Picks by Patty Archive - Check It Out

Check It Out

When A Classics Professor Writes Fantasy

Patty of Fiction/AV/Teen Services recommends The Blood of Ambrose by James Enge:

The heir to the Empire of Ontil is a twelve-year-old, recently orphaned boy named Lathmar. Lord Urdhven, Lathmar’s uncle, will stop at nothing to secure the empire for himself. It is up to Morlock Ambrosius to save the child king, but who will save Morlock? He may be the most skillful magicker in the land and one of the deadliest swordsmen ever, but he’s also a hopeless drunk. For those of you that enjoy HBO’s Game of Thrones, try the gritty sword and sorcery of The Blood of Ambrose, written by the World Fantasy Award-nominated, fantasist extraordinaire, James Enge.

By MPPL on June 6, 2011 Categories: All Staff Picks, Books, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Petr and the Wulf

Most folks know Munly from the apocalyptic country band Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, but Munly has side projects. One solo work is Petr and the Wulf, an album that turns a well-loved folktale into a brooding reflection on societal placement and revenge. Have a listen and pass it on.

By MPPL on April 19, 2011 Categories: All Staff Picks, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Music, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Detroit Disassembled

Andrew Moore’s Detroit Disassembled documents Michigan’s crumbled industrial culture from the broken windows and rusted roof of Michigan Central Station to the mold-ridden shag carpeting at the abandoned Ford Motor Headquarters to entire brownstone ruins covered in mounds of vinery. It’s as gorgeous as it is depressing.

By MPPL on February 15, 2011 Categories: All Staff Picks, Art, Books, Nonfiction, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Wuthering Heights

Catherine and Heathcliff, from Wuthering Heights, are the Sid and Nancy of classic lit. They love one another – but that doesn’t stop either from continually hurting the other. I admire Tom Hardy’s disturbingly passionate portrayal of Heathcliff in the BBC’s adaptation.

By MPPL on December 14, 2010 Categories: All Staff Picks, Literary, Movies and Television, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Gypsy Caravan

The extraordinarily passionate and detailed music of the Romani people has been informed by over a millennium of migration and persecution. Gypsy Caravan documents five Rom bands from four different countries over a six week tour of America. I especially enjoyed the band Taraf de Haïdouks.

By MPPL on October 11, 2010 Categories: All Staff Picks, Movies and Television, Music, Nonfiction, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: The Dark Tower

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” Thus opens The Gunslinger, the first book in Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic, western series, The Dark Tower. If you’re in the mood for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly mixed with high fantasy – try this epic series.

By MPPL on August 2, 2010 Categories: All Staff Picks, Books, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: The Frantic Flintstones

The Frantic Flintstones are an early psychobilly band. Re: Psychobilly – imagine a musical stew made out of rockabilly music, genre movies and a manic attitude. The Frantic Flintstone’s 20th Anniversary Album collects the best pit-wrecking and shimmy-shaking tunes of the Frantic Flintstones’ career thus far.

By MPPL on May 24, 2010 Categories: All Staff Picks, Music, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Deadwood

Are you still angry that HBO canceled Deadwood? Me too, but there is a fix. The book Deadwood by Pete Dexter. Ride into the Black Hills of the Dakota Territories with Wild Bill, Charley Utter and Calamity Jane runnin’, gunnin’, raising Cain and dealing cards all the way.

By MPPL on March 15, 2010 Categories: All Staff Picks, Books, Historical Fiction, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: Veganomicon

Vegans don’t eat or use anything that originates from an animal. The Veganomicon proves a vegan diet can be as vibrant, healthy, hearty and delicious as a diet that includes meat. The Southwestern Corn Pudding matched with the Chili-Cornmeal Crusted Tofu was a favorite at my dinner table.

By MPPL on December 28, 2009 Categories: All Staff Picks, Books, Nonfiction, Picks by Patty

Patty’s Pick: True Grit

Mattie Ross is fourteen and has “never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.” Her father was murdered. Mattie seeks the help of Deputy Marshal Rooster Cogburn, famously played by John Wayne in the movie, to avenge him in Charles Portis’ excellent western, True Grit.

By MPPL on October 12, 2009 Categories: All Staff Picks, Books, Picks by Patty