All posts by Deanna Parsi
The Real Librarians of Chelmsford
What is the best way to get to know a librarian? By getting them to dish about books, of course! Each month, we will introduce you to one of the librarians of Chelmsford Public Library. This month, we talked to Melissa McCarthy, our Office Administrator.
You may not see Melissa very often, but the library would not run smoothly without her! She is the first person you’ll encounter going into the Administrative Offices on the lower level. Besides handling payroll, managing library supplies, and lots of other internal duties, Melissa is also the point person for most general library questions. When not at work, Melissa likes to play board games, spend time doing outdoor activities (swimming, sledding, walking local trails and sitting by a fire pit roasting marshmallows), and most of all she enjoys going on spontaneous road trips with her family.
We asked Melissa…
What was your first library?
“My first library was the Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Library in Dracut, MA. I still remember the day that I got my first library card. I was so excited and could not carry all of the books I wanted to borrow in my hands. Growing up, we did not have a computer in my home until I was a Junior in High School. I spent a lot of time doing research at the Library.”
What is on your nightstand right now?
“The Art of Happy Moving by Ali Wenzke.”
What book do you like to recommend to patrons?
“The book I like to suggest to patrons is Untamed by Glennon Doyle. It is an empowering book for women that makes you take a deep look at the choices that you make and analyzes if you make decisions based on what you want for your life or based on the expectations placed upon you as a mother, daughter, spouse, etc. A major lesson to take away from this book is that a good responsible mother does not neglect their needs and happiness for their children but instead shows them how to live authentically and to do things that make you happy even if it isn’t always the easiest thing to do.”
Who is your favorite character from a book?
“Isabelle Rossignol from Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. She is rebellious, strong, and fierce. The story takes place in France during World War II. Instead of following orders and staying quiet, Isabelle joins a Resistance Group and helps transport airmen across the Pyrenees mountains into Spain. This gives them the opportunity to rejoin their military forces and to avoid being captured by the Nazis. At that point in the book, her codename becomes the Nightingale and Nazi soldiers are desperate to find out who the Nightingale is and capture them. I love her strong personality and inner strength.”
What is the last book that made you laugh or cry (or both)?
“The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It is a powerful work of fiction that truly highlights the race disparity in our country. I enjoy reading books that open my eyes to the world around me and help me to better understand the struggles that other people face. We all struggle and have difficulties in life and I think it is important to know what makes us different and what makes us all the same.”
Who are your top five favorite authors?
Where is your favorite place to read?
“It is actually in the staff room at the Library. Typically, you walk in the room during lunch hours and will find people sitting down and reading. It is an enjoyable space to read and talk about the latest books you have read. I get most of my book recommendations during my lunch time – chatting with co-workers and hearing about their favorite books.”
Why do you like working at the library?
“There are so many reasons why I love working at the Chelmsford Public Library. Almost too many to name but here are a few of the top reasons: The staff is like a family – somehow there is a beautiful dynamic amongst the people I work with and it really feels like we are a family. We have so much support from the Town, our community, and the Friends of the Library. I love attending programs and after-hours events and seeing the glow of amazement on patron’s faces when they see all that the Library offers. Additionally, I love that inclusiveness and diversity are big priorities and that we work hard to make everyone feel like they are seen and heard at the Library.”
While You Are Waiting…Laura Dave
You might be waiting for the very popular novel by Laura Dave, The Last Thing He Told Me. You are in good company, as the hold list for this Reese Witherspoon book club title is long. Never fear – we have some great suggestions to keep you busy reading while you wait your turn in line!
Who Is Maud Dixon by Alexandra Andrews: The book is told from the point of view of Florence Darrow, a young twenty-something living in New York City, working at a small publishing house, dreaming of becoming a writer. Her mother has instilled in her this feeling that she is destined for big things, so she is frustrated that nothing is happening for her. She is offered a job as personal assistant to a very successful author, Maud Dixon. The catch is that she will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, because nobody knows the real identity of the author – a woman named Helen Wilcox. Soon, she is wishing to impress her new boss, and they take a trip to Marrakesh to research the new book. Then Florence wakes up in a hospital room, not knowing how she got there, and everyone thinks she is Helen. You will want to keep reading this one, pulled along in the wake of Florence’s bad decisions!
