Ocean's Series and Goodbye Summer Reading
The library wishes to thank everyone who participated in Summer Reading this year. With only a few weeks until school starts, we ask that whoever stole the stapler bring it back and no questions will be asked.
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Do you like plants? Come to the library's plant program and participate in our community garden. Local gardener and sometimes harpsichordist Adrian "A Sharp" Anderson will be on hand to recommend the best grow lights for small closets.
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Ocean's Eleven series
Ocean's Eleven (2001) - THE slick and cool heist movie of the modern era. It's a damn good time with a simple story: Guy wants to get his girl back, so he decides to rob her boyfriend's casino with ten of his friends. It's like hanging out with old friends for me at this point to watch this, but Steven Soderberg and the charming cast make it so much easier to show it to new people.
Ocean's Twelve (2004) - A harder sell than the first. Soderberg and the cast vacation in Europe and happen to make a movie. The story is a little more sloppy, the gang has to pay back the money they stole in the first movie with more heists while out foxing a thief known as the Night fox, but watching this cast get meta with their lives and taking some shots at Hollywood is more than fun. Plus, Julia Roberts gets something to do in this one.
Ocean's Thirteen (2007) - Back to Vegas, the crew are getting revenge when one of their own is conned by a bigger than life villain who owns a casino and feels like he might run for president one day. The heist is not the important thing as hanging out with this cast again, but the joy comes in the little moments. The Mexico subplot is inspired.
Ocean's Eight (2018) - Aside from some cameos, we have an all new cast and director and it shows. The female-only group of thieves are looking to take some jewels from the Met Gala, headed by a fierce Sandra Bullock and a suave as hell Cate Blanchett. It's a good heist film, but lacks the flare and easy cool of the other movies.
All are worthy of watching. It's fun to see how the world slowly changes and adapts to thievery and how the 2000s slowly changed and how some did it with style. These movies are about watching competent people perform well, have fun while they do it, and enjoy hanging with their friends. Check them out.
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The library's end of Summer Reading Party is for invitation only. A red carpet will be set up outside for the plebs to take pictures of your betters in the latest fashions out of Mobile, Alabama.
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Join the Friends of the Banned Library!
Do you hear that? That's the sound of your soul screaming in pain for more. More of what? We don't know. We don't know you. But we do know that over 300 episodes of the Banned Library Podcast as well as short stories and blog entries are available through the Friends of the Banned Library on Patreon. Patreon.com/bannedlibrary
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Children's Corner - What's happening in the children's department this week!
As Summer Reading draws to a close, we are hosting the Bug Van with Mr. Appleton all week in the library parking lot. We ask that all parents remember how many children you send into the van and count how many come out.
Story Time this week (every day at noon, 3pm, and 6pm) will be themed around the decay of western civilization as chronicled by neoliberal think pieces from Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and John Grisham.
If you answer a few questions about a book, you can have a lollipop or a sticker depending on if your parents are cool or losers.
Reference Nook - New services and books for all your information needs!
A new edition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead has been released. Reference only, no checkouts, no reading aloud.
All art books featuring and discussing human models will be behind the desk and are available upon request.
Please don't change diapers on the reference desk.
Circulation Station - What else we've been reading/watching
Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - classic literature from a contemporary time. A beautifully read audiobook by Maggie Gyllenhaal that captures the circling drain of life.
Fly Girl by Anne Hood - Ever wanted to know what a flight attendant is thinking about while they walk up and down the aisle? Or the history of flying attendants? Here you go, a wonderful memoir that reads like an airport novel.
Annihilation: Super Skrull (2006) #1-4 - Digging through the Annihilation event, I don't feel much was learned here. The art is cartoony and the message is bleak. At least a person is quartered and gets to ride to hell.
Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #519-524 - The Parker family moves into the Avengers building and we're back to soap operas and Hydra. Best moments were May putting Wolverine's cigar out in his morning whiskey and Peter throwing Wolverine out an unbreakable window. I am not looking forward to The Other as Peter's health problems are being set up.
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett - Not the best, but great moments including Littlebottom's increasingly feminine wardrobe and people dealing with it, the sweet moments between Carrot and Angua, and Vimes being Vimes. "...fire escapes were unknown in Ankh-Morpork and the flames generally had to leave via the roof."
Death at a Funeral (2007) directed by Frank Oz, starring Matthew Macfadyen and Peter Dinklage. The darkest pitch black comedy with some of the most hilarious setups and payoffs ever. Not for everyone, but everyone who loves it will never forget it.