INDENTURED SERVANT

In 1791 a seven-year old girl is orphaned while onboard a ship from Ireland to Virginia.  At this tender age she becomes an indentured servant on the  captain’s plantation.  She lives and works with the slaves of the kitchen house.  The story is told through two people; the eyes of the white girl Lavinia who straddles the life of the slaves and the white world of freedom and Belle a slave who is the daughter of the captain.  Tragic story but a page-turner.  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom.

NEVER TOO LATE

Three single friends in their late fifties buy a hundred year old”megalith of faded brick” on sixteen acres in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in the novel A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball.  A money pit pretty well sums up what they have bought.  Three women with three dreams for a new life and new lifestyle.  Great reading about their dilemmas and how they surmount problem after problem and make a new life and new friends.

Mother Daughter Writing Team

Just read Monkeewrench by P.J. Tracy a mother daughter writing team.  Monkeewrench is the first of  five novels.  The novel takes place in Wisconsin and Minnesota with two police departments looking for a killer.  Snappy dialog, believable cop characters, computer geeks and plot twists.  Has been described as Evanovich meets Fargo.  Loved it.

Political Thriller

I discovered a new author Mike Lawson.  Just read his first two novels Inside Ring and Second Perimeter.  Joe DeMarco is the main character and he works for the Speaker of the House and “fixes problems”  for him.  Snappy dialog, great characters and interesting storylines.  He has five Joe DeMarco novels out…happy reading.

The Shadow of the Wind

Just finished The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  It is not a quick read but it is  enjoyable and worthwhile.  It takes place in Spain during the late 1940′s and 50s.  A boy finds a novel and becomes enthralled with the life of the author.  Great characters and the plot unfolds as each person gives him  more insight into the life of the author.  Definitely worth reading.  Follow the link and place your hold.  http://catalog.ccls.org/search~S1?/tshadow+of+the+wind&b=/tshadow+of+the+wind/1%2C1%2C2%2CB/frameset&FF=tshadow+of+the+wind&1%2C%2C2/indexsort=-

In a reading slump?

If you are finding it hard to find a new author or haven’t found a book that you can get lost in check out the list of recommended books at the Downingtown Library.  The list is in the folder at the desk labeled “What’s Happening at the Library”.  So far the list is made up of books that I have read and really enjoyed in the last year.  If you have read one that isn’t on the list, let me know and I’ll add it.

If there is an author that you really like and are looking for someone who writes in a similar fashion check out our Read-a-likes list.  Ask at the desk if you don’t see it. 

Stieg Larsson’s trilogy

Just finished reading THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, the third novel in the Swedish trilogy by Stieg Larsson.  I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels and am sorry that I won’t be able to enjoy Lisbeth Salander as she deals with the world on her terms.  She has become one of my all time favorite characters.  If you haven’t started the trilogy be ready to wait for the first one…there are 447 holds on THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.  The second, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE has 157 holds and the last one has 174 hold. 

The Postmistress

Just finished this novel.  It is an excellent look at WWII before the US enters the war.  The story is set in a small coastal town on Cape Cod and Europe.  It looks at the consequences of actions and inaction.  Would make a great book for book club discussions. 

 I highly recommend The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.

Looking for a good book?

You are in the right place if you are looking for  suggestions for the next good book to read.  This will be an interactive blog. If you read a book and love it or hate it leave a comment about it. 

Two books that everyone should read are  Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and  The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  If you have read either one let us know what you think.