If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier: We learn right away that Serra is a troubled woman. She stays mostly in her house, listening to her favorite true crime podcast over and over, obsessing about the stories of women who just disappear. When the podcast abruptly goes quiet, Serra worries that the host Rachel Bard has gone missing herself, and that she should be the one to find her. Serra is a very unreliable narrator, but in an interesting way. She has clearly had some problems and has not dealt with them well, so it is hard for the reader to tell what is real and what is her delusion, in her obsessive quest to find Rachel. You will keep turning the pages to find out what happens!
The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe: There are two Miss Farwells – Miss Rebecca Farwell, art dealer, and Miss Becky Farwell, a small town treasurer and comptroller. What people don’t know is that they are the same person and that Becky is siphoning funds from the town to fuel her life as Rebecca. As her success as an art dealer grows, so do her financial needs. While she keeps promising herself that she will pay the town back, her other life keeps throwing temptation in her way. Here is a character that is going to frustrate you by her spectacularly bad decisions, and one you are going to root for, despite your better judgement!
Girl A by Abigail Dean: Lex Gracie is your typical type A lawyer – she works hard and plays hard. She is also Girl A, one of seven siblings who escaped her parents and their infamous House of Horrors. Now, her mother has died in prison and appointed Lex as her executor. She has left the family home, long abandoned, to the siblings, though none of them want anything to do with the house or its memories. Lex and her sister Evie decide to turn the house into a place for good, but first Lex must get the approval of her brothers and sisters. From there, the book follow Lex as she navigates each relationship and all their sibling complexities. This book is a thriller, but it is also an exploration of family trauma and dynamics – how each child, especially Lex, Girl A – has managed and coped with their shared past. Its hard not to feel sympathy for them, especially Lex, who it becomes increasingly clear has not completely left the past behind.
Gone For Good by Joanna Schaffhausen: Twenty years ago, the Lovelorn Killer terrorized Chicago. He killed seven women and then just disappeared. It has been an open case for twenty years, with no new leads or clues to the killer’s identity in all that time. Grace Harper belongs to an online true crime group called the Grave Diggers. She has a theory about the killer and her plan is to go on TV and draw him out. It works a little too well – she is found murdered in the same style as the Lovelorn Killer. What did she know? Detective Annalisa Vega is part of the team assigned to the case. She has a personal connection to it – the last victim twenty years ago was a beloved neighbor and the mother of her high school boyfriend. The search for the truth is going to take Annalisa back to the past, and in ways she never could have expected. This is a great page-turner and Annalisa is a strong character…I hope it will be the start of a series. Once you read it, I suspect you will too!
Happy reading!
Thankful
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! It is a time for gathering with family and friends, for turkey and pumpkin pie, and for thinking about all of things that make us feel thankful. In that spirit, we here at the library wanted to share some of the books and authors that fill us with gratitude:
Vickie: “I’m thankful for Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I didn’t think of myself as a real introvert because I’ve never been very shy. Now I know the difference and understand my working and social styles better, and also understand extroverts more. I’m also thankful for Christmas movies. They are a great chance to get family together during hectic times to enjoy old favorites. Some of ours are The Santa Clause, The Muppet Christmas Carol and the musical, Scrooge, with Albert Finney.”
Deanna: “If I had to pick amongst all of my favorites, I would say I am most grateful for Jane Austen. Not just for her wonderful stories (Persuasion being my favorite), but because she was the catalyst for an almost 30-year friendship that is very important to me. Austen brought us together, and for that I am always thankful.”
Maria: “I am thankful for my cookbooks. There is one that I refer to often to make a delicious tofu scramble, Everyday Happy Herbivore by Lindsay Nixon .”
Becky: “One book that I am thankful for is Sunday Suppers at Lucques by James Beard award winner Suzanne Goin. It is a collection of seasonal recipes based on what is available at the market and served at informal suppers at the acclaimed restaurant Lucques in Los Angeles. This book was the way I got to know my neighbor better. We spent one winter together cooking through its contents. We would pour through the book, weighing our recipe options, choose a few recipes to try each weekend, and then take turns shopping and creating a cocktail to go with each meal. Whether it was a lamb osso bucco, yellow tomato gazpacho, braised short ribs, wild salmon salad, or bagna cauda vegetables, the recipes were always just challenging enough to take up an afternoon. The meals were delicious and satisfying and the company even better. It was a great way to grow a friendship; I highly recommend both the experience and the cookbook!”
Marty: “I am thankful for the book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson, because it always makes me feel good when I read it. I love the gentle ways Nana interacts with CJ, I love the illustrations, and overall think it is a beautiful story that everyone should read at least once, no matter their age.”
