Seminole County Public Library discussion
Summer Reading 2019
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2019 Summer Reading Contest
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Elyse wrote: "The Reckoning by John GrishamThis is an unusual story by this author. Mot only does it involve lawyers and court proceedings but it has some very graphic intense stories of WW II.
He goes into gre..."
Forgot to say Oviedo is my library.
Oviedo is my branchSecret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
This is an intriguing story about India and its unfortunate history of
preferring sons to daughters. Males were raised to work in the fields and girls were considered burdens to be married with a dowry. This is a story of two worlds in which we follow Asha’s families. The one who gave her up to an orphanage in India and the one that adopted her, two physicians living in America. The author gives parallel stories through the years. We learn about the cruel living conditions of the poor in India. He also tells us about the difficulties of raising an adapted child from another cultural, even though her adopted father is from India. This story is about love of a child from both points of view. Interesting and well written.
White Rose, Black Forest by Eoin DempseyI am a little weary of reading books set during World War 2 but I keep finding books that offer glimpses to different aspects of the war. In the novel White Rose, Black Forest, recently released political prisoner Franka Gerber has nothing to live for. Trudging through the wintery forest, she stumbles upon an injured Luftwaffe airman. Despite her dislike of his politics, Franka decides to help him. This novel touches upon the resistance movement in Germany, which was interesting. It’s a pretty low key telling but well written. It captivated me.
My branch is East Branch.
My library is the North Branch Library.I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
Shocking and horrific crimes. I can see why Michelle was so obsessed with getting details and facts of the case. She wanted this man caught and to bring justice to all the families who lived through such nightmares. It's sad that she didn't live to see him be arrested, but without her work and persistence maybe it wouldn't have. I will read her other work, because she really did it well.
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Elyse wrote: "Elyse wrote: "The Reckoning by John Grisham
This is an unusual story by this author. Mot only does it involve lawyers and court proceedings but it has some very graphic intense stories of WW II.
He..."
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Oviedo is my branch
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
This is an intriguing story about India and its unfortunate history of
preferring sons to daughters. Males were raised to work in the fiel..."
Mod
Carol wrote: "White Rose, Black Forest by Eoin Dempsey
I am a little weary of reading books set during World War 2 but I keep finding books that offer glimpses to different aspects of the war. In the novel Whit..."
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Leonore wrote: "My library is the North Branch Library.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
Shocking and horrific crimes. I can see why Michelle was..."
Cemetery Road by Greg Ilesmy library is the Oviedo Branch
This is the first time I’ve read this author. I wasn’t sure it would be worth reading almost six hundred pages!
This story is about an award winning journalist who goes back to his small hometown in Mississippi due to his father being terminally ill.
This author weaves an incredible story of tragedy, murder, passion and ruthlessness of a power hungry group of men.
We learn of the history of the Deep South involving race, sexism, violence and politics of a “good old boys club” in a small southern town.
A real page turner that keep my attention to the very end.
I look forward to reading other books by Iles.
My library is the North Branch Library.The Light We Lost
This book was out of my comfort zone. A bit to romantic than I normally read, but it wasn't to bad. I can see how mistakes were taken by Lucy and it's so incredibly selfish of her. If there is a love that big you shouldn't hurt others to have it. Why not be honest with husband and herself? Feeling trapped and staying in a marriage for convenience and not love is not unheard of, but just sad. Gabe was just as selfish. I get it when when Lucy's husband tells her Gabe left her 10 years ago, so why does she keep going back? Now Lucy will have a son and will lie to him his whole life about who his real father until it suits her? Again so selfish.
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Elyse wrote: "Cemetery Road by Greg Iles
my library is the Oviedo Branch
This is the first time I’ve read this author. I wasn’t sure it would be worth reading almost six hundred pages!
This story is about an awa..."
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Leonore wrote: "My library is the North Branch Library.
The Light We Lost
This book was out of my comfort zone. A bit to romantic than I normally read, but it wasn't to bad. I can see how mistake..."
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
I'm reading (pre-reading/re-reading) my 9th grader's literature, which is mostly classics.
Despite Hawthorne's rich language, this book isn't exactly edifying. Hawthorne makes a heroine out of the main character by making everyone else seem either imbecilic or evil. Hester Prynne exercises incredible patience, but there is no reward for her forbearance. A classic, but not a feel-good book!
Born Again by Charles W. Colson
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
An incredibly insightful look into the inner workings of the Oval Office from President Nixon's right hand man. "Hatchet Man" Chuck Colson lays open the real, raw world of politics and prison firsthand. The result of his hitting rock bottom was a changed heart and a life purpose greater than himself.
I'm usually more interested in historical fiction and I'm definitely not into politics -- but this was a fascinating, inspiring read!
