Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Women's History Month

March is Women's History month, and if you're looking for some good "women's history-ish" reads, look no further! The Library is an excellent resource, for both fiction and non-fiction lovers. I've selected an assortment of titles to whet your reading appetite, but know there are many, many more out there. I've also tried to get a mix of fiction and biographies, to give you an idea of the variety available.

Note: Links go to the RCPL Catalog, and selections are not limited to Archdale-only holdings (so you may have to put it on hold if you see something you like).

 Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-making Race Around the World: Matthew Goodman
In a time when the human imagination was ready to tackle anything, and Jules Verne was publishing things like Around the World in 80 Days, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland - two female journalists - set out to see if you really could travel the world in 80 days. The result? Astonishing success.

Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic: Jennifer Niven
Arctic exploration has always been risky, reserved for the most prepared (or foolhardy) men. When one such expedition went awry, Ada Blackjack, a young Inuit woman, found herself stranded - alone - in the icy wilderness. Her story is told her, built from a wealth of primary resources, and shares not only Ada's struggle to survive in the wilderness, but also in civilization.

 The Forest Lover: Susan Vreeland
All of Vreeland's historical novels deal with women in art, and in The Forest Lover, she explores the life and art of Emily Carr. Emily, a product of Victorian society, forayed into the wilds of British Columbia, interacting closely with the indigenous peoples, and creating bold, modern landscapes. A novel that considers both the art world and the changing tides of culture and industry, it's an engrossing story.

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life: Queen Noor
Many girls dream of being a princess, or becoming queen, but few are able to see that dream come true. This is the autobiography of an American girl who grew up to meet and later marry the King of Jordan. A beautifully written book, Her Majesty allows us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Royal family.

 Cleopatra's Daughter: Michelle Moran
Many of us are familiar with the tragicly-fascinating story of Cleopatra, but her daughter Selene has an equally fascinating story that deserves to be heard. Moran does an exceptional job of weaving historical detail and colorful, sympathetic characters to create a wholly engrossing story.

 The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily and Anne: Catherine Reef
The family of talented sisters behind Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Villette, the Bronte sisters did not have an easy life. This joint biography looks at their lives, their works, and the culture that helped shape their literary journeys.

This is just a small sampling of what's available: we've got biographies, histories, novels ... So swing by and see if there's something that piques your interest!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Art Cats

It's another chilly Friday, but there are some colorful cats taking up residence in the library! 6th graders at Braxton-Craven Middle School have been hard at work in the art room -- swing by the library to see a sampling of their masterpieces! And to whet your artistic appetite ...