Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For July, we’re looking at a haunting story about families and scientific experimentation gone awry, a madcap mystery set on a British estate, and an anthology collection of local literature.
The Mule (2018)
I was raised on a steady diet of Clint Eastwood’s iconic 60s and 70s movies. These were mostly his Westerns, both those of the spaghetti and non-spaghetti persuasion, as well as his cop movies. Though Eastwood has gone on to be a noted director for a wide range of acclaimed films–many of which I have enjoyed–I always still think of Clint as, well, The Man with No Name, Dirty Harry, and Josey Wales.
As Eastwood’s career has shifted behind the camera, his own appearances on the other side of the lens have become somewhat rare. Mary-Esther recently suggested I review his latest movie–The Mule (which he stars in, directed, and produced)–and I’m glad I did! It was an interesting change of pace for him that still plays to his strengths as a performer. Thanks for the great suggestion, Mary-Esther!
Old Favorites: Larry McMurtry
We’re focusing on newer books, movies, and television shows for 2019, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely ignoring old favorites! After all, what’s that saying–what’s old may just become new again (or something like that)?
Larry McMurtry celebrated his 83rd birthday earlier this month. Anyone who’s known me any length of time knows I’m a big Lonesome Dove fan. But there is a lot more to McMurtry’s work than that series, great as it is on its own, or even just his Western novels. And if you’re interested in exploring more of his work, well, the library has you covered. . . .
Exciting News and Announcements
Usually, I try to do a book review for the second week of every month, but I wanted to take a break from our regular blog programming to chat about some exciting new developments here at the Berryville Public Library. . . .
Book Buzz: Aquatic Friendships, Austen in Pakistan, and a Magician’s Secrets
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Movie Review: Move Over, Darling (1963)
Confession: Until recently, I had never watched a Doris Day movie.
Now, that’s not to say I had anything against Doris Day! I just had never had the opportunity to watch one of her movies and had never given it much thought beyond that.
A couple of our patrons, Joan and her daughter, are big Doris Day fans. Not too long ago, I was helping them find some Doris Day movies when it came out that I had never watched one. They encouraged me to give one a try, and I thought in light of Day’s recent passing at the age of 97, it would make for a good opportunity for a movie review.
So, a big thank you to Joan and her daughter–I did enjoy the Doris Day movie I watched. 🙂
Old Favorites: Arthur Conan Doyle
We’re focusing on newer books, movies, and television shows for 2019, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely ignoring old favorites! After all, what’s that saying–what’s old may just become new again (or something like that)?
Tomorrow marks the 160th anniversary of Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday. A doctor and writer of numerous genres, he will always be best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, though his relationship with his most famous creation was a tempestuous one. Doyle himself was an interesting fellow, and what better time to learn more about him?
Nita Gould’s Remembering Ella (2018)
One of the more infamous crimes in our local area is the gruesome 1912 murder of Ella Barham in rural Boone County, which is just next door to us here in Berryville. I must confess, I had never actually heard of the crime until I read this book. Author Nita Gould has family ties to the case–Ella is a cousin, though one who died long before Gould was born. As Gould quickly learned when she started researching the case, local oral tradition of the case is unreliable and contradictory, so she instead turned to the extensive news coverage of the crime and court files to detail the murder of the vivacious eighteen-year-old and the subsequent arrest and trial of one of her neighbors. Thank you to Julie for ordering this book for me!
Book Buzz: Books in Bloom 2019
The 14th annual Books in Bloom literary festival is going to be May 19, 12-5 pm, at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. You’ll have the chance to mingle with authors, listen to them give talks, and even get your books signed by them. This year’s authors include Brooks Blevins (whom I really enjoyed meeting back in 2016 when he was last at Books in Blooms), Jeffrey Deaver, and Chris Bohjalian.
Here are a few newer books you might want to check out in the weeks leading up to Books in Bloom, so you can already start researching which talks to attend and which authors to meet.
TV Review: To Walk Invisible (2017)
I usually am up-to-date on my Masterpiece Theater viewing, but I missed this biopic about the Brontë sisters when it first aired a couple of years ago. Fortunately, Mary-Esther suggested it to me, and I’m glad she did! It’s a well-acted, well-made dramatization of one of the most famous literary families in history.
Berryville Book Buzz 