If it’s fall, it must be time for the new Louise Penny mystery in her winning series of Armand Gamache novels. After last year’s “All the Devils Are Here,” which was set in Paris, she has returned to Quebec and to her familiar and well-loved characters in “The Madness of Crowds,” her 17th in the repertoire. Debuting at No. 1 on many bestseller lists when it was released, this scintillating adventure is just what Penny’s fans have been anxiously awaiting.

The book opens as the current pandemic is winding down. People are coming together again, happy to be out of quarantine but still wary and wounded by loss. The villagers of Penny’s Three Pines, her beloved fictional setting in Quebec, are enjoying the snow and looking forward to the upcoming holidays. The last months have been difficult, and the extended family of Armand Gamache, the often-profound chief inspector of the Canadian Sûreté, is finally back together. But unexpectedly, le patron, as he is called by his second in command and son-in-law Jean Guy, is asked to provide security for Abigail Robinson, a visiting professor who is speaking at a nearby university.

Gamache can’t imagine why she would need protection, but as he soon learns, her message is both odious and divisive. In fact, her theories, which evolved throughout the COVID-19 crisis, propose that drastic steps be taken to protect the healthy at the expense of the most vulnerable. Robinson’s position repels many, but, horrifyingly, galvanizes others; and, in the ensuing turmoil of her talk, there is an attempt to silence her.

Now Gamache and his team must determine who is responsible for the attack. While they are investigating and observing, another person is killed, adding to the mystery. As in all of Penny’s books, discovering the motive of the killer is what leads to solving the crime, but again, it is certainly not clear why there was a killing. Many red herrings offer plausible explanations, and it’s up to Gamache to weed through them before someone else is murdered.

Not only is the book absorbing, but it is also quite relevant. Penny has created a situation where issues are clouded by misinterpreted information that appeals to a certain questionable group of citizens. The idea that a person can offer a solution based on wild and unfounded claims is, unfortunately, quite timely.

Throughout her books, Penny’s overriding theme is “goodness exists,” but for most of this cunning novel, you may wonder how these words can possibly be reflected in the story. But once again, the author devises a believable and powerful dénouement, one that proves to be most satisfying.

We may have to wait until August 2022 for the next Gamache installment, but Penny’s new collaboration with Hillary Clinton, a political thriller named “State of Terror” that debuted October 12, affords readers another appointment with the revered Canadian writer. Watch for a review of it in next month’s Mountain Mirror.

A Bounty of New Books Awaits
A flood of destined-to-be-popular books has been released recently by prominent publishers. Many of these were delayed by the pandemic, but November and December will be awash with great reads. Here are brief reviews of some of these. For more, come by the Library and look for the bright orange and yellow new stickers marking our latest acquisitions.

Adult Nonfiction
“Alpha: Eddie Gallagher and the War for the Soul of the Navy SEALS” by Pulitzer winner David Phillips is an account of the court-martial of the man who was a platoon chief in the Iraq war and who, according to the author’s extensive investigation, abused his power. Though he was pardoned by Trump (via Twitter, no less), the facts revealed in the trial exposed a disturbed and dangerous man, and this book has been hailed as sad, shocking and “deeply damning.”

“Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids” by Christine French Cully and Amy Dickinson is a compilation of some of the most compelling and heart-tugging posts that children have sent to the magazine. Reproduced here in the children’s own handwriting, some also illustrated by their senders, the letters ask powerful questions, relate experiences that are challenging, and express joy as well as sorrow. Even if it’s been a long time since you read Highlights, you will find many passages that offer poignant insights.

“Sidecountry: Tales of Death and Life from the Back Roads of Sports” by Pulitzer winner John Branch collects the best of the author’s pieces from The New York Times. Branch doesn’t limit his writing to conventional team sports. He covers subjects such as alligator hunting, rock climbing, and wingsuit flying. But he also focuses on uplifting situations and players who would not have ever been recognized if it were not for his interest in them. You definitely don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy this book.

“Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty” by Anderson Cooper is the journalist’s exposition of his own family, the illustrious and legendary Vanderbilts, whose rise to fame and fortune began with Cornelius, The Commodore, Cooper’s great-great-great grandfather. The book looks at the family through a series of essays on family members, concluding with the tragic story of his mother, Gloria, who died in 2019.  Publishers’ Weekly calls it “a memorable chronicle of American royalty.”


Children’s Books
We have also added some fun books aimed at grade levels three through seven called “The Last Kids on Earth.” We have seven volumes of this series starring zombie-fighting kids who form a team to combat the monster apocalypse. Both text and illustrations relate these stories that will appeal to most middle schoolers.
Also new are three editions in the “I Survived” series: “I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies;” “I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944;” and “I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018.” These books tell the thrilling stories of actual events and feature capable and brave young people who have experienced them. They are written for ages 7 through 10.

Nominated for National Book Award
Finalists for the 2021 National Book Awards were announced last month. On November 17, the winners will be revealed at the 72nd National Book Awards Ceremony. Of the nominees, we have the following available for checkout: “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr; “Matrix” by Lauren Groff; “Zorrie” by Laird Hunt; “The Prophets” by Robert Jones; “Hell of a Book” by Jason Mott; “All That She Carried” by Tiya Miles; and “Too Bright to See” by Kyle Lukoff.

by Karin Glendenning

Most of us who adored Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “All the Light We Cannot See” have been anxiously looking forward to his next book, “Cloud Cuckoo Land” (Scribner. 656 pages. $30.). It was released on September 28, and I can say unequivocally that it was worth the wait and lives up to every bit of fanfare it is receiving!

