Coming Attractions September 2012

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Top Ten Lists OR The Agony and the Ecstasy

John Cusack in High Fidelity

A few days ago, I felt like I'd stepped into the novel High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. The novel's endearing anti-hero, Rob, played by John Cusack in the movie, is a record store owner and pop culture and list-making obsessive. Rob and and his record store co-workers are constantly creating "Top Five" lists, such as the Top Five Elvis Costello Songs and Top Five Favorite Records.

Now, on the face of it, this sounds like a fun exercise, and it can be. But as I tried to create a list of my own Top Ten CDs for the library's Staff Picks page, I found myself obsessing over what to include à la Rob and his friends. How many and which Bruce Springsteen CDs to include? Is three too many? (Nope.) How can I decide between the Beatles White Album and the 1967-1970 compilation I listened to incessantly as a teen? (I didn't. I ultimately selected 1, a compilation of their singles. While music purists like Rob might mock that choice, it IS the Beatles CD I listen to most these days--it's the one on my iPod.)

My final list can be viewed on the library's Staff Picks page here. You can also easily access the Staff Picks page by clicking on the link on the catalog homepage. (It's on a tab on the upper portion of the page, right next to the bestsellers link.)

There's something for everyone on the Staff Picks page, from Cathy's Top Documentary Films to Ms_Fitz's Top Nonfiction Picks to Teen Librarian Joanie's Teen Fiction Picks. There's even a Top Magazine List--Jackie's picks, including some lesser-known but really cool magazines like Tin House and Bust.

Inspired to create your own lists? You can do so in our online catalog. After logging in to your account, go to My DPPL, click on My Lists under My Collections, and select Create a New List.

Want to create a Top Five List of your own, à la High Fidelity? Share one in the comments section below!

Revisiting Old Favorites

I recently decided to watch one of my favorite childhood movies again and see if I still enjoyed it. I can remember watching Jurassic Park repeatedly circa age seven, and gobbling up any toys and picture books associated with the franchise. I memorized all the dinosaurs and their various abilities. It was very serious business for me at the time. 

When I sat down to watch it a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised by how great the movie still is to me. The dinosaurs are incredibly realistic and frightening 19 years after its initial release. At the same time, beyond the universally appealing drama and adventure, as an adult I can appreciate and understand more aspects of the plot. 

We all have favorite movies and books that seem to withstand the test of time. My other repeat favorites include Wes Craven’s Scream, one of my perennial Halloween-time picks. The blend of wit and horror always seems fresh and entertaining. Mean Girls still ranks as one of my favorite comedies and always makes me laugh out loud thanks to Tina Fey’s hysterical screenplay. 

Although I typically never reread books even if I really loved them due to the never ending list of books I want to read , I do revisit Stephen King’s The Stand every once and a while. There are always portions of the novel that resonate with me differently over the years. Moreover, the favorites I do tend to revisit always provide a comforting nostalgic appeal with every viewing.  

Are there any books, movies, or albums you find yourself revisiting every few years? If so what draws you to look at an old favorite time and time again?