Category Archives: Favorites

What Are Your Neighbors Reading?

Want to know what your friends and neighbors are reading and enjoying this summer? Take a look at the sampling below.

THE SIXTH DAY by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

“Coulter and Ellison smoothly mix contemporary political issues with eerie historical legend in this fast-paced outing sure to appeal to fans and newcomers alike.” ~Publishers Weekly

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

O’S LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE & FRIENDSHIP by the editors of O, The Oprah Magazine

“With essays and anecdotes from some of the best contributors to O, The Oprah Magazine, this charming collection warms the heart and stirs the soul. ~Amazon.com

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan

“Sprawling, stirring, like the richest of stories, and played out on a canvas of heroism and tragedy, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is like one of those iconic World War II black and white photos: a face of hope and tears, the story of a small life that ended up mattering in a big way.” Andrew Gross, author of The One Man

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE JOY LUCK CLUB by Amy Tan

“In quietly elegant prose, Tan weaves the memories of four Chinese women who fled their homeland and came to San Francisco into a moving narrative that becomes a revelation for the women’s Chinese American daughters.” ~Booklist

THE JOY LUCK CLUB is also on the PBS list “The Great American Read”, an initiative to find America’s favorite novel. Check out our displays at both libraries to see more titles on the list.

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Staff Summer Reading Picks, Part 2

The Other Mother by Carol Goodman
Two women suffering from post-partum depression become friendly and their lives become intertwined. A page-turner that keeps you guessing. ~ Jan, Administration

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Stay Hungry by Sebastian Maniscalco
The comedian recounts his experiences on the long road to fame, filled
with laughs along the way. His strong work ethic and family values are inspirational. ~SR, Circulation

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Our Little Secret by Roz Nay
You never forget your first love, especially when the police detectives want to hear the whole story. ~Jess, Reference

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Staff Summer Reading Picks, Part 1

High Season by Judy Blundell
The North Fork of Long Island comes alive in this tale of family dynamics that examines how far a woman will go when she feels her life is being upended. Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand. ~Linda, Reference

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
A big city mother overwhelmed after the birth of her child hires a nanny who then dies in childbirth. ~KC, Circulation

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Arthur Less tries to run away from his life just as he turns 50. Laugh out-loud funny. ~PB, Reference

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Paper Ghosts by Julia Heaberlin
A suspected serial killer suffering from dementia and the sister of one of his alleged victims go on a road trip. One of them might not be coming back. ~Sue, Circulation

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Staff Picks For March

We have some great recommendations for reading and listening from the Library staff!
Here are some of our favorites for March.

Killer Choice by Tom Hunt
His wife is sick. He needs $200,000 to save her. A mysterious man offers to give him the money with just one catch: he has to murder someone to get it. How far would you go to save the one you love? —Linda For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Tangerine by Christine Mangan
Twisted mind games abound in this atmospheric debut novel. —Sue B For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Handmaid’s Tale, #metoo, and The Hunger Games all come to mind in this genre bending page turner. —Claudia For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Only Child by Rhiannon Navin
Told to us through the voice of a 6 year old, Only Child is the story of a family dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. Excellent debut! —Mary C For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
Torn between a life she once knew and her forever home, an autistic teen tries to figure out where she belongs. —Sharyn For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

AUDIOBOOKS:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Smart, funny, sci-fi thriller with 80’s pop culture nostalgia in a futuristic setting. —Jess For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Grouchy Historian by Ed Asner
Asner tells us, in his unique style, the story of our constitution, the men who created it and why we need to pay attention. —Jan For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

What is the Best Book You Read Over the Summer?

Thank you to everyone who participated in our end-of-the-summer raffle “What is the Best Book You’ve Read This Summer”. We received several entries and great book suggestions from our patrons. Congratulations to our raffle prize winners and be on the lookout for another chance to win very soon! Here are a few of the “best books” that your neighbors have been reading:

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

“See’s kaleidoscopic saga transits from the barbaric horrors of Japanese occupation to the sobering indignities suffered by foreigners in 1930s Hollywood while offering a buoyant and lustrous paean to the bonds of sisterhood.” ~Booklist

If you want to learn more about this book, or to place a hold click here.

The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa

“Correa bases his debut novel on the real-life account of the ill-fated 1939 voyage of the St. Louis, delivering an engrossing and heartbreaking Holocaust story; his listing of the passengers’ names at the end of the book adds to its power.” ~Library Journal

If you want to learn more about this book, or to place a hold click here.

You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: a Memoir by Sherman Alexie

“Alexie’s portrayals of family relationships, identity, and grief have the universality of great literature.” ~Library Journal

If you want to learn more about this book, or to place a hold click here.

Theft By Finding by David Sedaris

“Sedaris’ diaries are the wellspring for his cuttingly funny autobiographical essays, and he now presents a mesmerizing volume of deftly edited passages documenting 35 years of weird, disturbing, and hilarious experiences.” ~Booklist

If you want to learn more about this book, or to place a hold click here.

