Quilling is back!

My great great aunt made quillwork doll furniture from soup cans, including ornate dining tables and delicate upholstered chairs. Other than her work, though, I haven’t seen much quilling… until recently. Suddenly, quillwork is popping up everywhere! It’s on my social media feeds, coming up in my craft-friend circles, and peppered in among treasures at local shops. It seems like quilling is coming back in style and modern makers are creating some beautiful pieces. 

Quilling is an ancient art that uses strips of paper or metal to create decorative designs. The strips are rolled, shaped, and bound together to form objects that can be used as decoration or stand on their own. You can use a range of materials, but thin strips of paper or metal are most common and give the classic 3D dimension to the coils and scrolls. I will admit I’ve never done it, but I’m ready to give it a try! 

Whether you’re new to quilling like me or it’s a familiar practice, here are some modern resources to spark your creativity. 

The art of modern quilling: Contemporary paper techniques & projects for captivating quilled designs by Erin Perkins Curet

This is one of those books that just takes your breath away. It starts with an introduction to quilling techniques and materials, then features incredibly intricate, colourful projects to inspire. There is a butterfly mobile, a candleholder, and even jewelry designs made from paper. The Mandala Wall Clock is particularly stunning and comes with pages of clear, simple instructions to walk you through the process. 

The art of quilling paper jewelry: Techniques & projects for metallic earrings & pendants by Ann Martin

I still can’t quite believe the pendants and earrings in this book are all made from paper. The instructions show you how to make every curl of each perfectly coiled, delicate piece. The book also encourages you to start thinking about your own custom design, featuring a chapter on individual coils and scrolls that can be combined as you choose.  

The art of paper craft by Helen Hiebert 

While there is only one quilling project in this book, it is too beautiful not to share. The projects highlight just how much you can do with paper – cards, origami, marbling, bookmaking, even making your own decorative paper. This colourful book is packed with photos, instructions and templates to guide your art. See page 218 to make a simple quilled snowflake ornament. 

3D quilling: How to make 20 decorative flowers, fruit, and more from curled paper strips by Vaishali Rastogi Sahni 

The tiny, quilled strawberry in this book the cutest, most perfectly coiled thing I’ve ever seen and I love it. This book guides you through project after adorable project of little plants, insects, and animals. Do you start with the butterfly, the pineapple, or the owl? How about a tortoise with a beautifully intricate shell on page 114?  

Want more creative fun? Check out our Info Guide on Hobbies and Crafts.  

– Meg

The Wonderful World of Picture Books

One of the best things about working in a library has been rediscovering the joys of picture books as an adult. While they are written for young children, the best picture books are works of art that combine beautiful illustrations with skilled storytelling and sophisticated themes. They are not just pictures with words next to them, but a unique form of storytelling that combines the two. They can be laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking for both kids and their caregivers. Here are a few of my personal favourites from the library collection. The target audience for these books is preschool to early school-age unless otherwise noted.

Don’t Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) by Dev Petty

Chip is a smart dog. He knows what to eat and what not to eat and he will share with you what he knows. Chip’s culinary misadventures are filled with slapstick comedy and Mike Boldt’s exaggerated art style really plays up the silliness of the situations he manages to get himself into. Don’t Eat Bees is great for a laugh or two, especially if you’ve ever known a dog like Chip.

Bear and the Whisper of the Wind by Marianne Dubuc

Bear has a good life. Then something imperceptibly changes, telling him it’s time to move on. He packs up his most treasured possessions and leaves on a journey, the end of which he cannot see. Marianne Dubuc’s soft illustrations and spare writing style give Bear and the Whisper of the Wind the feel of a traditional fairy tale. This is an ambiguous story that can spark discussions about its themes of loss, growth, and change but does not try to provide easy answers to the questions that it raises.

City Under the City by Dan Yaccarino

We’re all familiar by now with the YA dystopia, but a picture book dystopia? That’s exactly what Dan Yaccarino gives us in The City Under the City. Bix lives in a futuristic city where the Eyes observe everyone and control everything, until she discovers an underground city where she is free to read, learn, and do things for herself. A great story with a positive message about the power of reading and independent thought aimed at early school-age children.