The novel, quite different from its immediate predecessor, is again an engrossing tale, but this time the author leads readers into three different time periods. The action is divided between the mid-1400s during the siege of Constantinople, present day Idaho, and 2146 on a starship hurtling towards a distant planet. The story follows five main characters, each of whom is seeking to understand his or her own relevance. All are affected in different ways by an ancient book, written in Greek, that captures the promise of storytelling.
In the 15th century, we meet Anna, an orphan who shares a small cell with her sister in a community of women who embroider garments for priests. She yearns to know more of the world, manages to teach herself to read, and discovers an ancient manuscript, purportedly written by Diogenes, that tells of Aethon who is seeking a magical world, Cloud Cuckoo Land, that exists in another realm.

In the same time frame is Omeir, a young boy living in Bulgaria in very primitive circumstances with his grandfather, mother, and sister. His two oxen, Tree and Moonlight, are his beloved companions. He and his animals are conscripted by an army planning to sack Constantinople, and Omeir is unprepared for the horror and inhumanity of war.

Another thread in present day Idaho follows a troubled teenager, Seymour, who is devastated when the area surrounding the pitiful doublewide trailer he shares with his mother is cleared for new construction. The development destroys not only the forest, but also Seymour’s talisman, a great grey owl he had named Trustyfriend. The ensuing situation leads Seymour to seek out and attempt to fit in with a questionable environmental group.         

Elderly Zeno, who grew up in the same town where Seymour lives, became enchanted by another soldier who had introduced him to Greek literature when both men were prisoners of war during the Korean conflict. After the war Zeno returned to a simple and lonely life in Idaho, but he remembers his friend by working to translate the Cloud Cuckoo Land manuscript and fill in the gaps that proliferate throughout what remains of the ancient text. He frequents the library in his hometown where he shares his passion for the story of the mythical land with a group of children.

The last character, and the first one that readers meet at the beginning of the novel, is Konstance, a young girl who lives on an interstellar spaceship that is hurtling toward an unknown planet. Her connection with the story of Aethon is rooted in her love for her father who read it to her when she was a young child. As she tries to understand her situation, she accesses the past through the virtual technology of the future.

The book is compelling, surprising, and mesmerizing. Even though it moves from place to place and from time to time, it is never confusing. Doerr has created a rich and hopeful story, one that celebrates books, honors heroism, and rejoices in redemption, while illustrating that our connectedness is what makes life worth living. Don’t miss reading it!

Addition Moving Right Along
The Library’s addition is finally beginning to look like a room! We have watched eagerly as the patio was repoured and smoothed, the elevator shaft was built, and the beams were erected. It’s amazing how defining the space can make it seem truly real!

Teddy Burns, the supervisor for J and J Contractors, has won our admiration with his skill at seeing that everything is done correctly. He is here every day at 7 a.m. to make sure all goes smoothly, and we all have grown to count on him for daily progress reports.

If you haven’t been to see us lately, please stop by and watch from the upstairs windows as the men work their magic. You will be surprised and impressed by their handiwork!

by Karin Glendenning

We are proud to announce that Stephen M. Monroe’s new book, “Heritage and Hate: Old South Rhetoric at Southern Universities,” has recently been added to our Library’s collection. The author, son of Brenda and Dun Monroe, who gave the book to us, grew up on Signal, attended Baylor School, and is currently chair and assistant professor in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric at the University Mississippi in Oxford. The book was published by the University of Alabama Press.

An erudite and quite relevant study, the volume discusses how the words, symbols, and customs of many Southern universities have served to uphold and influence harmful traditions. Monroe writes in the introduction that the “book focuses on Southern university communities to explore how they have struggled with their linguistic and symbolic inheritance: a panoply of Old South words and symbols.”

Covering the period from Reconstruction to the election of Barack Obama, the book examines both the attitudes that have changed and the many traditions that are still being questioned. He notes that, “This study is not about unearthing inactive and forgotten shards of linguistic history. It is, instead, about understanding a blaring and ongoing rhetorical event. In Mississippi, Confederate rhetoric remains active, loud, and influential.”

Monroe also looks at “the Confederate rhetoric” in several other universities, including the Universities of Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and Tennessee. He adds that these schools all have rich histories that can be examined to better understand the cultures they continue to support.

John T. Edge, author of “The Potlikker Papers” and a frequent presenter at the Chattanooga Conference on Southern Literature, says of the book, “This is a very important book that offers insights into the historical development of Confederate rhetoric on Southern college campuses, as well as the ways in which it is sustained and resonant in the contemporary era. Monroe skillfully explicates its hidden nature and offers abundant evidence pointing to the ways in which its subtlety functions to ‘protect’ it from the forces of modernization, even in the setting of academic institutions (ostensibly) committed to the progressive ideals of inclusion, critical thinking, and fairness.”

Book Reviews
If it’s summer, it must be time for a new Daniel Silva novel, and once again, readers will be captivated by the author’s enigmatic hero, head of Israeli intelligence Gabriel Allon, now in his 21st incarnation.

The book, entitled “The Cellist,” is even more timely and provocative than usual as it involves the nefarious activities of the current Soviet leader and his minions who are doing their best to beat the West by creating and promoting misinformation, practicing uber money-laundering, and carrying out an unthinkable and incredibly violent plot.

Allon gets involved after the murder of Viktor Orlav, a Russian ex-pat who once saved Allon’s life and is living in splendor in London, believing he has escaped Putin’s reach. One day as Orlav opens a dispatch of documents, he is quickly exposed to a mysterious powder that turns out to be a deadly nerve agent known to be a Russian weapon.

