Library News: April 11th, 2024
Whether you enjoy fiction or non-fiction books, you will love our current selection!
People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn. About this book, Kirkus Reviews commented: “The cold fury and in-your-face phrasing of the title of acclaimed novelist Horn's essay collection sets the tone for this brilliantly readable yet purposefully disturbing book.” Dara Horn, the author, has been publishing penetrating essays since she was a teenager. Major publications have often asked her to write on subjects related to Jewish culture and increasingly in response to a recent wave of deadly anti-Semitic attacks. Horn became troubled when she realized that what all of these assignments had in common was that she was being asked to write about dead Jews—never about living ones. Her essays reflect on subjects as far flung as the mythology that Jewish family names were changed at Ellis Island, the problematic elements of Holocaust museums and exhibits, the marketing of the Jewish history of Harbin, China, and the little-known life of the ‘righteous Gentile’ Varian Fry. The book's first essay entitled Everyone's (Second) Favorite Dead Jew examines the life of Anne Frank. In her diary, Frank wrote, "I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart." As Horn points out, less than a month later, Anne would meet people who would surely convince her that she was wrong. Horn challenges readers to confront the reasons why there might be so much fascination with Jewish deaths, and so little respect for Jewish lives unfolding in the present. She explores the attacks on the American Jewish community in recent years and reveals the subtler dehumanization built into the public piety that surrounds the Jewish past. Horn makes the radical argument that the benign reverence we give to past horrors experienced by Jewish people is itself a profound affront to human dignity. Kirkus Reviews wrote that "readers will be enthralled throughout by the fierce logic of Horn's arguments, novelty of research, black humor, and sharp phrasing.”
This Troubled Ground: a Novel by Les Carroll. The war in Afghanistan impacted Americans in profound ways, yet only a small percentage of Americans know what it's like to be there, fight there, come home from there, and then live the rest of their lives wondering if their service made a difference. This Troubled Ground goes there-to the cold, dark, and heartbreaking tarmac at Dover Air Force Base, to the Kabul newsrooms, to briefing rooms, and to the deadly battlefields in their many forms across Afghanistan. Inspired by true events, this book follows a haunting, sometimes uplifting but ultimately tragic journey into war through the eyes of an Air Force officer searching for meaning as his path intersects with a mother's desperate quest to find hope after her son is killed serving with the US Marines in Afghanistan.
Upcoming Events:
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, Tuesday, April 9th at 9:00 A.M. this month, and then the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Yoga with Instructor Dave Sivley. Mondays at 6PM, April 8th-May 20th. Please bring a yoga mat, towel, water and $5 payable to Instructor Dave!
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, April 24th and the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. We'll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome.
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome & donations of gently-used Legos will be greatly appreciated!
Tech Time @ the Library, Saturdays from 10 AM-1PM, April 13th and April 20th. Are you struggling with your phone? Do you have trouble navigating the internet? Do you need help with mel.org, the Libby App or the Marcellus Library Catalog? Drop in the library to ask Justin your IT related questions and learn to navigate your device or our computers!
Author Presentation & Meet and Greet. This Troubled Ground by US Air Force Veteran and author Leslie Carroll, Lt. Col. (Ret.), USAFIANG, Wednesday, April 24th, from 5:30PM-6:30PM. Ret. Lt. Col. Leslie Carroll will be here to present his novel which was inspired by true events in Afghanistan. He will answer questions and signed copies of his book will be available.
Smokey the Bear Reading Challenge. January 1st-November 28th, 2024. Help Smokey by learning how to prevent wildfires and help the environment. Read 3 books and earn 4 badges to complete the challenge and earn your prize. Badges are earned by completing at least one activity per section. Bring your completed sheet into the Library for your prize. One prize per person.
2024 Reading Challenge. Let's read 2024 books as a community this year! When you finish a book, come and fill out a leaf. The leaf will be put on the tree in the children's area. When we reach our goal, we will have a surprise celebration for all of our readers!
Teen Advisory Board Meeting, April 23rd from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Drop in any time between 3 and 5 to enjoy snacks, share your thoughts, and make a fun craft. Teen Advisors assist the librarians in creating and developing programs and resources that will fulfill the needs, wants, and interests of teens. Being on the Board looks great to college admissions boards, helps your local library, and counts toward your volunteer hours!
Local Author Fair, May 3rd, 2024 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Are you a local author? Sign up to reserve a spot at your local author fair. Bring copies of your book(s) to sign and sell. Meet and greet your fans and new readers. Tables, chairs, and light refreshments will be provided.
Sourdough for Beginners. Learn the art of sourdough from expert Lindsey Morehouse of The Dough and More! Wednesday, May 29th at 6PM. Paid registration of $10 is required, and space is limited. This workshop will cover the essentials and you'll leave with a starter of your own.