Showing posts with label Audiobooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audiobooks. Show all posts

Sunday, November 1, 2020

C-SPL Reader of the Month: Courtney Chaffee

About Courtney

I am a musician, a bowler, a photographer, a lover, and a friend. My passions vary widely, but are all art-centered and I include reading as an art. I play trombone with a lot of local groups, bowl in league weekly, and love taking photos on nature hikes.

Fun Book Fact: in middle school my group (which changed yearly) went to district “Battle of the Books” all three years.

I’m always open to reading suggestions and I try to pick up at least one book per reader that’s featured. Some of them included in my lists are books that were suggested to me or book club picks. Books are food for the brain and just like when you’re eating, you’ll never know if you like it if you don’t even try it.


(See the past Reader of the Month posts here) 


Q & A with Courtney

Q. Can you tell us about your reading interests in general? 

A. Anyone who knows me now would have difficulty believing I used to hate reading. I’m rarely seen without a book, more often than not it’s multiple books. I’m a frequent commenter/poster on the library’s Facebook, am featured on their banner, have been on their blog, and now I’m a Reader of the Month! My level of dedication to reading this year increased when I said I was making Diamond Level on the Great Reading Challenge - no matter what. I now have a blog called “The Book Nook by CC-Liz” where I post reading updates regarding the challenge and book reviews. I have already achieved my goal for this year! I’m attempting to challenge myself even more by branching out and reading things that are outside my norm. I’ve worked my way into the nonfiction realm and have been reading memoirs, essay compilations, and studies on different topics. I have let the questions that come from reading guide me to my next topic. I still keep one foot in the fantasy waters though. Right now I am listening to the “Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan, while reading a bunch of psychology-heavy books.

Q. What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?

A. This is a hard question. I have to break it down by genre or collection type anytime I am asked. The best fiction book that I’ve read in 2020 is The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, while the best fictional audiobook I’ve listened to in 2020 is Rosemary & Rue by Seanan McGuire narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal.

The best book I’ve ever read is an impossible question to answer. The audiobook that elicited the largest reaction from me was Me Before You by Jojo Moyes read by Susan Lyons (mainly, there are multiple narrators). My favorite book of all time is forever going to be the “Harry Potter” series, with the Prisoner of Azkaban as my favorite one.

Q. What is your ideal reading environment (location, sound, snacks, etc.)?

A. There’s two environments that are perfect for reading, it just depends which I’m in the mood for. The first one is outside, anywhere in nature. I can be lying in my hammock, sitting in the woods, feet in the water, wherever. As long as I am surrounded by nature, I am happy.

The other perfect reading environment is snuggled in a blanket in some sort of nook/corner with a warm beverage. Bonus points for each animal I have trying to distract me from my reading (one cat and two dogs).

Q. What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?

A. I can’t answer this. I rarely know what I am reading next. I have a really long TBR (To Be Read) list, but I just pick and choose. A lot of the time I will walk into the library and look at the displays; then next thing you know I’m walking out with 8 books, none of which were my original plan. I do the same with eBooks, I will look at what is available now and choose one from there. Yes, I use the hold feature A LOT for titles that interest me, but I can’t really say there’s a single book that I am just waiting for on the edge of my seat.

Q. What book do you think more people should read, and why do you think they should read it?

A. I wouldn't suggest a single book because everyone’s tastes are different and my reading style now, isn’t what it was last year. I curate my advice to the person. If you’re looking for a young reader novel then the “Ranger’s Apprentice” series. A romance? Any book by Jojo Moyes or Nicholas Sparks. Fantasy? Rosemary & Rue, J.R.R. Tolkien, or "Harry Potter." Empowering? Girl Up by Lindsey Bates. I can go on and on for each genre (except a few nonfiction topics maybe….).

Q. What book has been the most challenging for you to read? How did it challenge you?

A. After reading memoirs and first person stories of survivors of violence: sexual assault, domestic violence, war, etc. I found a fictional tale on those topics to be really difficult. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell for example. Her writing style is nice, but I struggled with a fictional telling of grooming and abuse after reading cases like the Larry Nassar trials or Weinstein. I actually advise against this book and would steer a person towards the memoirs/nonfiction titles.

