July 29: fiction and nonfiction.
August 5: fiction and nonfiction.
August 12: fiction and nonfiction.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Staff Reads: Cyndi
Just finished a Jane Austen side trip in the form of Keeping the castle : a tale of romance, riches, and real estate by Patrice Kindl and For darkness shows the stars by Diana Peterfreund. Both books give a strong nod to Austin classics.
Set in 19 century England, Keeping the Castle
is Austen's Pride and Prejudice distorted by the strength, humor and
sarcasm of 17 year old Althea Crawley. The story line follows Althea as
she attempts to hold on to her impoverished family's crumbling castle
by the only means available--marrying a wealth man. Anyone familiar
with Austen's work will recognize Kindl's subtle spoof of the
limitations imposed upon women during this time period. I enjoyed
Althea's ingenuity as she continued to find ways of keeping up the
appearance of wealth-- serving her neighbors reused tea bags as they sat
on furniture that literally crumbed underneath them. This book was a
quick, fun, slightly familiar read.
The setting of For Darkness Shows the Stars
is an island cut off from whatever remains of a world destroyed by a
genetically engineered DNA experiment gone horribly wrong. Elliot North
is trying desperately to keep her family's farm running despite her
father and older sister's selfish acts of cruelty and wastefulness.
Four years ago she refused to leave the farm to travel with her best
friend Kai, feeling honor bound to stay to protect the farm workers from
her father. Now Kai is back and determined to make Elliot regret
her decision. This book is Austen's Persuasion in a post-apocalyptic world that argues the benefits of scientific intervention verses allowing nature to take its course.
Set in 19 century England, Keeping the Castle
is Austen's Pride and Prejudice distorted by the strength, humor and
sarcasm of 17 year old Althea Crawley. The story line follows Althea as
she attempts to hold on to her impoverished family's crumbling castle
by the only means available--marrying a wealth man. Anyone familiar
with Austen's work will recognize Kindl's subtle spoof of the
limitations imposed upon women during this time period. I enjoyed
Althea's ingenuity as she continued to find ways of keeping up the
appearance of wealth-- serving her neighbors reused tea bags as they sat
on furniture that literally crumbed underneath them. This book was a
quick, fun, slightly familiar read.The setting of For Darkness Shows the Stars
is an island cut off from whatever remains of a world destroyed by a
genetically engineered DNA experiment gone horribly wrong. Elliot North
is trying desperately to keep her family's farm running despite her
father and older sister's selfish acts of cruelty and wastefulness.
Four years ago she refused to leave the farm to travel with her best
friend Kai, feeling honor bound to stay to protect the farm workers from
her father. Now Kai is back and determined to make Elliot regret
her decision. This book is Austen's Persuasion in a post-apocalyptic world that argues the benefits of scientific intervention verses allowing nature to take its course.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
E-readers...
the future of reading or another Big Brother? What do you think?
WSJ Article: Your E-Book Is Reading You
WSJ Article: Your E-Book Is Reading You
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Family Passes at the Library
Did
you know that there is a botanical garden right in our own backyard?
The library has 2 free passes to visit them. They come to us complements
of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. My husband and I
went there yesterday and it is a
wonderful place. It is one of the 'must see' attractions of midcoast
Maine. If you love plants and flowers, or just like being outside in a
beautiful environment, this is the place for you. These passes are given
out on a first come, first serve basis and must be checked out on your
library card for no longer than 1 week. They can not be reserved or
renewed. You can check out their website: http://www.mainegardens.org/
You can also get passes for Children's Museum of Maine, Portland Museum of Art, Maine Wildlife Park and Maine Maritime Museum.
Linda
You can also get passes for Children's Museum of Maine, Portland Museum of Art, Maine Wildlife Park and Maine Maritime Museum.
Linda
Linda
This summer I am reading a wonderful mystery series written by Canadian author Louise Penny. The writing is engaging and beautiful. The little Canadian village, Three Pines, became my ideal vacation spot and the inhabitants of the village my dear friends in no time. Sometimes I read a phrase over and over because it so beautifully and completely describes a scene, or an emotion. The character development is superb. Ms. Penny is a student of human nature who delves deeply into human motivations and weaknesses. Her detective, Inspector Armand Gamache, is an intelligent, suave, erudite head of homicide for the Surete de Quebec. He is a man of integrity and honor. He could be your best friend, your grandfather, or your worst enemy - if you are a murderer. I find myself immersed in these books, not wanting to put them down, or leave them behind when finished. The characters evolve over the course of the stories so this is one series where starting at the beginning and reading in order is a must. The first one is titled Still Life. I hope you will join me in Three Pines for a very satisfying adventure.
This summer I am reading a wonderful mystery series written by Canadian author Louise Penny. The writing is engaging and beautiful. The little Canadian village, Three Pines, became my ideal vacation spot and the inhabitants of the village my dear friends in no time. Sometimes I read a phrase over and over because it so beautifully and completely describes a scene, or an emotion. The character development is superb. Ms. Penny is a student of human nature who delves deeply into human motivations and weaknesses. Her detective, Inspector Armand Gamache, is an intelligent, suave, erudite head of homicide for the Surete de Quebec. He is a man of integrity and honor. He could be your best friend, your grandfather, or your worst enemy - if you are a murderer. I find myself immersed in these books, not wanting to put them down, or leave them behind when finished. The characters evolve over the course of the stories so this is one series where starting at the beginning and reading in order is a must. The first one is titled Still Life. I hope you will join me in Three Pines for a very satisfying adventure.
Friday, July 6, 2012
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