808 & Heartbreak

OK. So I’m sure that this isn’t news to most people reading this (particularly anyone who owns and/or has watched the boob-tube anytime this century), however speaking as one of the last people in the country still, living on the fringe - without a television at home, recently listening to Kanye West’s ‘808 & Heartbreak’ for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised – I thought it was his best album yet! I listened to it from beginning to end, despite some fears of imminent disappointment looming the entire time, or at the very least boredom (I’m not the biggest fan of some of his earlier “work”…and I think that’s enough said). BUT. Being a person who can admit when I stand corrected; I stand corrected. It was great! I found his beats and arrangements different, interesting, and even calming. I listened to it a second, and then a third time right away - every track! This album is soulful and shows real evidence of growth and maturity from the one and only
``K-weezy``…


If somehow you haven’t already, I suggest making some time to have a listen some time soon!! My personal favorite tracks on the album:

‘STREET LIGHTS’, WELCOME TO HEARTBREAK’ the title-track, & ‘AMAZING’

Hot New Books -- November 23, 2009

Here are a couple of Hot New books the Library has recently acquired.

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The Cry of the Sloth : the mostly tragic story of Andrew Whittaker being his collected, final and absolutely complete writings / by Sam Savage.From letters and diary entries to grocery lists, this novel comprises a collection of everything Andrew Whittaker commits to paper over the course of four critical months. This tragicomic portrait of a literary life chronicles an aspiring novelist who is -- quite literally -- authoring his own downfall.

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Alex Cross / by James Patterson.
Determined to capture the psychopath responsible for murdering his niece, Alex Cross discovers that the young woman was among a dangerous group of people and was not the only one to have disappeared, a case that draws Alex into the heart of an underworld fantasy club.

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The Humbling / by Philip Roth.Presents the story of Simon Axler -- an actor in his sixties who has lost his wife, his audience, and confidence in his talent -- whose risky and aberrant desire points toward a dark and shocking end.

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Deadly Deals / by Fern Michaels.After years of trying to concieve, Rachel and Thomas Dawson felt their dreams had finally come true the day they brought home their newly adopted twins. Until the birth mother reappears, first demanding more money, then the twins themselves.

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Shell Shocked : how Canadians can invest after the collapse / John Stephenson.Written by Bay Street veteran John Stephenson, Shell Shocked pinpoints the links that have brought the world to the brink of economic collapse, and describes how Canadians stand to prosper after the crisis.

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Science, Sense and Nonsense : 61 nourishing, healthy, bunk-free commentaries on chemistry that affects us all / Joe Schwarcz.Celebrates chemistry's great achievements, lambastes its charlatans, and explores its essential connections to our wellbeing. And does so in authoritative, highly readable, good humoured style.

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Open : an autobiography / Andre Agassi.From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography.

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The Audacity to Win : the inside story and lessons of Barack Obama's historic victory / David Plouffe.David Plouffe led the effort that put Barack Obama in the White House, and this is the story of that groundbreaking achievement, taking readers inside the remarkable campaign that led to the election of the first African American president.

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Last words / George Carlin with Tony Hendra.One of America's preeminent comedic voices, tells his story, blending his signature acer-bic humor with never-before-told stories from his own life.

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Soap and Water & Common Sense : the definitive guide to viruses, bacteria, parasites and disease / Bonnie Henry.From viruses to bacteria to parasites and fungi, Dr. Henry profiles the threats and dispels some of the common myths and misinformation about good and bad bugs to bestow upon readers the most important measures needed to keep themselves and their families healthy.

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The Ragged End of Nowhere / Roy Chaney.Winner of the second Tony Hillerman Prize, Chaney's promising debut thriller is set in Las Vegas where Ronnie Hagan reaturns and his welcomed with a bullet to the head. His brother Bodo, a CIA agent, tries to learn the truth about his sibling's execution.

Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

Robert Langdon, Dan Brown’s famous Harvard symbologist, is back! This time he’s summoned to give an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building but within moments of his arrival, strange events unfold around him. He discovers that his mentor Peter Solomon has been kidnapped and a disturbing object is discovered. Langdon’s area of expertise comes into play and he identifies the object as an ancient invitation. If he wants to rescue his friend and save the day he’ll have to accept the invitation and follow it wherever it may go.

Dan Brown’s highly anticipated novel is finally out. Did I like it? Freemasonry, Washington DC, codes, secrets and symbols. It is definitely a far cry from his previous controversial subjects but certainly entertaining. The big bad in this novel is Mal'akh, a tattooed eunuch bodybuilder. He’s been labeled as being the worst foe Langdon has faced yet. I don’t know. Personally, I thought that the Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca from Angels and Demons was worse.

Lost Symbol has the typical twists and turns of a modern day thriller. It is well researched but I’ve come to expect that from Dan Brown. He always leaves no stone unturned and manages to weave secret societies into every day life. So what’s my issue with this book… well I have none. However, many have said that it was too predictable but I suppose that all thrillers are predictable in their own way. Other said it was too formulaic, they wanted to be led on a chase and be duped at every twist and turn. I think Robert Langdon leads us on a very merry chase but don’t take my word for it, read the book and let me know.

Book of the month - Year of the Flood

Picture it: the world as we know it no longer exists. It is now an empty place, destroyed by a pandemic that Atwood has dubbed the Waterless Flood. It is a world where gene spliced animals now roam free: animals like liobams (a lion and lamb hybrid) and Mo'Hairs (multi-coloured sheep used for growing hair replacements) and rakunks (raccoon and skunk hybrids).

In this devastation, two people have survived the Waterless Flood. Toby is holed up inside a health spa that catered to the rich. And Ren is locked inside a high end sex club. As they both fight the land and the animals in order to survive, they both reflect on their past life and how they got where they are now. Through a series of flashbacks, we're shown Ren and Toby's stories. We learn about the Gods Gardeners, a religious sect that preached love for everything, every plant and every animal. A religious sect that at once, separated themselves from regular life and was shunned by society at large.

My very condensed summary doesn’t come close to covering the entirety of the plot of The Year of the Flood. It is a novel of epic proportions, moving back and forth between past, present and future. There is no way I could convey to you everything that is in this novel. The Year of the Flood touches on so many subjects including a pandemic, religion, the environment, love, government, war…. At first glance there seems to be too much in The Year of the Flood, that Atwood has filled it too full. But it’s not too full; Atwood manages to pull it off and creates an incredible novel that speaks to the heart, to the mind and to the spirit.

Though the future she presents is grim, there is a dark humour present. Her characters are also incredibly realized and well developed. I cared about these people from the first page. It is almost impossible not to. I found this book terrifying, hilarious, and thought-provoking with scences so plausible they'll send chills down your spine. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or those looking for a feel good read!