All posts by Jessica FitzHanso
Get back to the book
On Thursday July 20, an article by Philip Yancey was published in the Washington Post’s titled, The Death of Reading is Threatening the Soul. In it he articulates a crisis that many of us can probably relate to, though we have not had the patience and insight to name it. He discusses the familiar problem of being too inundated with the digital world to take time for the acquisition of knowledge which largely requires the concentrated and sustained reading of books. This argument may sound condescending, but read his article, in which he frames the argument in the context of his own personal dilemma, and you’ll find it surprisingly relateable.
In his article, he identifies a number of texts he remembers from his heavy reading days, as well as a number of books which have helped him to sort out this dilemma and formulate a plan to return to the reading he loves. We’ve collected many of the titles he mentions here, with links to our catalog so you can read them for yourself.
Staff Picks at the Chelmsford Library
If you’re wondering what to read next, or wandering the aisles wishing someone could just hand you something good, we now have a rotating collection of staff picks for you! The section is comprised of books from many of our collections, read and recommended by our wonderful readers on staff. Here are a few of the books recommended so far, but come in to check out our latest picks on display!
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American Requiem, by James Carroll: “An intense yet highly readable memoir by our own Boston Globe Columnist James Carroll. This book brings together the personal and political histories of a family and the nation in a beautiful way!” – Courtney |
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Hark a Vagrant, by Kate Beaton: “Kate Beaton’s irreverent comics are hilariously off-beat and witty!” – Nicole |
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Everything you want me to be, by Mindy Mejia: “I give this book 5+ stars. It’s an excellent book with lots of surprises. The story revolves around three characters, and the main character is a little mysterious. I couldn’t put this book down once I started, and I had to read every single word. And I loved the ending.” – Trupti |
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Hunter, by Mercedes Lackey: “A YA debut by a fantasy veteran, this book deserves so much more love than it gets. File under Hidden Gem. In a futuristic world where monsters of myth and legend have returned to destroy human society, capable mages must use their bonded hounds to keep the last human settlements safe. With plenty of action and intelligent, angst-less protagonists, Hunter is sure to delight fans of fantasy, mythology and dystopia alike.” – Danny |
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Locke and Key, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez: Stephen King’s son Joe Hill crafts an intriguing horror story that Gabriel Rodriguez’s art brings to life. Visually stunning and a great narrative. – Nicole |
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A Natural History of Dragons: a memoir by Lady Trent, by Marie Brennan: “The places on display have clear origins in our own world, and Isabella’s world is like an alternate Victorian era Britain, making this a very Jane Austen-dragon scientist. Plus, if you like this book, the next four are of equal or greater quality!” – Danny |
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Netherland, by Joseph O’Neill: “New York is a place made up of people from everywhere else. This is a story of two of those people. One a dutch financier who suddenly finds himself alone in his adopted city. The other a Trinidadian cricket fanatic and “entrepreneur” whom the Dutchman befriends. O’Neill tells the story of these two men navigating the gauntlet that is trying to find “home.” a stunningly well-written book.” – Jess |
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To the Bright Edge of the World, by Eowyn Ivey: “The vastness and intrigue of the Alaskan wilderness, in the late 1880s, is vividly described by Ivey. Married couple Colonel Allen Forrester and Sophie are so likable, devoted, and willing to live outside gender norms that I wished I could invite them over for coffee when I finished reading this captivating survival and adventure novel. One of my top picks from 2016!” – Lisa |
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Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood: “I became completely absorbed by Margaret Atwood’s terrifying dystopia. So thoroughly imaginative and haunting, the sensation of reading has stuck with me for years after. You can’t help but be pulled in to Snowman’s story of power, madness, and genetic engineering out of control. Read it and heed it’s warning. It will alter your worldview, as many of Atwood’s novels do.” – Jess |
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The Name and War, by Jill Lepore: “Excellent local History of King Phillip’s War and how it has been remembered. Learn about Meta com, the Algonquins and the myth of the “Noble Savage” in US History.” – Courtney |
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Woman No. 17, by Edan Lepucki: “A fun and quirky read – with plenty of oddball characters!” – Eileen |
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“A gripping story of human trafficking. Chilling, unforgettable and suspenseful. Very well written story of two orphans in India. The subject matter was very sad but unfortunately it is a fact of life. Very intense and scary, but a good read.” – Trupti |
Henry David Thoreau turns 200!
