As librarians and library staff, we do our best to keep up with the constant flow of new media onto our shelves. We might not have read every book or watched every movie in our collection, but we always try to have a recommendation or two ready to go just in case you need a little push towards your next great read, or your next favourite movie or TV show.
Check out these staff recommendations and let us know what you love!
Julie’s Recommendation
Girl Boss by Sophie Amoruso
In this appealing business memoir, Nasty Gal founder and CEO Amoruso shares her rags-to-riches story. Having eschewed college, Amoruso moves home, opens an eBay store for vintage clothing, and, after a lot of hard work and many a “Venti Soy No Water No Foam Chai,” finds herself the CEO of a $100 million fashion business called Nasty Gal Vintage.
Why Julie recommends it: “I have been watching the Netflix series “Girlboss”, which is based on Sophia Amoruso’s memoir, #GirlBoss. If you love Netflix’s new show, you’ll love the original telling of it. For young women in business, it’s encouraging and inspirational to read Amoruso’s story – if she can do it, anyone can!”
Michele’s Recommendation
American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson
This mini-series chronicles the case against O.J. Simpson following the death of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman. With 10 episodes, this TV show draws its viewer into all details of the case, from discovery of the murders, to verdict.
Why Michele recommends it: “This show is a gripping interpretation of the events leading up to and during that fateful car chase and the “Trial of the Century.” It leads us through mistakes made on both sides as well as the rising climate of racism and division in the LAPD at the time, as well as the sexism levelled at famous prosecutor and author Marcia Clark and the lack of sympathy for victims of domestic violence.”
Abbie’s Recommendation
More than Meets the Eye by James Roberts
This graphic novel series follows the adventures of Rodimus and his team as they travel through space and hunt for the legendary Knights of Cybertron having adventures along the way.
Why Abby recommends it: “While it is about Transformers, it’s also about so much more. It’s extremely well written and goes a lot of places you think a comic wouldn’t go. It deals with someone’s place in a postwar society, corrupt government, mental health, loss, diversity, relationships, and so much more, all while having wonderfully ordinary and relatable characters, being a hilarious, wacky sci-fi mystery adventure, and having absolutely gorgeous artwork.”
Aaron’s Recommendation
The Seventh Seal and Kanopy
Disillusioned and exhausted after a decade of battling in the Crusades, a knight (Max von Sydow) encounters Death on a desolate beach and challenges him to a fateful game of chess.
Why Aaron recommends it: “It’s an artistic, dialogue-heavy film about a doubting, world-weary knight returning to Europe from crusades. He meets Death personified, whom he questions, and against whom he wagers his life in a game of chess.
Dark and moody. Great acting from Max von Sydow and Bengt Ekerot. If you’re into wordy philosophical plays, like Eliot’s ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ or Bolt’s ‘A Man for All Seasons,’ then you’ll really like this movie.”
Emily’s Recommendation
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
This Canadian novel follows the story of Aminata Diallo, as she is kidnapped from her village in Africa and put to work in a slave plantation in South Carolina, to her journey back to Africa through Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone.
Why Emily recommends it: “Aminata Diallo is easily the strongest and most powerful character I have ever read about despite her position, serving as not only an inspiration to all but as a crucial source of information when slavery is concerned. I thought that my knowledge of 18th century practices was fairly sufficient after taking history courses but this book proved that nobody’s is, really. Besides being an incredible story with highly detailed and well developed characters, the writing is flawless.”
Liz’s Recommendation
You’re Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t
You’re Looking At Me Like I Live Here And I Don’t is the first documentary to be filmed entirely in an Alzheimer’s care unit, and also the first told entirely from the perspective of a woman living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Why Liz recommends it:“This documentary was so powerful, we decided to do a screening of it at the Picton Branch Library in June with the Alzheimer’s Society & Community Care for Seniors.”
Kathy’s Recommendation
Danny Wright
Danny Wright is a pianist who has tackled many genres with great musical talent. Primarily, he plays music that could be classified as new age, and is great easy-listening background music.
Why Kathy recommends it: “Danny Wright is my ‘go-to’ musician when I just need something calm, quiet and relaxing playing in the background. Specifically, his “Phantasys” album is wonderful.
Whitney’s Recommendation
Sickened: a memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory
From early childhood, Julie Gregory was continually X-rayed, medicated, and operated on–in the vain pursuit of an illness that was created in her mother’s mind. Munchausen by proxy (MBP) is the world’s most hidden and dangerous form of child abuse, in which the caretaker–almost always the mother–invents or induces symptoms in her child because she craves the attention of medical professionals. Many MBP children die, but Julie Gregory not only survived, she escaped the powerful orbit of her mother’s madness and rebuilt her identity as a vibrant, healthy young woman.
Why Whitney recommends it: “This is an AWFUL story – definitely not for the faint-of-heart; but it is an excellent read.”