More Adult Summer Reading!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Adult Summer Reading program. We received so many wonderful comments about the books you’ve been reading we would like to post a few more recommendations from your neighbors:

SAINTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS by J. Courtney Sullivan

“One of the best books I’ve ever read.” (I have to add that this is a staff favorite as well as a patron favorite).

If you would like more information about this title, please click here.

REDEMPTION ROAD by John Hart

“Wow. So much action. I couldn’t put it down.” (John Hart has a new book, THE HUSH, due out in February 2018. Be on the lookout!)

If you would like more information about this title, please click here.

FINN by Jon Clinch

“Brutal but awesome. Going back to read his others.”

If you would like more information about this title, please click here.

What is the Best Book You’ve Read This Summer?

Let us know what books you’ve been reading and loving this summer! Simply fill out and submit a raffle entry at either the Main Library or Fairfield Woods Branch Library for a chance to win a bag of great books. Here are some book suggestions we’ve already received from patrons :

The Royal We by Heather Cocks

“Royal watchers and chick-lit fans alike will delight in this sparkling tale.” ~PW

If this looks like a book you’d like to read, click here to see if it’s available or to place a hold.

Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams

“…the novel effectively melds intrigue, romance, and gloss into an engrossing tale of a woman struggling to get out from under the weight of crushing expectations”. ~Booklist

If this looks like a book you’d like to read, click here to see if it’s available or to place a hold.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

“Danler’s debut captures the wild abandon of youth set free in a environment where there are no rules.~ Library Journal

If this looks like a book you’d like to read, click here to see if it’s available or to place a hold.

Guest Room

[Cover]

Title: The Guest Room

Author: Chris Bohjalian

Publisher: Doubleday, January 2016

Summary/Review: In the blink of an eye, Richard Chapman’s home goes from bachelor party venue to bloody crime scene in this riveting novel by Chris Bohjalian.

No one could have predicted the carnage that would occur, or imagine the tragic events that led to the doomed party. As alcohol and indiscretions abound, two young women, or the “hired” entertainment, make a desperate life or death decision that will have tragic repercussions for all.

Chris Bohjalian is a master of writing a woman’s point of view, and this novel is no exception. The Guest Room doesn’t just bring to light one of the many terrible crimes committed against women throughout the world, but brings the horror into our lives, and into our homes.

Who will like this book?: Someone who is looking for a literature-focused thriller with a deeper meaning. Someone who doesn’t shy away from difficult or controversial topics.

If you liked this, try this: If you’ve read (and loved) Chris Bohjalian before, this won’t be an exception. However, the style is different from previous books.

Recommended by: Sue B, Circulation Coordinator

If this looks like something you’d like to read, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and/or to place a hold!

Lucy Barton

[Cover]

Title: My Name is Lucy Barton

Author: Strout, Elizabeth

Publisher: Random House, January 2016

Summary/Review: Elizabeth Strout is one of the best out there when it comes to writing about flawed, complicated women. As Lucy Barton recovers from a mysterious illness in the hospital, she has a visitor she’s not spoken with in several years – her mother. The visit spans several days, and as their conversation ebbs and flows in intensity, from gossip to family secrets, Lucy’s memories of her painful childhood are revealed in such a way that, even at the end of the story, she remains somewhat of a mystery. One thing is for certain – the fragile Lucy Barton has a tremendous capacity for love and forgiveness.

Who will like this book?: Someone looking for a female-centric book that focuses on relationships.

If you like this, try this: Elizabeth Strout is a well-known name, particularly for “Olive Kitteridge” and “Burgess Boys”, so if you enjoy the writing these two may suit you.

Recommended by: Mary C, Reference Librarian

If this looks like something you’d like to read, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and/or to place a hold!

Man Called Ove

[Cover]

Title: A Man Called Ove

Author: Fredrik Backman

Publisher: Atria Books, 2014/Dreamscape Media, LLC. (audiobook), 2014

Summary/Review: Ove is not someone you want to cross paths with. He is an older man, set in his ways, and not afraid to tell people what he thinks whether they want to hear it or not. Ove is a man on a mission. He has only one goal left to accomplish, but it is not going to be easy to achieve it.

As the story switches back and forth from present to past, you get a better understanding of how certain experiences in Ove’s life, especially those involving his youth and wife, shaped his personality and outlook. The supporting characters provide a unique link to Ove’s daily routine. There is a great importance of how timing affects everything.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the people (and animals) in your life. The story will stay with you long after the book ends. It is a strong read from start to finish and an excellent choice for book clubs. It will easily top your favorites’ list.

Added note: The reader (and known actor) on the audiobook is exceptional, painting a clear image of Ove and the rest of the cast.

Who will like this book: Anyone looking for the next best book.

If you like this, try this: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Recommended by: Sharyn, Circulation

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