Announcing the 2020 reading list for the Waltham Public Library Thursday Night Book Club! Meetings are once a month on Thursdays at 7:15 pm. The book club is open to everyone. No registration required. And we always provide snacks!
Note: All in person book club meetings have been suspended until further notice. Please view our list of virtual book club meetings for dates and titles for meeting online.
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Louise
The Sisters Weiss by Naomi Ragen: This is a gem of a novel that makes me want to read everything that Naomi Ragen has ever written. The story is compelling. Two young girls grow up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn in the 1950s. They adhere strictly to the traditions and customs of their culture. Things change for Rose when she meets a classmate whose father has a camera and a passion for photography. Rose begins to be curious about the wider world and what it can offer. I also recommend these similar books: All Who Go Do Not Returnby Shulem Deen; Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection Of My HasidicRootsby Debora Feldman.
How Not To Die Alone by Richard Roper: If this book were a television show, it would be a combination of The Office (the English version) and Six Feet Under. Andrew, our main character, works in a municipal job where he goes to dead people’s houses to try to get clues about their next of kin. And, oops! somehow, during his job interview, he wasn’t quite paying attention and accidentally told his boss to be that he is married with a family by saying ‘yes’ when the answer should have been no. The boss has suggested that everyone host a dinner at their home to built the esprit de corps in the office. Andrew has created a fictional wife and family. What will he do? If you like humor that is sometimes rather dark, than this is the book for you. I laughed out loud several times and am hoping for more books from this author.
The It Girls by Karen Harper: Novel about real life sisters, novelist, Elinor Glyn and fashion designer Lady Lucille Duff Gordon who inspired the term “It Girl” and lived in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. The passage of time moved very quickly in the novel, but it did inspire me to want to read more about the two woman including Glyn’s so-called “scandalous” novels.
American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures edited by America Ferrera: This is a beautiful collection of essays from various celebrities who are either immigrants to the United States or first generation. This book highlights all of the wonderful ways that we’re different while still addressing what we all have in common.
After the Flood by Kassandra Montag: The world has changed drastically due to the Hundred Year Flood, which was then followed by the Six Year Flood. Myra and her young daughter, Pearl, go off in search of Myra’s older daughter who disappeared years earlier and meet up with a cast of characters who all have their own baggage as a result of the Floods. This somber yet hopeful novel creates a world that is believable and is a good readalike for someone who enjoyed Station Eleven but who may not normally read post-apocalyptic literature. (After the Flood is the choice for ALA’s Libraries Transform Book Pick and is offered without a waiting list from our e-book catalog through October 21)
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: A witty and biting novel about race, class, and transactional relationships, this is the story of Emira Tucker, an African-American woman in her twenties who babysits for a white family, who claim to consider her part of the family but don’t actually know what that means. A series of events and Dickensian coincidences lead to some interesting encounters and choices. I really enjoyed this fast paced but thoughtful novel, set for release in late December.
All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, read by Richard Poe (Digital audiobook): I had read this book several years ago but had forgotten most of it. It’s viewed as the history of the 1972 break-in at the Watergate office of the Democratic National Committee, but really it’s a detailed look at what goes into a news investigation. Highly recommended for anyone interested in journalism history and investigative reporting. And perhaps if enough people read (or re-read) this book, they’ll remember that Watergate was the name of the scandal because that was the location and we can stop adding gate at the end of every public scandal. (“Deflategate”, “Spygate”, hmm, why are so many of these about the Patriots?)
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown, read by Amanda Dolan (Digital audiobook): Teenager Joanna Gordon is a lesbian and is, mostly, accepted and supported by her evangelical minister father. However, when they move from Atlanta to a small town in Georgia, Joanna is forced to hide her sexuality. A lot of the side characters in this novel seem more like plot devices than actual people but overall, I like the message of this novel which states that being religious and being an LGBTQ+ ally do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay: Young girl inherits a bookshop from her grandmother along with the two other women who worked for her. A great read about making decisions and seeing where life takes us.
One Minute Later by Susan Lewis: A 27 year old lawyer has to return home to her roots after she has a heart attack and how it sets her on a different path. Very good story.
Horns by Joe Hill: I wanted to like this, but it just dragged on. Like most of Hill’s books (and his father’s), the stories are great, but the books should be 100 or 200 pages shorter.
Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami: I just started this, but I’m not finding the characters intriguing so this is one of the few books that I might not finish reading. I really love much of Murakami’s earlier work.
An Ordinary Man: Good, but really needed more of an understanding on the war, the General, and the culture.
Happy Birthday to Me performed by the Muffs: One of my favorite punk bands from the 90s. Sadly the singer, Kim Shattuck, passed away on October 3rd from complications due to ALS. The Muffs were supposed to put out a new album this month.
Uh Oh! It’s…The Coolies: This came out a few months ago, and also features, Kim Shattuck on vocals.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood: As The Handmaid’s Tale is one of my very favorite books, I was excited for this release, 19 years after I read the first. While it doesn’t quite live up to it’s predecessor, it kept my attention, and I really wanted to know what happened. It was interesting how this book functions as both a sequel to the television show and original book. While the first book really made an impression with the shocking barbarity of Gilead, I felt like there was a little too much going on in the sequel. Too much had to happen, so the reader was immersed not in the claustrophobic atmosphere of Gilead, but an action packed means to an end. While not the shocking masterpiece of The Handmaid’s Tale, it is compulsively readable, and you won’t be able to put it down.
High School by Tegan and Sara Quin: I chose the audiobook version, because I knew it was narrated by Tegan and Sara, and they definitely bring a lot of personality to everything they do. The songs recorded when they were teenagers added throughout were a fun bonus.
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Louise:
The Behavior Of Love : A Novel by Virginia Reeves: Ed Malinowski is a psychiatrist who is determined to rehabilitate the developmentally disabled residents of an institution in Montana. He moves himself and his artistic wife to rural Montana and is enamored with one of the ‘inmates’, an epileptic named Penelope. He assures his wife that his interest in Penelope is only professional, but is it? We see the cracks and fissures in the marriage and watch to see what will happen. The character development and the story line in this novel is superb. I could not put it down.
Walking The Dog by Elizabeth Swados: Elizabeth Swados was a very eclectic and talented playwright and author, a five-time Tony nominee and the recipient of three Obie Awards, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Ford grant, among numerous other honors. This novel is very interesting if you like extremely unconventional characters and if you read for character. The narrator is an extremely talented, upper class child who ends up serving a prison sentence after a botched robbery which left some officers of the law dead not by her hand I might add. Her parents, although wealthy, did not really like their daughter and I felt sympathy for her all the way through. Recommended for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh and Janet Fitch.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: I am a big fan of Margaret Atwood and this novel does not disappoint. It is definitely a bit scary but so well done. The plot and the characters are very strong in this frightening tale of a patriarchy that has gone out of control.
The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood: This futuristic novel about a world that has gotten engulfed in crime and chaos and the seemingly wonderful Positron Project that combines working and prison for “the greater good” is horrifying and a little bit funny at the same time. Excellent plot line that will keep you reading. Has a kind of a Ray Bradbury tinge to it (and I am a big fan of Ray Bradbury as well).
Dutch House by Ann Patchett: I was very lucky to get an advanced copy of Patchett’s upcoming novel. This novel, about two adult siblings, drawn to their childhood home from while they were exiled, is typical of Patchett in that the characters are unique and well drawn.
All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred Taylor: This upcoming novel, read courtesy of another advanced copy, is a long awaited entry in the Logan family saga (most well known from Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry). I was pleased to read a new story from a series that I loved back in high school.
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory: Another great romance from Guillory! I love how she turns romance tropes on their heads as well as including a diverse (and well rounded) set of characters.
Pulp by Robin Talley, narrated by Stephanie Cannon: This novel, alternating between present day and 1950s Washington DC and two teenage girls, Abby and Janet. Present day Abby is very comfortable and has a lot of support being out while Janet has a much harder time in the 1950s. Throughout the novel are analyses and history about lesbian pulp fiction of the 1950s and the lavender scare.
Debora
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter : Fans of Gone to Soldiers by Marge Piercy will love this novel. Set during WWII, it tells the story of Poland’s Kurc family during the Nazi takeover. The chapters skip back and forth among the siblings and parents and tell an incredible tale of ingenuity, grit, and luck across cities, countries, and years. You should read it knowing that the book is a retelling of an actual family’s experience, told by the granddaughter of one of the siblings. This was impossible to put down.
