The next selection is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.  It is a post 9/11 saga told by the 9 year-old Oskar Schell, who sets out on a journey to connect with his father, who died in the September 11^th terrorist attacks.

The book is currently out in movie theaters starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Please read the book before you see the movie.

This book discussion will occur on February 16, 2012 at 7:30 AM in the Library.

We hope that you will join us!

As the saying goes, dogs are man’s best friend. Since the Stone Age, our canine companions have been illustrated, described, dramatized, and eulogized in one form or another. “Dogs in Books” celebrates the role of over thirty dogs in literature, from Tintin’s white Wire Fox Terrier Snowy, to Lassie, Toto, and Snoopy, as well as dogs from Mark Twain, Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, and many more well-known authors.

Culled from the British Library’s incomparable archives, “Dogs in Books” features illustrations from rare editions of classic literature and contemporary renderings from popular books. Odysseus had his faithful dog Argos and King Lear’s pack of dogs barked away at him as if warning him. From narrating an entire story to rescuing our hero, these dogs are critical characters in these books, demonstrating the timelessness of our undying love and respect for dogs and proving that they have always been more than just a pet.

1.     Aesop

Very little is known about life of Aesop. The Greek writer Herodotus (485-25 BC) recorded that he was born a slave on the island of Samos about 620 BC. The comedies of Aristophanes (448-388 BC) refer to his fables, but both he and Herodotus were clearly describing a person who had already been dead for several hundred years.
Many of Aesop’s fables featured animals and birds, often making a mistake or behaving badly and then suffering the consequences, and the fable of the greedy dog is no exception:

“A dog who was crossing a river carrying a piece of meat looked down and saw his reflection in the water. Thinking the reflection was another dog with a bigger piece of meat, the dog dropped the meat he had and jumped into the water to take the larger piece, and ended up with no meat at all.”

2.     “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Dafoe

Since its first publication in 1719, the story of Robinson Crusoe has been a model for many tales of survival in primitive conditions and against great odds. Although Crusoe’s dog is barely mentioned in the text, it is often illustrated in the numerous editions. There is no consistency in the way the dog is represented, but as there is no description of him this is not surprising. He also has no name, which is strange to the modern reader, since he was obviously a valued companion. The longest passage is at the beginning of the book when Crusoe is first shipwrecked:

“…as for the dog, he jumped out of the ship of himself, and swam on shore to me the day after I went on shore with my first cargo, and was a trusty servant to me many years; I wanted nothing that he could fetch me, nor any company that he could make up to me; I only wanted to have him talk to me, but that would not do.”

3.     “The Tinder Box” by Han Christian Andersen

Magical animals are an essential part of many fairy tales, and “The Tinder Box” by Hans Christian Andersen is no exception. A brave soldier is sent to retrieve a tinder box (an old version of a match box), hidden inside a hollow tree. Inside the tree are three chests full of money, each one guarded by a ferocious dog which the hero must overcome in order to possess the riches, and he discovers that by striking the tinderbox he can command these fearsome dogs, so he enlists their powers and retrieves the treasure.

Amongst the finest editions of Andersen’s stories is the 1916 volume published in London by George Harrap. He commissioned the young Irish illustrator Harry Clarke (1889-1931) to create 16 color plates and 20 line drawings.

4.     “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens

Bull’s-Eye is the English bull terrier companion of the evil character Bill Sikes. A rare example of an out-and-out “bad” dog, his viciousness mirrors Sikes’s brutality, and the noble canine characteristics of loyalty and obedience are cruelly distorted, as the dog is willing to harm anyone on Sikes’s whim. After Nancy’s murder, Sikes becomes determined to get rid of Bull’s Eye, seeing him as evidence of his own guilt and convinced that he will give him away. Instead, the law catches up with him, and Bull’s-Eye also meets his inevitable bloody end. “Oliver Twist” was Dickens’s second novel, and some of his readers were taken aback by the novel’s dark tone. The British Prime Minister Lord Melbourne was openly disgusted by its portrayal of low life, and even advised Queen Victoria not to read the book, saying it dealt with “paupers, criminals and other unpleasant subjects.” The Queen found the novel “excessively interesting,” however, and the book remains one of Dickens’s most popular and frequently dramatized works.

5.     “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum

Toto is Dorothy’s dog in the “Oz” series of books, introduced at the beginning of the first book as having “saved her from going as gray as her surroundings.” He is “a little black dog, with long silky hair and small black eyes” and was drawn by WW Denslow as a Cairn or possibly a Yorkshire Terrier. In the first book, Toto behaves like an ordinary dog: when the cyclone approaches he runs and hides under the bed; when Dorothy meets the scarecrow he runs around barking, and later on he tries to bite the leg of the tin man, “which hurt his teeth.” Toto is also a “real” dog in that he does not speak, although he gains this ability in later Oz books. He is also crucially important to the story: when Dorothy and her friends are finally granted an audience with the Wizard in the Emerald City, it is Toto who knocks over a wooden screen to reveal the very ordinary man behind it.

