Orwell’s 1984 is Back on Bestseller Lists After NSA Leak

/ Linda / 1 Comment
George Orwell

George Orwell

Since revelations about the government’s massive surveillance program became public knowledge, sales of the novel 1984 by George Orwell (pen name of Eric Arthur Blair)  jumped significantly, according to Amazon.  Within 24 hours, sales increased by 6,000%  –  jumping from 7,636 place to the 123rd spot.

The book was originally published on June 8, 1949.  In this dystopian future, Great Britain society is being monitored by round the clock surveillance.  The story centers around Winston Smith who dreams that it might be possible to oppose the government and bring about change, and the lessons he learns along the way.   The book has been mentioned by President Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders and various media outlets.  The publisher, Penguin, says there is clearly a connection between the current news about the NSA whistle blower and the increase in sales.

The Cheshire Library has several copies located in the Young Adult section, and it is also available in e-book and audiobook formats through our Downloadable Catalog.

Sharon Reads: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

[Cover]

Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is a young adult novel about a world in which the children and teens of the world have either died from a strange illness or developed mental powers. The adults are both scared for their children and, in some cases, of them. Ruby was only ten when her parents locked her in the garage and she was sent to a camp for the newly ‘gifted’ children. Six years later, Ruby is still struggling with her abilities, the conditions she has survived, and the idea of freedom. On the run, Ruby discovers that there are multiple faction and dangers working in the world. Much has changed since she was last outside a fence, and discovering who she can trust is more challenging than surviving in the camp ever was. Can Ruby survive on the outside, and can she protect those that help her from her uncontrolled abilities?

The Darkest Minds is a highly entertaining and engaging read. It is however, not easy emotionally. It is very highly charged.  Just for starters, they round up kids and send them to ‘rehabilitation’ camps and fear them. The world building is so well done that you could believe that the scenario could happen anywhere at any time. The fear, mob mentality, and power plays in the world are something I could honestly see playing out.

I highly recommend The Darkest Minds to young adult and adult readers. This dystopian novel has rich characters, a world to fear, and deep set conspiracies and plots that will have you looking over your shoulder long after putting it down. There are significant amounts of death, violence, and cruelty in the book- so I do not recommend it for younger or more sensitive readers. I am looking forward to reading the sequel(s) that I have been told are coming.

[Cover]

Brightly Woven

Alexandra Bracken’s other book in our collection, Brightly Woven which is about sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, an unusually talented weaver, must master her mysterious power and join a young wizard in stopping an imminent war in land. I also recommend a reading this book, perhaps while waiting for sequels of either to be released.

From the Children’s Room : New Train Table

/ cheshirelib / Leave a comment

train table play

A big favorite in the Children’s room is our Thomas the Tank Engine train table. It gets very heavy use from boys and girls alike. After a couple of years, all that play can really start to take a toll,  so the Children’s dept. is very happy to say that, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library,  we’ve been able to replace the old Thomas Train table with a brand new updated model.  We invite you to come on in and take the new trains and cars through their paces!

Jazz Titans Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck

/ Linda / Leave a comment

dave brubeck and tony bennettPioneers of jazz, longtime friends, and performers, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck only have one recorded performance together and it was a spur of the moment, once in a lifetime event.

On August 29, 1962, the Kennedy administration organized a concert at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument as a token of appreciation for the corps of college students who had summer internships in the capital.  It featured separate sets by Mr. Bennett – who had just released I Left My Heart In San Francisco, and the Brubeck quartet, one of the most popular jazz groups in the country.  At the end of the concert, Mr. Bennett joined members of the quartet for four songs – totally unrehearsed.  The full concert lasted about an hour and was recorded, but it somehow was lost in Sony Records’ vaults.  It wasn’t until Dave Brubeck’s death in December 2012, that Mr. Bennett recalled the concert and that prompted Sony Music’s archivists to search for the recording.

white house sessionsThe CD,Bennett/Brubeck:  The White House Sessions, Live 1962, has just been released and is available for your listening pleasure from the Cheshire Library.         

Other music CDs by both Mr. Bennett and Mr. Brubeck can be found in the library’s Jazz section.  Mr. Brubeck’s newest CD is The Best of Dave Brubeck.

Mr. Bennett has a new biography called Life Is A Gift, also available at the Cheshire Library.

Mr. Bennett was recently interviewed on CBS This Morning.  You can watch that interview here.

Author Johanna Lindsey

/ Linda / Leave a comment
johanna lindsey

Johanna Lindsey

June marks a big milestone for New York Times bestselling historical romance author Johanna Lindsey.  Her 50th novel, One Heart To Win, a western set tale, will be released on June 11.

When she was younger, she was such an avid reader, she found she couldn’t get enough historical romances to read.  She decided to write a book for her own enjoyment – Captive Bride.  It wound up being published in 1977 and was an immediate success.

Johanna’s books span various eras of history – Middle Ages, Regency England, American Old West and the Viking era.  Her stories portray vivid adventures to foreign lands and time periods.

One Heart To Win is on order at the Cheshire Library.  You may place a hold on it if you wish.