Genre Book Discussion

Why such a Mystery?

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One of the favorite genres here at Rocky River Public Library is the mystery genre! Is that because we like to sleuth out the final solution before the big reveal? Is that we enjoy encountering a high, fictional body count? Or is it just a category with so many clever books to choose from, it’s hard not to find a winner? Maybe it’s a mix of all these things? The end result is an entertaining list of books that feature a crime that is solved by professional or amateur detective in a timely fashion:

Emma: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear is the first entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. After the death of her mother, 13-year-old Maisie begins working as a maid for Lady Rowen in order to help pay bills. After being caught reading in the home’s library, Maisie fears she will be fired but is surprised and honored when Lady Rowen connects her with Dr. Maurice Blanche who becomes her tutor and mentor. After a year studying at Cambridge, Maisie becomes a wartime nurse in France and falls in love military surgeon Simon Lynch. It’s then 1929 and Maisie is starting her own private detective business. Her first case involves a husband fearing his wife is unfaithful. Maisie follows her and finds out she visits the grave of Vincent Weathershaw. His tombstone is engraved only with his first name like several other tombstones in the cemetery. These men, survivors of WWI and many severely disfigured, spent time at “The Retreat”, a place where soldiers still traumatized by the war go to recover. Something is wrong at “The Retreat” and Maisie sends employee Billy Beale in to “The Retreat” as a resident to see what is going on. An entertaining debut for the Maisie Dobbs series.

Ann: Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry is a first novel filled with heart-stopping suspense and a touch of gothic intrigue. When Troy Chance jumps into the water from the ferry she’s riding, she is not 100% sure that she saw someone fall from the ferry boat traveling in the opposite direction. But in the cold waters of Lake Champlain she finds a little boy and drags him to safety. It’s when they finally reach the shoreline and sit together sopping wet, and the boy utters his first word, “Merci,” that the reader is hooked. Sara J. Henry is a great new voice in the mystery-suspense genre, and this book is the Winner of the 2012 Anthony Award for best first novel, 2012 Agatha Award for best first novel, and the 2012 Mary Higgins Clark Award. It was also nominated for the Barry Award and Macavity Award. I loved this book!

Julie: The Emperor’s Conspiracy is Michelle Diener’s third novel and first set during the Regency period of England’s history. The conspiracy of the title is uncovered by Charlotte Raven, a chimney sweep turned Society lady, and Lord Edward Durnham, working under secret orders from the government. Both are surprised by the solution to the mystery as well as their growing attraction to each other. Fun historical mystery!

Carol: Claire, in Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway by Sara Gran, usually is a tough-as-nails, no-nonsense, hard drinking and hard living character who considers herself the greatest detective in the world. Things are different when a friend is found murdered and Claire finds her mental state spiraling out of control. Can Claire solve the crime before she is beaten by her own past’s demons? This present-day mystery has an old crime story feel that will appeal to fans of noir fiction (like me). Readers beware: this character-driven is one dark read, filled with sex and drugs and rock and roll.

Dori: In The Shining Girls, by Lauren Beukes, drifter Harper Curtis finds a house that allows him to travel through time. Using the house, he stalks and murders ‘shining girls’, women with potential, throughout the next 60 years. When one victim survives the attack, however, his plans begin to come undone. Smart, strong survivor Kirby Mazrachi, determined to find and stop the killer, teams up with a newspaper reporter to track him down. Part mystery, part sci-fi, this novel mashes up genres to create a fast-read, albeit with thinly drawn characters and a bit of a gimmicky feel.

Megan: The Bone House by Brian Freeman is a thrilling mystery set in small town in Wisconsin. Mark Bradley is a high school teacher still reeling from a scandal involving a young female student. When another local teen is found dead on a beach the town is convinced of Mark’s guilt. His wife is determined to clear her husband’s name, especially once she learns about the dead girl’s troubled past. In a town where secrets are buried deep and locals are willing to kill to keep it that way, the Bradley’s only hope is Detective Cab Bolton. This standalone thriller will keep readers guessing until the very end!

Maureen: Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda is the story of Val and June, 15-year-old friends growing up in the somewhat gritty dockside Red Hook section of Brooklyn. They are bored one night and decide to take an inflatable raft down to the water and float along the shore, but the next morning only Val is found, floating under a dock and near death. The story follows the toll this development has on the Red Hook neighborhood and its inhabitants, from Jonanthan, the man who discovers Val, to Cree, the wayward young man who hangs out along the dock and becomes a suspect in June’s disappearance. The writing is fabulous, the story twisted, and the descriptions colorful. A mystery worth visiting.

Stacey: A Place of Confinement: the investigations of Miss Dido Kent by Anna Dean might be the fourth book in this series, but each story is a gem in it’s own right. This current novel features our favorite heroine investigating the whereabouts of a missing houseguest *and* attempting to clear the name of Mr. Tom Lomax in hopes of preserving his family’s good name. If you’re looking to find a well-researched, charming historical mystery? You’ve found it right here!

For our next genre? We’re going to share first books by new authors, otherwise known as Debut Novels! If you want to play along, you’ll want to search out a book that has recently published by a newly discovered author. Don’t forget- we’re here to help if you get stuck trying to find just the right book or author!

— Stacey

Beach Books? -How Delightful!

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It’s summertime and the reading is fine! In fact, right now the more you read the more you can win! I hope everyone understands this means you should come into the library and participate in the Adult Summer Reading Program -right? If you read the blog (and obviously you must or you wouldn’t be seeing this) then you know it’s time to win prizes for doing something you enjoy anyway… reading! And look! Another list of potential titles to read! And maybe even read on the beach! (Of course as a Librarian I must also issue a quick disclaimer: Please be kind to your library books and prevent sand/sun/sea damage as much as possible? Thanks!) These are some books that might hit just the right spot for those long, lazy summer days at the beach, or the pool, or your very own backyard:

Ann: The View from Penthouse B by Elinor Lipman is the perfect beach read. Sisters Gwen-Laura and Margot have taken up residence together in Margot’s Greenwich Village apartment. Gwen-Laura is unexpectedly a widow, and Margot is alone after a scandalous divorce and losing her money to a famous Ponzi-schemer. Soon they find themselves with another roommate when Margot invites the young man Anthony to share the apartment. Who could turn down Anthony, baker of exquisite red velvet cupcakes?! With Lipman’s smart, witty dialogue and characters and her insight into familial relationships, this novel will please her fans and make new ones of those who haven’t read her before.

Carol: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter first takes you to 1962 while “Cleopatra” is being filmed in Rome. Dee Moray is a 22-year-old beautiful actress whose been hired to star alongside of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, but Dee is not on set. Instead, she has checked into a small run-down hotel, the “Hotel Adequate View,” in the small cliff-side town of Porto Vergogna in Southern Italy, where the hotel’s proprietor Pasquale Tursi has fallen madly in love with her on sight. There, Dee awaits the man with whom she’s having an affair—an affair that will affect many lives. This atmospheric novel has fully-realized characters and is a compelling, powerful and memorable read about love, regret and second chances.

Chris: When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share my beach blanket with than David Sedaris. And as the song goes, “If you can’t be with the one you love, (in this case Sedaris’ Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls—I’m No. 4 on the hold list at our library) love the one you’re with.” And I am loving this earlier book. Although I’m rereading Engulfed in Flames, some of the essays are even funnier this time around. If you pick it up, don’t miss “This Old House” for the wonderful characters—even the house is full of personality! “Of Mice and Men” for an unforgettably nasty character who can only be described as a jerk. “Town and Country,” for new ways people deceive us. And “The Smoking Section” for a fun trip down memory lane. All good! What I really enjoy about Sedaris’ writing is that from the very first sentence you know where you’re going and you’re going to have fun.