Heidi: “Anything by Shel Silverstein because I love his turn of phrase and he made me appreciate the beauty of poetry.”
Mike: “I’m thankful for Brad Thor and Ben Coes (who is from Wellesley) whose thrillers have kept me away from the food in the kitchen!!”
Danny: “The Hobbit, because it was the first book I fell in love with.”
Lisa: “I am thankful for many authors, a few of which are Ruta Sepetys, Jacqueline Winspear, Stephen King, and Laurie Frankel“.
Jess: “The children’s books of Roald Dahl and the iconic accompanying illustrations by Quentin Blake. Though later I learned of some of the controversies around his personal views, as a child, I devoured his fantastical stories like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Matilda. The stories helped children feel seen, and took their fears and joys seriously. They celebrated the importance of imagination, and they were the first “big books” I was able to read on my own, so they made me into a reader.”
Laura: “One book that I have returned to many times over the years is Alan Lightman’s Einstein’s Dreams. This book was gifted to me by a friend and continuously reminds me that time is a fluid human construction, memory is malleable, and imagination is freeing. I am grateful for the way that this book has challenged my thinking and lifted me up when I was feeling lonely.”
Eileen: “I have always been an avid reader and something I am thankful for is the feeling of glee I experience when anticipating a new title from a favorite author. There are authors that I request immediately upon seeing an upcoming release: Lydia Millet, Lauren Groff,A.M. Homes, Aimee Bender, and Alan Bradley to name just a few. Even when a title doesn’t meet my expectations, I am usually newly impressed by the skill and nuance of these and so many more talented writers.”
For some of us (who am I kidding – for all of us!), it was hard to narrow down to one or two titles. See the list below of other books and authors for which we are thankful.
And, in case we haven’t said it lately, we are thankful for all of our CPL patrons! We wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!
Fall Reading Challenge – What We Are Reading
We hope you are enjoying this year’s Fall Challenge! It will probably come as no surprise that we are reading books in the challenge categories right along with you! We thought we would share a few that we have enjoyed so far:
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES BAKING OR INCLUDES RECIPES
Deanna read: Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew
“This book had caught my eye earlier this year, but the Fall Challenge finally made me place it at the top of my TBR pile. Set in South Africa, this is a gentle mystery much in the same manner as Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Tannie Maria (“tannie” being a respectful form of address) is a middle-aged widow who likes to cook and writes a recipe column for the local newspaper. When her assignment changes to an advice column, she decides that she will help people through food – there is nothing that a good recipe cannot solve. Or so she believes, until she gets a letter from a woman about her abusive husband. Tannie Maria, who has some experience with abusive husbands, urges her to leave. Instead, the woman is murdered. Tannie Maria, along with her fellow reporters at the newspaper, decide that it is their responsibility to help the police solve this crime. No matter that the police do not want their help, or that helping might place all of them in danger. I really enjoyed this one – it had all the ingredients for a fun mystery read. And I really want to try to make the Perfect Buttermilk Chocolate Cake!”
READ A BOOK WRITTEN BY AN INDIGENOUS AUTHOR
Jess read: The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
“This is a YA title and a recent pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, and I just found the premise really intriguing. Eighteen year-old Daunis Fontaione lives in Saulte Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She is the daughter of an Ojibwe man and a white woman who happens to be the only daughter of one of the town’s oldest families. Daunis struggles to straddle both worlds, especially given the recent tragic death of her uncle and her grandmother’s recent stroke, a double blow that has knocked her mother into a sort of melancholy state. Because of this, talented and hard-working Daunis has opted to forgo her dream to attend the pre-med program at University of Michigan, and begins a program at college closer to home. Then she meets Jamie, a Cherokee descendant, a star hockey player, but also a long way from home. The two bond over being a part of – and also not part of – their respective tribes. The plot really gets going when Daunis finds herself assisting in an FBI investigation into the proliferation of a particularly addictive and deadly illegal substance in the community. Daunis is torn between being the bright, intense and honest girl she’s always been, and helping with the investigation to find out the truth about her father and uncle, and hopefully save her community before it’s too late.”
