Unfinished Books Written By Notable Authors

There are many reasons for notable authors to leave behind unfinished books. Death is a major cause. Yet, fans of an author will often want to read even an uncompleted work to get what pleasure they can from what was left behind or to see where the author was mentally when he or she died.

Examples include "The Varieties of Reference" a probing piece of philosophy by Gareth Evans, cut down by lung cancer. His work contributes to analytical philosophy despite its incompleteness. In literature "Sandition" by Jane Austin, exists as several chapters of a sunny and bouncy novel written during self-aware months in which she was also dying of cancer.

Another reason books are left unfinished is because the scheme for the total work is larger than the author can complete, or sometimes the author stops work on a piece because he or she looses interest in it or becomes dissatisfied with the way the book is shapping up.

Examples of authors whose literary schemes where too large to complete during their life times include Chaucer, Virgil and Edmund Spencer. Yet, each author has had fans appreciate their work for centuries.

Then there is the example of Jean Paul Sartre who started but did not finish many works, that are now in print, because he was not satified with the work, lost interest, or became interested in something else.

One of the pleasures of reading unfinished books is the pleasure of challenging oneself to visualize how the author would have completed the book, or the reader is free to visualize how he or she would have done so.

Look at the display titled "Unfinished Books By Notable Authors" at the Al Harris Library to see examples of published but unfinished books from our literary heritage.

Happy 50th for To Kill a Mockingbird

July 11, 2010, marked the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird written by Southern novelist Harper Lee. This book is considered to be one of the ten most important books of the last century. The importance of issues such as: race and diversity; prejudice and tolerance; friendship and family; fear and change; morality and ethics; justice and judgment; and compassion and forgiveness are woven into this compelling story.

In 1961, the novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Additionally, To Kill a Mockingbird has a world-wide following, for it has been translated into nearly 50 languages, and more than 40 million copies have been sold worldwide. In 1962 the book became an Oscar-winning film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.

Many of the books and other resources that are located on the display relate to themes that are found in To Kill a Mockingbird. Stop by and take a look at these materials and spend a few minutes viewing a scene from the film as part of the celebration.

September is College Month at OKCMOA

Free admission to Oklahoma City Museum of Art for all college students during the month of September. Present valid college I.D. at the door. Enjoy a range of artwork, independent film screenings, have a meal at their cafe or enjoy the skyline nightlife on the Museum's rooftop terrace where cocktails are served while listening to live music performances.

2010 Organizational Fair

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Library's Org Fair Booth. If you would like to use or ask about any of the equipment showcased yesterday, just stop by the Circulation Desk (library entrance). Congratulations to all the prize wheel winners! We gave away nearly a 1,000 library pens, nearly $500 in fine forgiveness bucks, and 24 prizes (including 10 library t-shirts, a CD case, a CD/radio, a digital frame, 4 tote bags, a Xbox360 carrying case, a digital camera, and a DVD player). Plus, our favorite bulldog was back running around taking pictures with Wright Radio personalities, the new SWOSU President, Miss SWOSU, faculty, staff and students.

To see the list of prize winners and photos from this year's Org Fair, check out the Library's Facebook page (http://tinyurl.com/289erwm).

Dawg Days Video Game Tournament Winners

---- Amos Beaver III -------- Gregory Brewer ----

The SWOSU Libraries would like to thank everyone who stopped by to play at our annual dawg days tournament and helped to make this a fun evening in the library.

We extend a big congratulations to Gregory Brewer (Wii Tournament Winner) and Amos Beaver III (PS3 Tournament Winner) who preservered through thunderstorms and technical glitches to become champions of their tournament bracket. Gregory Brewer is a sophomore and computer science major. Amos Beaver III is a sophomore and a history major.

William Faulkner Goes Online

What would it be like to hear a Nobel Prize winning author speak to your class?

In the late 1950s, English students at the University of Virginia got the opportunity that most American literature scholars would kill for — to speak with William Faulkner.

Faulkner spent two years as the writer-in-residence at UVA, where he gave lectures and readings and took questions from students. The lectures were recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, which have recently been digitized and published online.

You are invited to visit the site "Faulkner at Virginia: An Introduction" where you can read about and listen to William Faulkner's lectures.

Oklahoma Authors

Whether you are interested in reading about Oklahoma’s State Capitol, Route 66, the Oklahoma Land Rush, or you just want to read a good novel or some good poetry, you may find what you want in the display of books by Oklahoma authors at the Al Harris Library. Oklahoma is home to many good writers of both fiction and non-fiction.

One of Oklahoma's famous writers is Ralph Ellison, the author of Invisible Man which won the National Book Award in 1953. Ellison was born in Oklahoma City. Another interesting book on the display is Main Street Was Two Blocks Long by Norene Murphey Hokett from Carnegie, Oklahoma. My Sun, My Son was written by Ottis Ballard, a former SWOSU employee.

Come check out these and other books by Oklahoma authors!