At Home: A Short History of Private Life - Bill Bryson

If you enjoy Bill Bryson’s travel books, there’s plenty to enjoy in At Home: a Short History of Private Life. Doubleday, 2010. Call Number: 909 BRY

Bryson, discovering a small door leading nowhere, on the roof of his own home, a former Church of England rectory, built in 1851, looks at the fascinating history of his house and the contents, room by room. He examines everyday things, glass windows, salt and pepper, ice, mouse traps, indoor plumbing, and upholstered furniture. This is the extraordinary story of how everyday life at home evolved, relationships between people and the space they occupy, their possessions, how far we have come and how we got here. Bryson’s wry humor leads us from flammable hoop skirts, and very unsanitary kitchens, to cookbooks, house servants, and regular mealtimes.

Children's Halloween Books!

Halloween is right around the corner and in the Children’s Department the Halloween books are going fast! You can put a hold on some of our favorite spooky and scary stories by clicking on the title!


Where is My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

Tailypo: A Ghost Story by Joanna Galdone

Thirteen Days of Halloween by Carol Greene

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz

Scaredy-Cat, Splat by Rob Scotton

Pumpkin Hill by Elizabeth Spurr

The Haunted Ghoul Bus by Lisa Trumbauer

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey by Kathryn Tucker Windham

Don’t forget to join us on Monday, October 25th, for our Monthly Monday Movie at 3:30 PM

Also, the 2nd Annual Family Pumpkin Carving Contest is just around the corner on Thursday, October 28th at 6:00 PM. You can call 205-332-6619 to register and more information. Registration opens on October 18th!

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Thirteen!

Happy Halloween!

And since it's Halloween, we're offering 13 movie recommendations!

1. Saw
2. House of 1000 Corpses
3. Dawn of the Dead
4. Friday the 13th
5. Hellraiser
6. The Omen
7. Killer Clowns from Outer Space
8. The Monster Squad
9. Bride of Frankenstein
10. The Abominable Dr. Phibes
    
11. Alien
12. The Thing (John Carpenter's remake)
13. Drag Me To Hell

Look for these, and all your favorite movies at the library.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Twelve

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

If you loved the old Universal horror movies with Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester, then you'll love Mel Brooks' affectionate spoof of those of films. Shot in black in white, the film faithfully recreates the sets and style of Universal's classic horror movies. Young Frankenstein boasts a brilliant comedic cast, and includes a cameo by Gene Hackman.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Eleven

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Tim Burton's wonderfully original animated film has become a classic, for both Halloween and Christmas. Enter Jack Skellington's bizarre and humorous world as he tries to take over a more ... friendly holiday.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Ten

RINGU

As the video cover says, The Ring was a Hollywood remake of this Asian horror movie, and its success spawned a host of remakes and English language films directed by Asian directors. This movie is slower and not as effect laden as it's remake, but Ringu has a much higher creepy factor and disturbs on many more levels. You'll be jumpy, but not for typical horror movie reasons. And watch it with the subtitles, not dubbing. As always the acting really shines in the original language.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Nine

30 DAYS OF NIGHT

If you liked Twilight, and pretty vampires, then you probably won't care for today's selection. These vampires are messy eaters, to say the least, and decidedly inhuman. But the special effects that make them so are subtle and disturbing. And Ben Foster's performance as The Stranger, his reactions to the vampires' pending arrival, adds another layer of uneasiness to the creatures.

Barrow, Alaska, where a winter night lasts 30 days, serves as the 'haunted house' our heroes are trapped in. While the vampires stalk them like any iconic boogey man and provide the adrenaline startled jumps.

30 Days of Night is based on a graphic novel by the same name by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Eight

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

This is another movie that you shouldn't see alone. Not because it's full of frightening moments, but because watching it has become a social event where audience participation is required! And while Rocky Horror Picture Show gained its cult status and its interactive ritual with weekend midnight showings, it also has been a perennial favorite of Halloween parties and theater showings.

