Homer Public Library 15 in '16 discussion

May 15 in ’16 Newsletter
Hello everyone,
Can you believe that May is already here? It seems like we just launched this year’s reading challenge and yet we’ve already been at it for four months. I hope you’re all finding books to your liking on the list.

In April we had 53 submissions and our monthly winner was Carole Hamik. She submitted books for the first time in April, so both a welcome to 15 in ’16 and congratulations are in order for Carole!

Last month I listed the books from the list that haven’t been entered yet this year, and I’m happy to see the list shrinking. Here are the books that are still longing to be read and submitted: (I’m sure books have feelings, right?)

1. Maphead by Ken Jennings
2. The Last Unicorn by William deBuys
3. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
4. The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields
5. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
6. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
7. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
8. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
9. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
10. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson
11. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
12. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
13. No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald
14. Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil
15. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
16. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
17. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
18. Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi
19. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
20. In Manchuria by Michael Meyer
21. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
22. Deep South by Paul Theroux
23. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
24. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
25. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
26. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
27. Counting Heads by David Marusek
28. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
29. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
30. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
31. The Meadow by James Galvin

Personally, I’m getting better at not feeling obligated to finish a book if it isn’t turning out to be what I’d hoped for. I’ve finished seven books from the master list so far, but I’ve also started and given up on four others. The way I see it is that there are so many good books that I don’t need to slog through a book just so I can say that I finished it. Interestingly, the four books that I started but didn’t finish are on this list of books not yet entered. Maybe at the end of the year we can compile a list of those that didn’t hold our interest and compare notes.

The Pulitzer Prizes were announced in April and the 2016 winner for fiction is The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen which also happens to be on the books-not-yet-entered list. Surely someone will read it and give a review soon.

In other news, the library just purchased eight titles from the 15 in ’16 list on audio CD. I was thrilled to see these come in since I do a lot of my “reading” by actually listening on my commute. I encourage all of you who are able, to come to the library and browse the books and CDs on the 15 in ’16 display.

Now for a few words about a few of the books on the list:
All Over the Map – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This book, written as a series of letters to the author’s teenaged son, was the nonfiction National Book Award Winner for 2015. Coates frequently writes about issues of social justice and race for the Atlantic and stays true to these themes in this short but groundbreaking book. I listened to the audio version of this book which is narrated by the author and I highly recommend this format to fully experience Coates’ passion and style. (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

Animal Nature – The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord. This collection of short stories written by Homer’s own Nancy Lord is comprised of seventeen pieces, and no two of them are alike. All of them are well-crafted and give the reader a taste of the author’s regard for the natural world. You can read more about Nancy Lord and her writing on her website: http://www.writernancylord.com/

Creative Types – The Painter by Peter Heller. David, one of our most avid readers on staff at the library, described this novel as “having the plot of a thriller but not reading like a thriller at all.” Chris Schluep, for an Amazon review said, “The Painter is a contemporary Western about a 45-year-old artist and fly fisherman named Jim Stegner. Having lost two wives to divorce and his only daughter to violence, Stegner has felt the sting of life; but he’s also capable of experiencing great beauty, whether through his art, his relationships, or while out casting on a river. Heller skillfully balances these two sides of his protagonist, painting a portrait of a man whose dark edge can explode in unexpected ways.” (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

Election Year – All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. Now considered a classic, this novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947. (Penn was also a Pulitzer Prize winning poet.) Set in the Depression-era South, this book, which is widely considered the finest novel ever written about American politics, is about Willie Stark, a character based loosely on Governor Huey Long of Louisiana. Stark begins his career as an idealistic man of the people but becomes corrupted once in office.

Isn’t it Romantic? – My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. This young adult novel has romance, politics, betrayal and all the things that make books into page turners, but it also has a kind of innocence to it. Samantha is fascinated with the large, chaotic family that lives next door, but she never imagines herself being a part of it. When the unexpected happens, she discovers a new side of herself and has to decide where her loyalty belongs.

Laugh Out Loud – The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. This is a nostalgic and funny memoir about growing up in the Midwest during the 1950s. An Amazon reviewer says of Bryson, “He’s poking fun, but in a way that family and friends might poke fun at each other over childhood foibles at Thanksgiving dinner.” (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

North Country – Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper. Eighty-three year old Etta has never seen the ocean, so one morning she leaves a note for her husband and starts heading east on foot from Saskatchewan toward the Atlantic. Etta’s journey is the surface story, but along the way the reader learns about Etta and Otto and Russel—how they met each other and how their relationship endured over the years. Author Sarah Winman says, “Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper is incredibly moving, beautifully written and luminous with wisdom.” Available on audio CD as well as on ebook from Alaska Digital Library.)

