Staff Picks

Carrell’s novel is more of a Da Vinci Code style international quest to discover the true identity of Shakespeare, as well as the text of his (real) lost play The History of Cardenio. One of the detectives, Kate Shelton, is a literary scholar turned stage director, whose mentor is murdered but leaves behind clues. Kate is also the sole narrator, as opposed to the multiple first- and third-person perspectives in Possession, so Kate and the reader don’t know what to believe and whom to trust, while with Possession the reader will end up knowing more than any of the characters. Interred is the more action-packed story, while Possession is more introspective, although both books have chase scenes and even grave-robbing! I still find both stories very absorbing, even at about 1000 pages total.  Recommended for teens and adults who like books about writers.

Peggy recommends:

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

I absolutely loved Chris Whitaker’s We Begin at the End so I couldn’t wait for this new one to come out. I’m thrilled to say it did not disappoint.

All the Colors of the Dark isn’t defined as one genre. It is a mystery, a thriller, and a sweet love story. The characters and events in this story are unforgettable and will resonate with me for a long time.

Girl Under Glass by Ginny Rorby

Once again local author, Ginny Rorby, delves intuitively into the heart and soul of a struggling teen in this fascinating story that incorporates the life of plants, their relationship to the natural world, and to humanity, especially the effects the current environment holds for the younger generations.

If you like Girl Under Glass, be sure to check out Ginny’s other books: Hurt Go Happy, Freeing Finch, How to Speak Dolphin, Like Dust, I Rise (in our local section), Dolphin Sky, The Outside of a Horse and Lost in the River of Grass. Check out Ginny’s web page for more. https://www.ginnyrorby.org/

Sarah recommends:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus. As beautiful as it is heartbreaking, this is a story that has stuck with me for years.

Valerie recommends: 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

In this cozy sci-fi book, there’s a café where a person can travel back in time. However, there are so many stipulations surrounding going back that most people don’t see the point in going at all. This collection tells you the stories of those patrons who choose to go back anyway despite the many limitations. The author does a great job of creating tension slowly so that amongst serious topics of grief, loss, and regrets, there is still a sense of hope carrying through the stories.

John recommends:

Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood

Ms. Greenwood is not Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but she does pay tribute to him with her heroine’s address: 221 B not Baker St. but the Esplanade. She includes other bon mots. Phryne Fisher has on her household staff, a butler. His name is Mr. Butler.  Very appropriate.  In this book, Ms Greenwood has several mysteries that are entertainingly clever. A word of advice, Keep a dictionary handy because there are some uncommon words i.e. mercer.  This is a good one, enjoy.

October 2024 Picks:

Kim recommends:

Love in a Cold Climate (DVD)

Beetlejuice (DVD)

This comedy/horror film is a hoot! There were others I could have picked that were scarier (ie Black  Swan) but  too scary is not entertaining.

Multiple positive factors make this a great film. First is fortunate casting…Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder and Dick Cavett  in a supporting role. This film benefits from good writing, good direction, good props, good special effects, good make up, and good costumes. I liked it and think you did too. And being ghostly it is right in the spirit of Halloween.

Sarah recommends:

The Shining (DVD)

Based on a Stephen King novel, The Shining is about a man named Jack Torrance who heads up into the mountains of Colorado to act as the winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel, bringing his wife and young son with him. The hotel has a dark past that haunts the halls and begins to effect the family the longer they remain in isolation. The Shining is a horror classic that’s been referenced countless times in film and television and has iconic performances from both Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. It’s unsettling and weird and is, in my opinion, a perfect watch during the spooky season.

Peggy recommends:

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

A young girl becomes possessed by the devil and causes several violent deaths before she can be cured.

Scariest book I ever read. Maybe because I had a young child at the time. I don’t know but it really scared me. Went to see the movie when it first came out and laughed the whole way through. Because I’d read the book. And it was the scariest thing I’d ever read.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Night by Alvin Schwartz

A great series for older kids who like to be scared, but not too much. These stories are really fun to read around the campfire or snuggled up together on the couch or in bed. If you like this book, you might want to read More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories 3.

