Ferndale Library Staff Recommends: Cecelia's Selections

Cecelia Foley is our diligent afternoon Page, conducting the orderly-business of our shelves and occasionally pointing a patron in the right direction, when need-be, with her stylish levity and a cultural-savvy advanced beyond your usual sophomore.

She's got a pick circa 1960 as well as a very recent Juno-award winning band from across the pond! AND ... she got this column together in-the-middle of Mid-Terms! Kudos!

Cecelia's Picks

By Cecelia Foley

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian (by Sherman Alexie)
Call No: YA ALEXIE 

We were required to read this book for school, but I'm so glad we were. The courageous Junior, a teenage Native American living on a poverty stricken reservation, kept me entertained the entire time. Growing up with 'role models' that have never even considered college and have all turned to alcohol as an anti-depressant, Junior decides that he wants to attempt to create a new name for modern Native Americans. It's a very inspiring story that will remind you to love your family beyond their flaws, and to never give up hope for your own future. This, combined with Alexie's entertaining and sometimes crass style of writing makes this book a must-read.

The XX: xx
Call No: CD - XX 

This CD is awesome. The music is pretty unique and the only word I can really think of to describe it is 'invigorating.' I'm always into indie bands and the fact that this group is from Britain just makes them even more awesome. I've listened to the entire album at least 10 times, because the mood it creates is so versatile- relaxing, energizing, and even focused. I've been listening to this while studying for mid-terms and it's kept me from wanting to throw my review packets out the window, so there you go.

NeverShoutNever: What is Love?
Call No: CD NEVER SHOUT NEVER 

NeverShoutNever has been my favorite band since 6th grade. It's mostly ukuleles, upbeat percussion, and the kind of high-pitched yet sweet, voice of Christofer Drew. I haven't grown tired of any of the songs on this album after listening to them regularly since it came out in 2010, and they still never fail to get me smiling and singing along. It's the kind of music that makes you want to skip down the sidewalk.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho 
Call No: DVD - HORROR -P 

I watched this movie on Halloween expecting another predictable horror film, but, little did I know that Alfred Hitchcock is crazy.

This movie was completely unpredictable and left my bones thoroughly chilled. A woman in search of a hide out stops off at a motel in the country and is greeted by a seemingly friendly receptionist, who is very welcoming. He tells the woman about himself, going on about his ill mother who lives with him in the house behind the motel. After she's done chatting with the receptionist, she takes a shower and is brutally murdered. When the receptionist comes by later to check on her, he is surprised by the scene yet does a very thorough clean-up that almost seems rehearsed. The rest, you will have to see! It is in black and white and a little corny at parts, but bottom line, this movie is really creepy and most likely better than any other horror movie you've seen. 

Seriously...I'm Kidding (by Ellen DeGeneres)
Call No: BIO - DEGENERES 

I don't usually read non-fiction but I absolutely love Ellen, so when I saw this book I immediately had to check it out. If you are a fan of Ellen's morning show, or of laughing, then you will probably like this book. There isn't really that much information about Ellen herself in this auto-biography, but she does end up sprinkling many pieces of lighthearted advice on living a happier and more care-free life, in between her jokes. Ellen also does a very good job of putting her own voice in the book- the whole time I could hear her voice reading the book, which made it even more fun to read.