The Right Book at the Right Time

Title: What Dies in Summer

Author: Tom Wright

Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co, 2012

Summary/Review: This is a debut novel that is packed with so much emotion and surprises you won’t be able to put it down. The story is narrated by one of the main character James- also known as Biscuit. He, along with his cousin Lee Ann (also known as L.A.), and their Grandma live together in Dallas Texas. They were brought together by unfortunate circumstances. The story begins with the two cousins just doing what normal teenagers do, hanging out and trying to stay out of trouble. They soon discover a dead body in the woods and then everything seems to start spiraling out of control.

Family secrets are revealed, and more dead bodies are found. You will not want to put this book down until you have read the very last page. It brings everything together-family bonding, first love, and terrible secrets.

Who would like this: Anyone who enjoys books with a lot of characters and different stories.

If you like this, try this: Books by Mary Higgins Clark. She always has a bunch of characters but they’re easy to keep straight.

Recommended by: Virginia, Circulation

If you’d like to put a hold on this book and/or see if it’s available, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog!

Title: Canada

Author: Richard Ford

Publisher: Ecco , May 2012

Summary/Review:  Dell (the narrator) and Berner Parsons are ordinary fifteen year old twins living a somewhat isolated life with their parents in Montana circa 1956.  Their father has failed at a number of ventures in his life but has oddly always envisioned himself as a successful bank robber.   So being a little short on money, he decides to carry out a plan and takes their mother along as his accomplice.  They are undetected for a little while, but one day the police finally come and take the parents away to jail, leaving the brother and sister to fend for themselves.  Mrs. Parsons, fearing they would be caught had arranged for a friend to look after the kids, but by the time she shows up, Berner has left for California on her own.  So she drives Dell to Canada to be taken in by her brother.  The brother turns out to be not at all what he first appears to be and when the reasons he is in Canada become evident it provides a twist in the story. Amazingly, Dell never assigns blame or feels anger and continues to believe that both his parents, though misguided, did truly love him and his sister. What happens in this novel is very unpredictable and leaves you wanting to read more to see what finally happens.  There is some foreshadowing as Dell alludes to events which he has not yet related, but you don’t see how can occur until they unfold. The themes of crossing all sorts of boundaries and the force and effect of corrupt acts make this a thought provoking and absorbing read.

Who will like this book:  Someone who likes thought provoking fiction.

Recommended by:  Jan,  Administration

If you would like to see if this book is available or place a hold, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog [Link will open in a new window]

Title: The Age of Miracles

Author: Karen Thompson Walker

Publisher: Random House, 2012

Summary/Review: Julia is only eleven years old when the earth’s rotation begins to slow. “The Slowing” as it comes to be called, adds minutes to the days and nights. Scientists have no idea why it is happening or when it will end. Though fear creeps into the lives of people around the world, most adopt a “wait and see” attitude and try to adjust.

As the days grow from 24 to 26 to 30 hours long and longer, the slowing starts to take its toll. Gravity and the earth’s magnetic field are altered, wreaking havoc on wildlife and the food supply. Birds can no longer fly, ocean mammals can no longer navigate, and vegetation can no longer survive the long hot days and the long cold nights. People begin to suffer from gravity sickness and radiation poisoning and still the earth continues to slow. The title of this novel refers to the middle school years when bodies are changing and the adult you will become starts to emerge. For Julia, this “age of miracles”, with its typical dramas and hardships, comes with the additional stress of an uncertain future. Relationships are dissolving and people are taking more risks and making questionable decisions. It’s clear that life will never again be the same.

Though this may seem like a science fiction novel, the emphasis is clearly on the effect that the threat of extinction has on human relationships. Some relationships will become stronger and others will wither and die under the pressure of a crumbling future. “The Age of Miracles” is a wonderful debut novel; more than just a coming-of-age story but a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.

Who will like this? Adults and teens looking for a moving story with unforgettable characters.

If you like this, try this: If you like the theme of nature-driven dystopias, try “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy or “After the Snow” by S.D. Crockett. For dystopias in general, try the wildly popular “The Hunger Games” series (Suzanne Collins), “Never Let You go” by Kazuo Ishiguro, or “Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. For younger ones, “the Giver” is an excellent place to start.

If you’re more attracted to the teenage drama, try “Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, or “Catcher in the Rye”, J.D. Salinger’s classic.If you like the author’s voice, keep an eye out for more books coming soon, since this is Karen Thompson Walker’s debut.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

To check if this book is available and/or to place a hold, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog [link will open in a new window]

Title: Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Review/Summary: Auggie was born with a facial deformity, so he was homeschooled through years of surgeries and recoveries. Now, he is starting fifth grade and if you thought middle school was hard, then this is a testament to true friendship, understanding and kindness. This uplifting story made me laugh out loud, cry and wonder at his strength and resiliency. He is plucky and funny, vulnerable and charming. His family are so natural, real and supportive. This first novel by author Palacio addresses the insecurities of school-aged children and should be a must read for children grades five and up, as well as their parents, as it encourages discussion about love, support, and judging people on their appearance. And yes,” everyone deserves a standing ovation, at least once in their lives.”