What Was That! by Geda Bradley Mathews

One of my all time favorite children’s stories, What Was That! is the tale of two young bears who get scared by sounds they hear at night. When they jump into bed with big brother bear, he explains the who, what, where and why they are hearing those noises. What Was That! is a cute and effective way to help alleviate a child’s bedtime fearfulness.

Amie recommends:

The Shining by Stephen King

During the holidays, you should always remember—your family may be jacked-up, but it will NEVER be “Torrance family” jacked-up.

The Hitcher (DVD)

Sarah stole The Shining movie so, I suggest The Hitcher.

Poor Tommy Howell is just trying to make a little cash delivering a car to some wealthy dude. Unfortunately, for him, he picks up a one Rutger Hauer (in his prime. RIP!) and his life is never ever never-ever the same. Unfortunately for me, my grandmother (also in her prime. Also RIP my crazy, wonderful grandma!) somehow knew this movie and used it to torture me for years by threatening to pick up hitchhikers everywhere we went. You’ll never eat French fries the same way again.

Marina recommends:

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

The Haunting of Hill House (DVD)

Based on the book by Shirley Jackson, this miniseries follows a family who temporarily moves into an old mansion in order to renovate it. While there, the family experiences a variety of unexplained phenomena and unexpected horrors. A tragedy occurs and the family flees. Twenty-six years later, the past comes back to haunt them as a new tragedy sends them spiraling into memories of the past. I loved this miniseries because it was more than suspense and horror. The actors created a family dynamic that was intriguing to watch and it kept me coming back to watch where their stories would end.

September 2024 Picks:

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHT TO READ!

September is the month of Banned Books Week (Sep 22-28). Stop by the library to see our display table filled with Banned or Challenged Books. If you’re so inclined, have your picture taken with a Banned Book and let them know on social media that you stand for the 1st Amendment and everyone’s right to read what they choose.

100 Most Banned or Challenged Books 2010-2019

Peggy recommends:

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Anyone growing up in the 50’s and early 60’s will be able to relate to the Thunderbolt Kid. Bill Bryson’s humorous memoir takes us back to a time where childhood innocence thrived and the most we had to fret about was skinned knees and the threat of “just wait until your father gets home!” I loved reminiscing those times and I think you will, too.

Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens

August 2024 Picks:

Peggy recommends:

Joan Baez I Am a Noise DVD

The summer I was 12 years-old, I babysat for a family who didn’t have a TV nor a radio. All they had was a mono record player and 3 albums. One album was Peter, Paul & Mary, another was the Highwaymen. But, the third, the third was my favorite, Joan Baez in Concert (pt.2). We (the kids and I) listened to it over and over and over again, all summer long. My 12-year-old self didn’t know much about the Civil Rights movement at the time but her rendition of We Shall Overcome changed me and my soon to be teen angst was hooked.

I have loved Joan Baez most of my life and didn’t think I could love her anymore. But, this fantastic bio of her life, once again, had me hooked and I found I could love her more! If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend you check it out.

A Sharp Solitude by Christine Carbo

In A Sharp Solitude, a journalist has been killed and time is running out for FBI agent, Ali Paige, to prove her ex and father of her young child, is innocent.

I discovered this author when I was planning a trip to Glacier National Park. Her books are set in and around the park, giving the reader a true sense of experiencing the park without actually being there. If you like C J Box or Nevada Barr, you will enjoy Christine Carbo’s books.

Valerie recommends:

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Red Rising is the first book in a dystopian science fiction series set on a futuristic Mars. The main character, Darrow, has been galvanized into rebellion against the caste system that resulted in the death of someone close to him. Darrow undergoes drastic changes in order to infiltrate the ruling class and end the tyranny of the corrupted ruler. I especially loved listening to the audiobook of this series because of the action sequences and the emotionality of the narrator during scenes of struggle and friendship.

Sarah recommends:

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic is a gothic horror novel about a wealthy debutante in Mexico City named Noemí Taboada who receives a letter from her cousin begging for her help as she believes her English husband is trying to kill her. Noemi makes the journey to the the Mexican countryside where the couple lives in his family home. The home has a strange and unsettling atmosphere and the longer she stays there, the more she disturbing truths she uncovers about the family.

