Farewell, Maeve Binchy

It started as a normal enough Monday evening. There I was, chatting happily away on AfterWords, when someone announced that she was mourning Maeve Binchy.  This caused me some initial confusion. After all, mourning is something that is traditionally done after a person dies and Maeve Binchy surely hadn't. And yet, impossibly, she had.

Maeve Binchy has delighted many of us for years with her world within Ireland. Her most recent book, Minding Frankie, was published two years ago and continued in the same way as her other stories. She wrote stand-alone books about specific people, families, and situations, but familiar characters and places from other books regularly appeared as side characters.  I have often marveled at the completeness and fullness of the fictional world she created and how fully realized it was through her words.

Her first novel was Light a Penny Candle, written in 1983. Her popularity soared after her book Circle of Friends was released as a movie by the same name in 1995. My favorite of her books was probably Quentins, although others such as The Scarlet Feather and Evening Class also both stand out in my mind. Maeve Binchy is an author I regularly recommend to people looking for well-developed characters and heart-warming stories. Her voice, and the world she created, will be missed by many.

If you've never read her books, give one a try. If you have, what is your favorite?

 

Alif the Unseen

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl ditches boy for another. While this could invariably be the story of my life, it is rather the rollicking tale of a brilliant hacker known only as Alif in G. Willow Wilson’s Alif the Unseen. The novel takes place in an unnamed Middle Eastern security state where Alif uses his talents to shield from surveillance anyone who desires online anonymity, regardless of beliefs or politics. However, a tremor of fear is spreading among Alif’s clients as a mysterious digital presence coined the Hand of God appears responsible for a string of hacked accounts. Add to this stew a pinch of heartache: the sudden ending of Alif’s relationship with the love of his life, the beautiful Intisar, due to her betrothal to another man, and things start to heat up. When Intisar sends him an ancient and allegedly jinn-dictated tome known as Alf Yeom wa Yeom (The Thousand and One Days) and Alif finds himself on the run from the state, this tale kicks into a rolling boil and doesn’t let up until it spills over into a full-blown revolution. Along the way, Alif picks up many unexpected allies, human and otherwise, finds himself in some rather fantastic places, and learns what true love is really all about. While some of the hacker lingo bandied about was a bit beyond me, I found Alif the Unseen to be quite an enjoyable and thoughtfully crafted fantasy. I think what I loved most about it were the characters, from the dangerous and otherworldly Vikram the Vampire to the devout and fatherly Sheikh Bilal, not to mention the ever-faithful Dina and the wise-cracking NewQuarter, whose comic outbursts had me laughing out loud. I felt they all balanced each other beautifully and it was a treat to get to know them. This is not a creature-of-the-month demon-slayer urban fantasy like most seem to be nowadays, but rather an adventure stitched from the myths, magic, and upheavals of the Middle East. I wasn’t familiar with G. Willow Wilson before I read Alif the Unseen, but now I’ll definitely be watching to see what she comes up with next.  

First Time's a Charm?

First time authors make a big splash this summer. There are several new books that sound absolutely amazing being released this summer. You can find these wonderful books at our library.  Pick them up and see if you agree!

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vadday Ratner is a brilliantly wrought tale of human resilience. Raami, a 7 year old girl has her life turned upside down when civil war begins in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge regime takes the lives of millions and makes an example of those with royal blood. This story gives you hope, shows you despair and then lifts you up. This novel is loosely based on the author's life.

Gregory Hill's East of Denver mixes pathos and humor in equal measure. It is an  unflinching novel of rural America, a poignant, darkly funny tale about a father and son finding their way together as their home and livelihood disappear. Stacey "Shakespeare" Williams, the son, hatches a plan to save the farm, but will it work? Can he and his friends outwit the bank and save their livelihood?



Lydia Netzer's debut novel, Shine Shine Shine, is sparking attention across the world.  She entices readers with her dramatic story telling and attention to detail. The story is an amazing blend of love, death and what it means to be human.  An intriguing debut novel that will hold readers captive with it's literary brilliance, adventure, and it's unique love story that may transcend time. Maxon and Sunny met, when Maxon was seven years, four months and 18 days old.  Twenty years later they are married.  Maxon is a Nasa Astronaut on a trip to the moon.  Sunny is a housewife who longs to be "normal". Once they were two outcasts who found an unlikely love in each other. Now they have an autistic son and Sunny is pregnant.  Her mom is dying and their marriage is on the brink of imploding. Then there is an accident in space.  What happens next, well read the book and see. 