Emma: The Smart One by Ellen Meister is the story of three sisters. Bev Bloomrosen is the middle sister, the smart one, divorced, in between jobs, and hoping for teaching position in Las Vegas. The oldest sister, beautiful Clare appears to have the perfect life with a handsome successful husband and two beautiful children. Joey, the youngest, is a former rock star with one big hit who continues to struggle to stay off of drugs. Kenny Waxman is the handsome next-door neighbor, who over the years has been interested in both Bev and Joey. A pregnant dead woman is found in a sealed barrel on the Waxman’s property. Kenny immediately blames his father. Who is she? How did she get there?

Steve: Not Taco Bell Material, by Adam Carolla, is the life story of Adam Corolla, best known for his t.v. shows Loveline, with Dr. Drew, and The Man Show, with Jimmy Kimmel, and for being on Dancing with the Stars and The Celebrity Apprentice. Funnyman Carolla organizes his life and breaks down the years based on the homes he lived in, from the junky ones during his upbringing with his nutty family, to the dive apartments he lived in with odd friends, like Snake and The Weez, and onto the years in larger homes after making it big. This is a funny read and Carolla’s self-deprecating humor is priceless.

Julie: Although you may wish you’re in a kitchen rather than on the beach while reading this, Relish by Lucy Knisley is great for a relaxing read. Ms. Knisley is an artist who, through words and pictures, takes us through her life amongst foodies and how she came to appreciate good food.

Megan: Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore stars seventeen-year-old Daisy Goodnight, a sassy teen who uses her ability to speak to the dead to help the FBI solve murders. Her current case lands her in Minnesota, where she immediately finds herself in a heap of trouble. Kidnapped by a ruthless mob boss, she is forced to help track down his missing daughter. With the aid of a mob-appointed “handler” Daisy uncovers an ancient mystery, crosses paths with some creepy secret-society thugs, and nearly destroys a museum. When you’re a Goodnight, that’s all in a day’s work. This second book in the Goodnight Family series is the total package! A clever, snarky heroine, an action-packed mystery, elements of the supernatural, snappy dialogue, and a hint of romance make this the perfect beach read.

Dori: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker takes you to turn of the century New York City, where immigrants are bringing their traditions to a new land of prosperity. Chava is one such newcomer, but she’s markedly different; she’s a golem, created by a man who knows the ancient secrets. After her master dies on the ship to America, Chava is taken in by a Rabbi who welcomes her and teaches her to subsume her natural inclinations towards servitude and strength so that she can fit in. Meanwhile, Ahmad, a jinni from Syria whose nature is taco be free and self-serving, ends up in a tinsmith’s shop, freed from a flask but still imprisoned in a human body. Together, they forge a friendship that allows them to truly be themselves. Mythology and history are intertwined to form this spellbinding tale.

Stacey: The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell might not be one of the most obvious choices for beach reading, but maybe that’s what makes it such a good choice?! Open the cover on this book and be prepared to witness the struggles of Glaswegian teens Marnie and Nellie. These sisters have never been able to rely on their parents, but after their mom murders their dad before killing herself their few options narrow to only: lie for survival. Unexpected help, and unexpected complications, come from a wonderfully eclectic cast of supporting characters. Put plenty of sunblock on so you can enjoy every last page sitting in the sun!

Next time we’ll be reading one of our favorite genres: mysteries! If you want to play along, you’ll want to find a book that features a crime, usually a murder, that is solved by a professional or amateur detective. Easy to find on your own -or even easier to ask someone at the Reference Desk! We’ll be happy to help you find something just right! Enjoy!!

— Stacey

Let’s Discuss Religion? -as a story element!

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This discussion was full of books that featured religion, using the general definition of: a belief system of god(s) that have their own ceremonies or traditions. This doesn’t mean the book was meant to be specifically about practicing a religion, but that this should be a strong element within the story. An interesting challenge that had some really interesting results:

Megan: Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks chronicles the tumultuous life of Bethia Mayfield, the daughter of a Puritan minister living in Great Harbor, Massachusetts. As her father devotes himself to converting and educating the native Wampanoag Indians, young Bethia dutifully fulfills her role as daughter and keeper of the house, all the while yearning for an education. While enjoying a rare moment of privacy and freedom, twelve year old Bethia encounters Caleb, the son of a chieftain and a boy of similar age. Despite the cultural and language barriers, the two forge a secret and lasting friendship that takes them both from the sandy beaches of Great Harbor to the halls of Harvard College. As their friendship evolves and their lives change, the one thing that remains constant is Bethia’s struggle with the rigid rules of Puritan life.

Carol: In Mr g, by Alan Lightman, Mr g has just woken up from a nap when he decides to create. Before he gets this idea, he simply exists with his Aunt Penelope and his Uncle Deva in the “Void.” First, Mr g creates time and space, and ultimately, he creates the universe. Mr g is made to reconsider what he’s done while speaking with Belhor, a creature who is supposed to represent the Devil and who materializes rather than is created. Mr g and Belhor debate the necessity of free will in the universe. I found read to be an interesting and thoughtful novel that is also like a little lesson in the physics of evolution.

Emma: Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock Is told from 11-year-old Roz’ point of view. Janis Anthony and her three children Wally, Roz (Rosalind), and Valerie escape an abusive alcoholic husband/father in Minneapolis to settle in Mills River, Illinois. With the help of Janis’ father, they settle into a new home. The former owner, 70-year-old Tillie Monroe, shows up on their doorstep explaining that she intends to die at the house she and her husband built many years ago. She complains that her sons had no authority to sell it while she was convalescing in a nursing home. Tillie quickly becomes invaluable to the Anthony family helping out as cook, nursemaid, babysitter, and spiritual guide. Alan Anthony finds the family in Mills River only contacting Roz and making her promise to keep his presence in town a secret until the dramatic ending.

Steve: For One More Day, by Mitch Albom, is the story of Charley “Chick” Benetto, who played briefly in the big leagues, and his decision to return to his childhood home to take his own life. Enroute Chick crashes his car, and oddly, awakens to his mother, who died years earlier. She takes him along for the day to to visit with her old friends. Through flashbacks we learn of Chick’s upbringing, his father who broke up the family, his mother’s struggle to provide, and Chick’s yearning for his dad’s love. And in the end, we learn of a few surprises.

Chris: Francis and Bernard by Carlene Bauer. Inspired by the lives of writer Flannery O’Connor and poet Robert Lowell, the author imagines what it would be like if they continued their friendship which began at the Yaddo artist colony in 1957. In Bernard’s (Lowell’s) first, brief letter to Frances (O’Connor), he ends it with “Who Is the Holy Spirit to you?” And so begins an eleven year friendship, that grows into love, and becomes more and less than that over the years. At the start of this story–told completely in letters–Bernard has just become a Catholic and wants to learn more about his faith from practicing Catholic, Francis. Even though many of their letters bring up faith, they being writers, talk their craft, literature and life. At one point, they are both living in New York and that’s when their love relationship really begins. But with two such powerful personalities, can it be sustained? A great! first novel.

Ann: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson is Congregationalist minister John Ames’s account of his life to share with his young son. Ames is now in his seventies with a heart condition and knows he won’t live to see his 7-year-old son become a grown man so this lengthy letter is what he wishes his son to know of him and his ancestors. Ames, like his father and grandfather before him share the vocation of minister in small town Gilead, Iowa. His grandfather was an abolitionist and served in the Civil War. His father was a Christian pacifist. In a rambling style, with often beautiful prose, Ames ponders life, good and evil, and offers theological discussions. Gilead won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2005.

