The Decade in Movies

As we move towards the start of a new decade, it's always fun to go back and look at what made the biggest impact, or what we thought was great at first and later on didn't age as well. This was the decade of Marvel movies and shared cinematic universes, the decade of streaming exclusives, the decade of the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise. The 2010's saw a lot of changes happen across the silver screen. We've compiled a modest list of some of the decade's most popular: how many have you seen, and what do you think of them now? Click on a title to place a hold on something you haven't seen!




2010 - The Social Network, Inception, The King's Speech


2011 - Drive, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Artist


2012 - The Avengers, Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi 


2013 - Her, The Wolf of Wall Street, Gravity 


2014 - Whiplash, Boyhood, Birdman 


2015 - Mad Max: Fury Road, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Room 


2016 - Moonlight, La La Land, Manchester by the Sea 


2017 - Get Out, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water


2018 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Green Book, The Favourite


2019 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Booksmart, Avengers: Endgame 

Spook-tacular Films and Reads for HALLOWEEN!

It's HALLOWEEN time! You can get your spook on with some of GPL's scariest movies. So plop down on your sofa, make sure to grab a friend, and prepare for the worst while watching some of these:

• The Exorcist (1973)                       
• 
  Stephen King's It (1990)
• Donnie Darko (2001)
• The Witch (2015)
• Midsommar (2019)

Not everyone revels in scary movies, or even movies at all. Some like to crack open a good horror book. So, if you're of the bookish persuasion, check out some of GPL's creepy titles:

• The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 
• Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
• Pet Sematary by Stephen King
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Enjoy some Happy HALLOWEEN haunting, be it film or book!

Check Out New October Releases

Now that Fall is officially here its a great time to curl up with a fresh new book from your favorite author.  Here are some of the titles out this month.

Blue Moon by Lee Child

In the next highly anticipated installment of Lee Child’s acclaimed suspense series, Jack Reacher comes to the aid of an elderly couple . . . and confronts his most dangerous opponents yet.


What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

A year ago, Irene Steele had the shock of her life: her loving husband, father to their grown sons and successful businessman, was killed in a plane crash. But that wasn't Irene's only shattering news: he'd also been leading a double life on the island of St. John, where another woman loved him, too. Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life--and death--of a man they thought they knew. Along the way, they're about to learn some surprising truths about their own lives, and their futures.




A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber


"As the holiday season begins, Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have been praying for a baby that seems more and more like an impossible dream, and they've had to move in with her beloved grandmother, Helen, who's having trouble taking care of herself. But when Laurel contacts a local home-care organization for help, there are no caregivers available. Then Mrs. Miracle appears at the door. 

The 19th Christmas by James Patterson 

A peaceful San Francisco holiday season is shattered by a criminal mastermind's ominous threats for Christmas morning, prompting Detective Lindsay Boxer and her friends to prepare for an attack by a commissioned army of criminals.



The Night Fire by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch and LAPD Detective Renée Ballard come together again on the murder case that obsessed Bosch’s mentor, the man who trained him to be a homicide detective.

Pumpkin-spiced books

Now that it's October, it's officially acceptable to get pumpkin-spiced everything! Books are no exception. Here are some "pumpkin-spiced" reads to get you in the mood for those crisp fall days.

The Pumpkin Muffin Murder: a Fresh-baked Mystery by L.J. Washburn

Phyllis loves to spend quality time with her grandson. She'll be taking him to a festival with hopes of winning the baking contest-now that her friendly competitor, Carolyn, is judging and not competing. But when a decorative scarecrow is actually a deadbody in disguise, it's Phyllis's sleuthing skills that are needed. The dead body is that of the festival's organizer- and his wife, Carolyn's friend, falls under suspicion. Carolyn turns to Phyllis for help, because who's better at dishing out some justice than a baker extraordinaire who can handle the heat.

Autumn by Ali Smith
Autumn. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Two old friends - Daniel, a centenarian, and Elisabeth, born in 1984 - look to both the future and the past as the United Kingdom stands divided by a historic, once-in-a-generation summer. Love is won, love is lost. Hope is hand in hand with hopelessness. The season roll around, as ever. A luminous meditation on the meaning of richness and harvest and worth, Autumn is the first installment of Ali Smith's Seasonal quartet, and it casts an eye over our own time.

