Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

Seventy years of changes for women. But, not everything has changed and not everyone is enlightened. Mrs. Everything is a multigenerational tale woven around society’s views of women from yesterday and today.

Jo and Bethie, two sisters growing up in Detroit, find it difficult to make their mother happy. Their family faces a crisis which places stress on the young family. Each girl deals with the situation differently. One is led to a traditional role; the other is led to a more exotic trail. Each woman experiences major disappointments and tragedies but few bits of happiness. Their families fill the void, introducing the reader to new generations. What will befall them?

Overall, Weiner takes us through various decades as we follow these young women and their lives from child to middle age. Ultimately, this novel celebrates women for who they are, rather than an unattainable ideal.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Recently I read an article in Smithsonian Magazine written by Geraldine Brooks, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning March. The article focuses on two tour guides, one Muslim and one Israeli, working together in the fractious Holy land. The piece aims a light on those people who work in tandem and meld together their similarities more than their differences. Brooks’ style moves swiftly and aptly introducing the reader to various people and cultures in both the article and her novels. She mentioned People of the Book. Enough said. I checked it out from the library. If you are a fan of history and sleuthing, this book was a stellar choice

There, where one burns books, one in the end burns men. -Heinrich Heine

The story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, imagined in this 2008 book, spans over six hundred years. The illuminated manuscript is real but the events are imagined. The story sweeps from one time period to another telling the story of the people who may have handled this illustrious book. Hanna, a conservator, is asked to help restore this manuscript with a somewhat heated past. She’s bright, well-educated, but concerned as to why she’s been chosen for this job. Brooks connects us to Hanna through her estranged mother and through various esteemed colleagues.

The story veers off into a who done it. And Hanna must question whom she trusts. Read this and see how she handles it.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Part the Shining, part Romeo and Juliet. Set in the 1970s, this story revolves around a young family still reeling from the Vietnam War. The father, is a Vietnam veteran and was a prisoner of war. One of his war buddies died leaving behind his property in Alaska. His extended family calls Ernt and offers him the property. Lenora (Leni) and her family head to Alaska in hope that her father will find freedom and happiness especially from his nightmare.

Deeply evocative of the beauty and loneliness of Alaska. Hannah is adept at drawing the beauty and tragedy of life in Alaska. The seasons, the wildlife, the people. It’s a harsh life and not for the weak. If you love Alaska, don’t visit in the winter. The darkness delivers depression and desperation in full force, not only among the animals, but also the humans.

Leni, a bright well read strong young woman, wants her mother to leave her father. She won’t leave her mother behind, so she finds beauty and happiness in Alaska even though her home life is a nightmare. Eventually she finds love in a fellow Alaskan.

By camouflage, she learned to fit in, to survive.

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover has a PhD and has traveled the world studying history. But, her life started out in startling different circumstances.

When we first meet her, she is a young child. Her days are filled with helping her mother who is a midwife. He family lives off the grid, doesn’t depend on doctors, nor formal education. Her father, an abusive and volatile man, raises his children as soldiers, ready to fight the government. This chaotic lifestyle develops a ragtag version of the seven children. Some who exhibit the same volatile behavior as the father.

After realizing her vocal talent, Tara begins participating in local theater productions. There, she meets friends who open her eyes to a world outside her own. As she begins to question her place in the world, she fractures her family dynamic. And must leave in order to save her life, physically and spiritually.

Compelling, heart wrenching, this story is a must read. The resilience of the human spirit.

Book Review: Clock Dance by Anne Tyler

Anne Tyler’s most recent novel and message are subtle, much like her earlier works. It’s a character study of one woman, Willa, who floats through life appeasing others. In her struggle, she inadvertently offers to care for a young child on the brink of adulthood. This book, character driven, not plot driven, compels the reader to develop an intimate connection to her characters.

Willa has always felt like an adult and constantly pleasing others with her mild manner. As a child she always pleased her overbearing and dramatic mother. Meanwhile, her sister was left bereft from growing up in the same household.

At college she meets a dashing young man, Derek, who expects her to leave school and marry him. As always, she follows others’ expectations. She marries him, a controlling man, who controls his surroundings, and dies doing just that. Yet, she is dissatisfied by the way others dismiss her. Her second husband, who calls her little one, also watches over her like a parent. Will she find her own way? In reference to the care of cactus plant, Willa says, “Just water it from time to time, but not too much. It can stand a lot, remember; it doesn’t need to be pampered.” That line alone illuminates Willa herself.

In a moment of miscommunication, she’s called to Baltimore. While there she cares for a young child, the daughter of her son’s former girlfriend. In her new caregiver role, she meets a delightful and eccentric group of characters. And she finally feels she has a purpose. She develops a close almost grandmother-like relationship with the young girl. This bond feels special considering her own sons are indifferent to their mother. In time we understand the importance of the line, “figuring out what to live for. That’s the great problem at my age.” Read the book and see if Willa finds out what to live for.

Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

After a slow start, this novel began to move quickly. With deftly woven characters and timely themes, we follow Ng’s characters through a mountain of thoughts and provocations. In their ordered world and planned community, the Richardson family feels safe and unencumbered by the outside world. But, when new tenants, Mia and Pearl, arrive and move into their rental property, the children are drawn to them. And soon learn new ways of thinking that will turn all their lives upside down.