Emotionally the most challenging was listening to Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I had a bottle of wine and a bar of dark chocolate alongside me when I got to the last third of that novel. She had me bawling like a baby, but I couldn’t stop listening. It was intriguing!

Q. When do you decide to stop reading a book? In other words, do you read every book to the last page, or is there a moment when you decide to stop?

A. Stopping a book is really difficult for me. Once I’m invested in it, I almost always finish it. If the book was suggested to me I tend to try even harder to finish it. There are a few that after a chapter or two I wasn’t hooked and I quit, but that is fairly rare.

Q. Do you remember when your love for reading began?

A. My love of reading actually started in elementary school (kindergarten to second grade area). Shout-out to the best teacher I ever had: Mrs. Resch. Without that woman, I would not be the reader I am today. I used to hate reading and was actually considered ‘behind’ the curve. My parents put me in a summer school course and BOOM, I’m never seen without a book anymore. Mrs. Resch inspired my reading and pushed me along. She took my love of raccoons and used it to help me read, my favorite children’s book will forever be The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. I have multiple copies in multiple formats and languages, as well as my original copy still. 

Check out Courtney Chaffee's book list! 

Apply to be the next C-SPL Reader of the Month!

Thursday, April 2, 2020

#HarryPotterAtHome for everyone

As the library's foremost Harry Potter fan, I try to create Harry Potter-themed events whenever possible, especially for adults who often get overlooked as fans of this beloved world. In this unusual and difficult time of social distancing, self-isolation and worry, I am happy to note that there are several new access points to Harry Potter material and lore for fans of all ages.

1. J. K. Rowling and WizardingWorld.com have announced the release of the new online Harry Potter hub: Harry Potter at Home. It has info, quizzes, crafts, lore and all sorts of fun Harry Potter resources for parents, teachers, carers, students and adult fans too. Don't forget to get sorted into your house!

2. J. K. Rowling has announced that she has granted open licenses for teachers and now allows them to make and share videos of themselves reading her books for students online.

3. As a part of the #HarryPotterAtHome release, Overdrive has issued free access to the first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It is accessible through the end of April and available to everyone who has access to Overdrive as a City of Dubuque C-SPL card holder, or Bridges Overdrive, through the Dubuque County Library. What's really cool about this is these are available in many languages and in ebook or downloadable audio formats. May I humbly recommend you try the audio version, as Jim Dale is *amazing* as the narrator of the entire Harry Potter series and is a joy to listen to.

4. Speaking of the joy of audio books, Audible.com is also offering free streaming of the digital audio book version of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) under their "Audible Stories" section.  But here is the kicker - they are offering the British version of the audio book, which was narrated by actor and comedian Stephen Fry! As a die-hard Harry Potter fan, I have been aching to get my hands (and ears) on this audio version! While I am committed to Jim Dale forever as the Best. Narrator. Ever...I still wanted to hear a new take by a different narrator. You never know what new details or nuance you might pick up with a new voice.

5. Lastly, how about a Harry Potter themed online escape room? Sounds awesome, right? Sydney Krawiec, Youth Services Librarian at Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA created this Hogwarts Digital Escape Room for Harry Potter fans who are stuck at home. Thank you, Sydney!

If you have never read the Harry Potter series, I challenge you to do so now. The options for access and Harry Potter fun are wide open. Who couldn't use a little escape to Hogwarts right about now?

~Angie, Adult Services Librarian and Gryffindor For Life


Friday, December 13, 2019

Love Stories to Warm Up a Cold Evening

I love a good love story any time of year, but there's something extra nice about curling up with a heartwarming read on a dark, cold evening. I've put together a list of a few of my recent favorites, and I hope you'll share yours in the comments!

I've included a rating scale of 1-4 fire 🔥 emojis to give you a sense of how explicit the physical relationship of the characters gets on the page.

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
🔥
With her newest book Sonali Dev has shifted away from her popular Bollywood romance series to create modern variations on Jane Austen's classics, starting with Pride and Prejudice. Trisha is a neurosurgeon from an incredibly rich and powerful family, DJ is a talented chef whose family has struggled for everything they have. There's romance, family drama, some interesting twists, but most memorable are the lusciously delicious food descriptions.


Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
🔥🔥🔥
I'm always a sucker for stories where enemies or rivals discover that they don't actually hate each other, and that all those sparks flying are True Love. McQuiston's debut is exactly that. For years Alex, son of the first female President of the United States, thought he hated Prince Henry, the younger son of the Queen of England. Of course, as the sons of such powerful people, it's going to be more than a little complicated to make things work.


Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole
🔥🔥🔥
This is a novella, which means that it is currently eBook only and available to City of Dubuque residents through the library's OverDrive/Libby collection. It also means that this story falls smack in the middle of Cole's Reluctant Royals series, so be wary of spoilers for the other books in this series. Reggie is driven, fiercely independent, and unapologetically nerdy. Gus has a sexy voice, a love for puzzles, and is just breaking into the world of Escape Rooms. They met online, but in person their attraction proves to be impossible to resist.


The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Helen Hoang's debut novel is a enjoyable story about a fake relationship between two people who don't feel worthy of the real thing - yet. Stella is successful and accomplished, but Asperger's syndrome makes interpersonal relationships a challenge. Michael is the half-Vietnamese escort she hires to help her learn and improve her skills. I listened to the audiobook, and narrator Carly Robins is fantastic.


The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Jasmine Guillory's debut was one of my top three favorite reads for 2019 with what felt a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, humor and drama. Alexa and Drew meet when they get stuck in an elevator together, and then Drew impulsively asks Alexa to be his date at his ex-girlfriend's wedding. It's a fake relationship with an undeniable attraction, but the real conflict comes from how two accomplished professionals with established lives in different cities can make things work.


Intercepted by Alexa Martin
🔥🔥🔥🔥
If you'd asked me a year ago, I would've told you that sports romances weren't really my thing, but Alexa Martin convinced me that I was wrong. It helps that Intercepted doesn't require the reader to be a football expert to understand the story. Marlee has been dating Chris since high school, though they've had a few rough patches over the years. On one memorable break, Marlee had a one-night stand with Gavin, who just so happens to be the new quarterback for Chris's team. Plus Chris still hasn't #PutARingOnIt, which means Marlee is a second-class citizen when it comes to the mean girls club made up of the other players' wives.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Downloadable Audiobooks

June is Audiobook Month! There are only a few days left to celebrate in 2019, but Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection of downloadable audiobooks are always available! If you've already installed the OverDrive app or Libby app, you're ready to go, but if you have questions about how to enjoy downloadable audiobooks, library staff are happy to help! To get you started, here are a few downloadable audiobook titles that you might enjoy:


Normal People by Sally Rooney
 Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship. The audiobook is narrated by Aoife McMahon




Shoot for the Moon by James Donovan
For the 50th anniversary, the epic story of Apollo 11 and the astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers who made it happen. Both sweeping and intimate, and based on exhaustive research and dozens of fresh interviews. The audiobook is narrated by Allan Robertson




A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
Lucas Ray is shocked when an adorable puppy jumps out of an abandoned building and into his arms. Though the apartment he shares with his mother, a disabled veteran, doesn't allow dogs, Lucas can't resist taking Bella home. The audiobook is narrated by Ann Marie Lee




Code Name Lise by Larry Loftis
The year is 1942, and World War II is in full swing. Odette Sansom decides to follow in her war hero father's footsteps by becoming an SOE agent to aid Britain and her beloved homeland, France. Five failed attempts and one plane crash later, she finally lands in occupied France to begin her mission.. The audiobook is narrated by Kate Reading

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Speculative Fiction

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Science Fiction audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few recent titles of science fiction and fantasy that you might enjoy:

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
Brent Weeks writes dark and gritty fantasy novels. The Black Prism is the suspenseful first book in his Lightbringer series about the growing threat of war and the complicated ties of family and politics. The audiobook is produced by Graphic Audio, and includes a full cast of narrators and sound effects giving it the feel of a modern radio drama.



Indexing by Seanan McGuire
Seanan McGuire writes whimsical, yet gritty, urban fantasies with intriguing world-building and colorful characters. Indexing explores a world where fairy tales have the potential to become very real and dangerous. The ATI Management Bureau attempts to keep the world safe. Mary Robinette Kowal skillfully narrates by providing distinctive character voices and accents.



