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.