A LITTLE TOO QUIET: THE FERNDALE LIBRARY PODCAST

Ruth Behar - Across So Many Seas

Ruth Behar is a Cuban-American author and currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. Her work, spanning fiction, poetry, and memoir, includes Lucky Broken Girl, Letters From Cuba, and her latest, Across So Many Seas. As you'll hear on the podcast, Ruth has a lot of fans here at the Ferndale Library. 

About her latest book, Across So Many Seas: Spanning over 500 years, Pura Belpré Award winner Ruth Behar’s epic novel tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life.

Behard was born in Havana, Cuba, grew up in New York, and has also lived in Spain and Mexico. In addition to writing for young people, her work includes poetry, memoir, and the acclaimed travel books. 

https://www.ruthbehar.com/bio/ 

Boisali Biswas - Bonded Thru Threaded Memories

This week, we're chatting with esteemed studio artist Boisali Biswas, who specializes in mixed-media fiber arts. Biswas recorded this podcast episode just before the closing of her exhibition, which was hosted here at the Ferndale Library throughout the late winter and featured some of her painted weavings and quilts. Biswas has an incredible story—she grew up and studied art in India before moving to Michigan—and she shares it here on our podcast, so tune in! 

You can find more information here: http://www.boisalibiswas.com/ 

Also, we discuss Biswas' upcoming show at the Buckham Gallery in Flint, titled Bonded Thru Threaded Memories. You can find more information about that exhibition, and the opening reception (April 12) at the Buckham Gallery's website here: https://www.exploreflintandgenesee.org/event/bonded-thru-threaded-memories-and-founders-feature/3741/ 

 

Third Places / Third Spaces

We went ahead and recorded an entire episode using the phrase "Third Space," which is used significantly less than the original phrase: "Third PLACE." But oh well. As library staff, we like the word "space" because it just seems to imply much more possibility! Anyway, whether you say "Third Place" or "Third Space," the idea is simple: it's not your  workspace, it's not your home space, it's your THIRD SPACE..., a communal space where you can exist, relax, be creative, and ideally not be expected or required to pay any admission or purchase something in order to be there. 

Your library is here for you. Comfy furniture, free wi-fi, and a relatively quiet--though not TOO quiet--atmosphere. It has always been, and remains, an ideal third "place"!

TODAY: We have guests from the Ferndale Library, the Royal Oak Public Library, and the Fowlerville District Library, sharing their thoughts and perspectives on this subject, as well as talking about some of their own favorite "spaces" in their libraries. 

 

When Detroit Played The Numbers with Author Felicia B. George

Felicia B. George is a native Detroiter who loves Detroit history and culture. She earned her doctorate in anthropology from Wayne State University, where she is now an adjunct professor. Her new book, When Detroit Played The Numbers, tells the true story of how Detroit entrepreneurs created a thriving - if illegal - lottery system to support themselves and uplift their communities.

On Friday, March 29, Source Booksellers hosts a night of storytelling and history, delve into the world of Detroit's underground number games, with George's official book launch. Click here for more info. 

 

Emma Southon - A Rome of One's Own

Roman Historian, author and podcaster, Emma Southon joined us on the podcast (all the way from Belfast) to discuss two of her recent books, A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome and A Rome of One's Own: The Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire. 

Emma Southon has a PhD in Ancient History from the University of Birmingham and researches subjects of sex, the family, gender, and religion. She holds a long running obsession with the bad guys of the Roman empire, and tweets at @emmasouthon | 

 

https://www.emmasouthon.com/ 

https://www.emmasouthon.com/podcast

https://www.emmasouthon.com/roman-women 

 

Doctor Who

This week, we have a panel comprised of DOCTOR WHO fans who are not only ready to discuss their favorite "doctors," their favorite episodes, and their favorite companions, but they're also here to explain the long popular British science-fiction television series to the "uninitiated," and get them excited about diving in. In fact, curious new fans will receive recommendations of "where to start" and even hear about some of the titles that are available here at the Ferndale Library, as well as Doctor Who-related titles that are available digitally as ebooks, audiobooks, and beyond!