Countdown to Christmas: Week 3

Again, the giving mood has gotten a hold of me and I've decided to post not just one, or even just two Christmas recommendations, but three! Happy holidays, my fellow readers 🙌

In the 19th century, the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories stretched on from Halloween to that of wintertime. These stories were printed in newspapers and magazines around Christmastime for folks to get their thrills and chills during the yuletide. In the spirit of this tradition, you could check out The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, and Tara Moore. This book compiles 13 tales from a diverse group of authors; if you like "A Christmas Carol" this might be something down your alley. It's perfect for those interested in trying out something different this holiday season.

If you're a fan of Wicked, something you might be interested in is Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcrackerby Gregory Maguire. This books reimagines the backstory of the timeless Nutcracker, focusing on how he came to be carved as well as the character Drosselmeier, the one-eyed toy maker whom gives the nutcracker to his goddaughter, Klara. Yet, this story not only retells this classic in a new light, but also presents a much weightier topic than childhood dreams and imaginations. Rather, it weaves through the topic of how a disadvantaged person can benefit those so much like themselves by a simple gesture. Hope rings out as the compromised Godfather brings something precious and full of light to a lonely and marginalized young soul one bleak, wintery evening.

Said to be a modern-day fairy tale from popular author Kristin Hannah, Comfort & Joy: A Fable might just be that familiar warm and fuzzy story that fills your Christmas time with goodness. In this book, a recently divorced Joy has lost her spark for celebrating Christmas. Unbound by family ties, she decides to buy a ticket to the rural Northwest. Yet, her plans are destroyed when her plane goes down in a deep, dark forest, leaving her and her fellow passengers stranded in unknown territory. Somehow Joy finds her way to a man named Bobby, who is still trying to figure out how to raise his 6-year-old son following the death of his wife. They form an instant connection and amid the sudden changes and unexpected chances, Joy has a choice to make: find the faith to reach toward the love she has found or reject the chance at a new life and perhaps true joy. For those looking for a heartwarming, true-heart-of-Christmas tale, this is a great one to pick up.

Countdown to Christmas: Week 2

I can't help myself - I have to share two reads this week! I wanted to really dig into the meaningful stuff, the stories that really makes us think, feel, and connect with our fellow human beings. So, here are my picks which are frequently on bookworm's lists to read around the holidays (and if they aren't, consider adding them):

The Deal of a Lifetime by Frederick Backman centers around a father and son who have gone years estranged and are just now reconnecting. The father decides to center most of his conversation on a young girl fighting with childhood cancer and through his tales about her, he speaks volumes about himself. When he learns that he might be able to change the future of this girl's fate, he has to understand what his life has been worth, and the only way he can only do that is through his son. With both humor and compassion, this story centers on how our legacy lives on when our time is finally up.

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern immediately made my list when I learned that it inspired one of my favorite movies "It's a Wonderful Life". Supposedly, it is said that it came to the author in a dream one night, and it gets even more Christmas tale-like when Stern decides to send it out as his Christmas card. One of the 200 cards he sent out eventually ended up in the hands of Frank Capra who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, then the rest is history. If you enjoy the timeless, inspirational movie, this short story that inspired the classic movie should be at the top of your list!

Countdown to Christmas: Week 1

In the spirit of Christmas, I will be posting a book recommendation (one or more) once a week during the month of December. This recommendation will include a summary and reasons to read it. I will be sticking to Christmas-related books, but hope to diversify each choice.

For my first choice, I wanted a light-hearted read with a little bit of a mystery. I came across "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter which is a delightful romystery that will have you both laughing and "awww-ing". In this story, the protagonists are Maggie and Ethan, both writers and both fiercely competitive, as they accept a mysterious invitation to an English estate for a Christmas party. It is revealed that the mystery sender is none other than the Duchess of Death herself, Eleanor Ashley, positioned as the most powerful author in their world. 

The story begins to evolve as quickly as the weather devolves as the duo gets trapped at the estate by a turbulent storm. Not only that, but they have a live mystery on their hands when their hostess goes missing and they begin to wonder who they can trust. The duo has to team up in order to solve the disappearance, one clue at a time, and as they come closer to the truth (and each other) they learn how to be an effective sleuth team.

Compared to "Knives-Out" but with a fun, romantic candace, this cheeky, heart-melting story will get you hooked. Whether you are a mystery reader or a romance reader, this is one to try this holiday season.

The holidays are here!

In light of the holidays, here are some fun holiday themed books that you can incorporate into your festivities.