Working with Isabel Brenner, who is the cellist of the title, Allon seeks to beat the Soviets at their own game and steal millions from them by using their own money-laundering schemes. Isabel is a financial whiz who also wants to turn the tables on the Russians by dismantling the RhineBank, the institution that is embroiled in cleaning their vast and ill-gotten sums. The tricky maneuvers work, but beating the self-proclaimed “czar” is not over. In a chase scene in the French Alps, somewhat reminiscent of a Bond escapade, Isabel’s mettle is severely tested.

The action then moves to Washington where the former president, determined to deny the results of the election, foments a scheme, part fiction and part fact, to hold onto his power, with the help of his now financially crippled Soviet counterpart. No spoilers here, but there is action to the end.

In an author’s note at the end of the book Silva explains that he rewrote the ending of “The Cellist” after the events of January 6, and his take on the incidents before, during, and after the storming of the Capitol is decidedly pro-Biden and anti-former president. But, as Admiral James Stavridis, former 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said in his review of the book, “This is the starkest of cautionary tales.”

Short Reviews of More New Books
“Appleseed” by Matt Bell, Young Lions Fiction Award-finalist, deals with climate change and moves from the 18th century to 50 years from now to a thousand years in the future. Its speculative storyline is shocking, enlightening, and ultimately hopeful.

“Atlas of Disappearing Places” by Christina Conklin and Marina Psaros focuses on the threat of rising sea levels and illustrates the narrative with stunning graphics and photos. Locations from around the world are highlighted in this inspiring work.

“Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health” by Dr. Leana Wen tells the Chinese immigrant’s uplifting story of surviving a sometimes-homeless childhood to attending college at 13, becoming a Rhodes Scholar and eventually a public health official, CNN medical analyst and contributor to the Washington Post. Believing in the vital importance of public health, Dr. Wen has worked to promote treating social ills, as well as medical issues. According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, “Dr. Wen’s hopeful and wise account is a reminder of why she has quickly become one of America’s most important physician leaders.”

by Karin Glendenning

The Library is so excited to be open and to have so many new members. In June alone, we added 41 to our rolls, and in just the first full week of July, nine new families signed up for library cards. We are so happy to welcome them to library and to the mountain. And, if you haven’t seen the progress of our construction, please come by. It’s amazing!

After months of not seeing young people inside our building, we have had many here since we reopened in June. It’s been such a delight for us to see how much everyone has grown and to help them find books. We have most of the required books on schools’ reading lists, and these books have seen steady ins-and-outs all summer. Please let us know if you need something that we don’t have, and we’ll try our best to obtain it.

During our limited-service months, along with adding lots of new children’s books, we also purchased many adult titles, both fiction and nonfiction, including multiple copies of the most popular new fiction. We have all the current bestsellers and are constantly on the lookout for the next blockbusters.

Beatriz Williams is an author whom our patrons have gravitated to, so when her latest book debuted, I decided to read it. Williams has been prolific in the realm of historical fiction, and we have 13 of her titles here at the library. Here is a brief review what I think many of our patrons will enjoy.

“Our Woman in Moscow” by Beatriz Williams. William Morrow, 448 pages. $27.99.
In her latest, Williams creates two sisters and fits their fictional life and that of their families and lovers into a true Cold War setting. Ruth and Iris Macallister are quite different but devoted to each other. Ruth is the glamourous one, while Iris is more retiring. Visiting Rome in the summer of 1940, they are unprepared for the impending war. When Iris meets and falls in love with dashing American diplomat Sasha, she remains in Europe with him while Ruth returns home, and the sisters remain estranged for years. Iris and her family disappear from London, and the suspicion is that Sasha is a traitor and has defected to Moscow, similar to the real-life defectors Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean of the Cambridge Five. Chapters alternate between the two sisters’ perspectives and occasionally that of another woman, Lyudmila, a shadowy Russian NKVD operative. While the book is not overly complicated, it is dense enough to be engrossing, and the eventual denouement is shocking and satisfying.

Other new and engaging fiction includes the following:

“Aviary” by Deirdre McNamer is set in a senior residence where a fire breaks out. The town’s fire inspector sets out to find out why it started and what has happened to two of the home’s residents, who are missing.

“The Damage” by Caitlin Wahrer concerns brothers, Nick and Tony. When Nick is attacked, Tony’s wife, attorney Julia, tries to help the detective assigned to the case. The novel is full of surprises and is an explosive psychological drama.

“The Great Mistake” by Jonathan Lee takes place at the turn of the 20th century and spins off the true murder of an elderly man who had made his mark on New York City. Hailed by many reviewers, it tells a “rich and unforgettable story.”

“Hostage” by Clare Mackintosh is billed as a “locked-room thriller.” It is set on a long-haul flight and stars an attendant who must make a terrible decision. Full of twists and turns, it is one of summer’s hits.

“Lizzie and Dante” by Mary Bly is a romantic novel set on the island of Elba that considers serious issues and is ultimately affecting and inspiring. Booklist calls it “an emotional roller coaster” and claims, “Bly writes with a Prosecco-fizzy wit.”

“The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides follows his bestseller “The Silent Patient” and continues his penchant toward psychological suspense. In this book, a therapist, Mariana Andros, becomes convinced that a renowned professor of Greek tragedy at Cambridge, Edward Fosca, is a murderer. As her suspicions become stronger, Mariana herself becomes a target in what has been called “a mesmerizing tale.”

“The Cape Doctor” by E. J. Levy is a historical novel based on the life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, born a woman, but who assumed the guise of a man in order to go to medical school. Set in Edinburgh, London and finally Cape Town, it is described as “gorgeous, thoughtful and heartbreaking.”