Who will like this book?: Those who don’t shy away from reading about difficult, real-life, touching scenarios. Anyone who has ever felt judged, misunderstood, or who just wants to read about someone who is “different”.

If you like this, try this: If you liked Palacio’s writing style, be on the lookout for more from him- since this debut novel has created a huge amount of buzz, we hope he’ll be back with more soon.

If you’re interested in the subject matter of bullying, try “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier (also a teen book) or “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult- one for slightly older teens, as it’s more graphic. For littler ones looking for an introduction on the subject, “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes is a good place to start.

For those who are interested in reading about other people with “differences”, this sensitive matter can be introduced with books such as “Rules” (Autism) by Cynthia Lord or “Out of my Mind” by Sharon Draper (Cerebral Palsy). However, the subject of severe facial deformities in young adult/older children’s books is relatively rare, so this book may have opened the door for more fiction pertaining to the subject.

Recommended by: Cindy B. Children’s Librarian

If this looks like a book you or your young adult/child would like to try out, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and place a hold!

Title: The Cat’s Table

Author: Michael Ondaatje

Publisher: Knopf, New York: 2011

Summary: I must confess I am thoroughly besotted with Mr. Ondaatje’s writing and romanticism.  Years ago I am came across his first book “Coming Through Slaughter” (House of Anansi, 1976) about the jazz musician Buddy Bolden who lived a very short and troubled life. The language was like a river of torment and beauty structured like the flow of jazz with long riffs, then the staccatos of short blasts and then more complexity as Bolden descends into madness. This was Ondaatje’s first novel and he deservedly won the Books in Canada First Novel Award.  That is when I first caught the Ondaatje bug. The next time I was overwhelmed by his writing is when I read The English Patient – before I saw the lush movie. Once again feel in deep, deep love.  His other books have not been as richly satisfying and I was thinking of ending our love affair. “The Cat’s Table” came out just in time for me to give him one more chance. And voila the sentiments have been renewed.

This book is an exotic “Harriet the Spy” tale set aboard a ship traveling from Sri Lanka to England.  The protagonist is an 11-year old boy who is seated at the lowliest table on the ship complete with a set of eccentric personalities several with big secrets he is compelled to try to reveal. The boy records what he sees on the journey and Ondaatje is a master at capturing the feelings and curiosities of this young explorer. He writes:   “Sleep is a prison for a boy who has friends to meet.” This tale is surely semi auto-biographical as the author is a native of Sri Lanka who emigrated to Canada where he now lives. There is a wistfulness about the telling as if the author remembers his young days longing to return to that time of innocence (or as the author puts it:  “naked with innocence”) while standing on the precipice of maturity.  He begins to discover basic truths:  “What is interesting and important happens where there is no power.  Nothing much of lasting value ever happens at the head table, held together by familiar rhetoric.” When I come across beautiful passages in any book I am compelled to read them aloud and hear the beauty and rhythm of the words. So many times when reading this book I stopped, reread the passage, and then read it aloud again. Bravo Michael Ondaatje.

Recommended by: Karen, Town Librarian

A second look:  When on a ship voyage, the most desirable place to be seated for dinners is the Captain’s Table. The most socially connected sit there. Those considered to be the least significant are seated at table # 76 –the “cat’s table”– as far away both physically and socially as one can be seated from the Captain. In 1950, this is precisely where 11 year old Michael is seated: aboard the Oronsay, traveling from Sri Lanka to London to be reunited with his mother. Michael, who is the novel’s  arrator, though by himself, is quick to make friends with two boys making the same voyage: asthmatic Ramadhin and the rambunctious trouble-maker, Cassius.

For 21 days, unfettered for the most part by adult authority, daring and unsupervised, they explore the ship and roam the decks looking seeking adventure, hiding in  lifeboats to spy on the guests, and strive to learn the secrets of others, like the shackeled prisoner who is escorted at night on the deck. The boys quickly realize that their insignificance means they are “invisible to officials such as the purser and
the head steward, and the captain.”

“Sleep is a prison for a boy  who has friends to meet…We could not wait to continue exploring this universe.” One adventure, in particular, took place on a wild rainy night
with dangerous and heaving waves — when Cassious and Michael know they must
observe and experience a “catastrophe” first hand (the storm) , so they have Ramadhin strap them to the deck and nearly drown!

