So many books, so little time!

 

Well, these days we may have more time than we're used to. 85% of the people who responded to our "Stay-at-Home Survey" this Spring said they read a book or magazine either every day or several times a week, so we thought we would invite everyone to talk about what they are reading. Below are some of the selections that were named by our distinguished guests, with links to KCLS online availability and a few comments from our discussion and/or publishers' descriptions. Note:  Holds and curbside pickup are once again availble at KCLS. More information here.

 

Michelle is reading The Three Kingdoms (in Chinese). Below is a link to an English translation of Vol. 1. Many more volumes follow.  This is a classic Chinese historical novel about the interaction between kingdoms during the Han Dynasty. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1721571082

 

Jean is reading The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1687634082

"In this searing graphic memoir, a young woman looks back and tries to make sense of the struggles that her family faced as refugees in the United States after the Vietnam War."

AND

The Night Tiger. "A vivacious dance-hall girl in 1930s colonial Malaysia is drawn into unexpected danger by the discovery of a severed finger that is being sought by a young houseboy in order to protect his late master's soul."

 

Stephanie S. is reading Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know, by Malcolm Gladwell, "a powerful examination of our interactions with strangers - and why they often go wrong." https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1944240082 

 

Pat H. is reading Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man, by Mary Trump. Needs no further introduction. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2064857082

Pat has also been reading Maya Angelou, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. On her list are What Fragility and I'm Still Here.

 

Judith recently completed Lady in the Lake, by Laura Lipman, https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1923838082.  Judith thought Sun Burn, https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1759108082, by the same author, was better. (Side note: Steph S. used to interview mystery writers; Laura Lipman was among them.) Judith has now started Pachinko, about a "poor yet proud" Korean family whose "prized daughter" becomes pregnant. She expects to be reading this 400+ page novel for a long time. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1674736082

 

Joanne recently completed the Audiobook version of Daisy Jones and the Six, about a 70's rock band, told as an interview and read by a variety of actors playing each character. This book was recommended by Steph S. who read it (as a regular book) for her book club. Discussion ensued about the relative merits of listening to the audio or reading the book. https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1889802082

 

She is now reading Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah (https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1655962082), and listening to The Power of ChoWa (narrated by her sister-in-law; advice for balance and harmony in life; newly released on Audible, https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Power-of-Chowa-Audiobook/1472267834)

 

Additional books mentioned: Glass Castle, Rosie Project, The Overstory.

 

We will have another book discussion in late August.  Anyone can register as long as there is space available. Visit the Events Calendar for information.

 

Questions? Please call (425) 270-8408 or send email to Village@MyENN.org