Dori: Flannery O’Connor’s Wise Blood is the story of a tortured young man, Hazel Motes, born into a family of preachers and destined to become one, until he decides to change his own fate. Returning from army service, he attempts to start a new life by opening the “Church Without Christ” in the small town of TaulkinhamIn, Tennessee, but finds that it’s not so easy to turn your back on salvation. With a slew of offbeat, obsessive and often obscene characters, this twisted tale of faith is weirdly funny and always compelling.

Stacey: In A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri, Saba is left behind when her mother and twin sister Mahtab flee post-revolutionary Iran in the 1980s. Her family becomes one distracted father, a bevy of village women, and two friends, Reza and Ponneh. Over the years there are only two constant desires in Saba’s life: 1) to marry Reza, a good-natured boy who wants never to leave their small village, and 2) to live in America as a college-educated , independent woman. After being caught in a compromising situation with Reza, Saba is forced to make choices that lead to a future she couldn’t have predicted. In this place and time, were there any truly decent options for women? This book takes a significant turning point in Iran’s cultural history and makes it understandable through the experience of a small group of people.

Next time we’ll share with you some book titles you might want to the beach! That’s right -we’re kicking off summer with Beach Reads! If you’re reading along with us, go looking for anything you might consider taking outside for a nice long read in the sun -with lots of sunscreen on please! Enjoy!

— Stacey

These Ladies Carried the Day (or Discussion)!

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Ladies! This one is all about you! This group discussion was all about women’s fiction and what a selection of titles we had. The common element to these stories should be found through: a female protagonist, a story focused primarily on relationships between the main character and those around her, plus learning from difficulties that must be overcome. There can be elements of suspense or mystery but will always have a more romantic tone. Are you ready to see what everyone has to say about their choices?

Carol: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton begins in 1961 in the English Countryside, as the Nicolson family gathers to celebrate the birthday of 2-year-old Gerry. 16-year-old Laurel is hiding, daydreaming in the family tree house. From this perch Laurel witnesses her mother Dorothy kill a strange man who has approached the house. When the police investigate, Laurel supports her mother’s claim that it was done in self-defense and by day’s end she’s convinced herself that it was exactly that. The book picks up again in 2011 and Dorothy is in hospice. Laurel, now a famous actress, faced with the loss of her mother, begins to wonder about the crime she witnessed years ago and begins to do some detective to resolve this secret. The Secret Keeper flashes back and forth between 2011 and Dorothy’s past in WWII London, when as a young woman, she befriended Jimmy and Vivien, two people whose stories help reveal the motive behind Dorothy’s actions. This novel is rich and atmospheric, and is a perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery and women’s fiction, and it leaves its biggest secret for the book’s satisfying ending.

Chris: The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout tells the story of three adult siblings: Jim and Bob Burgess, both attorneys practicing in New York, and their sister Susan who stayed back home in Maine. It begins with Susan contacting her brothers for help because her teenage son is being charged with a hate crime against the Somali people now residing in their neighborhood. This incident brings them all together, both physically and emotionally, in a way they haven’t been in years. And all of them grow and benefit. As always, Strout takes a lot of time in developing and showing her characters, and as a result, they give her her story. Another great story it is!

Steve: State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett, tells the story of Dr. Marina Singh, a Minnesota-based pharmaceutical researcher, who is sent to the Amazon by her boss, Mr. Fox, who also happens to be her married lover. Marina is sent to investigate the progress of her company’s research efforts, which are led by the domineering and elusive Dr. Annick Swenson. Marina is also looking for the truth on what has happened to her former research partner, Dr. Anders Eckman, who was previously sent to find Swenson, and has been reported dead. What Marina encounters is a bizarre environment in which the women of the native Lakashi tribe bear children well into their 70’s. This is an interesting story but is impeded by slow pacing at times.

Emma: The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is the story of Molly and Vivian. In 2011 Molly, who is rapidly aging out of foster care, must do several hours of community service for stealing a book from the local library and 91-year-old Vivian needs help cleaning out her attic. As Molly helps Vivian sort through boxes, Vivian reminisces about her young life as an immigrant from Ireland living in New York with her family until there’s a tenement fire and she is left alone. At age 10 in 1929, Vivian finds herself on an “Orphan Train” heading west to find a new family. Vivian is placed with three different families until she feels safe and loved. She reunites with and marries a fellow orphan train rider who is then killed in WWII. Vivian gives their baby away and eventually marries again. With the Internet Molly helps Vivian find the child she gave away and they meet as the story ends. A deeply moving story.

Dori: In Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray, Clover Hobart, a 54-year-old woman who’s feeling unattractive, bored and taken for granted, wakes one morning to find herself literally invisible. The crazier thing is that no one, not even her husband and son, notices! Spotting an ad for a meeting at the local Sheraton for “Invisible Women”, she attends and finds that she isn’t alone: the large group includes her children’s former teacher and a local news anchor. Eventually, they discover that their shared pill regimen is the culprit and that the pharmaceutical firm that produces them is more concerned with money than invisible women, which leads them to start a campaign against the company. Funny, with engaging characters and heartwarming relationships, Calling Invisible Women reminds us to pay a lot more attention to those around us!

Megan: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott chronicles the lives of the four young March sisters as they work to support each other while their father is away serving as a chaplain for the Union Army during the Civil War. Responsibility for the household falls to their beloved mother, Marmee and the girls all do their best to please her and ease her burden. Together they face everyday hardships and celebrate simple pleasures as they learn to become proper women. This delightful and charming classic may seem a bit outdated, but the careful reader will still find many lessons that are still relevant today. As a first time reader, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the March family.

Ann: In The Silver Boat by Luanne Rice, three sisters, Dara, Delia, and Rori gather on Martha’s Vineyard to pack up and prepare to sell the family summer home. Their mother has died, and they can no longer afford to keep the house and property. As they pack and reminisce they talk about their father, who set sail years ago for Ireland and was only heard from once. No one knows what happened to him. The more they talk, the sisters realize, that for closure they must try and find out what happened to their dad. And so they set off to Ireland searching for evidence of him. They find the town where he first landed and they make a startling discovery. A pleasant story of sisters and family entanglements, with some lovely settings on Martha’s Vineyard and in Ireland.

Stacey: Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews felt reminiscent of an Olivia Goldsmith book, maybe The First Wives Club or Flavor of the Month, both of which I would suggest before selecting Little Bitty Lies. Mary Bliss McGowan’s husband took off in the middle of the night with no warning -and all their money! Now Mary Bliss has to figure out a way to survive financially, deal with a thoughtless teen-aged daughter, and decide if she should seriously consider a relationship with any of the men currently asking her out. The least likable pieces of this novel are the unkind spirits of Mary Bliss’s husband, mother-in-law, and daughter, with little personal growth in the end.

Next time we’ll be looking for books in our recently tweaked religious fiction category. These book should have any kind of religion as it’s motivating or central force to the story. Now start thinking out of the box my friends! Why not look for something that features Native American beliefs or Druidic customs? Wouldn’t that be interesting?! See you in a month!

religion

It Was a Gentle Kind of Story…

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One quiet afternoon at the library, the Adult Services staff settled in to discuss the books we chose as gentle reads… well, that’s not totally true. There’s rarely a quiet afternoon here at the library, but we did discuss books that focus on everyday joys, frustrations, and sorrows of ordinary people -aka gentle reads! It’s actually one of the more difficult categories to pin down with distinct guidelines so if everyone had picked something completely random? I don’t think I would have been surprised. Instead, I’d say there is a definite gentle reads vibe to alllll these books and I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to find something (or multiple somethings!) that will pique your interest. So are you ready to read?

