Monday, February 23, 2015

New Book Recommendations from the Reference Desk

What We're Reading at Perrot

NOT MY FATHER'S SON: A MEMOIR, BY ALAN CUMMING

[Non-Fiction] In 2010, Broadway, television, and film star Alan Cumming was approached by the producers of the British-- now also American-- celebrity television show Who Do You Think You Are? and asked to be the subject of an upcoming program. He agreed, allowing full access to family papers and information, because he was anxious to solve a longstanding family mystery: What ever happened to his maternal grandfather, Tommy Darling, who disappeared in the Far East after World War II? Cumming wanted to do this for his mother, who was only eight years old the last time she saw her father. We accompany Alan on this journey of discovery as he prepares for the broadcast and learns the fascinating truth about his grandfather. But the journey takes an unexpected turn when Alex Cumming, Alan’s father, reveals his own secret shortly before the show airs. With all the suspense and tension of a good thriller-- or an episode of Cumming’s hit series, The Good Wife--Alan’s family’s secrets are revealed. The audiobook version of Not My Father’s Son is particularly recommended, since the story is told by Cumming himself, a bonus for the listener given the actor’s natural gift for narration and his lilting Scottish accent.

See the rest of our latest list of recommendations!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Upcoming Event: Laura Heiss and Jill Smyth, authors of the book, THE MERRITT PARKWAY: THE ROAD THAT SHAPED A REGION

Upcoming Event: Laurie Heiss and Jill Smyth, authors of the book, THE MERRITT PARKWAY: THE ROAD THAT SHAPED A REGION
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015
7:30 PM
Radcliffe Children's Wing

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Merritt Parkway, Laurie Heiss and Jill Smyth, authors of the book, THE MERRITT PARKWAY: THE ROAD THAT SHAPED A REGION, will relate the history of the Parkway's conception and design, the politics and activists involved, and ultimately the transformation of Fairfield County from a land of farms and country estates to one of the wealthiest counties in the nation.

Upcoming Event: Sundays at Perrot with Jane Austen- Two Movie Screenings



Cozy up on a cold, winter Sunday afternoon at the library, and enjoy a movie based on novels by Jane Austen. Tea and scones will be served.

EMMA (1996)
Rated PG, 121 minutes
Sunday, February 22nd, 2015, at 2 PM
Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi, Alan Cumming, and Denys Hawthorne
This delightfully fun and lighthearted comedy is based on Jane Austen's classic novel. Gwyneth Paltrow shines as Emma, a mischievous young beauty who sets up her single friends. Funny thing is. . . she's not very good at it! So when Emma tries to find a man for Harriet, she makes a hilariously tangled mess of everyone's lives. You'll enjoy all the coming confusion. . . until Emma herself falls in love, finally freeing everyone from her outrageously misguided attempts at matchmaking.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)
Rated PG, 131 minutes
Sunday, March 1st, 2015, at 2 PM
Starring Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant
The recipient of seven Oscar nominations, this film version of Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. Based on Jane Austen's classic novel, Sense and Sensibility tells of the Dashwood sisters, sensible Elinor and passionate Marianne (Winslet), whose chances at marriage seem doomed by their family's sudden loss of fortune. Rickman, Grant, and Greg Wise co-star as the well-intentioned suitors who are trapped by the strict rules of society and the conflicting laws of desire.

Friday, February 06, 2015

Free Tax Assistance

Free tax assistance is being offered by the AARP Foundation at both Greenwich Library and Greenwich Town Hall. Everyone is welcome to take advantage of this service, not just AARP eligible members.

Tax assistance from AARP will be offered every Saturday at Greenwich Library, from 9 AM until 4 PM, on the first floor Peterson Wing near the Foundation Center. Please bring a photo ID, along with all income information, any W-2s, and last year’s tax return.

The AARP Foundation will also offer tax assistance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM in the Hayton Room on the third floor of Greenwich Town Hall.