The Power and the Glory – Graham Greene

Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory follows an unnamed Mexican “whiskey priest” during the socialist ban of religion in Mexico in the 1930′s. The priest journeys throughout the countryside bringing Communion to those still practicing Catholicism underground, but he also struggles with moral failings in his past. Greene beautifully portrays the priest’s tension between his call to holiness and his own failure, and this tension will resonate with any reader.

-Andrew Naquin, Library Student Assistant

Cat’s Cradle – Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle follows the story of John, an ordinary man who ends up on the bizarre Caribbean island of San Lorenzon. On this island, John finds a dictator bent on controlling the population of the island through genocide and religion.  Published in 1963, Vonnegut’s compelling prose and masterful storytelling make Cat’s Cradle a literary classic that stands the test of time.

-Andrew Naquin, Student Library Assistant

Kenneth Motley is a sophomore at Loyola who is studying Mass
Communications. Born in Mobile, he grew up in New Orleans East. When asked
why he decided to attend Loyola, he responds, “I liked the campus.”

His appreciation for Loyola is still here, saying it feels like home.
After finishing school he would like to pursue modeling, but public
relations is his back up plan.

He loves to hang out in the Learning Commons on the first floor to chill
with his friends, being able to print out his work and to study, but knows
if you REALLY want to study, you head up the upper quiet floors.

While he feels the library does a good job, his suggestions for
improvement would be to update the Windows computers and get better
printers.

We’re listening, Kenneth, and congratulations on being the Monroe
Library Friend of the Month!

Animal Farm – George Orwell

At first glance, George Orwell’s Animal Farm seems like a children’s book. The talking animals and ease of the prose may trick the reader into believing Orwell’s work is a simple book, but this allegorical novel is deeper than it may appear. Orwell’s classic addresses the dangers of blind trust in a political leader and the corruption that occurs when given unfettered power. Animal Farm is a must read for anyone interested in politics, philosophy, or sociology.

-Andrew Naquin, Student Library Assistant

On March 21, 1952, Loyola’s The Maroon headlines included a Russian Jesuit visiting to speak, Loyola College of Arts and Sciences offering engineering as a course of study, and pharmacy students earning merit scholastic awards.

Perhaps the most interesting article is a previous feature of The Maroon called “Society Notes.” The article discusses St. Patrick day celebrations and who was seen at the Provost Corps dance the previous weekend. Moreover, the article discusses a Beggars party and the new at the time music fraternity Lamba Mu Delta. Imagine if The Maroon did this today…sounds like a 50s version of Gossip Girl to me!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections and work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

When walking around campus, it’s pretty clear what is on everyone’s minds…spring! Now that midterms are over and spring break is here, its easy to see similar scenes around campus as the one below from the Loyola University Photographs Collection. Not to mention, today is the first official day of spring!

If you plan on visiting the library during Easter holidays, be sure to check out updated Monroe Library Hours. Wherever you may spend the break, enjoy!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

Directions – Death Cab for Cutie

Directions is the video companion to Death Cab for Cutie’s critically-acclaimed album Plans. The DVD contains fan-made videos for all 12 songs on Plans, along with commentary from the band and two bonus songs and videos not heard on Plans. Directions is a must-watch for any Death Cab for Cutie fans or any fan of music videos in general.

Andrew Naquin, Student Library Assistant

It All Turns on Affection: The Jefferson Lecture and Other Essays – Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry is the prolific author of short stories, novels, and essays, many of which concern his love for the agrarian way of life. In his 2012 Jeffersonian Lecture, Berry discusses the importance of affection to living a good life. For Berry, affection is a return to the simple, sensory way of life from the high-minded thinking of academia. Berry’s essay is a great read for anyone who is disillusioned by the complications of academic thinking and longs for a partner in a simple way of viewing and relating to the world.

As the weather warms up, you might be inspired to engage in a little outdoor activity. In 1926, a lucky few were recruited to Loyola’s handball society, the “unancient, unbenevolent Order of Gripers.” The club wasn’t for the faint of heart–they were “a lusty, flourishing society, being composed of the loudest speakers in the University.” Check out the fierce competition in the 1926 Wolf Yearbook.

The team included some choice nicknames, including “Messing with Me” Landry and “Half Pint” Roth. Catch the riveting play-by-play in the October 8, 1926 Maroon.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

The Road (Film)

Directed by John Hillcoat and starring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee

The Road is based on Cormac McCarthy’s book of the same name. It chronicles a man and his son struggling to survive in the aftermath of the apocalypse. Viggo Mortensen masterfully plays a man who’s hope for humanity lies in teaching his son to “carry the fire” of goodness to the new civilization that will rise from the ashes of the apocalypse. This film tugs at your heartstrings by portraying a man’s deep love for his son in times of chrisis. The film also raises a deep ethical question: how far would you go to survive?

-Andrew Naquin, Student Library Assistant