Staff Picks June 2011
Annotation:No one does historical drama like the BBC. This latest offering explores the lives of the people living and working in Downton Abbey, the palatial estate of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the years preceding World War I. The story of the aristocratic Crawleys is contrasted by that of their many servants, who have their own secrets and intrigues. The talented cast, which includes Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, and Elizabeth McGovern, is complemented by the glorious costume and set design the BBC is known for. Series 2 is set to air this autumn; I for one can’t wait! ~Shoshana
Annotation:This Southern coming-of-age novel follows Daisy Fay, the precocious daughter of an unstable mother and a dreamer/con man of a father, as she adjusts to her new life in a tiny coastal town in Mississippi. Her hilarious narration brings 1950s-60s Mississippi to life - charming on the surface, with darker currents running beneath. First published in 1981, it was Flagg’s first novel and, in my opinion, her best. It would make a great selection for book discussion groups. ~Shoshana
Annotation:Martha Stewart she’s not, which is why I love Amy Sedaris so. If you want tasteful (read: boring) crafts, Martha’s your girl; Amy, on the other hand, is a connoisseur of kitsch. She’s creative, hilarious, and fantastically bizarre; her love of all things garish and tacky knows no bounds. Even if you have no intention of making the projects (which include a wind chime made of cat food cans and a bean-and-leaf mosaic of James Brown), it’s worth it just to sit and read. As always, her writing is laugh-out-loud funny, and the photographs (by frequent collaborator Todd Oldham) are the perfect accessory to her iconoclastic style. A caveat: this is a work of humor, NOT a serious book of crafts. ~Shoshana
Annotation:At the time of its release, Their Satanic Majesty’s Request was dismissed as a poor man’s Sgt. Pepper. It came out a mere 5 months after the iconic Beatles album, featured a similar hallucinogenic-fueled sound; even the cover was reminiscent. In the Beatles v. Stones debate, I actually used to prefer the Beatles; it was this record that changed my mind. It lacks the slick overproduction that typifies the Beatles, resulting in raw, lo-fi rock awesomeness. True, it has its moments of chaotic and over-long jamming, but it includes some of my favorite Stones songs: “2000 Man,” “She’s a Rainbow,” and “Sing This All Together.” ~Shoshana
Annotation:This Aussie indie band fuses versatile vocals with alternative compositions for a unique sound. You may already recognize their single “Sweet Disposition” featured on various soundtracks and commercials. Personal favorites include “Love Lost” and “Fader.” ~Vicki
Annotation:This amazing vocalist has crafted yet another satisfying album. Her music is just plain incredible, and as she says, she truly “makes music for the ears, not eyes.” ~Vicki
Annotation:Sumptuous graphics, gorgeous music and a fluid control system highlight this game featuring fortune hunter Nathan Drake on an epic adventure as he tracks the lost fleet of Marco Polo to a remote Himalayan valley. Great gameplay and incredible discoveries await all gamers. ~Don
Annotation:This puzzle game features sealed environments that the player can create small wormholes to navigate out of. The game continues the story from the original but adds challenges and a unique two player system to deepen the experience. The involving plot adds even more to a tremendous gaming experience. ~Don
Annotation:Kirby is a creature who can take on various forms based on objects he swallows. This game uses animated yarn and a world made of cloth and textiles to create a unique look and feel for this classic video game character. This is a delightful puzzle/platformer with great gameplay variations on a popular game standby. ~Don
Annotation:As the game begins, the player is Sissel, the ghost of a dead man with no memory of why his life was taken. The remainder of the game is spent piecing together the details of the murder through the lives of 30 other characters. This intriguing concept is worked out well in the gameplay which includes logic puzzles and bodily possession! ~Don
Annotation:This book is where you want to start if you’re just beginning to learn origami. The book tells you about the history of origami, what kind of supplies to get, and the most common types of folds. There are ten projects to fold, including a samurai helmet and a heart. ~Cindy
Annotation:Once you have tried all of the folding projects in the first book, you can move onto this book. This book reviews the common folding techniques and the symbols used to for that type of fold. Once again, there are ten projects to make, including a hopping frog and a flapping crane. ~Cindy
Annotation:Now the origami projects are getting harder! Challenge yourself with eight folding projects, including a water bomb and a masu box. ~Cindy
Annotation:This is the last book in this series, with the hardest paper folding projects. The book shows you how to make seven hard-to-fold projects, including a cat and a frog. See if you can make them! ~Cindy
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