Henry David Thoreau, one of our most important and treasured local authors, would have been 200 years old on Wednesday July 12. Numerous events and celebrations are taking place in and around Concord to commemorate his life and legacy. His works are always relevant to our understanding of the environment and nature and our role as citizens of the world, but perhaps his guidance has never been as crucial as in recent times (Read Douglas Brinkley’s essay in Sunday’s NYT Book Review for more on that.) I’ve highlighted some of the important works below. Pick one up and head down to Walden for a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.
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Walden, or life in the woods: Thoreau’s most well-known work accompanied by beautiful full color photographs and annotations, published to commemorate the work’s 150th anniversary (2004). |
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Cape Cod: A perfect book for a New England summer, Cape Cod chronicles Thoreau’s travels along the “bare and bended arm,” complete with full color photographs of many of the features Thoreau observed. |
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A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers Thoreau’s first work describes a trip Thoreau took with his brother in 1839 from Concord, Massachusetts to Concord, New Hampshire by boat. In addition to poignant descriptions of the nature observed along the way, Thoreau weaves in discussions of culture, religion, personal relationships and his philosophy. |
On Civil Disobedience: Thoreau’s famous treatise on the rights of citizens to resist peacefully in the face of injustice by government institutions. The text of this essay if free to read online courtesy of the American Studies department at the University of Virginia.
Other works of fiction and nonfiction displaying Thoreau’s influence:
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A Fugitive in Walden Woods, by Norman Lock (Adult Fiction): Samuel Long escapes slavery in Virginia by traveling the Underground Railroad to Walden Woods, where he encounters Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, William Lloyd Garrison, and other transcendentalists and abolitionists. While Long will experience his coming-of-age at Walden Pond, his hosts will receive a lesson on human dignity, culminating in a climactic act of civil disobedience |
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Walden Warming: Climate Change comes to Thoreau’s woods, by Richard B Primark (Adult nonfiction): Scientist Richard Primark uses Thoreau’s texts to show the dramatic changes taking place in the environment since Thoreau’s investigations. |
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Being Henry David, by Cal Armistead (Young Adult Fiction): “Seventeen-year-old ‘Hank,’ who can’t remember his identity, finds himself in Penn Station with a copy of Thoreau’s Walden as his only possession and must figure out where he’s from and why he ran away.” |
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Thoreau at Walden, by John Porcellino (Children’s graphic novel): Perfect for budding Thoreauvians! This graphic novel, narrated in Thoreau’s own words, weaves together elements from “Walden,” “Civil disobedience,” “Walking,” and Thoreau’s journals to tell the story of his two years in the woods and of the night he spent in jail for refusing to pay a poll tax. |
The Wednesday Morning Book Group reads Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes
The Wednesday Morning Book Group met to discuss Me Before You , by Jojo Moyes on June 21st.
***PLEASE NOTE BEFORE CONTINUING THAT THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS***
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes is classified as a contemporary romance novel, or a Women’s Lives and relationships book, a tag that rankles me, but the book is really much more than that. After a thorough discussion among members, my personal opinion of the book changed, swayed by the opinions of those that felt strongly about the book’s real message.
Will Traynor is a young man who has become a quadriplegic after having suffered a car accident two years prior to the start of the novel. Louisa Clark is a young woman, in between jobs and a little lost in life, who takes on the task of paid carer for Will, charged with keeping him company and improving his mood. It is of course, not entirely disclosed to Louisa at the start that her purpose is far more important than just making tea at opportune points in the day, though she finds out soon enough that she must work especially hard to keep her charge positive and upbeat.
To do this, Lou plans all sorts of activities and outings, some more successful than others. It should be noted that Will is not exactly the easiest person to please. Prior to his accident, he was a high-flying jet-setting risk taking wonder-boy, complete with a highly lucrative career in Mergers & Acquisitions and a Barbie doll girlfriend. While he can no longer partake in many of the activities that used to occupy his schedule, he does still have a highly functioning mind, and this seems to be both a blessing and a curse for him. The group agreed that Lou’s job as carer for Will was very difficult, that it would take a very special sort of person to stick with the job. Louisa is that special someone, as written by Moyes. She’s a free and friendly spirit, hampered only by her family’s financial woes. She jumps in to Will’s care, and, once the true nature of her position is revealed, does not shy away but rather increases her impact, in vain hopes of changing his mind.
