Welcome to Topsham Tales, the official blog of Topsham Public Library. Join the staff of Topsham for news, reviews and discussion.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Book Groups at Topsham Public Library

Thinking about joining a book group? Book groups can be a great way to meet new people and talk about your reading. Here at Topsham we have three book groups on offer:

Great Books is a lively discussion group that has been meeting monthly for more than three years in the library's Conference Room, usually on the fourth Saturday of the month at 10.00am. They are currently discussing short stories taken from “The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler,” authors in this anthology include William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor and Margaret Atwood. If you are interested in joining this group, please call the library on (207) 725-1727 or email emma@topshamlibrary.org.

Like reading unusual and interesting popular fiction? Rare Reads is a new book group that meets on the fourth Thursday of every month and has two sessions, one at 10am and one at 6pm. You can attend whichever is more convenient to you. Can't make it? Join the discussion on the blog: rarereadsattpl.wordpress.com. You can also vote for the next book up for discussion on the blog or in the library! Registration not required.

Mystery Readers Roundtable is in its third year and will be meeting again on September, 25 at 3.00pm. Once a month, fans of the mystery genre gather over hot drinks and share their favorite crime novels and good company. From the cozy confines of Great Britain to the rocky coast of California, they have explored means, motive, and opportunity. Have a few laughs, investigate themes, and visit some very dark places. If this sounds like your cup of tea (or coffee) come and join the group. Registration is required for this one, so call the library or email tplinfo@topshamlibrary.org if you would like to join.

Friday, August 10, 2012

The New York Times Bestseller List July 29, August 5 and August 12

July 29: fiction and nonfiction.

August 5: fiction and nonfiction.

August 12: fiction and nonfiction.

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.  

book jacketSet 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.



book jacketThe 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.  

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