Emma's Album Picks

Fun Home

Based on a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, this album follows her in three stages of her life. It covers many topics, one of them being her relationship with her dad and other family members. It truly tells a story as you listen to it. There is a good mix of upbeat and slower tracks.

- Available in CD form at the library

In the Heights

Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (the creator of Broadway's Hamilton), In the Heights follows Usnavi, who runs a shop in Washington Heights, and his friends and family through their struggles. The music is upbeat and fun to listen to, while still telling a story. It features many Broadway stars including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson, and Karen Olivo.

- Available on Hoopla and in CD form at the library

RENT

This rock musical follows artists in New York City, as they struggle to pay rent. The music is unlike many musicals, but is wonderful in a unique way. There are many upbeat songs and some tearjerkers too. It features Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, and Idina Menzel.

- Available on Hoopla

Something Rotten

This hilarious album follows Nick Bottom, a writer during the renaissance, who hates Shakespeare (and his work). It features many tracks, including my favorite, A Musical. It features Brian D'Arcy James and Christian Borle.

- Available on Hoopla and in CD form at the library

La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, it follows Mia and Sebastian as they find love and success in L.A. Although it is set in modern times, the music is in a classic Hollywood style. There are is a good mix of upbeat and slower tracks. It features Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

- Available on Hoopla and in CD form at the library


This album advisory brought to you by YA volunteer, Emma.

Tackle Twelve - Spotlight on Read a Tome

As part of BPL’s Tackle Twelve promotion, 16 reading challenges have been issued. This week’s blog takes a closer look at ‘Read a Tome (500 Pages or More)' and offers up recommendations.

Roses by Leila Meacham

Having not married in spite of their true feelings, cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick struggle with deceit, secrets, and tragedies that challenge their children and grandchildren in their small east Texas community. 609 pages

The Passage by Justin Cronin

A security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment that only six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte can stop. 766 pages

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Retells the legend of Arthur as perceived by Viviane (the Lady of the Lake and high priestess of Avalon), Arthur’s mother Igraine, his Christian wife Guinevere, and the sorceress Morgaine. 876 pages

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Follows the fates of five interrelated families – American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh – as they move through the dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage. 985 pages

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

It is 1866 and Walter Moody has come to stake his claim in New Zealand’s booming gold rush. On the night of his arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of 12 local men who have met in secret to discuss a series of unexplained events. Moody is soon drawn into a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and ornate as the night sky. 830 pages

Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

Penn Cage must investigate when his father, a beloved family doctor and pillar of the community, is accused of murdering Violet Davis, the beautiful nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the early 1960s. 788 pages

Tom Clancy Commander in Chief: A Jack Ryan Novel by Mark Greaney

With fifty thousand Russian troops poised to invade a NATO nation, can Jack Ryan move swiftly enough to stop (Russian president Valeri) Volodin’s grand plan of global conflict and conquest? 718 pages

Under the Dome by Stephen King

The small town of Chester’s Mill, Maine, is faced with a big dilemma when it is mysteriously sealed off by an invisible and completely impenetrable force field. 1,072 pages

The Woman Who Lost Her Soul by Bob Shacochis

When the humanitarian lawyer Tom Harrington travels to Haiti to investigate the murder of a beautiful photojournalist, he is confronted with a dangerous landscape of poverty, corruption, and voodoo. 713 pages

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Set in the late nineteenth century, this novel chronicles a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, and follows the lives of Gus, Cal, Lorena, and Blue Duck. 843 pages

This readers advisory brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

National Volunteer Week

Do you like helping others? Do you need to earn community service hours? Do you like the library atmosphere? Apply for Bremen Public Library’s Young Adult Volunteer Team!

Founded in May of 2016, the program has witnessed 38 individuals amass a collective 600+ hours of service to YOUR library. This week, above all others, we take time to recognize those who've given so much to the betterment of our institution. Dedication unmatched, expectations surpassed. 

National Library Week

National Library Week (April 8-14) is a time to commemorate the contributions of our nation’s libraries, acknowledge and honor diligent staff, and to promote library support. Whether it be providing free access to books, vibrant programming, centers for community and culture, social interaction, hubs of business and research, libraries offer opportunities to meet the needs and wants for audiences aplenty. The National Library Week 2018 observation will mark the 60^th anniversary of the first event, launched in 1958.

According to the American Library Association, “In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions, and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee’s goals were ambitious. They ranged from encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time to improving incomes and health and developing strong and happy family life.”

By 1957, plans were devised for National Library Week based on the belief that once individuals were motivated to read, they would in turn devote energies toward library usage. In 1958, the first National Library Week was observed, with the theme ‘Wake Up and Read!’

This year’s designation is ‘Libraries Lead’ and Bremen Public Library will again be bustling with activity. No doubt you recall the festivities in 2017, when Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat could be spotted making their way around town. More hijinks are in store this go-round, faithful storybook followers, as Elephant and Piggie are set to entertain and delight.

Have you visited your library lately?

This public service announcement brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Getting to Know ... Kristian

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Kristian Keck! A 16-year-old high school junior, Kristian has accumulated 6 volunteer hours since November. 

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Action/Adventure
FAVORITE TV SHOWS:  Spongebob
A TOPIC HE COULD DISCUSS FOR AN HOUR: Cars/Motorcycles 
ROLE MODEL: His father
HAPPY PLACE: His shop
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Cats
INTERESTING FACT:  He is half Phillipino
DESERTED ISLAND FRIEND:  Justin Schrome
FUTURE CAREER: National Guard, welding
FAVORITE QUOTE: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."