A large portion of our discussion concerned the decision that Will had made about his life before Louisa came into it, and the decision he maintains despite the joy he finds in Louisa’s company. Will has decided to undergo clinical suicide, or assisted suicide at a facility in Switzerland because he feels that his life will never be the life he wants now that he is a quadriplegic. At the time of the movie made from the book, there were protests by advocates for disabled persons that this represented yet another negative, debilitating view of life as a disabled person. The book, unlike the movie, includes great deal of alternative perspectives, and does not treat the decision lightly. The group agreed that this was a very subjective decision, that this choice was made because Will was the person he was. Louisa seems by the end to come to terms with the fact of Will’s choice, and the final passage of them together is a real tearjerker.
Moyes wrote the book after learning about a real-life case of a 23-year old Rugby player that had decided, after his injuries had rendered him paralyzed, that he would take his own life at an assisted suicide facility in Switzerland. The family tried everything to change his mind, but ultimately went with him to see him through. Moyes, seems to think that this choice, while not palatable to everyone, should be a choice for individuals and should not be considered a crime. It was suggested by the group that this book could be used as a great ice breaker to a general discussion about death and dying and the choices that people have available to them and the impact these choices have on loved ones left behind.
The sequel to this novel came out about a year ago, and Moyes’ other novels are available from the library. Here are the links to the books mentioned during the discussion:
Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande
One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind and After You, by Jojo Moyes
Interview with Jojo Moyes about Me Before You
Vanity Fair article about the backlash against the Me Before You movie
To find out what else the Wednesday Morning Book Group will be reading, or any of the other book groups at the library, go to www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/book-groups/. On July 19, the Morning Book Group will be meeting to select the books for the coming year, so it would be a perfect time to jump in, bring a book suggestion, and join! No registration is necessary, just drop in.
June Local Authors event this Saturday!
Are you looking for a new summer read? Do you love to hear writers talk about their work and inspiration? Come and check out our Summer Local Author Market this Saturday! Ten authors will present their work and sell their books at this annual event. We’ll begins at 2PM in the large meeting room, followed by an open market-style session around the main floor of the library until 4PM.
June Local Authors Market – Meet Ursula Wong
This post is part of a series introducing the authors that will be participating in our annual Local Authors Market. Read about the authors and then come to meet them and buy their books on Saturday June 24 from 2-4PM at the Main Library.
Ursula is a retired engineer who writes gripping stories about strong women struggling against impossible odds to achieve their dreams. Her work has appeared in Everyday Fiction, Spinetingler Magazine, and the popular Insanity Tales anthologies.
About her novels:
Her debut novel, Purple Trees, exposes a stark side of rural New England life in the experiences of a young woman who struggles for normalcy despite a vicious and hidden past. After losing her parents, Lily Phelps tries to build a future, but her secrets threaten every one she loves. Purple Trees is the second-place winner in the 2015 E-Festival of Words Best Fiction Category.
Ursula taps her Eastern European heritage in her upcoming WW II novel, Amber Wolf. Destitute after her parents are taken by Russian soldiers, young Ludmelia Kudirka joins the farmers who trade pitchforks for guns in a David-and-Goliath struggle against the mighty Soviet war machine. Rich with scenes and legends of Lithuania, Amber Wolf gets the turmoil of 1944 into the story of a family torn apart by the Soviet occupation.
Come meet Ursula and check out her novels when she comes to the library on Saturday, June 24.
June Local Authors Market – Meet Glenn Davison
This post is part of a series introducing the authors that will be participating in our annual Local Authors Market. Read about the authors and then come to meet them and buy their books on Saturday June 24 from 2-4PM at the Main Library.
Glenn Davison is a kite designer, kite builder, workshop leader, author, and flyer. Glenn has been an invited guest for worldwide kite events in the USA, Canada, India, Taiwan, Colombia and the Virgin Islands.
Glenn is the past chairman of the Kite Education committee for the American Kitefliers Association. He is President of the club called Kites Over New England and he has appeared in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV.
Glenn is an American national champion and has won many awards for building and flying kites.
About his latest book:
Mr. Davison’s latest book describes innovative new ways to build kites for free using recycled, organic, or found materials so the kite costs little or nothing to build and fly! “…a wonderful invitation to build a kite limited only by imagination and materials on hand.” “…a source of inspiration for any aspiring kite builder.” The book includes 12 kite plans to make and fly. Find it in our library here.
