More Fun Additions for Fall Reading

Hart House Library continues to get new acquisitions that will whet several types of appetite! Some of the new books you can find on our shelves include:

The Boardwalk Jungle (Ovid Demaris; History) gives a history of the development of Atlantic City as a gambling resort, and a lot of the backroom dealing and underworld elements that built it up. If you’re excited about the new HBO show Boardwalk Empire, this book may be a great selection.

The Politics Of Housework (edited by Ellen Malos; Generalities) combines Feminist essays and debates from the 60’s and 70’s, discussing women’s role with domestic labour. If your interested in the shifting role of women from previous generations to the present, highlighted by shows such as Mad Men, then this book may be an exciting exploration for you.

On the spiritual front, we also have Stories for the Six Worlds: Micmac Legends (Ruth Holmes Whitehead; Canadiana), Greek Myths: With Selected Episodes from the Trojan War (edited by Olivia Coolidge; Generalities) and Mythology (Edith Hamilton; Generalities). I personally have always loved reading about Native American legends and other mythologies – no matter in what tradition your spirituality lies, reading about other cultures’ traditions can offer insight into spiritual life and the world around us. Delving into stories or traditions can offer an exciting perspective we are not normally accustomed to.

Also on the topic of spirituality, or at least 'spirits,' Bluenose Ghosts (Helen Creighton; Canadiana), is a folklore of real experiences of ghosts in the Maritimes, an area known for having a lot of hauntings. This book is renowned for its legitimacy, so it may be the perfect reading material if you like thinking about what may be left over in an old lighthouse or colonial barracks.

Some other interesting books that have recently come into our collection are:

History: 20 Years Of Rolling Stone: What A Long Strange Trip It's Been by Jann S. Wenner

Generalities: Fear Of Falling – The Inner Life Of The Middle Class by Barbara Ehrenreich

University: The Prevailing Influence: Hart House And The Group Of Seven by Catharine D. Siddall

Fiction: Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Canadian Poetry: The Nightmare Alphabet by Sean O’Huigin

Hart House has many books that may be a great escape during the quiet first weeks of school, or anytime you need a break. Pop up to see us and you may just find what you never knew you were looking for!

Richard III...minus Al Pacino.

"Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe."
--Richard in Act V, Scene III

Sir William Shakespeare's Ricahrd III will be playing at the Hart House Theatre from September 15th until October 2nd. To prepare yourself for this historical affair, why not stop by the Hart House Library first and familiarize yourself with the play?

Richard is suave, calculating and brutal. Come and meet one of Shakespeare's greatest villains!

Student tickets are available for $12, as well as $10 student tickets on Wednesday nights. Visit http://www.harthouse.ca/hart-house-theatre/richard-iii to find out more.

James Reaney, [b.1926-2008]

On the first of this month was the birthday of beloved James Reaney, a Canadian poet, playwright, professor and critic. He was born in South Easthope Ontario and led a thoroughly literary life, inspired by the noteworthy Northrop Frye. Reaney was awarded his PhD, here at the University of Toronto, in 1958. Having taught at both the University of Western and the University of Manitoba, Reaney's accomplishments did not end with his students. He won three Governor General's Awards and launched a successful career in writing drama. Several of his plays have been performed at Hart House's very own Theatre.

Beginning in September, the Hart House Library dedicated a display to several of James Reaney's books to begin educating people about his influence on Canadian literary culture.

James Reaney's style has been referred to as "Southern Ontario Gothic." Margaret Atwood was also quoted as saying that without "[Reaney's short story] The Bully, my fiction would have followed other paths."

"Clouds"

These clouds are soft white horses
That draw Weather in his wagon
Who bears in his old hands
Streaked whips and strokes of lightning.
The hooves of his cattle are made
Of limp water, that stamp
Upon the roof during a storm
And fall from dripping eaves;
Yes these hooves have worn away mountains
In their trotting over Earth.
And for manes these clouds
Have the soft and various winds
That still can push
A ship into sea
And for neighs, the sable thunder.

Reaney's poetry demonstrated a true playfulness, as shown in "Ice Cream," a poem from his collection Souwesto Home, currently on display at the Hart House Library.

"Ice Cream"

The local poet is riding his bike uptown
On a fairly hot summer day
Bent on Jumbo's Ice Cream Booth
Before mailing a poem to Chimaera at the Post Office
At Jumbo's Ice Cream Booth there are
Thirty flavours including --
Licorice, fudge, lemon, orange, apple, grape,
Banana, chocolate, cherry, Maple Walnut (my favourite)
Vanilla, of course, peppermint, strawberry, raspberry --
Weren't there some vegetable ones? Do I remember --
Onion ice cream?
And this pair of double dip skim milk flavours
Cost only a nickel each!
And the ceiling was of pressed tin!
So, I plunk down a nickel for a Maple Walnut!
And so out the door bent on making the cone
Last till I reach the Post Office Door --
The Post Office is French Provincial with four clocks.
The poet holds his bicycle up with his left hand.
Walks slowly licking as he proceeds.
Two little girls say scornfully: "He's acting
Just like a little kid!"
But he thinks -- "Isn't that what life is all about?"

One website remarked that James Reaney has treated the contrasting worlds of innocence and experience, the underlying forces of evil in everyone, love's power to redeem and the process of growth from childhood to adolescence and maturity. He has done so with talent and grace. This year, James Reaney would have been 84 years old and his works remain alive with each re-reading. Isn't that what literature is all about?