In the A.M. group discussion of The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, we talked about how easy it is to look at this novel and apply our “modern” perspective to events from 1964 and judge David harshly.  Did the culture of the time play a role in his decision?  We never really resolved any of this – but we had a good discussion. 

 I had the opportunity to hear M. T. Anderson speak at the 2007 Printz Awards on Monday evening.  He accepted a Printz Honor award for his book The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation.  In his acceptance speech, he talked about how we have a tendency to look back at events in history and say “I would never do that” when we can’t really say what we would have done.  When I find a copy of his speech online, I’ll post a link because it was incredibly powerful.

The P.M. group read The Glass Castle.  The discussion for this book was both lively and thought provoking.  It is always amazing to me that 20 people can share a book and have such different interpretations.  When I first read this book, I kept thinking that these parents really loved their children but were just ignorant or didn’t take care of them the right way.  I thought that maybe love wasn’t enough.  One thread of the discussion centered on this.  One member disagreed with the idea that Jeannette’s parents loved their children.  She insisted that their behavior was not love.  Very interesting discussion.

I promised everyone in the group I’d send out a letter with member phone numbers & reviews of the titles suggested at the meeting.  I hope to have those titles & reviews posted here by Friday, so check back.

Back to vampires – last year, I discovered this great book by Stephanie Meyer.   Twilight, tells the story of Bella (a junior in high school) and Edward (a vampire who doesn’t hunt people).  Edward and his family feed off animals rather than people. Bella seems to attract danger and Edward tries to save her.  This unlikely love story is continued in the second book, New Moon  when Bella and Edward encounter evil vampires and werewolves.  On August 11th, Eclipse (the third book in this suspenseful series) will be released. 

While I’m waiting for Eclipse, I’ve been reading other not-too-scary vampire books.  You Suck by Christopher Moore was ok.  It seemed a little too west coast for me.  I’m not really happy with the ending. 

• No more “processing fee” for interlibrary loan
• New books now have a loan period of 14 days (instead of 10) and if no one has the book on hold, you may renew it!

If you’re looking for a book we don’t have, please request it!  There are forms at the front desk & we’ll soon have a request form on our website.  Of course, you can always email me (lcarr@seymourlibrary.org)!

I also read Calvin Trillin’s About Alice [sigh].  I have to admit I finished that one this morning and was late making the kids lunches for school.  For those of you who haven’t read Mr. Trillin’s ode to his late wife, it is a wonderful read.  My parents recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary and I can say that my dad loves my mom the way Calvin loved Alice.

Blackberry Wine by Joann Harris:  A tale narrated by a 1962 Fleurie.  From the author of Chocolat.

The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox:  An interesting story of the friendship between a man and an angel.  The friendship begins in Burgundy in 1808 & lasts a lifetime.