When Autumn Leaves by Amy Foster
In the picturesque Pacific coast town of Avening, it's hard not to believe in magic. This is a town where the shoes in the window always fit, where you can buy a love potion at the corner shop, and where local lore seamlessly mixes with the supernatural.And then there's Autumn, Avening's most beloved resident, shopkeeper, and guardian of the Jaen sisterhood. When she receives word she's been promoted within the order, Autumn must undertake the task of selecting her own replacement. But who in Avening is magical enough to take Autumn's place?

Cat Among the Pumpkins by Mandy Morton

Feline detective Hettie Bagshot and her sidekick, Tilly, investigate a murder and look for their clues in Mavis Spitforce dressing as a pumpkin, Irene Peggledrip talking to cat spirits, and Mike Myers's murder of his family on Halloween.

Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson

When a woman is found strangled to death during a Halloween party at Yarborough mansion, bookstore owner Krissy Hancock, with the estate on lockdown and a killer roaming the halls, must help Officer Paul Dalton find the truth, while confronting some terrifying truths of her own.

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine by Kate Angell

Three unsuspecting guests ready for some spooky fun at an annual Halloween costume party at a picturesque bed and breakfast in Moonbright, Maine, discover why the locals believe the inn is an enchanted place where wishes actually do come true.

Five That Made the Cut - and Five That Didn't: The National Book Award for Fiction 2019

Booklovers recently heard whether their favorite book had made the National Book Award short list.  The following are the five finalists chosen for fiction:

Susan Choi - Trust Exercise

Kali Fajardo-Anstine - Sabrina and Corina: Stories

Marlon James - Black Leopard, Red Wolf

Laila Lalami - The Other Americans

Julia Phillips - Disappearing Earth

The other five not chosen from the longlist are:

Taffy Brodesser-Akner - Fleishman Is in Trouble

Kimberly King Parsons - Black Light: Stories

Helen Phillips - The Need

Ocean Vuong - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Colson Whitehead - The Nickel Boys

The Winner of the National Book Award will be announced on 11/20/19, but in the end, no one is a loser. The talent of ten fiction writers has been recognized, and we now have ten exciting choices to carry us through a (probably) cold, snowy winter. Everyone wins!

Downloadable in Spanish

I am so excited, we now have some Spanish materials in a downloadable format. And because we are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, this post is for the Spanish-speakers, whether it is your first or second language. I did a search on Hoopla and there are over 20,000 items for download from movies and music to audio an e-books. Take a look at the link below and browse the collection. Remember you can download 5 titles per month with no wait using Hoopla. So add the app to your device and hop on Hoopla.
Hoopla items in Spanish

After IT: CHAPTER 2, Try...

The sequel to 2017's blockbuster horror IT has floated into theaters and to the top of the box office. Whether you're a fan of King's original novel, the 1990 miniseries, or the newer adaptation, these picks are a perfect double feature for this horror epic. 

• Die by Kieron Gillen: Several years after being trapped in a game of their own design, former childhood friends reunite to step back into their nightmarish creation. 
• The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donohue: To cope with a near-death experience, ten-year-old Jack spends most of his time drawing monsters. Much like King's novel, the lines between fantasy and reality slowly begin to blur in this psychological horror novel. 
• NOS4A2 by Joe Hill: Decades after escaping a crazed killer, a mother must use all of her abilities to get her son back after he is kidnapped by the same man. With supernatural abilities, alternate imaginative universes, and the magic of childhood and memory, this has more than a few things in common with IT. 
• Stand by Me: A group of friends go on an adventure to find the body of a missing boy. If you like the idea of IT's focus on the bonding of a group of friends, but can't hack the scary stuff, this one's for you. Also check out the original novella. 
• Escape Room: Six strangers accept a mysterious invitation to a brand new escape room, which turns out to much deadlier than they ever would have expected. If you like IT for the rollercoaster thrill-ride cycle of scares, you might like this recent horror flick too. If you do, be sure to check out our (much less lethal) Escape Room program on September 26th! 

