Staff Reviews - Spring 2023
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSpring is finally here, but it is still a good time for reading…. maybe under a Magnolia tree. Here are some of our new favorites from Crete Public Library staff. ~Joy Stevenson, Library Director
For more information, visit the library, or search the online library catalog.
- "The Paris Apartment," by Kelly Bowen: It seems that we have seen all of this before: dual timelines (with one taking place during a world war); an unknown inheritance; strong female protagonists, and a bit of romance. And yet, this novel exceeded my expectations with its wonderful character development. Plus, an additional female character who is not the grandmother or granddaughter and who, in my opinion, stole the show. One had to keep reading to find out what happened to these three interesting women.
- "Independence," by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: Previously, I recommended Moth, by Melody Razak. Both of these books explore the India/Pakistan 1947 partition through the lens of a single Indian family. I certainly recommend both books, but Moth is a bit heavier and grittier. In Independence, the family include three daughters, each with their own personalities and dreams. When the partition arrives with the accompanying unrest, the family suffers. But the sisters remain true to one another in spite of their differences and their life choices.
- "Times Undoing," byCheryl Head: This novel is classified as Mainstream as its genre, due to the fact that it doesn’t quite fit it into one or two genres. At first glance it is historical – with two timelines – 1929 and 2019. But it is also a family saga, social commentary with a bit of suspense and romance thrown in. The 1929 murder of Meghan’s great-grandfather has always been a mystery. Spurred on by the Black Lives Matter movement, journalist Meghan slowly peels back the layers of history and at the same time exposes modern-day corruption.
- "The Aspen Grove," by Jane Fulkerson: I rarely order a novel that is promoted by the author directly to the library. But The Aspen Grove storyline looked interesting and so I took a chance. And boy, am I glad I did. I dove headfirst into the plot and characters. Set in Colorado in 1883, it is the story of a family and the perils of life on the high plans during that time. The prose just flowed and I could not wait to get back into their lives to find out what happens next. You will just have to read it for yourself.
- "All That Is Mine I Carry with Me," by William Landay: Not only is the plot line of this story unique, but how the story is told is also unusual. One day in 1975 Jane Larkin just disappeared, leaving behind three children and Dan, her husband. Dan is considered the number one suspect, but there is no body, no evidence, no witnesses. The fallout of this tragedy reverberates in her three children in different ways. Only to be split open again two decades later when Jane’s remains are found. Do the children believe their father? Or did he kill their mother?
Review by an avid Bio/Autobiography reader, Jim Crouse:
"We Should Not Be Friends," by Will Schwalbe: Have you ever had a friend who has made you wonder why you are friends? You may have had different backgrounds, financial situations, religious beliefs, or were interested or not interested in sports, and yet you “clicked.” When I saw the book, We Should Not Be Friends by Will Schwalbe, I knew I had to read it because I have had that experience.
The book covers forty years of friendship between two men who meet in college. One is majoring in Latin and Greek and is gay. The other is a jock—big, boisterous, friendly, and girl crazy. The book follows both of their lives. Both marry, have totally different careers, insecurities, and challenges—as we all do—but remain friends.
We Should Not Be Friends helped me realize that people I don’t care for at first aren’t always who I think they are. I found the book thoughtful, interesting, and moving. If you have a friend who is starkly different from you, I think you would enjoy reading this book. You may even see yourself and your friend in it. I know I did.