“Dream Girl” by Laura Lippman is a thriller that has been compared to Stephen King’s “Misery.” The central character is an author who is bedridden after an accident and must rely on the care of two unpredictable women. When he receives a phone call from someone purporting to be the embodiment of one of his fictional characters, he is at first confused and then frightened, but who will help him? It’s a tricky read!

“Songs in Ursa Major” by Emma Brodie, the author’s debut, takes the reader into the world of the ’70’s music scene. Named an Amazon Best Book of 2021, it will have a particular appeal to those who came of age when that musical genre was king. Said to be based on James Taylor and Joni Mitchell’s relationship, it deals with universal problems and especially gender discrimination.

“The Sweetness of Water” by Nathan Harris is an Oprah’s Book Club pick. Set in the last days of the Civil War, it tells the story of two brothers, Prentiss and Landry, who, now freed, are trying to make a new life. Said Winfrey about the book, “As the best writers can do, Nathan takes us back in time, and helps us to feel we are right there with Prentiss and Landry as they get their first taste of freedom. I rooted for them, and feared for them, too.”

by Karin Glendenning

When we fully reopened June 7, all of us here at the Library were thrilled to at last greet our patrons inside. Seeing our friends, helping them find books, and just visiting with them as they checked out were balms to our thirsty souls. After all, the Signal Mountain Library is a place that not only offers books and movies but is also a hub for our community to gather and share.

This became so obvious to us during our shut-down, when we had only brief encounters with you during curb-side pick-up stops. We yearned for our former chats about books, about children, and about happenings. It just wasn’t the same for us, and we know that it wasn’t for you, either.

For one thing, every week we might compile and post lists of our new books from which you could choose to reserve, but we recognized that reading titles is just not the same as actually holding a book and thumbing through its pages. We learned that combing through these lists could never approach the thrill of in-person browsing and discovering just the perfect read.

Now that we are open again, we have retained the “new book” stickers on all the books we purchased since we closed. While these books themselves may have been moved to the stacks to make room for the very latest books on the front-facing caps, the new volumes can still be spotted easily by these stickers, which are marked with the date they were accessed.

All of us are also available to help you find the perfect book for you. Please don’t hesitate to ask us. We are ecstatic to have you back in the building and are eager to give you personal service in locating your choices.
Our construction of the new Reading Room, patio, and elevator is finally underway. This has decreased the size of our parking lot, so please bear with us. We also have had to close the Book Nook, but we will have a smaller selection of books on carts located near the patron computers from which you may shop. Even though we cannot use the Book Nook’s lower level space during the construction phase, we are still accepting book donations. Please bring us your used books so that when we can reopen, we will have lots of items available.

We so appreciate our patrons’ loyalty. During our closure, so many of you still came every week to get books, and when you always told us that you missed being inside, we definitely felt the same way. Thank you, too, for your patience and for understanding that we stayed closed until we felt it was safe to throw open our doors once again.


What Kind of Reader Are You?
Every week there is an interesting feature in the New York Times’ book review. The full-page column, “By the Book,” lists the preferences of particular authors and offers insights into their history with books and reading. 
   
My favorite question concerns the authors’ explanation of just what spurs them on to read and how they learned to be a reader. I think it captures the authors’ true feelings towards books, and it’s fun to compare my own leanings with theirs.

In a recent issue of “By the Book,” Lionel Shriver confessed that she was a “sneaky reader,” who read both when she was supposed to be reading and when she was not. I can readily identify with this tendency, because I frequently read in class while holding a novel behind a textbook. And I completely agree with Shriver when she says, “This association between reading and getting away with something helped fortify my dedication to it…”

By the way, we have Shriver’s latest novel, “Should We Stay or Should We Go,” as well as the latest by Lawrence Osborne, “The Glass Kingdom,” an author she greatly admires.

If you’re interested, you may read the NYT book review here at the Library and then see an expanded version of “By the Book” at nytimes.com/books.    


Encouraging Children to Read
I’m always on the lookout for books that help parents encourage reading in their children. Everyone knows that being a good reader not only helps children do better in school, but it also gives them the lifelong pleasure that diving into a good book offers.

Here is a selection of books in our Library that will help you instill in your young ones a passion for reading. They all offer good suggestions and clever ways to entice children into making reading a rewarding habit.
“Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever” by Mem Fox focuses on how reading aloud to children can profoundly increase their ability to read. Included are how to read aloud most effectively and a list of 20 books that children will surely love.

“The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child” and “Reading in the Wild” are by Donalyn Miller, a teacher known for letting her students pick out their own reading and had remarkable success with even struggling readers. Her techniques, outlined in this volume, have led to her students reading an average of 40 books every year.

“How to Raise a Reader” by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a specific age group of children with book suggestions tailored for each group. They stress that having a large library of books in the home is a plus for getting children to read.  More reading recs are offered.
“The Enchanted Hour” by Meghan Cox Gurdon uses scientific research to support her claim that reading aloud to children benefits them immensely. She explains that this practice helps heal short attention spans, enlarges vocabularies, and invigorates imagination, as well as replaces the power of devices by engaging children with literature and with their parents’ voices.