The last intriguing book I want to tell you about is J.I. Baker's, The Empty Glass. If you enjoy Marilyn Monroe stories this is one you should not miss. It is based on historical facts but Baker adds his own mafia twist. At the scene of the crime invesitigators find Marilyn's Diary.  It reveals her doomed love affair with a man she refers to only as "The General." The lead investigator soon realizes he is becoming embroiled in a deepening conspiracy that threatens his life. This is an exciting thriller that will hold your attention and leave you wanting more stories from this exciting debut author.

I hope you give these new authors a try!

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Lessons in Peakbagging

Looking for some inspiration to get the family outdoors this summer? Travel up forty-eight of the New Hampshire White Mountains with Patricia Ellis Herr and her five-year-old  daughter, Alex, in Up: A Mother and Daughter’s Peakbagging Adventure. Herr partnered up with her less than school age daughter to tackle New Hampshire’s highest peaks in an effort for both to join the 4000 Footer Club. While I can understand the overabundance of energy that Herr encounters in her five-year-old, I am in awe of her daughter’s ability to channel that energy into lengthy, uphill hikes. My children tend to request a ride (a.k.a. Mom, will you carry me) when we are taking a casual stroll around the block. I suppose potential bear encounters,  violent spruce grouse, freak electrical storms, membership in an elite club, and men in kilts make for a more exciting expedition than general suburban mayhem.

While I am not currently (one can dream) in possession of a New Hampshire weekend home, I found it very easy to relate to Herr’s commentary. Being the mother of two young girls almost identical in age to Herr’s, I found myself getting overly emotional at the small triumphs and fighting alongside her when strangers challenged her parenting decisions. As a connoisseur of memoirs, I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in hiking, parent-child relationships, outdoor lifestyles, homeschooling, New England, bee survival, or men in kilts. Yes, there is a man in a kilt in most of the book. The best part is, the story doesn’t end once you close the back cover. Herr writes a regular blog  about her continuing adventures with Alex and younger daughter, Sage.

If Herr leaves you yearning for adventure, check out these other books to get started on your Buckeye State hiking adventure. We may not have 4000 footers, but we do have some good trails. Don’t forget your water, bug spray, and well-toned upper torso for when the kids decide they’ve had enough.

 

50 Hikes in Ohio: day hikes and backpacking trips in the Buckeye State by Ralph Ramey

Hiking Ohio: a guide to Ohio’s greatest hiking adventures by Mary Reed 

Hiking Ohio: scenic trails of the Buckeye State by Robert Folzenlogen

Hiking Ohio’s falls: 200 more hikeable waterfalls by Tine Karle

Walks and rambles in southwestern Ohio: from the stillwater to the Ohio River  by Ralph Ramey

When We Lose a Pet--We Lose a Family Member

This is probably one of the hardest blogs I've ever written.  My sweet, beautiful puppy Allie passed away on July 5th, and it has been a very difficult week.  It's amazing how much pets bring to our lives--and it's cruelly noticeable when they are no longer here.  The lingering quiet that replaces the clickety-clack of claws on wood floors and the whines of welcome home is sorely missed.  But the thing I miss most is the companionship.  The playful affection.  The no-strings-attached, never-ending love.  I miss it every day.
Despite the sadness now, I would not have traded one minute that I spent with her--whether on doggy-doo duty or the cold walks in freezing weather.  Because they were all worth it!
So, sometime in the future, I know I will get another puppy or kitty or both.  Just not today.

There are some good books on coping with the loss of a pet and even more books about cats, dogs, and other critters.  Here are a few:

Saying Good-bye to the Pet you Love by Lorri A. Greene
Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz
The Loss of a Pet by Wallace Sife

In a Dog's Heart by Jennifer Arnold
Marley and Me by John Grogan
The Dog's of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz

Cats Pajamas: 101 of the World's Cutest Cats by Rachael Hale
Cat Stories by James Herriott
Kitty Cornered by Bob Tarte

Horses Never Lie About Love by Jana Harris
What the Animals Taught Me by Stephanie Marohn
Oink: My Life with Mini Pigs by Matt Whyman
The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds by Julie Zickefoose

Are You Getting the New and Improved Women's Fiction and Chick Lit Newsletter?

For a while now, there's been a question about whether Chick Lit is dying. Could it be? I've tried to ignore the trend for a while, but it's hard to ignore the oxygen mask and IVs that are wrapped around the genre as devotees try our best to keep it going. It started with the heroines growing up, spawning a trend of "Mommy Lit" and "hen lit" (i.e., chick lit for the woman past her twenties). But, as chick lit started to wind down, another category made up the strides: "women's fiction."

