The staff is reading...

It's still bitterly cold outside and a good excuse to stay inside and read. Here are the books that some of the library staff is reading. You will find a great mix to perhaps explore on your own.

K. S. has just finished Healing Waters by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn, the second book in the Sullivan Crisp series. This is a great read for any woman struggling with self worth. Involving an offbeat psychologist, it combines romance, mystery and self discovery. J. B is reading two books, Simon Green's new Nightside novel, Just Another Judgment Day. It is an urban fantasy novel set in an alternative world called The Nightside. The novel follows the protagonist John Taylor as he tries to stop the Walking Man who has come to clean up the Nightside by killing all sinners (which is pretty much the entire population of Nightside). J.B. is just now starting a lunch time read, Shirley Damsgaard's, The Witch's Grave. It's a mystery series that follows Ophelia Jensen who happens to be a small town librarian who is also a good witch. It's a mystery cozy with a little supernatural thrown in for good measure. L.B. is reading Micheal Greenberg's, Hurry Down Sunshine. The story is about Sally, the author's fifteen year old daughter who was diagnosed as bipolar. Revealing insights to help those interested in learning more about Bipolar Disorder. S.R. is just starting Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. Called by reviewers as "an emotional hanky read". A novel showing what friendship really is and how it can endure over the years. S.R. is also currently listening to The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller, an audiobook, in her car on the way to work. The author gracefully addresses marital infidelity in the world of politics.

I did believe!

Wally lamb has once again created a great American novel. "The Hour I First Believed" speaks to our current generation. It's the story of Caelum Quirk and his wife Maureen and how they attempt to put their lives back together after Maureen miraculously survives the massacre at Columbine High School. Even though she survives she is deeply scarred, because of this the couple move back to Caelum's family farm in Connecticut in attempt to escape the horrible memories left by the tragedy. As you follow their journey you learn life is not so easily put in a box and sometimes destiny has more tragedy in store. The core of the story is Caelum's quest to discover his past through a cache of old letters, diaries, and newspapers he finds hidden in the old family house. From this he is able to reconstruct his legacy that hold long "buried" secrets. His past is the backdrop for the couple as they struggle to form a future.

"The Hour I first believed" takes us on an epic journey from 1998 to present day. Lamb throws in tidbits of real life events so much so it gives the feel of almost non-fiction instead of fiction. In the ten-year span the Quirks do stupid things, as well as good things. I felt sorrow as well as disgust for the Quirks but even when I was feeling disgusted I still cared for them.

Wally Lamb is an excellent storyteller, he can write and even though I loved this novel I think he wrote a little bit too much this time around. The book is 740 pages, definitely not for those who like to breeze through a book. Still he manages to wrap so much into Caelum's story...Columbine, Hurricane Katrina, prison reform, Mark Twain, marital infidelity, family secrets, etc. With all the interwoven plot lines, thematic parallels and rich allegory the main premise of the story is about finding your way in a world that seems to have gone mad, yet being able to find hope when all hope seems to be gone, hence "The Hour I first believed"

The Chosen

While this is not a new book by any means, it is worth revisiting. Written in 1967 by Chaim Potok, an ordained rabbi, it gives a revealing picture of the Jewish community.

It chronicles the life of two Jewish boys from two different Jewish communities, the Hasidic Jews (who live completely within the bounds of traditional Jewish law) and Orthodox Jews (who follow modern methods of studying Judaism) . Although the two grew up only blocks away from one another, they had never met, due to the differences between the Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish religions.

While the story is taking place, many references are made to outside events, including World War II, the Holocaust, and the founding of the State of Israel. Potok reveals the reactions of the different Jewish groups to each of these events. It was intriguing to read of these events in light of recent developments in Israel.

This book was an eye-opener for me. I was surprised to read that there were Jews against the formation of the State of Israel. I really enjoyed learning more about the Jewish religion and the intricacies of thier religion and customs.

I found this book to be very fascinating and would highly recommend it.

Princess Leia tells all!

Long ago in a galaxy far far away two Hollywood icons decided to marry and procreate and the product of their union was none other than the icon herself, Carrie Fisher.
In "Wishful Drinking" Carrie shares with us what it's like to grow up as an ultimate Hollywood child (being the daughter Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds). She describes her famous parents as the Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt of their era with Elizabeth Taylor playing Angelina Jolie. Carrie gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to grow up in Hollywood and believe me it isn’t pretty. With that said the entire undertone of the book is quite funny and entertaining so much that I laughed till I cried. Even though she seemed to have it all by being born into Hollywood royalty not to mention adored by Star wars fans, I still felt sorry for Carrie living in this fast paced atmosphere. She reveals her life from the inside; the scandals, the marriages and remarriages of each of her parents and her own marriage to Paul Simon as well as her battle with addiction and mental illness. Her glib style objectifies her painful reality and allows the reader to grasp some of her loneliness and despair while laughing at it. She even manages to find humor in her electroshock therapy.

There is a disturbing but knee-slapping moment in the book in which Fisher describes how someone told her that she is actually in the "Abnormal Psychology" textbook. "Obviously, my family is so proud," she writes. "I'm a PEZ dispenser and I'm in the Abnormal Psychology textbook. Who says you can't have it all?" It's funny, until she reveals that the picture they use of her for the textbook is none other than Princess Leia with her hair in side buns. (Hey at least it wasn’t one of her in that bikini chained up next to Jabba the Hut!) The book almost feels as if you are having a conversation with Carrie herself, the downside to this is that it’s way too short and leaves you wanting and asking for more. The part in the book that made me the saddest is that she tells her younger friends that one day they’ll be somewhere and look up at the television set and there will be a picture of Princess Leia with two dates underneath and they’ll say "awww ---she said that would happen." What makes it sad is that it will probably happen, however Fisher is smart enough to realize that she and Princess Leia are forever intertwined and she has learned to find it amusing. I recommend this to everyone, because let’s face it, in this day and age we’re all a little nuts and it helps to have someone a little nuttier than we are to laugh at.