In honor of Mother's Day, let's take a look at two different mothers in the world of fiction. In The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, follow the Shepherd family through multiple decades of the African-American Great Migration. Starting with the death of her newborn twins, each of Hattie's children has a chapter in this novel…
Don Quixote. Still Worth the Challenge 400 Years Later.
The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quijote of La Mancha by Miguel De Cervantes is a story that clocks in at about 1000 pages, in very small print, on very thin paper. Deciding to start this epic really is a commitment, but worth the effort. The story is about an old retired man who spends his elder years reading from…
Ebert Fest Part Two: The Man, The Movies
Ebert Fest has traditionally been curated by one of history's most loved film critics, and features a lineup of classics and new movies that may have been overlooked by other critics. Here are a few festival titles available in the library if you'd like to check them out or program your own fest. Young Adult: This…
Ebert Fest Part One: The Man, The Literature
Last week, the 16th annual Ebert Fest was presented in Roger Ebert's hometown of Champaign-Urbana. Ebert passed away shortly before his own curated festival last year. To understand the genius of one of the most popular film critics of all time, it is essential to read his literature to realize just how easily he provided…
May the 4th Be with You!
May the 4th has been adopted by fans as Star Wars Day due to its similarity to the movie's catchphrase, "May the Force be with you." With Episode VII slated to open December 18, 2015, interest in the series is intensifying again. But let's not forget where the phenomenon began. During it its initial release…
Down with G-O-D? Yeah, You Know Me
Jena Malone stars in Saved! as Mary, a girl who apparently has it all: a sweet boyfriend, a close relationship with her mother, and best of all, a membership in the Christian Jewels music group, which doubles as the popular crowd at American Eagle Christian High School. That is, of course, until she secretly gets pregnant trying…
A Taste of Taylor Street
Almost every weekend, folks stop by the Roosevelt Branch and ask “What's good to eat around here?" Roosevelt is located on Taylor Street, Chicago’s Little Italy, and there is no shortage of tempting delights. My personal faves are Pompei for budget-friendly sandwiches and pizza strudel or Davanti Enoteca for something a little more romantic. Don't forget…
The L: Technology That Changed Chicago
For Chicago’s iconic L, or elevated railroad, we owe a debt of gratitude to a colorful cast of characters. They include both Mayors Carter Harrison and Mayor John Roche who approved the first elevated route, then became president of the company operating it. Mike McDonald was Chicago’s gambling and vice king in the late 1800s…
Vengeance Is Mine!
Revenge is old, tricky business. It piles up until you forget what you're fighting for, and plenty of authors have used revenge as the driving force of their stories. Nearly anywhere in the library, you can find books exploring the depths of vengeance. Ancient Greek theater has a knack for portraying the complexities of revenge. Euripides' Orestes exists…
Save Money on Your Wedding with Your Library Card
I walked into a convenience store a day after my engagement looking for the latest bridal magazines. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the prices for these! Why are they four times as expensive as regular magazines? Clearly being so early on, I was blinded by positive thoughts and spent a small…
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