SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
319 Route 87 Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: 860 228 0350 Fax: 860 228 1569 E-mail: staff@columbiactlibrary.org

Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Home Adult Services* Library Services Children's Corner Hot Spot (for Teens)

Home

About the Saxton B.

Library Board

Friends of the Library
(updated 4/08)

Online Library Catalog

iConn.org

Event Calendar

Contact Us

Library Passes

Links

Diary of Saxton B. Little

Comments

Speaking Volumes

Keeping you up-to-date on what's happening at your library. We invite you to join in the conversation!
MARCH 20, 2009
What's on my shelf

Happy Spring everyone!

Every once in a while Carol posts about what she's been reading, and today I figure I'll do the same. I have been reading more than ever lately, filling up my weekends and after-work hours devouring one book after another. This is partly because I am on the 2011 Teen Nutmeg committee, and for that I have to read about 20 books between each meeting. We just had our first meeting a week ago, and now I have a new list of 20 something titles to work through before our May meeting. Being on the committee has already been a WONDERFUL thing, it has 'forced' me to read a ton of YA novels that I would not have otherwise picked up....and I'm finding that I really like many of them.

I am also reading to keep up with my Book Thieves Book Club. Last night we discussed Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett. Not a favorite of the group, but I thought it was interesting. It's an art mystery...sort of a Da Vinci Code for kids, but not as good as my fave, The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwieler. Our next book is Gregor the Overlander, by Suzanne Collins so I'll be starting that one soon too.

        

Just before the aforementioned Nutmeg meeting I was able to squeeze in a pick of my own. I read In the Time of Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, and loved it. It's a novel based on the true story of the Mirabal sisters who were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Chapters alternate from the perspective of each sister; Patria, Minerva, Maria Theresa (Mate), and Dede - the one who lived. I was unable to put it down even though the whole time you know what the sisters final fate will be. The true stories of what happened under the Trujillo regime are bone-chilling, and the sisters stories are powerful and moving. In some ways it reminded me of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, different in style, but similar in that it also traces his family history back to days in the Dominican Republic under the Trujillo's dictatorship.

     

Last night I finished The Hunger Games, also by Suzanne Collins. I had read a ton of great reviews of this book and haven been told by a number of people how good it was, so needless to say I had some pretty high expectations. The book pretty much met them. Think of a futuristic Lord of the Flies meets reality TV, and that gives you an idea of what the Hunger Games are all about. The book kept me on the edge of my seat, and had some unexpected plot twists. Plus it has a believable, strong, female lead character. My only complaint is that the whole premise of why this future society holds the Hunger Games is a little weak. Oh, and its the first in a series, so now I have to wait and find out what happens!

So, what are you reading? Let us know, or better yet, post a review on Saxton Reads and Reviews!

 


   Add a Comment
Enter your comment below, then click Submit.
Nickname: (displays with your comment)
Comment:
Enter the letters you see on the left:

-------------------------------------------------------

Comments

L. Williams said, on Mar. 21 at 7:32AM
I just started "Tender Morsels" by Margo Lanagan this morning. It's been a controversial Printz Honor Book. I had a hard time putting it down to get up and get doing my errands! Beware - it includes topics a lot will object to... But the writing is spellbinding.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

carol said, on Mar. 21 at 7:54AM
Megan and I often lament that we don't have enough time to read all the books that beckon us. Each of us feels an obligation to read in our areas, children and ya for Megan and adult for me. I would like to read more ya, Megan yearns for time to read that adult book everyone's talking about and then l. williams baits my interest in just a few sentences to read Tender Morsels. I checked out catalog, it's on loan to someone else. YA LANGAN, put yourself on the list! And by the way, I'm reading Oulander by Gil Adamson, a debut novel about a widow fleeing something horrific, not immediately revealed. Takes place in the early 1900's Canadian frontier and reminds me in tone of Peace Like a River or Cold Mountain. A haunting novel with beautiful passages.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Megan Q. said, on Mar. 25 at 8:06AM
I've heard a lot about Tender Morsels, hopefully I'll be able read it myself sometime in the near future!

Subscribe via RSS
Search

Categories