The Glorious Forest that Fire Built by Ginny Neil

This is the story of a forest that is consumed by fire and of the regeneration that follows. Written in simple rhyming couplets, this book provides a scientifically accurate account of what happens after a forest burns. The Glorious Forest is a simple primer on the role of fire in forest ecology but can also be read as a story book. It also features some of the most beautiful illustrations I’ve seen.

How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias

Red is excited to read a book all about pandas, but this soon turns to outrage as she realizes the book is only about giant pandas. In fact, every book on pandas is about giant pandas. Red sets out to write her own book, but does anybody even want to read about red pandas? How This Book Got Red is a charming story about creativity and friendship that also provides a child-friendly explanation of why media representation matters.

What if I’m Not a Cat? by Kari-Lynn Winters

Donkey knows that he’s a cat. That is, until an offhand comment from the farmer makes him start to doubt. Donkey runs away from home because he doesn’t think he fits in, but when a fox threatens the other cats on the farm, he realizes that the things that make him different are exactly what he needs to save the day. Donkey’s journey is one of self-discovery and self-acceptance, ending with a decision to embrace his own unique identity. What if I’m Not a Cat? is heartwarming and good for a chuckle but can also be used to start a conversation on individual differences.

Picture books are for kids, but they don’t have to be just for kids. A good picture book should be as enjoyable to the adult reading it as to the child listening, if not always in the same way. Looking for more picture book recommendations? Check out our Early Literacy Info Guide and Booklists page or ask for suggestions at your local library branch.

-Chris

Women and Art

Happy Belated International Women’s Day! There are many women who inspire my art and craft practice. These women include family who introduced me to needlecraft at a young age, friends who challenge me with a new technique, or creators who inspire me from afar. I hope you have such creative influences around you.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, I’ve selected some resources to inspire your creativity, meet new female artists, and celebrate iconic women.

Beadwork: First Peoples’ beading history and techniques by Christi Belcourt 

Christi Belcourt is an iconic Métis visual artist and author celebrated for her paintings. In this book, she shares her knowledge and love of traditional beading. She introduces different types and styles of beading as they relate to cultural identity through use, region, and practice. The book includes history and techniques, a section on materials, stitches, and templates. Truly a treasure!

Quilt out loud: Activism, language & the art of quilting by Thomas Knauer  

Where quilting meeting “craftivism,” this book shows how quilting can be a platform for social movement. Featured artists meticulously stitch words, data, symbols and more to make a statement. To inspire your own work, the book contains letter templates, tips, and resources like morse code or the alphabet in binary code.    

Feminist cross-stitch: 40 bold & fierce patterns by Stephanie Rohr 

Who doesn’t love a well-worded cross-stitch? This book features 40 patterns so you can make a cute affirmation or a sassy statement. There is a wonderfully detailed Rosie the Riveter pattern, but I particularly enjoy the to-do list that includes “practice self-care” and “speak out.”

Crochet iconic women: Amigurumi patterns for 15 women who changed the world by Carla Mitrani

From Greta Thunberg to Jane Austin to Serena Williams, this book is packed with pattern after pattern so you can crochet a tiny, adorable doll of your favourite iconic woman. I can’t decide where to start – do I make Marie Curie with her miniscule Erlenmeyer flask, or a teeny tiny Jane Goodall with a teeny tiny chimpanzee?   

Empowered embroidery by Amy L. Frazer  

This beautiful book is packed with inspiration and instruction. Each thoroughly detailed pattern starts from a sketch and colour guide, then moves through the process with close-up images to specify stitches and techniques. You can follow along, choose some of the variations provided, or use their instruction to make your own pattern. By the end, you’ll be ready to create an incredibly detailed thread painting of Ruth Bader Ginsberg or Michelle Obama.   

A big important art book (now with women): Profiles of unstoppable female artists–and projects to help you become one by Danielle Krysa

Painters, fibre artists, or mixed media creators – there is a delightful range of art in this book! It’s divided into chapters based on expansive topics or categories, like “look to the past” and “tell a visual story.” Each chapter starts with a project relating to the topic, then features page after page of amazing work created by female artists.

Want more creative fun? Check out our Info Guide on Hobbies and Crafts. 