I absolutely devoured this book after a long reading slump and the mix of horror and mystery made it such an interesting and engaging read. The setting is ominous, the twists are unexpected, and I found myself unable to put it down. If anyone is looking for a horror novel that isn’t too graphic or brutal, this is a great pick.

July 2024 Picks:

Sarah recommends:

Haikyu!! Volume 1 by Haruichi Furudate

This manga series follows a teenager in Japan named Shoyo Hinata who falls in love with volleyball after seeing a high school tournament on TV in middle school. He doesn’t have the height that most players have, but he’s determined to play regardless and he finally gets his chance when he starts at Karasuno High School.

I love this series because it’s fun and lighthearted while still including meaningful messages about hard work and passion. There is a whole cast of interesting, well-developed characters that you can’t help but root for and their growth throughout the series is a delight to witness. I did not go into this series as a fan of volleyball, but I was when I finished! I’d highly recommend for all ages.

Kim recommends:

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova and 

Not If You Break Up with Me First by G.F. Miller

Both Crush and Not If You Break Up With Me take humorous looks at the complicated interpersonal dynamics of middle school, from peer pressure to friendship to dating, especially various forms of communication and miscommunication.  In Chmakova’s graphic novel (Book Three in a series but it works well as a stand-alone), Jorge is a big, tough, but considerate boy, who uses his strength for good, earning him the nickname of “Sheriff.”  However, he is very quiet, especially around his crush.  Miller’s novel alternates between the third-person perspectives of best friends Eve and Andrew, who are pressured into becoming a couple and then find themselves scheming to each get the other one to dump them.  In both stories, friends, enemies, and frenemies make everything more difficult, especially when they’re trying to help.

Chmakova and Miller in their different ways explore all the mishaps and eventual resolutions with surprising depth, while keeping the characters relatable, even as we wish we could save them from impending disasters.  Both books are funny, although Chmakova’s humor is generally gentler.  (Miller’s book would actually make a great graphic novel, too, and I can see either story as a movie, or short-run television series.)  Jorge, his crush Jazmine, Eve, and Andrew all get happy endings (as do some of the supporting characters), but not necessarily the happy endings they’re expecting.

These books are recommended for ages 10 and up.

Valerie recommends:

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

El Higgins is a student of the Scholomance, a school for sorcerers seeking to become a part of an Enclave. The Scholomance is a wicked place full of maleficaria who love to eat young sorcerers. El is trying her best to disprove the prophecy her grandmother made of her when she was a child. She doesn’t want to be evil, but her power seems to only thrive on destruction. As she navigates her junior year, she befriends someone wholly unexpected: the golden hero of the school, Orion Lake.

I loved A Deadly Education because it felt like a more grown up, scary version of Harry Potter. Novik does a great job of making the Scholomance feel like a character of its own.

Peggy recommends:

The Comfort of Ghosts by Jacqueline Winspear

In the final installment of the Maisie Dobbs series, Winspear wraps up past storylines while solving the mystery of the five house squatters and a long held secret. The Comfort of Ghosts is a lovely ending for a well-loved series.

You Like it Darker by Stephen King

“You like it darker? You got it.” When it comes to thrills and chills, King is the king and this set of twelve short stories does not disappoint.

Marina recommends:

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

First, I fell in love with the movie as a child only to discover and fall more in love with the novel as a teen. While this may seem like a children’s story about unicorns-a beautiful fairytale full of whimsy, humor, adventure, and magic- it also leans into more mature themes. The symbolism is strong- the loss of innocence and imagination as we face the realities of the world around us to the rediscovery of hope and the power of imagination. The Last Unicorn falls in that same unique, memorable, and quotable category as The Princess Bride and Stardust.

June 2024 Picks:

Sophie (student volunteer) recommends:

Irena’s Children: the extraordinary story of the woman who saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto by Tilar J. Mazzeo

Irena’s Children depicts the before and during WW2 with closely accurate dates and settings. The “Angel of Warsaw”, Irena Sendler, watches as imposing new rules catered only to Jewish people appear. As dangers arise for Jewish people, Irena plans with underground forces to save the lives of Jewish children by getting them out of the country and giving them new names.

