Teresa’s Comments (group member since Dec 28, 2015)

Teresa’s comments from the Homer Public Library 15 in '16 group.

In case you haven't done so already, here's a quick note to nudge you toward the new group for the 2017 Lit Lineup.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Deb wrote: "I agree with Cathy... it's a great list! What I enjoy most about these "book reads" is that I get out of my typical reach for the same type of books - true adventure and try something new. Joining ..."

That's so nice to hear, Deb. It does the same for me. So far I've read Mink River and Hillbilly Elegy-- both in the "community" category. I really enjoyed both of them.

Cathy wrote: "Thanks for a great list this year, Theresa! Once again I've read books I probably would not have come across otherwise. I'm looking forward to more of that in 2017!"

Yay! I'm excited about this year's list as well. It will be fun to compare notes.

I want to invite you all over to the 2017 Lit Lineup group. All the 2017 books are posted, so you can start making your list of what to read.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

You can keep posting books for 2016 on the library website until midnight on 12/31/16.
Happy New Year!
Teresa

**What our 15 in ’16 participants had to say:

Maphead: “Rich in cultural references from "Treasure
Island" to Echo and the Bunnymen, this is a smart and funny exploration into the real and imagined world(s) of roadgeeks, Highpointers, map thieves, and geography-bee champions. How did paintball and geocaching get invented? What is Alex Trebeck like after a few drinks? What is a road atlas rally, and why would it be called a "massacre"? Learn the answers to these questions,and so much more. Plus, this book has the only index that's ever made me laugh out loud.” –Cindy Mom
“Anyone with an interest in maps, travel and
unique experiences should read this. It was much more humorous than I was expecting and made for an incredibly fun read.” –Anonymous

The Wind is Not a River: “I found it hard to put down this wonderfully written and easy to read novel about World War II. It chronicles events we hear so little about that took place on American soil, as well as being a great love story.” –Helen McPherson
“This was part romantic novel and part historical novel.. Set in the Aleutians during the Japanese
invasion, a reporter is forced to bail out over Attu in the fog.
The story of how he survives behind enemy lines and the wife he leaves behind who won't rest until he is found is unique and compelling. I'm glad I read it!” –Ginger VanWagoner

The Water Museum: “Interesting collection of stories. I
enjoyed getting a glimpse into various lives that are immensely different from my reality. The title story in the collection is a terrifying view of life without water in extreme drought, an imagining of global warming left unchecked, and was one of my favorites.” --Amber Niebuhr

Agnes and the Hitman: “OUTRAGEOUS! NEED TO MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE -- Zany and too much happening too fast (why it would fit a movie.) Had my hubby read it, too. Neither one of us liked it in beginning ( had to get used to the style , methinks) I loved it because it was so crazy and keep you spinning- husband not so much!” –Shirley Fedora

The Art of Racing in the Rain: “This is a gentle story of love and loss, life and death, and a determined struggle against injustice. What makes it different from other such stories is not just that it is told from the presumed perspective of a dog ( I have some trouble with that), but that the main character is a race car driver and the philosophies expressed are expressed in terms of the race. Denny is so gentle, so humble and modest, and so forgiving, yet possessed of such powerful strength and integrity, that I couldn't help loving him - a very unlikely person but one I would like to emulate. Beware though. It will make you cry.” –Jerri Nagaruk

Find the Good: “I'd already read bits of Heather Lende's work with pleasure, and this book didn't disappoint. I don't
agree with everything she says, of course, but it's delightful to
read such a well-written book about Alaska by an Alaskan, and the theme of "Find the Good" is refreshing and needed in these troubled times.” –Aurora Firth
“I wanted to like this book, I liked the premise of it a lot. I stopped reading it half way through, unusual for me, because I found it trite and annoying. Apologies to whichever staff member treasures it :(“ –Catriona Reynolds

First Grave on the Right: “I read this book when it was first published and found it a fun, entertaining read. I have not changed my mind. It was just as good the second time around.” –Peggy Ostrom

Uncle Tom’s Cabin: “Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of those classics that's been on our shelf and on my personal reading list pretty much all my life. Seeing it on the 15 in '16 list and facing the prospect of an all-day road trip to Fairbanks finally gave me the boost I needed, and now I'm wondering why I didn't read it sooner. As Langston Hughes wrote in the Forward to this edition, this story will live not only because it's such an important period piece, but also because its characters live. Little Eva is one of those angel children I've never met outside a book, but her life and death are still moving; Eva's father, Augustine St. Clare, with his idealism usually hidden under his carefree, half-mocking manner but occasionally flashing out, will probably be the character I remember with most fondness; and of course there's Tom himself, about whom I didn't know that his triumphant death
scene was the first bit of the story Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote. Reading this story does give me some hope that if we were able, even at great cost, to throw off the system of slavery, on some good day we might still rise up to right the wrongs of our day.” –Aurora Firth

My Family and Other Animals: “Don't read this on a full bladder. An hysterical account of the family Durrell living on the Greek island of Corfu in the years prior to World War II, which years are enlivened by young Gerald's mania for wildlife. See also the sequels, Birds, Beast and Relatives, The Garden of the Gods and The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium.” –Dana Stabenow

Euphoria: “So much going on in this book, including
cross-cultural feminism, spousal abuse, the Heisenberg effect on scientists studying primitive cultures. An excellent selection for a book club discussion.” --Dana Stabenow

Fates and Furies: “4th star for beautiful writing. Highly
recommended.” –Kimberly Lee
“First of all, the writing is fantastic, but
I spent a great deal of time wondering what the book was actually about. It was worth it though, to hang in there to the end, as that's where so much of it came together.” –Teresa Sundmark

