Queen of The British Collection

Bernardsville Public Library’s renowned collection of British films and television series continues to attract a borrowing public looking for shows with that special British humor, flair, historical interest and literary depth.  Staff member Susan Popper, a fan of  British film, recognized the public’s growing demand for these items five years ago and created a section among our videotapes and dvds devoted entirely to the British material.  She named it The British Collection, and the rest was history. Our customers can’t get … Continue reading →

Religion Lite

photo source: Bernardsville Public Library Join the many fans of British television series Ballykissangel, Father Ted, and The Vicar of Dibley who have “seen the light” and who thank heaven for a good laugh. Ecclesiastical humor, inspired characters, and heavenly scenery combine in these shows to provide a divine experience for faithful viewers. To have your own moment of conversion, check out a season or two of epidsodes, now on dvd at Bernardsville Public Library. You are sure to chortle, … Continue reading →

Here’s A Staff Pick With No Questions Asked!

Susan Popper, staff member at Bernardsville Public Library, has written the following thumbs-up review of Q & A: a novel by Vikas Swarup: So you think you have all the answers? For Ram Mohammed Thomas, it was his luck & misfortune that he did. By now the story is well known. Q & A is the basis for the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire and so has taken on a new life. This book has a lot of heart. Set in … Continue reading →

Newbery Medal Awarded to Neil Gaiman

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2009 John Newbery Medal for outstanding children’s literature to Neil Gaiman, versatile British author of fantasy, science fiction, graphic novels and children’s books, for The Graveyard Book. On its Web site, the ALSC, a chapter of the American Library Association, states the following about The Graveyard Book, “A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose.” Furthermore, … Continue reading →

Are You Looking For Something Good To Watch?

Exasperated with the state of U.S. television, a number of patrons have discovered our very own antidote – The British Collection, featuring a wide selection of British television series and PBS adaptations. Assembled by staff member Susan Popper, the British Collection contains both dvds and videotapes of popular older British TV series such as All Creatures Great and Small as well as newer shows, includingRosemary and Thyme, a series about female horticulturalists who take on amateur detective work and Campion, … Continue reading →

Read It Before You See It

Hollywood has been relying heavily on popular novels and nonfiction as subject matter for its new releases this year. According to the August 25th edition of Publishers Weekly, a number of upcoming movies will be based on such notable books as The Road, a Pulitzer Prize winner by Cormac McCarthy, and The Soloist, a memoir by Steve Lopez. Why wait until everyone else is looking for these titles once the movies are released? Visit Bernardsville Library’s display, “Coming Soon to … Continue reading →