“Bringing Up Bookmonsters: The Joyful Way to Turn Your Child into a Fearless, Ravenous Reader” by Amber and Andy Ankowski concentrates on making reading fun by using games and playtime to support reading skills. For example, they advise using building blocks with letters on them, providing letter-themed puzzles, and even helping your children dress up as their favorite characters. Also, sharing stories from books during meals or car rides further cements their appeal and makes them part of your family’s story.

by Karin Glendenning

“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you’d thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it’s as if a hand has come out and taken yours.” From Alan Bennett’s “The History Boys”

The above quote perfectly captures what we are all looking for in books. We have lots of new ones here at the Library, just waiting for you to sink into their pages and feel that rewarding rush. Here are brief reviews of some of our beyond-the-bestsellers new fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction
“Conjure Women” by Afia Atakora is a debut novel that earned heaps of praise from media sources. It tells the story of three Southern women whose lives are full of secrets and sorrow as they strive to survive both slavery and later freedom. Likened to the works of Toni Morrison, it is an engrossing and powerful tale.

“Dictionary of Lost Words” by Pip Williams is set during the women’s suffrage movement and has its germ in fact. Esme is a young girl whose father is compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. When he and his team reject words for various reasons, many of which are seriously sexist and elitist, Esme retrieves them and saves them for her own compendium. Critics have called it “utterly irresistible” and “delightful, charming, and clever.”

“Early Morning Riser” is Katherine Heiny’s third novel and won 11 “best-of” citations when it came out in mid-spring. Funny, poignant and a fast read, it will let you escape into its world where the lovely young Jane must learn that sharing may result in a more abundant happiness.

“The Elephant of Belfast” by S. Kirk Walsh transports the reader to 1940s Ireland where its main character, Hettie, is charged with saving a young elephant when German bombs threaten to completely destroy the city. Based on a true story, it is emotionally wringing but ultimately hopeful.

“Not Dark Yet” is Peter Robinson’s latest in his mystery series starring the legendary Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. Known for their believable characters and suspenseful plots, these novels are steeped in British settings and have won awards in the U.S., the U.K., and Sweden.

“Raft of Stars” by Andrew J. Graff takes place in Wisconsin, where two scared young boys are on the run, chased by four adults. The wilderness to which they escape is full of its own dangers, creating tense and terror-filled scenes on a fast river. A vivid adventure novel as well as a coming-of-age story, it will sweep you along on its compelling ride.

Winner of the French Voice Prize, “In the Shadow of the Fire” by Herve Le Corre has been translated from the French in English by Tina Kover. The book is set during what is known as “the bloody week” when 1871 Paris was ruled by a radical group called the Commune. Three soldiers, in the midst of preparing for combat, set out to find a criminal who has been abducting young women, one of them the fiancée of one of the men. An historical novel with a mystery at its center, the book has been described as ‘“Les Miserable’ meets action thriller.”

Nonfiction
“How Y’all Doing: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived” by Leslie Jordan is a collection of the Chattanooga native’s observations about funny and entertaining escapades he has experienced. Known as a television personality and sit-com star, Jordan, through his Instagram postings, has been catapulted to the heights of pop culture, and this book echoes his approval and will appeal to his many fans.

“Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old” by biologist Andrew Steele explores the phenomenon know as “biological immortality.” Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, calls the book fascinating and adds, “…Steele highlights therapies being developed to stymie aging, from rebooting the immune system to repairing DNA to removing senescent cells.”

In “Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa,” reporter Matthew Gavin Frank sets out to discover the dangerously clever methods used by smugglers to sneak these valuable gems from the mines by attaching them to the feet of pigeons. It’s an exciting tale that eposes exploitation and greed and reads like a page-turner.

“Dr. Disaster’s Guide to Surviving Everything” by John E. Torres, MD, offers important information that anyone can use to be prepared for the unexpected. Some topics that are covered include: how to start a fire without matches; the safest seat on an airplane; why you should avoid using a landline during thunderstorms; what first-aid supplies you need in your home; and the first thing you should do when entering a shopping mall.

“Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution’s Mysteries Solved” by Kenneth Catania will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered just why some animals have extraordinary abilities. The author’s enthusiasm for his subject is engaging and offers brilliant insights for both the scholarly and casual science reader.

“The New Heirloom Garden: Designs, Recipes, and Heirloom Plants for Cooks Who Love to Garden” by Ellen Ecker Ogden tackles vegetable as well as flower gardening in this lovely book that celebrates the diversity of plants. “An heirloom garden is an opportunity to plant a piece of history,” writes the author.
In “Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War,” Malcolm Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point” and “Outliers” and a staff writer at The New Yorker, has turned what was a topic on his podcast, “Revisionist History,” into a book-length treatise. Examining what has been called the “deadliest night of the war,” he questions whether it was worth it to bomb Tokyo.    

by Karin Glendenning​

We are absolutely brimming with new books here at the Library and wish we could open our doors for our patrons to browse through them. But since that isn’t yet possible, I hope the reviews here will tempt our readers to try some of these outstanding new books. If you need help in choosing and reserving, please know that we always welcome your calls and are happy to help you fulfill your reading passions.

Nonfiction
“The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine” by Janice P. Nimura is the story of Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell who managed to earn medical degrees despite the blocks put in their way by society and early 1800’s educational systems. They founded a hospital for women and staffed by women and are considered visionaries in their field. The book has earned numerous starred reviews from a variety of sources.

“American Baby: A Mother, A Child and the Shadow History of Adoption” by Gabriele Glaser exposes the horrifyingly true experience of a young woman whose baby was taken from her at birth and her subsequent search to find him. There are many troubling facts in this book, but one of the most troubling is that it takes place in the 1960s when adoption became a lucrative business that was determined to stay secretive. It is a gripping and searingly powerful account.

“18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics” by Bruce Goldfarb tells of Chicago socialite Glessner and her work to solve crimes in the late 1800s. Her fascination with unexplained deaths led her to create gruesome dioramas that helped her determine if a crime had been committed and, if so, how. Thus, her compelling interest in criminology grew into the science of forensic pathology, and many of her methods are still used today.

