whimsy and legend, to create some of the BEST Celtic Rock I’ve ever listened to.  From soft ballads, to rocking dance numbers, Emerald Rose will quickly make you want to hear more.  Their lyrics, at turns hilarious and clever, to poetically haunting, will stay with you, and you will find yourself humming their tunes when you least expect it! -Becky

Having grown up loving pretty much everything Steve Martin did, this was an interesting insight into this wild and crazy guy. In fact, it turns out that he’s actually not so wild and crazy. In this autobiography of his stand up days, Steve Martin shows that he’s actually a fairly shy, quiet person with poetic and artistic interests, sort of Renaissance man that just happens to have spent a number of years with balloon animals on his head. For those wanting to learn more about this talented comic, actor, and author, this is a must read.

This is the first season in the four-season BBC hit about small town life in Oxfordshire, England. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, feel-good show this is definitely for you. Set in the late 1800s, this show has a lovely period feel that will make you wish you could hop in your horse-drawn buggy and head over to Candleford for a nice long visit with beloved Postmistress Dorcas Lane. Don’t forget to check out seasons 2-4, also available in the library!

Austin, Texas, band Spoon has been serving up the good stuff for years, but this new album really shows just how far they’ve come over their nearly 20-year-long career. Always the kind of band you want to crank up and sing along to, this album is no exception. These indie rockers might remind you of Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, or Wilco.