Hello Everyone! Is it winter or is it spring? It’s hard to tell, but one thing for sure is that the weather we’ve been experiencing has been conducive to reading. I’m thrilled to report that in February we had 122 book submissions. That’s our biggest month since we started the reading challenge last year. If you’re curious to see what people are reading and recommending you’re welcome to join our online Goodreads group. It’s been a nice means for interacting with others who are participating in 15 in ’16. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... Our February prize winner is Jeanne McArthur. Congratulations Jeanne!
In case you’re wondering what to read next, here are some March book recommendations: All Over the Map: Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron – In 2002, the author of this book visited Rwanda and while walking on the beach at Lake Kivu, she discovered human bones in the sand. “I got down on my hands and knees and gathered some of the bones together and held them in my palms… That was the moment I decided to write a novel about Rwanda.” Benaron kept true to her word and for her efforts she won the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Besides informing the reader of the politics and tragedy of the Rwandan genocide, it also tells the story of a young athlete who hopes that running might deliver him, and his people, from the brutality around them. Animal Nature: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman – In the world Rachel Hartman created for Seraphina, humans and dragons don’t see eye to eye. However they do maintain an uneasy peace with one another. As their peaceful coexistence becomes threatened however, there is one individual who is caught in the middle. Seraphina is both human and dragon, and her understanding of both sides threatens the secret of her true identity. If you’re a fan of Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, this young adult fantasy may appeal to you. Creative Types: Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates – Laura Bates, a Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer, tells the story of the unlikely friendship she forged with Larry Newton, an inmate in the Indiana State Prison system. After reading the book, one of our 15 in ’16 participants wrote: “A subject (crime and redemption) dear to my former teacher heart. This book is more about life than Shakespeare.” Election Year: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA and the U.S. Surveillance State by Glenn Greenwald – After reading Most Dangerous, a book from the list that was highlighted in the last newsletter, I felt compelled to read about Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing on the NSA. In this book, Greenwald does not pretend to be unbiased on the subject of government surveillance, but it raises interesting questions that I’d never thought to ask. It’s also a fascinating story about the people who put their lives and careers in jeopardy for a cause they believed in. Isn’t it Romantic?: Harriet Wolf’s Seventh Book of Wonders by Julianna Baggot—In this novel we learn that Harriet Wolf, a deceased famous author, kept her past a secret from her family. Her daughter and granddaughters have more questions than answers about her life, but there is talk of one last hidden book that may fill in some of the gaps. The story is told from four different perspectives—including Harriet’s—and as the pieces of Harriet’s early years fall into place, the women’s lives and relationships with one another are transformed. Laugh Out Loud: Winterdance by Gary Paulsen – It’s almost Iditarod time again and so this book seems timely. Here’s a comment taken straight from a Goodreads review: “This is the true story of the author who, in "dangerous ignorance," just up and decides to run the Iditarod. It’s essentially a story of self-discovery, but really, it’s completely and totally insane. The adventures are hilarious, and the journey is amazing.” It’s true that some of the stories might be slightly exaggerated, but it’s hard to read this one without laughing, and you’ll no doubt have a better appreciation for what dog-mushers must go through in order to participate in the race to Nome. North Country: Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman and Nancy Freedman—One of our readers described this book as “comfort reading” and she claims to reread it when she wants to be carried away. It’s a love story, and could easily have fit in the “Isn’t it Romantic?” category, but “the heart of the story is Kathy's life experiences in northern Canada in the early 1900s, where civilization and doctors are far away, plagues can wipe out families, childbirth and childhood are fraught with danger, and people need to rely on each other.”--Goodreads Southern Flair: Strange as this Weather Has Been by Ann Pancake—Set in present day West Virginia, this novel is the story of a family coping with the changing landscape of their home country due to mountaintop removal and strip mining. After reading this book, a friend of mine wrote, “This is the first book in some time that I've felt like I lived in, dreamed in, couldn't get out of my brain during the days I spent reading it. It will be with me for a long time.” Staff Picks: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen – This book was the winner of the 2016 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. The author, Robert Olen Butler wrote, “Not only does Viet Thanh Nguyen bring a rare and authentic voice to the body of American literature generated by the Vietnam War, he has created a book that transcends history and politics and nationality and speaks to the enduring theme of literature: the universal quest for self, for identity. The Sympathizer is a stellar debut by a writer of depth and skill.” It’s also been recommended by Ann Dixon, our library director. Wild West: Astoria: Astor and Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire by Peter Stark—This book is the nonfiction account of an expedition championed by Thomas Jefferson and funded by Jacob Astor in the early 1800s in which they set out to establish a new American colony and shipping port in the Pacific Northwest. Our very own Aurora Firth wrote, “Astoria is a fascinating study of geography, history, and especially human character, and one thing that kept striking me was how a tiny thing, like how one person reacted to a crisis, could change the whole course of events. I wonder what America would be like if Astor had survived.”
