Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ iconic performance on the Ed Sullivan show, and the birth of a musical and cultural revolution in America. Whether you were around for Beatlesmania, or not, the Beatles remain an enduring part of our popular culture.  Here are some great titles from our collection that will have you shouting for
more!

All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release
by Guesdon, Jean-Michel

Get the scoop on every song the Beatles ever released, including the covers.  Organized chronologically by album, this book includes technical stats on all recordings from 1963-1970, and the stories behind them.  I gave this to my brother-in-law for Christmas and he was in heaven.

 

 

Days That I’ll Remember:
Spending Time with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
by Jonathan Cott

Based on several interviews that originally appeared in Rolling Stone Magazine over the years, Cott presents an intimate portrait of John and his muse.

 

 

John Lennon: The Life
by Philip Norman

“Warts and all” treatment of the legendary songwriter by the author of Shout: The Beatles in Their Generation.  A fascinating profile of a complex man.

 

 

 

Memories of John Lennon
Edited by Yoko Ono

Famous musicians, journalists, poets, and photographers all share their fond memories of John Lennon.  Highlights include reminiscences of  Elliot Mintz, Bob Gruen, Mick Jagger, Joan Baez and Pete Townshend.

 

 

The John Lennon Letters
by John Lennon

Letters, postcards and telegrams to family, friends, strangers, and lovers from every point in his life.  Original letters are reproduced in full color, with transcriptions, and organized by year.

 

 

The Beatles
by Bob Spitz

A great overview of the Beatles, telling the story of how four ordinary Brits became rock and roll legends. Spitz, who also wrote a biography of Dylan, chronicles their early years (pre-Ed Sullivan), through the height of Beatlemania and their eventual break-up.  Also available as an audiobook!

 

The Beatles Anthology
by The Beatles

If you had to choose one book to read about the Beatles, this should be the one.  The story of four lads from Liverpool who rocked the world is told in each band member’s own words and illustrated with rare photographs from their personal collections.  Includes full transcripts from the celebrated television documentary of the same name.

 

Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney
by Sounes, Howard

Fans looking for an up to date, complete biography of Paul need look no further than this in-depth treatment by Sounes. Capturing his life as a child up to the present day (2010), Sounes tells the story of a complicated man in simple prose. See also Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now by Miles.

 

Behind the Sad Eyes: The Life of George Harrison
by Marc Shapiro

Surprisingly, Shapiro’s book is one of only a few biographies written about the lead guitarist of the world’s most famous rock band.  Published shortly after his death of brain cancer in 2001, the book explores his life before, during and after the Beatles. Fans of the “quiet Beatle” should also check out his wife’s more recent tribute, George Harrison: Living in the Material World.

 

When They Were Boys:
The True Story of the Beatles’ Rise to the Top
by Larry Kane

Who better to tell the story of the Beatles’ early years than the veteran journalist who covered their first U.S.tour in 1964. Interviews with family, friends, and musicians, give us a rare look at who these boys were before they became the Beatles.

 

And Now For Something Completely Different …..

The Beatles inspired not only biographies and social commentary, but fictional and creative works as well.  Check out some of these titles.

Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion
by Alan Goldsher

Ummm. So, apparently John Lennon and Paul McCartney are zombies. So is George Harrison.  Ringo is a ninja and Mick Jagger is a zombie hunter.  It’s all here in this tell-all book.  Told through a series of interviews, fans will likely find themselves enjoying the tongue and cheekiness of this alternative history.

 

 

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story
by Vivek J. Tiwary

Tells the story of Brian Epstein, the manager who discovered and lead the Beatles to international stardom.  What makes this book unique is the style used to convey the story.  Told in graphic novel format instead of prose, the book focuses on Epstein’s status as an outsider looking in.  Tiwary is currently working on a film version, as well.

 

What did I miss?  What’s your favorite book about or inspired by the Beatles? 

 

 

 

 

Visit LibraryReads for more information about how this list was created, and to view favorites from previous months!

