Director's Message - November

Oct. 27, 2021 Rachel Dick Hughes

November is a great month for book lovers: the yardwork is done, the weather turns cold, and the publishing houses are putting out piles of terrific titles! I want to let you know that the book publishing industry has not been immune to global supply chain issues, and you might find those newest titles you have been waiting for take a little bit longer to get to the library and into your hands. Fortunately, we have plenty of titles to choose from, and our newest titles are always featured on the shelves in the lobby.

One of the most in-demand new books at our library is the collaboration between Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton called State of Terror. I devoured this one in two days and definitely recommend it.

Here are some other titles I have enjoyed this autumn:

  • The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman – this follow up to The Thursday Murder Club has all the charm of the first. Enchanting characters and ridiculous situations make this a fun and delightful read.
  • Three Sisters by Heather Morris (author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz) was the very well-told story of one Slovakian family’s experience of the Holocaust. Morris vividly transforms the women’s memoirs into fascinating fiction. The chapters are short, and it is hard to put this book down.
  • Ghost Forest by Pik-Shuen Fung tells the story of a strained relationship between a girl growing up in Vancouver and her father who remained in Hong Kong. Told in brief, poignant vignettes, the book tackles the difficult subjects of grief and memory.
  • Radiant Fugitives by Nadia Ahmed tells the story of a Muslim Indian lesbian living in San Francisco and working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The story opens with the birth of her child and is narrated from the child’s point of view.
  • There’s a new graphic-novel adaptation of Thomas King’s work called Borders illustrated by Natasha Donovan. A mother and her son are travelling to visit his sister in Salt Lake City. When they arrive at the border and are asked whether they are Canadian or American, the mother responds that they are Blackfoot. This story illuminates the challenges of being a nation within a nation and the strength of a mother who will not be swayed.
  • One Two Three by Laurie Frankel tells the story of three sisters growing up in a small town that has been devastated by an industrial catastrophe. One of the sisters is “normal” while the other two each have unique disabilities caused by the accident. For seventeen years, their mother has continued to fight for justice, and when a new family comes to town, the sisters have to decide how far they will go to protect their home.
  • And finally, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin was both charming and moving. It tells the story of Lenni, a 17 year old girl, and Margot, an 83 year old woman, who meet on the terminal ward at a Glasgow hospital. In an arts and craft class, they come up with the idea to create 100 paintings together to represent stories from the combined century they have lived. Through fascinating and sometimes painful glimpses into the past and their budding friendship, the reader is pulled deeply into the beauty of an unlikely relationship at the end of life.

We know that winter can be hard and lonely, especially during COVID. Feel free to pop by the library anytime for a friendly chat. We all love to hear about how you’re doing and what great books you’ve been reading. And if you or someone you care about isn’t able to make it to the library during the winter months, please have them call and ask about our Visiting Library program. Our friendly volunteers will make sure you’re never without a great book to read.

From all of us at the library, have a wonderful November. Take some time to put your feet up and enjoy a good book on your own or with someone you love.