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September Selections – Best reads of the month

26 Sep

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
by Stuart Turton
DeathsofEvelynHardcastle
Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m., every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others…The twists and turns of this inventive debut make it an instant must read.

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is the book that I plan to spend the first true Autumnal weekend reading. When the temperature dips nice and low, a cup of tea, a cozy blanket and my black lab Duchess. Bliss!

This title was released on Sept. 18th. The library will have this available in Hardcover, Large Print and Audiobook formats.  Hoboken Residents can borrow it as an ebook and a digital audiobook from Hoopla and as an ebook from eBCCLS.

The Dinner List
by Rebecca Serle
TheDinnerList
Years ago, Sabrina did that old thing of imagining whom she’d invite to a birthday dinner if she could have any five guests, dead or alive. She never thought her fantasy dinner would really happen, much less turn into the most efficient therapy session of her life. Guest No. 1 is, of course, her best friend, Jessica. Guest No. 2, is Tobias, a former flame, it’s clear he still loves Sabrina. Guest No. 3 is Conrad, her former philosophy professor—the man whose field trip set Sabrina and Tobias’ fate in motion. Guest No. 4 is Robert, her father, who left her in the lurch to start a new family. Guest No. 5: Audrey Hepburn, idolized by everyone at the table except perhaps Jessica. It’s Audrey who makes the impossible seem possible. A bittersweet tale of love, loss, and living with the memories. (Kirkus)

I wasn’t sure I’d like The Dinner List, magical-realism can so easily go pear-shaped in a novel. It was the inclusion of Audrey Hepburn (my favorite actress) that decided it for me. It’s an interesting look at finally resolving your past and moving forward. Leaving us ultimately with the question, who’s on your dinner list?

This title was released in Sept. 11th. The library will have this available in Hardcover, Large Print (available October 11th) and Audiobook on CD.  It is available from eBCCLS as an audiobook and ebook.

Sea Prayer
by Khaled Hosseini
SeaPrayer
The Sea Prayer, a slight graphic novel, only 48 pages, was inspired by all too tragic real-life events. Who can forget the haunting images of 3 year old Alan Kurdi, whose body, washed up on the Turkish shore in September 2015. Told in the form of a “poignant letter written by a fearful Syrian father to his son on the eve of a treacherous sea crossing to Europe.” (Kirkus). Hosseini’s lyrical prose and evocative artwork provided by Dan Williams bring us a story of love and hope that we wish for all of our loved one. This novel was beautiful, gut-wrenching and inspiring all at once, it’s worth the tears that will come freely.

This title was released in Sept. 18th. The library will have this available in Hardcover format.  It is available as an ebook from eBCCLS.

The Stylist
by Rosie Nixon
Stylist
So, to end on a lighter note, if you liked The Devil wears Prada, The Stylist is for you.

“Amber Green works at Smith’s, an upscale London boutique. When stylist to the stars Mona Armstrong comes in for a private showing, a mishap on Amber’s part, seen as a genius idea by Mona, results in Amber’s going to work as Mona’s assistant during awards season.” (Kirkus)          A celebrity-filled, jet-setting adventure follows. This a perfect escapist read for an all-too brief weekend and I had a lot of fun trying to figure out the celebrities’ real-life counterparts. Fun, fun, fun!

This title was released in Sept. 4th. The library will have this available in Trade Paperback and Audiobook format.

Written by Rosary Van Ingen
Head of Adult Circulation

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Broadway at the Hoboken Public Library, Part 2: Waitress, The Great Comet, and Hello, Dolly!

11 Feb

It’s been awhile since I wrote about my adventures on the Great White Way! (Click here, here, and here for my past posts about Broadway.) I haven’t been to the theater as much as I would like lately (life has been busy, and the Hamilton tickets I bought last year cost beaucoup bucks and wiped out my theater budget) but these are the shows I have seen recently.

Waitress

waitress

“Sugar, butter, flour” are the simple opening lines of this show as well as the basis of many pie recipes. This musical is based on the movie of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly, about a waitress named Jenna with a talent for baking pies who finds herself pregnant by her deadbeat husband and longs to escape. The musical stays pretty true to the movie, but definitely stands on its own.

The show was created by a team of women, including Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics for this show. She released an album (CD and Freegal) performing some of the show’s tunes herself. My favorite tracks from the Original Broadway Cast Recording (on CD and Hoopla) include “Bad Idea,” “I Didn’t Plan It,” and “You Matter to Me.” Ogie has to be the most memorable romantic hero on all of Broadway, who declares his love via a song called “I Love You Like a Table.”

The scent of fresh baked pie wafts through the theater, which will make you hungry. (Don’t worry, the concessions stands sell warm slices of pie for an intermission snack!) What will stick with you long after the show is over is the strong bond between the three female leads, Jenna, Becky, and Dawn. You may also remember a romantic scene that includes some epic Revolutionary War era cosplay.

The Great Comet

great-comet

The complete title of this show is Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Certainly a mouthful to say, and a lot to type. I had no idea what this show was about going in, except that Josh Groban stars as Pierre, and I was pleasantly surprised by The Great Comet.

This is the sort of show that winks at the audience–the fourth wall is gone. The action takes place all around the theater, with the actors making use of the all the space and engaging with the audience. It was fun to anticipate where the actors will appear next, perhaps near you. If you’re lucky, the actors, along their travels, will give you a little box that contains a pierogi for a mid-show nosh. I didn’t get one, but that lady sitting next to me did.

You can hear the soundtrack on Hoopla, and borrow the CD. “Letters”, a song about email’s predecessor, includes the knowing lyric “In nineteenth century Russia, we write letters / we put down on paper what is happening in our minds.” Another standout track is “Charming.” I also recommend any track featuring Brittain Ashford, who plays Sonya. Her voice is delicate but full of emotion, particularly on “Sonya Alone.”

Hello, Dolly!

hello-dolly-cc

Ok, I haven’t seen this show yet. It isn’t due to officially open on Broadway until Thursday April 20, 2017. But I am planning to see this revival, which will feature Bette Midler as Dolly Gallagher Levi and David Hyde Pierce as Horace Vandergelder. I can’t wait to see this show and these talented actors in the iconic roles.

To me, Hello, Dolly! Is one of the most classic Broadway musicals. Barbra Streisand starred in the 1969 film adaptation, but Carol Channing who originated the role on Broadway in 1964 is the best known Dolly. I love so many songs from this show. “Dancing” makes you feel as though you’re spinning with the actors. “Before the Parade Passes By” is wistful. “Elegance” is fun and upbeat. Of course, “Hello, Dolly!” is a showstopper. But my favorite has always been “It Only Takes a Moment,” which is sung in a courthouse of all places. What can I say, I’m a romantic.

Hoopla has several versions of the Hello, Dolly! soundtrack to stream. Borrow the Original Broadway Cast Recording on CD to hear “So Long Dearie”, which features one of the sickest burns to come from Broadway, when Channing as Dolly sneers to Horace Vandergelder, “snuggle up to your cash register”. Shall we adapt that one to the twenty first century, changing “cash register” to “iPhone”? Thoughts?

-Written by Kerry Weinstein, Reference Librarian

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