We had our monthly book tasting at the Canal Winchester Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library on Saturday. I won’t always be able to be there, but I care enough that I went there before going to my sister’s when family was in. I enjoy the discussions of books, and the comments as all the readers talk about what we’ve read lately. It feels like Thursday at Lesa’s, only in person! And, the group is just the right size, about sixteen of us, plus the two librarians. In an hour and a half, we all get the chance to talk if we want to do that. Three younger men even came to this one. One of them had an enormous stack of books he had checked out. I love to see people in their thirties reading physical books.
Are you ready to see the four books the librarians picked to read for next month?
I like the cover of Daniel Mason’s North Woods, but it sounds much too literary for me. New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time, The Boston Globe, NPR, Chicago Public Library, The Star Tribune, The Economist, The Christian Science Monitor, Real Simple, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Bookreporter.
When two young lovers abscond from a Puritan colony, little do they know that their humble cabin in the woods will become the home of an extraordinary succession of human and nonhuman characters alike. An English soldier, destined for glory, abandons the battlefields of the New World to devote himself to growing apples. A pair of spinster twins navigate war and famine, envy and desire. A crime reporter unearths an ancient mass grave—only to discover that the earth refuse to give up their secrets. A lovelorn painter, a sinister con man, a stalking panther, a lusty beetle: As the inhabitants confront the wonder and mystery around them, they begin to realize that the dark, raucous, beautiful past is very much alive.
This magisterial and highly inventive novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason brims with love and madness, humor and hope. Following the cycles of history, nature, and even language, North Woods shows the myriad, magical ways in which we’re connected to our environment, to history, and to one another. It is not just an unforgettable novel about secrets and destinies, but a way of looking at the world that asks the timeless question: How do we live on, even after we’re gone?
Thriller readers and fans of suspense seem to be fans of Lucy Foley. The Midnight Feast is a pick for May. Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…
It’s the opening night of The Manor, the newest and hottest luxury resort, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles. The “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And it’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party, with deadly results.
After listening to comments by a few readers who already picked up Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, this is the book I’m going to try. One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn’t explain much about where he came from or why he’s there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.
A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.
The fourth book is Sadeqa Johnson’s Keeper of Lost Children. In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in unexpected and soul-stirring ways. Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American Officer, is living in Occupied Germany in the 1950s. After discovering a local orphanage filled with the abandoned mixed-race children of German women and Black American GI’s, Ethel feels compelled to help find these children homes. Philadelphia born Ozzie Phillips volunteers for the recently desegregated army in 1948, eager to make his mark in the world. While serving in Manheim, Germany, he meets a local woman, Jelka, and the two embark on a relationship that will impact their lives forever. In 1965 Maryland, Sophia Clark is given an opportunity to attend a prestigious all white boarding school and escape her heartless parents. While at the school, she discovers a secret that upends her world and sends her on a quest to unravel her own identity. Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.
Here’s my pet peeve, not about the library, or the book choices. I fondly remember the days when a good book could be 192 pages. So many mysteries came in just at that count. Now, Foley’s book is the only one less than 400 pages on this list. (sigh) I’d take 250 over 400, but I guess not.
My older daughter just two days ago bought a copy of Theo of Golden because so many people she knew had told her how wonderful it was. I hadn’t heard of it before, and now I’ve heard the name twice in as many days. I think I’ll see what you two have to say about before trying it myself though.
Last night, I was describing this book that I haven’t yet read to a group of family and friends, and one of the guys said I thought you were going with a Stephen King theme, and I lost it. I said that puts a whole new spin on a man buying portraits. I’ll let you know what I think.
Lesa, I so agree with your comment on the length of books. Frequently, while reading on my Kindle, I check how far into the book I am and think “Good book but could have used tighter editing” as the middle drags on. Then a flurry of activity in the last 2 chapters.
You’re so right, Susan. Tighter editing would do it. I’ve seen books even by favorite authors that just drag on.
Yes on book lengths! It is so true. When I started reading mysteries as a steady diet in the ’70s, books were generally around 200 pages, with some at 150. I liked a long book now and then, but it was seen as more of an “event” then, whereas now almost everything is long, too long.
Yes. Some of us are reluctant to give that much time to things, all the time. Occasionally, a long book or movie works. I liked Project Hail Mary, but it was 3 hours, and 1 hour could have easily been cut. (The movie. I never read the book.)
By coincidence, Frank Bruni’s newsletter in the NYT today was bemoaning how bloated movies are these days, with longer and longer running times, for no good reason for the most part.
I agree with you on the length of books. These days I tend to shy away from anything very long. I’ve gotten burned too many times with books that would have been better if they had removed the hundred pages of padding.
I agree, Sandy. Those extra pages seldom add anything.
Ah, I am the lone voice praising a wonderfully long immersive book where I can disappear into a whole different magical world.
Me and C. S. Lewis.
“You can’t get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
C. S. Lewis
I knew you loved a long book, Kaye. You’re in good company with C.S. Lewis.
Regarding this list – I loved Daniel Mason’s North Woods, liked Allen Levi’s Theo of Golden, gave up on Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast because I didn’t like any of the characters and have not read Sadeqa Johnson’s Keeper of Lost Children.
Well, we’ll see, Kaye. I’m going to try Theo of Golden. Foley’s didn’t appeal to me, and now that you say there are no likable characters, it really doesn’t appeal.
I’m with you on The Midnight Feast Kaye – not one of the characters was remotely likeable. I also found the plot ridiculous.
One more reason I won’t bother with that one.
Lesa, I bought Theo of Golden on Kindle a few months ago because I kept hearing great things about it. I brought it up at my last (local) book club meeting, and now we have it scheduled for our September pick. One of our members had read it and highly recommends it. Looking forward to it!
So, you haven’t read it yet, Margie? I’ll look forward to your comments.
Theo of Golden is THE hot book right now in our district. Will look forward to your review!
I bought a Kindle copy, Mary. There are too many holds on books at the library.
NORTH WOODS is a novel that consists of a series of chapters about different people living in the same place in a Massachusetts woods over a period of centuries. I liked some of the stories more than others, but, overall, I was glad I read the book. Taken as a whole, it’s odd but moving. I haven’t read any of the other books on the list, Lesa, but I’m glad to have your take on them. I may try Keeper of Lost Children, especially if it’s in the library.
I agree about the lengths of books, especially mysteries, although I have enjoyed a few very long ones. Length, repetitiveness, and a desperate need for editing are why I gave up on Elizabeth George. But the Cormorant Strike and Robin Ellacott books are very long, and I still read every word.
I’ll admit I read, Kim, that 66% of the books I read are 300-450 pages. That’s only because that’s the length of so many books now. I’m reading a mystery right now that 250 pages, but it’s over ten years old. Maybe I should be reading older books. (smile)
Lesa, knowing your taste, you would not enjoy the Lucy Foley, even if it was shorter. I would probably have pick Theo also.
I didn’t think I would, Katherine, but thank you for saying that. Between you and Kaye, you’ve convinced me NOT to pick up that one.