READ A BOOK IN WHICH FAMILY IS A MAIN THEME
Jess read: Outlawed by Anna North
“This novel is a fascinating new tale of the West, sort of like True Grit meets The Handmaid’s Tale. The year is 1894 and Ada, a young woman in a small Dakota town, is about to start her life as a happily married woman. That is, until about a year into the marriage, having tried everything, she remains childless. In the religious and under-educated community of which she is a part, barren women are deeply mistrusted and risk being accused of witchcraft. Ada’s mother, a midwife, while knowing well the truths of women’s reproductive health, understands the danger of deeply superstitious neighbors and quickly sends Ada to a nearby convent where she will live and work as a nun. In the convent library one day, Ada happens into a new text on women’s health penned by a progressive doctor in Southern California seeking to refute prevailing superstitions and understand the true medical causes of various ailments that plague women. Ada decides she must go there. She manages to get north and runs into the Hole in The Wall Gang, led by the infamous outlaw known only as The Kid. The gang is composed of a thrown together group of women and nonbinary people who, for one reason or another, have been cast out of their communities and have found in each other a new unit, a family that allows their true selves to shine. while frosty to the outsider at first, they recognize Ada’s value for her medical knowledge, and allow her to hang on. It’s not long though, through various heists and dangerous predicaments, before the relationships deepen and become indispensable. This is a fast-paced read, with a wholly original plot and a surprising ending.”
READ A BOOK FROM THE NEW BOOK ROOM
Deanna read: State of Terror by Louise Penny
“Ok, maybe this was actually from the Fast Track table and not the new book room, but it is definitely a new book! And I have been really looking forward to reading it! Louise Penny is one of my favorite mystery authors and I have been very intrigued with the idea of her writing a political thriller with Hillary Clinton. Ellen Adams is appointed Secretary of State by the new President, who also happens to be a political rival. She is immediately plunged into a crisis – three buses have exploded in big cities in Europe and no known group is taking credit, making it clear that these acts of terror are the beginning of a bigger plan. The events plunge Ellen and her team into a race against the clock, in which she must use all of her political skills to negotiate with allies and foes in order to stop a terrifying attack on US soil. My favorite part? That it is the women who are the real heroes in this page-turning tale: Ellen, her best friend and counselor Betsy, her daughter Katherine, and a young Muslim woman Anahita who helps them crack the case wide open. If you like political or spy thrillers, then you will enjoy this. If you like Louise Penny, look for a cameo from a certain Chief Inspector!”
We can’t wait to hear about what you are reading! Remember to turn in your card by November 22nd, either at the main desk or by emailing it to jfitzhanso@chelmsfordlibrary.org. You will get one raffle ticket for every category you complete and be entered to win fun prizes! Happy reading!
The Real Librarians of Chelmsford
What is the best way to get to know a librarian? By getting them to dish about books, of course! Each month, we will introduce you to one of the librarians of Chelmsford Public Library. This month, we talked to Marty Mason, Youth Services Librarian.
Marty has worked as a Youth Services Librarian at CPL since June 2018. She loves reading all kinds of books, but you’ll most likely find her with her nose buried in some Children’s or YA fantasy, historical fiction, or mysteries. When she’s not at the Library, you may find her performing in a local theatre production, hanging out with her book club (some of whom she’s known since 1st grade), drinking lots of coffee and tea (preferably with a good book and a cat on her lap), or spending time outdoors with her family.
We asked Marty…
What was your first library?
“The first Library I worked at was the Peace Dale Library, in Wakefield, Rhode Island. I started there as a page and circulation assistant at 14, and have loved working in libraries ever since.”
What books are on your nightstand right now?
Anxious People by Fredrick Backman.
What book do you love to suggest to patrons?
“Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. This book is the first in a series that I often recommend to readers who loved Harry Potter. It is a fun, magical adventure with a brave, smart female protagonist and a genuinely lovable cast of characters. And there’s a giant talking cat. I rest my case!”
What is your favorite line from a book?
“You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” from Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Where is your favorite place to read?
“Curled up on the corner of my sofa in the sun with a blanket and cat on my lap, and something to drink within reach.”
What book would you most like to read again for the first time?
“Probably Little Women by Louisa May Alcott! It is my favorite book, and was the first “big book” I ever read by myself as a child. I instantly re-read it 3 more times, and periodically revisit it, once every year or two. I can’t remember the last time I read a book and felt the need to compulsively re-read it like that. I’d love to experience that feeling again.”
What is the last book that made you laugh or cry (or both)?
“My current read, Anxious People, has made me both tear up and laugh out loud! Backman has a style of capturing human thought and emotion that really speaks to me. I highly recommend checking out one of his books!”