In Manchuria: “…Michael Meyer visited and lived in Wasteland (no one knows why the town has that name) as that was the hometown of his wife who he met as a Peace Corp worker in Beijing years earlier. The book tells the story of the 3 years he lived in Wasteland as well as Meyer's search for the history of the area. Meyer documents the changes of the town...the urbanization of the entire area as Manchuria is losing its uniqueness…” –Maureen Tuohy

***The List:
We’re plucking away at books on the list. So far the only two categories in which all books have been read are “All Over the Map” and “Laugh Out Loud.” With five months to go, here are the ones that remain:

1. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
2. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
3. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
4. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
5. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
6. Give us the Ballot by Ari Berman
7. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
8. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
9. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
10. Deep South by Paul Theroux
11. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
12. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
13. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
14. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
15. Counting Heads by David Marusek
16. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
17. The Meadow by James Galvin

***Are audio books cheating?
Absolutely not, as far as we’re concerned. But here is an interesting article from the Washington Post that addresses the differences in how our brains work when we’re listening to books as opposed to reading them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/a...

***Heads up!
In late October and early November, the Friends of the Homer Public Library will be hosting Bette VanDinther who will be putting together some Shakespeare-related events at the library. What this means for 15 in ’16 participants is that anyone who reads (or has already read) Shakespeare Saved My Life by Laura Bates will be entered into an additional prize drawing. I’ll be sure to get more information out as soon as details are available. In the meantime, you might want to add the book to your personal reading list.

Thank you all for your continued participation in the Homer Public Library’s 15 in ’16 Reading Challenge. As I’m planning for next year, I’d love to know if you’re up for another year with another list. I’m also interested in your ideas and suggestions regarding this year’s challenge as well as any you might have for the future.

Here’s to another month of reading!

Teresa

Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180

Hello everyone!

I hope this newsletter finds you all well and having a wonderful summer. I was pleased to see so many book submissions in July, a month that typically has Alaskans running in all directions. It’s encouraging to see that through it all, a good many of you are still finding time to read.

So far this year we have 71 participants that have entered into the monthly drawings by submitting their books online or at the library. Some have already read fifteen or more from the list! In July there were 63 submissions and our monthly prize winner this time around is Dana Stabenow. Congratulations, Dana!

***Featured books for August:

All Over the Map: TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. This novel is a series of linked stories joined over time by a common thread of crossing the Atlantic between Ireland and the New World. An inspired Amazon reviewer stated, “It meanders and wanders, and yet it has a drive and pace that are compelling. It proposes that lives are connected in ways that may be important to history, or may not be, and it suggests that the connection matters much more than how important it is… Gorgeous writing, compelling characters, and the sweep of history across continents. What more could one want in literature?”

Animal Nature: Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner. In 2014, Alaska Public Media’s radio program “Talk of Alaska” put a call out to its listeners to tell them their favorite Alaska book. Ordinary Wolves came back in the number one slot. Here’s a link to the list, where you’ll find a great description of the book plus many others: http://www.alaskapublic.org/2014/06/2...

Creative Types: Still Life by Louise Penny. This is the introductory novel to the Chief Inspector Gamache series. If you love the books you can even take a guided tour of the sites the Inspector frequents in Quebec City. http://www.toursvoirquebec.com/en/tou... I’ve heard from fans that the books continue to get more compelling the further into the series you go.

Election Year: Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin. This book is a biographical account of President Abraham Lincoln and a few of his cabinet members. President Obama stated that it would be the one book he’d want to have with him if he were stranded on a deserted island. The 2012 Steven Spielberg movie “Lincoln” was based off of this book and the Christian Science Monitor placed it on their list “11 Best Political Books of All Time.” http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2013/0...

Isn’t it Romantic?: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari & Eric Klineberg. You might recognize Aziz Ansari from the television show “Parks and Recreation,” but for this book his humor is paired with research. A reviewer at Bustle states, “Modern Romance gives an impressive overview of how the dating game has changed with the advent of cell phones and the Internet.” Fifteen in ’16 participant Catriona Reynolds left this comment: “I finally got around to reading this. It is very much hetero-normative and traditionally gendered, and Aziz Ansari acknowledges that is the case, mostly I could read past that. Otherwise it is funny and insightful.”

Laugh Out Loud: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. This is another first of a series. Anne Parker left this wonderful review on Amazon: “Is it a mystery? Well, not exactly, although it contains at least one genuine whodunit. A comedy? Again, not exactly, although the comic pacing is perfect. A coming of age tale? Hmmm, no, but several characters do come of age in the book. Drama? No, too funny, with lots of action and a minimal amount of reflecting on the meaning of events. The Spellmans are a family of private detectives who wiretap, tail, photograph and blackmail each other as an alternative to more conventional ways of showing love.”

North Country: Reykjavik Nights by Arnaldur Indridason. This prequel to a series is set in Reykjavik in the late 1960s and is the backstory of protagonist Erlendur Sveinsson. If you enjoy the book, you can always read more from the Inspector Erlendur series. And if the book makes you want to go to Iceland, you’re in luck! Direct flights between Anchorage and Reykjavik are only seven hours long.

Southern Flair: Deep South by Paul Theroux. The author of the acclaimed novel The Mosquito Coast uses his keen eye for detail in this nonfiction account of traveling around the Deep South of the United States. To learn more you can read this review by Bret Lott in the Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/book...