The Huntress by Kate Quinn: I can’t seem to get out of WWII. This is another novel that weaves the different story threads through multiple characters, eventually pulling them altogether. Set after the war, it features an American family, a group of Nazi hunters, and a Nazi murderer – a woman who was called The Huntress. I’ve read other books by this author, but this was the best so far. Another compulsive read.
Betrayal in Time by Julie McElwain: I’m not a mystery reader, but I’m completely hooked on this series. This is the author’s 4th Kendra Donovan mystery and what I love is the historical fiction aspect. Kendra is a 21st century FBI agent who accidentally travels back to 19th century England where she ends up solving murders. What I love is the juxtaposition of Kendra – a kick ass woman of our time – to a time when women are marginalized citizens without professions or power. Kendra navigates it all with humor and dry sarcasm. There’s a nice little love story, too.
The Book of Delights, by Ross Gay: This is a delight(!)ful collection of essays written about the small joys Gay observed over the course of a year, from gardening to watching a praying mantis to the use of air quotes. He does touch on some heavy topics as well, but the delights are the main focus. After reading it, I’ve found myself looking for the small delights in every day, and as cheesy as that sounds, it’s quite nice!
The Only Woman in the Room, by Marie Benedict: This work of historical fiction about film star Hedy Lamarr left me wanting to know more! It focuses on about a decade of her life, starting when she was a theater actress in Vienna, moving to her years spent married to a notorious Austrian arms dealer, and then her subsequent escape to America and rise in Hollywood. I knew vaguely before reading that Lamarr had invented something during World War Two, and this book showed just what a brilliant woman she was.
Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos, by Lucy Knisley: At one point in this graphic novel/memoir, Knisley points out that “motherhood, birth, and miscarriage are topics that are too often silenced or unaddressed (especially in comic books).” This book helps fill that gap, and does so powerfully. Knisley tells the story of her struggles to get pregnant, then chronicles her pregnancy and the birth of her son, sprinkling tidbits throughout on the history of and myths, misconceptions, and facts about motherhood.
An Age of License, Displacement, andRelish: My Life in the Kitchenby Lucy Knisley: I enjoyed Kid Gloves so much that I decided I need to read more of Knisley’s books. These three – two travelogues and one foodie memoir – were all quick reads, and fun and touching in their own ways, but Kid Gloves is still my favorite of the lot.
These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Stirling: First book in a long time that I could not put down. In this contemporary mystery/magical realism with a little bit of romance, Hannah is a teenage elemental witch living in Salem MA. After a bad breakup with her girlfriend, Hannah is just trying to spend the summer hanging with her best friend and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron. Until there is a blood sacrifice at the end of the school year bonfire. Someone bad is in town, and if Hannah doesn’t figure out who it is, she could be in trouble. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rich characters and storytelling.
The Stories You Tell by Kristen Lepionka: I’m a big fan of Kristen Lepionka’s Roxane Weary novels. She’s a smart, whisky drinking PI who doesn’t always look after her own best interest, but can definitely be counted on in a crisis. While I can’t say this book is my favorite of the three, i’m definitely still looking forward to the next one.
The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh: I really loved her first book, The Weight of Blood, and have been picking up anything she writes ever since. This story is told from the alternating points of view of two women, who do not even know each other, as one tries to uncover how her brother really died. Set in rural kansas, amid the opioid epidemic, this was an interesting mystery. It kept me hooked until the end.
Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway: While this middle grade book tried to tackle a lot of issues; homelessness, mental illness, alcoholism, immigration…..it was an incredibly sweet read, and made me want pie.
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Ashley:
Mr. Kiss and Tell: a Veronica Mars Novel by Rob Thomas: This came out in 2015, it’s the second book that takes place after the move. I figured I should read it before new episodes air on Hulu in July. If you like Veronica Mars, you should definitely pick up the books.
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager: So far I’m one for 3 with Mr. Sager. I really liked his second book. This one, I didn’t like as much. Mostly because it reminded me of a certain Lois Duncan book, and a certain Kate Hudson film. I knew what was going to happen from the first chapter, and it took all the fun out of it for me. It as still a decent read, but if you don’t see the end coming, it’s probably better.
Sleep, Sheep by Kerry Lyn Sparrow: This is the cutest picture book. A little boy has a hard time going to sleep at night, he uses every trick he can think of to get out of going to bed. Until his mother tells him to try counting sheep. But one of those sheep might be more than what he bargained for.
Veronica Mars: Re-watched all three seasons and the movie, just in time for the new season coming out in July.
Liz
Letterkenny (Hulu) This oddball Canadian comedy series is full of hockey jokes, agricultural references and chain-smoking, hard-drinking, yogurt-eating small town yokels.
Captive State (DVD): This 2019 science fiction film is set in Chicago after ten years of occupation by an alien force.
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel: I just saw the musical adaptation of this classic graphic memoir. It was outstanding, and it made me want to go back and reread the original. Fun Home is a family tragicomic about Bechdel’s closeted father, his suicide, and her coming out as a lesbian.
Growing Things by Paul Tremblay: This collection of chilling and suspenseful short stories by the author of “The Cabin at the End of the World” and “A Head Full of Ghosts” was released on July 2nd.
Aug. 9 – Fog by Kathryn Scanlan: This bizarre, minimalist novella has a fascinating backstory. The author found a diary fifteen years ago at an auction. The diary belonged to an 86 year old woman, and Scanlan spent the next decade and a half reorganizing it into what would become this novella.
March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin; art by Nate Powell: This three-volume graphic memoir tells the story of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of Congressman John Lewis. I enjoy the graphic element of memoirs like this as it can really add depth to the story without adding length, and in March it adds a wide range of emotion. The scenes showing violence were upsetting, but also showed vividly the horrible things that Lewis and others involved in the Movement were subjected to. It was a very powerful read.
Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston: It’s an alternate not-so-distant future, and America’s first woman president is launching her reelection campaign. When her son Alex makes the wrong kind of headlines by starting a fight with Britain’s Prince Henry, the administration quickly starts damage control by demanding Alex and Henry act like best friends. The pair successfully avert an international PR nightmare, but complications arise when their bromance turns into a very real romance. It’s a sweet and hopeful love story, and a good dose of escapism!
Captain Marvel: It took me forever to finally see this, and when I did I really wished I had seen it on the big screen. It was awesome! Now I just need to finally get around to seeing Avengers: Endgame…
Janet Z.:
Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen: Teen author Maya Van Wagenen moved with her family to Brownsville, Texas while she was in middle school. There, she embarked on an unusual social experiment by spending the eighth grade following a 1950s popularity guide. The book is often hilarious, especially the chapters covering pearls, girdles, and curlers, but it’s also touching as Maya offers readers of all ages her own modern example of confidence and kindness. I loved this book!
Dress Like a Girl by Patricia Toht: The girls in this picture book dress up all right! They dress like an astronaut, doctor, firefighter, construction worker, diver, and more!
Intimate Memories: The Autobiography of Mabel Dodge Luhan by Lois Palken Rudnick: This book, which is a compilation and condensation of Luhan’s voluminous diaries, reads like a who’s who of early 20th century American and European artists, writers, philosophers, journalists, and anarchists. Think Gertrude Stein, John Reed, Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, Lincoln Steffens, and many more. If you’re interested in this time period, you’ll enjoy this book.
Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown: This book is set in New York City’s Jewish immigrant community in 1935 and was rich in details. What I didn’t expect were all the surprising plot twists. A great read!
A Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall (digital audiobook): The authors purchased a lion cub at Harrods Department Store in London in 1969 (thankfully, this is no longer possible). This is the story of how they raised Christian in London and then the English countryside before arranging for him to be flown to Kenya to be cared for and reintroduced to the wild by lion expert George Adamson.
Laura:
The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles: Freshman effort from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow. Imagine The Great Gatsby taking place during the Great Depression, and none of the main characters are affected by the Depression.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang: This modern day romance takes place in the same universe as The Kiss Quotient but it’s not necessary to read the first title in order to enjoy this one. This is a good twist on the concept of an arranged marriage and I appreciate that once again, one of the protagonists is not neurotypical.
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley: The premise of this book, in which the narrator, the first of adopted sisters embarks on a journey about her past after the death of her wealthy mysterious adoptive father, is intriguing but the execution doesn’t work. The other sisters are not well developed and seem to be character tropes. I imagine that they get more well rounded in their own volumes, but I’m not continuing.
