season's readings

 

The next Books & Beyond (BAB) meeting will be on Tuesday, January 31st at 6:30pm and the topic up for discussion is trains & train travel.  If you’re stumped for a title, peruse the BAB section of the Shelf Care page: https://oneallibrary.org/adults---reading-recommendations

This week, BAB met for a reader’s choice meeting, where there is no assigned topic, so group members shared what they've really been enjoying this year and recently.

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry

The Ghent Altarpiece is the most violated work of art in the world. Thirteen times it has been vandalized, dismantled, or stolen. Why? What secrets does it hold? From the tranquil canals of Ghent, to the towering bastions of Carcassonne, and finally into an ancient abbey high in the French Pyrenees, Nick Lee must confront a modern-day religious crusade intent on eliminating a shocking truth from humanity’s past. Success or failure—life and death—all turn on the Omega Factor. 

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.

Reborn in the USA: An Englishman’s Love Letter to His Chosen Home by Roger Bennett

One-half of the celebrated Men in Blazers duo, longtime culture and soccer commentator Roger Bennett traces the origins of his love affair with America, and how he went from a depraved, pimply faced Jewish boy in 1980’s Liverpool to become the quintessential Englishman in New York. A memoir for fans of Jon Ronson and Chuck Klosterman, but with Roger Bennett’s signature pop culture flair and humor.

Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang

A reimagining of Joan of Arc’s story given a space opera, giant robot twist, the Nullvoid Chronicles is a story about the nature of truth, the power of belief, and the interplay of both in the stories we tell ourselves.

Cat Sebastian’s Seducing the Sedgwicks trilogy
The Sedgwick Series is about the sons of a radical, slightly unhinged poet. Each book is a standalone, but this is the chronological order:
It Takes Two to Tumble
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score
Two Rogues Make a Right

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens’ anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.

Silenced No More: Surviving My Journey to Hell and Back by Sarah Ransome

For the first time ever, a survivor tells the shocking inside story of her time trapped in Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking ring.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history. Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.

The Widow’s War by Sally Gunning

When Lyddie Berry’s husband is lost in a storm at sea, she finds that her status as a widow is vastly changed from that of respectable married woman. Now she is the “dependent” of her nearest male relative—her son-in-law. Refusing to bow to societal pressure that demands she cede everything that she and her husband worked for, Lyddie becomes an outcast from family, friends, and neighbors—yet ultimately discovers a deeper sense of self and, unexpectedly, love. Evocative and stunningly assured, The Widow’s War is an unforgettable work of literary magic, a spellbinding tale from a gifted talent.

Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series

This 18 book (and counting!) series is set around the life of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of Surete du Quebec, the provincial police force for Quebec, Canada.  The first in the series is Still Life. 

Janet Langhart Cohen's Anne & Emmett 

This play was recently produced at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Anne & Emmett is an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, both victims of racial intolerance and hatred. Frank is the 13-year-old Jewish girl whose Diary provided a gripping perspective of the Holocaust. Till is the 14-year old African-American boy whose brutal murder in Mississippi sparked the Modern American Civil Rights Movement.

Till (this DVD is on order in the library system)

In 1955, after Emmett Till is murdered in a brutal lynching, his mother vows to expose the racism behind the attack while working to have those involved brought to justice.

Babylon (this film is currently in theaters)

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series

This 19 book (and counting!) series features a former Chicago cop of mixed Irish and Ojibwe nation heritage living and working near an Ojibwe reservation in the north Minnesota woods. This first title in the series is Iron Lake.

The Hours

The story of how the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

In The Hours, Michael Cunningham, widely praised as one of the most gifted writers of his generation, draws inventively on the life and work of Virginia Woolf to tell the story of a group of contemporary characters struggling with the conflicting claims of love and inheritance, hope and despair. The narrative of Woolf's last days before her suicide early in World War II counterpoints the fictional stories of Samuel, a famous poet whose life has been shadowed by his talented and troubled mother, and his lifelong friend Clarissa, who strives to forge a balanced and rewarding life in spite of the demands of friends, lovers, and family. Passionate, profound, and deeply moving, this is Cunningham's most remarkable achievement to date.

must-reads for 2023

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….when we get started on building those TBR lists for Winter 2023! (For the unknowing, that’s “to be read" 😊)

Our friends over at Town & Country magazine have crafted this list of books they are looking forward to this winter, have a look! Keep in mind, most of these titles haven't been published yet, but you can click the "Place Hold" button to get on the waitlist!

Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon

In this first-ever authorized biography of Elizabeth Taylor, journalist and author Kate Andersen Brower (First Women, The Residence) tells the story of one of Hollywood's greatest stars through extensive interviews as well as previously unpublished letters, personal writing, and rare interview transcripts. From Taylor's earliest roles through her work as an international superstar and philanthropist, her story is told with style and great detail, making this a must read for new fans and longtime admirers alike.

Young Bloomsbury: The Generation That Redefined Love, Freedom, and Self-Expression in 1920s England

Once, the members of the so-called Bloomsbury Group (like Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster) were the enfants terribles of the literary world, but that wouldn't last forever. After them came another group, made up of the likes of Stephen Tomlin and Julia Strachey, whose bold and subversive ideas and ways of living would upend not only the establishment but also the older Bloomsbury set, setting a new course for the creative world that still resonates nearly 100 years later. In this sharp, thoughtful look at the group, their work, and its impact, Nino Strachey shines a light on cultural masterminds whose lives and work would change the world forever.

Finale: Late Conversations with Stephen Sondheim

Before he died in 2021, Stephen Sondheim sat for a series of interviews for a profile in The New Yorker. Then he walked away from the story. And then he changed his mind. In this collection of those interviews, D.T. Max shares an intimate look at the titan in his final years and discusses a wide range of subjects from the profound to the mundane that, when put together, paint a vivid picture and serve as a touching, thorough, and appropriately offbeat tribute to a man whose contributions to our culture are still impossible to comprehend.

Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D'

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina has worked for decades as a maître d' at some of New York City's best loved and most exclusive restaurants, including The River Cafe, Raoul's, and Le Coucou. In this book, he pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes at high-end eateries—including memorable antics from volatile chefs and badly behaved patrons—and shows readers the funny, frantic side of hospitality that regular diners might never see.

Another Dimension of Us

 This new novel from T&C contributor Mike Albo is about young love, time travel, and what it means to be truly devoted to someone else. Following two sets of teenagers—originally based in 1986 and 2044, but that gets complicated—Albo's charming, big-hearted story will appeal to fans of John Hughes and the Duffer Brothers equally, and makes the case that true love is, in fact, timeless.

A Small Affair

Money, romance, and murder are always key ingredients for a delicious thriller. And in the latest from Flora Collins, they're used expertly. This novel follows Vera, whose social ambition and membership to an exclusive dating service, find her cavorting with an older and much richer man. But when her paramour and his (oops) wife turn up dead, Vera ends up at the center of a murder investigation and eventually something far more sinister. Collins's book is a skillful look at the high price of looking for love and the curse of getting exactly what it is we think we want.

Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter

When John Hendrickson wrote for The Atlantic about the experience Joe Biden, then a candidate for President, had with stuttering, his story went viral. Now, Hendrickson tackles the topic of stuttering—his own experiences, those of others, the thoughts of experts and charlatans alike—in this book about what it's like to live with a stutter, and how the world reacts.

8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go

Award-winning storyteller and podcaster Jay Shetty is set to deliver his second book 8 Rules of Love, and seeing as how his first landed in the number one slot on Amazon’s best seller list, we’re looking forward to this subsequent project. Shetty’s 8 Rules of Love combines ancient wisdom and modern science to offer tangible tools that will help you navigate relationships through every stage— and not just relationships with others, but also with ourselves and the world.

The New Life

In 1800s England, two men whose marriages aren't quite as traditional as they appear to be find themselves planning to publish a book taking a radical-for-the-time stance on same-sex relationships. But when public opinion becomes obviously swayed prior to the book's release, the question of whether they want their work out in the world becomes urgent. Tom Crewe's book is a beautiful, haunting portrait of love in a time that didn't understand it, and a reminder of how close we are to the past.

The Shards

A sort of prequel to the author's legendary debut novel, Less Than Zero, The Shards follows a young man (named Bret Easton Ellis) through the smoggy world of early 1980s Los Angeles, where he attends private school, experiments with drugs and sex, and casually glides through life—until a string of murders gets too close for comfort. It's a thrilling page turner from Ellis, who revisits the world that made him a literary star with a stylish, scary new story that doesn't disappoint.

When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World 

In 1921, composers Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake shook up New York City’s musical theater scene by producing the first all-Black musical on Broadway. The production, called Shuffle Along, brought vibrant jazz tunes to the Broadway stage and gave Black performers an opportunity to shine in the process. Peruse the pages of When Broadway Was Black to explore the history of Shuffle Along and the creators behind this iconic work of art.

The Faraway World

Patricia Engel returns with 10 linked short stories, mainly centered on the experience of Colombians and Colombian Americans. In "Aida," 16-year-old Aida tries to understand the disappearance of her twin sister, Salma; in "Campoamor," a novelist in Havana juggles two girlfriends; in "The Book of Saints," a Colombian woman marries a New Yorker she meets online. Engel's in fine form in all the short stories, as she examines the intersections of class, immigration, and families.

Spare

Prince Harry's highly anticipated memoir is finally hitting bookshelves in January. First announced in summer 2021, Harry said at the time, "I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think."

Age of Vice

Deepti Kapoor's sprawling novel, Age of Vice, centers on the wealthy Wadia family. There's the playboy heir, Sunny; his servant, Ajay, who was born in poverty; and a journalist, Neda, who falls into Sunny's orbit. Kapoor takes the readers through each of their stories, and what results is a fast-paced, compelling novel that is part thriller, part family drama, and part look at modern Indian politics.

Blood, Fire & Gold

Historian Estelle Paranque looks at the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, two of the most powerful women in Renaissance Europe. She draws on their private letters to craft portraits of these famous women. As Paranque writes in the start of Blood, Fire & Gold, "They might have been rivals, but they were also united in their power, each admiring the force of the other. Both of them brave and intelligent women, they were unlike any other rulers of the age, and while this might divide them, it would also bring them closer together. But ultimately Elizabeth and Catherine would never let themselves forget that they were, first and foremost, each other's true rival."A must-read for history lovers.

Maame: A Novel

Jessica George's Maame follows the story of Londoner Maddie, called "Maame" by her Ghanian family, as she cares for her father, who has advanced stage Parkinson’s. When her mother returns from Ghana, she tries to begin her life outside of the family home. Soon, however, tragedy strikes and Maddie loses her job at a publishing house. In this coming-of-age novel, Maddie navigates grief, familial duty, workplace racism, and being torn between two cultures. An unforgettable, funny debut.

The Survivalists

Aretha, a successful Black woman who works as a corporate attorney, begins dating a coffee entrepreneur named Aaron. When she moves in with him and his roommates in Brooklyn, Aretha learns the household are survivalists, and constantly prepping for the end times. Per the publisher, Kashana Cauley's The Survivalists centers on questions such as "Does it make sense to climb the corporate ladder? What exactly are the politics of gun ownership? And in a world where it’s nearly impossible for young people to earn enough money to afford stable housing, what does it take in order to survive?"

Hell Bent

Leigh Bardugo returns to the dark magic of Yale's secret societies in this sequel to the bestselling Ninth House. Protagonist Alex "Galaxy" Stern is set on breaking her mentor, Darlington, out of purgatory. The dark academia fantasy novel is rooted in the very real nature of wealth, power, and murder, and Hell Bent is just as twisty and good as Ninth House.

The Half Known Life

Prolific travel author Pico Iyer turns his attention to the question of paradise in his latest book, The Half Known Life. "I’d begun to wonder what kind of paradise can ever be found in a world of unceasing conflict—and whether the very search for it might not simply aggravate our differences," he writes. Iyer travels to Iran, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Israel, Tibet, and elsewhere to uncover what paradise looks like on earth.

The End of Drum-Time

This epic novel is set in 1851 in a remote village in the Arctic circle, where a Lutheran minister's daughter, Willa, falls for a native Sámi reindeer herder, Ivvar. It's a fascinating work of historical fiction, with romance at its heart, that dramatizes two real historical events: the growth of the teachings of minister Lars Levi Læstadius, and the Kautokeino Rebellion of 1852. "The book starts with a repentance and ends with a rebellion," Pylväinen says of the story.

The following titles will be ordered soon, but are not on the system yet.  If you're interested, pin a note to your fridge to ask about them later! They all publish in February.

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me

It’s customary to depend on a sanctuary when life gets overwhelming, and for Patrick Bringley, his personal oasis became the Metropolitan Museum of Art after learning that his brother had been diagnosed with fatal cancer. But Patrick did more than visit this art haven every once in a while— he quit his job at the New Yorker and decided to work as a full-time museum guard. In All The Beauty in the World, Patrick Bringley depicts the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art through his own intimate and fascinating perspective.

Big Swiss

Jen Beagin's novel is, in the simplest terms, about the transcriptionist for a sex therapist who falls for one of his clients after transcribing her sessions. Really, though, the funny, offbeat story (which is already in the works to become an HBO series) asks questions about telling the truth, falling in love, and who we really are when no one else is looking—or so we think.

I Have Some Questions for You

This new novel from the author of The Great Believers follows a boarding school alum as she returns to her New England alma mater to teach a course and winds up opening old wounds—for herself as well as a number of figures from her past. When a decades-old murder, which has been mostly relegated to the dark world of internet sleuths, becomes a hot topic once again, everything Bodie Kane thinks she knows about the world she lives in and the memories she's made come into question—and the picturesque campus where she's living becomes perhaps the most dangerous place of all.