And now for some news: *** I wrote about the “Rule of Fifty” in a newsletter last year, and it’s worth revisiting for those of you who are new to this reading challenge. Rule of Fifty— A well-known librarian and book-reviewer, Nancy Pearl, came up with this rule. Basically it gives you permission to ditch a book if you’ve read 50 pages and you’re not taken with it. Here’s the rule in her words: “People frequently ask me how many pages they should give a book before they give up on it. In response to that question, I came up with my “rule of fifty,” which is based on the shortness of time and the immensity of the world of books. If you’re fifty years of age or younger, give a book fifty pages before you decide to commit to reading it or give it up. If you’re over fifty, which is when time gets even shorter, subtract your age from 100—the result is the number of pages you should read before making your decision to stay with it or quit. Since that number gets smaller and smaller as we get older and older, our big reward is that when we turn 100, we can judge a book by its cover!” My point in offering this rule is that this 15 in ’16 challenge is meant to be fun. If you pick a book from the list and it’s not your cup of tea, just let it go and pick another one. It’s hard to do if you’re a perfectionist and want to finish everything you start, but it’s rather freeing once you give yourself permission to stop reading a book. I’m practicing this myself, and have already abandoned two books from the list that I started. I felt a little guilty at first, but as soon as I started reading a book more to my liking, the guilt passed. ***On April 9th the Homer Public Library will be hosting our annual Celebration of Life Long Learning. This year’s guest will be author Heather Lende from Haines. Her third book, Find the Good, is on our 15 in ’16 list and her first book, If You Lived Here I’d Know Your Name, was on last year’s list. Tickets to this fundraising event will be on sale soon. For more information you can call 435-3195. And speaking of our Life Long Learning event, nominations are still open for this year’s Life Long Learning Award. If you know someone who deserves some recognition for their infectious passion for learning and exploration, please consider filling out a nomination form. They are available at the circulation desk at the library. Nominations are due on March 8th. *** One last thing: I know I say it over and over, but it’s true. I so enjoy hearing from all of you. Many of the improvements to this year’s program were implemented after receiving comments or suggestions from participants. Please keep them coming!
Thanks for reading and here’s to another great month! Teresa
Homer Public Library 500 Hazel Ave Homer AK 99603 907-235-3180
Hello Everyone!
Is it winter or is it spring? It’s hard to tell, but one thing for sure is that the weather we’ve been experiencing has been conducive to reading. I’m thrilled to report that in February we had 122 book submissions. That’s our biggest month since we started the reading challenge last year.
If you’re curious to see what people are reading and recommending you’re welcome to join our online Goodreads group. It’s been a nice means for interacting with others who are participating in 15 in ’16. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Our February prize winner is Jeanne McArthur. Congratulations Jeanne!
In case you’re wondering what to read next, here are some March book recommendations:
All Over the Map: Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron – In 2002, the author of this book visited Rwanda and while walking on the beach at Lake Kivu, she discovered human bones in the sand. “I got down on my hands and knees and gathered some of the bones together and held them in my palms… That was the moment I decided to write a novel about Rwanda.” Benaron kept true to her word and for her efforts she won the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Besides informing the reader of the politics and tragedy of the Rwandan genocide, it also tells the story of a young athlete who hopes that running might deliver him, and his people, from the brutality around them.
Animal Nature: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman – In the world Rachel Hartman created for Seraphina, humans and dragons don’t see eye to eye. However they do maintain an uneasy peace with one another. As their peaceful coexistence becomes threatened however, there is one individual who is caught in the middle. Seraphina is both human and dragon, and her understanding of both sides threatens the secret of her true identity. If you’re a fan of Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, this young adult fantasy may appeal to you.
Creative Types: Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard by Laura Bates – Laura Bates, a Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer, tells the story of the unlikely friendship she forged with Larry Newton, an inmate in the Indiana State Prison system. After reading the book, one of our 15 in ’16 participants wrote: “A subject (crime and redemption) dear to my former teacher heart. This book is more about life than Shakespeare.”
Election Year: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA and the U.S. Surveillance State by Glenn Greenwald – After reading Most Dangerous, a book from the list that was highlighted in the last newsletter, I felt compelled to read about Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing on the NSA. In this book, Greenwald does not pretend to be unbiased on the subject of government surveillance, but it raises interesting questions that I’d never thought to ask. It’s also a fascinating story about the people who put their lives and careers in jeopardy for a cause they believed in.
