MERCANTILE LIBRARY: LECTURE ON SUBURBAN ORIGIN & SPRAWL

Want to learn more about what makes up American cities and how suburbs began? If you're curious as to why some people are critical of the suburbs while others embrace its lifestyle, check out the FREE lecture hosted by The Mercantile Library tonight featuring author Ben Ross.

 

A 19th century experiment in social engineering gave birth to the American suburb, and it has dominated the nation's development ever since.  Ironically, suburbs, now the hallmark of conformity, were created by dissidents of another era: abolitionists, sexual pioneers, and seekers of spiritual enlightenment.

In Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism, Ben Ross traces how the ideal of a safe, green, orderly retreat where hardworking members of the middle class could raise their children away from the city mutated into the cookie cutter cul-de-sacs and strip mall-filled suburbs of today.

Copies of Dead End will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of
The Bookshelf.

June 2, 2014

Mercantile Library

11th Floor Reading Room
414 Walnut Street, Downtown Cincinnati

6:00 p.m. Reception

6:30 p.m. Remarks 

No charge, open to the public

ANNUAL LIBRARY BOOK SALE

It's no coincidence that with a name like Paige, I'm an avid reader. That's why I've had my calendar marked for weeks of the annual used book sale at the Downtown branch of the Hamilton County Public Library. Coordinated by Friends of the Public Library, books discarded from the county's stacks are up for sale, with proceeds returning to the library.

Set up in organized rows, each the ground floor of the Vine Street library is filled with tables overflowing with books arranged by topic. Bold signs help customers find their favorite section, with genres ranging from fiction to bestsellers and cookbooks, CDs and movies, and of course my favorite: Cincinnati history and rare books.

John, the patient volunteer who totaled up my crate of purchases.

In true rummage sale fashion, it's easy to strike gold. I brought home 21 books, most of which cost $2.00 each. Here are some of my finds:

A tour guide book to Cincinnati architecture

A collection of photos of the sculptures from The Big Pig Gig.

Two copies of Cincinnati: Then and Now. 
The book on the left is autographed by the author with her married name.
The book on the right is an early Linotype print from the author published under her maiden name.

Last year, I purchased the book on the left at the Library Book Sale.
This year, I found it's companion Volume III.
Now if I can only find Volume I...

A book of urban neighborhood walking tours.

A collection of photographed disasters in Cincinnati.

Books written in German, including a songbook from 1925.
These are a unique find because many German books were banned / burned in Cincinnati during WWI.

My favorite find of all:
An essay on the Morality of Prohibitory Liquor Laws from 1875.

My friend, Maureen, came with me and found these gems: a beautiful vintage Bible with portraits accompanying the scripture, and a misprinted cookbook from 1928: Any one can Bake (but not everyone can spell.)

The Library Used Book Sale runs through Friday, June 7. Special discount deals are offered throughout the week including 50% for Friends of the Library members on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 50% off for all customers on Thursday, and the infamous "bag sale" on Friday, where customers can fill an entire shopping bag with books for only $10.00.

"DADDY ISSUES" BOOK RELEASE

One of Cincinnati's fastest rising new authors, Howard McEwen, recently released his second major fiction novel: Daddy Issues. The book explores life from the eyes of a successful, blue-collared family man that finds himself slowly losing control of the world he worked so hard to create.

Here's my summary of Daddy Issues without giving too much of the plot away:

It begins with a look. The look a new girlfriend gives you during those first few months you’re dating; that  glimpse from a wife that lets you know she’s still really into you; the whole face smile that lights up your daughter’s eyes when she sees you. It’s nitrous for a man’s ego.

Kentucky auto shop owner, Wagner Siebenthaller, knows this look all too well, but for him the glance is fleeting. Life with his loving wife and daughter has reached a breaking point as his family spirals into a pattern of deceit, promiscuity, and drug abuse brought on by trials of Midwestern life in the 21^st century.

This one's a page turner! I hope you're rushing over to Amazon.com to buy a copy right now...

McEwen is also known for his writings in finance, short stories, and historical fiction. His last publication, Wrath: The Life and Assassination of a U.S. Governor, explored the controversial life of William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, who became the only Governor to be killed in office.

GIVEAWAY: WRATH

No, no, no. CincyWhimsy is not handing out free spite. 

Wrath  is one of my most recent late night page turners, and the author has been so kind to provide me with a few autographed copies to give away to you all!

To enter, leave a comment on this Facebook post answering the following question:
What did you know about William Goebel before reading this post?

Contest ends February 3, 2013.

Wrath tells the story of William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, who was the only Governor ever to be assassinated in office. January 30th marks the anniversary of an unidentified man shooting him on the lawn of the State Capitol in Frankfort in broad daylight.

Not your ordinary Governor, Goebel's lack of social skills and abrasive personality hindered his campaign. He relied on his intellect to garner public support for his platform of railroad regulation and labor causes. His rise to power included a controversial duel with Confederate General John Sanford, passing an election law to stack the odds in his favor, and striding headfirst into a battle with the L&N Railroad monopoly.

Based on a true story that takes place in post Civil War Kentucky, I was fascinated with hearing familiar street names, landmarks, and politicians of the era.  Written with top notch imagery and character development, I keep expecting to see a smug Goebel coming around the corner whenever I walk through Covington.

McEWEN'S WRATH

Thursday night, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation featuring author Howard McEwen speak about his latest novel:
Wrath - The Life and Assassination of a United States Governor.

William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, was the only Governor ever to be assassinated in office. Wrath explores and contrasts the upbringing of Goebel and his assassin from boyhood to an adult. While their paths did not cross until the night of the assassination, McEwen finds symmetry in the characters and transitions their stories back and forth with ease.

Based on a true story that takes place in post Civil War Kentucky, I was fascinated with hearing familiar street names, landmarks, and politicians of the era. Drive past some of the settings today and you will find historical placards marking the Stevenson house or the spot where Goebel fell when shot. With McEwen's top notch imagery and character development, I keep expecting to see a smug Goebel coming around the corner whenever I walk through Covington.

One of my most recent late night page turners, Wrath illustrates how hard upbringings can sculpt a man's outlook on society. I found myself sympathizing with and cheering for Goebel throughout his struggle and his ruthless yet passionate rise to power. Intrigued? Get a copy of Wrath and see for yourself.