Archives

Hello!We’re so glad you’re here. We’d love to share some book recommendations from our staff — our gift to you in 2024. Check out the list in our online card catalog to place holds!

The 57th Annual Native American Day at the West Steps of the Capitol is on September 27, 2024.  Click here for more information. Image Credit: Aspen Card Catalog; Image Link Wandering Stars | Tommy Orange Check it out in our online card catalog! Summary: Native Americans are still here! This novel is about epigenetic and generational trauma that …

Two Audiobooks, enjoyed on Hoopla. When traveling, you can’t beat renting a book from Hoopla for helping the miles fly by. Two movies, one available from SPLD and one rented from the vast array of movies available in the system. One Native American Novel which was recommended during a panel discussion at the Chicago Public …

The Belleville Sound Exhibit | Creator: John Wegrzyn Summary: This fascinating exhibit is currently at the Belleville Public Library and features the Belleville connection to sound in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Recommendation: I had no idea how influential Belleville was to the music scene from the 40’s through the 70’s.  Did you know …

Mixed Nuts | Screenplay by Nora Ephron Summary: A group of very bizarre individuals man a suicide hotline on Christmas Eve. Recommendation: Mixed Nuts is a 1994 American Christmas dark comedy film.  The Cast will surprise you.  Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Adam Sandler, Juliette Lewis and Rob Reiner to name a few stars in this …

Keepunumuk – Weeachuman’s Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten Summary: Consider sharing this story with your children.  It is a more accurate accounting of what many Americans call Thanksgiving and Native Americans refer to as a day of mourning. Recommendation: It is time to refresh this story, allowing the First Peoples’ …

Michael Collins | Neil Jordan – Director Summary: Ireland, 1916. His dreams inspired hope. His words inspired passion. His courage forged a nation’s destiny. A Biographical film depicting the life of Michael Collins, head of the early version of the IRA. Recommendation: I recently visited the GPO in Dublin where portions of this movie was filmed.  …

Still Life | Sarah Winman Summary: Tuscany, 1944: As Allied troops advance and bombs fall around deserted villages, a young English soldier, Ulysses Temper, finds himself in the wine cellar of a deserted villa. There, he has a chance encounter with Evelyn Skinner, a middle-aged art historian who has come to Italy to salvage paintings …