To celebrate this exciting, important event the library and other places around town have been hosting writing workshops and discussions of some of Oates’ work, but the finale discussion is coming up this Saturday, May 12th, 2:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room here at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. We’re calling it “Everybody Reads Joyce Carol Oates” and it’s just an open discussion of any and all of the author’s oeuvre that will be led by instructor Liz Delf from the OSU School of Writing, Literature, and Film.  Read anything by Oates or come ready to listen and learn about her books with fellow community members.  Some delicious pastries donated by New Morning Bakery will be served.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick anything up by Joyce Carol Oates, now is your chance.  She’s a highly prolific, distinctly American, immensely talented writer.  She’s written over 50 books including novels, short stories, poetry collections, even plays.  Many of her stories are haunting and will linger with you a long time as her characters often find themselves dealing with such things as violence, neglect, and abuse (though she doesn’t usually portray any of this graphically).   She’s excellent at suspense and her works are often gripping and sometimes terrifying.  She isn’t afraid to deal with social and psychological issues and her works are often profound reflections on American society and human nature.

Here are some recommended Oates titles and a few articles and interviews to get you pumped about Wednesday and Saturday   I really hope you’ll join us and come witness the power of folks getting together to talk about reading – there’s nothing like it!

BOOKS

Big Mouth & Ugly Girl
Oates has written a few novels for young adults including this very popular title about a high school boy that makes a joking threat that his school officials take very seriously. Only one girl, Ursula aka Ugly Girl, knows the truth and is willing to help him. A coming of age type of novel about surviving high school that we had an awesome teen discussion of last week!

Blonde
A fictional work of the personal life of Marilyn Monroe that is dramatic, engrossing, and true to the woman.

Mudwoman
Oates’ latest effort about a woman that fought hard to rise above her childhood into a successful academic career and what happens when the past and the present collide.

My Sister, My Love
A fictional tale based on the JonBenet Ramsey murder.

We Were the Mulvaneys
The Oprah book club pick and bestseller about a picture perfect family and its demise.

A Widow’s Story
A beautiful memoir about the grief Oates experiences after losing her husband of 48 years.

WEBSITES & ARTICLES

Charlie Rose: An Interview With Joyce Carol Oates
A 1996 interview

Joyce Carol Oates Interview in The Guardian
The author discusses her new book,Mudwoman.

A Woman’s Work: Questions for Joyce Carol Oates
A quick and witty interview with the New York Times Magazine

Posted by Bonnie, a Second Floor Librarian

In 1940, Sala Garncarz, a sixteen-year-old Polish Jew, was sent to the first of seven labor camps where she was to be enslaved during World War II. Sala survived the war, although  her immediate family did not.

Sala’s survival is in itself remarkable, but even more remarkable is the fact that she was able to hide and protect more than 300 letters that she received while in the camps. Many years later, Sala, by then a mother and grandmother, gave this collection of letters to her daughter, Ann.

The exhibit at the Library highlights many of these letters, and also includes photos and information on the Holocaust and on Sala’s own wartime experiences.

Ann Kirschner will be at the exhibit 3-4 p.m. on Monday, April 16.

Letters to Sala by Ann Kirschner is the companion book to the exhibit.  The Library also has  Sala’s gift : my mother’s Holocaust story  by Ann Kirschner.

The exhibit is part of the 26th annual observance of Holocaust Memorial Week which is held this year from April 16 through April 20.  Click here for more information about Holocaust Memorial Week events in Corvallis.

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Save the dates of May 4th and 5th for a cooking demonstration, author talk, and writing workshop.  All events are free!

On Friday, May 4 from 3 – 5 pm at the First Alternative Coop South Store, Pham will demonstrate and provide tastings of simple Southeast Asian dishes. The demonstration is free to registered participants and space is limited. To register, call the Coop at 541-753-3115 and press 0 for customer service. This event is co-sponsored by Slow Food Corvallis and the Friends of the Library.