Fiction
Here are some of the new fiction titles that were added to our collection during the past month:
“The Butterfly House,” a thriller by Katrine Engberg; “Cathedral,” historical fiction by Ben Fuller; “The Children’s Blizzard,” historical fiction by Melanie Benjamin; “Four Winds,” historical fiction by Kristin Hannah; “Lazarus,” a Nordic thriller by Lars Kepler; “Nick,” a portrait of Nick Carraway before “The Great Gatsby” by Michael Farris Smith; “The Rib King,” a satirical social commentary by Ladee Hubbard; “The Wife Upstairs,” a Gothic thriller by Rachel Hawkins; “The Scorpion’s Tail,” the second crime thriller starring Nora Kelly by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; and “Transcendent Kingdom,” a novel of the immigrant experience by Yaa Gyasi.

The American Library Association's 2021 Awards for Young People’s Books
Tae Keller won the 2021 Newberry Medal for children’s literature for her book, “When You Trap a Tiger.” The book, which also won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, tells the story of Lily and her family who go to live with her grandmother who is ill. Keller employs a Korean folktale to show how Lily, tempted to make a deal with a tiger for her grandmother’s recovery, must weigh the consequences and, above all, be brave. The book is appropriate for ages 8-12.

Michaela Goade won the 2021 Randolph Caldecott Medal for illustration for “We Are Water Protectors,” written by Carole Lindstrom. The book celebrates the vital role water plays in our lives and will inspire young children to be “water protectors.” Celebrating indigenous people and their commitment to preserving our water sources, it is a good introduction to why it is important to stand up for environmental justice. It is written for ages 3-6, but its message and wonderful art will be appreciated by everyone.

The Michael Printz Award, given annually for the best new book for teens, was won by Daniel Nayeri for “Everything Sad Is Untrue.” Subtitled “a true story,” it tells of the author’s experiences as a young refugee from Iran trying to fit into middle school life in Oklahoma. Using a story within a story concept, Daniel shares his heritage with his classmates via beautiful tales as foreign to them as their culture is to him. Poignant and extraordinary, the book is for ages 10 and up.

“All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team” by Christina Soontornvat was named a Newbery Honor Book, a Robert Silbert Honor Book, and was a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. It is an exciting account of the young players who became trapped inside a cave by rising floodwaters. Even though their fate is known to the reader, the complicated rescue is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of endurance and determination. Written for ages 8 to 12, it will capture the imagination of even older readers.

2021 Prize Winners Available for Checkout
The American Library Association’s 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction was won by James McBride for his novel “Deacon King Kong.” Also named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the New York Times, “Entertainment Weekly,” and TIME Magazine, this amazing book takes readers into a 1969 Brooklyn neighborhood where drugs and crime are exploding. Following the shooting of a young drug dealer by an elderly drunk named Sportcoat, the events that unfold effect the lives of many members of the diverse community. The author, who also won the National Book Award for his novel “The Good Lord Bird,” has been compared to Mark Twain for his insight and wit.

The 2021 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction went to Australian writer Rebecca Giggs for her book “Fathoms: the World in the Whale.” After seeing a stranded humpback whale on a beach near her home, the author decided to study the relationship between these giant creatures and the ecology of the ocean. What she discovered expands our knowledge of whales, as well as delves into the environmental challenges that humans face. Called “a profound meditation,” by the Los Angeles Review of Books, the book has been praised for both its lyrical writing and for its brilliant research.
​
by Karin Glendenning

Recently we received several delightful notes from readers. These have been slipped into returned books, and I must say they bring smiles to our faces, even if you can’t see them behind our masks.

Some ask, “How is your day?” or might leave an inspiring message. Others offer comments about the book, praises as well as critiques. We have enjoyed finding them, especially when we have read the book in which they arrive. One even offered an email address asking the finder to make contact to discuss the book.

I suppose these communications have been prompted by our natural tendency to communicate, one that has been diminished lately because of this ghastly pandemic. Regardless of what provoked them, we encourage you to send more, and keep sending them even when we are open to the public again.

While we all are inveterate readers, we also really yearn to talk to others about the books they are reading. (This is actually one of the best of the many perks of working in a library.) So, we have missed chatting with you about your favorite books and hope you will share your opinions with us via short, or long, notes. We love to hear from our patrons!

Timely Quote
“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break, and all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” This was written by L. R. Knost, who also wrote the following poem:

Books on the bookshelves
And stacked on the floor
Books kept in baskets
And propped by the door
Books in neat piles
And in disarray
Books tucked in closets
And books on display
Books filling crannies
And books packed in nooks
Books massed in windows
And mounded in crooks
Libraries beckon
And bookstores invite
But book-filled rooms welcome
Us back home at night!


New Nonfiction
“Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy!” by Claire McNear will take you behind the scenes into the world of the popular game show “Jeopardy.” Interesting stories about contestants and the strategies they use to prepare for an appearance; comments from the show’s late host, Alex Trebek; and accounts both poignant and hilarious are included. It’s a must for fans of the long-running nightly test of knowledge. (If you want to know more about “Jeopardy,” we also have “The Answer Is…Reflections on My Life” an autobiography by Trebek.)

“Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House” by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz presents an expansion of Maddow’s podcast that was nominated for a Peabody Award. This entertaining and compelling book is about Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s vice president, whose attempt to disguise his corruption led to his resignation after federal prosecutors discovered the depths of his shameless double dealings. Kirkus Reviews calls it “A welcome reminder that, unlike today, in the case of Agnew, political crimes were actually punished (and in a nonpartisan fashion).”   
“How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature” by Marc Hamer is a memoir by a man who experienced homelessness as a teenager, became a professional gardener and, at one point, was a molecatcher in Wales. His reflections and insights will inspire those who seek a closer relationship with nature. Said Margaret Renkle, “…hands down the most charming book I read last year.”