The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie is known for writing fantasy stories filled with adventure, gritty violence, and sex. His writing is sometimes referred to as “grimdark fantasy,” and will appeal to fans of Game of Thrones. The Blade Itself is the first in a series filled with dark humor and less-than-honorable protagonists. Steven Pacey’s audiobook narration provides impressively distinct character voices.



Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer
This is historian Ada Palmer’s thought-provoking first novel. Too Like the Lightning takes the philosophies of the 18th century Enlightenment and creates a distant science-fictional future. Jefferson Mays narrates the audiobook and he provides distinct voices for the various characters.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Science & Innovation

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Nonfiction audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few titles on scientific exploration and human achievement that you might enjoy:

The Tangled Tree by David Quammen
David Quammen specializes in writing nonfiction about science and travel, and the occasional thriller novel. The Tangled Tree is an accessible and engaging account of recent discoveries in biology and evolution. Jacques Roy narrates the audiobook with crisp, yet unhurried, professionalism.




Paper by Mark Kurlansky
Mark Kurlansky is known for his carefully researched and richly detailed accounts of unexpected topics. In Paper, Kurlansky explores the ways that this seemingly boring product has shaped human history. Andrew Garman narrates the audiobook with a command of the facts that aids, rather than distracts, from the interesting details.



Spooky Action at a Distance by George Musser
Journalist George Musser has created an accessible book on a complicated topic: nonlocality, or quantum entanglement, a question that has interested physicists since Albert Einstein labeled it as “spooky action at a distance.” The audiobook is narrated by William Hughes with energy and a crisp delivery.




Science of the Magical by Matt Kaplan
Journalist Matt Kaplan explores the scientific truths behind our myths of the supernatural, from ancient Vikings to Captain America. This fascinating book is a great pick for fans of Mary Roach. The audiobook is narrated by Eric Michael Summerer with confidence and a skill for pacing.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Fiction & History

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Fiction audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few novels that explore how our ties to the past change our lives that you might enjoy:

Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce
This is a heartwarming story of a young woman finding her way into adulthood during the tumult of the Blitz in WWII London. Emmy dreams of becoming a journalist, but ends up as a typist with a woman’s magazine that has a distinctly unhelpful advice column. Young British actress Anna Popplewell’s (The Chronicles of Narnia) narration is a good match for the plucky Emmy.


Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
Memoirist Rooney’s first novel, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, is a moving story of one woman’s life. On December 31, 1984, Lillian Boxfish sets out on a walk across Manhattan and recalls her 85 years of life, her career, loves, and losses.  Xe Sands’s expressive and compelling narration is a perfect match for this moving story.


Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
Multiple award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver’s writing is character-driven and often political in both her novels and nonfiction. In Unsheltered, she explores the connections and parallels between a contemporary woman facing unemployment and the science teacher who lived in her New Jersey home nearly 150 years earlier. Kingsolver skillfully narrates her audiobooks herself.



Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
Multiple award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson is best known for books for children and young adults. This lyrical novel for adults, Another Brooklyn, is the story of August, who returns to Brooklyn after her father’s death and finds herself remembering her childhood. Robin Miles skillfully captures the voices and moods of this haunting novel.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Lived Experiences

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Nonfiction audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few memoirs and biographies that you might enjoy:

All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung
Nicole Chung shares her story of growing up with her white adoptive family in Oregon and her journey to connect with her identity as a Korean American. This candid and moving memoir is narrated by Janet Song, an accomplished narrator and film actor.




The White Darkness by David Grann
David Grann is a journalist who has written several bestselling works of narrative nonfiction. The White Darkness tells the story of a 2015 solo-expedition retracing Shackleton’s Antarctic exploration by a descendant of the original expedition. The capable Will Patton narrates the audiobook in his recognizably gruff yet warm style.


American Like Me by America Ferrera
Actress America Ferrera is the editor of this candid and heartwarming collection of essays describing the immigrant experience from well-known individuals including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Issa Rae, Michelle Kwan, and Roxane Gay. The audiobook is narrated by America Ferrera, some of the essayists, and a few professional audiobook narrators.



