Now that the Canal Winchester Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library has opened, we’re back to monthly Book Tasting. Two staff members, Chrissy and Christiana, pick four books, two each. We can choose to read them or not, but they talk about them while inviting comments. Then, we have the chance to talk about a book we’re reading or read. This month, I chatted about Kate Quinn’s The Astral Library.
Before I list next month’s selections, I just want to say this community was waiting for a new, larger branch. We were just in a small reading room. Their storytime sessions drew seven or eight kids. Today, I watched parents bringing their young ones to the library. Now, storyhour draws seventy or eighty, according to Chrissy. I hope they all turn into readers. And, they have pajama storytime during the week, something new for this community since the old branch wasn’t open in the evenings. Kudos to the new branch, and kudos to the community for using the library.
If we’d like to read along, here are next month’s selections.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zelvin. A 2024 release, according to Christiana, the blurb doesn’t do justice to the story. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Sam and Sadie—two college friends, often in love, but never lovers—become creative partners in a dazzling and intricately imagined world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. It is a love story, but not one you have read before.
The Tenant by Freida McFadden. There’s no place like home…Blake Porter is riding high, until he’s not. Fired abruptly from his job as a VP of marketing and unable to make the mortgage payments on the new brownstone that he shares with his fiancee, he’s desperate to make ends meet. Enter Whitney. Beautiful, charming, down-to-earth, and looking for a room to rent. She’s exactly what Blake’s looking for. Or is she? Because something isn’t quite right. The neighbors start treating Blake differently. The smell of decay permeates his home, no matter how hard he scrubs. Strange noises jar him awake in the middle of the night. And soon Blake fears someone knows his darkest secrets…
I waited months to read Mitch Albom’s Twice. I was out of town when it came in once, so I lost that hold and had to go back on the list. Then, when I did get it, I read one hundred pages and took it back unfinished. One of the other women told me privately that she read all of it because she loves Albom’s books, but this one didn’t impress her. If you’ve seen the commercial during the Olympics, this book was just “Meh” for me.
What if you got to do everything in your life—twice? The heart of Mitch Albom’s newest novel is a stunning love story that dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along. When he is eight years old, Alfie Logan discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and live it again. The one catch: he must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse.
It says “New York Times Bestseller” on the book jacket, but I’ll admit I never heard of the author or the book. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn’t matter? After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast “Listen for the Lie,” and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.
On March 21, I’ll get to hear what other readers think of these books, and what books they enjoyed reading. It’s on my calendar.
It’s an interesting choice of books next month. The Zevin got great reviews and I tried to like it as much as other people (apparently) did, but it just wasn’t really my cup of tea.
The Tintera is one I’ve meant to read since George Easter featured it in Deadly Pleasures in his Best of the Year roundup in 2024. There were two similar “unreliable narrator” books – since I don’t have my books with me I can’t remember the other – and the second one appealed to me more, so I never got to this one. Maybe…
I’ve read a couple of Albom’s books – Tuesdays With Morrie, of course – and this one does sound like something I would like, but yours was not the only negative review I’ve seen, so … probably not.
The fourth book is of a type I dislike.
Nice variety of choices, though, and I like the idea.
I’m taking a shot at the Zevin, Jeff. But, the great thing? We don’t have to read any of these. After the libraians talk about those books, we get to talk about what we enjoyed in the last month. That’s the fun part. It’s like Thursday here. And, no one has to talk. They can just listen if they want. This month, I talked about The Astral Library.
Maybe the Tintera. Like Jeff I really wanted to like Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow but, just, didn’t. I feel the premise of the Albom book has been written so many times, in so many ways. Reliving your life and choosing a different path. At some point I should read a book by Freida McFadden. I see her books everywhere (especially airports, maybe they are escapist reading?)
Interesting selection of books and a fun way to get us to read out of our comfort zone. Cheers for your new library.
Yes, Susan! Cheers to the new library! I felt as if the Albom was just one episdoe after another. I liked Tuesdays with Morrie and also The Five People You Meet in Heaven. We’ll see about the Zelvin. I’ll give it a shot.
Your library sounds wonderful! As for the books, I enjoyed the Zelvin book a lot. I couldn’t get through the first Mitch Albon, so I haven’t tried any more. So far, all of McFradden’s books have sounded too creepy for me, but I’d be glad to hear other opinions. I never heard of Tintera, either, so if you feel like sharing what other readers say, Lesa, that would be useful.
I’ll see what other readers say, Kim. I’m happy to hear you liked the Zelvin. That’s my choice. We’ll see.
I read a different book by Mitch Albom, read some, skimmed to the end. I decided to never enter for his books again! I can’t remember why but his books are not worth reading for me.
What a fun library!!! i love this. and perfect for you, Lesa.
i loved THE STORIED LIFE OF A. J. FIKRY by Gabrielle Zelvin SO much, as you know. But just could not get through the Tomorrow book. None of these appeal to me, but whatever keeps people reading is always a good thing, and not all books are written for the same audiences
They do try to mix up the books, Kaye. Lots of the group talked about nonfiction yesterday, and they haven’t ever done any nonfiction. I can’t think of any nonfiction book that’s current that a lot of us would want to read. I did a terrific one when I was in Florida, Les Standiford’s Last Train to Paradise, and lots of people read it, but that was local.
Ditto on Fikry as. Tomorrow, Kaye. Totally agree.
And, his books are repetitive with his theme, Carol. So, if you didn’t care for one, you probably wouldn’t like others.
Oh what a fabulous library you now have Lesa! The pyjama storytime sounds like something my children would have loved when little – they always really enjoyed going anywhere in their nightwear, and the bit in Judith Kerr’s THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA, when the family goes out to a cafe because the tiger has eaten all the food, and (the horror of it!) drunk Daddy’s beer, was always a favourite with them.
I did read TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE for some book group of which my membership was extremely shortlived. I did not enjoy it, to me it seemed overwritten and so predictable – but I know many, many people loved it. It’s one of those books that screams ‘book group discussion’ as soon as you read the back cover. Not for me.
I’ve heard a lot about TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW, but nothing that makes me want to seek it out. So curmudgeonly in my old age!
And here now, for years I thought I was the only person on God’s green earth who did not appreciate TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE. Thank you, Rosemary. Again, not all books are written for the same audiences – whew!
I think all children like to go out in their pajamas, Rosemary. Mom got her great-grandson (2 years old) pajamas for Christmas, ones that match the sky scene in his bedroom, and he insisted on wearing them to daycare the next day.
I love to read all the opinions about these books and the authors, Rosemary!