How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs: I highly recommend this short story collection for readers who like a strong sense of place and identity. Each story is told through the point of view of someone who are Jamaican nationals or first generation Jamaican-Americans. Each story is different in tone and together make a complete and enjoyable volume.
This This This is Love Love Love by Jennifer Wortman: This intense and descriptive short story collection is beautiful and heartbreaking.
Spiderman, Into the Spiderverse: I had heard good things about this animated film which is a nod to all of the comic book versions of Spiderman, most notably Miles Morales. The movie exceeded my expectations and was the right combination of heart, humor, and fun. Kudos to whoever cast Nicolas Cage as the 1930’s film noir version of Spiderman, because that was perfect.
This highly acclaimed novel features a character who is abandoned by her mother who grows up isolated in a marsh in North Carolina. When a man is found dead, she is suspected of being the murderer. But this could not be farther from the truth.
Dr. Julia Cates, a prominent psychiatrist, is suffering a crisis of confidence due to a rogue patient and a damaged reputation. Her sister, who is a small town police chief, needs her help with a young girl who is mute and seems to have literally been raised by wolves. Suspense, romance, introspection and beautiful storytelling make this a novel not to be missed.
In this novel, we have a young girl going off the grid to join an intentional community at the Ash Family Farm. Is she going to a commune or is she joining a cult? Read this book and find out. This book is set in North Carolina.
This beautifully written novel features a poet who lives “off the grid” in nature and who captures the heart of Diana, who has left an abusive marriage. This novel features well drawn characters, suspense and romance. Please have your Kleenex ready.
This novel features a group of college students who study with a very unconventional classics professor. They try an experiment that gets way out of hand. The book has a gripping storyline, well developed characters and will keep you reading from start to finish.
This highly readable memoir of a therapist and her patients is both personal and insightful. This book is almost impossible to put down. Gottlieb has great insight into herself in her own therapy and great compassion for the patients she treats.
In this novel, David Vann imagines the final days of his father’s life and his mental illness. David Vann is a bestselling New York Times Notable Author.
This classic work by famed neurologist Oliver Sacks is a compassionate and fascinating tale of different patients that he worked with.
Becomingby Michelle Obama The former first lady writes about her marriage, her time in the White House, being a mother and more in this witty and honest memoir.
The first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice tells about her life, from growing up in a project in the Bronx to becoming a member of the highest court in the United States.
The main character of this novel by Reichl is working in public relations for a once prestigious culinary magazine and uncovers a correspondence between a young James Beard and a twelve year old.
This colorful book minces no words as the late Bourdain describes his experiences; the good, the bad and the bloody in a series of restaurants on the road to the great success that he achieved. You will not be disappointed with this well written, captivating and witty food memoir.
Raised in the Bronx and Nigeria, Kwame became obsessed with food at a young age and tells about his path to success in this riveting memoir. Onwachi has been named one of Food And Wine’s best new chefs under 30.
The Silent Patientby Alex Michaelides A famous painter who seems to have it all, shoots her fashion photographer husband five times in the face one day. Then she stops talking. Will her psychiatrist be able to solve the mystery of what happened? Read this book and find out.
Even the title is similar in this psychological suspense fiction by A.S.A. Harrison. I regret to say that she is deceased so after you finish this one, see below. This book describes the slow disintegration of a marriage due to infidelity and deceit and the small cracks that can turn into a major fissure…
This book is impossible to put down. The words are the ‘crazy’ glue that keep one reading to find out what the heck is going on in this awful marriage that appears to be so perfect on the
They are married. They have a beautiful baby. One night, they go right next door to a party, checking on the baby regularly. Nothing could go wrong, could it?
Catherine has everything, wealth, beauty. And her new relationship seems great. On the other hand, her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, feels strongly that there is a problem. What is it? I will forever be a fan of Swann Huntley after having read this novel.
Rachel, who enjoys her alcohol, sees a couple every day whose life she imagines to be perfect. Then something happens and she feels compelled to get involved. What is the truth? Read this book and find out. I personally could not put this one down.
Twin sisters Rose and Bel Enright enroll in the prestigious Odell School in New Hampshire. Then the rivalry begins…and the school is not as wholesome as it appears to be. Rituals, dark traditions and more emerge in this intriguing novel.
A wealthy and privileged family tries to put a tragedy behind them by purchasing an island in Maine. This novel explores three generations of this family who seemed to have it all.
A tale of tragedy, wealth and scandal, New money vs. old money. This novel is a classic and I get something different out of it whenever I read it. A heartbreaker.
Vacationland by John Hodgman: I thoroughly enjoyed Hodgman’s storytelling and his way of circling back to earlier anecdotes throughout the book. Having spent a lot of time in Massachusetts and Maine, I really enjoyed his take on both states and their people and wilderness. He clearly loves both places and it comes through even when joking about some aspect of one or the other. I listed to the digital audiobook, which is read by the author, and I recommend doing the same.
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea by Alyssa Mastromonaco : This was a really great read for anyone interested in what it’s like to work for a senator or president. Mastromonaco worked for Obama throughout his transition from senator to president. She is down-to-earth and a refreshing break from the ivy league white guys that surround many high-level politicians. Her stories are hilarious and borderline-TMI sometimes, so if that’s not your cup of tea maybe skip those passages. Overall, it was a light, easy read and I really enjoyed it.
Laura:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, P.S. I Love You, and Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: I really loved this teen trilogy about Lara Jean, a well rounded teenage protagonist with a lot of facets to her and a variety of interests including cooking, working with seniors, scrap booking, and planning out future travel, including to her mother’s native Korea. Despite the fact that this was written in the first person, the side characters are well drawn, including Lara Jean’s grandmother. The books are also quite feminist with refreshing looks at teenage sexuality and sex shaming. I have yet to watch the Netflix movie based on the first book but I’m looking forward to it!
Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks: In a small Nova Scotia town, one summer, Mir and Weldon meet, become friends, and even start to fall in love. The problem is that they are scions of the opposing sides in a dispute about the creation and rights of “The Tomorrow Men” a fictionalized version of “The X-Men”. Considering this is a take on Romeo and Juliet, the adult characters are refreshingly understanding (for the most part) and the detail regarding the comics and fandom world is a lot of fun. I would suggest this for those who enjoyed Ship It by Britta Lundin or A Hundred Thousand Worlds by Bob Proehl.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina: Sixth grader Merci is entering her second year as a scholarship student at a prestigious private school and making new friends and re-establishing some rivalries. At home, however, she worries about her beloved grandfather, Lolo, who has become forgetful and accident prone. This lovely book realistically captures middle school relationships, including evolving friendships, as well as the effects an ill relative can have on a strong family dynamic.
The X-Files: Case Files (graphic novel): I always enjoy more of Mulder and Scully, especially in any authorized stories with strong hints of their coupling (yeah, I’m a shipper and proud of it). The two cases in this comics collection aren’t especially interesting, but it was nice to read about Scully having a positive rapport with another female side character and and Mulder and Scully’s sarcasm is at an all time high.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty, read by Caroline Lee (audiobook): Once again, Moriarty tells a complex story featuring a cast of quirky characters. This time is the setting is Tranquillum House, a health spa in Australia where the owner, Masha, uses some questionable methods. I didn’t find this quite as compelling as her earlier work, but Moriarty still weaves a good tale that is quickly paced. Lee, as usual, is perfect as the narrator for Moriarty’s world.
Louise
13 Ways Of Looking At A Fat Girl by Mona Awad: This is a great collection of vignettes that focuses on Lizzie and her struggles with weight, relationships and life in general. Even when she loses pounds, she still feels like she is heavy. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever struggled with body image or with relationships.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty: I loved loved loved this book. For anyone who has tried any form of self improvement and been suspicious of the person or persons in charge of the session, for anyone who had a guru who turned out to be rather disappointing. The hardest part of this book for me was the fact that it had to end. Warning: I have some friends who do not like novels that get dark in any way who did not like this book.
Help Me! One Woman’s Quest To Find Out If Self-Help Really Can Change Your Life by Marianne Power : Oh, this book is such a gem. Marianne tries a different self-help book each month and really lives and breathes the advice from each author. You may have to take breaks because you will be laughing at times so hard that you will need a glass of water. I recommend this for anyone who has tried to follow any self-help book and who has a sense of humor.
Rabbits For Food by Binnie Kirshenbaum: This is a darkly funny novel about one woman’s struggle with depression and the feeling that she is unlovable. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in this sort of novel. If you like Ottessa Moshfegh, you will definitely like Binnie Kirshenbaum. Both of these authors provide interesting and quirky main characters.
