October 2011: Happy Halloween!

October's arrived and for many of us Halloween preparations are underway! Here's a look at some of the books, movies and other activities to keep us entertained this month.

NEW BOOKS IN OCTOBER

Shock Wave by John Sandford released 10-4-11

This is the fifth book in the Virgil Flowers series. A new superstore has its sights on a small Minnesota town and local businesses and environmentalists want to stop it. When bombs start going off at the headquarters of the superstore and the construction site, it is up to Flowers to find out who's behind it before more people get hurt.

Snuff by Terry Pratchett released 10-11-11

This is the 39th Discworld novel. At long last, Lady Sybil has lured her husband, Sam Vimes, on a well-deserved holiday away from the crime and grime of Ankh-Morpork. Yet a policeman will find a crime anywhere if he decides to look hard enough, and it’s not long before a body is discovered, and Sam must see that justice is done.

Damned by Chuck Palahniuk released 10-18-11

The daughter of a narcissistic film star and a billionaire, Madison is abandoned at her Swiss boarding school over Christmas. She dies over the holiday of an overdose and the next thing she knows, she’s in Hell. There she shares a cell with a cheerleader, a jock, a nerd and a punk rocker who together are on a quest to confront Satan.

Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay released 10-18-11

This is the sixth book in the Dexter series. Dexter is not pleased to discover that someone is shadowing him, observ­ing him, and copying his methods. Dexter is not one to tol­erate displeasure . . . in fact, he has a knack for extricating himself from trouble in his own pleasurable way.

October Movies (based on books!)

The Big Year (PG)

Every year hundreds of birdwatchers race around North America hoping to be crowned the American Birding Association’s Big Year birding champion. Based on the nonfiction book by Mark Obmascik, this comedy starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black comes to theaters Oct 14th.

The Three Musketeers (PG-13)

When a stubborn young man named D’Artagnan runs into the legendary Porthos, Athos and Aramis, they soon see they’ll have to work together to protect the King of France. The latest incarnation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic story hits theaters on Oct. 21st in 3D.

Toast (NR)

Nigel Slater is nine when mom dies, and ill-equipped to deal with his abusive and distant father. He finds solace in the kitchen and unwittingly starts down the path that will make him a food writer for the London Observer. Based on Slater’s memoir, this film arrives at Circle Cinema Oct. 21st.

The Rum Diary (R)

Paul Kemp is a 30-year-old, New York writer who’s taken a newspaper job in Puerto Rico. Surrounded by drunks and has-beens, Kemp fears he may end up just like them. Johnny Depp stars in this film based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson, coming to theaters on Oct. 28th.

Local Events: Tulsa Library Anime MiniCon

The Tulsa City-County Library’s Anime Minicon is back! It begins Saturday, October 29th at 1pm with martial arts demonstrations from Tulsa Martial Arts. Then at 2pm, Gene Yang, author of “American Born Chinese” and “Level Up,” will talk about why and how he makes comics. The first 200 teens will receive a free copy of “American Born Chinese.” At 3pm kids can choose between entering the cosplay contest or attending a Minicomic Workshop. Located at Hardesty Regional Library, this event is free and open to the public. Visit tulsalibrary.org for more details, including information on how to enter TCCL’s Anime Minicon art contest for ages 10-18.

Jonathan Franzen in Tulsa Tomorrow!

Few authors ever achieve the level of commercial and critical acclaim enjoyed by Jonathan Franzen.

Franzen first rose to prominence in 2001 with the release of his third novel, The Corrections. The story follows the Lambert family and their (individual and collective) unraveling. The novel won the National Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Franzen’s nonfiction works include a collection of essays, most of which previously appeared in publications like The New Yorker and Harper’s Magazine, entitled How to Be Alone (2002) and a memoir called The Discomfort Zone (2006).

Franzen’s most recent novel, Freedom, was released in 2010. The novel follows the story of the Berglunds, a family worn down by daily life, raising children and eventually infidelity.

Franzen will be speaking at TU in the Gussman Concert Hall in the Lorton Performance Center October 13th at 7:30pm. This event is brought to you by TU's Presidential Lecture Series and is free and open to the public.