– Meg

If the Shirt Fits, Wear It

I’ll never forget my excitement when I heard that the Winnipeg Public Library was hiring entry-level staff, at the time known as library pages (those folks who put books away on library shelves). I love to read, and I imagined how amazing it would be to spend my days surrounded by books. It sounded like the perfect job for me. I waited eagerly for a response after I submitted my application, fearing as time went by that I wouldn’t be hired. On the day the phone finally rang, and I was invited to an interview, my dream was realized. Fast-forward 14 years, and I was right: the library is my happy place. My bookshelves at home are always stacked high with piles of library books; my request list is usually maxed out at 50 items; and I still get excited about new authors or genres of books to enjoy. My love of books is something my family knows well. At a family Christmas party about 5 years ago, I received one of my all-time favourite Christmas presents: a t-shirt proclaiming, “IF LOST, PLEASE RETURN TO THE LIBRARY”.

I loved this t-shirt and wore it everywhere, until the colours faded, and the letters began to wear away from constant washing. In the years since, it’s become a tradition for my family to give me library-themed t-shirts for birthdays and Christmases. My collection has grown so much that I can wear a different t-shirt every day of the week – and I often do. One of the next shirts to come my way at Christmas might strike fear in the heart of the serious book lover – “A-BIBLIO-PHOBIA, the fear of running out of books”.

Working in the library means access to a seemingly endless collection of books, but the thought of not having anything to read would be truly scary! If you ever find yourself wondering what to read next, look no further: Your Next Great Read – Info Guides at Winnipeg Public Library. You can also find great titles by filling out the “Five-in-Five Book List” form on our website. One of our librarians will curate a list of five new titles – just for you.

Many books make the leap from printed page to the big (or small) screen. Some are well-adapted and others, not so much. This humorous t-shirt from my husband says it well:

One example that stands out for me is the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series, a fantastic set of books by author Rick Riordan, which begins with “The Lightning Thief”. My kids and I loved these books, but we thought the movies were terrible. The series has since made the jump to TV, courtesy of Disney and though I haven’t had a chance to see it, the reviews have been good. Browse our catalogue for the series and movies and put my t-shirt to the test for yourself.

At least a few times a week the basket on my desk fills with a pile of new books. For every book I return to the library, it seems I take 3 or 4 (or 6) more home with me. Did I mention my bookshelves are always full? It’s fitting that this t-shirt arrived under the tree for me last Christmas:

By strange coincidence, over the weekend while I was reading “Aria’s Travelling Bookshop” by Rebecca Raisin, the main character Aria dons a shirt with the same phrase, as she plucks up the courage to ask the (possible) man of her dreams out for a drink. The “Travelling Bookshop” is a companion book to the author’s prior novel, “Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop”. The series follows a group of nomadic “van-life/travelers”, who hit the road and stop at local fairs and festivals, selling a variety of wares from their converted vans and campers. The light-hearted semi-romance novels are a treat. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to adopt the van-life too.

If you do find yourself like me, with too many books arriving at once, did you know that you can suspend your library requests online, or with the newly restored Winnipeg Public Library app? Simply select a title from your holds list and click the box that says, “Edit/Suspend Hold(s)”. This will temporarily place your request on pause, until the date you specify. Once that date arrives, your request becomes active and your place in the queue is restored. For example, if you were 8th in line for the newest book by Kristin Hannah, “The Women”, suspending your request until June 15 means your request becomes active June 16, and you will still be 8th on the waiting list. If you are lucky enough to be number 8 for “The Women”, lucky you! The last time I checked, 520 people were waiting to read it.

When I’m not at work, I take this t-shirt’s saying very seriously:

You can find me curled up in the corner of my favourite chaise, reading for hours – periodically getting up to boil the kettle for another cup of Earl Grey, if I can successfully remove one of the cats from my lap. If this sounds like you, check out “I’d Rather Be Reading – The Delights and Dilemmas of The Reading Life” by Anne Bogel. With chapters like “Confess Your Literary Sins”; “Bookworm Problems” and “The Books That Find You”, she guides us through memories of the book that broke your heart; reassures us the “Book Police” won’t show up if we’re not reading the “right” type of books; and asks us, “if there were no due dates, would we read our library books as quickly”? Would we read them at all, or do we need that sense of urgency to motivate us?

Do you have a collection of book-themed tote bags, shirts, throw pillows or fridge magnets? We’d love to hear about them in the comments or on any of our social media platforms. Happy Reading and remember,

~ Joanne

Mobilize for MYRCA

A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest. 