Kim recommends:

Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever by Matt Singer

Peggy recommends:

Madras Gracias by Rachel Holtzman

Mexican food for vegans! Yes! And not just any Mexican food, but the best! This book is full of everyone’s favorite authentic Mexican food recipes adapted for plant-based lifestyles. Some of my favorites are Al Pastor Madre Tacos (with Mushroom Pastor, yum!), Mushroom Fajitas, Enchiladas Verdes and, of course, the Cashew Crema. Delicious!

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (this month’s Adult Book Group selection)

I probably recommended this book here a while back, but I’ll do it again, it’s that good. Set at the turn of the century, A Reliable Wife is about Ralph Truitt, a wealthy, lonely business man who places an ad for a “reliable wife” in a Chicago newspaper. When Catherine Land, his prospective bride, steps off the train, Ralph is instantly upset, for she is not the same woman as the one in the photographs. Thus begins a tale where murder, betrayal, violence, and revenge lurk in the heart of each character’s motivations.

A Reliable Wife is one of those rare novels I had a hard time putting down. It’s a little older (2009) and I first read it during my bookstore days. I went on to sell about a hundred copies single-handedly after reading it, it was that good.  I hope you think so, too.

Vicki recommends:

The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine

Woohoo! Finally, a book I can throw at hypothetical people when they question my life choices and lack of retirement savings. You know, those same hypothetical people I am winning brilliant Ted Talk level arguments against in the shower. Turns out maybe I don’t have unmanaged ADHD; I’m actually a Benjamin Franklin level genius. Oh wait, the third chapter explains that you can have ADHD and be a Benjamin Franklin and that you also can be a Renaissance Soul without neurodivergence. Likewise, you can have ADHD and be a Mozart – the other end of the spectrum, someone who picks one thing, early on, and sticks with it for the rest of their life. I’m getting hives just writing that. The Renaissance Soul is basically a self-esteem boosting, life-affirming, strategy- providing encouragement letter to those of us who have lots, and lots… and lots of varied interests. Did you also write in your 8th grade yearbook that you wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, Broadway actress and barista at Starbucks (it was the early 90s)? Then this book is for you.

The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul

I am a massive RuPaul fan and have read all of his books (also in the library system) – Lettin’ it All Hang Out and GuRU, watched every season of Drag Race and Drag Race All Stars, watched his episode on Finding Your Roots (Season 6 – also in the library system) and am always lying ravenously in wait for his next production. The House of Hidden Meanings is RuPaul refined – telling his story of growing up in San Diego, a wild youth in Atlanta and a young adulthood in New York to become the living legend he is today, with a mature author’s voice missing from his previous memoirs. The message is consistent with his other books – LOVE is the answer, love yourself enough to be who you really are, and don’t take life too seriously, however Hidden Meanings really hones in on the absolute tenacity required to believe in your dreams no matter what the circumstances. RuPaul didn’t just believe, he KNEW that he was going to become a star- and not just a rock star, but a multifaceted superstar of the world and empire builder. And that’s exactly what he did! Yes, he faced challenges and adversity, loneliness and ostracization, substance struggles and depression, but he let all of it fuel his trajectory towards his goal. I’m inspired, as always, by the man, the maestro, the luminary, the culture creator, our queen mother, RuPaul.

May 2024 Picks:

Kim recommends:

My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand’s autobiography My Name Is Barbra is– like the actress/director/producer/singer/etc. herself– vivid, funny, fascinating, sometimes frustrating, and bigger than life (992 pages).  She tells us in great detail not just of the works she’s created but the meals she’s eaten and the clothes she’s worn (and in some cases designed).  There’s also a lot here about her collaborators, friends, enemies, lovers, two husbands, and the mother that she could never make happy.  There’s surprisingly little about her son, although she’s clearly proud of him.  Some people might find this book overwhelming, yet I enjoyed the richness of the banquet.  But, yes, give yourself time to absorb it all, because it’s definitely not a quick read.

