Our book sale was a great success, thanks to the community who came out on a hot sticky day to buy books! Gratifying to see that the printed word is still an attraction, in this day and age of the digital world we live in. Those lucky enough to buy $20 worth of books received a beautiful bouquet from our gardening librarian’s garden. And those smart enough to come after 2 p.m. walked away with a bag of books for a buck, the best deal around. Most of the unsold books were sent off to Goodwill, but we saved a sampling, which will appear at our regular book sale. So, if you missed out on Saturday, stop by and see what we have saved for you.
Monthly Archives: July 2013
A Garden of Books
Tammy and I are enjoying the cool basement of the library these days, sorting books for the upcoming book sale on Saturday, which we are calling “A Garden of Books.” It’s a flower theme – the kids will be making the signs for the categories at story time on Friday morning, thanks to Patty T. We’re looking forward to seeing the community join us in a book swap of sorts, as I imagine that many who dropped off books to donate will be buying some (I know I will!).
The biggest category seems to be mysteries/thrillers/suspense, for all you mystery lovers, followed by romance, and general fiction. There is also a great selection of classics and westerns. There are also many children’s books, including chapter books and picture books. In the non-fiction category we have biography, history and politics, crafts, home décor and gardening, pets/animals, maritime/fishing/boating, and reference. There is also a delightful section of Maine books. And of course lots of videos/DVDs and audiobooks, for your viewing and listening pleasure!
So, those of you on the island on Saturday, please come join us! There may be some special treats (besides books) to make it worth your while, in addition to supporting your island library. Look forward to seeing you there!
The home front in fiction
I’ve read a few books recently that address our 21st century home front by approaching it through fiction, whether through novels or short stories. In “Home front” by Kristin Hannah, the author portrays a woman soldier who has trained most of her adult life to be a military pilot, and finally gets to see some action in Afghanistan, to the dismay of her increasingly estranged husband, surly teenage daughter, and clingy younger daughter. Unfortunately things don’t work out well for Joline, our heroine, but ultimately the family comes together. While not a literary masterpiece, “Home front” does give a different kind of perspective – of the female soldier, with her family left behind to try to hold it together without mom, the glue of the family.
In “You know when the men are gone” by Siobhan Fallon, these sometimes interlinked short stories that take place at Fort Hood, Texas, show various sides to the story, and mostly that “war is hell” on relationships. Some do better than others, but overall the characters are all just doing the best they can (more or less). Better written than “Home front” there is sometimes a dry humor that keeps the book from being too depressing, given the subject matter.
And on the poetry end, “Blood Red Dawn,” mentioned in the April 2nd post, gives both the home front and front lines perspective, by way of poetry – written by the author as a catharsis and way of dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are many more perspectives out there – anyone have a favorite war or home front book, perhaps from earlier wars than the current ones our soldiers are bravely fighting, where their loved ones are left behind to pick up the pieces?