At 7 pm also on Friday, May 4th, Pham will be giving a talk at the Corvallis Public Library on topics including the changing face of Southeast Asia, travel and memoir writing, freelance journalism, food writing/restaurant critic work, launching a project on Kickstarter, self-publishing, traditional publishing, e-publishing, and cooking. Southeast Asian snacks donated by Baguette Restaurant and local chef Christina Reimer will be provided.

On Saturday, May 5, Pham will conduct a writing workshop for all types of writers from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please call the Library at 541-766-6793 to register.  Space is limited to 20 participants.  Please bring a one page sample of your writing (any kind) to share.

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

	This Thursday at 7:00 pm, Karen Spears Zacharias will discuss her new book A Silence of Mockingbirds: The Memoir of a Murder about the abuse and murder of Karly Sheehan.  Karly was a three year old living in Corvallis, and Karen hopes the book will spur a community discussion on what we can do to recognize and prevent child abuse. Grass Roots Bookstore will be selling books and donating 100% of the net proceeds to ABC House.
	The Crescendo Show Saturday, April 7th at 7:00 pm.  Looking for something fun to do this Saturday night?  Join us for a free all-ages energetic and eclectic folk rock concert by Corvallis-based  Crescendo Show.  The quartet is celebrating the release of their new CD and are excited to bring you their melodic blend of guitar, bass, accordion, and vocals. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
	To celebrate National Library Week April 9 – 14th, the second floor librarians are joining the fun planned by the youth services department.  Activities for adults include a Star Wars trivia and costume contest.  A different Star Wars trivia question will be posted at the second floor reference desk each day from Monday through Saturday.  A prize winner will be drawn from the correct answers. Come in costume to the second floor reference desk between 1 and 3 pm on Saturday the 14th and get your photo taken for Facebook.  Photos will be posted on Tuesday and the costume with the most “likes” wins a prize. The Storm Troopers will also be visiting the Library on Saturday between 1-3 wearing movie quality costumes–come say hello!
	Wednesday, April 11th 12:00 – 1:00.  The book for this month’s Random Review is Country Driving: A Journey from Farm to Factory by Peter Hessler.  Hessler spent seven years driving from one end of China to another, and chronicles the changes the car has brought to the country. Reviewed by Staci Simonich, Professor of Chemistry at OSU.
	Friday, April 13th at 7:30 Washington author Ana Maria Spagna will read from her book Potluck which hones in on the everyday gatherings that, over time, define a community: a makeshift wedding, an art gallery opening, a farewell potluck, a work party, a campfire, a political caucus, a funeral. “What connects us?” Spagna asks, and she reveals, again and again, the gift of community–easy and uneasy, deep and enduring and essential.  Co-sponsored by OSU Press and Grass Roots Bookstore.
	Wednesday, April 18th at 6:30. This month’s book club selection is We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates and is a special facilitated meeting in honor of the author’s visit to Corvallis this May.  Please note we are starting at 6:30 instead of 7:00 this month.  Please join us for a lively discussion led by two graduate students in OSU’s Creative Writing Department.

Please contact us with questions about any of these events.  We hope to see  in the Library!

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Storm Crowd by JD Hancock on Flickr

In celebration of National Library Week on April 9 – 14, the library will host a series of Star Wars events for kids, teens, and adults.  We expect a big crowd from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday the 14th, when the library will be boarded by Storm Troopers from the 501st Legion Cloud City Garrison .

A complete list of Star Wars programs for children can be found on the Kids Library Events web page, and for teens on the Teen Events page.

The adult services department has decided to join the fun.  A different Star Wars trivia question will be posted at the adult reference desk each day from Monday, April 9 through Saturday the 14th, and a prize winner will be drawn from the correct answers.  This contest is for ages 19 and over.

Come dressed as a Star Wars character on Saturday, April 14 and join us on the 2nd floor for a costume contest.  We will take photos from 1 to 3 p.m. for our Facebook page. The costume with the most “likes” will be announced on Tuesday, April 14 and that person will win a prize. This contest is open to all ages. I’m hoping for an Admiral Akbar costume.

Thanks to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring the Star Wars events.