Dana:
Homes: A Refugee Story, by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah: This book was the April selection for Overdrive’s Big Library Read and I found it incredibly powerful. al Rabeeah (who co-wrote this book as a teenager with one of his middle school teachers) and his family moved from Iraq to Syria to escape religious persecution, only to find their lives interrupted again by the start of the Syrian civil war. As the family waits to see if they will be granted refugee status, they try to carry on in the midst of shootings, car bombings, and neighborhood raids. It was heartbreaking to read about all the violence al Rabeeah witnessed at such a young age, but incredible to know he survived and was able to share his story.
Internment, by Samira Ahmed: This book was INTENSE. It imagines a not-so-distant future in which policies of the president lead to Muslim Americans being placed in internment camps, just as Japanese Americans were in the early 1940s. The story follows 17-year-old Layla, whose family is forced from their home in the middle of the night and brought to the first camp, and her attempts to agitate for the freedom of her fellow citizens. I was hooked from the first chapter and am still thinking about it, even though I finished it several days ago.
The Book of Essie, by Meghan MacLean Weir: Essie is the youngest child of a megachurch pastor, whose conservative Christian family stars in a hit reality show about their lives. The story begins with the revelation that Essie is pregnant, with her mom and the production crew scrambling to figure out how to handle the situation. I thought the character development in this book was great, and the plot kept me hooked.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: I’d been waiting for the third and final book in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series for months, but sadly this book didn’t live up to my self-created hype. It felt a little mailed-in, and a little too full of random pop-culture references, and the characters didn’t feel familiar like they had in the first two books. I still finished it, because I wanted to know what happened to Lara Jean and Peter K., but it was definitely my least favorite book of the series.
I’ve had two CDs in heavy rotation in my car this month. Strangeland by Keane has been my go-to when I want something chill, and The ABBA Generationby A*Teens: an album of late-90s Europop ABBA covers – has been sparking some embarrassingly awesome car-dancing sessions.
Rachel Carson: PBS American Experience (DVD): Rachel Carson’s excellent book Silent Spring and other writings are credited with launching the modern environmental movement. I enjoyed learning more about her work as a scientist but be warned that parts of this film are shocking, particularly the footage of farm fields, neighborhoods, and even individual people being sprayed with DDT.
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: This graphic novel was the first one I ever read and I loved it. Reading this again, particularly now that I have children who are the age Marjane was when she left her family, gave me newfound appreciation for this work.
Death Comes for Archbishop by Willa Cather: If your travels ever take you to New Mexico, read this book first. A work of fiction published in 1927, it is still a wonderful introduction to the history and geology of the state.
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher: Published in 1916, Understood Betsy is a work of fiction whose protagonist is subjected to the worst kind of helicopter parenting. Thankfully she breaks free when she moves in with distant relatives in Vermont.
Debora H.:
We Must Be Brave by Frances Liardet: I liked this book, but didn’t love it. Yes, the language was beautiful and yes, the story of a woman’s deep love for a little girl she takes in during the chaos and bloodshed of WWII was compelling. But I found the backstory of the main character annoying – and grim. And, although the story was set in WWII, it didn’t feel like a historical fiction read, since the war felt mostly like a prop. Moreover, the narrative was incredibly slow paced, which made it hard to stay interested. There is one surprising plot twist that could’ve been highlighted better – it almost gets lost in the pages. The ending is mostly satisfying.
The Honorable Woman: This is an 8 part British mini-series available on DVD starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as Nessa Stein, a British woman who leads the company her father founded and who is about to award a contract for laying fiber-optic cables in the West Bank to a Palestinian business owner. When that man dies in a staged suicide, just before the contract announcement, the intrigue begins. Soon after, the son of Nessa’s close friend is kidnapped. British spy agency MI6 gets involved and secrets are revealed as the investigator uncovers them. Danger abounds for the main characters in this highly tense and suspenseful political thriller.
Mary V.:
The Black Ascot by Charles Todd: The black ascot refers to the ascot horse races where everyone was dressed in black because the king had died. This is the latest Inspector Rutledge mystery. A man who was helped by Rutledge returns the favor and gives him a tip about a missing suspect whom Rutledge pursues. This is a typical Ian Rutledge mystery, but I still enjoy reading them.
The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd: Lonely Samantha in England begins a correspondence with a man in prison in the United states for the brutal murder of a young girl. She falls in love with him and moves to Florida to be with him. While she is there, she works with a producer on a documentary about the murder and tries to get him released.
If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin: This takes place in the fictional town of Havenkill in the Hudson Valley. The story is told from different people’s viewpoints about a young man who dies in an automobile accident. Was it an accident or something more sinister?
Hex on the Ex by Rochelle Staab: This is a very light murder mystery involving the ex-wife of a famous Dodger pitcher. It was okay, but I didn’t like the characters enough to look for other books in the series.
Hitting the Books by Jenn McKinley: This series of books involves a director of a small New England public library. I was hoping for something similar to the Miss Zukas mysteries. There is no comparison. Again, I didn’t like the characters well enough to try another book in the series.
Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry: This is the second Daniel Pitt mystery. It’s enjoyable, but not nearly as good as the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series by the same author.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: Six year old Kya Clark watches her mother walk down the lane wearing her best shoes and carrying a small suitcase. She doesn’t even wave goodbye. Shortly thereafter, her three oldest teenaged siblings also escape from their abusive alcoholic father. Her brother, Jodie, who is closest in age to Kya also leaves a few months later because he cannot tolerate his father’s abuse. Kya and her father form a tolerable alliance for a while by avoiding each other as much as possible. He is gone for long periods of time and by the time Kya is nine years old he leaves and doesn’t come back. Kya must fend for herself which she does by hiding from other people while being shunned and despised by others in the town. This is an amazing story of a child’s resilience and ability to adapt to her situation. The novel begins in 1969 when the body of a young man is found dead, but Kya’s story begins in 1952. The novel goes back and forth between the two time periods. This is the author’s first book which is haunting. I found myself thinking of Kya long after I finished the book.
Amber
Killing Eve: My co-worker recommended this show and it was love at first sight. Dark, well-written, and clever with strong female leads and a great soundtrack.
Dead to Me: This pitch-black comedy is so good I wanted to finish it in one sitting. I didn’t know anything about the premise which added an element of surprise for me so if you plan on watching the series and haven’t read any reviews yet, don’t! This series is currently available on Netflix (and accessible by checking out one of our Roku devices).
Luther: It’s been three long years since the last season and I am currently counting the days until season five begins on BBC America (June 2). It’s been nine years since season one aired so I recently re-watched all four seasons. Highly recommended for fans of British crime dramas, dark detective shows, and/or Idris Elba (or all of the above!).
One Day in December: My reading list so far this year has been pretty heavy in terms of subject matter and I needed a break so I picked up this title and I’m so glad I did. An easy, delightful read that is perfect for the beach (beach weather is coming eventually…right?) this story, set in London, had me laughing out loud and getting teary eyed in equal measure.
Dare You to Lie by Amber lynn Natush: If you are a fan of Veronica Mars, odds are you will like this mystery series starring a young woman who shares many qualities with Veronica.
Good Trouble (TV): The spin off of The Fosters following 20 somethings Callie and Mariana as they embark on first jobs after college.
Dead Cat on the Line (podcast): International true crime podcast which has (in its first three episodes) tackled cases linked to the creation of the 911 and AMBER Alert systems and the phrase “guilty as Crippen”.
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Laura:
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite: This sardonic dark comedy from Nigeria, is the story of Korede, whose sister, Ayoola, has a nasty habit of killing her boyfriends. The tone of this quickly paced novel is both creepy and funny and explores some interesting family dynamics.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram: I loved this teen/YA novel about a teenage boy, suffering from depression, who visits his maternal grandparents in Iran with his parents and sister. Darius is a well rounded character with a variety of interests, and his exploration of the many facets of his identity is well done. The side characters, including Darius’s father are well developed.
Hotel Bemelmans by Ludwig Bemelmans: Many not know that the author of the beloved Madeleine books started out his career working in well known restaurants and hotels in Europe and New York City and lived to tell the tales. This humorous and possibly exaggerated essay collection about his experiences is a fun read and interesting juxtaposition to the stories about the little girls in two straight lines.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai: I’m about a third of the way through this heartbreaking novel told in alternating time periods and third person voices. I was in elementary and middle school during the early days of the AIDS crisis and while I do remember it, this book is allowing me to appreciate how scary, sad, and ignorant of a time it was.