Thanksgiving-related reads:

Christmas-related reads (red and green themed just for fun):

Watch for more fun holiday suggestions as we move through Thanksgiving and start counting down until Christmas ⏰

Rainy days at the library

 

Rainy days are made for indoor activities and the library is the perfect place to find some things to do. Though it can be fun to go splash in a puddle...you can do that on your way to the library! What are some things we offer? Here's a short list:

• Books
• Books on CD
• Music CDs
• Movies
• Magazines
• Board games
• Puzzles
• Take-and-make bags
• And so much more!

The great thing about the library is that you can come and stay however long you wish, and we have plenty of indoor things to do. We have a community puzzle, computers you can peruse on, newspapers to read while staring out the rainy windows of our apse area, and a quiet study room for even more solitude and peace. We also have several cozy nooks near windows that would make a great quiet spot for some reading to get done.

There are new items lining our new section shelves which gives you something to look at if you're tired of the same old, same old. If you're feeling nostalgic, you can visit the Local History room where you can go through microfilms of old newspapers or find yearbooks from years past. Take a saunter through our space (all 14,400 square feet) and get some exercise - especially if you take the stairs!

Another great way to spend time indoors is finding something to take home from our Book Sale Room. Find books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks to join your own library. Speaking of which, you could also clean up your personal library (a great rainy day to-do) then bring it to us as a donation. If you find some not-so-donatable paper things, we also have the Paper Gator available.

Rain or shine, the library is a perfect place to visit ☔🌞

American Indian Heritage Month

Most every month has been dedicated to a certain population in order to spread awareness and understanding through information. You can learn so much about different cultures and groups of people by checking to see what group is being represented in each month. It has been eye-opening diving deeper into each culture as I explore the heritages and histories of different people. 

November is dedicated to Native Americans. What better way to share their cultural significance than through the power of their stories? Native Americans have long interwoven tales and stories throughout their every day lives, making it an integral part of their worlds, which makes books about their heritage, history, and lives all that more profound.

Take a look at some books (and a brief summary) that will help you understand more about American Indians. 

In this classic book, readers will find insight into how Native Americans fought for their lands on the ever-shrinking American frontier; being betrayed by the white nation of the East over and over again as they slowly lose their hold on the land they had once inhabited.

A book that opens your eyes to the deep spiritual lives of Native Americans, it follows Black Elk (a Lakota medicine man and visionary) and the religious traditions of the Ogala Sioux. 

Following a novelized non-fiction account by Kent Nerburn, the adventure through a Lakota reservation haunts you as you learn more about Indian Boarding Schools, revealing dark truths of the Native American experience. 

A true story about one of the most recognized Native American names in history, through firsthand research and oral tradition Marshall recounts the life of a genius strategist, commander, and leader.

A nonfiction book about America's systematic destruction of Native American culture, religion, and way of life in the late 19th century. This book uses firsthand descriptions from Dakota, Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, and other tribes (as well as more official records) to tell the story of betrayal and broken treaties.

A riveting, engrossing nonfiction account of the Osage murders and its following trials. Set in Oklahoma in the 1920s, white settlers and local political bosses were said to have taken advantage of the Osage's vulnerability in order to steal their wealth from oil deposits on their land.

Tells two stories about the rise and fall of the Comanches as well as Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah. Being that Crazy Horse hailed from Comanches and Parker was his wife while Quanah was his son, this makes for an interesting read about his tribe.

Following a 13-year-old Native American boy named Joe, this story takes place in North Dakota during the 1980s and follows the aftermath of a terrible crime. Erdrich wanted to highlight the atrocities against Native American women as well as draw attention to the fact that many perpetrators are not brought to justice. 

Taking place in a small town on an Ojibwa reservation, this story follows Daunis, a bi-racial Native American teenager, who becomes involved in a murder investigation. It explores identity, community, and standing up for what is right while simultaneously reflects on trauma by colonization and the Indian residential school system.

Set in 1953 in the Chippewa Reservation called Turtle Mountain Band, this complex story follows two characters with their recounting of the fight against a bill that would end tribal sovereignty. 

A story about a World War II veteran returning from Japanese internment camps to his Laguna Pueblo reservation in New Mexico. It follows his path to healing from his psychological and spiritual wounds brought on by the war.

Happy Halloween!

I could write a blog about the origin of Halloween, but that's been done all too much. Rather, I think to properly celebrate this holiday I would rather mention some good stories instead.

Horror

Thriller

Mystery

Gothic

Paranormal

Suspense

Have a boo-tiful, spooky night! 👻