“Apollo’s Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live” is a definitive account of how the highly contagious virus has affected us by Nicholas A. Christakis, MD PhD, a public health expert, author, physician, and sociologist. Hailed by Harvard Medical School professor Paul Farmer for its “scope, wit and erudition,” the book looks at the virus from both a historical perspective and a medical one. It is most informative, as well as absorbing.

“First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country” by Thomas E. Ricks is endorsed by Gen. James Mattis with these words, “Ricks knocks it out of the park with this jewel of a book. On every page I learned something new. Read it every night if you want to restore your faith in our country.” The book studies the education and philosophies of our first four presidents: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison and how these leaders used their knowledge to establish our nation. Students of American history will be enthralled by this enlightened exposition.

“The Book Collectors: A Band of Syrian Rebels and the Stories That Carried Them Through a War” by journalist Delphine Minoui tells the exciting and true story of a group of young men from Daraya, Syria, who recovered a trove of books from the rubble left after a bombing. They went on to establish an underground library in the midst of a civil war. Chosen as a Best Book of the Year by NPR and an Editor’s Pick at Library Journal, this is an incredible account of bravery and a powerful passion for books and reading. It brings an untold story to readers who won’t soon forget the heroic actions of these courageous and resourceful men.
“Garner’s Quotations: A Modern Miscellany” was compiled by Dwight Garner, a New York Times book critic. It is crammed with witty and memorable, irreverent and raucous sayings that Garner has collected for years. “Quotations, by definition, are out of context. I’ve played freely with this notion and have placed some lines quite out of context indeed,” he writes. Here’s a taste: “I don’t even know who Mr. Watergate is,” said Vladimir Nabokov in a 1974 interview.  “My sad conviction is that people can only agree about what they’re not really interested in,” said Bertrand Russell.

by KarinGlendenning

Recently we received several delightful notes from readers. These have been slipped into returned books, and I must say they bring smiles to our faces, even if you can’t see them behind our masks.

Some ask, “How is your day?” or might leave an inspiring message. Others offer comments about the book, praises as well as critiques. We have enjoyed finding them, especially when we have read the book in which they arrive. One even offered an email address asking the finder to make contact to discuss the book.

I suppose these communications have been prompted by our natural tendency to communicate, one that has been diminished lately because of this ghastly pandemic. Regardless of what provoked them, we encourage you to send more, and keep sending them even when we are open to the public again.

While we all are inveterate readers, we also really yearn to talk to others about the books they are reading. (This is actually one of the best of the many perks of working in a library.) So, we have missed chatting with you about your favorite books and hope you will share your opinions with us via short, or long, notes. We love to hear from our patrons!


Timely Quote
“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break, and all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” This was written by L. R. Knost, who also wrote the following poem:

Books on the bookshelves
And stacked on the floor
Books kept in baskets
And propped by the door
Books in neat piles
And in disarray
Books tucked in closets
And books on display
Books filling crannies
And books packed in nooks
Books massed in windows
And mounded in crooks
Libraries beckon
And bookstores invite
But book-filled rooms welcome
Us back home at night!


New Nonfiction
“Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy!” by Claire McNear will take you behind the scenes into the world of the popular game show “Jeopardy.” Interesting stories about contestants and the strategies they use to prepare for an appearance; comments from the show’s late host, Alex Trebek; and accounts both poignant and hilarious are included. It’s a must for fans of the long-running nightly test of knowledge. (If you want to know more about “Jeopardy,” we also have “The Answer Is…Reflections on My Life” an autobiography by Trebek.)

“Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House” by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz presents an expansion of Maddow’s podcast that was nominated for a Peabody Award. This entertaining and compelling book is about Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s vice president, whose attempt to disguise his corruption led to his resignation after federal prosecutors discovered the depths of his shameless double dealings. Kirkus Reviews calls it “A welcome reminder that, unlike today, in the case of Agnew, political crimes were actually punished (and in a nonpartisan fashion).”   
“How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature” by Marc Hamer is a memoir by a man who experienced homelessness as a teenager, became a professional gardener and, at one point, was a molecatcher in Wales. His reflections and insights will inspire those who seek a closer relationship with nature. Said Margaret Renkle, “…hands down the most charming book I read last year.”

“Apollo’s Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live” is a definitive account of how the highly contagious virus has affected us by Nicholas A. Christakis, MD PhD, a public health expert, author, physician, and sociologist. Hailed by Harvard Medical School professor Paul Farmer for its “scope, wit and erudition,” the book looks at the virus from both a historical perspective and a medical one. It is most informative, as well as absorbing.

“First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country” by Thomas E. Ricks is endorsed by Gen. James Mattis with these words, “Ricks knocks it out of the park with this jewel of a book. On every page I learned something new. Read it every night if you want to restore your faith in our country.” The book studies the education and philosophies of our first four presidents: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison and how these leaders used their knowledge to establish our nation. Students of American history will be enthralled by this enlightened exposition.