Southern Flair – Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison. As one might surmise from the title of this novel, this is not a feel-good book. It is however, a moving and powerful story told through the eyes of Bone, a young girl from the rural south living a seemingly hopeless existence in the grip of poverty and abuse. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This book is a must read for survivors. Allison helps us heal by knowing we are not alone in our pain and confusion. And we believe that if her heroine transcends her tragic family, we can too.”

Staff Picks – Counting Heads by David Marusek. If you’re a fan of science fiction, you might enjoy this novel written by one of Alaska’s own. Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother, says, “David Marusek is one of the best-kept secrets in science fiction…” If you like this novel, the sequel Mind Over Ship is also available at the library. More of his work can be found on his website. http://www.marusek.com/Cabin_in_the_W...

Wild West – Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart. The author of this memoir was the daughter of Mexican immigrants who made their living as migrant workers in the 1950s. Trevino Hart writes vividly of her family’s experiences which are both heartbreaking and touching. It’s a wonderful glimpse into a lifestyle that few of us can comprehend.
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Don’t forget about our Goodreads group online. It’s easy to join and it’s a great way to keep track of what other participants are reading. If you haven’t been on in a while, please stop in and rate your books, write a review or start a conversation. Here’s the link: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Well that wraps up the newsletter this time around. Thanks to all of you that have read this far.  As always, I love hearing from you, so please get in touch if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
Teresa

Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180

I have a hold request at my library for The Sympathizer. Just waiting for it to become available. I think I am number 4 on the waiting list.

I just finished The Son by Jo Nesbo. He is always reliable for a good read. It's full of dark and flawed Nordic characters. It draws you in quickly.
I just started Maphead by Jennings. I wanted to pick one of the books on the not picked yet list and I love maps. Not as much as this guy though! Its interesting and a fast read. I will update when I'm finished.
Its already hot and humid way down here in Charleston, so there should be more time to read now, as I can't work in the garden in the heat.

I also just finished a book, Etta and Otto and Russel and James. What a completely unique experience reading this was. The story of 83 year old Etta, who one morning leaves her husband Otto a note that she is walking to see "the waters" as she has never seen them. So she begins her walk from Saskatchewan to the Atlantic. The story is told in multiple voices and multiple time periods, and is often so lyrical it is almost free verse. It covers youth, aging, love, war, friendship, betrayal, and has a dollop of fairy tale and mythology thrown in for good measure. I loved it. And I have never seen another book even remotely like it.

The Son I have read other books by Jo Nesbo and did not care for them. That was a few years ago. I do, however, enjoy Nordic Noir, so I thought I would give The Son a try...liked it much better and may go back to the Harry Hole series. The Son is Sonny Lofthus who has been in prison for the last dozen years, serving time for two murders he confessed to as a teenager, but he did not commit. He is a heroin addict with no apparent purpose in life...he simply cops to heinous crimes in exchange for a steady supply of the best heroin. However, when he finds out the truth about his father's death things change quickly as he plots an intricate escape plan. The novel is full of good and evil, sin and redemption, as well as a few questions...I enjoyed it and will probably read it again.

Anne wrote: "I have a hold request at my library for The Sympathizer. Just waiting for it to become available. I think I am number 4 on the waiting list."

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of The Sympathizer. It's on my list, but I haven't read it yet.

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished The Son by Jo Nesbo. He is always reliable for a good read. It's full of dark and flawed Nordic characters. It draws you in quickly.
I just started Maphead by Jennings. I wanted to ..."

I've heard lots about The Son this month. I may have to give it a listen. Also, I like that you can keep up with reading while those of us in Alaska must fit a million things into our very short summers. Reading seems like the perfect thing to do when it's hot and humid outside.

Anne wrote: "I also just finished a book, Etta and Otto and Russel and James. What a completely unique experience reading this was. The story of 83 year old Etta, who one morning leaves her husb..."

I'm so glad you liked Etta and Otto and Russel and James. You wrote a great review of it! I listened to it last month, but still find myself thinking about it from time to time. The characters really came alive for me.

MAUREEN wrote: "The Son I have read other books by Jo Nesbo and did not care for them. That was a few years ago. I do, however, enjoy Nordic Noir, so I thought I would give The Son a try...liked it..."

Nordic Noir. I like that term. I'm glad you liked The Son more than some of the other Nesbo books that you tried.

Teresa wrote: "MAUREEN wrote: "The Son I have read other books by Jo Nesbo and did not care for them. That was a few years ago. I do, however, enjoy Nordic Noir, so I thought I would give The Son ..."
As I commented on the Homer Library page the book I read after this was the Nora Roberts book on the Book List...not the two books to read one after another. :) It was just too incongruous...I am taking a break from the Book List books and reading David Baldacci's The Last Mile. I did just receive In Manchuria by Michael Meyer and The Wind is Not a River by Brian Payton from my library so one of them will be next. :)