And the Pulitzer Goes To.....

The literary fiction readers of the world can breathe a collective sign of relief this evening: the Pulitzer Prizes were announced today and (joy!) a fiction prize was awarded this year.  The prize went to Adam Johnson for his experimental--possibly romantic, maybe a little bit political and kinda' navel-gazing--title The Orphan Master's Son.  And if my description seems a bit vague, well, there's a good reason: while almost all of the major review sources were overwhelmingly positive about it, each one seems to focus on a different aspect of the work.  The reading public's response was underwhelming, but the Pulitzer will inevitably mean a rebirth.

Other notable titles include the history winner, Fredrik Logevall's Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of America's Vietnam,  and for general non-fiction, Gilbert King's Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America. 

For the complete list of winners, check out the Pulitzer Prize website and give the Reference Desk a call if you need help getting a hold of the titles you find most interesting!

Happy Reading!

Attention Book Groups

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Here is a historical fiction selection for your book group.  New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini describes the extraordinary friendship between Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, a former slave who won her freedom by the skill of her needle, and the friendship of the First Lady by her devotion.  In later years Elizabeth wrote a book about her life with Mrs. Lincoln, Behind the Scenes: Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House.  Upon its publication, Keckley's memoir created a scandal that compelled Mary Todd Lincoln to sever all ties with her, but in the decades since, Keckley's story has languished in the archives.  In this impeccably researched, engrossing novel, Chiaverini brings history to life in rich, moving style.

Marilyn Brown Remembered

Celebrate art, life, and children this Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. at Herrick District Library. An art work titled “The Windows” will be dedicated in memory of former children’s librarian Marilyn Brown. 

Marilyn was employed by Herrick District Library for over 33 years before she died in May of 2011.  She was responsible for planning and overseeing all children’s and teen programs at Herrick, as well as the selection of all children’s materials, and the supervision of staff.  

Adam Dahlstrom, the artist, is a graduate of Grand Valley State University.  The memorial is made possible by the board of Herrick District Library through the library endowment.  Pictured here is the original artist's rendering which helped a selection committee to choose Dahlstrom's piece.  Visit the upper level of the main library to view the finished product during the dedication or any time afterward.

The event will take place in the Children’s Area on the upper level of the main library located at 300 S. River Ave. 

Write Your Family History

Ever pondered writing your memoir?  Do you have a great personal story to tell but don't know how to get started?

On Tuesday, April 16 Michigan author Mardi Link will present "Write Your Family History", a program designed to help you craft personal essays or memoirs.  Mardi will offer various strategies to help get you writing!  Join us from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Hazel B. Hayes Auditorium on the lower level at Herrick District Library.

E-Reading for the Computer-Bound

Bless you, Flavorwire!
Finding free e-reading material can be a challenge--especially for those of us unwilling to commit a device.  I don't mind scouring the web, digging around for e-stories, but the challenge of finding a story in its entirity?  By a current author?  That can maddening. But this week, Flavorwire did the digging and published a ready-made list of short stories available (for free!!) on the web.
See this???  It's the happiest website you're going to see this week, starting off with the title story of George Saunders' new book Tenth of December. (Did I mention that has a hold list?)
The list of authors is stunning and the stories?  Well, there's no waiting...
Happy Reading!

Attention Book Groups

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, one of Oprah's Book Club choices, is Herrick's latest Book Group to Go Bag.  A tale reminiscent of "Hamlet" that also celebrates the alliance between humans and dogs follows speech-disabled Wisconsin youth Edgar, who bonds with three yearling canines and struggles to prove that his sinister uncle is responsible for his father's death. (Description from Novelist)

Attention Book Groups

M. L. Stedman's popular debut novel, The Light Between Oceans, is now available as a book group to go bag.  Following is the description:  "A novel set on a remote Australian island, where a childless couple live quietly running a lighthouse, until a boat carrying a baby washes ashore"--.