Sense and Sensibility

Our next book discussion at the Tipp City Public Library will be Monday July 28th at 7 pm. Second in our discussion of Jane Austen's novels will be Sense and Sensibility. A tale of two sisters in regency England who have their hearts set on affection of certain beaux who are very attentive and then the magic is lost and these two sisters deal with the disappointments in different ways as to their own personalities. Marianne is open with her feeling, very emotional and high strung. Her older sister is much more sensible, even if she is broken-hearted, she hides it well. Always a little humor is found in Jane Austen, the opening lines follow the brother as he contemplates how to look after his step sisters and step mother after the death of his father. In appearing to be generous he is soon talked out of his original benevolence as his wife uses her influence to keep the money to herself. Another form of the humor is found in the ridiculous manners of the well-meaning friends in their new neighborhood.

Who reads Jodi Picoult?

Jodi Picoult is an author who has a broad appeal. Every time a patron comes in looking for a Jodi Picoult book, I go over to the shelf and find it practically empty of all her books. I am reading Nineteen Minutes, and in depth study of the effect of a school shooting on a community where everyone knows everyone else. Picoult takes us into the mind of the shooter, his family, his friends, and the friends of his victims. It is a deep book about a sensitive subject, one that is a growing concern in our American culture. How can we stop this from happening again? Does the media coverage aid or encourage repeat crimes of a copycat nature? Will reading this book help us to help others before it happens again? What effect does bullying have on young people? Am I reading this for understanding, or curiosity?

Our Country's Birthday

Our fourth of July three-day weekend has turned brighter now that it is Sunday. After all that rain on Friday, we have been lucky since then. Good time to sit and read, after all the weeding and mowing gets done. I found a good substitute waiting for my Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. I have read my first Dorothes Benton Frank novel, starting with The Land of Mango Sunsets. If I can't get to the beach, the next best thing is to read about it. The story jumps between New York City and Sullivan Island, South Carolina. Funny, wise and wonderful describe this light-hearted story of a woman scorned, and her decision to renew her life one sandy footprint at a time. There is family healing, plenty of laughs, and even a loud-mouthed parrot who lightens things up. Of course there is drama, but it gets resolved in the end. A feel good read for a summer day on the porch.