A Museum Outing with Your Book Club

Now that summer is upon us, many book groups take a few months off to enjoy the warm weather and the ocean breezes.  Summer is a wonderful time to plan a visit to a museum with your book group.  Below is a sampling of current museum exhibits that are part of SPL’s Museum Pass Program.  Museum passes are available for Syosset residents and most passes admit 2 adults and 2 children.  To reserve a museum pass, visit www.syossetlibrary.org and click on the museum pass icon or call (516) 921-7161 ext. 239.

Nassau County Museum of Art

New York, New York – July 22 – November 5, 2017

The exhibition demonstrates how artists through more than a century have been inspired by and portrayed New York City.

 

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Glamour Icons – July 22 – November 5, 2017

Fragrance and Cosmetics Packaging as an Art Form – A retrospective of iconic designs by Marc Rosen

New York Botanical Garden

CHIHULY – Saturday, April 22, 2017 – Sunday, October 29, 2017

Breathtaking works of art that dazzle with color, light, and form—by day and night. Artworks by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly are now on view at NYBG in his first major garden exhibition in New York in more than ten years. CHIHULY, presented by Bank of America, showcases more than 20 installations and includes drawings and early works that reveal the evolution and development of Chihuly’s artistic process during his celebrated career. Set within NYBG’s landmark landscape and buildings, this sensory-filled exhibition is a must-see throughout the changing seasons from spring through fall.

New York Historical Society

W​orld War I Beyond the Trenches​ – May 26, 2017 – September 3, 2017

To honor the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I, the New-York Historical Society presents a special exhibition examining this monumental event through the eyes of artists. World War I Beyond the Trenches explores how artists across generations, aesthetic sensibilities, and the political spectrum used their work to depict, memorialize, promote, or oppose the divisive conflict.

Old Westbury Gardens

Seward Johnson Bronze Sculptures – June 16, 2017 – September 4, 2017

Old Westbury Gardens is pleased to invite you to a one of a kind art exhibition featuring the work of internationally renowned sculptor Seward Johnson. Johnson’s life size bronze sculptures will be on display throughout the historic Westbury House and the magnificent

Gardens and will feature two of the artist’s most popular series: “Celebrating the Familiar” and “Beyond the Frame” and will also feature 32 individual pieces of Johnson’s work. These works focus on sculptural commentary about day-to-day life and Johnson’s love of nature and French Impressionism.                      -Lisa Jones, Readers’ Services Librarian

Happy Summer!

This article first appeared in the Syosset Public Library”s newsletter, The Book Club Insider, July 2017 issue.

-posted by Lisa J., Readers’ Services

 

 

New in DVD

Kong: Skull Island

Action PG-13

A diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific, as beautiful as it is treacherous, unaware that they’re crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong.

The Promise

Drama PG-13

Empires fall, love survives. When Michael, a brilliant medical student, meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between Michael and Ana’s boyfriend Chris, a famous American photojournalist dedicated to exposing political truth. As the Ottoman Empire crumbles into war torn chaos, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to get their people to safety and survive themselves.

Land of Mine

Foreign R

In the aftermath of World War II, a group of surrendered German soldiers are ordered by Allied forces to remove their own landmines from the coast of Denmark.

Beaches

Drama PG

In this contemporary remake, it follows the serendipitous meeting of two young girls on the Venice Beach Boardwalk who, though worlds apart in lifestyle, embark on an unexpected and lifelong friendship. CC is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles when a director who gives her first big shot discovers her. Hillary, the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer, is struggling to find her own destiny.

A Quiet Passion

Drama PG-13

The story of poet Emily Dickinson, whose genius, wit, intellectual independence, and pathos only came to be recognized after her death.

-posted by Ralph, Media Services

Afternoon Book Discussion

with Sonia Grgas, Reference Librarian

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 1:30 PM

“Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, Hidden Figures follows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, four African American women who participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. It chronicles their careers over nearly three decades, as they faced challenges, forged alliances and used their intellect to change their own lives, and their country’s future.” -from the publisher

Book to Film Discussion

Join us on August 4, 2017 at 2 PM for a showing of the film, Hidden Figures, the Academy Award nominated adaptation of the book. A short discussion will follow the movie.

 

Both programs are free.

No registration required.

Books will be available at the circulation desk one month prior to the discussion.

-posted by Sonia, Reference Services

 

Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer- Our July Book Displays

It’s July and time for some light reading at the beach.  Our summer display keeps getting bigger and better.  So stop by for some entertainment at the beach, pool or just in your back yard. “Beach Reads” includes lots of popular titles that you might have missed. After some fun reading why not join our Adult Summer Reading Club for some more fun and rewards.

Our second book display on the first floor is “Celebrate the Fourth of July”. This display consists mainly of books, books on CD and videos on America’s fight for freedom.  We have also included some books on grilling, fireworks and music related to Fourth of July celebrations.

The main floor mini displays currently feature “Mysteries Set in Italy” and “200^th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s Death”.  These displays change very couple weeks. So keep on checking them out for some varied and interesting topics.

Our third floor health display is “Have a Healthy, Happy and Safe Summer”.  A varied collection related to stay happy and healthy during the summer.  Lots of first-aid books.  Handouts include “Stay Safe during Extreme Heat, Sun Safety: Information for Parents about Sunburn & Sunscreen”,  “Barbecue Basics” and “Five Expert Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe Online”.

 “Climate Change”  is the subject of our third floor book display. Educate yourself on this  important issue.

Click on each picture to see them in a larger size.

*Displays are subject to  change.

-posted by Betty, Reference Services

Latest Additions to Book Club in a Bag

Let us provide you with everything you need for your book club: sets of books exclusively for local book clubs to check out for their discussions.  Discussion questions are included in the set, along with biographical and critical material.

The following are titles that have been added to the Book Club in a Bag collection recently. Information on borrowing any of our Book Clubs in a Bag as well as a complete list of all titles available can be found here on the library’s website. Please call 516-921-7161 ext. 239 or stop by Readers’ Services if you have any questions.

Two-Family House

by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Two women, sisters by marriage who share a two-family brownstone in Brooklyn in the 1950s, form a strong bond when they each give birth minutes apart on the same night, but as the years pass, a deeply buried family secret causes their friendship to unravel.

The Widow

by Fiona Barton

After Jean’s husband dies, the community wants to know the real truth about the crime he was suspected of—but Jean has secrets of her own.

When Breath Becomes Air

by Paul Kalanithi

A young neurosurgeon faced with a terminal diagnosis describes his examination into what truly makes a meaningful life.

All summaries from the publishers.

-posted by Evelyn, Readers’ Services

New in DVD

Their Finest

Comedy PG-13

Set in 1940 London, the story is an ode to how women played a major role in boosting national morale during the Blitz of London in World War II.

 

The Fate of the Furious

Action PG-13

When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism and betrayal of those closest to him, the crew faces trials that will test them as never before.

 

 

 

The Lost City of Z

Action PG-13

The incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the twentieth century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region.

-posted by Ralph, Media Services

Five Years on the Blog: July

Welcome back to our regular monthly feature: A walk through some of  SyossetRandR’s blog posts for the past five years:

2016: Lake Reads

2015: Presidential Pardon

2014: Our Favorite Book Discussions

2013: Lollipop Farm to Roll Again!

2012: Dandelion Wine

Watch out for our next look down blog memory lane again in August!

-posted by Sonia, Reference Services