Library News: January 18th, 2024
This week, we're highlighting two new nonfiction books about sisters. Recently, on the website Literary Hub, authors Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb wrote that "there's something about literary sisters. Siblings offer a unique, complex, and compelling relationship…to explore... and have long been a source of rich literary inspiration." They add that "whether they are written as children, adolescents, or adults, sisters offer an intriguing palette of emotions... and bring tension, passion, and drama” to authors’ work. From sweet devotion and unconditional love, to envy, bitterness and fierce rivalry, there's a lot to unpack!”
Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds by Michelle Horton. This nonfiction work is a breathtaking memoir about two sisters and a high-profile case. Nikki Addimando has been imprisoned for killing her abuser, and Michelle Horton, her sister, is left in the devastating fall-out raising Nikki's young children and battling the criminal justice system. In September 2017, Michelle Horton's life changes forever. Her sister shot her partner and has been jailed. During the ensuing investigation, Michelle realizes that Nikki has been hiding horrific abuse for years. A stunned Michelle finds herself in a situation she's only ever encountered on television and in true crime podcasts. She rearranges her life to care for Nikki's children and at the same time, launches a fight to bring Nikki home. Michelle squares off against a criminal justice system that seems to be designed to punish the entire family. In this book, Michelle retraces the sisters' childhood and delves into how so many people, including herself, could have been blind to the abuse. This is an intimate look at a family surviving trauma and a deeply personal story about what it takes to be believed and the dangers of keeping truths hidden. Horton has written a profound story of resilience and the unbreakable bond between sisters, turning her family's suffering into hard won wisdom.
Marrow: Love, Loss, and What Matters Most by Elizabeth Lesser. This is the memoir of two sisters facing the life-and-death experience of a bone marrow transplant—one as the donor and one the recipient—and their quest for acceptance, authenticity, and most of all, love. When her sister Maggie needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant and Elizabeth learns that she is a perfect match, she faces immediate and complex questions about what it really means to love honestly, generously, and authentically. Hoping to give Maggie the best possible chance for a successful transplant, the sisters deeply explore the marrow of their relationship in order to clear a path to unconditional acceptance. Maggie’s doctors will manage her bone marrow transplant, but the sisters take on a “soul marrow transplant" by examining their family history, having difficult conversations, examining old assumptions, and offering forgiveness, until all that is left is love for each other's true selves. They find though that life doesn't follow planned storylines. Maggie's body is too weak to fight her relentless illness. As the sister's prepare for Maggie's end, they grow ever closer. Their story is told with suspense and humor and is simultaneously joyous, heartbreaking, incandescent, and profound. The book reveals that even our most difficult life experiences can offer unexpected spiritual growth.
Upcoming Events:
Yoga with Dave Sivley, Mondays, January 15-March 4th at 6:30 PM. Bring a yoga mat, water, towel & $5 payable to Dave per session.
Great Start Family Coalition Meet & Greet, Tuesday, January 23rd 9:30-10:30 AM. Learn about the Family Coalition and ways to get involved to help support families with young children in Cass County. Also, learn about additional events that Great Start offers for young children! Coffee, tea & pastries will be provided.
College Readiness 2.0, Tuesday, January 23rd at 6 PM. An informational session for high school students and their parents/guardians covering post high school opportunities, paying for college, and academic success strategies. Student-only workshops to further explore the many options and strategies will follow on Mondays, February 5-26th. Sessions will be led by Gloria Jurado-Long, who was an academic mentor for the Van Buren Middle College Program for over 10 years.
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, Tuesday, February 13th at 9:00 AM, the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, January 31st, 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, February 1st, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others.
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 will be greatly appreciated!
Tech Time @ the Library, January 13, and 20th from 10 AM to 1 PM. 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!