6.     “The Hounds of Baskerville” by Arthur Conan Doyle

Ghostly dogs are pretty common in traditional folk tales, their eerie howls usually heard as the precursor to death and disaster. Arthur Conan Doyle was certainly aware of this when he heard the story of Richard Cabbell – Lord of Brook Manor and Buckfastleigh in Devon, England – who had supposedly been killed by a monstrous dog after stabbing his wife. The ghost of the dog apparently haunted the surrounding moors, and it is clear that Richard Cabbell became the model for the evil Hugo Baskerville.

The finished story of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” was serialised in The Strand magazine from 1901-02. At this point, there had been no new Sherlock Holmes stories for almost eight years, and the new tale was an immediate success. The illustrations were by Sidney Paget, although Conan Doyle did not care for them, saying that he had made Sherlock Holmes much handsomer than he wanted. Nonetheless, the story of the terrifying devil dog became embedded in the public consciousness, where it has remained ever since. Drawing on age-old fears of darkness, lonely places and wild beasts, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is probably Conan Doyle’s most famous story.

7.     “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London

“The Call of the Wild” is the story of the dog Buck, the offspring of a St. Bernard and a shepherd dog who, just like the author, travels from California to follow the Yukon River Trail. Like London, Buck nearly dies in the Northland, but through courage, skill and physical strength he overcomes many setbacks and ends the story triumphant. The story’s authenticity resonated with reading public and, after years of failure as a writer, London found critical acclaim, although his financial acumen did not match his literary success. In a pattern that was to recur throughout his career, London sold his work short, charging $750 for serialization in the Saturday Evening Post and $2000 for book rights.

8.     “A Dog’s Tale” by Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s “A Dog’s Tale” was written in 1903 by Twain in support of his daughter Jean’s condemnation of vivisection. It is a somber tale of the “rewards” for a dog’s loyalty to human beings. The dog Aileen lives with the wealthy Gray family, and is happy there until the day Mr. Gray sees her dragging their baby across the hallway, not realizing the dog has just rescued the child from a fire. He beats Aileen, breaking her leg. However, when her heroism is discovered she is treated better than ever, and her happiness seems complete with the birth of a puppy. This idyllic state is not to last: Mr Gray is a scientist and experiments on the puppy, who dies in great pain. The story ends with Aileen keeping vigil at her puppy’s grave, the implication clear that she will die of a broken heart. “A Dog’s Tale” first appeared in Harper’s Magazine in 1903, and in book format in 1904 published by Harper and Row, illustrated by W.G.Smedley. Although the critics said that the story was overly sentimental, it was popular with the reading public, and it remains an interesting example of a work told in the dog’s own voice.

9.    “Lassie” by Eric Knight

The many films, comics, television and radio series about this rough-haired collie all began with one book: “Lassie Come Home,” published in 1938. The story recounts Lassie’s separation from an impoverished English family, and describes how Lassie, against all odds, finds her way back to them. Stories of dogs that traveled great distances to be reunited with their owners are not new, but the one which was almost certainly the precedent for “Lassie Come Home” took place in 1924. Bobbie, a three-year-old collie, became separated from his owners while they were on holiday in Indiana. He embarked on a 3000-mile trek back to Oregon, taking six months and travelling through the depths of winter. The story made headlines across America, and it is likely that this story was known to Eric Knight, an English journalist who owned a rough-haired collie and worked in Pennsylvania. He had already written two novels when in late 1938, “Lassie Come Home” was published as a novella in the Saturday Evening Post. Within a year, Knight had extended the story into a full-length novel, and from this point the book became a bestseller.

10.  “101 Dalmatians” by Dodie Smith

On December 16, 1954, Dodie Smith wrote in her diary that she had read a book by Enid Blyton for the first time, and immediately decided that she too would write a book for children. That night she sat and worked until 3 AM to create a story, based on the Dalmatian dogs that she had kept for over 20 years, and it was the memory of the first litter of 15 puppies that she drew upon to plot the story of the “101 Dalmatians.” The idea of the villainess, Cruella de Vil came from the remark of an actress friend who saw Dodie’s first Dalmation puppy, Pongo, and declared that “he would make a nice fur coat.” The image stuck in Dodie’s mind, inspiring a plot in which an evil woman would steal Dalmatian puppies in order to start a puppy farm. Pongo was cast as a canine Sherlock Holmes, on a mission to locate the stolen puppies and return them home to their owners. “101 Dalmatians” was published on November 19, 1956, priced at ten shillings and sixpence. It was a popular and critical success: The Times Literary Supplement commended it as “a doggy tale that will please a great many children, so light it is, so easy to read with not one slow word in its expert telling.” The author and critic John Rowe Townsend observed that, “If dogs could read they would be unable to put it down.”

