Books Read in June

becca — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:27:22 +0000

Oh, friends. I read some of the most excellent books, mostly courtesy of my public library. Want to hear? Well, of course you do. Here you go, with pictures all courtesy of Amazon, because it’s so, so easy:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley: If you’re looking for a witty British 11-year-old scientist who will either solve your mysteries or poison you in your sleep, look no farther than Miss Flavia de Luce. Loved it.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles: I think this is the first of Wiles’s books I’ve read that didn’t make me do the ugly cry. This is a wonderful family story about the Cuban Missile Crisis, of all things. I wonder how over-the-heads of my Kids it might be, as I am no good at discussing things like McCarthyism and such… but there is probably enough pop culture to hold any kid’s imagination. This is almost a graphic novel, with images from 60s advertisements, “duck and cover” propaganda, and photos of the Kennedy family. If you have a kid hovering on the brink of “recent historical fiction” urges, throw this one on.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith: Where, oh where have I been all my life? If you have not read this book, and you possess any sort of glimmer of romance in your soul, read it. Go. Now. You will want to start writing with a pen in your own personal invented shorthand, in a series of progressively more awesome notebooks. I bought it (the book, not the notebook) as soon as I finished reading. Call me if you want to borrow my copy.[1]

True (…sort of) by Katherine Hannigan: Did you read Ida B? This feels similar, mainly because of the cover, and the rural aspect, and the adorability. Delly. Oh, Delly. She knows she’s so bad, but her heart is so big. There is a very delicate dance around an abused child — probably a good introduction to a tender-hearted kid. Nothing graphic, but frightening enough to “get” the reality. Happy ending. (*whew*)

Unwind by Neal Shusterman: My favorite scary book. In the future US, after the second Civil War, abortion is outlawed, but as a concession to the pro-choice factions, there’s this: Parents can have a child aged 13-18 “unwound” — a scientifically perfect transplant technology, where 99.44% of the unwound person is recycled and reused in other people. From skin grafts to brain transplants and everything in between. I have shiver-arms just thinking about how much this book creeps me out. In the best way. This is a re-read, because I had to buy this one a couple of years ago as soon as I read it.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr: This is a re-read, too. I love this book. And Ms. Zarr generously gave me this copy when I commented on one of her brilliant blog posts (I do so like her blog). Sam’s questions way outweigh any answers she’s gotten lately when her life starts to fall apart in this exploration of doubt and faith. I think what I love best about this book is that it is hopeful and faith-filled without being a perfect package — everyone still has problems in the end, but you feel like they’re probably going to be all right. It’s just not cheesy, you get me?

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And you? Read anything great lately?

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[1]Only, not if you’re a stranger. That would be creepy.

Libraries

becca — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:09:00 +0000

I’ve just been looking over Justine Larbalestier’s post about libraries. She asks her readers for library stories and I immediately thought of one. One completely inappropriate to share with Justine and her fans. But, you know, okay to share with you.

My first real job was in the Batesville Public Library. I was in high school, and had no earthly idea how lucky I was to be offered a job I never applied for. In the 2 years I worked there, the building doubled in size and classiness. When I was a freshman, hot senior boys would lean over the desk to seek my guidance – you know, if someone wiser was unavailable. They often smelled very nice and occasionally offered me rides home after work*.

One Saturday afternoon in November I got a call at work. This was very rare. It was from my Dad. Even more rare, as he’s always been a guy in favor of the Appropriate. Hanging out on the phone at work never fit into that category.

He was calling from Chicago. He and my mom had taken a trip there for a short getaway, and she ended up hospitalized at Northwestern University. He called at work because he’d just checked on my brothers, and wanted to be sure I was fine, not worried, all that.

I asked to speak to my mom.

Loud, loud pause.

My dad then told me what he had assumed I’d known: My mom was in a coma.**

Standing there in the center of the quiet, wood-paneled, windowed library, I had the first real intimations that I would lose my mother. Soon.

And somehow, I drew comfort from my surroundings. I felt hugged by those walls, those stacks, those chairs and tables I knew so well. I quickly ended the call, and by so doing, managed not to cry. I stood, hand on the phone, breathing in the familiar quiet, regaining composure to finish my day at work. After a few minutes, I made it back to pulling overdue check-out cards, filing, reshelving VHS cassettes.

The calm of the library surrounded me that afternoon, as it had before, as it would again, but in a different way. I felt like life would carry on. The world would continue to spin. I would survive whatever was heading my way.

A good library *** still gives me that feeling of comfort, of eternity.

*I took them, you betcha.

**I’m still not sure, these 20 years later, how I could possibly have known that if he hadn’t told me, but that isn’t the point. I think.

***No offense to my current, not-so-much library

Becca Wilhite » libraries

Books Read in June

Libraries