Best Books of 2012: A List of Lists

Some choices for the best of 2012, from the media, associations and readers:

American Library Association (ALA)
Notable Books For Adults:
http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/notablebooks/lists/2012
Notable Books For Children:
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

Bookpage Reader's Choice
http://bookpage.com/content/readers%27-choice%3A-best-books-of-2012

Goodread's Choice Awards
http://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2012

Library Journal
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/12/publishing/ljs-best-books-and-media-of-2012/

National Public Radio (NPR)
http://www.npr.org/2012/11/30/166251839/best-books-of-2012-the-complete-list

New York Times Notable Books
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/books/review/100-notable-books-of-2012.html?_r=0

New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2012/12/best-books-of-2012.html

Publisher's Weekly
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2012#book/book-1

Salon.com
http://www.salon.com/2012/12/24/salons_ultimate_book_guide/

Village Voice
http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-12-19/books/our-favorite-books-of-2012/

Art in the Stacks: Joe Doebler

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an exhibit  of photographs by Joe Doebler beginning Sunday, December 2nd. The exhibit will be on display during regular library hours through December.  “Art in the Stacks” is an initiative of the Friends of the Library, to provide individual artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art at the library throughout the year.

ARTIST’S  STATEMENT

“I received a second hand camera as a gift when I was 12 and started taking pictures. I financed my new hobby with a paper route.   I took pictures of everything, my friends, landscapes and nature.  I quickly decided to become involved with the enlarging and chemical processing of my photos so I could have control of the finished product.  I was fascinated with the technology involved. During the past 20 years I followed the transition of photography from film and chemicals into digital cameras and computers.  The new digital technology brought new challenges of its own but also made results much quicker to achieve. “  All of my pictures are taken and printed by me.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

In real life Joe was an underwater acoustic engineer for the Navy, explaining that his favorite subjects in school were math and physics.  He and his wife retired and washed ashore here in 1996.  Retirement has given him more time for travel and photography.  It is fair to say that he has taken  photos from all over the world.  He has sold photos, donated photos to many local benefits and shown his work at Featherstone Center for the Arts, and at other venues.  He also edits and produce a small circulation photo calendar.

The Peter H. Luce Play Readers perform "Comedies of Manners"

The two best-known, most highly-praised and most frequently-produced comedies of manners are Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" and Noel Coward's "Private Lives". Scenes from both classic plays will be performed as staged readings on Sunday, January 13th at 2pm at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The program is presented by the Friends of the Library as part of their monthly "Sunday with Friends" series. The reading is free and refreshments will be served.

Excerpts from Act II of "...Earnest" will feature performers Mike Adell, Ellie Beth, Myra Stark and Eric Turner. The performers in excerpts from Act III of "Private Lives" will be Mike Adell, Linda Comstock, Leslie J. Stark and Rise Terney. Mr. Stark has adapted and will direct both scenes. Elaine Eugster will introduce the program, and will read the stage directions.

For nearly 15 years, the Peter H Luce Play Readers have met every Wednesday of the year at the Vineyard Haven Senior Center from 9AM to Noon to read plays of every era and of every genre, from the Greek and Roman clasics to the cutting-edge works of contemporary playwrights... and everything in between: Shakespeare, Shaw, Checkov, Moliere, Miller, Ibsen Albee, O'Neil, Pinter and Neil Simon. The group is named for its founder, Peter Luce, who died in 2007.

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library encourage public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, support activities for both adults and children, and provide various other volunteer services. Their mission is to support the Library, to build a partnership between the Library and the community and to advocate for exemplary library service. All volunteers and those who are interested in knowing more about the Friends meet at 1:00 pm on the fourth Monday of every month (except December) at the library.

Holiday Hours and Upcoming Events

The library will close early at 1pm on Monday, December 24th, and will be closed on Tuesday December 25th. We will also close early at 1pm on Monday, December 31st, and will be closed on Tuesday January 1st.

On Wednesday, December 19th at 7pm, enjoy a celebration of the winter solstice with readings from some of our Island's most popular writers. Ellie Bates, Marianne Goldberg, Jill Jupen, Clark Meyers, Donald Nitchie, Barbara Peckham, Annette Sandrock, Laura Wainwright and William Waterway will be reading, and Island Poet laureate Lee McCormick will also be there. Please bring poetry or prose you would like to share. Refreshments will be served.

The Library is also pleased to present a free concert and celebration to welcome the new year. Join us on Sunday, January 6th at 4pm for holiday refreshments and a performance on the mini-grand concert harp by Nathaniel Horwitz.

Did you know you can check out free eBooks and downloadable audiobooks from the library? For those who recieve a new eReader or audio player for the holidays, drop by the library on Saturday mornings between 10am and noon for informal demonstration of the library's "Overdrive" service. Library staff will be present to answer your questions and show you how to get started.