Posted by Charles, a second floor librarian

Zacharias, former crime and courts reporter at the East Oregonian, spent five years chronicling the circumstances of Karly’s murder.  A Silence of Mockingbirds: The memoir of a murder, published to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, tells Karly’s story. On April 5th, at 7:00 PM,  Zacharias will be at the library to read from and discuss  her new book.  Karly’s Father and the Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case will be in the audience and available to answer questions.  Grass Roots Bookstore will be selling copies of the book.

Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, introduced legislation which led to the passing of Karly’s Law, a bill whose purpose was to tighten the requirements for investigating potential child-abuse victims.  While legislation is important, Zacharias also wants to increase community awareness of child abuse to prevent tragedies like Karly’s death.  We hope you will come on April 5th.

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Did you miss Karl Marlantes‘ visit last May?  Click here to hear the author of Matterhorn and What it’s like to go to War read from Matterhorn and talk about writing and publishing.

The library doesn’t host literary events only.  Community members tell us they love it when the library brings in musicians like John Jarvie for a free concert.  Click here to hear a podcast of Jarvie play gorgeous classical guitar.

Even better, we sometimes hear, are events that combine both music and literature.  Did you enjoy Willy Vlautin’s recent reading and musical performance at the library?  Click here to hear him again.

Are there upcoming events you hope we’ll record?  Let us know!

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Image credit:  Mic by biladay on Flickr

This month’s Random Review is on March 14th and will feature Marisa Chappell reviewing The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.  A New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of the Year, this is an epic, beautifully written chronicle of one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life.  Random Reviews are over the noon hour and you are welcome to bring your lunch.

The March 21st selection for the Library Book Club is Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson.  Like most librarians, I tend not to buy books for myself, but I did buy and hang on to a copy of this book; it’s a great read. As always, we meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Library Board Room. Copies of the book are still available at the second floor reference desk.

If you have any questions about March events, or about anything else, please call us at the reference desk at 541-766-6973.

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Image credit: Model Milwaukee Road by Tabbymom Jen

Lean on Pete is an unsentimental story about a 15-year-old boy who dreams of a normal home and the chance to play high-school football. Newly arrived in Portland with a mostly absent father, Charley hopes for the best and gets the worst. Suddenly homeless, he hangs out on the backstretch at Portland Meadows racetrack and finds a friend—an aging Thoroughbred named Lean on Pete (with thanks to Booklist).

Not only a writer, Vlautin is also the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland-based alternative country band Richmond Fontaine, which cites Husker Du, Willie Nelson, X, The Blasters, and The Replacements as musical influences. Vlautin’s story-based songs have often drawn comparison to the short stories of Raymond Carver, so it is natural that he is also a published author of three novels, of which Lean on Pete is his most recent.  The novel won two Oregon book awards last year: the Ken Kesey award for fiction and the Readers’ Choice Award. His first novel, The Motel Life, is currently in production to become a major motion picture starring Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Dakota Fanning and Kris Kristoffersen.

The Library has copies of Vlautin’s novels The Motel Life, Northline, and Lean on Pete, as well as Richmond Fontaine’s new song-novel CD, The High Country.

This event, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, is free and open to the public.  We’re excited to have Willy Vlautin come to Corvallis and hope to see you on the 16th at 6:30!

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian

Image credit

Friday, February 24, 5 pm – 9 pm.

Saturday, February 25 will be 10 am to 5 pm

Sunday, February 26, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Children’s books, history, mystery, gardening, and  fiction books will be for sale at the following prices: $3.00 for hardbacks, $2.00 for adult paperbacks and trade paper backs, $1.00 for children’s hardback books, and $.50 for children’s paperbacks. Prices drop each day of the book sale, and on Sunday an entire box of books is available for just $5.  Cash, checks and Visa, Mastercard, and Discover will all be accepted.

Thank you to our marvelous Friends of the Library.  Their annual Used Book Sale is their largest fundraising event and is completely volunteer run.  Proceeds from sales help support both adult and kids’ programming at the library including the children’s summer reading program.  Funds also help purchase furniture and equipment as needed throughout the library.  A big thanks to everyone who visits the sale and helps make it a successful event.

Posted by Alex, a second floor librarian