Library News: December 14th, 2023
This week we're spotlighting two works of fiction now available in the library. Neil Garman, an English writer, has authored short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, and audio theater. About fiction, Gaiman wrote: "Fiction gives us empathy: it puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gifts of seeing the world through their eyes. Fiction is a lie that tells us true things, over and over."
A Different Kind of Gone: A Novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Everyone has an opinion about what happened when nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, but only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the truth. Norma had already located Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her if he ever sees her again. Norma decides to quietly deliver the girl to her grateful parents in California in order to protect Jill from dangerous Jake. Although conflicted about her decision, Norma believes that keeping Jill safe and hidden from her boyfriend, the press, and the public will be their secret. Secrets, however, cannot remain hidden forever. Five years later when Jake is arrested for Jill’s murder, initiating a new media frenzy once again, Jill's family refuses to come forward and admit that Jill is still alive in order to exonerate Jake. Norma is forced to make a life-changing decision. What will the consequences be if she stays silent? What are the risks if she dares to finally tell the truth?
Welcome Home, Stranger by Kate Christensen. An environmental journalist in Washington, D.C., Rachel has shunned her New England working-class family for years. Rachel is middle aged, divorced, childless, and a true independent spirit with the pain and experience to prove it. As she copes with large and small life challenges, Rachel believes her life is in a free fall until she's summoned home to deal with the aftermath of her mother's death. That's when things really fall apart. Rachel is surrounded by sometimes comic and sometimes heartbreakingly serious characters including an arriviste sister, an alcoholic brother-in-law, and the love of her life recently married to the sister's best friend. With this as her backdrop, Rachel must come to terms with her past, her long buried sorrow, and the ghost of her mother who, for better or worse, made her the woman she is. This sophisticated and emotionally resonant novel is lively, witty, and painfully familiar, holding up a mirror to modern life as it considers the way some of us must carry on in today's world.
Upcoming events:
Yoga with Dave Sivley, Extended through December 18th, Mondays at 6:30 PM. Bring your mat, water and a towel along with $5.00 per session payable to Dave.
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays 10:15 AM (breaks match the Marcellus Community Schools Calendar). Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Preschool Play Cafe, in lieu of Story Hour on Wednesday, December 27 and January 3 at 10:15 A.M. An unstructured social meetup with toys for ages 0-5 and coffee/tea for their parents & caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, December 27th, 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!
First Thursday Book Club 2023, January 4, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others. *Please, bring a batch of cookies to exchange if attending the Dec. 7th meeting!
Stitch Together, Thursdays, November 16-December 21 at 6:00 PM. Join us to socialize while crocheting or knitting! No formal instruction is provided, but peer-to-peer support & troubleshooting is encouraged!
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome (but parents are responsible for preventing choking risks for small children)! Donations of gently-used Legos are greatly appreciated!