Red Rising
by Pierce Brown

“The next great read for those who loved The Hunger Games. This story has so much action, intrigue, social commentary and character development that the reader who never reads science fiction will happily overlook the fact that the story takes place on Mars far in the future. The characters are perfectly flawed, causing the reader to feel compassion and revulsion for both sides. Can’t wait for the next installment!”

– Cindy Stevens, Pioneer Library System, Norman, OK

The Good Luck of Right Now: A Novel
by Matthew Quick

“Socially-awkward 40-year-old Bartholomew has lived with his mother all his life and has never held a job. When she succumbs to cancer, he channels her favorite actor, Richard Gere, to make her happy during her last days. Funny and sad, with moving, unsentimental prose and a quick, satisfying pace. Highly recommended.”

– Michael Colford, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

This Dark Road to Mercy: A Novel
by Wiley Cash

“Cash’s second novel is as good as his first. In this story, we meet Easter and her sister Ruby, who have been shuffled around the foster care system in Gastonia, North Carolina. Then their ne’er-do-well father whisks them away in the middle of the night. I was on the edge of my seat as I followed the girls’ tale and hoping for a safe outcome. Fans of A Land More Kind Than Home will enjoy this book as well.”

 – Robin Nesbitt, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH

The Martian: A Novel
by Andy Weir

“An edge-of-your seat debut thriller with laugh-out-loud dialogue mixed in. After a bad storm cuts his team’s Mars mission short, injured astronaut Mark Watley is stranded. Now he’s got to figure out how to survive without air, shelter, food, or water on the harsh Martian landscape until the next manned mission in four years. It’s Science Fiction with a capital S, but Weir does a fabulous job of making it accessible to non-science geeks (like me).”

– Dan Brooks, Wake County Public Libraries, Cary, NC

After I’m Gone: A Novel
by Laura Lippman

“So much fun to read. In Lippman’s newest book, bookie Felix Brewer goes missing just before his indictment because he can’t stand the thought of spending years in prison. He leaves behind a wife, three young daughters, a mistress, and Burt, his best friend and attorney. Enter retired police detective Sandy Bayard who works as a consultant on cold cases. A delicious bon bon!”

– Anne Lee, Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Ripper: A Novel
by Isabel Allende

“Allende does an amazing job of developing characters in this taut, suspenseful literary thriller. The story has a lightning-fast denouement, and the mystery is artfully styled to keep the reader guessing.”

 

– Amanda Viana, Norton Public Library, Norton, MA

The Ghost of the Mary Celeste: A Novel
by Valerie Martin

“A cargo ship sailing from New York to Italy is discovered empty and drifting near Gibraltar in the 1870s. The mystery brings grief to two Massachusetts seafaring families and ignites the public’s imagination, including one Arthur Conan Doyle, who authors a fantastical magazine piece that purports to be an account by the ship’s doctor. Crossing time and space, this wide-ranging story proves Martin once again to be a master of the historical novel.”

– Margaret Donovan, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA

The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress
by Ariel Lawhon

“A captivating mystery, based on the real-life disappearance of New York Supreme Court Judge Joseph Crater. Told through the voices of the three women closest to Judge Crater–his trophy wife, his beautiful maid, and his Broadway starlet mistress– this is excellent historical fiction, about the era of Prohibition and the culture of 1930s New York City. Riveting characters make for a quick and entertaining read.”

– Mary Vernau, Tyler Public Library, Tyler, TX

The Winter People: A Novel
by Jennifer McMahon

“The small Vermont town of West Hall has been the scene of mysterious deaths, disappearances, and ghost sightings. The scattered pages of a turn-of-the-century diary relate the events that lead to a murder and the apparent beginning of all the trouble. Odd and intriguing clues emerge, and the final conclusion is thrilling.”

 

– Nancy Russell,Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus,OH

E.E. Cummings: A Life
by Susan Cheever

“Cummings is a pivotal figure in the creation of modern verse, and Cheever conveys his journey with color, warmth, and understanding, especially his imprisonment in France during the First World War, his father’s death and his final reunion with his daughter. She leaves the reader with only one wish: to be a fly on the wall while the poet held forth to his friends.”