Megan: The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is the story of Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. Dubbed the Supremes as teens in the 1960s, they forged a friendship at the window table at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat that had the strength to last a lifetime. Forty years have passed and life was not always kind to them, but the Supremes have stuck together through it all. Now, the trio is facing a new set of challenges. Luckily, they still have each other and their table at Earl’s. The heartbreaks and joys of ordinary lives are captured beautifully in this charming debut novel. Full of colorful characters and witty banter, this book is a tribute to the enduring power of lasting friendships.

Dori: In The Tower, The Zoo and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart, Balthazar Jones is a Beefeater who lives in the Tower of London and gives daily tours about its tragic history. His wife, Hebe, works at the London Underground’s Office of Lost Property. Suffering from the death of their young son, they are drifting apart. When the Queen asks Balthazar to become the caretaker of a menagerie of animals that she’s received as gifts over the years, he begins to heal and when Hebe reunites a lost urn with its owner, she begins to find her way as well. Quirky side characters, animal antics, and historical ghosts add a lightheartedness to this thoughtful gentle read.

Ann: True Sisters by Sandra Dallas is based on historical events. Imagine it is 1856 and you are a young woman living in England or Scotland. What could persuade you to give up your life in England or Scotland to travel to the United States and walk from Iowa to Salt Lake City, Utah? For the four women in our story who do just that, it is the lure of the Zion, the Promised Land described by the Mormon missionaries who have come to the United Kingdom seeking converts. The community and sisterhood that develop among the four women and their family are strong, but the trip to Zion is harsh, and one that not everyone completes. This is a gentle read tempered by the true reality of history.

Emma: The Icecutter’s Daughter by Tracie Peterson is the story of the Krause and Jorgenson families. At age 10, Merrill Krause promises her dying mother to care for her father and brothers. It’s now 1896 and over the years the men have come to rely on her help. Rurik Jorgenson moves to Minnesota from Kansas to help his elderly sick uncle with his furniture-making business. His ex-fiancée, Swea, follows him to Minnesota claiming to be pregnant with his child and hoping to force Rurik into marriage. Rurik does not love Swea and wants to court Merrill. A happy ever after story filled with neighbors helping neighbors and strudel.

Steve: Jim the Boy, by Tony Earley, is the story of 10 year old Jim, who is growing up in North Carolina during the Depression. At the story’s onset we discover that Jim was born just a few weeks after his kind-hearted father passed away. Jim lives with his mother and her three brothers on a small town farm. The story describes Jim’s gradual realization of life’s complexities. Those who are looking for a simple paced story will enjoy.

Carol: In The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick, it’s 1896 when Norwegian American Helga Estby and her 19-year-old daughter Clara accept a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000, money desperately needed to save their family farm. More than a year later, based on secrets she learned on the trip, Clara chooses to leave the family and change her name–resulting in a 20-year separation from the only life she has ever known. This gentle and inspirational read is based on a true story and teaches lessons about forgiveness, acceptance and God’s greater plan.

Stacey: A Little Folly by Jude Morgan was written by a contemporary author but has the feel of a classic novel created long ago. Valentine and Louisa Carnell are siblings who have been stifled by a harsh, uncaring father. It’s only after his death in 1813 that these two young adults really begin to live. Without having had many previous opportunities to make choices for themselves, they stumble a bit but it might just make them stronger in the end. This quiet, thoughtful book with plenty of lovely details and interior dialogue will provide many hours of reading pleasure.

Our next discussion genre? Women’s fiction! You’ll want to search out a book that features a female protagonist with a focus primarily on relationships between the main character and family, friends, or partners. There can be elements of suspense or mystery but will always have a more romantic tone. These characters will overcome and learn from the challenges they face. We’ll talk titles in a month!

— Stacey

What a Thrill(er)!

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Are you ready for a list of books that are fast paced, have twisty plots, and make your heart beat a little faster? Then you’ll love what’s coming! Our latest discussion featured books that fit into the suspense/thriller category and are meant to appeal to a reader’s feeling of uneasiness and build tension until the villain is defeated by the hero(ine). Sounds pretty exciting, right? Well, you’re about to find out if everyone was thrilled with their selection:

Ann: Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry is a first novel filled with heart-stopping suspense and a touch of gothic intrigue. When Troy Chance jumps into the water from the ferry she’s riding, she is not 100% sure that she saw someone fall from the ferry boat traveling in the opposite direction. But in the cold waters of Lake Champlain she finds a little boy and drags him to safety. It’s when they finally reach the shoreline and sit together sopping wet, and the boy utters his first word, “Merci,” that the reader is hooked. Sara J. Henry is a great new voice in the mystery-suspense genre, and this book is the Winner of the 2012 Anthony Award for best first novel, 2012 Agatha Award for best first novel, and the 2012 Mary Higgins Clark Award. It was also nominated for the Barry Award and Macavity Award. I loved this book!

Carol: In A Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller, Bell Elkins grew up in the shadow of the mountain in Acker’s Gap, West Virginia, where one violent night ended her childhood and destroyed her family, leaving Bell to bounce from one bad foster home to the next. She escaped as a married young woman, and went to law school, but couldn’t handle life in busy Washington D.C. with her charming by straying husband, Sam, a lobbyist’s attorney. Drawn to return to home to make a difference after her marriage falls apart, Bell and her daughter Carla moved back to Acker’s Gap and now, Bell is Raythune county’s no-nonsense prosecuting attorney–determined to drive out the rampant prescription drug peddlers in town. When Carla becomes a witness to a violent triple murder, however, will their sleepy town ever feel safe again? Why were these men killed? Was it random? Drug related? An already sullen teen, Carla is shocked and horrified by what she saw, but, too tough to admit it, she puts herself in jeopardy to help her mother do her job. With its wonderfully flawed characters, a atmospherically painted West Virginia, and plenty of white knuckled moments, this first novel will keep your eyes glued to the pages. By the time they reach the book’s impossible to guess ending, readers will look forward to returning to Acker’s Gap.

Chris: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn opens on Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary, unfortunately the Mrs. is missing. What happened? You could turn to the back of the book for the jaw-dropping ending, but then you’d miss out on a scary tale written in a unique way: the first half of the book is told in the first person, alternately by both Nick and Amy. Amy’s perspective is told in the past through journal entries; Nick’s is told in the present tense. Of course–there are two sides to every story. Can’t talk about the rest of the book without giving away the ending. Let’s just say that another possible title for this book could be Love Is Strange, Very Strange.

Emma: The portrait of Mrs. Charbuque by Jeffrey Ford takes place in New York City in 1893. The city is under attack by a parasite that eats “the soft tissue of the eye”. Victims weep blood and eventually die. The majority of the novel however involves Piambo. Artist Piambo is offered the chance to paint a portrait of the mysterious Mrs. Charbuque. Her generous commission will be tripled if she is pleased with the painting. Piambo has a month to complete the project but must paint without ever seeing her. Mrs. Charbuque will sit behind a screen while Piambo spends one hour a day talking with her. Mrs. Charbuque is very different with multiple personalities and psychic abilities. The painting is finished but nothing bodes well for Mrs. Charbuque. According to reviews, the novel is smart, spellbinding, and a literary thriller standout.