Each day, the boys rejoin their interesting and eccentric adult dinner companions, also seated at the “cat’s table”. Each person at the cat’s table had interesting reasons for being on board, even if it was unspoken or, as yet, undiscovered by the boys.

“…those at the Captain’s Table were constantly toasting one another’s significance. That was a small lesson I learned on the journey. What is interesting and important happens mostly in secret, in places where there is no power.”

Later in the book, Michael realizes that for years he never thought about that voyage until he reaches a point in his life where he realizes the impact that the trip had on him and his ship-board friends.

I would recommend this book to anybody! But, if you really enjoy stories about boys, such as Boy’s Life, by Robert McCammon, or some of Stephen King’s fiction that centers on the life of boys, this is the book for you.

Recommended by: Susan Z, Reference Librarian

Who will like this book: Those who enjoy reading literature, especially those books that take you to far-away places. Those who aren’t intimidated by a murky reality or magical realism.

If you like this, try this: The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes, which also offers a multi-layered account of memories

If this looks like a book you’d like to read, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to place a hold or check availability!

Title: The Art of Fielding – A Novel

Author: Chad Harbach

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2011

Summary/Review: The Art of Fielding is definitely “not just about baseball”. Although it centers around the baseball games, it is the characters who take center field. It was easy to identify with the hardships each character goes through, knowing that the outcome of one situation leads to another. The book revolves around five main characters: Henry Skrimshander, who lives and breathes baseball; Mike Schwartz, the team captain who befriends and pushes Henry to his limits; Owen Dunne, Henry’s roommate, who provides insight and support to those around him; Guert Affenlight, the college president, who shows that it is never too late to change and become the person you are supposed to be; and Pella Affenlight, Guert’s daughter, who overcomes her own personal issues trying to find her life’s path.

Overall, I found The Art of Fielding to be interesting read with some unexpected turns. I felt that the characters and storylines are something readers can relate to.

Who will like this book?: People who are interested in sports, but more interested in the people involved in them.

 If you liked this, try this: If you’re interested in learning more about baseball, check out “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game” by Michael Lewis, which goes into (sometimes shady) economics of the Oakland A’s, or “The Boys of Summer” by Roger Kahn, a non-fiction book about the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Also, try “Accidental Sportswriter” by Robert Lipsyte.

If you liked Char Harbach’s writing style, this is his debut novel- but he’s been compared to Jeffrey Eugenides (author of “Middlesex”), and Justin Torres (“We the Animals”).

Recommended by: Sharyn, Circulation Staff

Does this look like a book you’d like to read? Visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to place a hold or check availability!

Title: A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Candlewick 2011

Summary: 13-year old Conor’s life is spinning out of control. His mother is dying of cancer, his dad has run away to America to live with his new family, he’s the target of bullies at school, his work-centric over-bearing grandmother has come to stay with the family, and now- a monster has shown up at 12:07 outside his bedroom window. The monster, disturbingly drawn in sharp strokes of black and white, will tell Conor three stories: and then? Conor must share his own story, the nightmare that has woken him from sleep and haunted his waking life. As the monster, a Yew tree in its current form, tells his three stories, Conor must gather the strength to tell his own story, one he’s never shared with anyone.

A Monster Calls is a book that can be read in one sitting, the story gripping and the pictures haunting. The Yew tree’s stories offer life lessons that most kids will learn eventually: that there isn’t always a good guy and a bad guy, that people can be both, and that sometimes sacrifices must be made for a greater good. Conor’s story itself, which the reader will experience glimpses of throughout the book, is not the one you would expect. The book deals with death well, offering stories of death in several different lights but also never downplaying how difficult both life and death can be. Apart from the Yew tree’s stories, additionally the topics of bullying, mental issues, and familial relationships is addressed. While older children will certainly be intrigued by the story, teens and adults will feel its impact more directly.

If you liked this, try this: Teens and adults will enjoy Siobhan Dowd’s stories such as “Bog Child”. The story was inspired by an idea by Dowd, who passed away before the work was completed. Middle grade children seeking information about death may try “The Naming of Tishkin Silk”, which deals with losing a younger sibling.

Recommended by: Lauren, Technical Services Assistant

Title: Silver Sparrow

Author:  Tayari Jones

Publisher: Chapel Hill, N.C. 2011

 Summary: What would it be like to grow up knowing that you were meant to be kept a secret?  Dana Lynn Yarboro, one of the sisters starring in Tayari Jones’ third novel, struggles with this very thing every day.  Her father, James Witherspoon, is a bigamist, and Dana and her mother Gwen are his “second” and “secret” family, a fact of which they are painfully aware.  His “first” wife and daughter, Laverne and Chaurisse, have his last name and almost of his attention and time – and they know nothing about Dana and Gwen.  James goes to great lengths to keep it that way.  So when Dana and Chaurisse meet by accident at a science fair, things get very complicated.