C.S. Lewis

There’s no doubt that any time is a great time to read, but there’s something extra special about this time of year. It’s the lead up to the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award voting period, when students in Manitoba make their voices and choices heard across the country. This year, the voting takes place from April 12 – 19 and the winners will be announced at a special celebration event on April 26.

While it’s true that only Manitoban students in grades 4 – 9 are able to vote that’s no reason to not take part in reading any or all of the terrific titles on the Sundogs and Northern Lights lists. Titles on the Sundogs lists are recommended for students in grades 4 – 6, and Northern Lights titles are recommended for students in grades 7 – 9. Canadian children and YA authors write some amazing books, and the ones that make it onto the MYRCA lists are among the best of the best. Picking up a MYRCA nominated book will give you an enjoyable reading experience, no matter how old you are.

The U-nique Lou Fox by Jodi Carmichael

Lou’s brain is always super busy, brimming with ideas and inspiration, so much so it’s hard for her to pay attention to what’s going on around her. Her ADHD is further complicated by dyslexia, but Lou is a big dreamer, and she’s determined to find a way to make her dreams come true. Jodi Carmichael writes from personal experience, as someone who lives with ADHD and dyslexia.

Berani by Michelle Kadarusman

Malia is an activist who is ready to do whatever it takes to further her cause – to stop the devastation of the rainforest. Ari is willing to help, but he’s not sure he can go as far as Malia, and Ginger Juice is struggling to stay alive and sane in a tiny cage. In the end, whatever they decide to do will have outcomes they could never have predicted. Michelle Kadarusman writes to inspire readers to make a difference in the world.

Fly by Alison Hughes

Can a kid who uses a wheelchair realize his dreams of becoming a knight? Felix is secretly in love with Daria, who is involved with a nasty piece of work named Carter. Felix dreams of the day when he can prove his devotion to Daria and conquer the villain. This novel in free verse that will evoke tears of laughter and sadness.

Winterkill by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Nyl had faced hard times before, but nothing could prepare him for the Holodomor; Stalin’s plan to starve the Ukrainian people and take over their land. It’s impossible to know what to do and who to trust, but Nyl must do his best to survive and share his story with the world. This part of history is not well known as even today the Holodomor is a forbidden topic in many places.

These are just a few of the super stories you’ll discover on the MYRCA 2024 lists, so don’t delay, start reading today!

-Lori

I Love to Read: Indie Graphic Novels

While I’ve always been a devoted reader and a fan of fiction, for the past several years I’ve found more and more of my reading time spent with graphic novels. Now, this I Love to Read Month, I am happy to say that they are some of the books I look forward to reading most each year, as my list of can’t-miss authors and illustrators grow longer and longer. While many just think of graphic novels as superhero comics and manga, there are a wide range of stories being told in modern comics, often by indie authors and publishers. I’ve realized that there’s a number of reasons why I like reading indie comics over traditional novels: 

1. Beautiful art

Once you dive into the world of comics this point will speak for itself. Some of the full page spreads from books like The City of Belgium by Brecht Evens or Roaming by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki have made me completely stop in my tracks while reading to take in every detail – a feature you can’t get from traditional novels. 

2. Unique themes

Are you a reader who likes to be challenged by complex and unique themes but doesn’t always have the stamina for contemporary fiction? Join the club! Seriously though, I think graphic novels are great for this, especially those with heavy themes. Often a story that wouldn’t normally interest me can work really well in the graphic novel format. 

3. Canadiana

Michael DeForge, Kate Beaton, Seth, Guy Delisle, Jeff Lemire, Mariko Tamaki, and Jillian Tamaki. Some of my favourite comic authors and artists are Canadian, and many of these are published by my favourite Montreal-based comics publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. 

4. Shorter for Goodreads Goals

Okay, this one is a bit of a joke, but as someone who tracks my reading on Goodreads, graphic novels usually count for about half of the books I read each year. They also take much less time to read on average. People may judge me for this, but it’s like we tell kids in the library…reading comics totally counts as reading!  

Despite these positives, a challenge with graphic novels can be the price tag, especially for those of us who frequently find themselves reading through a couple of them on a weekend. Hence why taking out these books from the library is the perfect fit! What follows is a list of recommended indie graphic novels that are currently available at branches throughout the Winnipeg Public Library.  

