Librarians share their top picks for book gifts
Last week, I shared area booksellers’ recommendations for bo oksto give, receive and read this holiday season.
This week, don’t forget to stop by your library to pick up some t itlesto enjoy.
It’s important to relax during the holiday season, and what better way than with a good book?
Debe Dockins, Community Outreach and Development Coordinator, WashingtonCenterville Public Library
Debe shares two titles, which she especi allyrecommends on audio for holiday driving. The first is “A Gentleman in Moscow,” by Amor Towles, the story of Count Alexander Rostov who, in 1922, is sentenced by the Bosheviks to house a rrestinagr and Moscow hotel, The Metropol. “As we meet the various characters – from Kremlin officials and Metropol staff to artists and hotels guests – weaving in and out of the hotel’s daily i ntrigue,wefindaman who confronts his circumsta ncesw ith wit, humor, patience, tenacity and finesse,” Debe says. “The Russian language rolls beautifully from the tongue of narrator Nicholas Guy Smith. This is one of my top reads of the year.”
She also recommends “The Light We Lost,” by Jill Santopolo.
“I had the pleasure of interviewing author Jill Santopolo as part of the 2017 Jewish Cultural Arts & Book Festival last month and instantly fell in love with her first adult fiction novel, a romantic story for our times. It’s set against the city of New York and the Middle East and is the story of Lucy and Gabe, who meet as college seniors on 9/11 – fate, passion, and what it means to make a difference in the world. It’s a perfect read for snuggling up on the couch in front of a warm fire – start early because you’ll be up late.”
Sam Graves, Reference Librarian, Greenville Public Library
Sam suggests three titles for book lovers this season; his comments follow the book titles and authors:
■ “Small Great Things,” by Jodi Picoult –“Thebestnovelabout racism!”
■ “World, Chase Me Down,” by Andrew Hilleman — “’True Grit’ meets ‘Catch Me If You Can.’”
■ “Vicious Circle,” by C.J. Box (mystery series about Joe Pickett, game warden in Wyoming) – “A real page turner. The enti res erie si sgr eat!”
Sue S hay, Adult Programming Coordinator/ Community Relations, WashingtonCenterville Public Library
“This was an easy one!” Sue says. “I can’t say enough about R.J. Palacio’s children’s novel ‘Wonder.’ The book, about a young boy born with severe facial abnormalities, vividly tells the story of Auggie Pullman and his first year attending school as a fifthgrader; before that, he had been sheltered by his parents and homeschooled. The book was required reading in my granddaughter’s fifth- grade class this fall, and we loved reading it together each evening after school.”
Holly Varley, Collection Development Director, Dayton Metro Library
Holly says she suggests “two titles recommended for their blend of optimism, reality and a little imagination. Sounds about right for the holidays!” The first is “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” by Gail Honeyman, in which “Eleanor Oliphant’s scarred face, solitary oddball behavior, and routine of drinking two bott lesofvodkaeachweekend does not inspire a reader’s confidence. But after she and colleague Raymond stop to help an elderly man passed out in the street ,Ele anor begins to venture out of her cocoon towards tentative friendships, crushes, and new experiences most of us take for granted. Before long, readers will be rooting for Eleanor to be truly and completely fine.”
The second title Holly recommends is “Sourdough,” by Robin Sloan, in which “Lois Clary works long hours coding software for a San Francisco robotics company. Her one indulgence at home is food delivered from two brothers in a nearby soup and sandwich shop. When the brothers have to leave the country suddenly due to visa issues, they leave Lois their magically delicious sourdough starter. Readers willing to imagine what can happen when artisan food meets technology will enjoy this quirky title.”
Good news and congratulations
■ Christopher DeWeese, Associate Professor of English Language and Literatures at Wright St ate University, annou ncedthepublication of his th irdbook of poems, “The Confessions,” by Periplum Poetry, a pressed based in the United Kingdom out of Plymouth University. Learn more about the collection and read sample poems at https:// christopherdeweese.net/ the-confessions/
■ Yellow Springs Library Association made a donation of $3,500 to the Greene Coun ty Public Library Foundation to fund Yellow Springs children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program. To date,moret han 160,000 books have been deliv- ered to over 8,000 children in Greene County through the program, according to a press release from the Greene County Public Library. Learn more about the program and the foundation at www.greenelibraryfoundation.org.
Upcoming literary events
■ Sunday, Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood —Writers’ Café, a casual hang out for writers ages 18 and up and of all experience levels, meets the first Frid ay (7 p.m.) and third Sunday (at 2:30) of each month.
■ Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library — Wright Lib rary Poets meet in the library’s conference room to shar ewo rk and hone craft; beginners are welcome. For more informat ioncontactE lizabeth Schmidt, schmidt@wrightlibrary.org, or call 2947171. sharonshort.com) is ano director book club or organization.