check it out: movies!

Roger Ebert calls it "a superior ghost story" while Claudia Puig calls it "a terrifying horror thriller well worth seeing." The Orphanage (El Orfanato), in Spanish with English subtitles, is not really that terrifying, but it is worth seeing. It has all the trappings of a ghost story: the creepy old house in the middle of nowhere, a lovely little child with an uncertain future, a mom who loves him, and old crones that wander in and out of the story.

It's not scary, scary like the Exorcist, and it's not really violent and funny like Severance (how I love that movie!), but it is, as Ebert says, a superior ghost story and I really enjoyed it. Rated R for some disturbing content. For more reviews on this and other films, check out the Movie Review Query Engine.

check it out: books!

Can you remember, or guess, what the 5 films were that were nominated for the best picture Oscar in 1967? Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the new Hollywood by Mark Harris, will give you the answer and a lot more. A brilliant storyteller, Harris captures the upheaval in the big Studio System in Hollywood in '67 and '68, as well as the racial and cultural upheaval of the US in general. I found this book at once fascinating and shocking; luckily, we've come so far from the racism and sexism of that era.

The movies he follows for several years until they were finally released in 1967 are: Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?, and Dr. Dolittle. "Based on unprecedented access to the actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, and executives whose movies defined the era, as well as a wealth of previously unexplored archival material, Pictures at a Revolution is an utterly original, revealing, and entertaining history of a true cultural watershed." --book jacket

New Computer

We installed a new computer this morning in the Main Library in Kalispell. It is upstairs, on the north side and has 6 stations running off of it. Come test it out for us and let us know what you think. As always, computer usage and internet access (wireless, too) is free and limited to one hour per person per day. Happy Surfing!

Teddy Bears in Kalispell

Earlier in April the Friends of the Library sponsored the annual Teddy Bears' Picnic at the Main Library in Kalispell. Not only did we have teddy bears, but we had some dogs, cats, and tigers, too. Everyone listened to some stories about teddy bears, had a picnic with all of the animals, and made bear puppets. We hope you enjoy the pictures taken at this year's picnic! Until next year...

book recommendation: Bound by Sally Gunning

Bound is the story of Alice, an English girl who was sold into servitude when she arrived in the colonies in the 1750s. Alice enjoys a fairly comfortable life until the age of 15, when she is given to her master's daughter, Nabby, as a wedding gift. What seems to be a good start almost immediately sours, and Alice finds herself in a horrific and dangerous situation. Though she defies the law and escapes her new master, Alice's trials are far from over.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in historical themes, women's issues, or just a good story. Mature teen readers will appreciate Alice's pluck and resolve, as well as her strength to survive many injustices.

A vivid and spellbinding page-turner!

Readers to the Rescue

Readers to the Rescue!

Last year we had tremendous support for the Readers to the Rescue portion of our summer reading program and we thought that you would like to see some of the kids from “our” school in Batangi, Pakistan. We partnered with Montana Library Association and the Central Asia Institute to raise money for Batangi School. We just received these photos this week and are delighted to share them with you. This is the first time that most of these children, especially the girls, have had an opportunity to attend school.

We have been working very hard on the preparations for summer reading 2008, “Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library” which is for children from birth to 10 years old. Kids who are 11-17 years old will be able to participate in “Metamorphosis@ Your Library.” Check the Kids or Teens link on the Flathead County Library home page later to get more information about all of the fun activities we have planned. Go Readers!!!!!