Peggy recommends:

Knife: Meditations after an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie

Thirty years after the fatwa was ordered on him, Knife is Rushdie’s detailed recollection of the vicious knife attack that took his right eye and nearly cost him his life. This is a moving account of Rushdie’s recovery, from the attack itself through the healing aftermath. It’s lyrical, it’s thought provoking, and, at times, even amusing.

 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

The Berry Pickers, told in the voices of two people, begins with Joe, a six-year-old indigenous boy from Nova Scotia whose 4-year-old sister, Ruthie, disappears while picking berries with her migrant family in Massachusetts. Exhausting all efforts to find her, the family returns to Nova Scotia without her, only to return each year for berry picking season and the endless search for their lost loved one.

The second voice is Norma, a dark skinned young girl kept company by shadows and half memories. As time goes on, Norma grows more and more suspicious of her “family”—a pale-skinned mother who suffers from exhaustion and mental illness, her aunt who helps her navigate her peculiar living arrangements and a father who caters to his frail wife with aloof indifference to his child.

The Berry Pickers is the story of two families, a tale of festering wounds, prejudice, untreated trauma, and the cost of truths concealed.

Amie recommends:

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

Helen has given up. Waiting to die, she shuffles along day-to-day, grumpy about not dying until a furry being disrupts her plans and gives her a reason to live. This book is lovely and has made Simon Van Booy my new favorite author. Take that, Cormac McCarthy! AND Mr. Van Booy is adorable! Go check him out right now! Go!

Death Knot DVD

This terrifying film about a cursed family in a rural Indonesian town begins with Hari’s mother committing suicide, forcing Hari and his sister to return to their birth home for her funeral. Once there, they learn that the villagers blame their family for all that has gone wrong in the tiny community, shunning them and leaving them to deal with the horror that Hari’s ancestors have aligned with. This film is very intense, but the writer/director/star dedicated it to his late dog and that made my heart happy, and sad.

Nikki recommends:

Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

So, I love YA fiction. Always have and always will. Shadow and Bone is an awesome series. The world and the magic within it is fascinating. It’s so entertaining and well-paced that it is one of those books you can sit down and read in one or two sittings and immediately crave more. Luckily, there’s more, and I cannot wait to read them all!

Vicki recommends:

(CD & Digital music)

The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monae

The Omnichord Real Book by Meshell Ndegeocello

Process by Sampha

Come Around and Love Me by Jalen Ngonda

These are four beautiful albums that I will be rocking this summer and I encourage you to do the same! Monae’s 2023 pop/funk/afrobeat, queer, one-person-hit-parade-pleasure-cruise is for the hearty party. Ndegeocello’s 2024 piece de resistance is for those introspective nights gazing at the stars wondering, “How did I get so blessed as to be here now? And when is the mothership gonna come get me?” Sampha’s 2017 debut album is soaked in his unique and lovely vocals and yearning piano and will hold you all the way through a dark night of the soul on the longest day of the year. And finally, Ngonda’s 2023 album is a neo-soul instant classic; with every track a jam, perfect for entertaining, playing all day long and feeling good.

April 2024 Picks:

Nikki recommends:

Geek Loveby Katherine Dunn

My recommendation for April is a story about a performing, traveling family with a dark history. If you have a super dark sense of humor, this book is for you. It’s funny, sad, weird and beautiful.

 

 

 Vicki recommends:

I’m Glad My Mom Died – the audiobook written and read by Jennette McCurdy

I bet someone who works at the library has already recommended this book but I am going to recommend it again! Especially in audiobook format, read by the author who is a trained actress and does great voices throughout. It’s funny enough to make the listener laugh out loud and heartbreaking enough that I gasped and yelled, “NO!” multiple times. I had no previous knowledge of the author, a child star on Nickelodeon’s, “iCarly” show; this memoir is about her journey of being forced into the entertainment industry at five by her mother, who died when she was a young adult. I imagine having watched McCurdy grow up on TV would make this memoir even more sensational, but I found it relatable and touching even without prior information. If you ever wanted to do something to make your mom happy, you’ll be able to relate, even though this book takes that desire to the extremes. Themes include: truly horrible moms, the cult of show business, surviving and thriving after child abuse, and finding the humor in dark situations. Content warning for lengthy discussion of eating disorders and recovery.