The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival

Grief is an inevitable part of life, and if there’s anyone who knows this firsthand, it's Bozoma Saint John. While in college, Bozoma’s boyfriend committed suicide. In her first moments of motherhood, Bozoma’s baby was born prematurely. And in the midst of a separation from her husband, Bozoma discovered that he had terminal cancer. Through unveiling her profound stories of love and loss, Bozoma encourages others to persevere through tumultuous times in the face of adversity.

Whatever Next?: Lessons from an Unexpected Life

Princess Margaret's close confidant, Anne Glenconner, is back with her second memoir. Glenconner was Margaret's lady-in-waiting for over three decades, and her first memoir, Lady in Waiting, was full of interesting revelations about the royal family. "While I was writing it, I realized I had led a very interesting life. The sort of life I led doesn't really exist anymore," she told Town & Country.

What Napoleon Could Not Do

DK Nnuro's newest book What Napoleon Could Not Do illustrates the story of two siblings, Jacob and Belinda Nti, all of whom share a common goal of moving from their hometown in Ghana to America. When Belinda realizes the American dream, or in her father’s words, achieves “what Napoleon couldn’t do,” Jacob grows bitter. Through their separate paths toward success, the siblings embark on journeys of promise and disappointment, each navigating in their own way.

My Last Innocent Year

"It's hard to say how I ended up in Zev Neman's dorm room the night before winter break..." our narrator, Isabel Rosen, begins My Last Innocent Year. Daisy Alpert Florin's debut novel is set during one young Jewish woman's senior year at a fictional New Hampshire college in 1998, as she grapples with the sexual politics of her campus, and embarks on a confusing affair with a married professor. Though it's set nearly 25 years ago, My Last Innocent Year is a deeply timely and relevant campus novel.

The Sun Walks Down

It's September 1883 in the South Australian outback, and six-year-old Denny has gone missing in a dust storm. Over the next seven days, the community begins searching for Denny. Fiona McFarlane populates her story with a wide range of characters—from Denny's sisters and parents, to Aboriginal tracker Jimmy—and expertly captures the tensions in colonial Australia between the European and Indigenous populations.

VenCo

Cherie Dimaline's second novel, VenCo, is the story of a Métis millennial, Lucky, who lives with her grandmother, Stella. When she discovers a silver spoon in their walls, Lucky is soon tapped into a network of witches across America (VenCo being an anagram for coven). "This is a book about how we all have a wardrobe leading to Narnia — we just need to find it," Dimaline says. A fun, feminist, witchy read.

lives lived

 

Upcoming programs:

Sun, Dec 4th 7-9pm Ghost Stories for Christmas

Thu, Dec 8th 6-8pm  PENAmerica community discussion of South to America by Imani Perry 

Wed, Dec 21st 11am-noon Samford String Quartet holiday concert 

Tue, Dec 27 6:30-8pm It’s the last meeting of the year for Books & Beyond and it is Reader’s Choice so there’s no assigned topic. For the 2023 BAB topic selections, click here.

Books & Beyond met this week to discuss biographies, autobiographies, and memoir.

You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of GeorgeWashington by Alexis Coe

With irresistible style and warm humor, You Never Forget Your First combines rigorous research and lively storytelling that will have readers--including those who thought presidential biographies were just for dads--inhaling every page.

Monarchy by David Starkey (eaudio on Hoopla)

The crown of England is the oldest surviving political institution in Europe. Throughout this book Dr. David Starkey emphasizes the Crown's endless capacity to adapt to circumstances and reshape national policy, whilst he unmasks the personalities and achievements, the defeats and victories, which lie behind the kings and queens of British history. 

Monarchy by David Starkey (tv show)

Hosted by the erudite, energetic Dr. David Starkey (The Six Wives of Henry VIII), this series tells the epic and bloody stories of Britain's kings and queens from the Saxon era (Alfred the Great) to the early 20th century (Victoria).

Assassinations that Changed the World by Nigel Cawthorne (eaudio on Hoopla)

We live in an age of asymmetric warfare. Huge armies no longer face each other on the battlefield. Instead heads of major powers and lone assassins (or martyrs) target each other to pursue their agendas. There are forty-eight assassinations that changed the world in this book. Rest assured that in the coming years we will see many more.

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham

Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln, charting how—and why—he confronted secession, threats to democracy, and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America.

Crowned in a Far Country: Portraits of Eight Royal Brides by Princess Michael of Kent

More than just a window into the politics and power brokering of royal marriage, Crowned in a Far Country charts the transformations of privileged princesses into women of power and historical importance.

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

The #1 New York Times bestseller from Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography that is “a study in creativity: how to define it, how to achieve it…Most important, it is a powerful story of an exhilarating mind and life” (The New Yorker).

Da Vinci’s Demons (tv show)

A tortured genius defies authority and throws himself into the future, forever changing the fate of mankind.

Sleepwalk With Me: And Other Painfully True Stories by Mike Birbiglia

I’m Mike Birbiglia and I’m a comedian. You may know me from Comedy Central or This American Life or The Bob & Tom Show, but you’ve never seen me like this before. This is my first book. It’s difficult to describe. It’s a comedic memoir, but I’m only 32 years old so I’d hate for you to think I’m “wrapping it up,” so to speak. But I tell some personal stories. Some REALLY personal stories. Some of the stories are about my childhood, some are about girls I made out with when I was thirteen, some are about my parents, and some are, of course, about my bouts with sleepwalking. Bring this book to bed. And sleepwalk with me.

New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad by Mike Birbiglia

With laugh-out-loud funny parenting observations, the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning comedian delivers a book that is perfect for anyone who has ever raised a child, been a child, or refuses to stop acting like one.

A Strong and Steady Pulse: Stories from a Cardiologist by Greg Chapman

A Strong and Steady Pulse: Stories from a Cardiologist provides an insider’s perspective on the field of cardiovascular medicine told through vignettes and insights drawn from Gregory D. Chapman’s three decades as a cardiologist and professor of medicine. In twenty-six bite-sized chapters based on real-life patients and experiences, Chapman provides an overview of contemporary cardiovascular diseases and treatments, illuminating the art and science of medical practice for lay audiences and professionals alike.

All that Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His YoungPatients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience by Jay Wellons

In All That Moves Us, Dr. Jay Wellons pulls back the curtain to reveal the profoundly moving triumphs, haunting complications, and harrowing close calls that characterize the life of a pediatric neurosurgeon, bringing the high-stakes drama of the operating room to life with astonishing candor and honest compassion. 

Noble Blood  (podcast)

Author Dana Schwartz explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between. Because when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes often mean blood.

Slow Burn (podcast)

A narrative podcast produced by Slate that is in it’s 7th season (discussing Roe v. Wade), Slow Burn tackles big topics in politics and popular culture.

Edith Wharton by Hermione Lee

From Hermione Lee, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning biographer of Virginia Woolf and Willa Cather, comes a superb reexamination of one of the most famous American women of letters. Delving into heretofore untapped sources, Lee does away with the image of the snobbish bluestocking and gives us a new Edith Wharton-tough, startlingly modern, as brilliant and complex as her fiction. 

