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Community Corner

Library Picks: Batman, James Brown and Respecting Animals

Read about James Brown's birthday, the creation of Batman and a few other topics.

This week's Library Picks celebrates a variety of anniversaries and holidays for the first week of May. We had to leave out a lot of great ones, such as Star Wars Day on May 4, when participants were supposed to say, "May the fourth be with you," but we did add a sixth bonus pick.

This week, we celebrated the introduction of Batman in Detective Comics No. 27 on May 1, 1939; Be Kind to Animals Week; the anniversary of the release of the film Citizen Kane; James Brown's birthday May 3; and the May 2 anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci.

If any of these topics strike your interest, check out the following Library Picks at selected by library Director Elizabeth Gulick.

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  1. Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight (book) — This comprehensive collection of Batman-related information is easy to access and full of pictures detailing the Dark Knight's universe, friends, foes, gadgets and hideouts. Author Scott Beatty was able to assemble this book in full collaboration with DC Comics, creator of the superhero.
  2. I Feel Good: A Memoir of a Life of Soul (book) — This memoir by James Brown (with assistance from author Marc Elliot) delves into the ups and downs of Brown's life and how he became the self-proclaimed Godfather of Soul. The library recently purchased the James Brown CD Icon, released in 2010, which will be available to borrow next week.
  3. Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals (book) — Written by animal rights activist Karen Dawn, this book offers an overview of nearly all issues involving animals rights using concise and well-researched information as well as humor and illustrations and quotes from animal-loving celebrities.
  4. Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo (book) — Author Dianne MacMillan uses this book to introduce children to the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo and common ways to celebrate.
  5. The Life of Leonardo da Vinci: The Most Brilliant Man in History (DVD) — This documentary by director Renato Castellani cost $25 million to make, involved 100 actors and 500 extras to explore the successes (painting of the Mona Lisa and Last Supper) and failures (crashing of his flying machine) of Leonardo da Vinci. Using many techniques, including re-enactments, this film details da Vinci's life, mind and bitter rivalry with another Renaissance great, Michelangelo.
  6. Citizen Kane (VHS) — This is widely considered one of, if not the, greatest films of all time. Produced, written, directed and starred in by one of the entertainment industry's most talented and respected stars, this was Orson Welles' debut feature film, and it was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Citizen Kane is the story of a powerful and rich newspaper magnate who dies at the film's beginning. But his last word is surrounded by mystery, which a reporter tries to decipher by exploring the Kane's history. The library has ordered a copy of Citizen Kane on DVD and will make it available soon.
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