Staff Picks: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. An Amazon review sums this book up well. “The tool of shaming someone publicly for breaking the law or violating the social contract in some other way is as old as time. But with the advent of the Internet, and specifically, the rise of tools like Twitter, shaming can go viral instantly. Instead of your immediate community knowing what you did wrong -- and deciding whether and when to forgive you, because they may have a sense of the broader context and of who you are as a person beyond that misstep -- the entire world now becomes aware, instantly, without any of that context. And the results, as Ronson shows, can be horrifying and potentially disproportionate.” I bet those of us who frequent the Internet can think of a few instances of when this has happened, and now there is a book to delve into the subject.

Wild West: The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party by Marian Calabro. In 1846 the Donner Party headed west from Illinois to California in a wagon train. Since almost half of the party was comprised of children and teens, it seems appropriate that the author chose to tell a great deal of the story through the eyes of 13-year old Virginia Reed. This book is a detailed account of their journey, all of their hardships and ultimately their arrival (at least those who survived) at their destination. If you’re interested in the history of the westward expansion of the United States, this young adult book is a fast and informative read.

I just finished listening to Fates and Furies. I wasn't sure how I felt about it until the end. The ending makes the book into something beautiful and Lauren Groff's excellent writing kept me with the story until the end. Wow, can she write!

** I always love seeing what others think about books on the list. Here are some of the comments that have come in with recent submissions: (And I’m asking myself why it’s taken me so long to include these in the newsletters…)

--“I don't think I've ever read a book so sad that left me feeling so happy. Mrs. Mike is a sweet love story wonderfully grounded in the understanding that life does have a pattern and that happiness is often a choice. Oh, and every time
I read Oh-Be-Joyful's name I wanted to smile. How could you not?” –Aurora Firth on Mrs. Mike

--“The John Steinbeck fiction I've read to date has been so sad I've scarcely been able to appreciate his fine writing style. This nonfiction journey puts his evocative command of language on full display without depressing me so much. I can't help wondering what Steinbeck would think of America if he made the same trip today--though, as he indirectly points out near the end, the reader learns more about him than they learn about the America of the time by getting to look through his eyes for a little while.” –Aurora Firth on Travels With Charley

--“There is a reason this novel won the Pulitzer: the story is powerful, the writing vivid and convincing, but most of all is the voice that Nguen creates. I
want to read this book again.” –Anonymous on The Sympathizer

--“This is by far one of the best "history" books I have ever read. Vowell has a way of bringing history to life and making it relevant to today's world. I listened to the audio book, read by the author with assistance from a variety of others, I was enchanted by Lafayette and given a new way to look at the beginning of our country.”—Peggy Ostrom on Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

--“Fascinating book! I found myself identifying with Cutuk - feeling the pull of two different worlds, yet fitting into neither.”—Cathy Wilmeth on Ordinary Wolves

--“Loved the interwoven stories, and watching them play out through the centuries.”—Cindy Mom on TransAtlantic

--“Environmental disasters and social injustices. A compelling read.” --Catriona Reynolds on Strange as This Weather Has Been

-- “I listened to this book in audio format read by the author. Buck's reading style is sing-songish and halting which I found annoying at first, but I soon got used to it. There is something compelling about having the author read a book the way he thinks it and was thinking it during the writing. Anyway, it has a huge amount of fascinating information and history woven into a charming, sometimes alarming, sometimes funny account of the brothers' experiences as they actually take a covered wagon and three mules across the Oregon Trail during the summer of 2011. Very good book!”—Jerri Nagaruk on The Oregon Trail

--“Very enlightening book . No matter how far African Americans have come from slavery, they are always aware that in The US, they can be pulled over by a cop, arrested, beaten and killed...and there will be no justice. The author writes his story to his son, explaining all the ways a father worries about his son and how there is always that fear that no matter the economic status he is raised in, the education he has achieved, he can lose his life. When the author has an incident where a white woman pushes his 4 yr old son aside because she is in a hurry, he grabs her arm in anger and she threateningly tells him, ‘I could have you arrested.’ “—Anonymous on Between the World and Me

--“ I finished this book a few days ago, and have been letting it percolate a bit in my head. I am beginning to really appreciate the art of the graphic novel, and this book was no exception. Beautifully done, very powerful illustrations were throughout the book. But I am still learning the art, and I feel that there are things I missed, given that same art. And, the book brought to light just how much I really don't know about Iran and the incidents/state of affairs there. All in all, very thought provoking for me, and well worth the read!” –Cathy Wilmeth on Zahra’s Paradise

--“This poetry was written in language that matched the poems. It didn't try to be grand or gold-plated. It didn't try to be obscure. It sat down and told a story. I very much enjoyed that.”—Cathy Wilmeth on I Follow in the Dust She Raises

--“Loved this book as I could pick it up and continue on with their relationship (rather than read end to end in 1 sitting!) yet stay curious in-between times. Great conflicts + realizing self + keeping with values.”—Shirley Fedora on My Life Next Door


--“Here's to striking another book off the library's "not-yet-submitted" list! I don't remember having read a book before that became so interactive; during the course of this reading, I listened to Shostakovich's Fourth, Fifth, and of course, Seventh symphonies. The fact that I performed the Fifth with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra a couple years ago has become more meaningful. There's a great deal I could say about this incredible story--about the clash of ideologies, about the unbelievable suffering and sacrifice of the Russian people under Stalin and during World War II, about the personality of Dmitri Shostakovich, about music and the other arts, about what it means to be human. Anyone who thinks music doesn't much matter ought to read Symphony for the City of the Dead.” –Aurora Firth on Symphony for the City of the Dead

Aren’t these reviews wonderful? Thanks to all who let me share their comments!

