Emily’s Picks

Libby Audiobook: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
You won’t be able to put this breezy, lighthearted, and hilarious fantasy down! It has lots of humor and heart, memorable characters and dialogue, and a perfect happily (or scrappily!) ever after. Plain but spunky Sophie is transformed by a curse into an old woman, and must enlist the help of the cowardly, wizard Howl. They butt heads, and bicker constantly, but there is a spark between them that Sophie can’t seem to extinguish. And Howl may need her help to break a curse of his own…

CD: The First Band on the Moon by The Cardigans
Probably best remembered for its one hit, “Lovefool,” this album boasts a dreamy, psychedelic sound that feels more like a product of the 70s than of 1996. It’s fun and funky, and easy to listen to over and over. Standout tracks include “Your New Cuckoo,” “Step On Me,” and the band’s very groovy cover of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.”

 

Jessie’s Picks

DVD: Soul
Pixar once again successfully tackles a big, heavy topic with humor and heart.  Soul is about a Middle School music teacher/Jazz pianist and an unborn soul that grapple with finding purpose and living life fully.  This movie is a must-watch for fans of Up or Inside Out.

CD: Complete Greatest Hits by The Cars
This is a good collection of this New Wave band’s hits.  It includes one of my favorites, “Moving  in Stereo,” which is not included on some of their other greatest hits compilations since it was not released as a single.

 

John’s Picks

DVD: How the States Got Their Shapes
Ever wonder why Pennsylvania and Delaware share a rounded border?  Or what about all those perfectly square states out west? And why the heck is Rhode Island so tiny?  If these questions interest you, then this History Channel series is perfect for you! It’s a super interesting show that explores why each state in the USA looks the way it does. Combining history, geography, and culture—host  Brian Unger uncovers the stories behind the familiar shapes on our modern American map.

CD: Game of Thrones Season Eight: Music from the HBO Series
Revisit Westeros through the soundtrack to the final season of HBO’s legendary series—Game of  Thrones. Season 8 was when so many storylines we’ve been anticipating finally wrapped up, and these were the songs accompanying the hype.  “Jenny of Oldstones,” “The Last of the Starks,” and “The Night King” may leave you with goosebumps.

 

Kim’s Picks

DVD: The Railway Children
Based on Edith’s Nesbit’s 1906 novel of the same name, this 1970 film is a charming and episodic (in the most complimentary way) tale of the numerous childhood adventures of the Waterburys, trying to make due in Yorkshire after the father is falsely accused of spying and imprisoned.

Libby Audiobook: Middlemarch by George Eliot
This is sometimes considered the greatest novel (1871) in English.  Eliot, nom de plume for Mary Ann Evans, describes life in a 19th century English town on the verge of modernity.  She draws masterful life-like portraits of all its denizens, from bankers and physicians to clerics and politicians, from farmers and auctioneers to stay-at-home biddies and young women waking up to potentialities.

 

Mary’s Picks

DVD: Once Upon a Time
All the classic fairytales in one place with a new twist. Enchanting and fun to watch for any fan of fantasy and fairytales. Makes for a great girls night; I used to watch this every Sunday in the fall and winter with my roommates and we loved it.

Audiobook: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
An interesting read that can help you plan when to make important decisions in life. Timing  really is everything. Includes such topics as circadian rhythms, time of year, beginnings, endings, motivation, restorative breaks, and group behavior. Will make you look at things you’ve done in the past and things you’d like to do in the future in a different way.

Stephanie’s Picks

DVD: The Hate U Give
“Starr Carter navigates the perilous waters between her poor, black neighborhood and her prestigious, mainly white private school. This all changes when she finds herself in the middle of racial activism after her best friend is shot by police officers, and she’s forced to make a decision. Allow the media to skewer her friend to protect the status quo, or stand up and tell the truth in memory of Khalil?”

CD: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse
After topping the charts with hits off the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank brings more of a mainstream vibe without losing any authenticity.



To view our past staff picks, go to cclsmultimedia.wordpress.com. All quoted summaries are from catalog.ccls.org.