Tag Archives: Addiction

Staff Picks For March

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In addition to our 2019 One Book, One Town pick HARBOR ME, by Jacqueline Woodson (found here), we have a few more terrific recommendations for your March reading from our library staff:

Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks
Harriet’s four-year old daughter Alice goes missing at a local fair while in the care of Charlotte, a family friend. Told from multiple points of view, this novel is brimming with emotion, unveiling hidden pasts and dark secrets all leading up to a stunning conclusion. ~KC

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

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz
The fourth novel in the Orphan X series continues the action. Evan Smoak, a former black ops assassin with a heart, uses his training to help ordinary civilians in desperate situations while fighting back against government agents who aren’t happy he’s gone rogue. ~AP

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

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
This novel in verse tells the story of the painter Artemisia Gentileschi. One of the most talented painters in Rome in the early 1600’s, no one knew her name until she was raped by another painter, Agostino Tassi. Can she take strength from the brave female biblical subjects of her paintings to face her attacker and paint again? ~JL

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

Dopesick by Beth Macy
Our country is struggling to cope with a terrorizing opioid crisis. Through interviews with families, addicts, dealers, counselors, clergy and law enforcement, the author attacks this epidemic straight on, unveiling the true criminals—big pharma and our nation’s most dangerous and habit forming gateway drug ~KC

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

Delicious Foods

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[Cover]

Title: Delicious Foods

Author: James Hannaham

Publisher: Little Brown & Company, March 2015

Summary/Review: The story begins with Eddie, who has recently escaped a mysterious company called Delicious Foods. His mother, Darlene, is still working there. Eddie has no hands, he’s estranged from his relatives, he’s poor and distraught about his mother, but he is ultimately good-natured and ready to emerge with a new life. The real struggle is with Darlene, Eddie’s mother. In her past life she would be described as a grieving widow whose husband was murdered, a hard-working, educated, beautiful, and caring mother. In her new life Darlene is addicted to crack cocaine, prostituting herself, neglecting Eddie, abusing herself and others and, ultimately, losing her mind – until she is saved by Delicious Foods, who offer a wonderful new dream filled with hope, redemption, hard work, and a rampantly dark underbelly.

Reading reviews you might think this story is focused on drugs – after all, the drugs have their own chapters, told from their point of view. You might think it’s about a mysterious company, Delicious Foods, and all the horrible things that go on in a place where you keep people addicted to drugs and brainwashed. You might even think that it’s about Eddie, and his struggle to regain a new life. But the truth is that the book is about all of these things yet none of these things. It’s a beautifully written book. It’s the type of book you have to read slowly because it takes a long time to convince yourself you’re not there, experiencing these things. You could probably call it a mystery thriller, but that wouldn’t accurately describe its deep literary roots. The truth is that “Delicious Foods” is indescribable – you just need to read it. It’s wonderful, magnetic, heart-breaking, scary, thrilling, hilarious, and poetic.

Who will like this book?: Someone that doesn’t shy away from dark topics such as race, addiction, and hopelessness. Someone looking for a read that’s thrilling but deep and literary.

If you like this, try this: James Hannaham has written one other book, “God Says No”, which is probably worth a try. I honestly can’t think of a book similar to this one, so you’ll need to try it yourself!

Recommended by: Lauren O

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

Dry

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Title: Dry

Author: Augusten Burroughs

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, June 2003

Summary: Augusten (author of Running with Scissors and A Wolf at the Table) continues his autobiographical work in Dry. Sadly I am not sure his story is all that unique in terms of living a “successful” life on the outside. He makes a very good living in New York City working as an advertising executive during the day. However, when not at work, and, sometimes when (and certainly at lunch), Augusten’s life revolves around his need to drink to oblivion. He describes the chaos of his life and relationships brilliantly and often they are so “out there” you laugh with him as he reveals how crazy his life/addiction has become. Finally his boss forces him into rehabilitation where he meets and befriends some hilarious and sad personalities. His telling of his return to his life sober makes for a truly moving story. His sadness and regret is palpable when he realizes he may have lost the opportunity to be with his true love. Not for the faint-hearted.

Who will like this book?: Readers who relish the madness of the lives some people live and survive.

If you like this, try this: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.

Recommended by: Karen, Administration

Hold Tight

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Title: Hold Tight

Author: Harlan Coben

Summary: First, let me just say “WOW”. I have not stayed up well past 2:00 a.m to finish a book in a long time, but this book was worth it. Hold Tight has suspense, thrills, chills… you name it. I found myself rushing through my day so I could get back to reading this book.

One woman is missing. One turns up dead, beaten beyond recognition. Mike and Tia Baye’s teenage son Adam goes missing soon after his best friend commits suicide. Mike has an idea where to look for Adam because Tia insisted on installing a sophisticated spy program on Adam’s computer. They can read his email, his instant messages, and track the websites he has visited. Oh, and Adam’s phone has a GPS. The Bayes’ soon find out that having too much information can lead to disaster.

Betsy Hill finds a picture of her son Spencer, taken the night he committed suicide. She sees Adam in the background of the picture. Betsy now believes Spencer was not alone on the rooftop when he overdosed on prescription drugs and alcohol. Are all of these events connected? You bet they are. Everything comes together in the end, which makes this a great read from cover to cover

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator