Description of books for the Spring Book Discussion

Details on the Spring Book Discussion from Lottie Waggoner. Dates are March 18th, April 15th, and May 13th. The discussions will be at the library on these days (all Thursdays) starting at 7:00.


The New Woman

At the end of the Victorian Era, the New Woman emerged. She wanted to take up more space in the public arena. She wanted a voice in the way the government was run. She wanted the vote. She wanted to bob her hair, wear a short skirt, and dance the Charleston.
The three novels we are reading this spring all feature protagonists who are New Women. Lily, Bea, and Mildred live during the beginning of the 20th century and break the gender norms of that time. Their lives are not only interesting historically, but also emotionally because their struggles are the struggles that women at the beginning of the 21st century still face.
Each of these novels have been made into movies, so pop some corn as we will be viewing clips to decide if the book or the movie garners our “2 thumbs up.”


House of Mirth
Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton wrote about the privileged society she lived in and was critical of it. Her protagonist Lily Bart is stunningly beautiful, but she is almost 30 – and single. Throughout this novel Lily attempts to manipulate the marriage marketplace. She has no family fortune, so she has to parlay her beauty into the most financially beneficial union. Lily, however, asserts her own will.
Through Lily’s eyes, we are witnesses to a vicious society based on pretense and wealth. If this novel were made into a TV show, it would be called “The Real Housewives of Fifth Avenue.”


Imitation of Life
Fannie Hurst

If you are only familiar with the 1959 movie version (there was another film adaptation in 1934) of Hurst’s novel, you will be amazed at the differences. The novel’s focus is on Bea Pullman’s rise to success in the waffle-house business between the world wars after the death of her husband.
The sub-plot of Delilah’s daughter’s rejection of her mother and her race by “passing” as white was also totally revised by Hollywood. It should make for rousing discussion!



Mildred Pierce
James M. Cain

As with Bea, Mildred enters the business world out of necessity, not choice. The Great Depression and a shiftless husband force her to look for any available job to feed her children. But, her talent was always right there – Mildred can bake a mean pie. It will make her millions.
This dark novel contains lots of scrumptious elements. The secondary characters are well-drawn, and the importance of friendship is a strong theme. However, the book’s strength is the sinister daughter, Veda. Is she a New Woman? How should we define her?
The movie won an Academy Award for Joan Crawford.

Crafty Book Club

Crafty Book Club:

On February 3rd starting at 6:15, the first in a series called the Crafty Book Club led by Candie Cooper will occur. There are sign-ups in the library at the both the Circulation desk and downstairs for signing up for the Crafty Book Club program led by Candie Cooper. There will be another one in both March and April. The program is for adults and one does not need to bring supplies (will be provided). Time and description below:

6:15-8pm

Come make a sweet Valentine ornament just in time for Valentine’s Day! This class will show you unique painting, decoupage, glittering and embellishing techniques. You can choose from two styles, traditional or funky, as well as paint colors to make it completely your own. We will also look at some inspiring craft books that use some of the same techniques shown in class. A supply and instruction handout will also be included so you know exactly what we used and make your own at home.

Please specify chosen style: traditional (red with birds) or funky (cartoon animal) at sign up.


Ware

Spring Book Discussion and Crafty Book Club

I want to highlight two upcoming programs that the Library will be holding this Winter/Spring.

The first one which is referred to as Craft Book Club is for adults. Candie Cooper will be leading these three programs. The tentative dates are Feb. 3rd, March 10th, and April 21st. Details on the program and the times on those dates will be coming forth very soon. The Library thanks Candie for leading this program and is very excited about offering this!

Lottie Waggoner will be leading the Spring Book Discussion. The discussion times will be in March, April, and May. Details on exact dates, times, book titles, etc. will be forthcoming very soon. The Library thanks Lottie again for leading our Spring Book Discussion especially with her commute from Bloomington!

We hope you can join us for either or both programs! Thank you for your patronage and support.

Ware William Wimberly III, Director

Thank You and best wishes in 2010; Circulation Challenge Update

As you know, I have been putting a challenge on the Director's Blog to reach a new high for yearly Circulation transactions total. We were close to surpassing the 2008 total of 145,783 but fell just short. The total of 2009 was 143, 096 or 2,687 short. Still, the past two years have seen the Library's largest yearly totals since 2004 (and probably before then also since our collection continues to grow).

So I want to say to say thank you for all of your patronage and use of this library (and other libraries) in 2009! We are here to service you and it is my goal that we are the best we can at all times.

Thank you and best wishes in 2010!