Maureen: In the latest novel by Dutch writer Herman Koch, The Dinner, Paul and wife Claire meet Paul’s brother Serge and his wife Babette in a trendy Amsterdam restaurant with the intent of discussing a serious family matter involving both couples’ children. As the dinner slowly progresses from course to course, family histories are revealed through flashbacks, bringing to light each character’s true colors. The plotting is slow and deliberate but is absolutely perfect for building the almost impossible-to-endure suspense that builds as the reader finally discovers just what the teenage boys have been involved in and what the parents are going to do to resolve the situation. Told by narrator Paul, the subject matter is dark, the characters are flawed, and the resulting book is riveting psychological suspense. Not to be missed!

Megan: And She Was by Alison Gaylin introduces readers to Brenna Spector, a private investigator with a rare neurological condition that is both a blessing and a curse in her line of work. Triggered by the trauma of her sister’s disappearance, Brenna developed Hyperthymestic Syndrome, which allows her to have perfect recall. Now she puts her skills to use searching for missing people. Her current case appears to be tied to a cold case involving a missing child. Could the disappearance of Carol Wentz may finally lead police to the missing Iris Neff? This quietly suspenseful mystery will slowly draw readers in and then hit them with a shocking end.

Rosemary: The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter is the newest in the Bob Lee Swagger series. It is a fascinating recreation of the events leading up to and following the assassination of JFK. Hunter focuses on the question of just what part Lee Harvey Oswald played in the tragedy and how Oswald might have been used by other, even more dangerous men. Vietnam veteran Bob Lee Swagger is a very appealing hero and when he sets his mind to figuring out the JFK question, no one should even think about getting in his way.

Dori: In Ghostman, by John Hobbs, ‘Jack’ is called in to clean up the mess after an Atlantic City casino robbery has gone all wrong. Jack is a ‘Ghostman’, a criminal’s criminal; he lives off the grid, moving constantly, changing names and identities. Owing a debt to Marcus, the organizer of the casino heist, because he botched a Malaysian bank robbery five years ago, he flies into Atlantic City with 48 hours to find the stolen money before it blows up. Action-packed, technically detailed, unpredictable, and gritty, Ghostman is one gripping thriller.

Steve: Timeline by Michael Crichton, is a mix of sci-fi, history and all thriller, that divides its time between contemporary New Mexico, and 1300’s France. The secretive company, ITC, headquartered in New Mexico, has pioneered a way to transport humans back in time. ITC also sponsors an archaeological dig in France. The leader of the dig, Professor Edward Johnston, is sent back in time and goes missing. Four researchers from his team are then called upon to go back to 1357 France to bring back their professor. Fast-paced and with lots of plot twists, this is well worth reading.

Stacey: Defensive Wounds by Lisa Black has plenty of suspenseful elements and lots of police procedural details, but it’s the Cleveland setting that made this book really special. Theresa MacLean is a forensic investigator for the city’s police department and is called into investigate the murder of local leading defense lawyer, Marie Corrigan. No one seems very sorry that Marie’s been killed, especially anyone on the force, but there’s a strange lack of suspects or motives for murder.

Next time? We’ll be selecting books we call gentle reads. These books tend to focus on the everyday joys, frustrations, and sorrows of ordinary people living in tight-knit, recognizable communities. Usually centered on a particular group of friends with a common interest, their story are told without the extreme highs and lows found in other genres making them…. ta-dah!… a gentle read. (See how neatly these things can come together sometimes?) Enjoy!

— Stacey

Literary Fiction is Fine!

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Did you find yourself a prize winning, distinctive writing style, focused on characters more than plot book? Would you say your book was experimental, technically challenging, and/or full of subtle details? If you’ve said, “Yes” to either or both of these questions then you too could have come to our most recent genre book discussion featuring literary fiction!

Maureen: It’s Fine By Me by Per Petterson tells the story of Audun Sletten, a 13 year-old teenager growing up in a working-class village near Oslo, Norway in the 1970s. Audun does not have the easiest life – his abusive and often drunk father has left the family, his younger brother died in an auto accident, his sister married poorly and moved away, and he is being raised alone by his mother in a new town – but he tries to get through each day with determination and hope for a better tomorrow. The book chronicles Audun’s current journey through 7th grade in a new school; his important friendship with schoolmate Arvid (an up-and-coming socialist) and his relationship with his father, who, unfortunately, keeps re-appearing. Though often dark, this book is superbly written, with details that make you feel as though you are growing up right alongside Audun as he finds himself. Translated from Norwegian by Don Bartlett.

Megan: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis follows the life of Hattie Shepard and her children. In 1923 Hattie, a young African-American teen, flees Georgia in search of a better life in Philadelphia. Instead of a wealth of opportunities, she finds nothing but disappointment. Her first heartbreak is the death of her firstborn twins. Nine more children follow and she is determined to prepare them for the hardships of life. Hattie’s story slowly unfolds through the experiences of each of her children. This powerful debut novel reads more like a collection of short stories. It is beautifully written, often heart-breaking, but essentially an uplifting testament to a mother’s strength and resilience.

Chris: The Buddha in the Attic tells the story of Japanese picture brides—their journey of sailing the Pacific in the 1920s in hopes of new lives, dream lives, in the States, with nothing more to go on than pictures and letters of their future husbands; almost all deceiving from the very beginning. Their real new lives are revealed as you see them assimilate into the culture in San Francisco, have families who reject their heritage and history, and experience the arrival of World War II and the internment camps. Julie Otsuka’s writing is extraordinary. The refrains make you feel the sway of the ship; that important telling detail covers personalities in a single word, and the images are arresting. Because it’s written in collective first person, it’s everyone’s story. Mesmerizing.

Carol: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty opens in 1922 when 36-year-old Cora Carlisle, wife to a prominent lawyer and mother of college-bound boys, learns that 15-year-old neighbor; the yet-undiscovered future silent film star Louise Brooks needs a chaperone to attend modern dance school in New York City. Cora jumps at the chance to leave Wichita, Kansas behind for a couple of months to assist the rebellious but talented and beautiful teenager, who shamelessly flirts with every man who looks her way and ignores most of Cora’s motherly advice. Through together for just the one summer, it’s a life changer for both of them—Louise gets her ticket to silver screen fame and Cora’s eyes are opened by the answers that she has found on her own secret mission, her real reasons for volunteering as chaperone. When Cora returns home, she is forever changed, but as an upper-class society woman, she must continue to play that role and hide her many secrets. This page-turner is not afraid to take on hot topics of the era, like women’s rights, prohibition, racism and homophobia, and the need for upstanding citizens to keep their true selves hidden. Make sure to clear your schedule; this novel captivates from page one.

Ann: In Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, Dellarobia Turnbow’s narrow and often unhappy life on a farm in Tennessee is broadened with the discovery of millions of monarch butterflies on the mountainside of the family farm. Are the butterflies a miracle, a sign, or a warning? When a professor of biology and his students come to the farm to investigate the butterflies, before she knows it, Dellarobia is caught up in the scientific research. Her young son, Preston is besotted by the professor. Dellarobia has always known there was more to life than her failing farm, but never saw a path away. The butterflies become the path. Kingsolver always writes novels of strong women characters, and this one is no different. As she describes modern rural life, family and religious entanglements, she also brings us a convincing and grounded novel about the effects of climate change and global warming.

