DVD Review: The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back tells the story of shy, timid teenager Duncan and his single mother.  When he is dragged to the summer home of his mother’s arrogant new boyfriend, he sees nothing but a miserable summer  in his future.  He soon discovers “Water-Wiz” water park, and the quirky staff who become his new “family.”

Coming-of age films are somewhat predictable, and The Way, Way Back is no exception.  What sets it apart is the great screenplay  and actors.  There is even some “Oscar buzz” for Allison Janney, who plays a boozy neighbor, and for Sam Rockwell, the slacker water park employee who befriends Duncan.

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Reviewed by Clare

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Review: The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn

Title: The Sound and the Furry

Author: Spencer Quinn

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 311

Published: 2013

The Sound and the Furry is the latest in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Bernie is a down on his luck private detective and Chet is his partner. Chet, however, is a 100+ pound dog and the stories are told in his voice. This sounds like it would be silly, but it is actually very clever. Besides narrating the story, you also get an insight as to why dogs do certain things that they do. I am a total dog lover, so I am very entertained by this, but I think anyone would enjoy this series just for the stories themselves. In this installment, Chet and Bernie are hired to go down to the bayou in search of a missing person. You could read this as a stand alone, but I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series, Dog On It.
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Reviewed by Kim

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

DVD Review: This Is the End

This Is the End (rated R) is a pretty unique comedy movie full of some big name actors. What makes this movie different is that the actors are playing themselves!

This film stars Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride. The six men are trapped in Franco's house after the apocalypse strikes while they're all partying, and many of their other celebrity friends have been killed. What ensues as the men try to fight hunger, scary monsters, and petty arguments is downright hilarious. The humor is quite crass and ridiculous though, so while many people may find this film silly or stupid, if you have that kind of humor, you'll love it and laugh the whole way through like I did. Be forewarned that there is some gore and lots of vulgarity, too.

I'm a huge fan of many of these actors, especially Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill, so I really enjoyed watching them play fictionalized, exaggerated versions of themselves. All in all, a funny, ridiculous movie. While it won't be for everyone, it will appeal highly to those of us with a silly or stupid sense of humor.
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Reviewed by Stephanie

As always, feel free to call us to check on their availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the title above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

Nonfiction Review: How I Planned Your Wedding by Susan Wiggs & Elizabeth Wiggs Maas

Title: How I Planned Your Wedding: the All-True Story of a Mother and Daughter Surviving the Happiest Day of Their Lives 

Author: Susan Wiggs & Elizabeth Wiggs Maas

Genre: nonfiction, memoir

Pages: 229

Published: 2010

I just got married last month and decided to read this book right before my wedding. I actually finished it on the honeymoon! Anyways, this is the true story of a mother and daughter, Susan and Elizabeth, planning Elizabeth's wedding. As some of you may know, Susan Wiggs is a very popular bestselling romance author who has many great ideas about romance, love, and weddings. She couldn't WAIT for her daughter to get engaged so they could start planning a fairy tale wedding just like the ones she writes about.

This story switched view points, with both Elizabeth and her mother narrating. It covered the whole story from the engagement, all the way to the honeymoon and it was nice seeing two perspectives as I know my own mother was very involved in helping to plan my wedding too! The two women are very close and I enjoyed reading about their relationship and close bond - it was very sweet and touching! 

This book also includes some pointers and tips, so I think this book would be great for the newly engaged. It would make the perfect read for a mother and daughter who are planning a wedding because it was light, fun and cute. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was worth the read, especially at that particular time in my life.

My Rating: 3.5/5

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Reviewed by Stephanie

This book is available as an eBook through our service, OverDrive. Check it out to your device or computer HERE!

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org.

DVD Review: Parkland

This November 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of the John F. Kennedy assassination. The DVD, Parkland, looks at this pivotal day in American history through the eyes of ordinary people who find themselves in the midst of the chaos that followed the assassination.

There is a roster of great actors, including Paul Giamatti as Abraham Zapruder. The story of his now infamous film of the Kennedy motorcade is the best part of the movie.

Parkland tries to tell too many stories, and comes off a bit disjointed. If you enjoy docu-dramas, check out Parkland. This DVD was released today.
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Reviewed by Clare

As always, feel free to call us to check on an item's availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/.

Hilarious Reads

Looking for something hilarious to read? Check out some of these books...

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster: Jen Lancaster, who started out as a blogger, has written several memoirs and novels. This is her first memoir and it is laugh out loud funny. She is self-centered, rude, and vulgar, but she is also hilarious. Not for the easily offended.

Lunatics by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel: This is a totally off the wall novel by two very funny writers. It is insane, ridiculous, and absurd, but I was laughing all the way through. This story of two men whose small argument snowballs into global escapades will crack you up, but only if you have a silly sense of humor like I have!

Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres: This is a lighthearted, funny, positive memoir that is completely entertaining and fun. Great for something light, especially for fans of Ellen!

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Reviewed by Stephanie

As always, feel free to call us to check on their availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/. Click on the titles above to link directly to the item in our catalog!

New and Upcoming Christmas CDs!

Since it’s Halloween, let’s talk about Christmas music…

This goes to show everyone has a Christmas album in them.  The Robertson’s from Duck Dynasty have a new holiday music CD coming out Oct. 29, Duck the halls.  Some of their musical guests include Alison Kraus, Luke Bryan and George Strait. 

If you like more traditional, Susan Boyle, The Piano Guys, Joshua Bell and Kelly Clarkson all have holiday CDs coming out this month.

As always, feel free to call us to check on their availability at 720-4106, or try our Barnard Crossing Branch at 663-3357. You can also check our online catalog 24/7 at http://greecepubliclibrary.org/.