“The Devil and the Dark Water” is a thoroughly satisfying mystery. Lots of moving parts but most of them come together in an exciting way by the conclusion. (There were, definitely, a few things that remained feeling unsettled or unresolved, but I can forgive that in a story this complex.) I also was often left confused by the characters/names or their roles on a ship. That many of these ended up meeting dark fates did eventually make it easier to track.
Regardless, there is wit and cunning aplenty here. As the tension mounts and our heroes seem to be facing almost insurmountable peril, I was left unable to conceive of a compelling way for the events to conclude. Fortunately, Turton is cleverer than I!
Three words that describe this book: Twisty, Intense, Mysterious
You might want to pick this book up if: you appreciate Sherlock-style crimes and deductive solutions.
-Xander
This reader review was previously submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
Literature’s contemplation of the banality of existence was once a male-dominated field… but not anymore! If you are interested in narratives of women wading through dread and anxiety, who seek meaning and intimacy in strange, desperate, and painfully human ways, you have a breadth of material to choose from. Here are four books I’ve enjoyed concerning that continued struggle: women vs. the void.
Halle Butler is a terrifyingly talented writer of feel-bad fiction. I picked up “The New Me” after reading her first novel, “Jillian” (which, arguably, deserves a place on this list, but I chose the more redemptive of the two). This is the story of 30-year-old Millie, an unfulfilled temp worker living alone in Chicago. When she’s not shredding documents and answering phones, she’s hanging out with her awful friend Sarah, or watching “Forensic Files.” Frequently, she’s struck by a powerful feeling of optimism; an urge towards self-reinvention that inspires her to vacuum, or scream, or go online shopping for stylish outfits she will wear to the respectable full-time job she is sure she will have someday, if only life would show her a little kindness…
“I get socked in the chest, thinking about how things never change. How they’re on a slow-rolling slope downward, and you can think up a long list of things you’d rather do, but because of some kind of inertia, or hard facts about who you are and what life is, you always end up back where you started, sitting drunk on a hard, sticky chair with someone you hate.”
I rooted for Millie, I was repelled by Millie, and through it all I felt a real tenderness for this weary, hopeful soul (Thank you, Halle Butler. I await your next novel eagerly, and with dread). Continue reading “Women vs. The Void”
Summer is unofficially here! We are swinging into the season and our communities are pulling together for a variety of different celebrations. These festivals often include art shows or vendor areas where artists get to display their artwork, like paintings, sculptures and photos. There are sometimes live performances as well. Our region hosts a number of art festivals and I’d like to introduce you to several of them, then also share a bit of resources we have regarding fine art.
Coming up on June 3-4 at Stephens Lake Park is Art in the Park, hosted by the Columbia Art League. Art in the Park, which originated in 1959, has become a cherished tradition and the largest fine arts festival in mid-Missouri. This annual event attracts talented artists from all corners of the United States, showcasing an impressive array of artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, photography, pottery, jewelry, fibers, sculpture, woodwork and glasswork. Continue reading “Art in the Park, Juneteenth & More Celebrations”
Boy sees girl. Boy likes girl. Boy stalks girl and conveniently works his way to being her ideal mate. A few snags/red flags show, and their relationship becomes toxic and fatal. I saw the Netflix series before reading the book it was based on, “You” by Caroline Kepnes, and kept saying to myself as I was reading, ‘Oh, the book’s version of this is better!’ As it should be.
Three words that describe this book: Bone-chilling. Sexy. Addicting.
You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoyed the show on Netflix.
-Emily
This reader review was previously submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“This Is Your Mind on Plants” tells the story of psychoactive drugs derived from plants through two approaches: research-based journalism/history and experiential memoir. It focuses on three chemicals (opium, caffeine and mescaline) and the plants that make them as a way of exploring the larger history and meaning of our use of plants medicinally, spiritually and recreationally.
I enjoyed author Michael Pollan’s sense of humor and ability to make complex ideas approachable. I also appreciated that he maintained a healthy skepticism towards all views of consciousness-changing drugs, suspicious of both those who exploit them and those who seek to totally prohibit their use.
The discussion of caffeine was particularly interesting because so few people conceptualize it as a psychoactive, habit-forming drug now, but it was incredibly controversial whenever it was introduced to a part of the world where it had not been known before. Pollan tied the specific history of coffee to wider subjects such as colonialism and industrialization, making compelling arguments that they were inextricably tied together.
