These were the top reads from East Village libraries in 2019

The New York Public Library has shared its top checkouts for 2019. These are the books that were checked out the most at our neighborhood branches:

• Tompkins Square, 331 E. 10th St.: "Circe" by Madeline Miller

• Ottendorfer, 135 Second Ave.: "Educated: A Memoir" by Tara Westover

• Hamilton Fish Park, 415 E. Houston St.: "Becoming" by Michelle Obama


"Becoming" and "Educated: A Memoir" were 1-2 systemwide for the NYPL. ("Circe" was No. 7 overall.)





Previously on EV Grieve:
Say hi to Sam, your new Ottendorfer librarian

A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street

Week in Grieview

[Sunrise pic on Bond Street the other morning by Lola Sáenz]

A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street (Friday)

202 Avenue A has been gutted on its way to doubling in size to become the Topanga (Tuesday)

Thanksgiving-weekend fire temporarily shutters Bruno Pizza on 13th Street (Monday)

Tenant activists praise lead reform, urge for more protections from city against predatory landlords (Friday)

After 12 years in Bushwick, Grace Exhibition Space relocates to Avenue C (Thursday)

A Tompkins Square Park tree lighting reminder (Wednesday)

Last call at the Continental now set for Dec. 15 (Tuesday)

This week's NY See (Saturday)

There's improved pedestrian access for businesses along the L-train construction corridor (Monday)

Actual renovation work continues at the long-dormant 32 Avenue C (Wednesday)

Milk & Hops Astor Place closes (Friday)

Retail space for lease now at 131 1st Ave., which has a new owner (Wednesday)

Reader report: Christmas tree market's generator damages mosaic pole on 2nd Avenue (Saturday)

Construction watch: 688 Broadway, aka 1 Great Jones Alley (Monday)

A moment with former First Lady Michelle Obama on 7th Street (Saturday)

Cocoa Grinder softly opens on 1st Street (Monday)

In the West Village, Integral Yoga Natural Foods is closing after 45 years (Wednesday)

Relish this?: Amazon revives Carnergie Deli for a week to promote 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' (Monday)

You better watch out: Miracle on 12th Street pops up for the holidays (Thursday)

'tis the season... spotted at Doc Holliday's...



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A moment with former First Lady Michelle Obama on 7th Street

[Video screengrab]

Earlier today, former White House chef Sam Kass was thought to be the main event in a talk on healthy eating over at the Lower Eastside Girls Club on Avenue D and Seventh Street.

Then!

[A]s Kass detailed the former first family's nightly dinners, Michelle Obama entered, and the girls screamed, cheered and embraced in excitement.

Obama and Kass then served food to each individual girl before the group sat down for lunch and conversation.

That passage was from ABC 7. (This Vanity Fair piece has more details on the event.)

View this post on Instagram

#TFW a legend walks into your space! @michelleobama words cannot express how much today meant to us. TY for the heartfelt conversation and continuing to be an incredible inspiration to us. And @samkassdc TY for a delicious lunch w the best surprise guest we could ever hope for! #michelleobama #blackgirlmagic 🖤💪🏾👑

A post shared by The Lower Eastside Girls Club (@girlsclubny) on Dec 1, 2018 at 12:38pm PST

Yesterday, the Crown Publishing Group announced that Obama's memoir, "Becoming," has sold more than 2 million copies after 15 days, reportedly making it the year's best-selling book.

Also yesterday, Obama signed copies of the book at the Barnes & Noble on Union Square.

Meanwhile, around the Girls Club, word spread about the special guest (Obama, not Kass) ... and a crowd gathered outside. East Village resident Angeline Rodriguez shared this video clip...



"It was a really nice community moment, with everyone meeting or recognizing neighbors and talking about how much they admired Mrs. Obama's work," Rodriguez told me.

By the way...

Please let me know if you see anyone out this weekend wearing the Michelle Obama mask. Like the one here at Duane Reade on Avenue B and Second Street.





Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at the Michelle Obama Halloween mask at Duane Reade

Looking at the Michelle Obama Halloween mask at Duane Reade

Only $9.99, though it's on sale now for $7.99 with your Duane Reade Dollar Reward Card. From the "Fright Factory" collection. Doesn't this just seem -- wrong?



And Duane Reade really needs fitting rooms to try on masks and stuff ... instead, shoppers are forced to quickly put things on in the middle of the store.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Decision 2008