Any group of 88 people will have a wide range of reading interests. So it is with the Library staff who recently shared comments about the books they are reading. (This is a regular part of our monthly staff meetings; we also talk about films, theater & television.)
Click on the titles to go the catalog and learn more about each book.
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri -a rehash of the author’s previous books, but written beautifully in clear pictures. (This is currently the most popular book with Library users.)
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks- an interesting historical record – a novel that seems almost like non-fiction.
The Writer’s Brush: Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures by Writers by Donald Friedman- new insight with artwork by well-known writers such as William Faulkner, Elizabeth Bishop & Xingjian Gao.
The House on the Strand by Daphne DuMaurier- Old-fashioned romantic suspense.
Voyage Long & Strange by Tony Horwitz – fascinating account of America before the Pilgrims…also laugh-out-loud funny.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler- classic, Philip Marlowe mystery.
Beautiful Boy: a Father’s Journey Through his Son’s Addiction by David Sheff- very emotional.
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz- only the second Pulitzer Prize winning fiction by a Latino. (Oscar Hijuelos’ Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love was the first.)
What Now? By Ann Patchett- a thoughtful commencement message from the skillful fiction writer.
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi and Jasmine & Stars: Reading More Than Lolita in Tehran by Fatemah Keshavarz- the story of a women’s book group in Iran and the criticism of it.
Downhill Lie: a Hacker’s Return to a Ruinous Sport by Carl Hiaasen- lots of fun!
Marie Therese: Child of Terror by Susan Nagel – detailed account of a difficult life.
Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith- listened to on the MP3 while gardening – audio books help with the pronunciation of unfamiliar names.
Lush Life by Richard Price – “Best book of the year” (two votes)
Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg- gracefully written autobiography- from Appalachia to award-winning journalist- this one is about his father.
Last Lecture by Randy Pausch – touching & optimistic words from an author with a fatal disease.
Until Death Do Us Part: My Struggle to Reclaim Columbia by Ingrid Betancourt – drug trade saga – not a happy story
Blindsided: Lifting a Life above Illness by Richard Cohen- about Multiple Sclerosis
Feasting on Asphalt: the River Run by Alton Brown – Good food along the Mississippi River.
If you need suggestions for your reading list, talk to Library staff on your next visit. Maybe you will find a kindred spirit who will keep you supplied with titles to try.
