Homer Public Library 15 in '16 discussion

**What our 15 in ’16 participants had to say:

Maphead: “Rich in cultural references from "Treasure
Island" to Echo and the Bunnymen, this is a smart and funny exploration into the real and imagined world(s) of roadgeeks, Highpointers, map thieves, and geography-bee champions. How did paintball and geocaching get invented? What is Alex Trebeck like after a few drinks? What is a road atlas rally, and why would it be called a "massacre"? Learn the answers to these questions,and so much more. Plus, this book has the only index that's ever made me laugh out loud.” –Cindy Mom
“Anyone with an interest in maps, travel and
unique experiences should read this. It was much more humorous than I was expecting and made for an incredibly fun read.” –Anonymous

The Wind is Not a River: “I found it hard to put down this wonderfully written and easy to read novel about World War II. It chronicles events we hear so little about that took place on American soil, as well as being a great love story.” –Helen McPherson
“This was part romantic novel and part historical novel.. Set in the Aleutians during the Japanese
invasion, a reporter is forced to bail out over Attu in the fog.
The story of how he survives behind enemy lines and the wife he leaves behind who won't rest until he is found is unique and compelling. I'm glad I read it!” –Ginger VanWagoner

The Water Museum: “Interesting collection of stories. I
enjoyed getting a glimpse into various lives that are immensely different from my reality. The title story in the collection is a terrifying view of life without water in extreme drought, an imagining of global warming left unchecked, and was one of my favorites.” --Amber Niebuhr

Agnes and the Hitman: “OUTRAGEOUS! NEED TO MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE -- Zany and too much happening too fast (why it would fit a movie.) Had my hubby read it, too. Neither one of us liked it in beginning ( had to get used to the style , methinks) I loved it because it was so crazy and keep you spinning- husband not so much!” –Shirley Fedora

The Art of Racing in the Rain: “This is a gentle story of love and loss, life and death, and a determined struggle against injustice. What makes it different from other such stories is not just that it is told from the presumed perspective of a dog ( I have some trouble with that), but that the main character is a race car driver and the philosophies expressed are expressed in terms of the race. Denny is so gentle, so humble and modest, and so forgiving, yet possessed of such powerful strength and integrity, that I couldn't help loving him - a very unlikely person but one I would like to emulate. Beware though. It will make you cry.” –Jerri Nagaruk

Find the Good: “I'd already read bits of Heather Lende's work with pleasure, and this book didn't disappoint. I don't
agree with everything she says, of course, but it's delightful to
read such a well-written book about Alaska by an Alaskan, and the theme of "Find the Good" is refreshing and needed in these troubled times.” –Aurora Firth
“I wanted to like this book, I liked the premise of it a lot. I stopped reading it half way through, unusual for me, because I found it trite and annoying. Apologies to whichever staff member treasures it :(“ –Catriona Reynolds

First Grave on the Right: “I read this book when it was first published and found it a fun, entertaining read. I have not changed my mind. It was just as good the second time around.” –Peggy Ostrom

Uncle Tom’s Cabin: “Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of those classics that's been on our shelf and on my personal reading list pretty much all my life. Seeing it on the 15 in '16 list and facing the prospect of an all-day road trip to Fairbanks finally gave me the boost I needed, and now I'm wondering why I didn't read it sooner. As Langston Hughes wrote in the Forward to this edition, this story will live not only because it's such an important period piece, but also because its characters live. Little Eva is one of those angel children I've never met outside a book, but her life and death are still moving; Eva's father, Augustine St. Clare, with his idealism usually hidden under his carefree, half-mocking manner but occasionally flashing out, will probably be the character I remember with most fondness; and of course there's Tom himself, about whom I didn't know that his triumphant death
scene was the first bit of the story Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote. Reading this story does give me some hope that if we were able, even at great cost, to throw off the system of slavery, on some good day we might still rise up to right the wrongs of our day.” –Aurora Firth

My Family and Other Animals: “Don't read this on a full bladder. An hysterical account of the family Durrell living on the Greek island of Corfu in the years prior to World War II, which years are enlivened by young Gerald's mania for wildlife. See also the sequels, Birds, Beast and Relatives, The Garden of the Gods and The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium.” –Dana Stabenow

Euphoria: “So much going on in this book, including
cross-cultural feminism, spousal abuse, the Heisenberg effect on scientists studying primitive cultures. An excellent selection for a book club discussion.” --Dana Stabenow

Fates and Furies: “4th star for beautiful writing. Highly
recommended.” –Kimberly Lee
“First of all, the writing is fantastic, but
I spent a great deal of time wondering what the book was actually about. It was worth it though, to hang in there to the end, as that's where so much of it came together.” –Teresa Sundmark

In Manchuria: “…Michael Meyer visited and lived in Wasteland (no one knows why the town has that name) as that was the hometown of his wife who he met as a Peace Corp worker in Beijing years earlier. The book tells the story of the 3 years he lived in Wasteland as well as Meyer's search for the history of the area. Meyer documents the changes of the town...the urbanization of the entire area as Manchuria is losing its uniqueness…” –Maureen Tuohy

***The List:
We’re plucking away at books on the list. So far the only two categories in which all books have been read are “All Over the Map” and “Laugh Out Loud.” With five months to go, here are the ones that remain:

1. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
2. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
3. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
4. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
5. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
6. Give us the Ballot by Ari Berman
7. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
8. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
9. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
10. Deep South by Paul Theroux
11. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
12. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
13. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
14. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
15. Counting Heads by David Marusek
16. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
17. The Meadow by James Galvin

***Are audio books cheating?
Absolutely not, as far as we’re concerned. But here is an interesting article from the Washington Post that addresses the differences in how our brains work when we’re listening to books as opposed to reading them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/a...

***Heads up!
In late October and early November, the Friends of the Homer Public Library will be hosting Bette VanDinther who will be putting together some Shakespeare-related events at the library. What this means for 15 in ’16 participants is that anyone who reads (or has already read) Shakespeare Saved My Life by Laura Bates will be entered into an additional prize drawing. I’ll be sure to get more information out as soon as details are available. In the meantime, you might want to add the book to your personal reading list.

Thank you all for your continued participation in the Homer Public Library’s 15 in ’16 Reading Challenge. As I’m planning for next year, I’d love to know if you’re up for another year with another list. I’m also interested in your ideas and suggestions regarding this year’s challenge as well as any you might have for the future.

Here’s to another month of reading!

Teresa

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

I picked Bronze Horseman from the list that no one had read yet. Sadly, I had to put it down halfway through. The setting is very interesting, taking place during the siege of Leningrad, but the main characters are not interesting and there is a lot of adolescent whining about unrequited love. Sorry, but I can't recommend this one.

Please do this again next year. Although I obviously will not hit the 15 mark, it has widened my range of book subjects and authors. Thank you very much.