In celebration of July 4th (on which day all campus libraries will close so we can all eat until we drop and then stay up late to watch fireworks), here’s some hot-off-the-grill…er, presses, explosively American, red-white-and-blue reads!
One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard
This is one of those heartwarming stories about a little team with big dreams: in 1971 the Macon, Illinois, high school baseball team – lead by an English teacher with no coaching experience – became the smallest team to make it to the finals of the Illinois state championship, a record that has never been broken. Patriotism, state and school spirit all abound in this summer read!
Imperfect: An Improbable Life by Jim Abbott and Tim Brown
Barbecue: The History of an American Institution by Robert F. MossThe Short American Century: A Postmortem edited by Andrew J. Bacevich
A collection of essays based on the premise that the “American century,” declared by Henry Luce as the period of prosperity beginning in 1941, is over. Might sound pessimistic, but this group of distinguished historians does more than just lament the events of the past 70 years, they explain them and offer hope for the changing role of America today and in the future. If you want to get down with some serious thoughts prior to the election, this is the summer read for you!
And, finally, just for fun: Classic G.I. Joe!
Everything old is new again in this 21st century G.I. Joe comic book. Just the thing to get you in the Fourth of July mood!
As always, if you have any questions about these or other books, or anything else library-related, Ask-A-Librarian or comment on this post!
Based on the best-seller by Seth Grahame-Smith, the 16th president of the United States discovers a vampire uprising in the works, and makes it his personal mission to eliminate the blood-suckers from the States. Benjamin Walker (The War Boys, Kinsey) stars as the top-hatted one in the film version.
Okay, we’re taking a little bit of creative license on this one. After author Robert Ludlum’s death, Eric Van Lustbader continued the Bourne series; and while his version of The Bourne Legacy still features special forces operative Jason Bourne, the film version showcases a young new talent, Aaron Cross (played by Jeremy Renner) that might even surpass the legendary Bourne in mad fugitive skills–if he comes out alive at the end, that is.
Based on the fourth installment of Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series, this is also the third film adaptation based on the character (Zach Gordon stars as the title character in all three). The books follow the misadventures of middle-schooler Greg Heffley, this one focusing on the trials and tribulations of surviving summer vacation.
Based on the true story of author Matt Bondurant’s grandfather and two great-uncles (as told in the novel The Wettest County in the World), Lawless follows three brothers into the world of bootlegging in 1920s Virginia. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf and Jason Clarke play the three Bondurants in the film.