The Ossining Review of Books
Volume 1, No. 3March, 2006
The Ossining Review of Books is an online public forum to discuss what you've been reading. Its editor is Bob Minzesheimer, vice president of the library's Board of Trustees and a book reviewer for USA Today and WFUV. We welcome comments and reading recommendations. Please send to bob@ossininglibrary.org.
Question of the month: Spring is coming. Do you have a favorite book about Spring or the theme of renewal?
Email your response to: bob@ossininglibrary.org.


Last month's question: Can reading be romantic?

Can reading be romantic? Of course. And one of the most romantic books I have ever read was Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s Shadow of the Wind. It's a rather complicated story that encompasses the many forms and objects of love. The books begins with a young boy’s discovery and love for a book. Although the object of his affection shift as he grows older, his constant desire to learn more about the book's author leads him to adventure and self discovery. When I finished Shadow of the Wind, I mourned because I knew I would miss the characters I grew to know and love.

Kathy Williams


Book Discussion Series

INTERVIEW:
An author's adventure

Jeanne Birdsall, author of The Penderwicks, and guest of the library's Parent-Child Book Club.


Reserve books online

BOOKS:
A High (Irish) Five for March

Ossining resident Ray O'Hanlon is Senior Editor of the Irish Echo. He is the author of the 1998 book The New Irish Americans.

ESSAY:
On Moving Up River

Naomi Schaefer Riley is an editor at The Wall Street Journal



check the OPL Calendar
From Library Director Ed Falcone's blog

I read a classic book that somehow I never got around to reading in high school: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. What caught my eye was a paperback edition of the book that said '50th Anniversary Edition'. It was a quick read, and I'm so glad I picked it up - it was a great story and still relevant and provocative after all these years. In an afterward by the author, he talked about his love and respect for libraries, and that was so nice to read! If you've only seen the filmed version by Truffaut (which was also good, but left out lots of plot development and some important characters), pick up a copy and enjoy.

Staff Picks

What the pros are reading

Guest Lecturer from the Met March 22 7:30

LOCAL LITERARY NEWS: History, movies and gardens...

  • IMAGINING RUNAWAY SLAVES: Caroline Torres, a student at Ossining High School, is the winner of the $1,000 first prize in an art and essay contest sponsored by Phillipsburg Manor, the historic site in Sleepy Hollow. The contest, "Pretends to Be Free: Imagining Runaway Slaves," used 18th century newspaper ads about local runaway slaves. To see Caroline's award-winning artwork and statement and the work of other students, visit www.hudsonvalley.org/runaway.
  • A GARDEN OF BOOKS: Master gardner Vicky Sturner, who speaks at the library March 17 on the Gardens of Wales and Ireland, recommends her favorite reads about gardening: "The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" by Michael Dirr, "Gardens of Obsession" by Gordon Taylor and Guy Cooper, and "The Small Garden Planner" by Graham Rose.
  • FAMILY BOOKCHAT: "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," the classic novel by Betty Smith and the movie directed by Elia Kazan, will be the focus of a Family Bookchat at the Burns Film Center in Pleasantville Sunday, March 5. Movie at noon, followed by a discussion of the book and film. Details: www.burnsfilm.org
  • A SUBURBAN GARDEN: Joan Gussow, author of This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader will discuss her book at the Hudson River Museum, in Yonkers, Sunday, March 12, at 1 p.m. as part of its "Westchester: The American Suburb" exhibit. Details: www.hrm.org
The opinions expressed here are not those of the Ossining Public Library, which is serving as a clearinghouse for readers and writers to express their opinions.