As a former librarian at the Andrew Heiskell, that branch gets my vote plus another vote for anyone else who doesn’t have a favorite. Claire is correct about the prettiest and the worst, though.
Looking forward to seeing the book suggestions you get! I’m always adding to my list.
What an interesting job, JB! Ms. Akkan told me a bit about how the aisles are extra wide and the books are color-coded and don't have traditional covers, of course. I for sure want to check it out for myself.
I worked in the NYPL system as a newly minted librarian. A scene from Regarding Henry was filmed in the 42nd St. Library, in the Current Periodicals room. That week the senior admins from the upper floors suddenly starting using the restrooms on the first floor.
Intros and Outros from an early 90s PBS documentary on maps, The Shape of the World, was filmed in the Map Division, with narration by Patrick Stewart. ST-TNG had been on for 3-4 years by then, but only two of us knew who he was. He was considerate to the library staff, who worked around the production company. The filming took a week. Stewart would first read the text off the teleprompter to himself, then politely suggest a minor revision or two to the director, who would always say, "yes, Patrick, that's better, do it that way". LeVar Burton stopped by to visit with him, and he was nice, too.
I am reading Cahokia Jazz right now and loving it! I haven't gotten to any of the others yet.
Another recommendation: have you read the book version of The African Queen? It's short but very satisfying. It's a great portrait of a woman discovering what she's really good at!
I enjoy a good sign of The Worst Possible Timeline as much as the next girl, and $28 coffee prepared dead seriously is another indicator that our species has had a nice run and needs to make way for someone else’s turn now.
For books: Anthony Horowitz’s “Magpie Murders” is a clever meta-detective-story and is VERY fun. It’s a book-within-a-book riddle wrapped in an enigma and nestled cunningly in a bed of baby lettuces. I’ve kept reading the others in this series very happily. The heroine is a book editor; what’s not to love?
Horowitz’s other current series, the Detective Hawthorne books, begins with “The Word Is Murder,” and is also very meta because Horowitz himself is the main character. I’m enjoying these a lot too. He is an incredibly prolific screenwriter and author; I hadn’t realized HOW prolific until I just checked out Wikipedia to get the book names right!
I lived in NY for 17 years and somehow never made it to the main public library, although I worked nearby for a long time, and certainly walked past it. If you want a semi-related book, E. L. Doctorow’s “The Waterworks” has a plot point concerning the old Croton Reservoir that stood on the site of the NYPL & Bryant Park. (And of course, that makes me want to recommend “Ragtime” as well….)
When Aharon and I met up, one of first things we chatted about were the glorious wonder years of the civet coffee craze, Rob. It never really caught on. WHY?
And yeah, it's pretty miraculous how clean the public library bathrooms are maintained compared to city bathrooms elsewhere. I suspect this has something to do with LIBRARIANS.
My favorite thing about the NY library system is that you don’t have to be a resident of NYC to get a library card. If you work in NYC, you also qualify for a card. I brought over my work paystub to the 5th Ave library and boom, I obtained my cool Spider-Man library card. It’s especially beneficial for reading on my kindle. The Libby app is amazing. The NYC system has way more copies for readers to grab.
I had no idea Justin! Do you need to work in Manhattan or can it be anywhere in the five boroughs? I'd love to have access to the NYPL digital holds even though I live in Brooklyn. I've sometimes waited half a year for a hold!
That's a great question, I'm not sure but the NYPL website says, "If you live, work, attend school, or pay property taxes in New York State, and as long as your location within New York State can be verified, you can receive a free digital library card right now.." https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card
As a coffee snob, I feel deeply offended that high quality coffee is described as olive juice.. But hey, that's my own doing for being this pretentious.. But yeah $28 is among the highest prices I've seen for a pour over coffee.. I've had a $20.. You're so right, coffee is moving into the wine direction.. Anaerobic fermentation is something that has been done to coffee beans for a few years now.. It's a whole new thing now...
Yes, Abdulrahman, in defense of WatchHouse, they for sure offering a particular style of coffee which is all the rage now among those who rage—but is the exact opposite of my preferred coffee which is CAFE BUSTELO CAFE BUSTLO.
I am hoping the trend reverses eventually, which of course it will. Like hemlines going up and down.
“Aharon showed up in a terrible t-shirt” is like saying the Pope is Catholic. Meanwhile, he HIDES said terrible t-shirt from the camera! Cafe Anne readers demand proof! 🤪
Indeed, we both know, Eric, that ALL of Aharon's teeshirts are terrible. And 1000 years old. I'd do a feature on the collection but I'm concerned about the thousands of unsubscribes this would generate.
You might want to ask your readers to send you their most terrible t-shirts and then have Aharon wear them for a fashion show. I volunteer to make a runway out of discarded pizza boxes.