** And last but not least, here are the books that are still unaccounted for in our online submission platform:

1. Maphead by Ken Jennings
2. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
3. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
4. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
5. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
6. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
7. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
8. Give us the Ballot by Ari Berman (I forgot to post this one last time.)
9. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
10. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
11. In Manchuria by Michael Meyer
12. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
13. Deep South by Paul Theroux
14. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
15. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
16. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
17. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
18. Counting Heads by David Marusek
19. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
20. The Meadow by James Galvin

Thank you all for participating in the 15 in ’16 Reading Challenge. After the busy summer months, I’ll plan a get together so we can sit in one place and gab about books. Until then, enjoy the sun (or the clouds, whatever the case may be) and another good book!

Teresa

Hello!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying summer. The library is buzzing with activity these days and it seems we’re checking out more books than ever.
Our monthly prizewinner this time around is Linda Rowell. Linda has been a participant from the very beginning, so congratulations to her!
Since we started this reading challenge in 2015, we’ve given out gift certificates worth a total of $675.00. The Friends of the Homer Public Library has provided the funds for these prizes, so I’m sending out a giant THANK YOU to that wonderful organization. They do so much to keep the Homer Public Library a thriving entity in our community.

**Here are the featured books for the month of July:
All Over the Map: Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. In August 2010, the San Jose Mine in Chile collapsed with thirty-three miners trapped underground. This book is a detailed account of their sixty-nine days under the earth. Scott Wallace of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Weaving together the drama of the miners' harrowing ordeal below ground with the anguish of families and rescuers on the surface, Tobar delivers a masterful account of exile and human longing, of triumph in the face of all odds.” We have the audio CDs at the library and it’s downloadable in ebook or audio format through the Alaska Digital Library. http://adl.lib.overdrive.com

Animal Nature: The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields. This book is described as, “A dark, fantastical, multi-generational tale about a family whose patriarch is consumed by the hunt for the mythical, elusive Sasquatch he encountered in his youth.” Richard Russo says, “The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac is deeply strange and strangely moving.” Our lone 15 in ’16 reader who submitted this book online thought it was fantastic!

Creative Types: Here by Richard McGuire. This book—not quite a graphic novel but categorized as one for the sake of cataloging—is difficult to describe, so I’m leaning on this description from Marnie Kingsley from the San Antonio Current: “Here retains almost no qualities of a novel: It is non-linear, there are no distinct characters, apart from the space, and there is no plot. Despite these seemingly large hurdles, McGuire produces a reading experience that is emotional, thought-provoking and interactive.... A brisk and brilliant read, Here combines genres and styles in a meditation on impermanence and the processes of memory.”

Election Year: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. This fast paced, young adult novel takes place in the not-so-distant future during the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the city of San Francisco. Seventeen-year-old Marcus and his friends are in the wrong place at the wrong time and are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security. This book made headlines when the principal of a Pensacola, FL high school pulled the book from a summer reading list and Doctorow subsequently sent a copy of his book to each 9th and 10th grader enrolled at the school. The audio of this book is available through the Alaska Digital Library and the author has offered the ebook as a free download on his website: http://craphound.com/littlebrother/do...

Isn’t it Romantic?: Sea Swept by Nora Roberts. This is the tale of three men bound by the love of the extraordinary couple who took them in and raised them as brothers. When the brothers lose their beloved adoptive father, they return to their boyhood home in order to fulfill their father’s dying wish. Nora Roberts is known for her romance novels, and this book stays true to her form. This is the first novel in the Chesapeake Bay Saga, so if you like this one, there are more to follow.

Laugh Out Loud: The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick. Bartholomew Neil has lived with his mother for 38 years and now she is gone and he must figure out what to do with his life. With a most unusual cast of characters, he sets out on a road trip to Canada. A reviewer said, “Bart isn’t a grand hero, but he glows with sincerity and compassion.” One of Quick’s earlier novels, The Silver Linings Playbook, was made into a movie, and this one seems to be slated for the big screen as well.

North Country: The Son by Jo Nesbo. Local 15 in ’16 participant Catriona Reynolds submitted this comment about The Son: “I listened to this while driving and then while home sick. It was an engaging listen. Gildart Jackson gave an entertaining reading with awesome voices for all the characters; usually I find that kind of irritating but he pulls it off well. The story is complex and interesting, keeps you guessing what the outcome will be all the way through. Recommended for when you need a "popcorn" book. Also, I LOVE Overdrive, it has revolutionized my road trips!” In addition to our regular copy of this book, it’s also available in Large Print and audio CD. The audio and ebook versions can be downloaded through Alaska Digital Library.

Southern Flair: The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty. This novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1972. An online reviewer says, “Perhaps more so than in any other work, Welty writes ‘below the surface’ here: the story itself, which concerns a daughter who returns to her tiny Mississippi home town when her respected father dies, is quite slight—but Welty endows it with a surprising depth of meaning, transforming what would otherwise be pure character study into a sharply focused and deeply moving statement on the nature of love, loss, life, and the passage of time we must all endure.” This one is available on audio from Alaska Digital Library.

Staff Picks: After the Parade by Lori Ostlund. This novel is about Aaron England, a man who leaves his longtime partner in New Mexico for a new life in San Francisco, launching him on a tragicomic road trip and into the mysteries of his own Midwestern childhood. It was listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2015 and a Kirkus starred review states: “Everything here aches, from the lucid prose to the sensitively treated characters to their beautiful and heartbreaking stories…An example of realism in its most potent iteration: not a neatly arranged plot orchestrated by an authorial god but an authentic, empathetic representation of life as it truly is.” We have this one on audio CD and both the ebook and audio are available through the Alaska Digital Library.