Kesha – Gag Order (Music CD)

On the theme of young people being exploited by the entertainment industry, I highly recommend Kesha’s new album, “Gag Order.” I have been peripherally aware of Kesha for a while but never liked her music. This album, however, is really, really good. It’s weird, sad, empowering with some dance hits and also some quasi-ambient electronica jams. I loved it. Produced by Rick Rubin, with all the songs written or co-written by Kesha, it marks her last album on Kemosabe records, whom she signed a contract with at 18. She is now 37.  After decades of multiple lawsuits and accusations of sexual assault and harassment against the label’s creator and her former producer, she is finally free – gag order indeed. My criteria for giving an album five out of five stars is that it has to be a cohesive whole story, have multiple stand-out tracks that I would include on a playlist, one dud max, and I need to gush about it to at least one person. This is a 5/5 experience!

John recommends:

The Public Library by Robert Dawson

This book has comments about libraries from many well known authors and a foreword by Bill Moyers.  The book is primarily a pictorial, showing interiors and exteriors of many libraries throughout the United States. Many of the pictures are fascinating, to the point that I read every word in the book. There are quirky little tribute libraries and the book ends with Little Free Libraries, which are essentially a small book cabinet on a post. But the Little  Free Libraries have caught on internationally (there are at least 8 in Fort Bragg). This book is a keeper.

March 2024 Picks:

Peggy recommends:

Under the Henfluence : inside the world of backyard chickens and the people who love them by Tove Danovich

A patron recommended this book to me. I don’t know if she knew I had chickens or if she just guessed based on how many feathers were clinging to my clothes. But, either way, she guessed correctly that I would LOVE this book.

Part memoir, part educational, this book is a loving tribute to those of us who obsess over our chickens, often spending more on their care and well-being than our own selves. If you’re a chicken lover or even just a chicken liker, you’ll enjoy this book.

Find a Way by Diana Nyad

After watching the movie, Nyad, with Annette Benning and Jodie Foster, I was intrigued to learn more about Diana Nyad’s life. Although I don’t particularly care for Diana Nyad (contrasting personalities) I am impressed with her drive and the ultimate achievements she’s made. It’s an interesting look into the life of a woman driven from early childhood into a world of extreme athleticism. Find a Way made me think about a way of life that was very different from my own. Well worth the time.

Amie recommends:

Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes

This book is fun. There’s nothing serious about it and your brain doesn’t hurt reading it. Just a good-old-quick-read-for-when-your-tree-falls-down-in-the-wind-and-catches-the-electrical-wires-on-fire-so-your-electricity-is-out-for-6-days-because-AT&T-hates-being-responsible-for-landlines-and-won’t-come-fix-their-part-of-the-problem. Worth it.

Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson

I actually guffawed a few times reading this informative tome at lunch today. Worth it.

 

Unwelcome DVD

Decent Irish horror story just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

 

Strange Way of Life  DVD

My new boyfriend, Pedro, is lovely in this 31-minute short. Very sad it wasn’t a full feature film, but what can you do?!?

 

Vicki recommends:

City of Dragons #1 The Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis

This juvenile graphic novel is an action packed buddy adventure that kept my attention from beginning to end. A diverse group of young people at boarding school in China have to hack their way out of school, save a tiny dragon from a multi-national pharmaceutical crime operation, contend with a Sea Goddess, and usurp a religious cult vying for world domination. All before dinner! Fun! I am looking forward to #2!

Sleeping With the Dictionary by Harryette Mullins

This is a book of poetry like no other. Some poems are like reading the equivalent of the surrealist “Exquisite Corpse” game –  playing with words that seem disparate but make a profound and surprising whole. Some poems are complete plays on the auditory meanings of words spelled as their homonyms. I read these out loud and though the collection is dense it is delightful.

 

Nikki recommends:

Wild, Wild West DVD

This movie totally holds up, at least to my nostalgia it does.

 

February 2024 Picks:

Kim recommends:

Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari

Fungi Grow is a beautifully illustrated nonfiction book that offers fungal facts in a clear and yet poetic way.  Children as young as three can enjoy the watercolor pictures and the text with larger font.  Smaller, less simple but still approachable text offers more information for kids at old as 9 or 10.  Gianferrari shows that fungus can be deadly but also beneficial, and always interesting.