11. “Blue Dog” by George Rodrigue

The first appearance of “Blue Dog” was in a book of ghost stories entitled “Bayou,” in 1984. Local artist George Rodrigue had been approached to provide 40 paintings to illustrate the stories, inspired by Louisiana myths and culture. Rather than follow the specific details of each story, he drew on their themes and titles to create the paintings, the most famous of which is the illustration for “Slaughter House.” This tale of a ghost dog who guarded a house is taken from a Cajun myth of the Loup Garou – a strange dog (or wolf) who haunted cemeteries and sugar cane fields and whose name was invoked by mothers as a threat to naughty children. The shape and stance of the “Blue Dog” figure was inspired by Rodrigue’s own terrier-spaniel, Tiffany, who had died a few years earlier. The idea of a blue dog was intriguing to many, and Rodrigue began to create more paintings featuring the colourful canine, although he remembers that plenty of people told him he was crazy, and it would ruin his career. 10 books and dozens of paintings later it is clear they couldn’t have been more wrong, and “Blue Dog” is established as one of the greatest pop art icons in America.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman, the sequel to If I Stay will be the next Book Club selection. It is three years letter.  Mia and Adam aare living on opposite coasts. The book is told from Adam’s poiint of view, the book explores the horrific grief process, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Our new book club selection is If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This is a coming of age story. Mia has everything, with a life full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one incredibly, critical day contemplating the only decision she has left : the most important she’ll ever make. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, and loving. Guys and gals will enjoy and relate to this book.

Next Book Club is Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:30 AM in the Library.

Our October pick is Heaven is for Real  by Todd Burpo. The story of a 4 year-old boy who slips into Heaven while having emergency surgery.

We will compare and contrast our September and October picks at our October meeting on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:30 AM.  Please join  us for a great discussion!

Any committed bibliophile fantasizes about having the ultimate home library. Whether that’s a room filled floor to ceiling with every book they’ve ever wanted to read or a simple, cozy den stocked with priceless antique tomes is really a matter of taste. Regardless of style, most are limited from fulfilling these dreams of a home library haven thanks to budget constraints. Celebrities, often making tens of thousands of dollars for just showing up somewhere, have no such financial restraints and may indulge themselves with those epic home libraries the rest of us can only dream about. Here are several libraries of the rich and famous sure to fill you with envy and awe — maybe even motivate you to create a more budget-friendly version in your own home.

1. Karl Lagerfeld

   This king of fashion boasts one of the most impressive home libraries we’ve ever seen. Reaching from floor to the very high ceilings in his Paris apartment, Lagerfeld’s collection comprises over 60,000 volumes, making it one of the largest private libraries in the world. Unsurprisingly, many of the works are about fashion, and steel shelves are a must to hold the heavy, picture-laden volumes prized by the Chanel designer.

2. Oprah Winfrey

   Known for her book club, it’s natural that this bibliophiliac TV maven would have a library in her home. While probably only one of many of Oprah’s libraries, this one located in her California home boasts reads about everything from Greek history to modern fashion as well as a serious art collection.

3. Diane Keaton

   This inspirational space is located in Keaton’s Beverly Hills home, a sprawling Spanish Colonial-style house that she remodeled in 2007. One room that got some serious attention was the library, with floor-to-ceiling shelves accenting the steeply vaulted ceiling, a beautiful tiled floor and some enviable ladders.

4. Keith Richards

   We might not always think of rock stars at the bookish sort, but Keith Richards does enjoy a good read when he’s at home in this cozy, octagonal space. He even confessed in his recent autobiography that he’s always had a secret longing to be a librarian, getting some practical training managing the thousands of books in his home collection — even going so far as to learn the Dewey Decimal System!

5. Woody Allen

   Tasteful and cozy, this library in Woody Allen’s Manhattan home makes you just want to curl up with a good book and stay there — though the iconic director might have a thing or two to say about that. Take a peak outside the window and you’ll see the street where Allen shot scenes for Annie Hall over three decades ago.

6. Ralph Lauren

   Known as much for his brand of interior items as his iconic fashions, it should come as no surprise that this designer has an amazing home library. Part library, part study and part office, this space could scarcely be more inviting. Well-worn chairs and rugs give it a homey feel, while leather-bound books and priceless artwork help class up the space.

7. Agatha Christie

   Mystery writer Agatha Christie had an amazing Georgian villa in Devon, England (which you can still tour today) in which she and her family spent their summers. The library not only features a great collection of books and a cozy place to read, but also a large frieze painted by the American soldiers who used the home for quarters during WWII.