Initiated: Memoir of a Witch by Amanda Yates Garcia

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes meets Women Who Run With The Wolves in this "gorgeously written, fierce, political, personal, and deeply inspiring" (Michelle Tea) memoir about finding meaning, beauty, and power through a life in witchcraft.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.

Don’t Blow Yourself Up: The Further True Adventures andTravails of the Rocket Boy of October Sky by Homer Hickam

From Homer Hickam, the author of the #1 bestselling Rocket Boys adapted into the beloved film October Sky, comes this astonishing memoir of high adventure, war, love, NASA, and his struggle for literary success.

Just Kids by Patti Smith

“Reading rocker Smith’s account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, it’s hard not to believe in fate. How else to explain the chance encounter that threw them together, allowing both to blossom? Quirky and spellbinding.” -- People

The Automat (film)

A charming, fascinating look at one of the first and most unique restaurant chains in America with Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell.

Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism by David Benner (not in the library system, selling on Amazon)

As an unremarkable English commoner, former tax collector, and one-time privateer, Thomas Paine was the most unlikely person to carry the torch of American independence. Nevertheless, his succinct and wildly-popular argument in favor of the idea, Common Sense, proved to be the exact catalyst to bring such a provocative cause to fruition. Benner's work pays particular focus on to the polemicist's great successes in transforming his day's political landscape.

Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler by Ben E. Nicholson (not available in the library system, currently in funding mode on Kickstarter)

Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler reveals the first attempt to put a multi-shot firearm in the hands of the common soldier and sportsman. This novel device—patented in America in 1818 by Artemas Wheeler—was taken to England by his partner, Elisha Collier, to be trialed by the military shortly after the Napoleonic wars. Rejected by both the British and French militaries, the Collier revolver with its clockwork-advanced cylinder eventually found its place as a bespoke self-defense and hunting weapon.

Mimosa: Memories of Marilyn & the Making of “The Misfits” by Ralph L. Roberts (not in the library system, selling on Amazon)

Ralph Roberts, actor, masseur, and former Pentagon liaison, could frequently be found in the kitchen of Lee Strasberg’s NYC apartment on Central Park West. One pleasant spring morning he by chance met Marilyn. Not the turned-on public persona of Marilyn Monroe he had crossed paths with in the past, but the honest, casual Marilyn who existed outside the public eye. Thus set in motion the beginnings of a deep friendship that forever changed Ralph, and unquestionably altered the course of his life. 

 

 

Booktok recommendations

Booktok is more than just Colleen Hoover!  Here, Bookriot has collected the top non-COHO Tiktok book recommendations! (book descriptions via Bookriot)

ACT YOUR AGE, EVE BROWN BY TALIA HIBBERT

The third book in the Brown Sisters series, Act Your Age, Eve Brown is an adorable romance novel from sensational writer Talia Hibbert. Eve Brown is a mess, and she always is. Jacob Wayne always has it together. When these two find themselves with their lives intertwined their spiteful relationship might just turn into something a little more romantic. That is if they don’t kill each other first.

ALL MY RAGE BY SABAA TAHIR

Sal and Noor used to be best friends. Then the fight happened and everything changed. Sal is trying to run the family business while his moms health keeps declining and his dad turns to alcoholism. Meanwhile Noor is hiding a deep secret, she’s applying to schools and hoping to leave her family and her life behind. Soon the two must decide if they can reconcile with each other, or risk letting the monsters from their past get the better of them.

THE ATLAS SIX BY OLIVIE BLAKE

There are six contestants for an elite spot with the Alexandrian Society, but there are only five spots available. As our six main characters work to improve their magical ability and compete against each other, it’s soon revealed that each of them is carrying a secret. If they aren’t careful it could be their downfall. As the time for the final trials draws nearer the relationship with each other deepens, but looming in the background is the knowledge that one of them will not survive until the end.

BABEL BY R. F. KUANG

Robin Swift, orphaned as a child due to a cholera outbreak, is found by a professor and is brought up in world of languages, all so he can attend the legendary translation institute at Oxford called Babel. When he gets there at first it’s everything he hoped for, but soon he realizes that translation isn’t just a tool for education, but also as a tool for colonization. Now Robin finds himself faced with two options, fight for the world he was raised for, or fight for the world he wants to see.

BOOK LOVERS BY EMILY HENRY

Nora is one of the best literary agents in the world. When her little sister proposes a girls trip, Nora agrees to try and take some time for herself. The sisters weekend is growing great until Nora realizes that Charlie, an annoying uptight editor, also happens to be vacationing in the same spot. As they keep bumping into each other via more and more absurd scenarios they realize that they might not be the hero of their own story, but they could be the hero of each other’s.

CRAVE BY TRACY WOLFF

The first book in a supernatural trilogy, Crave tells the story of a young woman named Grace who finds herself falling for a vampire. As she tries to navigate going to school with monsters who just as soon kill her as look at her, she starts to realize that maybe there is more to this school than meets the eye. Grace must now try to survive all the while wondering if maybe her coming to this school wasn’t just an accident, maybe it was arranged, and Grace doesn’t know which sounds scarier.

DELILAH GREEN DOESN’T CARE BY ASHLEY HERRING BLAKE

Delilah is forced to go back to Bright Falls to photograph her sisters wedding. Even though she always said she would never come back, the guilt trip and the money mean that it’s time to go home. However when she gets there she encounters an old friend of her sister named Claire. The two find themselves stuck together while working on wedding preparation. And maybe, just maybe these two have much more chemistry than they’d like to believe.

THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O’LEARY

Rent is expensive. So two people become roommates without ever meeting each other. Leon works nights so he only needs the flat during the day. Tiffy has the opposite schedule so she occupies the flat the rest of the time. They begin to communicate with each other via notes, and soon they find themselves becoming something maybe a little bit more than just roommate. Of course there’s still the problem of them never having met before.

HANI AND ISHU’S GUIDE TO FAKE DATING BY ADIBA JAIGIRDAR

Hani is bisexual, but when she tells her friends, they start to question her. In a panic she lies and tells them she does have a girlfriend. Ishu just wants her to show up her perfect sister, and becoming head girl is the perfect way to do that. Fake dating Hani might be the perfect way to become more popular and secure the votes she needs. So their plan is hatched! What could possibly go wrong?

HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK BY SEQUOIA NAGAMATSU

The year is 2030 and an ancient corpse is discovered in the melting permafrost. However, this young woman was killed by a deadly and contagious virus that is now free to rampage across the world. This epic follows the virus and its devastating effects for years to come. Each person is affected wholly differently and what follows is an interwoven tale of endurance and perseverance.

I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED BY JENNETTE MCCURDY

A memoir from Jennette McCurdy that tells the tale of her abusive mother and Jennette’s experience as a former child star. It’s a heartbreaking story about the dangers that many young actors face when no one has their back. McCurdy writes with wit and class even while detailing some of the most painful experiences of her life. It’s a book you won’t want to put down, and will be thinking about for years to come.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES

The first book in a trilogy, Avery Grambs finds herself in the running for a vast inheritance from an unknown man. As long as she lives in this house with the old man’s family, attends the school he wants her to go to, and abides by a few other rules, her whole life will change. But why was she chosen? Is he a relative? A friend of the family? Or is it something even more sinister than that. Avery has a year to figure it out and survive the trials put before her.