Becoming by Michelle Obama, audiobook (CD) read by the author: I’ve always been interested in the lives of the First Ladies, and Obama’s writing is thoughtful, witty, relatable, and refreshingly honest. Her audiobook narration added emotion and warmth to the quickly paced memoir.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, audiobook (CD) read by Gwendoline Yeo: It’s been several years since I first read this beautiful novel about four women from China and their American born daughters. I was inspired to re-read it after watching a lovely production of the play in Concord. It can’t be easy to write for eight distinct characters, but Tan pulled it off as does Yeo’s narration.
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, audiobook (Overdrive) read by the author: Doyle, a recovering alcoholic and bulimic, has had trouble figuring out what is love and is caught off guard when her husband admits that he’s been cheating on her since the early days of their marriage. Love Warrior is her self journey as she navigates her life and role and learns to find hope. This is not normally the type of book I would read, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I would suggest this as a possible read alike to Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine: While not as absorbing as the first book, Stillhouse Lake, but I’m always impressed with Gwen’s strength, and bravery. I’d definitely like to have her on my side. I don’t want to give too much plot away, because where would all the fun be? But I can’t wait to see what happens next. I bet she’d make a great detective.
Cruel Fate by Kelley Armstrong: I was very sad when I realized Kelley Armstrong’s Cainseville series was ending with book 5. Then I was pleasantly surprised by the subsequent release of several shorter books. In this novella, Olivia’s father Todd has just been released from prison, after being exonerated of crimes he did not commit. Not even a day passes before someone anonymous calls the police, attempting to pin a murder on him. Who is it, and why? This was a fun, short mystery to read.
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel: I enjoyed this modern retelling of Little Women. I felt like the author attempted to cram too many issues into one book, it may have been better served as a series, but it was still nice.
The Fade by Demitria Lunetta: This was a great take on the haunted house genre, with quite the twist halfway through.
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (Movie): Sophia Lillis makes an excellent mischievous yet charming high school aged Nancy Drew in this new film. Perfect for families, with just the right amount of mystery and scares. With the most by the book retelling yet, it won’t disappoint long time fans of the teen detective.
Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken: When I spotted “New England” and “candlepin” in the description of this novel, I was intrigued. However, it ended up being just a touch too weird for me, and I gave up after about 85 pages. It might appeal to someone looking for a work of literary fiction that centers around unconventional and mysterious characters, but alas, it wasn’t for me.
The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America by Sarah Kendzior: I’m not a big fan of saying that certain books should be required reading for everyone, but if I were to make such a list, this would be on it for sure. Kendzior’s collection of essays shows how the American Dream has become unattainable for all but the very wealthy, touching on subjects like higher education, the post-employment economy, the media, gender, race, and religion.
The Hate U Give (movie): I’m always a little hesitant to see movie adaptations of books I love, but this one definitely did the novel justice. So, so good.
Debora:
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff: I simply love this author and I’ve read almost everything she’s written. With a WWII historic fiction theme, this novel had promise; however, it fell flat for me. The plot moves back and forth between two time periods – during the war and in 1946. The 1946 plot verges on the ridiculous – Grace is a war widow who finds an abandoned suitcase in Grand Central station. Not only does she open it, but she takes a collection of photos she finds inside, leaving the case where it is. Her motives are unbelievable at best. The plot premise is Grace’s search for the young women in the photos; their stories are told in the WWII part of the narrative. It would have worked much better to just tell the amazing story of these female spies on their own because the work they did was both dangerous and important. The entire book felt rushed to publication.
The Good Mother by Sue Miller: The first time I read this book, it was for my book club and none of the group’s readers were yet mothers. We also went to see the author speak – to a packed auditorium in Cambridge. My friends and I decided to revisit this book, now that we all have children and it has stood the test of time. It’s an incredibly compelling story of a recently divorced mother, Anna Dunlap, with a four year old daughter, Molly. Anna falls in love with Leo and for the first time feels the full range of love and passion in her life. During one of Molly’s visits to her father, Anna gets a phone call from her ex alleging inappropriate contact between Leo and Molly. I couldn’t remember the outcome of the ensuing trial, so was speed reading to get to its conclusion. Without giving away the court’s ruling, the reader sees how there are so many issues at play including judgments about full-time day care, working mothers, sex, expectations for women, and double standards. Miller’s depiction of young Molly is spot on.
Vice: Loved it, very funny and upsetting all at once.
Disappearance of Madeline McCann (Netflix): Kind of a long production, but an interesting look at police operations in other countries and how the media can play into the public damning of people who are actually innocent.
A Star is Born: I watched it on a plane, it was very meh. I didn’t expect to like it, and I didn’t end up being surprised.
Educated by Tara Westover (CD audiobook): I loathed the audiobook version of this book. The story is NOT enjoyable, and the reader was very slow in pace which irritated me until 6 hours in I had to just let it go. The story is interesting for sure, but much of it is about neglect and abuse. I’d recommend reading it in print vs. listening if you’re going to pick it up.
Gloria Bell: I do not get out to the movies enough, but I was lucky enough to see this fabulous movie that features Julianne Moore. The acting is superb and this is a wonderful character study of a divorced woman who starts a relationship with a gentleman who has some serious issues.
Educated by Tara Westover: I love, love love this book. My highest compliment: it reads like fiction. Really compelling characters in Tara’s family. Ms. Westover grew up in a Survivalist Mormon family in Idaho and, wow, what an unusual childhood she had. You don’t know whether to laugh or cry when you read about her father’s extreme aversion to conventional medicine, schooling, birth certificates or anything else that would get one into the ‘system’. This is an extraordinary book. Please note: there is some violence that may make some readers cringe.
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser: The WPL Thursday night book group will be discussing this book on Thursday, April 18 at 7:15pm. I loved the Little House books as a child and I love reading about Laura Ingalls Wilder as an adult. This Pulitzer Prize winning biography describes the injustices visited upon the Native Americans, the ecological damage caused by clear cutting, and some parts of Laura’s childhood that were not included in the series. Laura’s daughter Rose was a partner in the writing of the Little House series and also quite a fascinating character. This book is not to be missed.
The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays by Esme Weijun Wang: Ms Wang shows great resilience and wit in these beautifully written essays. She has struggled with a major mental illness and some serious physical challenges. On a more shallow note, she is adorable. You can watch her here. This book is recommended for fans of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks.
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Debora:
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg: I’m generally a fan of this author, but that doesn’t mean I like everything she writes. This book, though, moved my very soul. The premise is clever: Myra is a home care nurse whose newest patient is Chip, the super popular guy from her high school that she had an unrequited crush on. Sadly, what brings them together is that Chip is dying from a brain tumor. Life gets complicated when Chip’s old girlfriend enters the scene to help take care of Chip…and stay at Myra’s house. Along the way, all 3 of the characters change in ways that are unexpected and often touching. I highly recommend this fast read – a book that has stayed with me weeks later.
Halfway House by Katherine Noel: This novel succeeds in some ways, but not in others. Where it succeeds is in painting a vivid picture of a teenage girl’s mental illness and the impact it has on her life and members of her immediate family. Where it fails is in telling an actual interesting story. Things happen, yes, and characters do change, but at some point the book felt endless and I just needed it to be over.
Dana:
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman: I’ve always had an interest in historical stories that involve people’s experiences in asylums, and tend to like books that feature parallel(ish) plots taking place in different times. When I spotted this book and saw that it offered both those things, I couldn’t wait to read it. One half of the book focuses on Clara, whose father commits her to a state hospital in 1929 when she refuses to marry the man he chose for her, and the other half features Izzy, a teen in 1995 who is navigating the foster system and who discovers Clara’s diary. It had so much potential, but I gave up a third of the way through. Parts of Clara’s story were too upsetting for me to deal with, and Izzy’s story line was so full of 1990s high school cliches that I just got annoyed.
Berlin: Portrait of a City by Hans Christian Adam: After visiting Berlin last fall, I’m now fascinated with the history of the city. This book gives a quick, but detailed, rundown of Berlin’s history from the mid-1800s to the present, and is full of awesome photographs.
The State Boys Rebellion by Michael D’Antonio: This was an eye-opening book about a disturbing part of America’s past, beginning with an introduction to the American eugenics movement and then looking at how faulty IQ tests were used to label children as “feeble-minded” and to justify locking them away in institutions. The book focuses on the stories of several boys who were institutionalized at the Fernald State School here in Waltham. It wasn’t an easy book to read (emotionally), but an important one.
