LIBRARY CORNER | 12/10/21

December in the library:

  • Monday, December 13—Friends of the Library 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 14—Story Time 11 a.m. (A visit from someone special!/Kroweldeen Club 1 p.m./Legal Clinic 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 16—Family Night 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 21—Library Board Meeting noon
  • Closed December 24-27

I can’t seem to help myself. I love Christmas! While I know that it’s not how much you spend on the gifts for those you love, I still find myself wishing that I didn’t have a limit. What’s important, though, is that it’s a time to gather with family and friends and make very special memories. All of us at the library wish you the merriest of holidays. We have enjoyed seeing you in the library and look forward to another great year.

Each December the Library Reads list contains the top 10 books of the year. Their top pick for 2021 is Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds. “Elsa, abandoned by her husband, leaves Texas with her two children to save her young son from dust pneumonia. This is beautifully written historical fiction about a mother’s love and strength to hold a family together as they leave the Dust Bowl. They head West only to find themselves unwelcome and with conditions worse than what they left. This is for readers who enjoy historical fiction with unforgettable characters, and fans of The Giver of Stars and Cilka’s Journey.” Michele Coleman

Also on the list is The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. “In the horror genre, the final girl is the last one standing at the end. Now imagine a group of them being targeted by a killer. Who will survive this time? Hendrix scatters plenty of twists and horror references throughout his latest novel.” Joseph Jones

The Lincoln Highway is by Amor Towles, the author of A Gentleman in Moscow. “In 1952, castoffs from a Nebraska juvenile detention camp embark on a road trip that takes them in different directions than initially intended. There’s so much genuine sweetness and aching loss in this exuberant book full of characters you’ll care about deeply. This is for fans of John Irving and Ann Patchett.” Diana Armstrong

Sarah Penner’s bestseller is The Lost Apothecary. “Caroline travels alone to London after discovering her husband’s betrayal. Looking for a distraction, she finds one while mudlarking along the Thames: a small glass vial. Inspired to research its origins, Caroline uncovers a dark tale of poison and murder in the 1700s. This is a stellar debut that balances two intriguing storylines and three wonderful characters to create one page-turning story. This is for fans of The Clockmaker’s Daughter.” Sharon Layburn

Malibu Rising is a novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. “Four celebrity children of Mick Riva, a famous singer, throw a massive party that ends in a fire and leaves family secrets exposed. Reid skillfully goes back and forth in time to fill in the background story of the entire Riva family, beautifully bringing each character to life.” Cathy Branciforte

Happy reading!

Helen Thompson, Director – Mount Pleasant Public Library