Steve: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, is the story of Piscine “Pi” Patel, a 16 year old Indian boy, who is stranded at sea while relocating to Canada after the ship he is in sinks. He is separated from his family and is left sharing a lifeboat with various animals, ultimately ending up with a 450 pound Bengal tiger as a shipmate. At first he thinks his best option is to simply outlive the tiger, and let the elements take their toll, but soon Pi changes his thinking. The pace is slow and descriptive, but very thought provoking. At times funny and sad, the story is filled with philosophical, zoological and religious elements. I will caution that it can take awhile to get into, as the story does not grip you from the beginning, but it is worth hanging in there.

Emma: Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka is the story of several Japanese mail-order (picture) brides arriving in San Francisco to meet their husbands for the first time. The women had been married by proxy in Japan while their husbands were in the United States. Life was often difficult for these women for many reasons. The book follows their arrival in America; their first nights with their husbands; their interactions with white people; their children; and their experience of World War II. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor all people of Japanese descent were eventually moved to Relocation Centers until the end of the war.

Rosemary: A Place in Time: Twenty Stories of the Port William Membership by Wendell Berry is the author’s first work of fiction since 2006. Through 50 years of award-winning writing, Berry has enchanted readers with his stories of the Port William community. The 78-year-old Berry is a farmer and has lovingly tended his 125 acres of land near Louisville for most of his adult life. He knows firsthand the importance of neighbors, country life, community, and sustainability. A Place in Time draws on his intimate knowledge of this way of life. The stories range in time from 1864 to 2008. Many characters from his previous novels appear for a cameo role. We become reacquainted with Burley Coulter, Danny and Kate Helen Branch, and Elton Penn to name just a few. It is a welcome and heartfelt reunion to say the least.

Julie: Ok, I am totally cheating, but after talking with my co-worker Chris about Julie Otsuka’s novel , The Buddha in the Attic, I am jumping on her bandwagon! Otsuka writes about the picture brides who came from Japan before WWII expecting a wonderful new life with the husband they have only met in photographs. A beautiful and heart wrenching novel (thank you Chris!).

Dori: The Yellow Birds, a debut novel by Kevin Powers. Two soldiers, bound together in basic training when Private Bartle promises to watch after Private Murphy, encounter the physical and psychological trauma of the Iraq War. When Murphy is killed, Bartle tries to come to terms with what happened, to figure out what he could have done differently, while trying to heal from his own anguish. Poetically written, this stirring novel captures the experience of war with honesty and compassion.

Stacey: It might be a small book in the number of pages, but there’s a big story inside the covers of Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx. Jack and Ennis haven’t hit twenty when they’re both hired by the Forest Service to watch sheep on Brokeback Mountain. And so begins the best, and most difficult, relationship that either man will ever experience.

Next time? Join us as we discuss suspense and thrillers! If you want to play along this time, you’ll want to find a book that has fast pacing, surprising plot twists, and appeal to your emotions. Suspense books have compressed a lot of action into a short period of time and emphasize danger to a character’s mental and/or physical well-being. Thrillers have a more specific setting like a courtroom, medical laboratory, or government agency, with a focus of a hero defeating the villain. Already I can see the next discussion should be pretty … explosive!?

— Stacey

Holiday Cheer -in print form!

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I wouldn’t mind keeping some of the more traditional signs of winter -like wind chill factor and snow days- far into the future. But! I do like the sparkly lights, the amazing treats, and the cheerful “howdy-doos” that start up right about now. And of course -the stories! Those cheesy Christmas books and movies that show us allll the different ways we can be jolly yet *still* learn an important life lesson? Love ‘em!! Don’t worry though, I realize not everyone shares my interest in the shmaltz of the season… So here come a variety of books -and opinions- from our latest genre discussion.

Carol: In retaliation of how materialistic the Holidays have become, I looked back in time for the true meaning of Christmas and reread O. Henry’s classic short story “The Gift of the Magi.” Probably familiar to most, it was originally published in the New York Sunday World in 1905. Readers meet James and Della Young, a young married couple who, despite their meager income, have each resolved to give one another an elegant gift on Christmas Eve. Della sells her beautiful long, cherished hair in order to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim’s treasured antique gold watch. However, Jim has pawned his treasured pocket watch to purchase jeweled tortoiseshell combs for Della’s lovely hair. When the two exchange their gifts, they recognize the irony of their sacrifices, put their gifts away for better days, and realized that what truly is precious is not something we can buy or sell.

Rosemary: A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry is the 2012 edition of her holiday mystery series. This story is particularly compelling and thoughtful. The setting is India in the 1850s and it is during a time of violent rebellion against the British. John Tallis, a young medical orderly, is arrested for the murder of a fellow guard when his only crime was that he had no witness to verify his whereabouts during the time of the murder. Another young British soldier, Lieutenant Victor Narraway, is given the daunting task of defending Tallis in a hastily arranged trial. Their commanders want a quick resolution to the murder, which is causing a great deal of unrest within the garrison. Narraway is told that he doesn’t need to put much effort into the defense. He is sure Tallis is innocent and, in the short time allotted to him, takes his defense of Tallis very seriously. Narraway is touched by a young widow of a soldier and her children. He sees the pure goodness in them and this inspires him to seek justice for Tallis.

Megan: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is the story of how one teen embarks on a mission to meet her one true love. Lily loves everything about the Christmas season, but her holiday spirits are dampened when her parents decide to spend Christmas alone in Fiji. Her older brother devices a clever plan to keep her occupied and help her find Mr. Right. She hides a notebook full of challenges on shelf at her favorite book store. Her dares are accepted and she and her mystery man begin an intimate, yet anonymous friendship. Wonderful characters, a unique treasure hunt, and the charm of New York City at Christmastime will certainly put readers in the holiday spirit.

Emma: The people of Harmony, Indiana expect a certain routine to their Christmas Eve service at Harmony Friends Meeting House. It includes the reading of the Christmas gospel, the singing of a few carols followed by fresh-from-the-oven angel cookies and milk. This year eccentric Dale Hinshaw arranges a different sort of celebration, a progressive nativity scene involving the whole town. There is much fanfare and lots of cookies and hot chocolate are enjoyed, but the message of Christmas is lost for most people. Later that night Pastor Sam Gardner and an elderly parishioner find each other back at church where the two reflect on the Christmas gospel and enjoy cookies together. Christmas in Harmony by Phillip Gulley is a sweet story of friends, family, and tradition.

Dori: In Marion Babson’s Twelve Deaths of Christmas, the residents of a London boardinghouse have no idea that a killer is living among them. As a series of heinous crimes are committed in the days leading up to Christmas, baffling the local police, alternating chapters reveal the killer’s voice, madness and motives, divulging more to the reader than the police know. Any of the diverse lodgers could be the killer, from the artist/housekeeper to a retired major or a Middle Eastern student. Little do they know, however, that as they prepare for a communal Christmas dinner, the killer prepares to kill them all. This fast read is a cozy murder mystery perfect for the holidays!

Steve: The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog, by Dave Barry, is a cute and funny story about junior high student Doug Barnes. Doug, his family, and his fellow students are preparing for Christmas in 1960 Asquont, NY. Things are a bit tense in the Barnes family, as Frank the family dog has been sick since Thanksgiving. In addition, the children have been practicing for the annual Christmas pageant at St. John’s Episcopal Church, whose attic is filled with bat droppings. Things get pretty crazy as an event involving the attic, and another dog, Walter, really brings things together!

Ann: The Cat Who Came Back for Christmas by Julia Romp is the story of how a cat changed a family’s life. It is also a single mother’s story of her struggles raising an autistic child. George, Julia’s son, is frequently withdrawn and uncommunicative. Then a stray cat, which George names Ben (but sometimes calls Benny Boo or Baboo), comes into their life. George becomes animated, and begins talking to Ben and about Ben in his little “cat voice.” His mother, Julia decides to communicate with George in her own little cat voice, and for the first time, the two of them are having conversations. George and Ben the cat are inseparable. George begins doing better in school and in his relationships with other children too. Then one day Ben disappears. It’s not really giving anything away to say that this is a heartwarming story with a happy Christmas time ending.

