Here are some recent favourites from the staff at Charleswood Library.
Travis: The holiday season has come and gone, some of us had the opportunities to gather and share our ideas and perspectives on the past year, and some of us shared our thoughts and extrapolations on the year to come. In consideration of those with whom we could not gather, cards and well wishes were sent, to-and-fro, across the city, and likely across the country. How many of you had correspondence with acquaintances from even further away…maybe spanning a few galaxies?? The characters in The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu are faced with just that when a radio signal from a distant civilization is captured by scientists in China. I found this title to be as filling a feast as the dinners that were plated before me just a few weeks ago. While some of the historical, societal, and political aspects are a bit darker throughout the tale, the physics and scientific detail described in the book was truly awe-inspiring for anyone fascinated by how technology has evolved and could evolve.
Ingrid: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes is based on a true story about a team of resilient women who deliver books to people living remotely in the surrounding mountains of Kentucky. I really enjoy historical fiction and thought that this story was an unforgettable read. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate, inspired by historical events from 1875, is about newly freed slaves desperately searching for loved ones who had been sold away. It was an informative read, and I learned there were “Lost Friends” advertisements in newspapers after the Civil War.
Kristen: Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler just hit differently than other romance titles. I laughed, cried, and cheered for all the characters. I especially loved Millie’s voice, gumption and optimism. If you like romance books and want to feel all the feels, this book is for you.
Nadine: On the subject of romance, Ali Hazelwood is a new favourite of mine. As someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy short stories, Loathe To Love You, was an anomaly. These light-hearted STEM based books are pure fun.
Marys: Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh was a really interesting book for me. This is the first book of that author that I’ve read, and I’ll definitely be going back for more. There is some content that some readers might want to avoid, such as abuse and cannibalism. Another author that I’ve really enjoyed lately is Freida McFadden. In “The Coworker“, everyone thinks Dawn is a little strange. Just because she always comes into work at the exact same time, doesn’t have any friends, and REALLY likes turtles, doesn’t make her that strange… right? After reading this, you might think twice about the people you think you know.
And who says adults can’t read children’s books? Not me! A series that I’ve been reading is the Sinister Summer series by Kiersten White. It’s a middle grade mystery series, with 5 books (so far, at least) starting with The Wretched Waterpark. This series gives me “A Series of Unfortunate Events” meets “Scooby Doo” vibes, which makes my inner child happy.
Ashley: One of my all-time favourite reads is Anne of the Island, which is the third book of the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. I love Montgomery’s style of writing; she does a great job capturing the true spirit and personality of her characters, as well as providing very detailed and beautiful descriptions of nature. I really enjoy that this book (and series) can be read by different generations. It covers many themes that are timeless, as the reader follows Anne on an adventure to college, experiencing death and grief, love and heartbreak. Jay Shetty’s Think like a Monk is one of my favourites for integrating self-awareness and mindfulness practices into daily life. He also has a great podcast, On Purpose where he discusses a variety of similar self-improvement topics and interviews experts in their respective fields.
John: Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology ed. by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. The title of this collection of contemporary short stories by Indigenous authors is based on the belief held by some Indigenous people that whistling in the dark is a bad idea – you never know what it might attract. The voices and influences woven through the stories are as varied as the authors themselves – Hollywood horror, traditional folklore, graphic novels, campfire ghost stories – but you can be sure you’ll find something that will make whistling out of the question!
Dayna: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is about a small coffee shop in Tokyo that offers an opportunity for visitors to travel back in time. This is a short book with 4 chapters but gives the reader a lot to think about. Another recent favourite is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Spanning from 1900-1977 and set in Kerala India, it tells a family story about loss, love and faith. It is beautifully written and the reader is drawn into the family saga. This book is a commitment at over 700 pages but you will not notice the length once you are drawn into this story. The Good Women of Safe Harbour by Bobbi French has some heavy topics, rape, suicide, cancer, assisted dying, so if those are subjects you are avoiding this might not be the right book for you. It sounds heavy and requires a box of tissues, but tells a story of forgiveness and friendship and a woman finding strength from other women supporting her.
David: Andy Weir continues with his ability to write fast paced, realistic and contemporary science fiction with his book, Artemis. Murder and the mob on the moon! Who would have thought of such a combination, but Andy pulls it off with such style that you can taste the moondust and fear the vacuum that resides just beyond your protective glass! An excellent read.
Happy New Year from the staff at Charleswood Library!
May 2024 bring you peace, health, joy and good books.
Readers' Salon 