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson: The cover of this book (an ecstatic-looking raccoon) is totally what drew me to it, and I’m glad it did! I really enjoyed this humorous memoir, which touches on topics as varied as mental illness and taxidermy. I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud – the kind of laughing where my shoulders shook and I had a hard time regaining my composure – but there were also serious chapters that resonated as well. I was also excited (and admittedly late to the party) to learn that Lawson has a blog so I can continue to read her stuff even though the book ended.
The Future is Feminist: Radical, Funny, and Inspiring Writing by Women edited by Mallory Farrugia: This book is a decent collection of essays presented, unfortunately, in a hideous combination of neon orange and pink text on a white background. I could only read the pink text if the lighting was just so, and struggled with the orange even when I squinted and looked sideways at the page. I recommend trying to find the essays elsewhere if you want to read them, unless you have better eyesight than I do!
One Day in December by Josie Silver: I’m a sucker for books set in the UK, and this one didn’t disappoint. It follows the lives of Laurie and Jack over the course of ten years, starting when Laurie spots Jack from a bus and their eyes meet, igniting a spark that neither had ever felt the likes of before. I felt like I knew the characters as the story went on, and even missed them a little when I finished the book. It was a heartwarming escape from the real world!
Guardians of the Galaxy, Awesome Mix. Volume 1: The Guardians movies really have fantastic soundtracks, and this CD has been a fun one to rock out to in the car – David Bowie, Jackson 5, Norman Greenbaum, Redbone, and more. The song in highest rotation has been Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling,” because my toddler loves the “ooga chaka” intro, which he thinks is “ooga chocolate.” I love that misheard lyric and don’t plan on correcting him.
The Life Pursuit by Belle and Sebastian: I uncovered this CD – a favorite of mine circa 2007 – recently and have been enjoying the nostalgia factor in between spins of the oft-requested “ooga chocolate.”
Ralph Breaks the Internet: I had such high hopes for this movie! I loved the first one (Wreck-It Ralph ), and had heard that there were some fun internet-related Easter eggs in the sequel. I didn’t think it lived up to the hype.
Laura:
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier: This beautiful, haunting, sad, sweet, wondrous, and magical realistic historical fiction written for middle grade readers caused me to cry throughout my reading. I know that I overused the adjectives but I can’t write anything about this title that does it justice. Nan is an apprentice to a cruel chimney sweep in Victorian London and misses her former mentor, “Sweep”, and creates a Golem, who she names Charlie. The lyrical prose and the strong sense of time and place is gorgeous and heartbreaking. All of the characters are compelling and the relationship between Nan and Charlie is fully realized. The historic aspect pays homage to the real children, who often died while performing the dangerous job of chimney sweeping.
The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve: This is perfect for anyone who likes present day (well, 1990s) angst and unreliable narrators mixed in with their historical fiction. Photographer Jean goes to Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals in order to document the scene about a grisly 19th century murder (based on a real life murder). As Jean becomes more caught up in the crime, she becomes more suspicious and distrusting of her husband and brother in law’s girlfriend which leads to tragic results in the present day.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas: In Thomas’s follow up to The Hate U Give, teenage Bri is a rising rapper hoping to follow in the footsteps of her rapper father, who was killed in gang violence. Bri is a fully realized character and the side characters are compelling, especially Bri’s mother and aunt.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: This novel, told in verse, is haunting and suspenseful. Will’s brother, Shawn, was shot and killed last night and according to the rules that have governed Will’s life, he must get revenge on his brother’s killer. He grabs his brother’s gun and rides down in the elevator as he contemplates what he’s about to do. The book is gritty and real, with a touch of magical realism.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See: A character driven novel about Li-Yan, a member of the Akha tribe, one of the ethnic minorities in China. Li-Yan has a daughter out of wedlock and, in order to save her from death, brings her to an orphanage. The rest of the novel proceeds with Li-Yan telling her story in the first person while we catch glimpses of the life of her biological daughter in California via e-mails and other correspondence. Once again, See creates strong female characters and also a strong sense of place. The production and importance of tea played such an important role in the book that it’s inspired me to learn more.
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge, Read by Ray Porter (Overdrive audiobook): This book is a good introduction to the War in Vietnam as well as a good complement to anyone already familiar with the history. Interviews with those “on the ground”, including six soldiers, a nurse, and a Vietnamese refugee are interspersed with thought processes of historical figures including Lyndon B. Johnson and Martin Luther King.
What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper, Read by Deborah Grausman (Overdrive audiobook): This lyrical and thoughtful novel is the story of Gerta Rausch, who never identified as Jewish, until she and her father were taken to a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Although there are flashbacks to Gerta’s life before and during World War II, most of the novel takes place after the liberation and Gerta navigating life post War and in a displacement camp. The effective writing illustrates the struggles of survivors as they figure out where they belong and what to do. Grausman’s narration brings this powerful story to life. The only drawback to “reading” this as an audiobook is that I missed out on Stamper’s beautiful illustrations.
Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott, Read by Barbara Caruso (Audiobook on CD): I continue on my Louisa May Alcott kick as I finish the March Family trilogy. Most of the characters from Little Men return for this one, and there is a bit of a meta subplot in which Jo juggles the pros and cons of life as a famous writer.
In honor of the passing of Luke Perry, I am touting one of my favorite podcasts, Again with This: Beverly Hills 90210. Tara Ariano and Sarah D. Bunting, founders of the websites Previously.TV and the late Mighty Big TV/Television Without Pity, snarkily summarize every episode of Beverly Hills 90210. For those of us who came of age with the Walsh Twins and their friends, this podcast is a fun (and better) alternative to re-watching the show. Warning, if you are a Brandon fan (in a non ironic way), Tara and Sarah do not agree with you and this podcast may not be for you!
Mind Unraveled: a Memoir by Kurt Eichenwald: This is probably one of my favorite books from the past few years. Eichenwald recounts his epilepsy diagnoses (at age 18) and the nightmarish amounts of misinformation, mistreatment, and misdiagnoses from medical professionals that ensued during his college years. This should be required reading for anyone interested in becoming a medical professional, but not because it’s a medical text- it’s not. This book is a thrilling page-turner! It simply gives perspective, a human element to the effect doctors have on patients, and more broadly the effect we can have on other’s when we don’t confront our bias about disabilities.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote: I’ve been very interested in true-crime for a long time but had never read this classic work. Capote is a brilliant writer, and I was pleased that he dug into the story of the two murders as well as the family.
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown: I enjoyed this thought-provoking memoir from Channing Brown. She aims to challenge responses to racist actions in our society and shares how smaller acts have an impact on people.
American Prison by Shane Bauer: Another one that should be required reading. I love that the author covers so much of the history of these institutions and their role in American society. It was heartbreaking, stomach-turning, but also very interesting and important. Bauer was also very reflective and honest about his stint as a prison guard which provided a fascinating window into how power/authority/fear can transform people.
Minding the Gap (streaming): A wonderful documentary. The doc follows a group of friends as they come into adulthood. It’s filmed/directed by one of the friends in the group and his intent was to explore how their rough upbringings affected their lives. All three of the main subjects had iffy relationships with the adult males in their lives and turned to skateboarding as a release (which is how they all met).
Sex Education (Netflix): Hands down some of the most wonderful, honest story arcs and character development. Teen sex comedies seem to be having a moment, but this show is really special.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: I love the diversity of the cast and Andy Samberg. Very silly and fun to watch.
Innocent Man (Netflix): This docuseries is based on the bestselling non-fiction book by John Grisham detailing two crimes in the same town. In both cases, the wrong people are accused, confess, and later sentenced. Though the series could’ve done a better job keeping the two narratives apart, it’s a mind-boggling story. If you think people wouldn’t confess to crimes they didn’t commit, you’d do well to give this a watch or pick up the book by Grisham.
Janet Z.:
My Dinner with Hervé (DVD): Back in the day, I was a real Fantasy Island fan, so was immediately drawn to this movie about Hervé Villechaize (aka Tattoo). Peter Dinklage did an amazing job, but the script just did not hang together for me.
A Squirrel’s Guide to Success (DVD): It turns out these critters are incredibly intelligent and adaptable. I especially enjoyed learning how engineers are studying squirrel’s movements to build robots that can tackle highly variable and unstable terrain in areas hit by earthquakes and other disasters.
