First Family by Joseph J. Ellis

For the next Booklover's Discussion at the Tipp City Library we will be discussing Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph J. Ellis' historical account of the lives of John and Abigail Adams based on the many letters that were saved from their correspondence. We learn from this book that theirs was a true partnership. Abigail Adams supported her husband through her letters of love and advice through the perilous Revolutionary times that the early American had to endure. They were separated for many years and as it was the custom of the day to keep in touch with letters, they certainly used this medium to have frequent contact with each other. I always remember the line attributed to Abigail Adams to her husband during the writing of the Constitution, "Remember the ladies," or at least that is the paraphrase I remember. She was a homemaker, but also a thinking, intelligent woman who carried her role in her husband's life with dignity and respect. I am looking forward to this examination of their life and their influence upon the fledgling county. Book discussion date is Monday, February 28th at 7 p.m. Pick up a copy of this book at the front desk if you would like to join the discussion.

Review of Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld has written a pager-turner about the four years of prep school in Massachusetts for Lee Fiona, a ninth grader from South Bend, Indiana. Coming into the boarding school scene, Lee is totally unprepared for the casual, unassuming wealth of the typical students at Ault, as she has been accepted on a scholarship and feels more awkward than her fellow peers, or so she thinks. She is very introspective, fixating on a particular boy for four years based on a random meeting off campus in her freshman year. This is understandable, he is one of the most popular boys, and he had paid attention to her for that one whole day. But would he realize she was interesting, and would she realize that she needed to take action to begin a real relationship? She meets a girl through a friend, and this new friendship "clicks" for her. For three years Lee and her new best friend, Martha Porter, room together, with Martha giving Lee the moral support that she needs. Lee learns about the students at Ault, she is shown to be compassionate with her friends; teaching Conchita how to ride a bike, working together with her younger student math tutor, and trying to show Sin-Jun that people do really care for her. Lee's impatience with her parents is understandable, too, what child isn't embarrassed by their parents at age sixteen, but given that the year and the drive to the school have been a great sacrifice on Lee's behalf, her parents are not willing to forgive her immaturity, at least not her father. I grow to love or at least care for this young girl, Lee, and like to think back on what high school was for me, especially that part that made me think it was my whole world and life wouldn't be better than high school, and how scared I was of the next step, but those next four years were truly greater, even with all the angst. I think reading this book helps me to see how hard decisions and relationships can be for young people, and shy students can learn a little about life from stories, "I feel that way , too, sometimes." The talk with Cross Sugarman in the basketball court had some very truthful statements, and it is good to read them, "That I bet things would be easier for you if you either realized you're not that weird, or decided that being weird isn't bad." This book also reminded me of another favorite of mine, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, 1959, about a prep school for boys in New Hampshire during the years of World War II.  

A First Mystery in a New Series by Christopher Fowler

Christopher Fowler is an accomplished author, sarting in 1984 with his collection of short stories, The Collection of Lost Souls. Even though this new book written as the first in a series, that first title of Fowler's could also work for his new first in the A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery with the characters, Arthur Bryant and John May, the first detectives who started the Peculiar Crimes Unit during the World War II years. There are many unique characters in the novel, Full Dark House. We immediately meet John May in the present London, as there has been a terrorist attack on the Peculiar Crimes Unit, and Arthur Bryant is found dead at the scene. John May decides it must be tied in with their first case, at the London Theatre where a series of murders took place during the London Blitz. We are taken back in time and retrace the steps of these two detectives who are just learning how to work together. The play and the theatre contain the actors, the producer, the dancers, the stage hands and all the people who could be tied up with the Palace. It does become confusing, but I was drawn into the story by the historical details. This first of the series was awarded the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel . With the success of this first in the series, Fowler has been continuing the series since 2003, his latest is the 2010 release of Bryant & May off the Rails: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery. .

Help for the bewildered parent

It is that time of year when parents come in for help with the choosing of books for their children, and the Accelerating Reading Quiz program that children have to work through to expand their reading. Showing them the website that is listed on the Tipp City Library website under the online resources is one place to start. Accelerating Reader Information This website give parents the names of books that are on the quiz list, the reading level points and the point value of the book. But where do parents go to help find great books that can engage their child in the love of reading. For a start check out a book by teacher and school librarian Esme Raji Codell of Chicago. Her enthusiasm for books and children's literature in particular will help the parent find titles to really engage her child, with extra ideas to make this joy a family affair. During these winter months, get in the habit of sharing books with your children. Find out what your child likes to read and then go to the accelerator list to see if that look is on the quiz list. How to Get Your Child to Love Reading

Revisiting a book from our Book Discussion Group

Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell was one of my favorite books that we read for discussion. It had it all: well-researched topic, a visit to the area in question by the author, unknown historical events and facts. Starting with the escape of the resistance over the mountains into the neutral, or now Allied Italian area of the war, we meet various characters thrown together in this wild escape. It is a survival story of the utmost. Where can anyone be safe in these mountains, and who can they trust? We meet all kinds of Italian resistors, from the country priest, to the peasant farmer, and who is willing to help hide the Jews. It  certainly makes one question his or her own faith and stamina to resist the enemy. I like to think that this historical fiction is based on some real life heroes. as close as fiction can write them. As there were many people who turned the other way when help was called for, let us not forget the brave souls who put their own lives on the line to give others a chance to live. Russell's other work of historical fiction, Dreamers of the Day is just as good and also give us a first hand look at history in 1918, this time only it is the Middle East and Cairo as the main city of the story. After you enjoy that part of the world in 1918, enjoy O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King, an interesting side trip of her famous character, Mary Russell with her mentor Sherlock Holmes that was started in the first of the series, The Beekeeper's Apprentice.