“The Book Collectors: A Band of Syrian Rebels and the Stories That Carried Them Through a War” by journalist Delphine Minoui tells the exciting and true story of a group of young men from Daraya, Syria, who recovered a trove of books from the rubble left after a bombing. They went on to establish an underground library in the midst of a civil war. Chosen as a Best Book of the Year by NPR and an Editor’s Pick at Library Journal, this is an incredible account of bravery and a powerful passion for books and reading. It brings an untold story to readers who won’t soon forget the heroic actions of these courageous and resourceful men.
​
“Garner’s Quotations: A Modern Miscellany” was compiled by Dwight Garner, a New York Times book critic. It is crammed with witty and memorable, irreverent and raucous sayings that Garner has collected for years. “Quotations, by definition, are out of context. I’ve played freely with this notion and have placed some lines quite out of context indeed,” he writes. Here’s a taste: “I don’t even know who Mr. Watergate is,” said Vladimir Nabokov in a 1974 interview.  “My sad conviction is that people can only agree about what they’re not really interested in,” said Bertrand Russell.
by Karin Glendenning

Those of you who love Louise Penny and her wonderful books about Armand Gamache and Three Pines, the fictional village in the Eastern Townships of Canada, may not know that she has an amazing website: louisepenny.com. It is full of information about all 16 of the Gamache books and offers links to author events, frequently asked questions about the books, and a pronunciation guide to the French words sprinkled throughout every book.

You may also sign up, via the website, to receive Penny’s newsletter, an excellent source of all things to do with the books and something you will surely grow to eagerly anticipate each month. In fact, if you wish, you may go back as far as August 2010 and read each letter, making yourself even more conversant with the books and their generous author.

A recent newsletter offered a link to some remarkably interesting discussion questions dealing with Penny’s latest and wonderfully received book, “All the Devils Are Here.” For example, one of the 12 challenging questions reads: “‘Hell is empty, and all the devils are here” is a line from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest,’ Stephen’s favorite saying, and, of course, the source of the book’s title. Why do you think this quote resonates so much with Stephen? Why do you think Louise chose this saying as the inspiration for her title?”
These questions will make you want to reread and consider the implications of many facets of the book you may have missed. And they just may encourage you to reread all the books in the series, “a consummation devoutly to be wish’d” as far as I am concerned.

On the last Sunday in November, I was pleasantly surprised to find a reference to Penny and her novels in the New York Times Magazine. (Patrons may access this through their free subscription to the Times via their library account.) In her column in the magazine, cookbook author Dorie Greenspan explains that after reading and loving all of Penny’s books and meeting Penny in Paris, she became so enamored of Gamache that she was inspired to create a recipe in the Chief Inspector’s honor. She confesses that she is “obsessed with Gamache, whose ‘job is to investigate murders’ but his “remarkable gift is to understand people.”

Gamache is known for adoring lemon meringue pie, but Greenspan wanted to make something new and unique in his honor. Thus, she came up with lemon meringue cookies, a treat that stars a shortbread cookie dressed with a smear of lemon curd and topped with bits of crunchy meringue. She ends her column by stating that she imagines eating the cookies with Gamache: “Maybe he’d find them heavenly. I would.”

You have lots to look forward to if you haven’t read Louise Penny. Like Dorie Greenspan says, her books “include family, mystery, murder, knotty moral dilemmas, goodness lost, goodness found, dogs, a duck, children, very old people, and food, lots of it.” If you have read her, I’m sure you are a member of the can’t-wait-for-the-next-Gamache-novel-club, definitely a crowded organization!

Not Just One Word
“Seismic shifts in language data and precipitous frequency rises in new coinage” is how the Oxford English Dictionary describes 2020. Thus, the redoubtable British publisher has eschewed naming just one word, as is its usual practice, for the past year.

Instead, it acknowledges 2020 as a span that has numerous new or newly popular words. Not only have scientific terms come to be widely spoken, but phrases such as “flatten the curve” and “community transmission” have become routine. And “following the science” has increased in usage by 1,000 percent.
According to the OED, in 2020 words associated with the coronavirus became part of our vocabulary at “hyper-speed.” Other language addressing the world health situation that increased in frequency includes the words “lockdown,” “shelter-in-place,” “face masks” and “keyworkers.”

In addition to terminology having to do with the virus, our speech also reflected social attitudes and concerns. So, it’s no surprise that the use of “Black Lives Matter,” “impeachment,” “mail-in,” and “conspiracy theory” surged.

Casper Grathwohl, the president of OED, said he has never seen a year like 2020 where there were so many new words and phrases in use. “It’s both unprecedented and a little ironic - in a year that left us speechless, 2020 has been filled with new words unlike any other,” he said.


Great Courses
It has been 30 years since the first Great Courses lectures debuted. Here at the Library we have more than 150 of these offerings, some with CDs, some with videos, and some with only print lessons. These products have been used and appreciated by many serious students who want to immerse themselves in a topic.

Partnering with such esteemed organizations as National Geographic, the Smithsonian and the Mayo Clinic, these courses present lectures on a wide variety of topics, from philosophy and music to history and literature. While we do not have every one of the courses that have been published, we do have a good representation that covers many categories.

Lifelong learners have enjoyed checking out these courses from the Library for years, and, now that many of you are staying home, we at the Library wanted to remind you that the courses are still here, ready for you to explore.

If you are interested in widening your knowledge of a particular subject, you may investigate the titles via our card catalogue or call us and we will be happy to help you find one you will like.

Here are the titles of just some of the courses we have available for check-out: American Civil War, American Religious History, Augustine, Philosopher and Saint, Bach and the High Baroque, Churchill, Classics of American Literature, Dante’s Divine Comedy, The History of Ancient Rome, The New Testament, Tools of Thinking and Understanding the Fundamentals of Music.


Thank YOU
We so appreciate our patrons who have stuck with us during these last trying months. The many of you who regularly use our curbside pick-up have been so enthusiastic about our service! While we are yearning to reopen fully, we want you to know that your support has buoyed and sustained us.

by Karin Glendenning