Glenview Public Library Opera Lectures (2019-2020)

This year's Opera Lovers Lecture Corps will again be lecturing at the Glenview Public Library.

The Barber of Seville by Giocchino Rossini  (September 19, 2019)
Figaro is Seville's multi-talented barber and can answer anyone's problems.  Rosina and her handsome Count Almaviva want to marry, but Rosina's guardian Dr. Bartolo wants Rosina for himself.  What to do - call on Figaro to solve the problem.

Luisa Miller by Giuseppe Verdi (October 10, 2019)
Tells the story of sweet, vulnerable Luisa, who loves Rodolfo, the son of a ruthless, unethical nobleman whom Luisa's own father loathes.  The young couple's relationship leads to catastrophe.

Dead Man Walking (Chicago Premier) by Jakes Heggie and Terrence McNally (October 17, 2019)
Recounts the story of Sister Helen Prejean and convicted murderer/death row inmate Joseph De Rocher.

Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (November 7, 2019)
Don Giovanni is arrogant and dangerous.  He travels the world, snaring princesses and pheasant girls alike.  His next victim is the virtuous Donna Anna.  When her father tries to save her, Don
Giovanni kills him.  Now his victims want revenge.

The Three Queens by Gaetano Donizetti (November 21, 2019)
Featuring the finales of Anna Bolena (passionate Anne Boleyn), Maria Stuardo (proud Mary Stuart), and Roberto Devereux (mighty Queen Elizabeth I).

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (January 23, 2019)

Lovely geisha Cio-Cio-Sa is a child bride who gives up her family, religion and culture to marry an American naval officer.  After a few nights of ecstasy, he sails away to American.  Cio-Cio-San gives birth to his son and is devastated when he returns with an American wife.

The Queen of Spades by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (February 6, 2020)

Gherman, an unhappy soldier desperate to know a secret hidden by a mysterious old countess – the mystery of winning at cards.  His obsession begins to overwhelm him and leads to devastation for him and the countess’s granddaughter, Lisa, whom Gherman loves.

The Dog Days of Summer - Tail Wagging Reads To Cuddle Up With

I always thought that the "Dog Days of Summer" were late August summer days so unbearably hot that even dogs had to lie down on the ground, panting. However, I found that it actually refers to the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the heavens. To our early ancestors Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July/August, so it was associated with the hottest days that could bring fever, drought, sudden storms, mad dogs, bad luck, lethargy, just about any catastrophe. Nevertheless I still prefer to think of these "Dog Days" as those hot, sultry, winding down days of summer that are ripe for relaxing with a good book, especially one that features an adventurous romp with man's best friend! So, I'm barking out a list of favorite fiction/nonfiction dog reads to laze about with while escaping those last hazy, lazy days of summer:

A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron
A Dog's Journey by Bruce Cameron
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson
The Call of the Wild by Jack London                       
White Fang by Jack London
Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
Until Tuesday by Luis Montalvan
Watchers by Dean Koontz
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
Following Atticus by Tom Ryan
Suspect by Robert Crais
Marley and Me by John Grogan
Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

Watch for my future "Dogs Days of Winter" list which will refer to the winter days that are so unbearably cold that even dogs have to lie down in front of a roaring fire, shivering.

Telling Tales in School

A sudden cool breeze, an early dusk, and ads for backpacks, pens, and notebooks everywhere hint at  what's coming: a new school year. Whether this change evokes a resigned sigh or sheer joy, reading some academic-themed fiction might just help us get in the mood for it.

Old favorites:

Moo by Jane Smiley - In urgent need of funds, Moo University, a huge midwestern agricultural college, and its male-dominated hierarchy search for a solution to their economic woes.

Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon - Grady Tripp, an obese, aging writer who has lost his way, and debauched editor Terry Crabtree struggle to rekindle their friendship, a sense of adventure, and purpose in their lives.