The first half of the novel is narrated by Dana, and the second half by Chaurisse, and both of their stories are beautifully told.   Jones does a great job portraying the complex relationships between the two families and revealing the motivations behind the web of lives they have spun.  It’s fascinating to follow them as their lives slowly interconnect, and to see how the girls’ meeting changes everyone involved.  I love the way the author builds the momentum in the story in spite of the change of narrator half-way through.  I especially liked the fact that Chaurisse’s half of the novel picks up where Dana’s left off, and wasn’t just a retelling of the same story from a different perspective.  Atlanta in the 1980’s is so wonderfully described it becomes a character itself.   All of the people in Silver Sparrow are drawn with voices that are unique and will remain with me for a long time.

If you like this, try this: “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison,  “The Untelling” or “Leaving Atlanta” by Tayari Jones

Recommended by: Mary, Branch Reference

A second look:

Set against the backdrop of 1980’s Atlanta, Silver Sparrow perfectly captures the dichotomy of family relationships. The reader will be torn, much like James, between the two families. Dana and her mother Gwen are smart, gorgeous, vibrant women while Chaurisse and her mother Laverne are plain, hard-working, and honest. Like their father, the reader will fall in love with both girls and their mothers, often forgetting that they are two scales perfectly balanced before disaster inevitably strikes.

When a chance meeting at a science fair piques Dana’s interest in Chaurisse, it is only a matter of time until their worlds collide and, ultimately, shatter.  As much as the reader feels they know each character, there is no predicting their actions when loyalties run deep- and the reader most likely will not know where their own loyalties lie.  Sad, intense, and eye-opening Silver Sparrow should not be missed.

Recommended by: LB, Technical Services Assistant

Does this look like a book you’d like to read? Visit our catalog here, where you can check availability and place a hold.

Title: Between Shades of Gray

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Publisher: Philomel, March 2011 

Summary: This is the heart wrenching story of one family’s deportation from Lithuania to Siberia by the Soviet secret police during World War II.

Lina Vilkas is just 15 years old when the secret police burst into her Lithuanian home and take her, her mother, and younger brother Jonas away. Thrust onto a train meant for carrying livestock, Lina and her family join others from their neighborhood on a harrowing six week long trek to Siberia. Unsure of what has happened to her father but hoping they will be reunited with him soon, Lina and her family concentrate on surviving the horrific conditions they are forced to endure. A gifted artist, Lina uses her drawings to leave clues for her father as to their whereabouts, hoping against hope that he will receive her messages and find his family.

  This is more than a fictionalized account of one family’s suffering at the hands of Josef Stalin. It is a glimpse into the lesser known history of violence and genocide directed at the Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian people by the Soviet government during and after World War II. I found this to be a very moving story of family and community, and most of all hope. 

Who Might Like This?: Teens and adults interested in historical fiction.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

If this looks like a book you’d be interested in, click here to visit our catalog to see if it’s available, or to place a hold!

Think this looks like something your teen would like? Click here to visit our teen librarian’s blog about this book!

Title: Night Road 

Author: Kristin Hannah

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, March 2011

 Summary:As a self-described helicopter mom, Jude is involved in every aspect of her children’s lives. Her husband Miles, and twins Mia and Zach would say she is too involved. Jude is especially concerned with Mia and her inability to make friends and fit in with her classmates. Popularity comes easily for Zach, however, which makes Mia feel even worse about herself. On the first day of school at Pine Island High, Mia finally makes a friend. Lexi is a new student and struggling with problems of her own when the two girls meet. Although Mia warns it will be “social suicide” for Lexi if she were to be seen with Mia, Lexi disregards the warning and the two become best friends. Lexi is welcomed into the Farraday family by Jude who sees the wonderful changes in Mia since she and Lexi became friends. As Mia, Zach, and Lexi go through high school, Jude wonders what she’ll do with herself once the twins go off to college. She has been so wrapped up in the lives of her children that she has forgotten who she is. When an unthinkable tragedy occurs, Jude’s love for her children and her ability to separate herself from their lives is put to the test.

  Gripping and realistic, this novel was hard to put down. It is fast paced and well written and will resonate with adults and teen alike. Kristin Hannah is a fantastic story teller.

Who would like this book: Fans of Kristin Hannah; anyone who likes fiction with great characters. Teen and adults will enjoy this.

 Recommended by: Sue B, circulation coordinator

 Think this looks like a book you’d enjoy? Click here to enter our catalog and place a hold!