You probably know someone by the name of Alan. Whether they spell their name A-L-A-N, A-L-L-A-N or A-L-L-E-N, the name is a common one with a not-so-common history. Today, as we explore all things Alan, we want to remember this day is all about the Alan in your life.
Origins of Alan Day
According to the National Day Calendar, it isn't totally clear who National Alan Day is named after, but the website suggests:
Canadian mathematician Alan Day (1941-1990). Day made significant contributions to algebraic discoveries known as the Lattice Theory. He became widely respected after publishing his thesis in 1968 on A characterization of modularity for congruence lattices of algebras. The publication was the beginning of a career in mathematical research and discoveries.
Origins of the Name Alan
The name "Alan" has deep roots, with its origins traced back to various cultures and languages. It all started with an ancient Iranian nomadic tribe called the Alans, who were renowned for their military prowess and played a significant role in historical events, including invasions of the Roman Empire. As the Alans encountered various European and Asian civilizations, the name "Alan" started to spread across Europe, picking up different flavors in different languages. It became a name for all sorts of people from different backgrounds. In the Middle Ages (you know, knights and castles), especially during the Norman (French) Conquest and subsequent interactions between the Normans and the Celtic (British) populations, the name "Alan" became more integrated into English-speaking societies. And guess what? It didn't fade away; it's still kicking it today. "Alan" is a name that's been through a lot, and it's like this cool time capsule of history and diversity!
Read About an Alan!
Click on the book covers for more information or to check out digital copies of these books, if we have them.
Holes, by Louis Sacher
Fiction: Mystery & thriller
Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn't commit. Forced to dig holes in the blistering sun, Stanley and his fellow inmates--including an Alan whose nickname is Squid--uncover a web of secrets and unexpected connections. Sachar's storytelling blends humor and mystery in this captivating tale of redemption and unforeseen friendships in the harsh setting of Camp Green Lake.
Crossing Lines, by Paul Volponi
Fiction: Sports
Adonis is a jock. He's on the football team and he's dating one of the prettiest girls in school. Alan is the new kid. He wears lipstick and joins the Fashion Club. Soon enough the football team is out to get him. Adonis is glad to go along with his teammates--until they come up with a dangerous plan to humiliate Alan. Now Adonis must decide whether he wants to be a guy who follows the herd or a man who does what's right.
Bleak House, by Charles Dickens
Fiction: Realistic fiction, classics
The novel unravels the legal intricacies surrounding the interminable real-life Jarndyce and Jarndyce lawsuit, a case that engulfs the lives of many fictional characters. At the center of the narrative is Esther Summerson, an orphan with a mysterious past, navigating through an intricate web of secrets and intrigues. Her story has a happy ending, though when she marries Alan Woodcourt, a generous and loyal young doctor who dedicates his life to caring for the poor.
The Imitation Game: Alan Turing Decoded
Nonfiction: Biography, autobiography & memoir
Alan Turing (1912–1954) was the mathematician credited with cracking the German Enigma code during World War II, enabling the Allies to defeat the Nazis. After the war, Turing went on to launch modern computer science through his creation of the universal Turing machine and the Imitation Game, an artificial-intelligence test that is still in use today. Turing kept his code-breaking work a secret in order to safeguard his native England, but failed to hide his sexual preferences, which led to his tragic death at the hands of the same country he worked so hard to protect.
Allen Iverson: Fear No One, by John Smallwood Jr.
Nonfiction: Biography, autobiography & memoir
He grew up in Virginia with nothing but his talent, his heart, and The Plan: his never-say-die dream to become an NBA superstar. So he began his journey down a road full of obstacles. But the world underestimated Allen Iverson.
From his first days playing college hoops and his turbulent early years in the pros to his leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals and being named league MVP, here is the real story of controversial superstar Allen Iverson.
BONUS!
Edgar Allan Poe, born January 19, 1809, was a master of mystery and the macabre. Known for his dark and haunting tales like "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven," Poe was a pioneer of the short story and detective fiction genres. And his life, marked by tragedy and brilliance, was as enigmatic as his stories. Check out his work in one of the library's collections!
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