Peggy recommends:

Distant Sons by Tim Johnston

The long awaited “sequel” to Descent, Distant Sons picks up Sean Courtland years after the traumatic events of his youth. Sean is now a transient carpenter, traveling the country doing odd jobs wherever he lands. When the old Chevy truck breaks down in a small town in Wisconsin, a town full of secrets of its own, Sean finds himself stranded and looking for ways to earn a little money. Soon, he finds himself defending the honor of a local waitress and befriending another transient with secrets of his own. I love this book because the characters all had secrets and pasts they are trying to outrun and each understandably so. I highly recommend all of Tim Johnston’s books, this one especially.

Amie recommends:

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Vicki brought this book to my attention; I think it is my new favorite. Set in an alternate past, an alien breed has taken sides with the KKK making a super racist and a super black heroine. It’s spectacular!

 

Holdovers DVD

Decent film. I wanted it to be more Dead Poets, but it was fun and sweet and sad enough. Worth the watch. And you never go wrong with Paul Giamatti.

 

Way of the Gun DVD

I may have recommended this before, but it’s worth a second recommendation, either way. This film is fantastic. My favorite Benicio del Toro film, and that’s saying a lot. It’s a beautiful gangster/western/robbery-gone-wrong/buddy film that’s violent and heartbreaking. It should’ve won an Oscar, but don’t get me started on Oscars. Angry face.

John recommends:

Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott

This book is almost unbelievable as it in some ways is better than the PG Wodehouse books it parodies as a tribute.  One suggestion.  Stay close to a dictionary.  You probably wouldn’t miss very much but learning about the unusual words used is fun.  And for one word you might need the Oxford English Dictionary (the Library has one, make a list).  This book is clever, funny, and engrossing.  It’s a page turner.  Really good news is that when you’ve read this one there is a Zip Book request for the next  book.  We can hope it’s a series.  Enjoy!

January 2024 Picks:

Nik recommends:

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is N.K. Jemisin’s first of her three-part Inheritance Trilogy. I enthusiastically enjoyed the pull of reading “just another 5 minutes” as the complicated power dynamics between gods, mortals, and everything in-between create a captivating read that was very hard to put down. Also, grab your dictionary, as Jemisin’s lexicon is just as creative as the mystical realm she creates for the characters.

Amie recommends:

There There  by Tommy Orange

This book is too hard to explain. Just read it. For reals. Everyone should read it.

 

Selma (DVD)

So, this film is heartbreaking and still so current. In honor of Dr. King, watch it and then come to the library and get some books to learn more and be part of the solution. I will stand right there with you and the learning! 

Peggy recommends:

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China, Lisa See’s latest about a girl being primed from a young age to become a female doctor in a male oriented world. Ms. See’s novel incorporates the Four Examinations of Chinese medicine— looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient. Hence the need for educating women, even though Confucius said “an educated woman is a useless woman”.

Throughout the book, Ms. See shares the difficulties of growing up female in China. When this young girl, Tan Yunxian, reaches a certain age, she is forced to take her place in society with an arranged marriage and all the traditions that go along with being a “proper” wife. Ms. See is expert at delving into the history of Chinese culture along with a captivating story of women helping women.

I highly recommend you read this book then join us for our virtual discussion with Ms. See, Feb 6^th at 4:30. Here is the link to the ZOOM discussion or, better yet, join us at the library for our audience participation of the ZOOM presentation.

John recommends:

It Ain’t Over (DVD)

This is a  biographical tribute to Yogi Berra, a great ball player, excellent manager and very effective coach.  The film was produced by Yogi’s oldest grand daughter and it was apparent that she had great love and respect for Yogi.  The film contains marvelous documentary footage from pre-war until his retirement.  The  reconciliation with George Steinbrenner was especially poignant as Yogi had vowed not to return to Yankee Stadium until Mr. Steinbrenner apologized to him for the way he was fired.  Overall I’d say you don’t have to be a baseball fan to like this film as Yogi added so much to the English language, everyone has heard some of his sayings.  Enjoy and remember “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”.

 

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