The Delicacy by James Albon 

Two brothers, seeking success and independence from their controlling mother, open a new restaurant focused on bringing a fresh, farm-to-table dining experience to the big city. Their initial struggles take a turn when they discover a one-of-a-kind mushroom that people find irresistibly delicious. But can they keep up with the demand of a hungry city, as well as their produce’s secret origins? Come for the intriguing premise, stay for the gorgeous full-page painted illustrations in this macabre spin on the high cost of fame, ambition, and fine dining. 

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed 

The book’s title – in Arabic, a fairy-tale rhyme meaning “your wish is my command” – sets the stage for a modern world in which wishes are real and literally for sale. Shubeik Lubeik follows the lives of three people in Cairo who become linked in the sale of three “first class wishes”. Covering a range of topics including social inequality, mental health, religion, and more, this book’s fantastical spin on contemporary issues really resonated with me. While longer than the other titles on this list, there is good reason why it is being lauded as one of the best graphic novels released last year (in English, as it was originally published in Arabic from 2017-2021). 

Waves by Ingrid Chabbert and Carole Maurel (illustrator) 

With dream-like art and poetic language, this moving graphic novel tells the very personal story of a young couple’s challenges in trying to have children. This is a beautiful and short read that could easily win an award for leaving you the most emotionally drained in the fewest number of pages. As I said earlier, a topic that might be challenging in a full-length novel can become an eye-opening and insightful read in comic format. A recommended entry point for those who like emotional stories and are curious about graphic novels. 

Acting Class by Nick Drnaso 

Like your books to be a bit…weirder? In this title, a group of bored and isolated strangers join a free introductory acting class at a local community centre. As the class’s charismatic and enigmatic teacher leads them through intense improv exercises, the lines between the students’ real lives, the characters they play, and their imaginations begin to blur as they become more intertwined in each others’ stories. While Drnaso’s illustrations might not work for everyone, they do a great job of bringing out the anxieties of the characters and the eeriness of the story. 

Have I piqued your interest yet? Then head over to the Winnipeg Public Library’s online catalogue to check out these and many other titles from our fantastic adult graphic novel collection. Warning, reading graphic novels may become habit forming! 

– Austin 

What’s New in the Local History Room?

We are now in 2024 and it is time to have a look at the new arrivals in the Local History Room.

Our first title, On the road to abandoned Manitoba: taking the scenic route through historic places, scientist-historian Gordon Goldsborough hits the road in search of adventure and little-known stories from Manitoba’s past. Among the places he visits are underground radiation monitoring posts from the Cold War, a remote hydroelectric generating station, cruise ships on the Red River, and the original route of the Trans-Canada Highway. This is the third volume of this excellent historical series, filled to the brim with gorgeous illustrations and lively narration of Gordon’s experiences and travels throughout the roads less travelled of the province. It is also the final volume of his “Abandoned Manitoba” series and all three are well worth the read for explorers and historians alike.

Did you know that in the early twentieth century, we had our own group of explorers of the unknown who attempted to ally science and seances to communicate with the dead? The art of ectoplasm: encounters with Winnipeg’s ghost photographs by Serena Keshavjee covers the curious history of Winnipeg’s “ghost” photographs in the wake of the First World War and the 1918-19 pandemic. It was against this backdrop that a Winnipeg couple, physician T.G. Hamilton and nurse Lillian Hamilton, began their research, documenting and photographing seances they held in their home laboratory. The Hamiltons’ work and photographic evidence attracted international attention, with notable figures like Arthur Conan Doyle participating in the Hamilton family’s seances. This book is a fascinating take on a uniquely local topic, filled with otherworldly images found in the Hamilton family archive, telling a story of human longing for connection beyond our known reality.

In 1816 the Métis were first recognized as a new Canadian Indigenous nation. The Métis played an important role in the early exploration and development of western Canada. Along the Métis trail: Métis history, heritage, and culture by George Goulet is a book that provides a vivid up-to-date portrayal of the fabulous history, heritage, and culture of the Métis People from the late 1700s to 2022. This book provides factual information on the Métis People that the authors have assembled during more than a quarter of a century of extensive research on the Métis People of Canada and Louis Riel.

