CADL’s Jessica Trotter named Public Librarian of the Year
If you’ve read a book from the Capital Area District Library in the last several years, it’s likely that librarian Jessica Trotter was behind its inclusion in CADL’s expansive catalog.
Bill Castanier's Latest Articles
Michigan author’s latest novel dissects the Bath school bombing
A long discarded Lansing Fire Department phone log contains a simple entry indicating an emergency call from Bath on May 18, 1927.
Michigan politics satirized by new murder mystery novel
W. Edward Wendover's latest mystery, “Murder by Lansing Kool-Aid,” is a murderous romp through the Michigan Legislature, or at least the Democratic House, where Wendover was the chief of staff for Mike Huckleberry, D-Greenville.
Black and blue football memories of the old school Detroit Lions
Author Richard Bak may have saved the best for his newest book, “When Lions Were Kings,” which chronicles the Detroit Lions’ gridiron dominance back in the ’50s.
Capital Area District Libraries wants its readers to get woke
Author Ezra Jack Keats once wrote, “If we could see each other exactly as the other is, this would be a different world.” That statement appears in his controversial 1962 book, “The Snowy Day,” which featured an image of an African American boy mesmerized by a snowstorm on its cover. Today, his writing might be described as “woke.”
Before the memories fade: Flashing back to Goose Lake International Music Festival
When the gates opened the day before the festival, car after car backed up at the three gates and many not wanting to wait left their cars parked on the side of the road. I still remember one car riding on the rims through the entrance.
Donovan Hohn gets spellbound by the water of Michigan
Author Donovan Hohn’s new book, “The Inner Coast: Essays,” draws heavily on the power and importance of water.
Great LGBTQ novels to celebrate pride with
For decades, unsuspecting high school literature teachers assigned “The Picture of Dorian Grey,” by Oscar Wilde, for reading and discussion. Read between the lines and you will find a subtle gay thread. Not surprising, since Oscar Wilde spent time in a British prison for homosexuality.
Discussing the process of death with author Thomas Lynch
We are in a time when lawn signs have replaced graduation, Zoom is a preferred wedding venue, kids are having drive-by birthday parties and we are saying goodbye to our friends and loved ones on Facebook and with posts on funeral home web sites.
Michigan libraries slowly reopen with new restrictions
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order giving libraries across Michigan the green light to reopen on Monday. Wait — not so fast! You will be able to get a haircut before you can check out a book.