Wild West: Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne. “A stunningly vivid historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West, centering on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all and his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker who at nine-years-old was kidnapped by the Comanche but grew to love her captors.” I listened to this book a few years ago and often found myself sitting in the car waiting to hear what the author would reveal next. If you’re interested in American history, chances are you’ll enjoy this well-researched book. In addition to the book, the audio CDs are available at the library.

Hi everyone,
Just wondering what you all are reading or listening to these days. I started Lonesome Dove, which I'm enjoying, but am reading at a snail's pace. I may have to put it aside for a while in exchange for something shorter or faster. I'm also listening to Fates and Furies.
Don't forget to go to the Homer Public Library website and enter the books from the list that you've read. It's the only way to enter the drawing each month!
Also, l encourage you to leave reviews or ratings here on Goodreads -- it makes it fun to peruse the bookshelf.

Teresa

June 15 in ’16 Newsletter
Hello Dear Readers,
I hope you are all well and having a wonderful summer.
Summer Solstice is nearly here and that means more daylight hours for reading, right? Well maybe that isn’t the case, but hopefully you’re all finding a little time to sit with a book each day. If your days are busy, now is a good time to turn to a few of the faster reads on the list or some graphic novels. Also, don’t forget audio books for those trips up and down the Peninsula or those hours spent weeding your garden. One participant had a net that needed mending and she listened to a book to help her get through the tedious job.

So far in 2016 we have 66 readers who have submitted books and many more who are working their way through the list. In May a total of 61 books were entered. Our monthly prize winner this time is Therese Lewandowski. Congratulations, Therese!

Our list of books that have not been submitted continues to shrink. Yay! Here are the ones that are left:
1. Maphead by Ken Jennings
2. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
3. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
4. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
5. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
6. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson
7. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
8. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
9. No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald
10. Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil
11. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
12. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
13. In Manchuria by Michael Meyer
14. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
15. Deep South by Paul Theroux
16. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
17. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
18. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
19. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
20. Counting Heads by David Marusek
21. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
22. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
23. The Meadow by James Galvin

Here are my picks from each category for this month:

All Over the Map: Visit Sunny Chernobyl by Andrew Blackwell. “Equal parts travelogue, expose environmental memoir and faux guidebook, Blackwell careens through a rogue’s gallery of environmental disaster areas in search of the worst the world has to offer—and approaches a deeper understanding of what’s really happening to our planet in the process.” One reader mentioned that Blackwell is always sensitive to the fact that the world’s most polluted places are usually someone’s home, and with that in mind the book comes across as compassionate.

Animal Nature: H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. When the Macdonald’s father died unexpectedly, she adopted a goshawk as a means to cope with her grief. Turning to T.H. White’s book, The Goshawk, as a guide to her project, she learns as much about humanity as she does about the predator in her care. Highly acclaimed for its beautiful prose, this memoir was on over 25 Best Books of the Year lists in 2015.

Creative Types: Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson. Sometimes a piece of art is best understood with some knowledge of the context in which it was created. Dmitri Shostakovich wrote the Leningrad Symphony when the city of Leningrad was surrounded by Hitler’s army. This book is an exploration of the meaning of music and its ability to comfort, empower and pull people together. This National Book Award winner is also a biography of Shostakovich and a history of Russia and the Soviet Union.

Election Year: Zahra’s Paradise by Amir & Khalil. If you’re looking for something fast to read during the summer, you’ll likely feel smarter and better informed in international affairs if you read this graphic novel, the authors of which have chosen to stay anonymous for political reasons. Set in the aftermath of Iran’s fraudulent elections of 2009, Zahra’s Paradise is the fictional story of the search for Mehdi, a young protestor who has vanished. Zahra’s Paradise is the name of a vast cemetery on the outskirts of Tehran, and the author and illustrator wrote this book to honor the thousands of Iranians who’ve lost their lives prematurely due to politics and ideology.

Isn’t it Romantic: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. (Finally I’ll feature some fiction!) When one of Simon’s emails is read by someone it was not intended for, his secret is at risk. Simon has to decide whether to step out or be pushed out, but there is much to consider in how he does it. An online review wrote, “Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is a pitch perfect book that gets tone, character, plot and flow exquisitely perfect. It’s the type of book that leaves you with a big smile that lingers long after you’ve finished; an easy read with distinct characters and an emphasis on the people, not the drama and not the fact that the main character is gay.”

Laugh Out Loud: Moose by Darin and Chad Carpenter. Just in case you’ve been taking things too seriously lately, I offer you Moose by Alaskans Darin and Chad Carpenter and Lucas Elliot. This graphic novel is an adaptation of the low-budget movie of the same title that has become something of a cult classic. It’s about a Moosetaur, a half man-half moose that terrorizes the citizens of the fictional Alaska town Gangrene Gulch. For a better understanding of what this moose mania is all about, here is a link to a review from the Alaska Dispatch News: http://www.adn.com/we-alaskans/articl...

North Country: Jimmy Bluefeather by Kim Heacox. Alaskan author Kim Heacox was the winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for this book, his first published work of fiction. “What makes this story so appealing is the character Old Keb. He is as finely wrought and memorable as any character in contemporary literature and energizes the tale with a humor and warmth that will keep you reading well into the night." Here is Nancy Lord’s review of Jimmy Bluefeather written for the ADN: http://www.adn.com/we-alaskans/articl...