Starting Out in the Evening by Brian Morton - When graduate student Heather Wolfe sets out to meet the elderly novelist whose works have changed her life, she meets someone very different from her expectations. 

Straight Man by Richard Russo - Within one single week, Hank Devereaux, head of the the English department at the state university, has his nose slashed by a feminist poet, finds his secretary is a better writer than he is, and suspects his wife is having an affair. 

Been around a while:

The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher - Newly appointed English Department Chair Jason Fitger navigates his wife's affair with his boss, budget cuts, a formidable department secretary who writes better than he does, and a Shakespeare scholar who refuses to retire.

By the Book by Julia Sonneborn - An English professor struggling for tenure discovers that her ex-fiance has just become the president of her college--and her new boss.

The Devil and Webster by Jean Hanff Korelitz - The first woman president of an elite progressive college responds to student protests about a popular professor's tenure denial before the group's controversial leader emerges and  shocking acts of vandalism begin to destabilize the campus.

Published recently: 

Talent: A Novel by Juliet Lapidas - An English graduate student struggling with her dissertation about the intellectual history of inspiration desperately searches for a case study to anchor her thesis, only to find it in the unlikeliest of places.

Trust Exercise: A Novel by Susan Choi - Falling in love while attending a competitive 1980s performing arts high school, David and Sarah rise through the ranks before the realities of their family dynamics and economic statuses trigger a spiral that impacts their adult lives.

The Study of Animal Languages by Lindsay Stern - a logic-driven professor of philosophy is forced by a series of crises to confront a growing estrangement in his marriage to his free-spirited, passionate biolinguistics pioneer wife.

Silver Girl: A Novel by Leslie Pietrzyk - Set against the backdrop of Chicago in the early 80s, the story follows a young college student who conceals her deeply troubled past and lives a new life that is not in any way her own.

Take a Trip to the Past

Looking for some good historical fiction?  Check out these titles!

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

In the town of Kingsbridge during the middle of the twelfth century, the lives of those who are working to build the most amazing Gothic cathedral in the world become entwined through their ambitions, loves, and tribulations. At once, this is a sensuous and enduring love story and an epic that shines with the fierce spirit of a passionate age.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the stunningly beautiful instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

Books With Bite

Looking for some great fiction AND nonfiction books to sink your teeth into to gear up for Shark Week? Look at these ocean gems!
Jaws by Peter Benchley



When three people are killed by a great white shark in three different incidents, the police chief of a Long Island resort town is forced to take action.

The Second Sleep: A Novel by Robert Harris



A young priest, Christopher Fairfax, arrives in a remote Exmoor village to conduct the funeral of his predecessor. The land around is strewn with ancient artifacts--coins, fragments of glass, human bones--which the old parson used to collect. Did his obsession with the past lead to his death?

The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor




Nearly two decades after surviving a shark attack in the Gulf of Mexico, a world-traveling marine biologist and respected "shark whisperer" harbors private insecurities that compel her to return to her Florida coast home to explore old and new relationships.
Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence by Mike Capuzzo



Details the first documented cases in American history of sharks attacking swimmers, which occured along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey in 1916.

The Devil's Teeth:  A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey




A journalist describes how her fascination with great white sharks led her to Southeast Farallon Island, a remote island off the California coast, and to a group of biologists who study these fearsome, frequently misunderstood predators of the sea.

New and Noteworthy Books in Spanish

Not sure what to check out in Spanish, take a look at what's new in our collection. It includes the 2019 Alfaguara winner. The Alfaguara Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for Spanish literature.

Fiction
Mañana tendremos otros nombres by Patricio Pron *

Toda la verdad de mis mentiras by Elisabet Benavent

Mujeres que compan flores by Vanessa Montfort

La hija olvidada by Armando Lucas Correa

La hija española by Karina Sainz Borgo

*2019 alfaguara winner


Non-fiction
Cuaderno del bosque by Dulcinea

Meghan: una princesa de Hollywood by Andrew Morton

Being biotiful: cocina en un día tu menú semanal by Chloé Sucrée

He estado pensando by Maria Shriver

Ichigo-Ichie: haz de cada momento algo único by Héctor García