"Vineyard Supernatural" - Holly Nadler's Book Talk

A crowd of 30 people came to the library to listen to Holly Nadler discuss her latest book, "Vineyard Supernatural: True Ghost Stories from America's most Haunted Island".

The lights were dimmed as Holly read from several chapters of her book and discussed the walking ghost tours that she leads. She recounted spine tingling paranormal events taking place in notorious Island locations such as The Ritz Cafe and The Newes Pub.

The library has copies of all of Holly's books relating to the supernatural, check one out today:

Ghosts of Boston Town

Haunted Island

Vineyard Confidential

Vineyard Supernatural

Sustainable Book Club - "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

On Thursday evening, the library hosted the Island-Wide Sustainable Book Club Discussion. 15 people gathered to discuss Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma".

You can find a review of the book by visiting the library's catalog, and the Sierra Club produced a useful discussion guide including links to other related resources (an interview with the author, articles, etc...) that you may find interesting.

As the meeting wrapped-up, a few stragglers continued to talk about television commercials and how they affected their parent's choices of food and consumer products. Below are some commercials from the 50's and 60's that you can watch, courtesy of the Internet Archive.

"Is Pakistan Imploding?" - A Lecture by Dr. James Norton

A group of 13 people gathered at the library to listen to Dr. James Norton lecture on a very important current events topic, "Is Pakistan Imploding?".

In this picture Dr. Norton is concluding his lecture by reading some recommendations for improving the situation in Pakistan that he had made in 2001.

Many thoughtful comments and questions were posed by the audience, some of which led to a discussion of Greg Mortenson's popular book, "Three Cups of Tea".

Please see our events calendar to learn about future lectures and events happening at the library!

September Book Group - "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water"

This important book by Michael Dorris tells the story of three generations of Native American women who are beset by hardships and torn by angry secrets and yet inextricably joined by bonds of kinship. We had an interesting discussion about the book's main theme of individualism: what it means and how it was addressed through the three lives of the central characters. We also came to realize, through our comments, how privileged we are to live in such comfort while there are still people who don't even have indoor plumbing. We agreed that we liked the book, although the story it told was not happy, by any means.

Michael Dorris wrote several other books before his death in 1997. He was divorced from the writer Louise Erditch, who writes almost exclusively about Native Americans and their culture.

If you enjoyed "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water," you might be interested in reading the following works by Michael Dorris:

The Crown of Columbus (with Louise Erdrich, 1991)

Route Two and Back (with Louise Erdrich, 1991)

Morning Girl (1992)

Working Men (1993)

Rooms in the House of Stone (1993)

Paper Trail (essays, 1994)

Guests (1995)

Sees Behind Trees (1996)

Cloud Chamber (1997)

The Window (1997)

Skunk Lecture - Luanne Johnson

Luanne Johnson, Doctoral Candidate in the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England, educated a crowd of 10-15 people on the topic of coastal skunks.

Many interesting questions were posed by the audience, and a lively discussion resulted.

Luanne also presented her fascinating research which you can read more about by visiting her web page.

Katie Couric of CBSNews Discusses Banned Books Week

September 27 - October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week

Learn more about Banned Books Week by reading this short article on the American Library Association's website.

Watch this video of Katie Couric discussing "Banned Books Week" and its significance for libraries and literary freedom.

You can see a list of some of the frequently challenged books by visiting our GoodReads account, and viewing the Frequently Challenged Books (BBW2008) shelf.

Question 1 on the November 2008 ballot will have an effect on library services state-wide!

Please read the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Press Release regarding Question 1.

The outcome of this vote will have an effect on library services state-wide!

Why do people come to the Vineyard?

Elaine Pace asked this question to a group of 15 people, who had gathered at the Oak Bluffs Public Library to hear her discuss her latest book, "Island Home: Why People Come To Martha's Vineyard And Why They Stay

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The interactive book talk was an opportunity for people to connect with others and to reflect on the topic of "Wash-Ashores".


Pace, a retired School Principal from West Tisbury, discussed her own experiences and those of the people highlighted in her new book. Her thoughtful and entertaining anecdotes made for an enjoyable evening for all those in attendance!


Thank you Elaine!

August Book Discussion Club - "Snow in August"

A group of 11 people met on Wednesday for a lively discussion of the book, "Snow in August" by Pete Hamill.

Topics that were discussed included: the book's exploration of the Jewish and Catholic Religions, the Yiddish language, the setting (Brooklyn at the time when Jackie Robinson played his first games as a Dodger), and the tantalizing ending of the novel.

To see some of the discussion questions ask a library staff member to help you find the book discussion guide using NoveList (a subscription website that Oak Bluffs Library Card holders can access through the library's website).

Next month's discussion will be about the critically acclaimed novel, "A Yellow Raft In Blue Water" by Michael Dorris. Please join us on Wednesday, September 24 at 10:30am for another thought provoking book discussion group meeting. New attendees are always welcome!

If you liked "Snow in August" by Pete Hamill, you may also like to read:

Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude (1970)

Myla Goldberg, Bee Season (2000)

Elinor Lipman, The Inn at Lake Devine (1998)

Michael Chabon, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000)

Pete Hamill, A Drinking Life (His Autobiography)

Leo Calvin Rosten, The Joys of Yiddish (a great source for learning more about Yiddish)

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Excerpt from the American Libraries Association Website:

"September is Library Card Sign-up Month - a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

The observance was launched in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett who said: "Let's have a national campaign...every child should obtain a library card - and use it." Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that.

Library cards are generally free to those living in the library's service area. In most cases, borrowing privileges are granted on the spot. Some libraries may require some form of identification, proof of residency or the signature of a guardian.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning."