"How Much of These Hills is Gold" by C. Pam Zhang
The book starts out very stark - dark - depressing. Two Chinese sisters in post-gold-rush California finding a place to bury their dead father. The author's voice and style need getting used to. I almost stopped reading, but finally got caught up in the story and soldiered on. I don't think I'll be likely to want to read another of hers, but I am glad to have stayed with it.
Click here to find this book on the library's online catalog.
"Beneath a Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan
World War II in Italy - mainly Milan and North - based on a true story. Pino Lella, too young for the Italian army, discovers his strengths as he leads refugees through the Italian Alps to freedom. Later, forced by the Germans to drive for one of the high military officers, wages his own kind of war with the enemy. Plenty of action and death - another reminder of the duplicities of war.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"A Wild Winter Swan" by Gregory Maguire
A real tale - a fairy tale - a what? Maguire takes an old fairy tale and brings it to life in today's New York City. Creativity, smiles, and adventure tossed together in an unlikely form. I'd like to read one or two more of his inventive re-makes of fairy tales (he has published several), but not as a steady diet.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"Alone Together" edited by Jennifer Haupt
Several months into our Covid crisis, 90 authors were asked to submit short essays relating their experiences in this "new world" of withdrawal and isolation. From that came a book of stories and poems (mainly one or two pages each) running the gamut from frustration to gratitude, discovery to anger. These pieces can help us understand our own mixed feelings about the life we are living right now.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"A Spark of Light" by Jodi Picoult
If you've read any of Picoult's recent books, you know that this will have as its subject some contemporary problem having to do with women. This book deals with abortion. We find ourselves inside the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, with a shooter holding the entire staff and patients hostage. Individual stories come out as the hours pass. We learn from Picoult, if we have not already, that life is complicated, and we do not always have the privilege of a clear answer.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"A Promised Land" by Barack Obama
This is Obama's third book, dealing mainly with his first term as President of the United States. It's formidable in size, so don't expect to read it in one sitting! I scanned this - picking out the parts I wanted to read and leaving much of the details to those who have the time, energy and stick-to-it-iveness to take in every word. Very well written but highly detailed. Great for the historians - and good for us who like to keep up with history but might not be ready to take the final exam. (Librarian's note: This book is 768 pages!)
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"Dearly" by Margaret Atwood
Acclaimed novelist Margaret Atwood has come out with a book of poems that are definitely worth our time to slowly digest - one by one. I had read a book of her poems many years ago and then forgot, keeping her caged in the "novelist" category until now. These new poems are very much worth reading - accessible, enjoyable, readable for anyone who enjoys poetry once in a while.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
"The Stationery Shop" by Marjan Kamali
This novel offers a combination love story, mystery, and a history lesson (with a smattering of poetry included). The tale follows our main characters over a lifetime in Iran and then in the United States where customs change, memories linger, and some things remain unforgettable. A good read with some interesting plot twists.
CLICK HERE TO FIND THIS BOOK ON THE LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG.