Southern Flair: A Death in the Family by James Agee. This autobiographical novel based on events from Agee’s life in 1915 was published after the author’s death. It then went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1958. The book is listed in the Times List of the 100 Best Novels. Here is a link to that list (because who doesn’t love book lists?) and you’ll see that four other books from 15 in ’16 are listed there as well. http://entertainment.time.com/2005/10...

Staff Picks: Pause, Traveler poems by Erin Coughlin Hollowell. Some of you might know this poet. She is a Homer local and former coordinator for the Friends of the Homer Public Library. She’ll also be one of the faculty members for this year’s Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. Erin will be reading her work on Sunday, June 12th at 7:30pm at Alice’s Champagne Palace as part of the conference’s Festival of Readings 2016, which is free and open to everyone. Pause, Traveler is a journey through the dark heart of the American landscape, from New York City to Alaska.

Wild West: The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck. HPL’s 15 in ’16 participant Ginger Van Wagoner wrote this wonderful review of The Oregon Trail: “Loved this book on audio and now I want to own it in print. What a fabulous adventure and tale of grit and endurance. The author Rinker and his brother Nick travel over the historic route of the famous Oregon Trail. Rinker is the control freak brother. Nick, the dyslexic brother who has been out of work for months after falling off a roof, is recruited along as equine handler and wagon mechanic. The history of the Oregon Trail, the relationship that develops between the brothers, the adventures and challenges of four months together, and the experience they gain through handling their mule team make this a really good read!” Thanks, Ginger!


And now for some news…

• Here at the library we’ve started our Summer Reading Program. You’re invited to sign up and of course if you know any teens or children who might enjoy the program, please help spread the word. We’re using a new format for the program that may prove to be useful and fun for future programs like 15 in ’16. So take a look around and see what you think! And, if you sign up and enter this secret code READ15 you’ll get a digital badge. Here’s the link: http://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library...

• The Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference will be held June 10-14. Each year during the conference there are public readings from the faculty held around town that are free and open to everyone. Erin Coughlin Hollowell, Nancy Lord, Peggy Shumaker, Sherry Simpson and Natasha Trethewey, all authors or poets from either this year’s or last year’s list, will be reading. Here is a schedule: http://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu/abo...

• I say it every month, but every month we have new participants, so bear with me, please…. Don’t forget our Goodreads group. I’m enjoying the reviews and comment and ratings you all are posting and it’s a nice informal way to chat about books. You’re all invited to join in! https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Well that’s about it for now. I hope to see you all at the library or online or around town. Drop me a line if you’d like. I love hearing from you!
Teresa

Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180

MAUREEN wrote: "The Son I have read other books by Jo Nesbo and did not care for them. That was a few years ago. I do, however, enjoy Nordic Noir, so I thought I would give The Son a try...liked it..."

Nordic Noir. I like that term. I'm glad you liked The Son more than some of the other Nesbo books that you tried.

Anne wrote: "I also just finished a book, Etta and Otto and Russel and James. What a completely unique experience reading this was. The story of 83 year old Etta, who one morning leaves her husb..."

I'm so glad you liked Etta and Otto and Russel and James. You wrote a great review of it! I listened to it last month, but still find myself thinking about it from time to time. The characters really came alive for me.

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished The Son by Jo Nesbo. He is always reliable for a good read. It's full of dark and flawed Nordic characters. It draws you in quickly.
I just started Maphead by Jennings. I wanted to ..."

I've heard lots about The Son this month. I may have to give it a listen. Also, I like that you can keep up with reading while those of us in Alaska must fit a million things into our very short summers. Reading seems like the perfect thing to do when it's hot and humid outside.

Anne wrote: "I have a hold request at my library for The Sympathizer. Just waiting for it to become available. I think I am number 4 on the waiting list."

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of The Sympathizer. It's on my list, but I haven't read it yet.

May 15 in ’16 Newsletter
Hello everyone,
Can you believe that May is already here? It seems like we just launched this year’s reading challenge and yet we’ve already been at it for four months. I hope you’re all finding books to your liking on the list.

In April we had 53 submissions and our monthly winner was Carole Hamik. She submitted books for the first time in April, so both a welcome to 15 in ’16 and congratulations are in order for Carole!

Last month I listed the books from the list that haven’t been entered yet this year, and I’m happy to see the list shrinking. Here are the books that are still longing to be read and submitted: (I’m sure books have feelings, right?)

1. Maphead by Ken Jennings
2. The Last Unicorn by William deBuys
3. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
4. The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields
5. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
6. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
7. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
8. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
9. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
10. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson
11. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
12. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
13. No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald
14. Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil
15. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
16. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
17. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
18. Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi
19. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
20. In Manchuria by Michael Meyer
21. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
22. Deep South by Paul Theroux
23. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
24. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
25. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
26. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
27. Counting Heads by David Marusek
28. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
29. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
30. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
31. The Meadow by James Galvin

Personally, I’m getting better at not feeling obligated to finish a book if it isn’t turning out to be what I’d hoped for. I’ve finished seven books from the master list so far, but I’ve also started and given up on four others. The way I see it is that there are so many good books that I don’t need to slog through a book just so I can say that I finished it. Interestingly, the four books that I started but didn’t finish are on this list of books not yet entered. Maybe at the end of the year we can compile a list of those that didn’t hold our interest and compare notes.

The Pulitzer Prizes were announced in April and the 2016 winner for fiction is The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen which also happens to be on the books-not-yet-entered list. Surely someone will read it and give a review soon.

In other news, the library just purchased eight titles from the 15 in ’16 list on audio CD. I was thrilled to see these come in since I do a lot of my “reading” by actually listening on my commute. I encourage all of you who are able, to come to the library and browse the books and CDs on the 15 in ’16 display.