“It was like training yourself to live on the smell of an apple alone, when what you really wanted was to devour it, to sink your teeth into it and consume it, seeds, core, and all.” From Little Fires Everywhere

When we first meet Mia and Pearl, they are new to the area. The Richardson family sparks a friendship with them. A conflict between family members begins the unraveling of this group. But, Mrs. Richardson’s curiosity leads her down a path of discovery which will disrupt the entire group.

Ng’s brilliantly nuance writing carries her readers on a thrilling ride on social commentary.

Book Review: The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan

Tara Sullivan’s latest young adult novel, set in the Ivory Coast, follows Young Amadou and his brother Seydou as they work on a cacao farm. The boys are forced laborers. Each day they work the fields never knowing if they will return home or survive the day. Another young character enters the picture giving them hope. Maybe they can get out after all.

“I’ve been trying to take care of Seydou in little ways for years, and clearly, today showed that it’s not enough. Now it’s time to take care of him in a big way. Because when I really think about it, Khadija was right all along. Living here is nothing more than killing Seydou slowly.”

Sullivan’s lyrical prose deftly illustrates the horrible images these children endure. Amadou is a compelling character. Sullivan uses the young man’s thoughts to vividly reflect his world. His perspective engulfs the reader in this strange and scary world. A compelling read detailing the horrors of the chocolate trade.

Book Review: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

When I discovered this book, and subsequently heard John Green speak about this latest novel, I was certain it would appeal to me. He suffers from anxiety and had difficulty working through his latest incarnation of panic attacks. This book was the outcome.

Anxiety plays a large role in the thoughts of his main character, Aza Holmes. Aza and her friend Daisy plan on solving the disappearance of a local businessman. There’s only one problem-Aza’s anxiety.

“The thing about a spiral is, if you follow it inward, it never actually ends. It just keeps tightening, infinitely.”

In the midst of her spiraling thoughts, she reconnects with a friend, Davis, the son of the missing businessman. Her bright and fierce friend Daisy maintains a steady presence, as does her mother, and help Aza as she struggles with growing stress and anxiety. So, in solving the mystery, she finds herself.

With elegant interpretations of her thoughts, he compels his reader to see her mind and all its anxious mess. He reveals the toll her anxiety places on those surrounding her as well. A delightful young adult novel that will entertain a variety of readers.

Adaptability is the key to a library’s future

In a recent article from The Guardian “Why Public Libraries are Glamming Up”, Ken Worpole discusses why budget cuts aren’t all bad news for libraries. Recently, public libraries have seen an upswing in reinvention.  With the economy spewing out a record number of employees, many are looking to further their education.  The library fits the profile with its quiet place to study and Internet access.

According to Worpole, 50% of Europeans live in single person households.  During the past few decades, they have made the library a “home away from home”. This idea reached the United States in the 1990s and has continued to expand.

Many cities spent their funds on large projects – Bilboa in Spain and the Millenium Dome in London – to enhance a cityscape; only to fail.  So, Worpole states,

“Having overseen the costly failure of iconic museum and gallery projects – ostensibly built to put cities on the map – politicians realised they got more bang for their buck if they spent money on a state – of – the- art  library.”

Because they are free to use, libraries do not have the same encumbrances as other buildings.

How are they making other changes?  Gone is a library staff waiting for patrons to check out a book.  By spending “…more time with library users, organizing storytelling sessions, book signings and reading circles,” libraries are adapting to the needs of its users.  Along with the open door policy, the physical building has developed an open plan for browsing where “…lending and reference services are now intermixed.”

Many are not agreeable to the changes but to keep up with a changing society, the library must change as well.

Libraries as Public Spaces

Are libraries obsolete?  No so, according to a recent article from the Project for Public Spaces.  In their article “Libraries That Matter”, Cynthia Nikitin and Josh Jackson state that, “…the new generation of libraries extend their mission well beyond the storage of knowledge.”

These “next generation” libraries are taking advantage of their location – usually in the central part of a community – to become destinations.

And how are they doing this? In previous incarnations, libraries managed their collections.  Now, they are managing their “community spaces”. To do so, they incorporate ideas from “…planners, government officials, and other community leaders.”

Nikitin and Jackson give examples of these libraries that are redefining the role of the library.

Charlotte, NC – ImaginOn children’s library and theater – a cooperative effort between the Children’s Theater of Charlotte and the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County shares a mission of “bringing stories to life”.

Frankfort, Indiana – Following in the footsteps of Kentucky artist Harlan Hubbard, this library has made “life a work of art”. Today, the library includes galleries, studios, and a theater.

Santa Fe Springs, CA – Looking to expand literacy and teach language skills, they provide programs and partnerships which thrill local audiences.  They also reach out to fellow institutions.

One library not mentioned in the article makes its home in Chattanooga, TN.  Its new players, known as the “young guns” have transformed the once downtrodden library.  During their tenure, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Library has created a community garden and Ms Pac-Man Arcade area; has served as venue for National Hacking Day, recent Gig Tank demonstrations, a rock concert for a local rock school, and a coding camp.

In order to survive in the digital age, it’s necessary for libraries to start fulfilling the role as placemakers.  These libraries are doing just that.