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife by Connie Scovill Small: I loved this book, in which the author writes about her 28 years of lighthouse life and service on the Maine and New Hampshire coasts alongside her husband. In the days before automation, this vital maritime profession involved long hours of difficult and even dangerous work.
I Hate My Cats by Davide Cali, illustrated by Anna Pirolli: Thank you, Liz, for recommending this adorable book. And don’t worry, cat lovers. The human in this book clearly loves his fur babies.
I Do Not Come to You By Chance by Adaobi Nwaubani: This wonderful book provides a fascinating and at times hilarious glimpse into the world of Nigerian email scams.
Floor Sample by Julia A. Cameron: I loved Cameron’s The Artist’s Way so of course was looking forward to reading her autobiography. Sadly, I barely made it to page 50 as I quickly tired of all the details of Cameron’s relationship with Martin Scorcese.
Ashley:
Inspection by Josh Malerman: From the author of Bird Box comes an inventive, Original story definitely written with the screen in mind. What would happen if boys and girls were raised completely separate with no knowledge of the others existence? Would they thrive academically and career wise because there are no “distractions”? It reads a bit young, could be an excellent YA crossover. My main issue with the book is the assumption that people are ONLY attracted to the opposite sex. With almost 50 children, a handful of them are bound to be attracted to the same sex. It bothers me when i can’t tell if a problem was intentional or not. Since it was not addressed, this just seems like a glaring flaw to me. Other than that i enjoyed this almost modern fairy tale like novel.
Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong: I found the fourth installment in her Rockton series to be a little slower and less interesting than the first 3, however i’ll still be waiting impatiently for the next one. Armstrong’s mysteries always keep me guessing, and her characters are fun and interesting.
Russian Doll on Netflix: Do you like your television shows dark and a little funny? Than this is for you. I wasn’t sure i was going to like it, with all of the comparisons to Ferris Bueller. I just do not like things that repeat over and over. However with Jamie Babbit Directing, and Natasha Lyonne starring, i decided to try it. Even though it’s about a woman who keeps repeating the same day, each day is new and inventive, and we get to watch her character row. It was wonderful.
Liz:
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh: This longlist Man Booker prize nominee is about three sisters and their mother who, after years of isolation brought on by their father, encounter three strange men.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas: Thomas’s follow up book to 2017’s The Hate U Give follows Bri, a 16 year old aspiring rapper who is also struggling with being racially profiled at school, an unstable home life, past trauma and breaking out of the stereotype society is forcing onto her.
Shock Value by Jason Zinoman: This is a history of horror cinema in the 60s and 70s, focusing on the works of directors like John Carpenter, Dan O’Bannon, Wes Craven and Brian De Palma. An entertaining read for any fan of horror film or cinema!
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Dana:
A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs: I love, love, loved the first book in the series of which this is the fourth installment – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Books two and three, not so much. In my opinion, the mix of prose and creepy old photographs worked well in the first one, but didn’t hold up as the series went on; it felt more forced. However, that didn’t stop me from getting excited when I spotted this one on the shelf – I didn’t know more were being written! My excitement didn’t last long. I nearly abandoned ship several times, then felt rewarded when – around page 250 – it finally started to get good. But that didn’t really last either, as the story took a really weird turn. I regret a little that I wasted time reading 500 pages of “meh” when I could have been reading something else.
Bebe Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman: I read Bringing Up Bebe way back in my halcyon days before I was a parent, and thought it was brilliant. I thought I’d follow the book’s parenting advice to the letter and raise a perfectly well behaved child, just like Druckerman said all French kids were. Then I actually became a parent and learned that raising a child isn’t quite so easy as Druckerman made it sound. I soon realized that parenting books aren’t the be-all and end-all to the parenting gig! That said, when I spotted this book in the stacks I was quick to nab it. It’s sort of a Cliffs Notes version of Bringing Up Bebe. Be-all and end-all it may not be, but hey, I’ll take any hints I can get!
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han: I put this book – the sequel to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before– on hold after watching the Netflix movie adaptation of the first book, and it finally came in this month. Even though it had been over a year since I read TATBILB, I slid easily back into the story and found myself wrapped up in it (though I’m unsure if that’s a good thing; I’m too old to get wrapped up in high school drama!). I love the characters, I love the writing, and I’m eagerly awaiting my hold on the third book to come in!
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: I’d heard only good things about this book, and was excited to spot an available copy on our shelves. It was a cute story, if a bit predictable, and I found myself rooting for the characters to work everything out. I generally don’t read many romances, and was a bit blindsided by how graphic some of the scenes were, but on the whole it was a fun read.
Can’t Help Myself: Lessons and Confessions from a Modern Advice Columnist by Meredith Goldstein: I believe that every book has its own timing – sometimes a book is perfect for right now, and sometimes a book is good but it’s just not the right time to read it. My attempt to read this book was just not at the right time. I really like Goldstein’s writing style, and the book seemed like a fun idea, but I couldn’t get into it. Maybe I overdid it on books about relationships this month? Anyway, I’m putting it on my “will try to read later” shelf.
How to Date Men When You Hate Men by Blythe Roberson: Seriously, I didn’t intend to spend this month reading so many books about relationships and romance! Anyway, I read a promising review of this book that talked up Roberson, who works for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and writes for The Onion among others, and I thought it sounded entertaining and good for a few laughs. And it was good for a few laughs, but not as many as I’d hoped for. There were a couple of gems in the book, but for the most part I found it low-level obnoxious and full of too many exclamation points. That made me feel like I was playing into the very patriarchal society that Roberson writes about in the book – was I finding it obnoxious because it was written by a young woman? – so I felt guilty for not liking it and got caught in a downward spiral of negative feelings. Not really the outcome I was hoping for.
Debora:
Caught in Time by Julie McElwain: OK, I’m officially addicted to this author’s books. This is the third in a series and, like its predecessors, combines my love of time travel and historical fiction (do not judge me). Kendra Donovan is an FBI agent in the 21st century. She falls into a wormhole to the 19th century, murders follow, and she shocks everyone around her by using her knowledge of crime solving even though she’s just a woman. Next in the series, Betrayal in Time, is due out July 2019 and I can’t wait.
The Third Son by Julie Wu: I read this because we’re hosting the author on February 27. I loved it because it told a compelling coming of age story full of grit, love, and hardship in a place and time I knew little about. Set in 1943 Taiwan, a little boy named Saburo is caught up in the upheaval of his time. He’s the third son and as such is horribly abused and ill cared for. We follow Saburo’s story through his youth and into his adulthood, where he lands in America. The author lives locally.
Blended by Sharon Draper: This beautiful middle grade/young adult novel is the story of Isabella the daughter of an African-American father and white mother who are divorced. Isabella struggles with her identity and role within her family as well as contend with some other serious problems such as racism at her school. There is a lot going on this novel, but Draper does a good job at balancing everything and she creates well realized secondary characters. I really appreciated that Isabella’s prospective step mother, step father, and step brother are very sympathetic characters.
Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters by Tom Santopietro: Judging by the title, I expected this to be more of an analysis of the legacy of Harper Lee’s famous novel. The portions that do are quite nuanced, but the majority of the book is just a behind the scenes look at the film. It’s certainly interesting, from a film history point of view, but I was just expecting a little more analysis of the book and its legacy.
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan: The third novel in the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy brings the series to a satisfying end. This fast paced novel adds a dimension and compelling back story to Su Yi (Nick’s grandmother and matriarch to the family). Those who thought that the character of Kitty Pong received a little too much “screen” time in the second novel and who are bigs fans of Rachel will likely be disappointed with this outing, though.
Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott: This is a short and sometimes humorous (yes, humorous) memoir of Alcott’s stint as a Civil War nurse in a Washington DC hospital. This book is a great complement to civil war buffs and Little Women fans as well as for those who read for a strong sense of time and place.
Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire: Maguire, who has tackled backstories for characters from Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, and Snow White, tackles the mysterious Godfather Drosselmeier from The Nutcracker. There are many allusions to Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Greek mythology and other well known myths and fairy tales. References are also made to Hoffman’s original story as well as the ballet. I’m a huge fan of The Nutcracker and always enjoy seeing (or reading!) another interpretation of the story.
Famous Father Girl by Jamie Bernstein: This is definitely a warts and all memoir by the daughter of Leonard Bernstein. It’s a quick read and well written but it’s definitely more gossipy and less enjoyable than the memoirs written by the daughters of Irving Berlin (Irving Berlin: A Daughter’s Memoir by Mary Ellin Barrett) and Frank Loesser (A Most Remarkable Fella by Susan Loesser).