A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa
Ishikawa is the son of a Korean father and a Japanese mother, and in 1960, his family moved from Japan to a rural village in North Korea. After 36 years of hardship, he fled North Korea and faced the challenge of reintegrating in Japan. A candid, heartwrenching story, the audiobook is narrated by Brian Nishii with both clarity and passion.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Romance

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Romance audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few recent contemporary romances that you might enjoy:

Her Secret by Shelley Shepard Gray
Shelley Shepard Gray is known for her engaging Christian romance novels, which often feature Amish communities. Her Secret is the intriguing first book in her Amish of Hart County series. When Hannah is stalked by an aggressive man, her family leaves their Ohio community for a new home in Kentucky. Tavia Gilbert narrates the audiobook with distinctive character voices.


A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole writes intelligent, yet steamy romance novels. For contemporary romance, try her Reluctant Royals series, which starts with A Princess in Theory. When independent grad student Naledi gets an email claiming she’s the long lost fiancée of an African prince, she assumes it’s spam, but the truth is far more complicated. Narrator Karen Chilton captures the story’s emotions, though some readers were less impressed by her accents.

Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Helen Hoang’s debut novel is a captivating contemporary romance that is far too steamy for a family road trip. Stella is intelligent and accomplished, but her autism has made personal relationships a challenge. Michael is creative and caring, but circumstances have driven him to earn money as an escort. Carly Robins’s expressive narration captures the emotional journey of these characters.

Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is known for her heartwarming contemporary romances. Josie spends a summer working in a small Alaskan town and finds happiness and a relationship with a local swordsmith. Her career takes her back to the restaurants of Seattle, but her dream job may not be all she wished. Laurel Rankin and Luke Daniels share the narration for the audiobook.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Notable Fiction

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Fiction audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few titles from notable and prize-winning authors that you might enjoy:

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Nigerian writer Akwaeke Emezi is a 2018 National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” honoree. Their debut novel is a complex and character-driven story of a young woman struggling with multiple personality disorder. Emezi’s calm narration is a striking juxtaposition to the complex and disturbing story.



Florida by Lauren Groff
Lauren Groff’s haunting collection of short stories was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction. Her stories are character-driven, and her rich descriptions of the natural world make the setting stand out. Groff narrates the audiobook herself, to mixed reviews as some listeners enjoyed her pacing and others found her slight lisp distracting.



Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Nafissa Thompson-Spires's debut novel is a complex and quirky collection of stories that explore the concept of black identity amid the complexities of contemporary life. Heads of the Colored People was awarded the 2019 PEN/Open Book Award. Audie award winning narrator Adenrele Ojo narrates the audiobook and her narration is well matched to the writing’s emotional tone.


Home by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s writing is lyrical and character-driven. Her many honors include a Pulitzer Prize, an American Book Award, and a Nobel Prize in Literature. Her 2012 novel, Home, is the story of a Korean War veteran’s quest to save his younger sister. Toni Morrison narrates the audiobook herself with skill and emotion.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

June is Audiobook Month: Mysteries

June is Audiobook Month! To celebrate, borrow a Mystery audiobook from Carnegie-Stout Public Library's collection. Here are a few titles of mystery and suspense that you might enjoy:

Karin Slaughter is known for her fast-paced suspenseful mysteries and psychological thrillers. Try Last Breath, in which defense attorney Charlie Quinn’s newest client is a teen girl who reminds Charlie of her own difficult past. Narrator Kathleen Early maintains a quick pace while capturing the nuances of the characters.



Murder in G Major is the first book in Alexia Gordon’s cozy mystery series featuring Gethsemane Brown, a professional violinist turned music teacher and amateur sleuth. Gethsemane didn’t come to Ireland from America for her dream job, but the picturesque cliff-side cottage is a great perk – aside from the sarcastic ghost who needs her help! British narrator Jessica Carroll is particularly skilled with accent work.

Sandie Jones’s debut novel was a selection for Reese Witherspoon’s book club. The Other Woman is a compelling work of psychological fiction about a young woman who meets the man of her dreams, and his nightmare of a mother. Narrator Clare Corbett’s voice work captures the characters’ personalities.