KAIKEYI BY VAISHNAVI PATEL

This retelling is entirely transportive. Kaikeyi is brought up on wonderful stories of the gods and the great deeds they accomplish. But when she sees her father banish her mother and try to marry her off she realizes perhaps the gods aren’t as benevolent as the stories make them out to be. Kaikeyi turns to the books her mother read to her and transforms herself into the powerful woman she was always destined to become. But there are always those who wish to see a powerful woman fail.

LAURA DEAN KEEPS BREAKING UP WITH ME BY MARIKO TAMAKI AND ROSEMARY VALERO-O’CONNELL

This is a delightful graphic novel about the perils and pitfalls of high school dating. Freddy wants Laura Dean to stop breaking up with her. This weird on and off relationship is as confusing as it is complicated. So Freddy turns to anyone who will help her figure out what’s going on. From mystics to advice columns Freddy is determined to get to the bottom of her topsy-turvy relationship.

MALIBU RISING BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID

It’s 1983, and one of the greatest fires to rage across California is about to start. A fire started accidentally at a house party for the rich, famous, and beautiful people of Malibu. But the story of the fire, and those who cause it start years earlier when the hosts are children just trying to understand why their dad would leave their mom like that. This is a wonderful story about family, fame, and what can happen when sparks catch.

NORMAL PEOPLE BY SALLY ROONEY

Connell and Marianne pretend they don’t each other at school. They run in completely different circles, so it’s just easier to pretend. But, secretly they have a connection that amazes and scares them. A year later as they study at the same school in Dublin things start to shift. Over the next four years they find themselves circling each other being drawn close only to be flung apart. As their own lives get more and more complicated, they have to decide what they are to each other once and for all. And it’s not going to go smoothly.

THE SECRET HISTORY BY DONNA TARTT

Credited as one the pieces to bring “dark academia” into the literary lexicon, this is a classic that still draws attention from new readers to this day. When a group of friends studying classics kill their schoolmate, their lives start to spiral out of control. What follows is a story of passion, deception, and academia that haunts its readers. The group tries to keep it together, but they find themselves slipping from the high minded ideal image they had of themselves to something a lot more sinister.

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN BY SHELLEY PARKER-CHAN

Her brother was told that his fate will be greatness not seen by anyone alive today. Her fate is nothingness. But when her brother passes away, Zhu decides she’s going to steal her brother’s fate. Disguised in boy’s clothes, Zhu heads to study at the monastery her brother was promised to, and from then on, she hides her identity from everyone, including the gods themselves. As she rises to lead armies she is struck by one question: how long before it is realized that she is not who she says she is.

THE SONG OF ACHILLES BY MADELINE MILLER

A retelling of the myth of Achilles that is as heart warming as it is devastating. Two young men find themselves training together. Soon a bond is formed and they fall more in love with each other than they know what to do with. But when the war with Troy begins, these two lovers find that sometimes love can’t survive a battlefield. And perhaps even worse, sometimes it can.

THE SPANISH LOVE DECEPTION BY ELENA ARMAS

Catalina was under a lot of pressure and might have let it slip that she’s bringing her American boyfriend to her sister’s wedding. There’s only one problem — she doesn’t have one. Luckily her colleague, Aaron, offers to step in and pose as her fake boyfriend. Even though she can’t stand him, Catalina agrees to the plan and the game is afoot. But as they spend more and more time together she starts to realize something. Maybe she likes him way more than she thought.

THIS WOVEN KINGDOM BY TAHEREH MAFI

Alizeh has a secret. To the world she’s just an ordinary servant. But in reality she’s descended from royalty. The crown prince is struggling to keep it all together. His father’s passing has been predicted to happen any time now. But he keeps finding himself by a servant who seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. Their kingdom — and indeed their world — hangs in the balance. Each of them will have to tread carefully to avoid sending their people into chaos.

TO PARADISE BY HANYA YANAGIHARA

It’s 1893 in New York City, but it’s not the New York we know. Now it’s 1993 and the AIDS epidemic is causing the deaths of so many innocent young men. Now it’s 2093 and the world is run by corrupt officials and is plagued by sickness. What follows is an intricate weaving of three people’s lives spread out over three hundred years. As their lives intersect in strange ways, it seems that despite the vast time difference, things haven’t actually changed all that much.

WEATHER GIRL BY RACHEL LYNN SOLOMON

Ari is a meteorologist on TV and loves her job. But her boss is too distracted with personal matters to give Ari’s career the attention it deserves. Enter Russel. Russel offers to step in and team up with Ari to fix their bosses’ personal lives so that Ari’s life can get back on track. But amidst all their hijinks, a storm starts brewing. And Ari realizes that she’s starting to have feelings for Russel. But can she let him in enough to see the real her? Or will he be stuck with the weather girl persona she puts on for TV?

WE WERE LIARS BY E. LOCKHART

This book originally came out in 2014, but has made a comeback thanks to BookTok. When a group of friends goes to visit a remote island for some away time, things don’t go exactly as planned. What follows is a series of events so shocking that it will shape the friends forever. If they can make it out alive, and with their secrets in tact that is. But can they even remember what the truth is? Or have they managed to lie even to themselves.

To this list I will add a series that recently came to our attention via a patron request they'd seen on Tiktok.  Micalea Smeltzer's Wildflower Duet: The Confidence of Wildflowers and The Resurrection of Wildflowers. from Amazon.com: "My future is a big 'what if' at the moment and I'm fine with that. For the most part. When Thayer Holmes moves in next door, the grumpy landscaper both fascinates and amuses me. When he asks me to nanny his kid, it's a great way to make some extra money. It's impossible not to fall in love with Thayer and his adorable son. There's a big problem though. Falling for someone almost fifteen years older than me wasn't part of my plans, but sometimes things happen when you least expect them.

https://bookriot.com/tiktok-book-recommendations-2022/

great debut novels of the 21st cent

 

It isn’t widely considered a genre or topic on its own, but one of my favorite kinds of books to seek out and read/listen to are debut novels.  Brand new authors with fresh voices and innovative ideas are being published all the time and often don’t get the same traction as the usual NYT bestsellers.  A recent article in Booklist magazine (the Nov 1/15, 2022 issue) listed some of the very best debut novels published between 2000-2021 that have won major prizes, appeared on best-seller lists, stunned book groups, made it to the big screen, and launched exciting careers.  Find your next great book here!

Happy reading,
Holley

American War by Omar El Akkad

A second American Civil War, a devastating plague, and one family caught deep in the middle—this gripping debut novel asks what might happen if America were to turn its most devastating policies and deadly weapons upon itself. 

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

Lucy Hull, a children’s librarian in Hannibal, Missouri, finds herself both kidnapper and kidnapped when her favorite patron, ten-year-old Ian Drake, runs away from home. Desperate to save him from his family, Lucy allows herself to be hijacked by Ian when she finds him camped out in the library after hours, and the odd pair embarks on a crazy road trip. 

