April 15, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the luxury liner RMS Titanic. The largest ship afloat in the world at the time — and widely believed to be "unsinkable" — the Titanic left Southampton, England on her maiden voyage to New York City on April 10. Four days later, the ship collided with an iceberg late in the evening of April 14, and sank in the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 2:20 in the morning of the 15th.
Prime time [Large print] by Jane Fonda
My song [Large print]: a memoir by Harry Belafonte with Michael Shnayerson
Blue nights [Large print] by Joan Didion
Drama: an actor's education by John Lithgow
Marie Curie. Eleanor Roosevelt. Susan B. Anthony. Elizabeth I of England. Florence Nightingale. These remarkable women are well known to most of us, but there are many others in history just as remarkable whose names may not be as recognizable. In honor of Women's History Month we should all make some time to learn about them by reading some of the many biographies to found in the library's collection:
Bella Abzug: how one tough broad from the Bronx fought Jim Crow and Joe McCarthy, pissed off Jimmy Carter, battled for the rights of women and workers, rallied against war and for the planet, and shook up politics along the way: an oral history by Suzanne Braun Levine and Mary Thom — Bella Abzug, American lawyer, congresswoman and social activist
Jane Addams and the dream of American democracy: a life by Jean Bethke Elshtain — Jane Addams, American social reformer, suffrage leader and the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Anna of all the Russias: the life of Anna Akhmatova by Elaine Feinstein — Anna Akhmatova, Influential Russian poet
The complete history of American film criticism by Jerry Roberts
An uncommon history of common courtesy: how manners shaped the world by Bethane Patrick
On February 18, 2012, the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, was elevated to the position of Cardinal by Pope Pius XVI. There are currently 181 Cardinals in the Catholic Church worldwide, of which only 108 are under 80 years of age and eligible to vote for a new pope in conclave. For more information on Cardinals (Catholicism) or Timothy Dolan, click on the subject links.
Veteran Irish actor David Kelly has passed away at the age of 82. Kelly was a familiar face in British television, as well as on the Irish stage. American audiences would most likely recognize him as Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or from his role in the Irish comedy Waking Ned Devine. For more films featuring David Kelly try one of these from the library's collection:
How did Valentine's Day originate? Who is this patron saint of lovers, of whom actually very little is known? According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, three different Valentines were actually martyred during the early days of the Christian Church, but very little is known about any of them. For more information, see this Catholic Online link. You can also view a list of Canton Library's books, programs and DVDs about valentines, like one with historic pictures of awesome valentines:
Greetings with love: the book of valentines by Michele Karl
Music legend Whitney Houston passed away Saturday in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 48. The daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, Whitney soared to fame in the 1980s and 90s after being discovered by music executive Clive Davis in 1983. He debut album (below) was released in 1985. This was followed by a string of Billboard No. 1 hits - including "Saving all my Love for You", "How will I Know", "The Greatest Love of All", "Where do Broken Hearts Go", and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)". In 1992 she released the soundtrack to the movie: The Bodyguard, in which she costarred with Kevin Costner. It became one of the biggest selling albums of all time, and contained the probably the most memorable performance of the Dolly Parton composition "I Will Always Love You". She is survived by her daughter Bobbi Kristina.
1493: uncovering the new world Columbus created by Charles C. Mann
The swerve: how the world became modern by Stephen Greenblatt
Why America failed: the roots of imperial decline by Morris Berman
In commemoration of Black History Month we are celebrating some of Black America’s firsts in aviation and aerospace. Through the month of February, stop by and view our display case near the Receptionist Desk highlighting some of these pioneering aviators. From the first known Black pilot to the youngest African American (12 yrs) flyer. Their lives and stories are a celebration of the human spirit and an inspiration to all that against all odds and great adversity you can achieve your dream… you can touch the sky! To learn more about blacks in aviation visit some of these exciting resources:
African Americans are at the heart of the greatest achievements of our history, from music to law, from politics to sports, from literature to religion.
The language of flowers: a novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen
My name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
1984: a novel by George Orwell ; with an afterword by Erich Fromm
1861: the Civil War awakening by Adam Goodheart
Blood, bones, & butter: the inadvertent education of a reluctant chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
Blue nights by Joan Didion
Then Again by Diane Keaton
1861: the Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart
Fortunate Sons: the 120 Chinese Boys who came to America, Went to School, and Revolutionized an Ancient Civilization by Liel Leibovitz & Matthew Miller
Check out some of the library's new author biographies which have been published recently. Place your holds now!
And so it goes: Kurt Vonnegut, a life by Charles Shields
Charles Dickens: a life by Claire Tomalin
Fiction ruined my family by Jeanne Darst