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: This plot driven very long fantasy novel is a pretty quick read and Rothfuss builds a believable fantasy world. I appreciate that this was a well done book, but it wasn’t for me.
Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown: This is a graphic novel in which Brown does a great job of explaining the complicated situation leading to the Syrian Refugee crisis. It is harrowing and sad and gives human faces to an extreme tragedy. I would suggest this for anyone who is interested in current events or for graphic novel fans who wanted a read alike for Persepolis or Maus
Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones: This historical novel about the remarkable Josephine Baker reads a lot like the script for a biopic and jumps ahead in time, skipping over some important steps. Regardless, this is a compelling read, with detail highlighting the racism of early-mid 20th century United States and the rising fascism in Europe. It does inspire me to read an actual biography of Baker.
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, read by P. Dean Robertson: This novel,about the Price family performing mission work in Congo did not work well as an audiobook. There are five narrators, all with distinct styles, but the narrator does little to distinguish them so it was hard to tell who was narrating. I do enjoy Kingsolver’s writing so I will probably try this as a print edition.
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott, read by Justine Eyre: I’ve been on a bit of a Louisa May Alcott kick lately and though I’ve read Little Women multiple times as well as other titles, I had never read Little Men or Jo’s Boys. Jo and Fritz are now running the Plunfield School for Boys (plus a couple of girls), and the two feature in the adventures of their “boys” which also include Jo’s niece and nephew, Daisy and Demi. The children at the school are the main characters, as opposed to members of the March Family. This is a sweet and pleasant story though I would consider it more of a companion novel to Little Women as opposed to a traditional sequel.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake, read by Chloe Cannon: This is a coming of age novel about Ivy, a middle school age girl, discovering her sexual identity amidst the backdrop of her family losing everything in a deadly tornado. This leisurely paced novel is very descriptive and, although it’s in the third person, Ivy’s thoughts and feelings are well drawn. A lovely novel and Cannon’s narration is perfect.
Mary V.:
Past Tense by Lee Child: This is the newest Jack Reacher book. It follows the usual formula, but as usual it is entertaining.
Newcomer by Keigo Higashino: I continue to read every Higashino mystery in hope that the next one will be as good as his first, The Devotion of Suspect X. So far, none has been as good.
The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson: This story was very scary. The president was never really missing, but he went into hiding to deal with a national calamity. I kept wondering if this could really happen. I do hope not.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean: This is a very interesting book about the history of the Los Angeles Public Library and the catastrophic fire that destroyed or damaged over 1,000,000 books in 1986. The size of this library is astounding. There are more than 70 branches and the Los Angeles Police Department handles security for the library.
Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton: This is the third book in a mystery series about an American woman who works in a rare book store in Scotland. I liked it because it reminded me of some of the things my brother, Charles experienced when he worked in the rare book business. I didn’t like it well enough to borrow the first two books.
A Forgotten Place by Charles Todd: This is the newest Bess Crawford mystery. World War I has ended, but Bess is still tending to the wounded in France. She works with serious injuries, such as amputations. A patient who lost a leg was sent home to Wales and sent Bess a cryptic message that worried her. She was granted leave to go home to visit her family in England. She decided to go to Wales and see this patient. He is staying with his sister-in-law, his brother’s widow in an isolated village. Bess hires a driver who takes her to this remote place.He becomes frightened and leaves during the night abandoning Bess. This village has no commerce, no telephone lines, no transportation of any kind. Bess is stranded there for weeks with no hope of ever being able to leave. I read it in two days because I could not put it down.
Sunday Silence by Nicci French: This is the seventh book in the Freida Klein mystery series. The first book, Blue Monday,introduced Dean Reeve, a brutal serial killer. Everyone except Freida believes he is dead. In this book, Freida finds a dead body beneath her floorboards and tries to convince the police that Dean Reeve is responsible. At the end of this book, after friends and family members are killed or hurt by Dean, Freida enlists the help of an old acquaintance to help her disappear.
Day of the Dead by Nicci French: This is the eighth and final book in the Freida Klein series. Freida has disappeared and none of her friends or family knows where she is. She is planning on a confrontation with Dean Reeve that will only end with her death or his. I really liked this series and am sorry to see it end.
The Unforgotten seasons one and two: This is a British police show that is rather dark, but I like the characters. If you like foreign mystery series, this is a good one.
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders: Annoyingly the author never once talks about the library in her quest to quit spending money, so while the book was okay, I can’t give it a full endorsement.
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory was adorable and fun.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman was charming and enjoyable. I don’t know if it’s the baby or what but I cried a lot at the end.
Ashley:
Slayer by Kiersten White: A new series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (My all time favorite tv show!) With brief appearances by beloved characters. You can definitely tell the Kiersten White is a fan and she has written this new story with quite a bit of respect for the original material. However, I wanted to like this more than I did. While I found the characters and plot interesting, there was so much exposition in the beginning that I was a little bored. Fortunately halfway through the story picked up and I enjoyed it, and will probably pick up the next in the series.
Squad by Mariah McCarthy: I really liked this book, mostly because I found the main character incredibly realistic and easy to emphasize with. Jenna is a cheerleader who in her junior year starts feeling a distance between her and her best friend. She tries so hard to fix it, and nothing works, she just makes it worse. Jenna has to figure out who she is without cheerleading or her old friends. I was confused at times whether it was supposed to be a thriller, romance or just contemporary fiction, the book itself seems a bit confused, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. As a plus there is great representation of LGBT folks.
Bird Box on Netflix: I enjoyed the book when it first came out, and enjoyed the film as well
The Meg on DVD: It was way more fun than I thought it would be. Definitely not as good as Jaws, and dragged a bit on the first half, but I liked it.
The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix: This was a very well paced and put together documentary. He went to my high school, and hung out in many of the same places I have, so I’m always interested in this story.
Boy Erased on DVD: Over 700,000 LGBT Americans have been impacted by the “conversion therapy” ministry. This film based on the memoir of the same name features Lucas Hedges as a young man whose parents put him in a conversion therapy program to cure him of his homosexuality. This is an important film about the horrors so many of us have been through.
It’s tax filing season which is met with great anticipation (for those expecting refunds) or great dread (for those expecting to make big payments). With changes in tax laws, elimination of certain tax forms, and the partial government shutdown, this may be a confusing time for some, so we present this resource guide to help you.
The library receives a small amount of federal tax forms and an even smaller amount of state tax forms every tax year which are displayed for our patrons. The forms and publications that we expect to receive this year are the Massachusetts Resident and Non-Resident Form 1 Booklets, the IRS 1040 Forms, and the IRS 1040 Form Instruction Booklets. Once these items are received, they will be displayed in our new book room on the ground floor of the library. Because we only receive a small amount, we ask that all patrons please only take forms they need for their own tax filing.
Members of the library’s reference department can print out 2 free copies of any tax form. Patrons using this service must supply the tax form number/name. Please note, as of this year, the 1040A and 1040EZ forms no longer exist.
Library staff members are not authorized by revenue agencies to give tax advice or determine the correct form to match specific needs.
Important Dates
January 28, 2019: The official start of tax season.
January 31, 2019: The latest date for employers to supply W-2 forms to their employees.
April 15, 2019: Tax filing deadline for tax payers who don’t live in Maine or Massachusetts.
April 17, 2019: Tax filing deadline for tax payers who live in Maine or Massachusetts.
Where and How to File Tax Returns
Free Filing Options: A variety of tax payers may be eligible for free online tax services. Use the links below to determine eligibility and the best service for your needs.
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR)
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-887-6367
800-392-6089 (toll-free in Massachusetts)
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
According to the IRS: “The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.”
Brighton Branch / Boston Public Library
40 Academy Hill Road
Brighton, MA 02135
855-687-7345
Volunteer Prepared Taxes
Appointment Required
Trustman Family Learning Center
341R Saint Paul Street
Brookline, MA 02446
855-687-7345
Appointment Required
AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
According to the IRS: “The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.”
Waltham Senior Center
488 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02452
Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Returns done by appointment only.
February 4, 2019 – April 12, 2019
781-314-3499
Newton Senior Center
345 Walnut Street
Newtonville, MA 02460
Monday:1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
February 1, 2019 – April 16, 2019
617-796-1660
Watertown Senior Center
31 Marshall Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
February 1, 2019 – April 16, 2019
617-972-6490