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man—also named Jonathan Safran Foer—sets out to find the woman who might or might not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war, an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior, and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.

The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez

It’s Holy Week in the small town of Las Penas, New Mexico, and thirty-three-year-old unemployed Amadeo Padilla has been given the part of Jesus in the Good Friday procession. He is preparing feverishly for this role when his fifteen-year-old daughter Angel shows up pregnant on his doorstep and disrupts his plans for personal redemption. With weeks to go until her due date, tough, ebullient Angel flees her mother’s house, setting her life on a startling new path. Vivid, tender, funny, and beautifully rendered, The Five Wounds spans the baby’s first year as five generations of the Padilla family converge.

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

The debut from an astonishing young writer, Freshwater tells the story of Ada, an unusual child who is a source of deep concern to her southern Nigerian family. Young Ada is troubled, prone to violent fits. Born “with one foot on the other side,” she begins to develop separate selves within her as she grows into adulthood. And when she travels to America for college, a traumatic event on campus crystallizes the selves into something powerful and potentially dangerous, making Ada fade into the background of her own mind as these alters―now protective, now hedonistic―move into control. 

Good Kings Bad Kings by Susan Nussbaum

Bellwether Award winner Susan Nussbaum’s powerful novel invites us into the lives of a group of typical teenagers―alienated, funny, yearning for autonomy―except that they live in an institution for juveniles with disabilities. This unfamiliar, isolated landscape is much the same as the world outside: friendships are forged, trust is built, love affairs are kindled, and rules are broken. But those who call it home have little or no control over their fate. Good Kings Bad Kings challenges our definitions of what it means to be disabled in a story told with remarkable authenticity and in voices that resound with humor and spirit.

Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong         

Freshly disengaged from her fiancé and feeling that life has not turned out quite the way she planned, thirty-year-old Ruth quits her job, leaves town and arrives at her parents’ home to find that situation more complicated than she'd realized. Her father, a prominent history professor, is losing his memory and is only erratically lucid. Ruth’s mother, meanwhile, is lucidly erratic. But as Ruth's father’s condition intensifies, the comedy in her situation takes hold, gently transforming all her grief.

Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn

In this radiant, highly anticipated debut, a cast of unforgettable women battle for independence while a maelstrom of change threatens their Jamaican village. Capturing the distinct rhythms of Jamaican life and dialect, Nicole Dennis- Benn pens a tender hymn to a world hidden among pristine beaches and the wide expanse of turquoise seas.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini        

The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, caught in the tragic sweep of history, The Kite Runner transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial moment of change and destruction. A powerful story of friendship, it is also about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

The “devastatingly moving” (People) first novel from the author of the short story collection, Tenth of December: a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented

The Love Songs of W.E.B. du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

The 2020 NAACP Image Award-winning poet makes her fiction debut with this National Book Award-longlisted, magisterial epic that chronicles the journey of one American family, from the centuries of the colonial slave trade through the Civil War to our own tumultuous era. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman’s beloved first novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).

The Mothers by Britt Bennett

In entrancing, lyrical prose, The Mothers asks whether a "what if" can be more powerful than an experience itself. If, as time passes, we must always live in servitude to the decisions of our younger selves, to the communities that have parented us, and to the decisions we make that shape our lives forever.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

At once a witness to the fraught yet undeniable love between a single mother and her son, it is also a brutally honest exploration of race, class, and masculinity. Asking questions central to our American moment, immersed as we are in addiction, violence, and trauma, but undergirded by compassion and tenderness, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is as much about the power of telling one’s own story as it is about the obliterating silence of not being heard.

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

The winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as seven other awards, The Sympathizer was a breakthrough novel of 2015. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a “man of two minds,” a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon, and while building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship.

There, There by Tommy Orange

A wondrous and shattering award-winning novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. A contemporary classic, this “astonishing literary debut” (Margaret Atwood, bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale) “places Native American voices front and center before readers’ eyes” (NPR/Fresh Air).

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This is the dramatic story of an atrocity inflicted on generations of women, men, and children through the slave trade and the war they waged to simply make lives with the people they loved. Written by one of today’s most exciting thinkers and writers, The Water Dancer is a propulsive, transcendent work that restores the humanity of those from whom everything was stolen.

What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons

Raised in Pennsylvania, Thandi views the world of her mother’s childhood in Johannesburg as both impossibly distant and ever present. She is an outsider wherever she goes, caught between being black and white, American and not. She tries to connect these dislocated pieces of her life, and as her mother succumbs to cancer, Thandi searches for an anchor—someone, or something, to love.

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

From the bestselling, award-winning author of The Buddha in the Attic and The Swimmers, this commanding debut novel paints a portrait of the Japanese American incarceration camps that is both a haunting evocation of a family in wartime and a resonant lesson for our times.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith's dazzling first novel plays out its bounding, vibrant course in a Jamaican hair salon in North London, an Indian restaurant in Leicester Square, an Irish poolroom turned immigrant café, a liberal public school, a sleek science institute. A winning debut in every respect, White Teeth marks the arrival of a wondrously talented writer who takes on the big themes--faith, race, gender, history, and culture--and triumphs.

trivia time

The next meeting of Books & Beyond (BAB) will be on Tuesday, November 29th at 6:30pm and the topic up for discussion will be biography, autobiography, and memoir.  Books, film, podcast...you get to pick!

Here are some upcoming programs here at the library in which you may have interest:

Sat, Nov 5 from 1-3pm:  An Afternoon with the Author: Will Bowron

Wed, Nov 9 from 1-2pm:  The Seasoned Performers present "Abbott and Costello...Encore!"

Sun, Nov 13 from 7-9pm: a screening of Nosferatu with a live score from local musician Chayse Porter

Tue, Nov 15 from 10am to 12pm Medicare: What You Need to Know ,with Michael Wimberly

Wed, Nov 16 from 7-8:30pm: Sound Café listening party for Kate Bush’s The Dreaming

This week, BAB met to discuss trivia/general knowledge books.

Serial Killer Trivia: Fascinating Facts and Disturbing Details by Michelle Kaminsky

Perfect for any murderino, true crime junkie or connoisseur of macabre tales, this fact-packed book quizzes readers on their true crime knowledge and offers fascinating stories of well-known murderers as well as lesser-known, but just as nefarious, killers. You’ll be surprised at how many fascinating tidbits you’ll learn about the world’s most cold-blooded and dangerous people.

Murder Maps USA: Crime Scenes Revisited; Bloodstains to Ballistics, 1865-1939 by Adam Selzer

Vivid and intriguing, Murder Maps USA plots the most remarkable American homicides between the Civil War and WWII onto maps and plans, alongside haunting crime scene photographs and compelling expert analysis.

In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet

With fiery prose and arguments that range from the scholarly to the cultural, In Defense of Witches seeks to unite the mythic image of the witch with modern women who seek to live their lives on their own terms.

