This DVD ROCKS!

Here's a great DVD to check out this summer: Schoolhouse Rock!

If you grew up in the 1970s, you’re probably already humming one of the Schoolhouse Rock’s songs. If you require a little more background information, Schoolhouse Rock presented animated, musical shorts on Saturday morning broadcast television back when I was in the target audience. They were educational (focusing on grammar, math, history, etc.) but decidedly fun! Who remembers ‘Conjunction Junction’? How about ‘I’m Just a Bill’ or ‘We the People,’ which is why I can recite (most of) the U.S. Constitution today? A personal favorite is ‘Verb! That’s What’s Happening!’

I recently checked out this DVD and took it in the car on a 3,000-mile road trip to Texas. It was a huge hit with our whole family – the 4-year-old, the 2-year-old, and the thirtysomething set. As a bonus, my preschooler can now tell you what a noun is! Revisit your inner child by checking out this DVD.

You'll find it on the ground floor of the library with the DVDs at call number LB1555 .S35 2002.

And speaking of summer reading . . .

Thanks to Meggan's previous post, you all know that Musselman Library has once again published its annual Summer Reading booklet.

But rather than just leaving it at that, a few of us thought we might share our reviews from the booklet with you. So to get the ball rolling, here's my entry from the booklet on Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. You can find this title in the library's book collection at PQ2627.E4 S8513 2006--in case you want to, ahem, check it out. (A little library humor for you . . . very little.)

Suite Française is definitely not your usual summer "beach trash," but instead is an altogether enjoyable read. It's a beautiful, unfinished novel that Némirovsky wrote while living through the invastion and occupation of France during the early years of World War II.

The story follows several characters in both urban and rural areas as they try to deal with rapidly changing events and alliances while living alongside of and under German military forces. Némirovsky, who died at Auschwitz in 1942, never finished the novel; the story goes that her daughters kept the manuscript for years without reading it, assuming it was a journal of the events that would be too painful to explore. The novel was only published in the original French in 2004, and then released in the U.S. in English in 2006.

Despite the grim backstory, Suite Française is a lovely, poetic work, chronicling the events of the time with humor, pathos, and generosity. Némirovsky humanizes all sides of the struggle, offering a nuanced portrait of citizens, soldiers, survivors, and collaborators of all classes and calibers.

It's such a pity that the author did not live to finish her work. It's such a joy, though, that what she did finish survives to this day.

You've gotta read this!!!

It's summertime, and for many people that means time to relax, unwind, and take advantage of the longer days by picking up a great read! Some of us may have reading lists several pages long, but others may need help looking for a new title to pick up. If you fall in the latter category, look no further!

Musselman Library has published its annual "You've gotta read this!!!" summer reading booklet, and it is available now in the Library or online! Recommendations from Gettysburg College's faculty, staff and administration populate the pages of this summer reading guide, and this year books are not the only thing being praised. For the first time we have asked for film recommendations as well. We received suggestions for academy award winning dramas, as well as thought-provoking documentaries. So whether you want to curl up with a good book, or just settle in for the evening with a new film, there is something for everyone in this summer reading booklet.

Have a safe and wonderful summer!