Learn more about Glenn’s books, and see some of his kites in action when he comes to the Chelmsford Library on Saturday, June 24.
June Local Authors Market – Meet Steve O’Connor
This post is part of a series introducing the authors that will be participating in our annual Local Authors Market. Read about the authors and then come to meet them and buy their books on Saturday June 24 from 2-4PM at the Main Library.
Stephen O’Connor is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, where much of his writing is set. |
About his latest: The past has caught up with Martin LeBris. During World War II, he served the Office of Strategic Services as a spy and saboteur in Lyon, France. Nearly sixty years later, Lowell cop Gerry O’Neil is trying to unravel the mystery of why an assassin is stalking LeBris. The answer to that question lies buried in the dark days of Nazi Occupation, and in the unforgiving memory of The Spy in the City of Books.
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About his short story collection: In his first collection, Stephen O’Connor arrives fully formed as a writer–with 13 memorable stories filled with characters pulled from the streets, bars, and parishes of his historic mill-city: Lowell, Mass. He digs deep and find the essential humanity in the high and low of our daily rounds. Admired for his clear narrative style and fine ear for dialogue, O’Connor invents a world in these stories that lets us see and hear the essential drama in what might appear to be undramatic lives at first glance. His characters arise from the people whose stories often go untold. His readers are richer for the encounters in these pages. |
Come speak with Rick about his experiences and check out his works when he comes to the library on June 24!
June Local Authors Market – Meet Zachary Watson
This post is part of a series introducing the authors that will be participating in our annual Local Authors Market. Read about the authors and then come to meet them and buy their books on Saturday June 24 from 2-4PM at the Main Library.
Zach has over 26 years of life experience and teaches 8th grade Math in Lowell. He has a YouTube channel for his students, “Zach’s Daily Think Share” to teach them the lessons he doesn’t have time for during school. He has a second channel (Just search his name) with all sorts of things including eating challenges with students, origami tutorials, MCAS practice tutorials, car radio sing-alongs, book reviews and one of his students giving him an award-winning haircut. At the end of every video he tells the audience “Stay weird” in efforts to have people appreciate their true, authentic, weird selves. He recently did a Tedx talk on taking steps toward reaching dreams and avoiding the pitfalls of reaching goals. He does workshops for goal setting and you can find more at www.zachwatsonspeaks.wordpress.com.
About the Book: People are constantly meeting up at their favorite local coffee shop to share stories, share opinions, laughs and ideas. This book was inspired by what I constantly found myself sharing with others, whether it was coaching to a friend, advice for a student or simply something I couldn’t wait share with my wife for pillow talk. As I’ve gotten feedback on these ideas, many people have loved them and I have loved sharing them. These ideas have helped me flip conventional wisdom I’ve taken over the years, and brought me to living and leading rather than surviving and following. What idea will dump some of the conventions you didn’t know you could leave, and try new thoughts, take new actions and live a new experience? While Zach will be unable to attend on Saturday, he will be sending a video and some of his books for purchase.June Local Authors Market – Meet Dale Phillips
This post is part of a series introducing the authors that will be participating in our Annual Local Authors Market. Read about the authors and then come to meet them and buy their books on Saturday June 24 from 2-4PM at the Main Library.
Dale T Phillips is a New England writer, spent his formative years in Maine, and has lived and worked in a number of different places. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, studied writing with Stephen King, and has worked for over twenty years as a Technical Writer in a number of major industries, translating the work of software developers into clear instructions for using computer software.
Before that, he’s worked as a farm laborer, entrepreneurial bait salesman, yard worker, golf pro shop assistant, factory assembler, clean room machine operator, holiday Santa, construction worker, hotel worker, office assistant, theater apprentice, busboy, waiter, bartender, wine steward, assistant maitre’d, website designer, lab experiment subject, and blackjack dealer.
He has published novels, short stories, collections, articles, jokes, and poetry, and has appeared on stage, television, and in Throg, an independent feature film.
Mr. Phillips has numerous works of short-stories, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and more. A full list of his works is available on his website at www.daletphillips.com/Stories.html. A list of books available at the Chelmsford Library can be found here.
More information is available on his website: www.daletphillips.com, but come and meet him in person when he comes to Chelmsford on June 24!