Billy Budd by Herman Melville
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
Melville challenged my vocabulary with this amazing sea-tale (even though I have been a crewman at sea!). His long descriptions of "everything" made focusing a requirement (read: I had to back up a few pages more than once). You can't help but fall in love with the main character, but -- spoiler alert -- it's a sad ending! A short book with a fairly simple plot, this classic will draw you into a different world -- one of sailing ships and the law of the sea.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
This classic about a regiment of green Yankee troops during the Civil War, and specifically about the mental battle of one soldier, Henry Fielding, will definitely help you sympathize with our soldiers coming back from overseas. Henry worries about his ability to be brave in battle, chickens out, and then comes back strong. His character isn't likable, but the struggle he exemplifies is universal.
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
I had never read Greek "anything" so I thought I'd try it with my High School senior. Besides, what's not to love about a plot line that includes a king who has accidentally killed his father and married his mother!? Despite being written and performed over 2400 years ago, this short play was nonetheless captivating. Translations vary, of course -- you can always try several!
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JT wrote: "
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
I'm reading (pre-reading/re-reading) my 9th grader's literature, which is mostly cla..."
Mod
JT wrote: "
Born Again by Charles W. Colson
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
An incredibly insightful look into the inner workings of the Oval Office from President Nixon's right..."
Mod
JT wrote: "
Billy Budd by Herman Melville
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
Melville challenged my vocabulary with this amazing sea-tale (even though I have been a crewman ..."
Mod
JT wrote: "
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
This classic about a regiment of green Yankee troops during the Civil War, and..."
Mod
JT wrote: "
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
(North Branch - Downtown Sanford)
I had never read Greek "anything" so I thought I'd try it with my High School senior. Besides, what's not to ..."
My library is the Oviedo BranchThe Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
This is a fascinating story of Korea and its history. It follows the lives of haenyeo “sea women” who dive to catch seafood they can sell to support their families while the men stay home to watch the children. They learn to dive as children and don’t use breathing aids.
The history of Korea is told in very graphic description. The destruction of it’s people and the land is horrendous. This story includes the Japanese occupation and other events occurring during WWII. Koreans murdered Koreans. Americans watched while the people and their country was destroyed. Eventually Noth and South Korea were formed.
This story takes place ion the island of Jeju. It had its own Korean dialect.
These incredible women divers were studied in 1967 to see how
they adapted to cold water, holding their breadth to under 30 ft.,
decompression tolerance, body temp, and metabolism. They were in amazing condition physically and mentally.
They kept their families alive during nearly impossible times.
My library is the Oviedo Branch.The Award by Danielle Steel
I was reluctant to read this story as so many of her books became formula stories. I friend suggested this book and was pleasantly surprised it was so good it seemed non fiction!
This story begins in France during the Nazi occupation. Gaille and her family were forced to house German soldiers in their Chateau.
Gaille does work for the underground saving lives of many Jewish children whose parents gave them up to be saved from certain death.
She also works with a German officer to help save many apart treasures to be returned to their rightful owners after the war.
We follow her life including her successes of becoming famous model, her marriages, and her children.
It is a very compelling story.
Danielle Steele does a wonderful job in making these characters come to life!
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Elyse wrote: "My library is the Oviedo Branch
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
This is a fascinating story of Korea and its history. It follows the lives of haenyeo “sea women” who dive to catch seafood they ..."
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Elyse wrote: "My library is the Oviedo Branch.
The Award by Danielle Steel
I was reluctant to read this story as so many of her books became formula stories. I friend suggested this book and was pleasantly surpr..."
My Library is the North Branch Library.Little Fires Everywhere
Such a compelling story. So many choices are made and so many lives affected. Elena can't see past her own nose and self righteousness about how wrong she is. So many families torn apart for choices that only they could make. Right or wrong. Wonderful story.
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden - 7/29 ****Northwest (Lake Mary) Branch
Wow! What a conclusion! Though there were a few parts that could have been written a little more clearly, this story was amazingly well-crafted. Blending true historical facts and Russian folklore, it was pretty incredible! That feeling you get when you’ve finished a really good book and don’t know what to do with yourself next, that’s where I am now. I highly recommend this series!
My library is the North Branch Library.This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
The first few chapters I couldn't have cared much about, but after that it got better. Her life has been interesting and there's some practical advice in the things she's been through. It shows how life experiences can shape our lives and how to be inspired by those around us.
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Leonore wrote: "My Library is the North Branch Library.
Little Fires Everywhere
Such a compelling story. So many choices are made and so many lives affected. Elena can't see past her own nose and..."
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This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
The first few chapters I couldn't have cared much about, but after that it got better. Her life has b..."
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Erin wrote: "The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden - 7/29 ****
Northwest (Lake Mary) Branch
Wow! What a conclusion! Though there were a few parts that could have been wr..."
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Seminole County Public Library
Books mentioned in this topic
The Winter of the Witch (other topics)This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage (other topics)
Little Fires Everywhere (other topics)
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage (other topics)
The Winter of the Witch (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Katherine Arden (other topics)Katherine Arden (other topics)
Ken Follett (other topics)
Leïla Slimani (other topics)
Ken Follett (other topics)
More...
Elyse wrote: "The Reckoning by John Grisham
This is an unusual story by this author. Mot only does it involve lawyers and court proceedings but it has some very graphic intense stories of WW II.
He goes into gre..."