Library News: August 15th, 2024
This week we’re highlighting two new works of fiction available in the library.
The Horse by Willy Vlautin. In his novel, award-winning author Willy Vlautin captures the life of a journeyman musician unable to escape the tragedies of his past and through this character explores loneliness, art, addiction, regret, love, and hard-won empathy. Al Ward, a grizzled man in his sixties, lives on an isolated mining claim fifty miles from the nearest town in the high desert of central Nevada, surviving on canned soup, instant coffee, and memories of his ex-wife, friends and family members he's lost, and his life as a touring musician. His insomnia, anxiety, and chronic lethargy prevent him from moving back to town. Al is teetering on the edge of madness and running out of reasons to keep living until a nameless, blind and utterly helpless horse arrives on his doorstep. Hoping that the horse will disappear as mysteriously as it appeared, Al struggles with a conundrum—is the horse real or a phantom of his imagination. But the horse remains as Al contemplates this animal's existence and his own life as a musician that started when his mother's part-time boyfriend gave him a 1959 butterscotch blonde Telecaster launching his career as a traveling musician. He joined various bands and played in casinos, truck stops, clubs, and bars. He fell in lobe and found pockets of companionship and minor success along the way. Although never close to stardom of financial success, he continued as a journeyman for years until alcoholism and a heartbreaking tragedy led him to this life of isolation in the Nevada desert. A beautiful and haunting tale, this novel is a poignant mediation on art, addiction, loneliness, heartbreak, and the reality of life on the road in small time bands.
The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page. Cleaner Janice understands that it is in people's stories that you really get to know them. She can't remember what started her story collection. It might have been a fragment of conversation overheard as she cleaned a sink, dusted a sitting room, or defrosted a fridge. Before long, she noticed that people were telling her their stories. Maybe they had always done this, but now it's different. The stories are reaching out to her and she gathers them to her. When Janice starts cleaning for Mrs. B., a shrewd and prickly woman in her nineties, she finally meets someone who wants to hear Janice's story. Janice, however, is clear. She is the keeper of stories and does not have a story of her own to tell—at least not one that she can share. Mrs. B. is no fool though and knows there is more to Janice than meets the eye. What is Janice hiding? After all, doesn't everyone have a story to tell?
Upcoming Events at the Marcellus Township Wood Memorial Library:
Tuesdays:
Southwest Michigan Reads: Tobin Buhk, September 24th at 6:30 PM at Arclight Brewing Company in Watervliet. Join readers from all over southwest Michigan to hear Tobin Buhk, author of Killer Women of Michigan cover the darker side of regional history. The true crime author will be signing books following the presentation. Food truck, Hendo’s BBQ will be on site beginning at 6 PM.
Wednesdays:
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, the 2nd Wednesday of every month— August 14th and September 11th at 9 A.M Parenting isn’t easy. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Wednesday Summer Crafts, every Wednesday this summer at 12 noon. (Crafts were inspired by the Marcellus First 10 books that are written in parentheses). August 21 - Tissue Box Guitar (Abiyoyo), August 28 - Handprint Heart (The Kissing Hand).
People & Places. Wednesday, August 28th, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM. Ruth Andrews will present on the process of creating the Pokagon mural and share briefly about her work in Cassopolis and Dowagiac. This presentation is hosted by the Marcellus Home Arts Club.
Last Wednesday Family Game & Movie Night with Popcorn. The last Wednesday of each month, August 28th starting at 6 PM. We’ll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome.
Thursdays:
First Thursday Book Club, September 5, October 3, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others.
Comic Book Workshop, September 19th at 4 PM. Do Art Productions will cover the foundations of creating your own comics with this interactive and entertaining program aimed at ages 6-15.
Community Read. September 19 at 6 PM. September’s Community Read will be focused on Lisa Wingate’s The Book of Lost Friends. We’ll listen to the author being interviewed and then join in a discussion about her book. If you would like us to obtain a copy of the book for you in time for this experience, just contact the library!
A Trail of Money and Death, September 26th at 5 PM. A virtual presentation on the Morris Murders by the author of A Trail of Money and Death, offering another perspective on the unsolved murders of Esther and Charles Morris in 1879.
Fridays:
Biggest Book Sale of the Year, runs through August 24th. Make time to browse our huge selection of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books & more…and the best part is you get to name your price!
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome!
Home Arts Bake Off, September 6th from 5-7 PM during First Friday. Whether you’ll be entering to be the top baker in town or looking forward to sampling and voting on the best treats, you won’t want to miss this annual event!
Saturdays:
Book Doctor Workshop, September 14 from 2-5 PM. Increase the longevity of your personal book collection with this book care & repair workshop. Course is free, but registration is required and space is limited.