– Linda Jeffries-Summers, Howard Co. Library, Columbia, MD

Buzzfeed recently posted a list of Sixteen Books To Read Before They Hit the Theaters this Year.  As readers, we accept this as the natural order of things.  To do otherwise would be as unfathomable as eating one’s desert before dinner.  And yet, I still find myself wondering, is reading a book before seeing the movie really a good idea?  Or, are we just setting ourselves up for disappointment by reading these books in advance?  Ask yourself, when is the last time you were satisfied with a movie adaptation?

Unfortunately, no matter how stellar the cast or celebrated the director, we almost always find fault with the movie.  We complain that the actors look nothing like the characters we imagined (i.e. Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher).  We lament the loss of stories and characters that are sacrificed in the interest of time (Tom Bombadil from Lord of the Rings ). Many times, these adaptations are excellent films.  Some even win awards.  And yet, we still feel the intangible absence of something we can’t quite put our finger on.  The truth is, cherished books live in a place in our imagination that is simply impossible to replicate in the real world.

Surprisingly, the reverse does not seem to hold true. Picking up a book after watching the movie version usually leads to enlightenment, not disappointment.  Waiting to read the book allows you to watch and enjoy the movie without the weight of your own expectations (i.e. book baggage).  But, there is a catch.  Your impressions of the characters and settings will not be your own.  They will belong to a movie studio. Who knows what beautiful and terrible images you might have conjured in your mind’s eye.  You will never know.

And so, we readers must make a choice.  Read the book first and spoil the movie, or watch the movie first and spoil the book.  Quite the dilemma.  And yet, ultimately, I find the choice an easy one.  After all, you never get a second chance to experience a book for the first time.  And I want that experience to last for days, not 2.5 hours.  Guess I’m in for a year of disappointment at the movie theater, because these books are just too good to pass up!

Books Coming Soon to a Theater Near You:

  

  

  

  

  

Do you ever feel let down after you finish a book because you just had an amazing reading experience that no one else can appreciate?  Do you often wish you could share your thoughts about the characters or the story with people who actually know what you’re talking about?  If so, you should check out one of our many book clubs here at the Library.  Discover new books and authors while meeting others who enjoy reading as much as you do!

Book clubs meet regularly each month and you don’t need to sign up ahead of time.  Just stop by the Adult Services Desk at the Main Library to pick up copies of the books being discussed each month.  Books will be available to check out the month before each discussion.

Book Clubbers:
Meets the first Thursday of each month.

Thursday, February 6th @ 7pm (Harnish)

Weird Sisters
by Eleanor Brown

When three sisters gather to care for their mother we are treated to the hilarious and thought provoking complications of sisters who love each other fiercely but don’t like each other much.

 

Spine Crackers:
Meets the first Friday of each month.

Friday, February 7th @ 1:30 pm (Harnish)

The Flight of Gemma Hardy
by Margot Livesey

In this modern retelling of Jan Eyre, Gemma Hardy, a brilliant and determined young woman, accepts a position as an au pair on the remote Orkney Islands, where she faces her biggest challenge yet.

 

 

Nite Readers:
Meets the third Thursday of each month.

Thursday, January 16th @ 7pm (Harnish)

Isaac’s Storm
by Erik Larson

Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City, tells the fascinating story of another up and coming city – Galvaston, Texas. At the turn of the century, Galvaston was poised to become the New York of the Gulf until the deadliest hurricane in our nation’s history destroys everything.

 

Thursday, February 20th @ 7pm (Harnish)

Beneath a Marble Sky
by John Shors

A novel of the Taj Mahal.  the story of the princess whose tomb became a world of wonder.

 

 

Bookalicious:
A new book club for adults who love to read Young Adult literature.
Meets the second Monday of the the month.

Monday, January 13th @ 7pm (Harnish)

The Future of Us
by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Set in the year 1996, best friends Josh and Emma discover their future selves on a mysterious web site called Facebook. Does knowing the future change it?

 

 

Classics Book Club:
Meets the third Wednesday of the month.