Now for a few words about a few of the books on the list:
All Over the Map – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This book, written as a series of letters to the author’s teenaged son, was the nonfiction National Book Award Winner for 2015. Coates frequently writes about issues of social justice and race for the Atlantic and stays true to these themes in this short but groundbreaking book. I listened to the audio version of this book which is narrated by the author and I highly recommend this format to fully experience Coates’ passion and style. (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

Animal Nature – The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord. This collection of short stories written by Homer’s own Nancy Lord is comprised of seventeen pieces, and no two of them are alike. All of them are well-crafted and give the reader a taste of the author’s regard for the natural world. You can read more about Nancy Lord and her writing on her website: http://www.writernancylord.com/

Creative Types – The Painter by Peter Heller. David, one of our most avid readers on staff at the library, described this novel as “having the plot of a thriller but not reading like a thriller at all.” Chris Schluep, for an Amazon review said, “The Painter is a contemporary Western about a 45-year-old artist and fly fisherman named Jim Stegner. Having lost two wives to divorce and his only daughter to violence, Stegner has felt the sting of life; but he’s also capable of experiencing great beauty, whether through his art, his relationships, or while out casting on a river. Heller skillfully balances these two sides of his protagonist, painting a portrait of a man whose dark edge can explode in unexpected ways.” (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

Election Year – All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. Now considered a classic, this novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947. (Penn was also a Pulitzer Prize winning poet.) Set in the Depression-era South, this book, which is widely considered the finest novel ever written about American politics, is about Willie Stark, a character based loosely on Governor Huey Long of Louisiana. Stark begins his career as an idealistic man of the people but becomes corrupted once in office.

Isn’t it Romantic? – My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. This young adult novel has romance, politics, betrayal and all the things that make books into page turners, but it also has a kind of innocence to it. Samantha is fascinated with the large, chaotic family that lives next door, but she never imagines herself being a part of it. When the unexpected happens, she discovers a new side of herself and has to decide where her loyalty belongs.

Laugh Out Loud – The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. This is a nostalgic and funny memoir about growing up in the Midwest during the 1950s. An Amazon reviewer says of Bryson, “He’s poking fun, but in a way that family and friends might poke fun at each other over childhood foibles at Thanksgiving dinner.” (Available on audio CD as well as on ebook and audio from Alaska Digital Library.)

North Country – Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper. Eighty-three year old Etta has never seen the ocean, so one morning she leaves a note for her husband and starts heading east on foot from Saskatchewan toward the Atlantic. Etta’s journey is the surface story, but along the way the reader learns about Etta and Otto and Russel—how they met each other and how their relationship endured over the years. Author Sarah Winman says, “Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper is incredibly moving, beautifully written and luminous with wisdom.” Available on audio CD as well as on ebook from Alaska Digital Library.)

Southern Flair – Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison. As one might surmise from the title of this novel, this is not a feel-good book. It is however, a moving and powerful story told through the eyes of Bone, a young girl from the rural south living a seemingly hopeless existence in the grip of poverty and abuse. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This book is a must read for survivors. Allison helps us heal by knowing we are not alone in our pain and confusion. And we believe that if her heroine transcends her tragic family, we can too.”

Staff Picks – Counting Heads by David Marusek. If you’re a fan of science fiction, you might enjoy this novel written by one of Alaska’s own. Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother, says, “David Marusek is one of the best-kept secrets in science fiction…” If you like this novel, the sequel Mind Over Ship is also available at the library. More of his work can be found on his website. http://www.marusek.com/Cabin_in_the_W...

Wild West – Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart. The author of this memoir was the daughter of Mexican immigrants who made their living as migrant workers in the 1950s. Trevino Hart writes vividly of her family’s experiences which are both heartbreaking and touching. It’s a wonderful glimpse into a lifestyle that few of us can comprehend.
***
Don’t forget about our Goodreads group online. It’s easy to join and it’s a great way to keep track of what other participants are reading. If you haven’t been on in a while, please stop in and rate your books, write a review or start a conversation. Here’s the link: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Well that wraps up the newsletter this time around. Thanks to all of you that have read this far.  As always, I love hearing from you, so please get in touch if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
Teresa

Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180

Anne wrote: "I read The Soul of an Octopus and absolutely loved it. I learned so much, not only about octopuses, for instance the word for more than one octopus is never octopi but octopuses. Why you might ask?..."

Hi Anne, If You Lived Here I'd Know Your Name was on last year's list. So you're not imagining it. :)
So far all the reviews for The Soul of an Octopus have been great. It's on my ever-growing list.

What's everyone reading? After a long stint of nonfiction, I'm diving into fiction again! Right now I'm listening to Etta and Otto and Russel and James. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not as it was slow to get going, but now I'm enjoying it. The characters are plain-spoken but have great depth and I appreciate when an author can make that work.

Did you see that one of the books from our list, The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen, won the Pulitzer Prize yesterday? It's one of the books that nobody has submitted yet and I'm wondering if it's because the cover isn't terribly appealing.

Hello and Happy Spring to you all,
I hope you’re all enjoying this earlier than normal thaw!
I don’t know about you, but it’s been a little tougher for me to find time for reading with the long daylight hours returning, and I admit that in March I read books that aren’t on the list. Lots of you are on track though as there were 70 submissions for the month of March.

Our prizewinner this time around is Deanna Thomas. Deanna gets lots of her “reading” in by listening to audio books on her commute. Congratulations Deanna!