As a librarian who spends a good part of my time writing about books and reading about the book industry (if I was tweeting, this is where I would add #dreamjob), I have probably I spent a bit more time thinking about how we label books than is necessary. I have definitely spent more time talking about it to those around me than is entertaining.  I've argued that the term "women's fiction" is too generic to mean anything. And, because we know that I'm not particularly good at admitting I was wrong, rather than conceding that twice in a season, I'd like to say instead that we're catching up with the publishing trends.

As of this month, our Chick Lit newsletter is going to show the same growth and maturity as have the heroines of its titles. It will now be called "Women's Fiction and Chick Lit." It's a more inclusive title to reflect the true content of the newsletter. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Elizabeth Berg, and Emily Giffin, rejoice! Your favorite titles will be included in this monthly update of new and forthcoming titles. Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, and Kate Rockland, have no fear! There will still be plenty of chick lit included to keep us in our happy shoes!

If you don't get the eNewsletter yet, now's your chance! Check it out and sign up at http://www.wclibrary.info/goodreads/readinglists.asp

Happily Ever After?

Once upon a time, fairy tales were for children. . . but no longer is that the case.  Fairy tales are becoming huge television hits and mega movie blockbusters and the same is true with current literature. Here are a few titles that are sure to give you goosebumps and make your skin tingle.

Snow White, Blood Red is a volume of wonders--magical tales of trolls and ogres, of bewitched princesses and accursed kingdoms. They are written by some of the most acclaimed fantasy writers of our time. However I should caution you these are not your childhood bedtime stories, these tales have no intention of lulling a child to sleep. They are stories that grasp you with dark and disturbing mystical travels. They are filled with lush and erotic content and just so you know there is not always a 'happily ever after' lurking around the next bend in the road.

The Cinderella Hour tells a tale of betrayal and loss. Snow left her hometown 16 years ago and finally has decided to return home to her estranged family.  Now her former boyfriend wants to know why she left so quickly and is determined to keep her there. But Snow needs to know who wants her gone....

 

Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Joyce Graham is the latest in fairy tales. Once upon a time a young girl disappears from her home. She miraculously reappears twenty years later on Christmas Eve (cue the spooky music). Graham takes us on a mind bending journey exploring the fairy tale world and allows us to ponder reality as we know it. Where has Tara been, how did she survive and why does she look about the same as when she disappeared. This is a thriller that  most definitely explores fairy tales and all the mysticism that surrounds a 'happily ever after'.

Andrew Carnegie Medal Winners

Last week, the American Library Association named the winners of the inaugural Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Non-Fiction. The award was established this year to recognize the best fiction and non-fiction books for adults published in the US in the previous year.

The Forgotten Waltz, by Anne Enright beat out Swamplandia by Karen Russell and Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks to win the prize for fiction. In choosing The Forgotten Waltz, the judges noted Enright's "sharp yet supple prose" in her tale of infidelity and secrecy.

Robert Massie's "compulsively readable" style of writing was instrumental in securing his win in the non-fiction category for his biography, Catherine the Great : Portrait of a Woman. Massie beat out other short-listed authors James Gleick for his study of the interplay between science and literature, The Information : A History, A Theory, A Flood, and Dayton's own Manning Marable for his biography, Malcolm X : A Life of Reinvention.

Which book from 2011 would you have chosen as the best of the year?

Young Adult Books Are Great!

I have been reading a lot of Young Adult/Teen fiction lately.  I especially like listening to them on audio.  My absolute favorites are the A Long Way from Chicago series by Richard Peck, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld.  They are great stories with great readers and are thoroughly enjoyable.  So try a teen/YA book on audio or in print--you won't be disappointed.

Try some of the following:

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins--the international phenomenon about children fighting for freedom and their lives. Followed by Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini--a 15-year-old farm boy discovers his destiny as a dragon rider. Followed by Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J. K. Rowling--first in the series about a boy wizard. Read by the wonderful Jim Dale.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud--first in the series following the antics of Bartimaeus the djinni read with sarcastic perfection by Simon Jones.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld--a World War I steampunk adventure read by the multi-talented Alan Cumming.  Followed by Behemoth and Goliath.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix--first in the series.  What would happen if it was illegal to have more than two children but you did anyway?
Blood Red Road by Moira Young--futuristic adventure with a tough-as-nails young heroine.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi--a future where nothing is "real" and if you venture outside--you die.
Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen--not on audio--what if Robin Hood's best buddy Will was a girl?
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck--the hilarious adventures of feisty Grandma Dowdel in Depression era rural Illinois.  Followed by A Year Down Yonder, and A Season of Gifts.