Julie: If you’re looking for a little suspense to go with your spiced nog, try December Dread by Jess Lourey. It’s the eighth in a series featuring Mira James, a librarian/reporter solving murders in her small town. This time, a serial killer is targeting women who use an online dating service and who also happen to fit Mira’s description. This is more of a cozy mystery with dashes of humor for a cold winter’s night.

Stacey: If you’re looking for a Downton Abbey-esque holiday story, then you’re looking for The Walnut Tree by Charles Todd! In July of 1914, Lady Elspeth Douglas is caught in Paris when war is declared. While attempting to book passage back home to the British Isles, Elspeth finds herself helping wounded soldiers stranded along the roadway. Training as a nurse would be frowned upon by her guardian -if she told him her plans. Wartime hardships, difficult life choices, and a sweet Christmas celebration make this a book to treasure -maybe as a new Christmas tradition!

Next year -crazy! right?- we’ll start off with a heated discussion of Literary Fiction! (Okay, probably not a heated discussion per se… maybe if we could achieve lively? Then it’d be a job well done, all around!) If you want to join in, find yourself a book that is a prize winner, shows a distinctive writing style, and focuses on the characters more than the plot. Experimental, technically challenging, and subtle details help define this category. Enjoy!

— Stacey

A Scientifically Fictional Future…?

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Yes, there are a few of us who really do enjoy this genre but for the most part the majority of our group doesn’t care so much for Science Fiction. Why? I’m not sure. If you really think about it, these books are written by extraordinarily creative people, who also have some degree of scientific knowledge on which they build their premise, and they offer some of the thought-provoking story lines. Where else would you be able to find a discussion of Darwinism as a means of alien lifeform destruction? Or future worlds where human experimentation has left us without free air, genetic mutations preventing reproduction, and even vampirism? How do you work in the science, the character creation, and action scenes, all in one plausible plot? I think that’s amazing! So, good job Sci-Fi authors! (Now aren’t you curious to see what everyone had to say about their books?!)

Chris: Farthing by Jo Walton is the traditional English country mystery with the addition of alternate history. It opens with the British upper class coming to spend a weekend at Farthing’s country house. One of the daughter’s, Lucy, is bringing her new husband David Kahn. David, being Jewish, is not really welcome and the couple even wonders why they were invited. Odder still, the first evening one of the house guests, Sir James Thirkie, is murdered and left with a Star of David pinned to his chest. Did the family just want to pin the murder on Kahn? Or did he actually do it? Or maybe it was a political enemy of Thirkie since he was instrumental in bringing about the 1941 peace with Hitler and Germany? Or maybe it was Thirkie’s wife? Follow Inspector Carmichael’s search for the murderer and discover much, much more.

Steve: A Scanner Darkly, by Philip K. Dick, is a bit of a mindbender. Written in 1977, it takes place in the near future, 1994. Undercover agent Fred infiltrates a group of druggies, with his eye on the leader Bob Arctor. While under cover, Fred develops a huge drug addiction to the drug of choice, Substance D. Fred, as an undercover agent, returns daily to the police station to watch undercover footage, via holographic cameras, of the drug house. In the future, all undercover agents wear a scramble suit, which blurs the wearer’s physical identity so other cops in the station can’t identify Fred as a narc. Soon though psychologists in the police department notice Fred exhibiting signs of Substance D abuse and begin to piece together coincidences between Fred and Bob. This story can be hard to wrap your mind around, and wanders at a slow rate, but in the end is worth it if you are looking for something different.

Carol: Told in snippets of gathered intelligence found by Cormac Wallace, a leader of the human resistance, Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson is a science fiction thriller, set in the near future, that tells the history of a war between robots and humans. From the time just before the robot uprising, to “Zero Hour,” when all robots attack, and to almost 3 years afterwards, this book follows the struggles of a small group of heroes all over the world who rise against the machines. As scary as early Stephen King, this book contains truly horrifying moments as a virus, spread by the powerful Artificial Intelligence that calls itself Archos, systematically takes over robotics all over the world. Archos, who uses a little boy’s voice to communicate with humans pits other robots against humankind because he thinks that humans evolved in order to create something better—him, and since now that they’ve done this, their time is up. First, machines begin to act up, like the little girl’s doll that comes life and threatens the welfare of her family, but soon it’s bad enough that personal assistant robots are straight up murdering their human owners. Soon machines start herding people into work camps in order to build stronger, better, smarter killing machines. Lucky for us, humans don’t give up so easily in this action and suspense packed read! Steven Spielberg is making this into a movie next year and I, for one, will be seeing it! Word of warning: Robopocalypse might just make you question your reliance on electronics. I highly recommend this bloody sci-fi read to fans of the genre, and in particular, fans of the Terminator films.

Emma: Sometime in the future it is illegal to own books according to Fahrenheit 451. Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books, is secretly hoarding a few in his house. Montag is greatly disturbed when a lady refuses to leave her books and her house and burns to death after igniting the fire herself. Mildred, Montag’s wife, is only interested in her television “family” who occupy three walls of their living room. After Montag reads poetry to Mildred and her friends, Mildred turns her husband in to authorities and he is forced to burn his own books and home. Montag then turns the flamethrower on Captain Beatty killing him. A runaway murderer, Montag ends up with professors, authors, and clergymen considered dangerous to society living along deserted train tracks. Each has memorized books hoping to be allowed to write them down one day. Written in nine days by Ray Bradbury, the book originally appeared in the second, third, and fourth issues of Playboy magazine after being paid $400 for the story.

Dori: I read The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers, an Arthur C. Clarke award-winner set in the not-so-distant future when a virus strikes, killing women who become pregnant and thus ensuring the end of humanity. 16-year-old Jessie is, at first, not concerned about the virus, but as life becomes more uncertain, and friends and relatives affected, she begins to look for purpose and meaning in the chaos. When her father, a scientist, tells her about a research program enlisting young woman as volunteers to become incubators for frozen embryos, Jessie feels like she’s found something within her power to do, the ultimate sacrifice for the future of humanity. This bleak and harrowing novel addresses a variety of social themes within a coming of age story.

Rosemary: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is one of my all-time favorite books. High school student Meg Murry‘s physicist father has been missing for a year, when, on a stormy evening, a strange woman appears at her home. Mrs. Whatsit convinces the Murry’s that their father can be rescued from the world in which he is being held captive. She will help Meg, Charles Wallace Murry, and Calvin O’Keefe, a friend of Meg’s, travel through a tesseract, or a wrinkle in time, to save Mr. Murry. There are many positive themes in this story of good vs. evil, but the most compelling one is the awesome power of love. The library has added to our collection the graphic novel of this book just published in 2012. I can hardly wait to see this version of the enduring classic.

Megan: Breathe by Sarah Crossan is the first in a new science fiction series for teens. In the future there are no trees and the earth’s atmosphere is so depleted of oxygen that the air is unbreathable. Fortunately for humanity the Breathe Corporation devised a method for manufacturing oxygen. People now live in a safe pod where they can purchase the oxygen they need. When Bea and her best friend Quinn leave the pod for a camping trip in the Outland, they make a startling discovery that will change their lives forever. This exciting series opener reads like a futuristic The Lorax for teens. Plenty of twists and turns and startling surprises will keep readers guessing until the end and eager for more.

Ann: The Twelve by Justin Cronin continues the story which began with The Passage. It is now 97 A.V. (after the virus created by a government experiment gone horribly wrong has turned many humans into vampire-like beings). A large group of survivors has created somewhat safe colonies in Texas. But there are other survivors in Iowa who are controlled by the darker side of this new “humanity.” A young woman named Amy was part of the original experiment. She survives as a woman who barely ages and who possesses super-human powers. Amy, along with her friends who fight for good, is determined to defeat both the dictator-like controller in Iowa and the Twelve (the original carriers of the virus). An exciting part two in a projected trilogy by Cronin.

Stacey: War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells could arguably be one of the first Steampunk novels -ever! Mr. Wells created a world where Martian machines and high-tech weaponry arrived on Earth to fight against the cavalry and foot soldiers of late Victorian England. An unnamed narrator is on the frontlines for key moments: from seeing strange flares on the planet Mars, to the metal cylinders that landed near his home, to the epic battle between man and machine, to the final conclusion, and tells readers of his experience. After centuries of being in publication, you might think this book would be dry or dull. You’d be wrong! It’s full-on creepy, and spooky, and great! After reading this book, it’s easy to see why Orson Wells chose this for his epic October 30th radio broadcast and why it’s been the genesis of so many other books and films.

Next time? We celebrate the Winter Holidays! Find a Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve book, and you’ll be reading right along with us! Enjoy!

— Stacey

Picture These Stories! in our Graphic Novels Discussion

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The pictures in these books told us lots of stories -without using many words at all! So doesn’t it seem obvious that I wouldn’t use many words to introduce this discussion?

Maureen: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: a graphic novel by Nunzio DeFilippis is an adaptation of the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1922. Benjamin Button is born in 1860 to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Button in Baltimore, a well-to-do couple with many societal connections. When first-time father Roger Button goes to visit his newborn son in the hospital nursery ward, he is shocked to discover the entire staff in quite an uproar as his son actually looks like an old man complete with long white hair, beard and mustache. The story follows Benjamin as he leaves the hospital and he and his father develop their unique relationship through the years as Benjamin miraculously ages backward, from old man to infant. A very curious story, indeed!

Megan: Locke & Key is the latest project by bestselling author Joe Hill and illustrator Gabriel Rodriguez. The series follows the Locke children, teens Tyler and Kinsey and their younger brother Bode, as they return to the childhood home of their father, a mansion called Lovecraft House. They quickly discover that their new home is more than just a dusty old house. They uncover hidden keys that open doors that have the power to transform anyone who dares to pass through. As they explore the magic and mystery of Lovecraft House they are unaware that there is a demon in their midst. This demon will stop at nothing to gain control of the most powerful key in the house. Hill, son of Stephen King, has made a name for himself among horror fans and his latest project, is a welcome addition to his bibliography. The story is fascinating, sinister, and at times frightening. The gorgeous color illustrations perfectly capture the tone and serve as more than just a background. The artwork enhances and complements the story and is full of delightful surprises.

Carol: Matthea Harvey’s Of Lamb is a graphic novel/book of free verse poems, filled with lovely paintings by Amy Jean Porter. This retelling of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is gorgeous to look at and magical to read and becomes even more extraordinary when you read about its evolution in the author’s notes at the end of the book. Begun as an experiment in erasure poetry, poems created by omitting words or phrases from an established piece of text, Harvey’s inspiration was a randomly selected biography of 18th century British essayist Charles Lamb. In Harvey’s adult version of this oh-so-familiar nursery rhyme, Mary and Lamb are in love–but can these two kids figure out a way to make it work? Read this delightful book to find out.

Emma: The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam written by great-granddaughter Ann Marie Fleming is the life story of Long Tack Sam, a popular Chinese vaudeville performer. Sam was an amazing man who worked with Jack Benny, George Burns, Laurel & Hardy, and many others. He was an acrobat, magician, comic, producer, restaurant owner, theater owner, and world traveler. Unfortunately when vaudeville ended, the interest in Sam ended. He was forgotten. Long Tack Sam refused to participate in or allow his daughters to participate in movies that belittled Chinese. I look forward to watching the documentary on Sam’s successful but somewhat sad life also produced by his great-granddaughter.

Ann: Cat vs. Human by Yasmine Surovec is a charming collection of comics about being owned by a feline. “If Humans acted like cats” and “Hungry kitten” are especially amusing. Ms. Surovec started the comics as doodles she posted on Facebook. When they became extremely popular, the author started her own blog, which then resulted in this book. Witty and funny, you’ll laugh out loud at these vignettes about our furry friends.

Rosemary: Pedro and Me by Judd Winick was written to honor Pedro Zamora, the author’s dear friend, who died of AIDS in 1994. Winick and Zamora probably would have never met, except that they were chosen to be on MTV’s The Real World 3, San Francisco. The author wasn’t sure how to react when he was told that his roommate on the show had AIDS. Once Winick got to know Zamora and understand the facts about AIDS, he became one of Zamora’s greatest supporters. Zamora gave informative lectures about AIDS whenever he had the opportunity. After his death, Winick carried on with the lectures for a year and a half, until he realized he hadn’t properly mourned his friend’s death. He then used his artistic talents to create this graphic novel about their friendship and Zamora’s courage.

Steve: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: the Black Dossier, by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, is about Mina Harker and Allan Quatermain and their adventures in 1958 Europe while recovering the Black Dossier, which holds the history of the defunct League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The problem with this graphic novel is that most of it is not in the graphic or pictorial format. The dossier is included in the volume as a story with-in the story, and is pages of reading. The end is quite bizarre, and the included 3-D glasses add to the strangeness. I have enjoyed Alan Moore’s other works, but this one falls into the too gimmicky category. (And be warned, there are some adult scenes throughout.)

Julie: Jeremy Love’s graphic novel, Bayou, is set in a town populated by monstrous creatures, both human and otherworldly. It’s 1933 in Charon, Mississippi and sharecroppers Lee and her father are struggling to get by and build a better life. When Lee’s father is arrested for the disappearance of a white girl, she sets out to track the girl down and save her father. As the reviewer from Wired said, “As hypnotic as it is unsettling.”

Dori: Alison Bechdel made a splash with her first graphic novel Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic about her childhood, her father’s death and the impact of his closeted sexuality on herself and her family. Now she opens up about her other parent in Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama. In this volume, Bechdel reexamines her relationship with her mother, an artistic woman who was emotionally distant. Delving into her own relationships, dreams and therapy sessions, the author references Virginia Wolf and uses psychologist Donald Winnicott’s theories of mothering as a structure for the book. As much a trip through Bechdel’s psyche as a family memoir, Are You My Mother? is a fascinating journey.

Stacey: He Done Her Wrong: the Great American Novel (with no words) by Milt Gross is truly a wordless novel. In the 300 pages of this book, Mr. Gross never uses one word to directly tell the story. Compared to silent movies of the same era, such as The Perils of Pauline, readers will follow the adventures of Hero, Heroine and Villain to a satisfying conclusion. A little bit of a history lesson, great visual humor, and the inspiring true life story of the author, make this book worth a closer look.

Next time? We’re going off-world! We’ll be headed into the future and/or into space to explore Science Fiction stories! If you want to read-along, you can start searching for a book that utilizes some element of our current understanding of science and world around us but in new, exciting ways. From stories that that focus on technology to books that investigate the inner worlds of the mind or society, you’ll always find a wide variety of settings, characters, and topics. Well, I guess we’ll see you -in the future!

— Stacey