The author narrates the audiobook version and does an excellent job of it, taking a straightforward, conversational tone that underscores the social and emotional realities present in the historical and scientific data.
Three words that describe this book: informative, thought-provoking, surprising
You might want to pick this book up if: you are interested in social history from the 1700s to the present day and the ways in which views of drugs have changed over time.
-Eric
This reader review was previously submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
It being Spring, I’m digging and planting in my small garden out front of my condo. Past owners’ work shows up in the hostas that I’ve just about killed off (I don’t like them), in the misshapen Rose of Sharon bushes, in the landscaping fabric laid down possibly a decade ago and which I am pulling out as it gets in my way. Each year I put down more mulch to try to fight back the weeds, yet we still only have about three inches of sort-of-good soil over the clay backfill and it’s amazing how quickly the mulch breaks back down into lifeless dust. I’ve only had a butterfly plant thrive out there, and that only because it is planted up against the composter. So I am learning how to better garden this year.
There is information about native plants that thrive and soil-building here at the library, in our books, and also in our online resources. I’ve also used our library for a deep dive into travel writing, something I want to try this Summer. There are some great classes on photography, both for my travel writing and also for how to get great images for selling vintage online, maybe on Etsy. Do you have that sort of curiosity, always exploring and learning? Personally, I think no one should ever stop investigating the things they love. This is known as lifelong learning and is a handy skill for an adult to develop.
Lifelong learning is broadly defined as the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Library folk are usually passionate about providing you, our patrons, with as many opportunities for learning as possible. We love to share new offerings with you! Come up to any public service desk and we will help you find the best resources for your quest.
Continue reading “Learn More About our Lifelong Learning Resources”
“The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz” is about a woman prisoner in an Auschwitz concentration camp who is brave and smart in the face of absolute terror. She manages to fall in love with another prisoner while in the camp, and together they make a plan for escape. The book describes true events within the camp and the characters are based on real people. It portrays the cruelty the prisoners were subjected to in great detail and shows how people had to rely on each other to make things happen. The build-up to their escape, the days of freedom, and their ultimate capture were all very well portrayed and the emotion of the story was very strong. I love the book; it was well written and the historical accuracies made it even more interesting.
Three words that describe this book: Heartbreaking, Intense, Historical
You might want to pick this book up if: I recommend everyone pick up this book.
-AshLee
This reader review was previously submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
A-B-C-D
The world is better with you and me!
“All Together Now” is the theme of the Daniel Boone Regional Library’s 2023 Summer Reading program, and it’s all about kindness and togetherness.
Summer Reading is free and open to all ages — babies through adults — and participants can earn prizes for reading and completing activities! Get a leg up on your reading with these books celebrating friendship, teamwork and community. Continue reading “Literary Links: Summer Reading 2023”
Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week is one of my favorite Columbia events, the time when our community celebrates what my husband and I try to do year round. We have attempted to build our daily lives around minimizing car use.
I’ve spent decades walking regularly, both for transportation and recreation. But lately I’ve been focusing on building up my cycling stamina with a specific goal in mind. I want to be able to accompany my spouse occasionally on his weekly rides to the Big Bur Oak in McBaine, where he takes a series of photos to document changes in the tree over seasons and years. The photos from this passion project of his can be seen at bigburoak.com.
Though I firmly believe ambling aimlessly with enjoyment of the moment is a fine use of time, I want to focus on a few books about folks who have a set purpose to their non-motorized travels. Continue reading “Bike, Walk, and Wheel With a Purpose”
Do you love fiction tinged with melancholy? Mysterious, irresistible protagonists with rich inner lives? Stories that leave you with a feeling of stillness, and hope? Here are four pieces of fiction I’ve enjoyed this year. Maybe there’s something here for you!
I picked up “Who You Might Be“off the first floor New Books display. I was drawn to the cover’s soft blue cityscape. The illuminated windows in the foreground intrigued me — what little lives might be unfolding within those frames? In her debut novel, Leigh N. Gallagher weaves together a story of astonishing breadth and dimension. If you’re in it for the character development (the growth and redemption, along with the occasional fall from grace), this is the book for you. Continue reading “Four Fiction Recommendations”