Isn’t it Romantic?: Harriet Wolf’s Seventh Book of Wonders by Julianna Baggot—In this novel we learn that Harriet Wolf, a deceased famous author, kept her past a secret from her family. Her daughter and granddaughters have more questions than answers about her life, but there is talk of one last hidden book that may fill in some of the gaps. The story is told from four different perspectives—including Harriet’s—and as the pieces of Harriet’s early years fall into place, the women’s lives and relationships with one another are transformed.
Laugh Out Loud: Winterdance by Gary Paulsen – It’s almost Iditarod time again and so this book seems timely. Here’s a comment taken straight from a Goodreads review: “This is the true story of the author who, in "dangerous ignorance," just up and decides to run the Iditarod. It’s essentially a story of self-discovery, but really, it’s completely and totally insane. The adventures are hilarious, and the journey is amazing.” It’s true that some of the stories might be slightly exaggerated, but it’s hard to read this one without laughing, and you’ll no doubt have a better appreciation for what dog-mushers must go through in order to participate in the race to Nome.
North Country: Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman and Nancy Freedman—One of our readers described this book as “comfort reading” and she claims to reread it when she wants to be carried away. It’s a love story, and could easily have fit in the “Isn’t it Romantic?” category, but “the heart of the story is Kathy's life experiences in northern Canada in the early 1900s, where civilization and doctors are far away, plagues can wipe out families, childbirth and childhood are fraught with danger, and people need to rely on each other.”--Goodreads
Southern Flair: Strange as this Weather Has Been by Ann Pancake—Set in present day West Virginia, this novel is the story of a family coping with the changing landscape of their home country due to mountaintop removal and strip mining. After reading this book, a friend of mine wrote, “This is the first book in some time that I've felt like I lived in, dreamed in, couldn't get out of my brain during the days I spent reading it. It will be with me for a long time.”
Staff Picks: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen – This book was the winner of the 2016 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. The author, Robert Olen Butler wrote, “Not only does Viet Thanh Nguyen bring a rare and authentic voice to the body of American literature generated by the Vietnam War, he has created a book that transcends history and politics and nationality and speaks to the enduring theme of literature: the universal quest for self, for identity. The Sympathizer is a stellar debut by a writer of depth and skill.” It’s also been recommended by Ann Dixon, our library director.
Wild West: Astoria: Astor and Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire by Peter Stark—This book is the nonfiction account of an expedition championed by Thomas Jefferson and funded by Jacob Astor in the early 1800s in which they set out to establish a new American colony and shipping port in the Pacific Northwest. Our very own Aurora Firth wrote, “Astoria is a fascinating study of geography, history, and especially human character, and one thing that kept striking me was how a tiny thing, like how one person reacted to a crisis, could change the whole course of events. I wonder what America would be like if Astor had survived.”
And now for some news:
*** I wrote about the “Rule of Fifty” in a newsletter last year, and it’s worth revisiting for those of you who are new to this reading challenge.
Rule of Fifty— A well-known librarian and book-reviewer, Nancy Pearl, came up with this rule. Basically it gives you permission to ditch a book if you’ve read 50 pages and you’re not taken with it. Here’s the rule in her words:
“People frequently ask me how many pages they should give a book before they give up on it. In response to that question, I came up with my “rule of fifty,” which is based on the shortness of time and the immensity of the world of books. If you’re fifty years of age or younger, give a book fifty pages before you decide to commit to reading it or give it up. If you’re over fifty, which is when time gets even shorter, subtract your age from 100—the result is the number of pages you should read before making your decision to stay with it or quit. Since that number gets smaller and smaller as we get older and older, our big reward is that when we turn 100, we can judge a book by its cover!”
My point in offering this rule is that this 15 in ’16 challenge is meant to be fun. If you pick a book from the list and it’s not your cup of tea, just let it go and pick another one. It’s hard to do if you’re a perfectionist and want to finish everything you start, but it’s rather freeing once you give yourself permission to stop reading a book. I’m practicing this myself, and have already abandoned two books from the list that I started. I felt a little guilty at first, but as soon as I started reading a book more to my liking, the guilt passed.
***On April 9th the Homer Public Library will be hosting our annual Celebration of Life Long Learning. This year’s guest will be author Heather Lende from Haines. Her third book, Find the Good, is on our 15 in ’16 list and her first book, If You Lived Here I’d Know Your Name, was on last year’s list. Tickets to this fundraising event will be on sale soon. For more information you can call 435-3195.
And speaking of our Life Long Learning event, nominations are still open for this year’s Life Long Learning Award. If you know someone who deserves some recognition for their infectious passion for learning and exploration, please consider filling out a nomination form. They are available at the circulation desk at the library. Nominations are due on March 8th.
*** One last thing: I know I say it over and over, but it’s true. I so enjoy hearing from all of you. Many of the improvements to this year’s program were implemented after receiving comments or suggestions from participants. Please keep them coming!
Thanks for reading and here’s to another great month!
Teresa
Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180