Why you love being a librarian?
“I love getting to know my colleagues and our library patrons, reading and then talking about books, and getting to know the kids and teens that come to the Library. I think running programs is one of my favorite parts of my job, because I love discovering new books, getting creative, being silly, and doing the hokey pokey at least once a week.”
Read This Next…Scary Books!
‘Tis the season for spooky reading! What is the scariest book you have ever read? For me? I had to sleep with the lights on for two weeks after reading Salem’s Lot by Stephen King! Whether you like truly scary stories like that, or ghost stories, or gothics, or classics like Dracula and Frankenstein, see below for recommendations we dare you to read!
Deanna Recommends:
In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce
“Belle Gunness, the main character of In the Garden of Spite, was a real person – an immigrant, a sister, a wife and mother. She also happened to be a serial killer. Belle was a Norwegian immigrant, who fled a bad situation in Norway to come live with her sister in Chicago in the late 1800’s. Belle was ambitious and smart and had no problem going after what she wanted, whether it was a husband or a candy shop, a new house or children of her own. But once she had it, the glamour of it faded and she invariably blamed the men in her life for her problems. Which, since she was a serial killer, turned out badly for them. The author does a good job of showing the evolution of Belle’s character and, while she doesn’t make us sympathetic to Belle (she IS a serial killer after all), she does her best to help us understand her. If you liked Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, which is a true story also set in late 19th century Chicago, or if you like true crime or historical fiction, then give this story a try. And then if you want to learn about the real Belle Gunness, check out Hell’s Princess by Harold Schechter. This story of rage and frustration gone awry will make you want to sleep with the lights on!”
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
“What is a “final girl”? In horror movies, the final girl is the sole survivor at the end of the movie, vanquishing the monster and outlasting all the other characters. Lynnette, Dani, Adrienne, Julie, Marilyn and Heather are all real-life final girls. They are part of a therapy group, whose leader, Dr. Carol, is an expert on the trauma they experienced. But now, someone has murdered Adrienne, Lynnette and Julie are caught in a sniper attack at Lynnette’s apartment, and Heather’s house burns down. Lynnette has lived her life in fear, barricaded in her apartment, going out only for the support group, her plant Fine (short for Final Plant) her only companion. She knows that someone is out to get them – that the timing of these incidents is not a coincidence – but the killer has found ways to make sure that no one will believe her. In the end, it will be up to Lynnette to stop living in fear and save her friends. This was a fun page-turner and will probably make my “best of 2021” list. The author has embraced the 1980’s horror movie genre and incorporated the tropes into the book – the monster around the corner, the killer that just won’t die, the “why are you going into the barn” sense of frustration, the twists and turns in unmasking the killer. If you like fast-paced thrillers, if you like the unreliable narrator, if you are just a fan of those cheesy 1980’s slasher movies, then this book is for you!”
Jess Recommends:
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
“The entire plot of Survive the Night, Sager’s fifth horror thriller, takes place over 24-hours and moves rapidly. The year is 1991. Film studies major Charlie Jordan has just lost her best friend to a campus serial killer, who is credited with murdering two other girls already. Charlie has a past filled with tragedy, and this blow, the murder of her beloved best friend, is the final straw that makes her decide she must leave school immediately. In order to get to her home in Ohio from her campus in New Jersey, she makes a desperate decision to take an offer from the “ride board”, where students who drive and students who need a ride connect. She takes an offer from a guy she’s never met before who happens to be driving through her home town and is ready to split the cost of gas and make the six hour car ride. And of course, the soonest they can depart is 9PM at night, meaning the whole ride will happen in the middle of the night. This seems absurd of course, given said serial killer on the loose, that she would take this risk, and the plot for the first half of the book is consumed with the car ride and Charlie’s increasing wariness about the guy she’s driving with. We also learn that Charlie has an unusual condition that cause her to escape reality into a “movie in her mind,” a dangerous condition to have when keeping your wits about you is an absolute must, and this also adds to the suspense as her perceptions can’t totally be trusted. The final twists are a compelling reason to keep reading!”