A standalone mystery from the Danish co-author of the Nina Borg series, What My Body Remembers is a complex, character-driven work of psychological fiction. Ella has suffered from panic attacks since the night her father murdered her mother, and now stands to lose custody of her son. Susan Boyce narrates the audiobook with distinct voices and care for Danish vocabulary.



This is the first book in Kelly’s engaging Magical Cats Mystery series about a small-town Minnesota librarian who adopts two cats with special powers. The audiobook is narrated by Cassandra Campbell who brings life to the likeable characters. This is an amusing series sure to appeal to fans of cozy mysteries.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Staff Review: The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro


In sixth century England, a mist covers the land that clouds the past, leaving people with only their immediate memories. The Buried Giant, by the 2017 Nobel Prize winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, opens up with a distant landscape of rolling green hills, hazy skies, and humble dwellings. In this medieval village, we meet our protagonists, Axl and Beatrice. When they seem to have a faint memory of being parents, their quest to find their adult son drives the narrative.

A Saxon warrior and his apprentice escort the aging Briton couple as they travel through an England in which Britons recently made peace with nearby Saxon villages, though mistrust and danger are ever present. We encounter old enemies of the Saxons, Monks who may not be who they appear, and a few mythical beasts along the way—though the most looming threat may be what lies behind the mist.

As their journey is on foot, the story moves at a similar pace. Someone looking for high action may abort at this point. Although there are parts with action and suspense, they burn slowly. Someone interested in an atmospheric story full of symbolism and rooted in English lore may proceed. I felt I was walking with the characters—I suppose partly because I was walking while listening to the story—but also because the descriptive text and repetitive dialog had a certain rhythm I found immersive. The resonant voice of the audiobook narrator, David Horovitch, and his skill with dialects certainly played its part in pulling me in as well.

The repetition may be irksome to some. Axl constantly addresses his wife as Princess, which may be cute at first, but happens about every time he speaks to her. There’s also a key character Sir Guwayne, from English lore. How many times can he remind the characters that he fought by King Arthur’s side? The answer is, a lot. With all the repetition and little back-story, some may find the characters flat. Usually, I prefer complex characters, but Ishiguro has a way of revealing complexity by withholding details. The repetitive rhythm and the present-tense characters make them anybody, the stuff of myths. The repetition also has the eerie quality of mirroring our own behavior.

The moral questions the book raises are fascinating and perennial giving it the feel of a modern myth. Must we bury the past to make peace in the present? Or do we bravely bring the past to light and seek clarity to heal old wounds? Is our conception of self made from internally repetitive myths? These questions make the book one to ponder long after the last page.

~Ben, Adult Services

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Staff Review: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

When I choose a book for the library book discussion I try to find something outside of my comfort zone. More often than not, I enjoy the book and it makes me more willing to venture outside of my normal reading habits. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, a biography, is one such example. Though I rarely read biographies, Born a Crime has become one my favorite books this year. 

Trevor Noah, the current host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, was born at the tail end of apartheid in South Africa. His mother is black and his father is white. At the time of Trevor's birth, the relationship between his parents was illegal so his birth was actually a crime. 

The stories told by Noah range from incredibly sad to very funny. As a comedian, Noah is able to infuse the sad stories with humor without taking away from the narrative. It is difficult to imagine that as a mixed-race child, Noah's mother wasn't allowed to do something as simple as walk with him to the park. Noah's father was largely absent from his life, leaving him to be raised by his mother and grandmother. To his black Xhosa relatives, Noah was white and white people are treated differently. By his own admission, Noah was a handful, because only his mother would discipline him.  It is clear throughout the book that his mother is quite a force to be reckoned with and though their relationship is, at times, complicated, Noah loves and respects her.

I didn't listen to the audio, but a co-worker told me it is wonderful. Noah is the narrator and I imagine hearing him tell the story of his upbringing, in his own voice, is quite powerful. If you are a fan of The Daily Show, you should read this book. If you've never watched The Daily Show (ahem...like me...ahem), this is still a powerful story of someone who never quite fit in, but didn't let that stop him from achieving his dreams. 

~Amy, Adult Services