For those of you who are interested in audio books and ebooks, there are several titles on the list available through the Alaska Digital Library. Here’s the link: http://alaskadigitallibrary.net/ If you’d like some assistance with getting started using the Alaska Digital library, you can call us at 235-3180 or stop by the library. We’re happy to lend a hand.

Here is a little more information about some of the books on the list, in case you’re wondering what to read next:

All Over the Map – Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. Published in 2001, this is the author’s account of growing up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the Rhodesian Civil War. One reviewer states, “Fuller writes unsparingly, unsentimentally and honestly about her family and their remarkable experiences.” Publisher’s weekly says, “Like Anne Frank's diary, this work captures the tone of a very young person caught up in her own small world as she witnesses a far larger historical event.”

Animal Nature – The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. In this book, Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus – a surprisingly complex, intelligent and spirited creature—and the remarkable connections it’s capable of making with humans. NPR’s Science Friday called it “one of the best science books of the year.” And when returning the book a couple weeks ago, a patron said, “Well I probably won’t be eating octopus ever again.”

Creative Types – Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John. This young adult novel is the story of Piper, a high school senior and her role as the manager of a rock band. She’s got a band to manage, graduation to think about, and troubles at home. She’s also deaf. Antony John was the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award which honors an author of a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.

Election Year – Fifty Miles from Tomorrow by William Hensley. Hensley was born into a traditional Inupiaq lifestyle. In his lifetime he went from living in a sod igloo without much outside influence to becoming a political force whose purpose was to advocate for Native Alaskan rights. He was paramount in getting the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act signed into law in 1971.This memoir is an account of Hensley’s personal and political life, and if you’re at all interested in Alaska history, this book is a great choice.

Isn’t it Romantic? – Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf. This novel was published the year after the author died. Described as “quiet but never complacent” in the New Yorker, this book is about the friendship that develops between Addie Moore and Louis Waters, both advanced in age and alone after the deaths of their spouses. This novel “demonstrates that our desire to love and be loved does not dissolve with age.” – Joseph Peschel, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Laugh Out Loud – Skippy Dies by Paul Murray. This is one of the longest novels on our list this year, but it’s often described as fast-paced. Skippy and his friends attend an all-boys prep school in contemporary Ireland. Anne Bartholomew, a reviewer on Amazon states, “The events that lead to Skippy’s untimely (though tragicomic) death unfold scene by scene, in a chorus of perfectly executed moments that are powerful enough to make you laugh and weep at once.”

North Country – Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge. This inspiring true story of teacher George Guthridge and a group of students from Gambell, Alaska takes the reader back to the remote village in 1982 where, despite the odds, they go on to compete in one of the most difficult academic competitions in the nation. It’s described as “hilarious, disturbing, densely atmospheric, powerful and poignant.” Those of you interested in education or rural Alaska will likely be moved by this one.

Southern Flair – Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz. It’s been several years since I’ve read this book, but it’s one that has stuck with me. Being a northerner, I didn’t have a good understanding of just how current the Civil War discussion is for many Southerners. Both funny and informative, Horwitz takes the reader on a journey to the South and into the hardcore world of Civil War reenactors. It’s full of memorable characters and stories you won’t forget.

Staff Picks – The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. In 2015, this young adult novel was the winner of both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Honor Award. Twins Josh and Jordan both play basketball for their junior high team. With a mom who is an assistant principal and a dad who is a former professional player, sports and education are both high priorities in their family. In this story, which is written in verse, the brothers start moving apart from each other for the first time. A Booklist review says, “Alexander eloquently mashes up concrete poetry, hip-hop, a love of jazz, and a thrilling family bond. The effect is poetry in motion.”

Wild West – The Meadow by James Galvin. Mixing up the line between fiction and nonfiction, James Galvin tells the story of people on a specific piece of land on the Colorado/Wyoming border over the space of one hundred years. One reviewer describes the book well by saying, “It would be misleading to say that there is a specific and traceable plot in The Meadow. Reading this book is more like browsing through an old photo album, viewing scenes of familiar people, all wearing faces that seem to defy time.” I’m probably partial since I’m originally from Northern Colorado, but I can say that this book is one of my all-time favorites. Galvin’s writing is deliberate, honest and poetic.

*Just for fun, here is a list of the books that have not been entered into our system yet for 15 in ’16:
1. Maphead by Ken Jennings
2. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
3. The Last Unicorn by William deBuys
4. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
5. The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields
6. Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey
7. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
8. Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
9. Heat by Bill Buford
10. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
11. Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel
12. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson
13. Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett
14. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren
15. The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
16. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow by William Hensley
17. Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil
18. Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
19. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
20. One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
21. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
22. Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi
23. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
24. Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper
25. In Manchuria by Michael Meyer
26. Kids from Nowhere by George Guthridge
27. Deep South by Paul Theroux
28. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
29. Under Magnolia by Francis Mayes
30. After the Parade by Lori Ostlund
31. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
32. Counting Heads by David Marusek
33. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
34. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
35. Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart
36. The Meadow by James Galvin
37. The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck
*Upcoming event: The Friends of the Library Spring Book and Plant Sale will be on April 15-16. Please come buy books and help us empty out our storage room!
And last but not least, I’ll leave you with this feel-good article about the benefits of reading fiction.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012...
Thank you all for participating in 15 in ’16 and here’s wishing you all another month of good books and sunshine!
Teresa



Homer Public Library
500 Hazel Ave
Homer AK 99603
907-235-3180

Yes, those were poignant details, for sure. I was inspired by Ernestine when she was in Homer. Her story is encouraging for late bloomers such as myself. I hear her next book will be out sometime later this year!