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December 2018   issueIssue 203
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Library holiday closures this month

  • Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 the library will be closed in observance of Christmas
  • Monday, Dec. 31, the library will close early at 5 p.m. for New Year's Eve
  • Tuesday, Jan. 1, the library will be closed in observance of New Year's Day
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Planning on donating for Operation Holiday?
Here are the important dates to remember:

  • Book Drive donations end Friday, Nov. 30
  • Hat and Mitten Tree donations end Dec. 5
  • All other Operation Holiday donations end Dec. 6
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It's a Holly Jolly Ukulele Jam!

If you have a ukulele and know a handful of chords, come play! All ages are welcome. We'll revisit some songs learned in the beginning ukulele class and add some not-too-difficult holiday tunes. There will be cookies and fun! If you don't have a ukulele, there will be a few available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.
Come join the fun and you might just go home with a new ukulele for Christmas. There will be a raffle at the end of the evening!

6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 in the Community Room — Registration is requested

Teen Ukulele class coming in January!  Registration opens 9 a.m. Dec. 17.

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Beginning in January, yoga classes will be on a regular schedule!

We haven't quite ironed out all the details yet. but watch the newsletter, website and events calendar for more information about our free, open to the public yoga classes in 2019!
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Check out one of the library's three book clubs!

We have three active book groups here at the library that are open to everyone. If you love to read and talk about the books you read, pop in to one or more of the book groups! Bemused Bibliophiles meets during the day and reads popular books that have been on the bestseller list. Hauntingly Good Reads meets in the evening and explores all kinds of books that have a supernatural/magical/unexplainable kind of bent—we look far beyond the traditional vampires, ghosts and witches. Joyful Page Turners is the most enduring book club at the library—it's been meeting regularly since May 2000! Books selected for this book club include just about everything: classics, modern bestsellers, non-fiction, and more. Click on the book titles below to see them in the library catalog. Sign in to your library account on the catalog and you can place a title on hold. 

New release book review:
Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy

First LIne: It’d been a rain-chilled May that felt more winter than spring.

Summary: Before Anne there was Marilla of Green Gables. Marilla is an intelligent and strong willed young woman. She is just starting to venture into adulthood and a budding relationship with the handsome, John Blythe. When her mother dies in childbirth Marilla is left as the matriarch of the Cuthbert home. Even with her new responsibilities, Marilla ventures forth into the world and sees that there is more than just Avonlea.

My thoughts: I have loved the miniseries Anne of Green Gables starring Megan Follows, since I was a child. I recently read the books for the first time and enjoyed following Anne through her imaginative life.  McCoy’s book is a perfect companion to the original story. We get to know Marilla in a completely new way. She was young and was in love.  The author stayed true to the times and added little details to flesh out the Cuthberts' lives on Prince Edward Island. I never realized how much Canada was involved in the Underground Railroad and the path to freedom for so many escaped slaves. As a narrative and a historical fiction book, this is a fantastic read!

Release date: Oct. 23, 2018

Check out our blog for more on this book and for other book reviews. 

Ashley's rating:
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New release book review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz
by Heather Morris

First line: Lale tries not to look up.

Summary: Based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Jew from Slovakia, who spent several years in Auschwitz as the Tatowierer.  His job was to tattoo the numbers onto the arms of all incoming inmates.  He witnesses shocking things every day.  It is hard to imagine a happy world after the atrocities of the camp.  When he meets a young woman, Gita, he uses his influence to keep her alive and safe.

My thoughts: This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful.  Lale is put in the most terrifying place but somehow keeps his spirits up in hopes of a brighter future.  He learns quickly how to navigate life in Auschwitz.  I love his relationship with Gita.  Even in such a horrible place he found the love of his life.  Read the author’s notes at the end where she discusses the interviews over years where Lale told his story.

Release date: Sept. 4, 2018

Ashley's rating:
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New release book review:
The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher

First line: Presentation day.

Summary: In her debut novel, author Kerri Maher introduces us to Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy. She is the second oldest daughter of Ambassador Joe Kennedy Sr. While living in London, Kick does everything a good debutante is supposed to do. She attends balls, is presented to the King and socializes with the aristocracy. However, she wants something more. When she meets Billy Hartington, the heir to the dukedom of Cavendish, she finds what she has been looking for. Their dreams are derailed when Hitler invades Poland and Kick is sent back to the United States. She becomes even more determined to return to England and the man she loves even if it means defying her family and her religion.

My thoughts: Everyone in the U.S. has grown up hearing about John F. Kennedy and his family. However, I had never heard of his sister, Kathleen. I was fascinated by her story. She was a young debutante who was practically American royalty. She lived in England and fell in love with the heir to a dukedom.  My heart broke for her when her family and society were against her relationship because she was Catholic and he was Protestant. The author does a great job of bringing her confusion and inner battles to the reader.  The family became so real on the pages and their heartbreaks became mine as well. This was wonderfully researched and written. I cannot wait to see what Kerri Maher writes next!

Release date: Oct. 2, 2018

Ashley's rating:
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Kids' programming on hiatus Dec. 7, 2018-Jan. 7, 2019

All children's programming, including story times, ends
Dec. 7 and will take a break for the holidays. All programming for kids and teens wil resume its regular schedule beginning Jan. 7, 2019.

   

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