This may be unusual, but how much would it cost to make or buy a frame to hang a Lucy Stafford original artwork on a wall somewhere? If you don't want to adorn your walls, maybe you could turn that $44 into profit by selling a framed artwork to the highest bidder?
Hmm interesting idea Valerie! If anything, it'd be great to find a way to compensate Ms. Stafford for her lovely illos. As you likely know, she does them for free!
So this reminded me ... did you ever borrow 'The Odd Woman and the City' (or anything else) by Vivian Gornick from the library?
I had a pour over coffee in a fancy coffee shop with one of my kids last week, the one who is into coffee as much as I am. Think I'll stick to "ordinary" barista coffee in the future. It came with ice in a glass on one side, fizzy water in a glass on the other side. It's mid-winter here, down under. (I am writing this after a cup of hot coffee in the comfort of my warm bed but it is time to get up now!)
In hindsight, I feel like the counter lady was trying to steer me to a different, less expensive choice, Michele. But I'm still glad I tried it so you did not have to!
Please use the coffee fund to treat the security guard to the fancy coffee! Would they also taste pickle juice?
LORIE that is such a great idea!!! If I can find him in the lobby again I shall do that for sure!!!!
This was my thought too! Don’t make him waste his hard-earned money!
Yes!
Thanks for finishing out my library adventure with me, Anne! Now it's over to you to see every library in Brooklyn? 🤔
60 branches! I was at the Brooklyn Heights branch last week so just 59 to go. Thanks for including me in your adventure Ms. Akkan!
This issue is packed with delight & surprise:
Library love!
Proof of Aharon!
Olive Juice Coffee!
As always, and again, thank you Anne.
Thank you drew! So glad you enjoyed!
WatchHouse should rename it "Olive Juice Coffee" just so people know what they are getting into.
coffee influencer: I'm sensing a hint of pimento in the finish
As a former librarian at the Andrew Heiskell, that branch gets my vote plus another vote for anyone else who doesn’t have a favorite. Claire is correct about the prettiest and the worst, though.
Looking forward to seeing the book suggestions you get! I’m always adding to my list.
What an interesting job, JB! Ms. Akkan told me a bit about how the aisles are extra wide and the books are color-coded and don't have traditional covers, of course. I for sure want to check it out for myself.
Firstly, as a British person, I'd like to apologise for Londoners foisting their expensive coffee on you.
Secondly, I'd just like to apologise anyway because it's what's we do.
Thirdly, did you meet the Ghostbusters in the library?
LOL thank you Helen!
I had to do some Googling to understand the Ghostbusters question. My only cinematic NYPL reference is Audrey Hepburn in the reader room!
I worked in the NYPL system as a newly minted librarian. A scene from Regarding Henry was filmed in the 42nd St. Library, in the Current Periodicals room. That week the senior admins from the upper floors suddenly starting using the restrooms on the first floor.
Intros and Outros from an early 90s PBS documentary on maps, The Shape of the World, was filmed in the Map Division, with narration by Patrick Stewart. ST-TNG had been on for 3-4 years by then, but only two of us knew who he was. He was considerate to the library staff, who worked around the production company. The filming took a week. Stewart would first read the text off the teleprompter to himself, then politely suggest a minor revision or two to the director, who would always say, "yes, Patrick, that's better, do it that way". LeVar Burton stopped by to visit with him, and he was nice, too.
Patrick Stewart is so great!
Fun summer reading: Not My Type, by E. Jean Carroll.
Oh I bet that IS fun, Jessica. Thank you!
I recommend Golden Hill by Francis Spufford—it takes place in New York City, but back when it was just a small town. Lots of twists and turns!
Oh I loved, loved, loved Golden Hill, Jenne. In fact I love all the Spuffords but the best for sure was Red Plenty.
I am reading Cahokia Jazz right now and loving it! I haven't gotten to any of the others yet.
Another recommendation: have you read the book version of The African Queen? It's short but very satisfying. It's a great portrait of a woman discovering what she's really good at!
I enjoy a good sign of The Worst Possible Timeline as much as the next girl, and $28 coffee prepared dead seriously is another indicator that our species has had a nice run and needs to make way for someone else’s turn now.
For books: Anthony Horowitz’s “Magpie Murders” is a clever meta-detective-story and is VERY fun. It’s a book-within-a-book riddle wrapped in an enigma and nestled cunningly in a bed of baby lettuces. I’ve kept reading the others in this series very happily. The heroine is a book editor; what’s not to love?
Horowitz’s other current series, the Detective Hawthorne books, begins with “The Word Is Murder,” and is also very meta because Horowitz himself is the main character. I’m enjoying these a lot too. He is an incredibly prolific screenwriter and author; I hadn’t realized HOW prolific until I just checked out Wikipedia to get the book names right!
