LIBRARY CORNER | 04/14/23

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This week in the library:

  • Monday—Crochet and needlework 9:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday—Preschool Story Time 11 a.m.
    PAWS to Read—4 p.m.
  • Thursday—Family Night Trains, Trains and More Trains 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday—Painters 10 a.m.

Members at April’s book club shared some of their favorite books. Among them was everything by Nevada Barr. Barr has written a series of murder mysteries set in national parks. Anna Pigeon is the park ranger and the central character in each book. These books are very well written and you’ll be hooked after you read the first one. Begin with Track of the Cat.

Two other books listed as favorites deal with the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary. The first one, The Professor and the Madman, is nonfiction. In it Simon Winchester explores the history and mysteries surrounding this amazing accomplishment. His book reads like a novel, but if you’re looking for a fictional account, read The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Wilson. In this account Esme, the daughter of one of the committee members, literally grows up under the table where all the words are “hashed” out. As the men discard words that are deemed unworthy to be included in the book, Esme collects the thrown-away words. She forms her own dictionary and, of course, it’s of lost words.

Several of Marie Benedict’s books were mentioned as favorites. The Personal Librarian is about JP Morgan’s personal librarian who catalogued his vast collection of books and papers. Bella da Costa Greene is a brilliant woman with a secret. In Carnegie’s Maid, a fictional Clara Kelly portrays the person who turned the industrialist into a humanitarian, funding libraries across the United States. Both books are deeply personal and portray characters as relatable, real people. All of Benedict’s books center around historical characters and it’s evident that she did a tremendous amount of research on each book. Some of her other books include Lady Clementine, Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Only Woman in the Room and The Other Einstein.

Other favorite authors with multiple titles include MC Beaton, Jake Tapper, Rhys Bowen, CJ Box, Jeanette Wall, Julia Spencer Fleming and Paula McLain.

We hope you’re looking forward to Pinefest April 27 from 6-9 p.m. The big celebration will be held at The Sports’ Complex. Join us for fun and food. The library will have a booth with games, prizes and bubbles. See you there!

Helen Thompson, Director – Mount Pleasant Public Library