Theaters like The Alabama in downtown Birmingham. They'll be showing it on Thursday night, October 29. Plus, they'll have a contest for best Rocky Horror Picture Show costume before the movie. For more information visit the Alabama Theatre website.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by K.B. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Seven

SLEEPY HOLLOW

Today's pick might not be full of scares, but this modern retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is certainly appropriate for Halloween. Like all of Tim Burton's movies, Sleepy Hollow is visually beautiful with his signature mix of quirky and macabre. From the lovely leads, Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, to the headless horseman, to the mysterious woods inhabited by spooky trees and crones, you'll find plenty to capture your attention. If that isn't enough, there's an all star cast that includes Christopher Walken, Christopher Lee, Jeffery Jones, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, and Ian McDiarmid, amongst others. And Burton's long time music collaborator, Danny Elfman, adds that final bit of magic with his fantastic score.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Six

28 DAYS LATER

Horror takes a slightly SF flavor in today's recommendation. But Director Danny Boyle is only replacing a supernatural explanation with a science fiction explanation. The scary parts are still based off our fears. The fear of viruses, of being alone, of losing those we love, of authoritative government, and of the terrible transformation engendered by anger. The last, of course, are the once human creatures who provide all the adrenaline scares of relentless chases and ambushes in the dark.

28 Days Later is also visually haunting. The image of a busy metropolis like London with completely empty streets is eerie and memorable. and Cillian Murphy, with his wide blue eyes, perfectly reflects the loneliness and confusion of a Rip Van Winkle, thrust into a post apocalyptic world. This isn't the type of horror movie that has you checking under the bed, but it does leave you thinking about other more real horrors.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Five

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

And we are back with another iconic bogeyman -- Freddy Krueger, played with great zest by Robert Englund. And featuring Johnny Depp in his first movie role.

Like all successful horror movies, Nightmare on Elm Street plays on our primal fears. In this case, nightmares and dying in our sleep. Director Wes Craven took full advantage of all the terrible impossibilities that occur in our dreams, to deliver a imaginative and visceral film. But he also filled it with plenty of gotcha moments that made you jump ... and scream! Definitely a movie you do NOT want to watch in the dark or alone.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by E.E. in Adult and R.B. in Circulation
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Four

SHAUN OF THE DEAD

In a change of pace, today's recommendation mixes a bit of humor with the scares. Actually, this British import is much more funny than scary -- unless you are terrified of zombies!

Bill Nighy, playing Shaun's hated step father, as usual, tries to steal every scene he is in. But the heart of the movie is Simon Pegg, playing Shaun, an everyday bloke who is just trying to rescue his ex-girlfriend and prove his love... in the midst of a city wide zombie attack. Shaun is joined on this quest by his slacker best friend, Ed, whose help is somewhat questionable, but sincere.

Shaun of the Dead is a fun satirical commentary on friendship, love, and society AND a good old fashion zombie movie. You can't beat that with ... a cricket bat.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by H.M. in Adult and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Three

THE EXORCIST

No list of horror movies would be complete without this disturbing film. When it was first released, it was a true original, and nothing like it had been seen before. It scared some people right out of the theater and off of horror movies entirely. And even today, the movie still scares! Besides the physical horror of what happens to young Regan, played by Linda Blair, the audience is treated to a host of dark psychological and spiritual terrors. Or as one viewer said, "It's just freaky!"

The Exorcist was the first Oscar winning horror movie (for the screenplay), and also won the Golden Globes for Best Picture as well as acting awards. And it had a great cast and crew with Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Linda Blair and director William Friedkin. And who could ever forget Mike Oldfield's creepy Tubular Bells playing when the supernatural reared it's head?

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by M.H. and D.G. in Circulation.
Reserve your copy here or here or here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Two

THE SHINING

Apparently, there's alot of love for classic horror movies here at HPL. And why not? With creative talent like Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Stanley Kubrick, and based on a book by horror master Stephen King, there's lots to love! And while not as closely connected to the holiday, as yesterday's recommendation, The Shining is also set at the end of the year, when the nights are long ... and the chills aren't all caused by the cold weather!

So grab a blanky and some hot cocoa, and cuddle up on the couch with your dog and revisit the Torrance family as they spend the winter in a haunted hotel. Just make sure you know where your hubby is. Especially if his name is Jack!

And remember, you can find all your favorite scary movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by O.N. in Administration and K.B. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day One

HALLOWEEN

It's that time of year when the leaves are turning, if not falling, and the weather is starting to cool, and pumpkins start appearing on people's doorsteps. Yes, Halloween is around the corner, and you can find all your scary movies at the library! Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Of course, you can't talk about horror movies or Halloween without talking about John Carpenter's original Halloween. Staring Jamie Lee Curtis as the terrorized Laurie Strode, it made the white mask wearing Michael Myers into a movie icon. It's a classic, that made you jump in your seat when you first saw it years ago, and still does the same now. And unlike many movies today, it relies more on the psychological tension than the gore. And don't forget the score music also by John Carpenter that just ramps up the nerve wracking suspense even more.

Recommended by D.E. in Security and J.R. in Circulation.
Reserve your copy here.