Staff Picks
Visit the Staff Picks Archives.
They're finally here! Many patrons ask the Library Assistant for movie and book suggestions. Below are lists of movies and books that she has read or seen. Most books are fiction, but there are a few nonfiction titles.
To learn more about any of the movies, go to IMDb: The Internet Movie Database.
A good resource for book titles and authors is Fantastic Fiction.
| • Vicki's movies seen since 1995 | Excel | Adobe Reader | |||||
| • Vicki's young people's books | Excel | Adobe Reader | |||||
| • Vicki's adult books | Excel | Adobe Reader |
Library Page Picks
Emma says, I've read more books than I can remember, and more mediocre stories than good ones. Although there are many books I have loved, there are a few that will always be close to my heart. These always make me smile, laugh, and cry like I'm reading them for the first time. Emma enjoys musicals, fairy tales, and cuddling her cats. One day she hopes to save the world.
It's still my favorite book in all the world. And more than ever, I wish I had written it. So begins the introduction to The Princess Bride by William Goldman, an introduction that well describes my feelings for this book, the favorite that has outlasted all favorites. It's classic fairy tale material, and, in the words of the author's father, complete with fencing, fighting, torture, poison, true love, hate, revenge, giants, hunters, bad men, good men, beautifulest ladies, snakes, spiders, beasts of all natures and descriptions, pain, death, brave men, coward men, strongest men, chases, escapes, lies, truths, passion, and miracles.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a retelling of the Cinderella story, but with a strong heroine, a prince that is introduced before the ball, a less-than-perfect fairy godmother, and some perfectly wretched stepsisters. When she was a baby, Ella was given the gift of obedience--she has to obey any command given to her. Despite this difficulty, Ella is extremely resourceful and manages to work her way out of tight situations. She's very human, and has her fair share of disappointment.
Set in the early 1900's, A Room With a View by E.M. Forster is the story of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman who struggles with the pettiness of the upper class. It begins on a holiday to Italy, where Lucy, accompanied by her chaperon, Charlotte, have many adventures. They meet a daring novelist, the local vicar, and two people with complete disregard for society rules--one of them being, of course, George Emerson, the dashing young man who's perhaps a bit too odd to be suitable.
David Sedaris is possibly one of the most interesting writers I have ever known. And I do know him, just as anyone who reads his books does. All his books contain his family, his experiences (both human and obscure), and the unique way he looks at the world. Out of all his essays, my favorites can be found in Me Talk Pretty One Day. Half of this book is about his time as an American in Paris. The title comes from the essay about his French class and his villainous teacher. Sedaris's stories are extremely sarcastic, very observant, and always humorous.
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |