Something new
In the last two months I've had some incredible reading experiences, some that were books just picked up because they looked interesting. Yes, I admit I will take home and read a book just because of the cover. Which is, in part, why we love the Blind Date with a Book event that we run every February. What a fun way to experience something new. If you haven't checked out one of our Blind Date books, stop by and do so. We have them for men, women, the romantic, comedy, adventurous...you name it.
If you are a little less adventurous, here are a couple of the great books that we have that aren't wrapped up:
Winter Girls by Kristin Hannah - this was a surprisingly wonderful book. Surprising because it turned out not at all to be about I thought it would be and before I was even a third of the way through it, I was in entranced in the story. It initially seems like a romance or a mid-life woman's novel. However, before you know what's happening, you become lost in a mysterious world of Russian heritage, loss, fables and echoes of truth. It's a sister story. It's a mother's story. It's a tale of finding out who you are and where you come from. And one I guarantee will leave you thoroughly satisfied, ready to find another book by this author...whose new novel is due out in March.
Tinkers by Paul Harding - a wonderful, beautiful, gem of a novel that, I confess has been on my "to read" list for a while but I've never been particularly excited about enough to pick it up. Oh am I glad I finally did. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2010, Harding invokes shades of William Faulkner throughout his novel. Tinkers weaves together the memories of George Crosby as he lies on his deathbed, reminiscing of his childhood, reliving judgements and expectations of his life, and ultimately coming to terms with his father, his own life, and his identity. For Faulkner fans, this is a must read!! But a pretty universally exceptional story that has something for everyone in it.
Wild: a journey from lost to found by Cheryl Strayed - I could not pass up mentioning this book which has been sitting loftily atop the NYTimes best-seller list since its publication. Since I'm writing today about surprising books and trying something new, this book fits the notions and is a read everyone, yes I do mean everyone, will enjoy. 26 year old Cheryl is a bit lost. She's just failed to graduate from college due to a bad paper, her mother has died from cancer, and the man she's in love with just filed for divorce. Standing in line in a hardware store, Cheryl picks up a guidebook for the Pacific Crest Trail which stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada. Saving her money and planning the ultimate walking experience, months later she sets out to walk the thousand plus miles from California through Oregon and Washington. This book is funny, insightful, and a truly crazy ride as Strayed finds herself amidst the mountains along with a host of truths and ridiculous moments. And yes, there is a bear. Curious yet? Come check it out today.
And just for fun, I have to talk about William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher - Yes, you heard right...Shakespeare and Star Wars. One of the most fantastic fan fic Star Wars books to come out in quite some time that had me laughing out loud while reading....not the best thing to do in a library or even a coffee shop where you get the looks as people are wondering if you crazy or just losing it. I'm not even sure funny is the correct word. Hilarious is much more accurate. This is the same Star Wars story that you know, have watched or read, only told in Shakespearean language which for the truly nerdy at heart is without question ridiculous and awesome at that same time.
These are just a few of the new books we've added recently to the library collection. Come check one out or let us know what you are interested in and we'll find you a book that fits.
If you are a little less adventurous, here are a couple of the great books that we have that aren't wrapped up:
Winter Girls by Kristin Hannah - this was a surprisingly wonderful book. Surprising because it turned out not at all to be about I thought it would be and before I was even a third of the way through it, I was in entranced in the story. It initially seems like a romance or a mid-life woman's novel. However, before you know what's happening, you become lost in a mysterious world of Russian heritage, loss, fables and echoes of truth. It's a sister story. It's a mother's story. It's a tale of finding out who you are and where you come from. And one I guarantee will leave you thoroughly satisfied, ready to find another book by this author...whose new novel is due out in March.
Tinkers by Paul Harding - a wonderful, beautiful, gem of a novel that, I confess has been on my "to read" list for a while but I've never been particularly excited about enough to pick it up. Oh am I glad I finally did. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2010, Harding invokes shades of William Faulkner throughout his novel. Tinkers weaves together the memories of George Crosby as he lies on his deathbed, reminiscing of his childhood, reliving judgements and expectations of his life, and ultimately coming to terms with his father, his own life, and his identity. For Faulkner fans, this is a must read!! But a pretty universally exceptional story that has something for everyone in it.
Wild: a journey from lost to found by Cheryl Strayed - I could not pass up mentioning this book which has been sitting loftily atop the NYTimes best-seller list since its publication. Since I'm writing today about surprising books and trying something new, this book fits the notions and is a read everyone, yes I do mean everyone, will enjoy. 26 year old Cheryl is a bit lost. She's just failed to graduate from college due to a bad paper, her mother has died from cancer, and the man she's in love with just filed for divorce. Standing in line in a hardware store, Cheryl picks up a guidebook for the Pacific Crest Trail which stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada. Saving her money and planning the ultimate walking experience, months later she sets out to walk the thousand plus miles from California through Oregon and Washington. This book is funny, insightful, and a truly crazy ride as Strayed finds herself amidst the mountains along with a host of truths and ridiculous moments. And yes, there is a bear. Curious yet? Come check it out today.
And just for fun, I have to talk about William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher - Yes, you heard right...Shakespeare and Star Wars. One of the most fantastic fan fic Star Wars books to come out in quite some time that had me laughing out loud while reading....not the best thing to do in a library or even a coffee shop where you get the looks as people are wondering if you crazy or just losing it. I'm not even sure funny is the correct word. Hilarious is much more accurate. This is the same Star Wars story that you know, have watched or read, only told in Shakespearean language which for the truly nerdy at heart is without question ridiculous and awesome at that same time.
These are just a few of the new books we've added recently to the library collection. Come check one out or let us know what you are interested in and we'll find you a book that fits.
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