This week is Humboldt Reads! book discussion at Miller’s Landing on Thursday, April 14 at 5:30. The book is Homestead by Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane is the author of inspirational fiction, but this book is the story of her experience in homesteading in the wilds of remote Oregon with her husband in 1985. Her stories of their attempts to build a new home, acquire a land-line telephone in the days before cell service and to install electricity and indoor plumbing make me tired just thinking about it. Even after our book discussion is over, we have copies of the book that you may check out. It’s worth reading.
I’ve ordered copies of The Help by Katheryn Stockett and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot for our next couple of book discussions. About 100 people have already read the library’s copies of The Help. It is the story of a young woman just home from college in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962. Even if you have already read it, checkout a copy, scan over it and join us for discussion.
Skloot’s book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, tells us about Henrietta Lacks, a poor African American woman who died in Philadelphia in 1951. Cells from her cancerous tumor were taken without her knowledge or consent and replicated many times over and over for use in countless scientific experiments. Her cells continue to be reproduced and are used in labs worldwide to this day. I haven’t read it yet, but it sounds as if it will lead to a great discussion.
New at the library:
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee. Julia Evarts and her five year old daughter Grace find a gift of Amish Friendship Bread and a bag of starter to use to make more bread, have been left on their porch. Julia would like to toss the starter out with the trash, but Gracie is determined that they bake bread and share starter with others. Through sharing the bread starter, Julia forms new friendship and confronts her painful past. This book received terrific reviews. I’m looking forward to it.
Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann B. Ross. If you haven’t read a Miss Julia story, I don’t think that I can adequately explain her to you. She is an intrepid wife, friend, substitute mother and amateur sleuth and almost as wise as Jessica Fletcher in the old Murder She Wrote tv series. She’s a hoot!
Once Upon a Time There Was You by Elizabeth Berg. Berg can be counted on to churn out at least one beautiful and moving novel every year. This one is about a long-divorced couple to come together to support their daughter when tragedy strikes.
Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy. Binchy is another author who dependably produces satisfying fiction again and again. When Noel learns that his former girlfriend is both terminally and pregnant with his child, Noel agrees to tackle single parenting. A network of friends, family and neighbors come to his rescue when a nosy social worker inserts herself in his life.
Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin. This sold a million copies in Korea. It’s a universal story of family love. The cover says “You will never think of your mother the same way again after you read this book.” Hmm.
Swim Back to Me by Ann Packer. Packer wrote The Dive From Clausen’s Pier and Songs Without Words. I enjoyed both of those so I’m looking forward to her latest book.
The Band That Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner. A true story!
Made for You and Me: Going West, Going Broke, Finding Home by Caitlin Shetterly. In 2008 Shetterly and her brand-new husband Dan moved to California from their native Maine. Quickly, the recession reared its ugly head and life in California became impossible for the young couple. As they made their way back to Maine, now with a baby in tow, Caitlin blogged about their situation and created audio diaries for National Public Radio. When listeners all over the country were moved by their plight, Caitlyn turned her stories into a book.
If you have a library book (or dvd, etc.) or two, or more, that is overdue at the library, bring it back to us on any Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 pm. If you ask nicely, we will erase the fine on those books. This generosity does not apply to old transactions or to fines already on your record….just to any materials that are currently overdue. They do this regularly at the Hampton Public Library. They call it “Happy Hour”.