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It only seems appropriate to post a photograph of rock icon - and friend to the NYPL - Keith Richards, who is featured in Patrick Harbron’s Rock and Roll Photography exhibition OPENING TODAY!!!! at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Did you know that Keith always wanted to become a librarian? It’s true!
When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is the great equalizer.
— Keith Richards
(Source: nypl.org)
You can’t always get what you want - but in this case, we did. You may recall the story of legendary Rolling Stones rocker Keith Richards accidentally killing an orchid belonging to Marie D’Origny, deputy director of our Cullman Center For Scholars and Writers, when he visited the Library last October. He had a cigarette in Marie’s office with the window open, and the combination of smoke and frigid air was deadly for the delicate flower. Keef was very nice about the whole thing, signing the plant’s pot (AKA - his makeshift ash tray), but Marie still lost her orchid. Fast forward a few months, and under Marie’s green thumb, the orchid has been reborn! Look how well it’s doing! So, all in all, it’s a happy ending! All are satisfied.
Looking for something to do on a relaxing Sunday? How about browsing through NYPL’s YouTube channel to watch a bunch of fascinating videos? Here’s one to give you a little taste - it’s a backstage look at Keith Richards’ appearance here late last year to discuss his new book. Enjoy!
One living thing did not survive Keith Richards’ visit to the New York Public Library in late October - an orchid in the office of Cullman Center Deputy Director Marie d’Origny. While Keef was waiting ‘backstage’ in the center before the talk, he unexpectedly lit up a cigarette in Marie’s office, and grabbed the clay saucer underneath the orchid for a makeshift ash tray. He then asked for the window to be open, sending a chill through the office. Between the cold and the smoke, the little orchid never stood a chance. RIP, sweet flower. The good news is Keith felt sort of bad about smoking in the first place and signed the “ash tray” without anyone asking (see image). So c’mon - you have to have sympathy for the devil. Meanwhile, want to cheer Marie up? Go to one of Cullman’s amazing conversations!!
So Jonathan Franzen’s book Freedom: A Novel was the most circulated book at NYPL in the month of November, making it top dog for the second straight month. Right behind it is Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney, according to the just-released November circ numbers. We’re happy to see, by the way, that the book Life by NYPL visitor Keith Richards made the top five list. Go Keef!
In the DVD world, the new film Eat, Pray, Love topped all others in circulation, including Sex and the City 2, which is still in the top five but was knocked out of the top spot it held in October.
The full lists are below, compiled by our wonderful assistant director for central collection development Miriam Tuliao.
Top Five Books Circulated, NYPL, November
Freedom: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney (Juvenile title)
The Confession by John Grisham
The Finkler Question: A Novel by Howard Jacobson
Life by Keith Richards with James Fox
Top Five Movies Circulated, NYPL, November
Eat, Pray, Love
Inception
The Expendables
Sex and the City 2
Knight and Day