Ab McDonald was a Winnipeg-born, four-time Stanley Cup winner, who played 15 seasons in the NHL, before joining the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association in 1972. He became the team’s first captain and scored the first goal in the franchise’s history. Throughout his life, he was a wonderful ambassador for the sport of hockey in Manitoba, and lived in Winnipeg for his entire life. Pat McDonald was Ab’s wife and is the best person to tell her husband’s story and what it was like to be a hockey wife through the 1950s and 1960s in this biography, Mr. Winnipeg: the Ab McDonald story. She teamed up with prolific hockey author Ty Dilello for this book. Dilello fills in the details from Ab’s hockey career and interviewed countless teammates and friends over the years to help tell Ab’s life story.

For 14 years, Bill Redekop crisscrossed rural Manitoba writing offbeat and little known stories about people and places for the Winnipeg Free Press. Now he’s back with a new collection of non-fiction stories in Don’t fence me in: true stories about rural Manitoba. Stories focus on quicksand, a new new glacial lake, two friends who have gone for lunch every week for 35 years, the police dog academy in Brandon, civilian jail guard duty, a house made out of a single boulder, and much more. Redekop knits a tapestry of rural life.

Come and check it out!

Louis-Philippe

Crusted Snow and Turning Leaves

This month, the Time to Read Podcast welcomes Susie Moloney to the discussion. Susie Moloney is WPL’s Writer-in-Residence this year and we are super happy to have her join us. We’re so happy, in fact, that we let her pick this month’s book, and she chose Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice.

Turning Leaves is a sequel to Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow so you may want to read Crusted Snow first. It’s not absolutely necessary, though. All you really need to know about the first book is that it centers around a small community of Anishinaabe people in northern Ontario, and what happens when the power suddenly goes out. We get to know various members of the rez and the steps they take to restore order and normalcy during an unpredictable and chaotic chain of events. The community experiences on a micro-scale what the larger outside world is going through during this sudden societal collapse.

Moon of the Turning Leaves picks up the story ten years after the events of the first book. The community realizes that for them to survive and thrive in this new world they will need to move to a new location, as the local lake’s supply of fish is dwindling and the trap lines are yielding less and less.

A scouting party of six is selected to travel south to see if their ancestral homeland along Georgian Bay would be viable for their new settlement. Among them is Evan Whitesky from the first book and his now 15-year-old daughter, Nangohns.

Will the group make it to Georgian Bay? What will they encounter along the way? Was this sequel necessary? All these things and more will be discussed and revealed during the episode, available March 1.

And while you’re waiting, why not check out an older episode of “Time to Read“? Our latest episode on French Exit is available now.

Until next time, make sure you make some TIME TO READ.

-Trevor

Words of Wisdom

We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.

Mary Catherine Bateson

We live in a world that’s overflowing with information. Whether you want to or not, we’re all taking in and giving out information all the time. Wisdom, on the other hand, is a much rarer commodity. Like diamonds and precious metals, wisdom is often hard to find and can turn up in the most unexpected places, like picture books. 

I’m not saying that there’s a definitive answer to the trolley problem or a solution to an existential crisis in the same section as Elephant and Piggie and Clifford, but there are some extraordinarily deep and thought-provoking books that provide sage advice to readers of all ages.

Pete the Cat’s observation that: “buttons come and buttons go” is akin to Heraclitus and his thoughts on change, with the added bonus of a nifty little song. Studies have shown that songs like the ABCs help us retain and retrieve information from our brains. Sadly, most philosophers don’t include a ditty in their treatises.

Then there’s Ish by Peter Reynolds. It’s the story of a boy named Ramon who loves to draw but gives it up because he’s never able to draw something perfectly. Plato tells us that perfect forms don’t exist in our reality, which is very comforting for artists like me and Ramon.

Monique Gray Smith has written a number of wonderful books, but my personal favorite is When We Are Kind. For me, kindness is a concept that is simple on the surface, with unexpected depths when I take a deeper dive. A book like this is a good companion read to Aristotle’s writings on kindness in his book The Art of Rhetoric.

I’ve wrestled with philosophical, moral and ethical conundrums until I’ve given my brain indigestion. Despite all of this effort, or perhaps because of it, I really don’t feel much wiser. Some would say that’s a sign of true wisdom, others would say I’ve been wasting my time. Regardless, I’m going to carry on with my search for wisdom, singing my song, just like Pete the Cat.

– Lori

 

 

 

 

Charleswood Library Staff Recommended Reads

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.