The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks by Amy Stewart

Of all the extraordinary and obscure plants that have been fermented and distilled, a few are dangerous, some are downright bizarre, and one is as ancient as dinosaurs—but each represents a unique cultural contribution to our global drinking traditions and our history.

Who’s on Worst?: The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats, and Other Antiheroes in Baseball History by Filip Bondy

Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker

Exploring and explaining a litany of glitches, near misses, and mathematical mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman Empire, and an Olympic team, Matt Parker uncovers the bizarre ways math trips us up, and what this reveals about its essential place in our world. Getting it wrong has never been more fun.

Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored by Lorraine Harrison

Full of expert instruction and practical guidance, Latin for Gardeners will allow novices and green thumbs alike to better appreciate the seemingly esoteric names behind the plants they work with, and to expertly converse with fellow enthusiasts. Soon they will realize that having a basic understanding of Latin before trips to the nursery or botanic garden is like possessing some knowledge of French before traveling to Paris; it enriches the whole experience.

Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway

Floriography, or the “language of flowers,” has been practiced for thousands of years across different cultures. It was especially popular during the 19th century in Victorian England. Learning the meaning and symbol behind each flower became a popular pastime. Originally published in 1884, this lovely volume contains an illustrated glossary of the meaning behind a wide variety of flowers.

A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Nancy Kirkby

Daffodils signal new beginnings, daisies innocence. Lilacs mean the first emotions of love, periwinkles tender recollection. Early Victorians used flowers as a wa
y to express their feelings—love or grief, jealousy or devotion. Now, modern-day romantics are enjoying a resurgence of this bygone custom, and this book will share the historical, literary, and cultural significance of flowers with a whole new generation.

Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by Jessica Roux (not available in the JCLC, request from Interlibrary Loan)

A charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia for your favorite romantic, local witch, bride-to-be, or green-thumbed friend.

Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy by Claire McNear

Jeopardy! is a lot of things: record-setting game show, beloved family tradition, and proving ground for many of North America's best and brightest. Nearly four decades into its current edition, Jeopardy! now finds itself facing unprecedented change. This is the chronicle of how the show became a cross-generational touchstone and where it's going next.

The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design by Roman Mars

Roman Mars and coauthor Kurt Kohlstedt zoom in on the various elements that make our cities work, exploring the origins and other fascinating stories behind everything from power grids and fire escapes to drinking fountains and street signs. With deeply researched entries and beautiful line drawings throughout, The 99% Invisible City will captivate devoted fans of the podcast (simply called 99% Invisible) and anyone curious about design, urban environments, and the unsung marvels of the world around them.

 

celebrating the freedom to read

 

The next Books & Beyond (BAB) meeting is Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30pm in the library’s conference room.  If you’d prefer to attend on Zoom, register here: https://emmetoneal.libnet.info/event/5494765. The topic for the meeting will be books on general knowledge/trivia and I have a display up at the 2nd floor service desk.  The Shelf Care page of the library’s website also showcases these display books, simply scroll down to the row titled “Test Your Knowledge!”: https://oneallibrary.org/adults---reading-recommendations

Upcoming programs:

Stop by the library for a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Rear Window, on Sunday, October 2 at 3pm: https://emmetoneal.libnet.info/event/7057343.

Bring your craft projects and network with other hobbyists at Crafternoon on Saturday, October 8 from 2pm-4pm: https://emmetoneal.libnet.info/event/6891937

Tis the season for folk horror on Sunday, October 9 from 7pm-9pm with UAB film studies professor Gareth Jones. He’ll give us a primer on the folk horror genre in film and media before a screening of the 1975 telefilm, Murrain. Ages 16 and up recommended. https://emmetoneal.libnet.info/event/6814844

This week, BAB met to talk about the importance of the freedom to read and banned/challenged books in general.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Set in the mid-17th century in New England, The Scarlet Letter follows married Hester Prynne after she conceives a daughter through an affair. Societal standards of puritan New England force her to wear a scarlet “A” on her clothes as a constant reminder to her and everyone else of her past infidelity. Through the life of Hester and of her child, they both struggle through the overwhelming stigma behind Hester’s adultery, and despite the mounting pressure, she refuses to name the father of her child. Hawthorne paints an eye opening story of acceptance, shame, guilt, and fierce social ostracism surrounding one woman and the burden she bears in her life.

“In 1961, parents of students in a Michigan district objected to the assignment of the novel in high school, arguing that it was “pornographic and obscene.” Though the parents demanded that the book was removed from the curriculum, the request was denied. Other requests continued well into the twentieth century, but the novel is still commonly read in high schools all across the United States.”  https://blog.lib.utah.edu/banned-the-scarlet-letter/

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

When Donovan left his copy of The Adventurers on the kitchen counter, he didn't think his mom would read it—much less have a problem with it. It's just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop an evil genius...right? But soon the entire town is freaking out about whether the book's main characters are gay, Donovan's mom is trying to get the book removed from the school curriculum, and Donovan is caught in the middle. Interweaving three connected storylines, David Levithan delivers a bold, fun, and timely story about taking action (whether it's against book censors or deadly alligators...), being brave, and standing up for what's right. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned. Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has had thirty-nine public challenges or bans since 1983.  The majority of complaints were from parents who objected to the book’s depiction of sexually explicit scenes, including the rape and molestation suffered by the author as an eight-year-old, but it also has been challenged for being “anti-white” and encouraging homosexuality.  The Office for Intellectual Freedom has received significantly more confidential reports of challenges to this iconic book in the past three decades. In a victory for the freedom to read, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has often been retained despite challenges and attempted removals.”https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/spotlight-on-censorship-i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings/#:~:text=Because%20the%20display%20of%20Maya,the%20Spotlight%20on%20Censorship%20series

Grendel by John Gardner

The first and most terrifying monster in English literature, from the great early epic Beowulf, tells his own side of the story in this frequently banned book. This is the novel William Gass called "one of the finest of our contemporary fictions."

“1978 - Maryland - Challenged at Frederick County Schools for being "anti-christian, anti-moral, and violent." / 1986 - California - At Wasco High School the principal felt it was "profane," and created a restricted list of books, this being the first and only book on the list. / 1997 - Colorado - Challenged but retained at Douglas County schools for being obscene and violent. / 2008 - Oregon - Challenged but retained at Sherwood School District for torture and mutilation”https://www.bannedlibrary.com/podcast/2019/7/21/grendel-by-john-gardner

The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell (Hoopla ebook, also freely available via any internet search)

“William Powell was just 19 when he wrote this 1971 cult classic. The guerrilla how-to book managed to anger not only government officials, but also anarchist groups. One such organization, CrimethInc., said the book misrepresents anarchist ideals and later released its own book of the same name. Other critics attacked the book for more practical reasons — some of the bombmaking recipes that Powell included turned out to be dangerously inaccurate. Ironically, an older and purportedly wiser Powell later tried to censor his own book. After converting to Christianity, Powell publicly denounced his work, writing in 2000 on Amazon.com that the book is a “misguided product of my adolescent anger at the prospect of being drafted and sent to Vietnam to fight in a war that I did not believe in.” But even Powell couldn’t successfully ban the book from print; he no longer owns the rights.”https://entertainment.time.com/2011/01/06/removing-the-n-word-from-huck-finn-top-10-censored-books/slide/the-anarchist-cookbook/

The Holy Bible

“James LaRue, the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom's director, said that the Bible is sometimes challenged because of "sexual content inappropriate to minors" and "incitement to violence." More often, he said, people mistakenly believe that just having the Bible in a library violates the separation of church and state.”https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-holy-bible-is-now-one-of-the-most-challenged-books-in-america_n_570d2d33e4b01422324a4465

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

“Critics have also accused The Hunger Games of being anti-ethnic, anti-family, and violent, and of having offensive language, occult/satanic references, and references to overt sexuality. Collins has never directly responded to banning attempts, but has stated that the book raises important themes that should be talked about publicly.”https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins/

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.

