Library News: June 13th, 2024
This week, the library is highlighting two new books—one a work of nonfiction and the other fiction.
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson. Abraham Lincoln won a tight race for the presidency on November 6, 1860, with the country bitterly at odds. Southern extremists were moving closer to destroying the Union with states seceding one after the other and Lincoln unable to stop them. Slavery was at the heart of the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston-Fort Sumter. The author offers a riveting account of the chaotic months between Lincoln's election and the Confederacy's shelling of Sumter. This is a time period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, and personal tragedies and betrayals. Later, Lincoln wrote that the trials of these five months were "so great that, could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them." Central to this suspense-filled narrative are Major Robert Anderson, Sumter's commander and a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union; Edmund Ruffin, a vain bloodthirsty radical who fans the flames of secessionist ardor at every opportunity; and Mary Boykin Chestnut, wife of a prominent planter, conflicted over both marriage and slavery and seeing parallels between both. During this time, an overwhelmed Lincoln tries desperately to avert a war that he fears is inevitable and that will eventually kill 750,000 Americans while battling with his duplicitous Secretary of State, William Seward.
Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose. Beth's life hasn't worked out the way she had planned. After her father walked out on their family leaving a note simply saying ‘I’m sorry,’ Beth has become obsessed with finding him, and her obsession has destroyed her relationship with her husband and her daughter. The only thing Beth has left is caring for her dying mother until her mother breathes her final shocking words—‘Your father. He didn't disappear. Don't trust....’. Still reeling from her mother's dying words, Beth is
notified that her sister, Nicole, has been attacked and rushed to the hospital. Nicole and Beth have been estranged related to Nicole's ongoing battle with a serious drug addiction. Beth's brother, Michael, has not been home since their father left, but now both Nicole and Michael move back into the family home with Beth. In an attempt to revisit happier memories, the siblings find themselves watching home videos of their childhood. It feels like a good idea until the footage cuts to a dead girl in the woods at night, their father covered in blood, and their mother's panicked voice. They'd love to believe the video footage is fake, but they know the little girl in the video is their old neighbor, Emma Harper, who vanished in 1993. Burying their mother will be difficult, but will Beth, Nicole, and Michael survive the truth about what really happened to that little girl?
Upcoming New Events:
Dinosaur Encounters, June 14th at 12 Noon at the Marcellus Elementary School gymnasium. A larger than life 30 minute presentation with songs, games, & realistic dinosaurs. Followed by a 30 minute meet & greet - photos encouraged! Marcellus First 10 will be hosting community health resources on site!
Africa—An Excellent Adventure, Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Presented by Tina Haggin, Sharon Melko, Becky Moore, and Pam Zandt. Join four friends as they share the sights and experiences of the trip of a lifetime!
Upcoming Recurring Events:
Wednesdays:
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, the 2nd Wednesday of every month— June 12th, July 10th, August 14th at 9:00 A.M. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, June 26th 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.
Wednesday Summer Crafts Wednesdays at 12 NOON. (Crafts were inspired by the Marcellus First 10 book selections. June 12th: Decorating Picture Frames (The Family Book); June 19th: Elastic Beaded Bracelets (The Invisible String); June 26th: Feelings Layered Hearts (In My Heart)
Thursdays:
First Thursday Book Club 2024, August 1, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others.
Fridays:
Lego at the Library, Every Friday 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome!
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, the 3rd Friday of every month— June 21st, July 19th, at 3:00 PM. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Saturdays:
Tech Time @ the Library, Saturday from 10 AM-1PM on June 15th. 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!