8. Sting

   Dark wood bookcases, detailed paneling, ornate ceilings, and busts give this library a neo-classical vibe that’s both inviting and somehow appropriate for a bookish space. Better yet, it spans two beautiful floors, with a curving staircase connecting them.

9. Nigella Lawson

   Cookbook author and TV-savvy foodie celebrity (in England, at least) Nigella Lawson has a pretty enviable space to store her books. While not as neat and orderly as some of the other libraries on this list, it is charming in its own way, with reads placed on just about every available surface. A real book lover’s library if there ever was one.

10. Tory Burch

    You’d expect this chic fashion designer to have an equally chic home and, well, she does. The library in her large NYC apartment is filled with orange lacquered shelves, loads of books and a decidedly formal setting for reading a volume or two or paging through the latest fashion publications.

11. Michael Jackson

    An avowed bibliophile, Michael Jackson collected over 10,000 (or possibly more) books during his lifetime, a portion of which were on display in the den of his Neverland Ranch home and around the rest of the estate. This dark-paneled room, with its large fireplace, seems like a superb place to curl up on a rainy day and start tackling the stacks.

12. Jimmy Stewart

    This well-known and award-winning actor wasn’t just the star of the silver screen, he also had a notable military career and was an avid reader. His library reflects many of the interests and accomplishments of his life, with a Presidential Medal of Freedom displayed proudly on the coffee table as well as a book of poems he published in 1989.

13. Mark Twain

    A prolific writer, Twain was also a voracious reader, something his architecturally amazing Victorian-Gothic mansion reflects. In the living room and library (designed by Tiffany, no less), visitors will find hand-stenciled paneling, imported fireplaces, and impressive pieces of carved wood decoration. There are also loads of books. Tired of the library setting? Simply step out the door and into the lovely conservatory attached to the room.

14. Julianne Moore

    While both an office and a library, this celebrity room was actually designed by Moore herself, a claim that few others on this list can make. Modern furniture and sleek decor help make this space an amazing place to read a book, write a letter, or just relax.

15. Jane Fonda

    With Jackson Pollack on the walls and bookshelves that stretch to the ceiling (and an awesome ladder to get those hard-to-reach volumes), Fonda’s library living space should have any book lover drooling with envy. Clean and modern without being cold, it’s a far cry from her big-hair-and-leg-warmers days.

16. Aaron Spelling

    You would assume that somewhere in that $150 million dollar house of the Spelling’s that there would be a library, and you’d be right. Fitting in with the rest of the home, the library is over the top — though still charming — with wood paneling, leather-bound books, and a built-in bar.

17. Rod Stewart

    If traditional decor, replete with leather-bound books and Victorian paintings, is your thing, then you won’t be able to get enough of Rod Stewart’s library. While located in his Beverly Hills home, the space is decidedly that of a stately English estate. It comes peppered with artwork and Italian and French furniture — and of course loads of books, including those of poets Keats and Tennyson, some of the singer’s favorites.

18. Brooke Astor

    She may not be a household name today, but this socialite and philanthropist was quite well-known in her day. The library in her Park Avenue apartment, designed by Albert Hadley, is an interior design legend. It features numerous red-lacquered shelves that hold volume after volume of classic lit — many of them first editions and rare collectibles.

19. Jimmy Page

    Who says libraries have to hold books? Jimmy Page has an amazing collection of LPs and CDs that would make any music lover insanely jealous. Filling shelf after shelf, avid listeners would be sure to find an album or two that would strike their fancy among this impressive collection.

20. William Randolph Hearst

    The library to dwarf all other libraries on this list, this epic room may as well be a public collection — it’s certainly big enough. It is the kind of place bibliophile dreams are made of, with intricately carved gothic arches and amazing decor that is rich and sumptuous enough to make anyone, even those who don’t like to read, swoon. If that room isn’t enough, Hearst’s castle also boasts another private library, which is just as fancy and just as loaded with books.

* Taken from AccreditedOnlineColleges.com

The Nation’s Largest Libraries: A Listing By Volumes Held (Includes Public and Academic Libraries)

We had a great discussion on our last pick,

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

I hope everyone enjoys their summer and remember to

READ!!!!

See you in September!

Using compelling research, the author explores gender disparities that still exist between men and women in positions of power and leadership.  Bringing to bear her considerable experiences as an organizer, consultant, and diplomat.  Tarr-Whelan suggests practical ways that women can boost their confidence and skills to move forward into places of authority and influence.

Our new pick is The Girl With the  Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

This is the first book in the Millennium Trilogy Series.  It is a spellbinding amalgam of murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue.  It is about the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, forty years ago.  She was the member of the wealthiest families in Sweden.  Her octogenarian uncle is desperate to solve her murder/disappearance.  He recruits a crusading journalist to help him solve the puzzle.

The discussion will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:30 AM in the Library.