I lived in NY for 17 years and somehow never made it to the main public library, although I worked nearby for a long time, and certainly walked past it. If you want a semi-related book, E. L. Doctorow’s “The Waterworks” has a plot point concerning the old Croton Reservoir that stood on the site of the NYPL & Bryant Park. (And of course, that makes me want to recommend “Ragtime” as well….)
Oh boy these sound like great suggestions, Glencora, thank you! I read Ragtime, btw, and have been meaning to check out what else Doctorow wrote.
If I’m paying $28 bucks for a coffee it better have been harvested from the feces of an Indonesian civet.
As a fellow NYC location collector, I particularly prize libraries for their (usually) clean and functioning restrooms. The books are pretty cool too.
When Aharon and I met up, one of first things we chatted about were the glorious wonder years of the civet coffee craze, Rob. It never really caught on. WHY?
And yeah, it's pretty miraculous how clean the public library bathrooms are maintained compared to city bathrooms elsewhere. I suspect this has something to do with LIBRARIANS.
My favorite thing about the NY library system is that you don’t have to be a resident of NYC to get a library card. If you work in NYC, you also qualify for a card. I brought over my work paystub to the 5th Ave library and boom, I obtained my cool Spider-Man library card. It’s especially beneficial for reading on my kindle. The Libby app is amazing. The NYC system has way more copies for readers to grab.
I had no idea Justin! Do you need to work in Manhattan or can it be anywhere in the five boroughs? I'd love to have access to the NYPL digital holds even though I live in Brooklyn. I've sometimes waited half a year for a hold!
That's a great question, I'm not sure but the NYPL website says, "If you live, work, attend school, or pay property taxes in New York State, and as long as your location within New York State can be verified, you can receive a free digital library card right now.." https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card
You should definitely be approved!
I live on Long Island, and got an NYPL card. Very easy to apply online!
As a coffee snob, I feel deeply offended that high quality coffee is described as olive juice.. But hey, that's my own doing for being this pretentious.. But yeah $28 is among the highest prices I've seen for a pour over coffee.. I've had a $20.. You're so right, coffee is moving into the wine direction.. Anaerobic fermentation is something that has been done to coffee beans for a few years now.. It's a whole new thing now...
Olive juice though... 🤦🏻♂️
Yes, Abdulrahman, in defense of WatchHouse, they for sure offering a particular style of coffee which is all the rage now among those who rage—but is the exact opposite of my preferred coffee which is CAFE BUSTELO CAFE BUSTLO.
I am hoping the trend reverses eventually, which of course it will. Like hemlines going up and down.
Me and the wife always argue about coffee roasting preference, being the American she is… and the abomination that is adding milk and sugar.. 🫨
Trust me.
Wonderful newsletter. Great pic of Aharon (does your "friend" still need to be in quotes)?
And love the French multilingual aspect of this issue - might be more authentic if it was stated - très authentique. Another brighter Monday!
There is nothing that delights me more, mordy, than employing using foreign phrases incorrectly. Next issue I shall double down!
So glad you enjoyed!
Muy bueno!
“Aharon showed up in a terrible t-shirt” is like saying the Pope is Catholic. Meanwhile, he HIDES said terrible t-shirt from the camera! Cafe Anne readers demand proof! 🤪
Indeed, we both know, Eric, that ALL of Aharon's teeshirts are terrible. And 1000 years old. I'd do a feature on the collection but I'm concerned about the thousands of unsubscribes this would generate.
You might want to ask your readers to send you their most terrible t-shirts and then have Aharon wear them for a fashion show. I volunteer to make a runway out of discarded pizza boxes.
Jealous.
This may be unusual, but how much would it cost to make or buy a frame to hang a Lucy Stafford original artwork on a wall somewhere? If you don't want to adorn your walls, maybe you could turn that $44 into profit by selling a framed artwork to the highest bidder?
Hmm interesting idea Valerie! If anything, it'd be great to find a way to compensate Ms. Stafford for her lovely illos. As you likely know, she does them for free!
So this reminded me ... did you ever borrow 'The Odd Woman and the City' (or anything else) by Vivian Gornick from the library?
I had a pour over coffee in a fancy coffee shop with one of my kids last week, the one who is into coffee as much as I am. Think I'll stick to "ordinary" barista coffee in the future. It came with ice in a glass on one side, fizzy water in a glass on the other side. It's mid-winter here, down under. (I am writing this after a cup of hot coffee in the comfort of my warm bed but it is time to get up now!)
Hi Ruth, no according to my library records I never checked out Ms. Gornick. Shall do so now!
DONE!
I am a big fan of a cappuccino with fizzy water on the side. It makes the whole affair seem twice as fancy!
$28 olive juice...glad you indulged so we didn't have to! HaHa
In hindsight, I feel like the counter lady was trying to steer me to a different, less expensive choice, Michele. But I'm still glad I tried it so you did not have to!