“I was drawn to this book by its layout. The book looks like an IKEA furniture catalog, complete with faux Scandinavian names. But the book is more than just a gimmick, it’s a pretty clever twist on the old burial ground ghost story. Three employees of ORSK, a cheaper but smarter version of IKEA, must spend the night in the store where they work in order to catch a suspected vandal. Two of these employees are also moonlighting as ghost hunters and aiming to make a name for themselves by staging a catch. What all the characters experience instead is a very real haunting as they discover that the store was actually constructed on the site of a very controversial 19th century prison, the warden of which is back and hungry for new prisoners. Will the employees survive the night and figure out how to send the warden and his torture devices back into the ground for good? It’s well-worth the read to find out”
Happy Reading!
Fall Reading Challenge
It wouldn’t be a season if we didn’t have a new Reading Challenge for you! This one is fun and fall-themed, with great categories like:
- Read a book with an orange or brown cover
- Read a book with “fall” in the title. (Hint: we have a display of these books up in the library right now!)
- Read a book that features baking and/or includes a recipe.
- Read a book that takes place in the fall.
- Read a book in which the characters use magic or time travel.
- Read a book by an author that you are thankful for.
Game cards can be picked up in the library or you can download one below. Each category completed earns a ticket for our Fall Challenge raffle. Game cards should be returned by Monday November 22, 2021, either to the Main Desk or emailed to jfitzhanso@chelmsfordlibrary.org.
Happy reading!
Book Brunch Fall Reading
Thanks to all who joined us for our Book Brunch book share meeting this month! Jess and Deanna shared some new titles coming into the library, and attendees (readers just like you!) told us what they have been reading and recommending. The list below has something for everyone – twisty mysteries and thrillers, historical fiction, family sagas, and even a few interesting nonfiction titles. We also talked about new books from popular authors Elizabeth Strout, Amor Towles, Lisa Unger, and Louise Erdrich. Need more recommendations? Check out our Reading Room blog and watch our most current episode of Bookmarked!.
The Real Librarians of Chelmsford
What is the best way to get to know a librarian? By getting them to dish about books, of course! Each month, we will introduce you to one of the librarians of Chelmsford Public Library. This month, we talked to Jamie Phillips, one of the friendly faces you see at the Main Circulation Desk.
Jamie has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from UMass Lowell. He has worked in Biochem, the medical field, and corporate training, but feels most blessed that he was able to stay home with his three children as they were growing up. When not at work, he can most often be found spending time with his family, mountain biking, or playing chess. Jamie is also an avid animal lover, but only owns cats because he is lazy and they are far easier to take care of than dogs and, he would argue, cuter.
We asked Jamie…
What was your first library?
“Andover Public Library. Many moons ago, before it was the gargantuan building it is now, they had a metal spiral staircase in the children’s room that we were rarely allowed to go on. I would force myself to look at spider picture books (among others) when I was allowed to sit on the staircase – good times.”
What is on your nightstand right now?
“A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Alright, Alright, Alright by Melissa Maerz. This is highly unusual, as I am typically a fiction reader, but I have been told it’s never too late to expand your horizons. My fiction choice is This is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper. I also have Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess when I’m in the mood for puzzles.”
What book do you love to suggest to patrons?
“That’s difficult! Many patrons means many tastes. For science-fiction fans, Ender’s Game. If they wind up liking it, there is a whole “Enderverse” of books to read from there. For military/espionage, I like suggesting Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy. For beach reads, I recommend talking to someone else!”
What are your top three desert island books?
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
It by Stephen King
What is your favorite line from a book?
“I know everything I need to know already”, RIgg always said…To which Father always replied, “See how ignorant you are? You don’t even know why you need to know the things you don’t know yet”. – from Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
What is your favorite place to read?
“On my recliner couch with my legs up or in bed.”
What is the last book the made you laugh or cry (or both)?
“This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. A patron recommended it to me saying she found it very funny. I agree!”
Why you love working in the library?
“I’ve done many things throughout my career – customer service, collections, training. Helping patrons who actually enjoy reading and engaging in recommendations, to have them come back asking for more recommendations, is very fulfilling and satisfying. I especially love watching some people’s bewildered reactions when they realize that the library isn’t the archaic relic they assumed and that we ARE actually a great resource of information and current technology.”
Bookmarked! – Fall Reading Edition
Here is the latest episode of our reading recommendation show, Bookmarked!
We are excited to share our latest edition of Bookmarked! with you, in which we talk about some of our favorite fall titles making their way into the library. Jess talks about new books from big authors like Richard Powers, Jonathan Franzen, and Louise Erdrich. Deanna discusses a few hidden gems worth adding to your TBR pile. A list of all of the books featured in the show is included below the video – enjoy!