What You're Reading

[Heather]

As you might have heard, all Springfield-Greene County Library branches are closed until at least April 24 (read more about the closure here). While you're unable to visit the Library, check out some of our great digital products, which you can access 24/7 with a library card. Don't have a library card? No problem--you can register for a temporary library card for use while the Library is closed.

Even though the Library is closed, we'll be here to talk about books online! If you're looking for some discussion to fill the void while you can't meet with others in person, check back tomorrow for the April Read Ups topic. If you need suggestions for digital books and audiobooks, we can help with that, too--just comment or send us a message at askalibrarian@thelibrary.org.

We hope you are all well, and we're looking forward to seeing you at the Library again soon. But in the meantime, let's talk about books! Let us know in the comments what you've been reading while social distancing, or what you have at the top of your to-read list.



 

[Aimee]

Sourdough by Robin Sloan and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin are on my tbr for this month.

[Heather]

Aimee wrote: "Sourdough by Robin Sloan and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin are on my tbr for this month."

I'll be interested in hearing what you think of "Sourdough"--I really enjoyed it!

I am reading Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond. I'm about halfway through and I've learned so much that's blown my mind. For instance, the reasons why Eurasia's horizontal geography gave it technological advantages over the vertically aligned continents of the Americas and Africa. I'd never even thought about that before. It's a long, dense read, but worth it. Next on my list is Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino, a collection of essays.

[Kay]

I have my Dad's collection of Michener books. What better time to tackle a BIG read! My choice..."The Covenant"

[Christina O.]

I've been listening to the Little House series on audiobook through Hoopla. It's my first time making it past the second book in the series and I'm really enjoying reading about Laura's life when she's older. Although I did not realize how much anxiety I would have reading these books. They hit all the emotions, both positive and negative. Only two more to go until I finish the series!

I also got addicted to Kelley Armstrong's mystery series called Rockton--first book: City of the Lost--and I'm impatiently waiting for book 5 to get to me on Libby.

[Heather]

Kay wrote: "I have my Dad's collection of Michener books. What better time to tackle a BIG read! My choice..."The Covenant""

That's exactly right--the perfect time to try some long reads! Have you read Michener before? I never have, but I'm interested. Let us know what you think!

[Heather]

Christina O. wrote: "I've been listening to the Little House series on audiobook through Hoopla. It's my first time making it past the second book in the series and I'm really enjoying reading about Laura's life when s..."

I love the Little House books. You're totally right about them hitting all of the emotions! When the pandemic started, I was thinking about "The Long Winter" when the Ingalls family is stuck at home for a really long time. They must have felt even more isolated without technology to help them stay connected to others. I didn't realize that the series is on Hoopla--that's awesome! (For those who aren't familiar with Hoopla: It's one of the Library's digital products. You can download the app for free, and there are no holds!)

[Heather]

Gregg wrote: "The Good War by Studs Terkel.

I finished his Working a few weeks ago. I'm surprised at how little people's feelings about work have changed. The book is still surprisingly relevant, even though i..."

Studs Terkel is author I've wanted to read but never have. I think his history of the great depression looks good. I hadn't heard of "Working" --it sounds fascinating! It's really interesting how some things can change a lot, like the job market has over the past decades, yet there are many elements that stay the same. I'll definitely have to check that one out.

[Heather]

I don't think some people realize how hard it is to be a good interviewer--to ask the right questions and in a way that gets people to open up and is kind and respectful. When a person like that writes books, I want to read all of them because I know they can get the most fascinating stories. It sounds like he is one of them!