Wednesday, January 15th @ 7pm (Harnish)

The Ambassadors
by Henry James

Lambert Strether has one job. Bring Mrs. Newsome’s wayward son Chad back home to America from Paris. Yet, as Lambert is seduced by the city and the mysterious Madame de Vionnet, he may never want to leave himself.

 

Wednesday, February 19th @ 7 pm (Harnish)

Canterbury Tales
by Geoffrey Chaucer

On a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury, travelers entertain themselves by telling stories ranging in genre from fable, to romance, to bawdy comedy in 13th century England.

 

 

 

Visit LibraryReads for more information about how this list was created, and to view favorites from previous months!

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches:
A Flavia de Luce Novel
by Alan Bradley

“Flavia de Luce is still on the loose! This time, the almost-twelve-year-old prodigy explores some tantalizing mysteries involving her own family. Flavia uncovers surprising secrets about the characters we know and love and meets some fascinating new people, including a precocious distant cousin. You’ll enjoy seeing new depths in Flavia–this novel takes the series in an exciting direction.”

–  Nancy Russell, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH

A Star for Mrs. Blake: A Novel
by April Smith

“A little-known slice of American history receives meticulous, elegant treatment in this compelling novel about a group of mothers who travel to post-WWI Europe to visit the graves of their fallen soldier-sons. Cora Blake, grieving the loss of her only child, pulls the group together to provide support on their difficult pilgrimage. Sure to be a sleeper hit with book groups looking for heart-tugging history.”

– Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Lost Lake: A Novel
by Sarah Addison Allen

“I was thrilled to find out that Sarah Addison Allen had a new book out, and it did not disappoint. Allen’s trademark magic is woven throughout the story and can be found in the lake, the town, and the people, but at its heart, this story is about finding home—something we can all relate to.”

– Ally Watkins, Central MS Regional Library System, Pearl, MS

The Days of Anna Madrigal: A Novel
by Armistead Maupin

“So good to see all these beloved characters again! And we finally get the true story of Anna Madrigal. If you’re either a fan of the Tales of the City series, Burning Man or both, this is a fun Sunday-afternoon kind of book.”

– Jenne Bergstrom, San Diego County Library, San Diego, CA

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee’s Guide to Saving the World: A Novel
by Rachel Cantor

“Leonard works for Neetsa Pizza, a Pythagorean pizza chain, in the near-ish future. His job is to take calls, listen to complaints and help his customers achieve maximum pizza happiness. His employee manual gives him an answer for every scenario–until he gets a call from Marco, who seems to be calling from another time or space. Think of Terry Pratchett crossed with Douglas Adams.”

– Jane Jorgenson, Madison Public Library, Madison, WI

The Wind Is Not a River: A Novel
by Brian Payton

“A tender love story about a reporter stranded during World War II on one of the Aleutian Islands, and his feisty wife, who travels to find him. The geographical and historical setting of American warfare in the North Pacific, little known to most, is very intriguing. Readers will fall in love with the main characters’ fierce determination to survive and love against all odds.”

– Paulette Brooks, Elm Grove Public Library, Elm Grove, WI

Orfeo: A Novel
by Richard Powers

“Experimental music and genetic engineering? Heady stuff indeed, but what is most remarkable about this thought-provoking journey is how intensely it makes you feel about human creativity, experience, and the enigmatic fugitive Peter Els, whose flight from an uncomprehending world anchors the narrative. A perfect introduction to this brilliant but sometimes forbidding author.”

– David Wright, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA

The Kept: A Novel
by James Scott

“Scott has written a haunting novel about two characters who are tormented by regret and guilt and who do all the wrong things to find redemption. Beautiful writing and unforgettable characters mark this first novel that has been compared to the work of Cormac McCarthy and Michael Ondaatje.”

– Alison Kastner, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Little Failure: A Memoir
by Gary Shteyngart

“Little Failure is the marvelous tale of the Shteyngart family’s journey from Leningrad to Queens in the 1970s. Gary Shteyngart captures an amazing snapshot of that time in history, and this engaging memoir is suffused with conflict, love, and a lot of hilarity.”