“In 2009, the YA vampire-romance saga ranked fifth on the Top 10 Banned and Challenged Book list that year, with challengers citing the books’ religious viewpoint (Meyer is Mormon), sexually explicit content, and age-inappropriateness. Twilight also appeared in OIF’s 2010 list of banned and challenged books, when it was flagged for violence.”https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/my-head-is-sort-of-private-the-twilight-saga-as-privacy-parable/ 

The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

“Reasons for challenging the book included: glorifying witchcraft, promoting the occult, tones of death, hate, lack of respect and sheer evil, leading children to hatred and rebellion, confusing children, and leading them astray. Some were also concerned about the increasing dark tone in the later books but overall, most of the challengers’ reasons based on religious beliefs.” https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/harry-potter-the-most-challenged-book-of-the-21st-century

The His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman

These thrilling adventures tell the story of Lyra and Will—two ordinary children on a perilous journey through shimmering haunted otherworlds. They will meet witches and armored bears, fallen angels and soul-eating specters. And in the end, the fate of both the living—and the dead—will rely on them. Phillip Pullman’s spellbinding His Dark Materials trilogy has captivated readers for over twenty years and won acclaim at every turn. It will have you questioning everything you know about your world and wondering what really lies just out of reach.

“In 2008, the His Dark Materials trilogy came second for one of the most banned books. Many of the concerns were brought up by members of the clergy or parents that had expressed their belief that the true meaning of the story was anti-god. It is interesting to note the contentions caused by Pullman’s books usually claim to be in the defense of religion. Phillip Pullman has stated that the true intended meaning is not an attack on faith or the people who truly believe in the faith, but those who are using faith for their own benefit. Pullman declared that “In my view, belief in God seems to be a very good excuse, on the part of those who claim to believe, for doing many wicked things that they wouldn’t feel justified in doing without such a belief.” “https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/phillip-pullman-his-dark-materials/

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

HBO's Emmy winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents a children's picture book about a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny. Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence the Vice President of the United States. But on this Very Special Day, Marlon's life is about to change forever...With its message of tolerance and advocacy, this charming bunny book for kids explores issues of same sex marriage and democracy. Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this better Bundo book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different.

“Challened and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is “designed to pollute the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning.”https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/a-day-in-the-life-of-marlon-bundo/

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

An unforgettable tale, set in 17th century England, of a village that quarantines itself to arrest the spread of the plague, from the author The Secret Chord and of March, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Inspired by the true story of Eyam, a village in the rugged hill country of England, Year of Wonders is a richly detailed evocation of a singular moment in history. Written with stunning emotional intelligence and introducing "an inspiring heroine" (The Wall Street Journal), Brooks blends love and learning, loss and renewal into a spellbinding and unforgettable read.

“In 2020, the book was named the 100th most banned and/or challenged book in the United States from 2010 to 2019, according to the American Library Association because of “witchcraft, madness, and repressed sexuality.””https://waldina.com/banned-books/year-of-wonders-by-geraldine-brooks/

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the coming-of-age story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

"Although it was certainly controversial in the Middle East, there were no publicly reported challenges or bans of the book in U.S. schools or libraries until March 2013, when Chicago Public Schools administrators abruptly pulled it from some classrooms…claiming that the intention was never to remove the book from libraries, but only from classrooms due to “graphic language and images that are not appropriate for general use.”"https://guides.lib.uconn.edu/c.php?g=606679&p=4206258#:~:text=Although%20it%20was%20certainly%20controversial,pulled%20it%20from%20some%20classrooms

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (Hoopla ebook)

Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Kobabe’s Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere.

“Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.”https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/gender-queer/

GENERAL DISCUSSION

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

“To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most frequently challenged books in the US due to its themes of rape and use of profanity and racial slurs.”https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/harper-lee-to-kill-a-mockingbird/

The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

The hero-narrator of The Catcher in the Rye is an ancient child of sixteen, a native New Yorker named Holden Caufield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days.

“Between 1986 and 2000, at least nine different attempts to remove The Catcher in the Rye from schools were based on the novel’s use of profanity and sexual references. Three of these attempts (Wyoming in 1986, North Dakota in 1987, and 1989 in California) were successful in getting the book removed. Another commonly cited reason is the novel’s use of vulgar and obscene language, as well as statements defamatory to God. Other, less common reasons for challenging the novel include accusations that the book is anti-white, immoral, and/or violent.”https://bannedbooks.library.cmu.edu/j-d-salinger-the-catcher-in-the-rye/           

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

In Margaret Atwood’s dystopian future, environmental disasters and declining birthrates have led to a Second American Civil War. The result is the rise of the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian regime that enforces rigid social roles and enslaves the few remaining fertile women. Offred is one of these, a Handmaid bound to produce children for one of Gilead’s commanders. Deprived of her husband, her child, her freedom, and even her own name, Offred clings to her memories and her will to survive. At once a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense, The Handmaid’s Tale is a modern classic.

“2014-Challenged, but retained as required reading for a Page High School International Baccalaureate class and as optional reading for Advanced Placement reading courses at Grimsley High School in Guilford County (NC) because the book is “sexually explicit, violently graphic and morally corrupt.” Some parents thought the book is “detrimental to Christian values.””https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/the-handmaids-tale/

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Freshman year at Merryweather High is not going well for Melinda Sordino. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, and now her friends—and even strangers—all hate her. So she stops trying, stops talking. She retreats into her head, and all the lies and hypocrisies of high school become magnified, leaving her with no desire to talk to anyone anyway. But it’s not so comfortable in her head, either—there’s something banging around in there that she doesn’t want to think about. She can’t just go on like this forever. Eventually, she’s going to have to confront the thing she’s avoiding, the thing that happened at the party, the thing that nobody but her knows. She’s going to have to speak the truth.

“2021-Banned, challenged and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity.”https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/speak/

Unrelated to banned/challenged books, but a short topic of conversation at the meeting!

Abbot Elementary tv show  (an ABC show streaming on several services, including Hulu and HBO Max)

A group of dedicated, passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do -- even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.
Trailer for season 1: https://youtu.be/cO-_7oi-61Y