– Laura Scott, Park Ridge Public Library, Park Ridge, IL

The First True Lie: A Novel
by Marina Mander

“An unusual, well-written story told by a young boy who lives with his talented, but troubled mother in a city apartment in Italy. One morning, Luca finds his mother dead, and his worst fears paralyze him. How long can he hide the truth from his teachers and classmates? Luca uses what he loves most, words, to reach a place where he can finally open the door to others. An excellent reading group selection.”

– Margaret Donovan, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA

No visit to the library is complete without first picking up your complimentary copy of BookPage. Each month, this publication is packed with reviews, book news, and interviews from your favorite authors.

The December issue is always highly anticipated not only for their great gift ideas, but also for their editors’ picks of Best Books of the Year.

Here are a few of the highlights:

 

   

    

    

  

So, how many on the list have you read?   Did your favorite books make the cut?  See the complete list of the 50 Best Books of the Year and let us know. What were your favorite books of the year?

This year, for the first time, the National Book Foundation is announcing longlists of 10 books in each of its award categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Young People’s Literature. Monday’s announcement was the Young People’s Literature Longlist and as a young adult librarian currently and a youth services librarian previously, this is the list that most interested me personally. For the last few years, the Young People’s Literature Shortlists have skewed heavily towards young adult literature rather than children’s literature, but this year’s Longlist looks like it has a pretty good balance. The only one I’ve read so far is The Summer Prince which I adored, so I’m looking forward to reading the rest. The Algonquin Area Public Library either owns or has most of these on order, so stop on in to check them out or to place a hold! Let us know in the comments if there’s any of these you’re excited to see on the list or a favorite author you think was overlooked. Plus, what do you want to see make the 5 book shortlist?

The 2013 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Longlist

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

Kathi Appelt’s first novel, The Underneath took home a Newbery Honor and with her return to a swamp setting, I’m not surprised to see this latest effort make the longlist.

 

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo isn’t the most prolific author out there, but she’s already racked up quite the list of awards including a Newbery Honor, a National Book Shortlist, a Geisel Honor, A Geisel Medal, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction. Release date for this one is September 24th.

A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff

Most of Lisa Graff’s previous books have been solidly mid-list crowd pleasers, well received by children, but ignored by award committees. It’s nice to see her get some awards recognition!

The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson

See my previous post for more details about my love for this one. Part of what’s so impressive to me is that this is Johnson’s first novel specifically for the young adult market, but she manages to capture the feel of being on the cusp of adulthood brilliantly.

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata

Kadohata’s first book for children won the Newbery Medal and The Thing About Luck has been getting uniformly wonderful reviews, so no surprise to see this one make the cut.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

The reviews on this latest David Levithan title have been mixed, but since I loved Boy Meets Boy I’m looking forward to reading this one when it comes in although it sounds like it’s got a very different tone.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

Another title that’s been getting fantastic reviews, Far Far Away has an intriguing concept: Jeremy Johnson Johnson can communicate with the ghost of Jacob Grimm and soon finds himself at the center of a string of disappearances in town.

 

Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff

Meg Rosoff won the Printz Award for her debut novel how i live now back in 2005 (the movie adaptation will be out this November) and while responses to her works have been varied since then, this one has been getting some good buzz. Picture Me Gone is due out October 3rd, so place your holds now!

The Real Boy by Anne Ursu

Ursu’s last novel Breadcrumbs got quite a bit of Newbery buzz although it had its detractors. I liked it, but thought it had some issues. With The Real Boy (due out September 24th) Ursu returns to fantasy but this time focuses on a main character that some have identified as being on the autism spectrum – an interesting twist that the National Book Award jury seems to feel pays off.

Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

It’s interesting that the jury chose to name this as one book since it’s published in two volumes. Yang’s graphic novels explore the Boxer Rebellion in China from both sides of the conflict. In Boxers we follow Little Bao who leads the rebellion. In Saints we see things from the viewpoint of Vibiana, one of the Chinese Christians persecuted by the rebellion. Yang takes historical fiction and adds touches of magical realism. This is the one title our library doesn’t own so feel free to place a hold and we’ll request it from another library!