All posts by Jill Kenny
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Monica Wood – author visit with book signing! Thursday, July 11th at 6:00pm
Maine author, Monica Wood will be stopping here on her book tour for her latest book, How to Read a Book, on Thursday, July 11th at 6:00pm – here at the library!
Register for seat HERE
She will talk about her book, her writing, her research and her books will be available to purchase and have signed.
MONICA WOOD is a novelist, memoirist, and playwright; the 2024 recipient of the Sara Josepha Hale award for excellence in New England literary arts; the 2019 recipient of the Maine Humanities Council Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities; and the 2016 recipient of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts. She lives in Portland, Maine, with her husband, Dan Abbott, and their cat, Susie.
How to Read a Book:
A charming, deeply moving novel about second chances, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories.
Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle…
Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.
When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.
How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living.
Other books by Monica Wood:
Secret Language (1993)
My Only Story (2000)
Any Bitter Thing (2005)
The One-in-a-Million Boy (2016)
How to Read a Book (2024)
Memoir:
When we were the Kennedys : a memoir from Mexico, Maine (2013)
Visit her website for more information about her books, book tour, research and more (see us on her schedule of events – Chelmsford is one of two MA locations):
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Book Brunch- May 2024
Book Brunch was the place to be when 25 eager readers joined us to hear about some new books Julie and I have been reading. Coffee, snacks and handouts were provided – as well as some laughter and book sharing.
Here are the books we highlighted, as well as the books that attendees are reading and recommend.
Our next Book Brunch will be Friday, July 19th at 10:30am in the fireplace area. If you plan to attend, please register for a seat: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12577186
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Hot off the presses…
These are a few new books that I would read if I had more time! Check them out!
THRILLERS:
MYSTERY:
LITERARY FICTION:
SCIENCE FICTION:
FANTASY:
ROMANCE:
HISTORICAL FICTION:
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One Book Chelmsford – Peter Swanson visit, Mystery Improv, Art mysteries, NY mysteries and scandals
Join us for a special event featuring our 2024 One Book Chelmsford author Peter Swanson! Space is limited so please register.
Peter Swanson will be in conversation with fellow mystery writer Connie Hambly Johnson.
Peter Swanson is the Sunday Times and New York Times best selling author of ten novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. His books have been translated into over 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.
In his latest novel, The Kind Worth Saving, Swanson revisits the characters from The Kind Worth Killing as a private eye starts to follow a possibly adulterous husband, but little does he know that the twisted trail will lead back to the woman who hired him.
A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife.
Connie Hambly Johnson is a past president and featured speaker of the New England chapter of Sisters in Crime, a member of Mystery Writers of America, and co-chair of the New England Crime Bake.
Register for a spot here: CLICK HERE
Other programs related to mystery that are coming up:
Panelists on this fun, fast-paced improv game in which authors brainstorm on their feet to create a brand new mystery will be:
Sharon Daynard: Sharon Daynard is the author of Murder Points North. Her short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US and Canada. Her short stories include “The Boss of Butler Square” which received Honorable Mention for the 2019 Al Blanchard Award and “Widows Peak”, a 51-word story, which was short-listed for a Derringer Award for Best Flash of 2004 and has been used to help teach minimalist writing in college classes. She is a managing partner at Potter’s Field Publishing and the co-creator of Evidoozle, an online evidence board-based playing card game. She holds degrees in Environmental Sciences and Geology and often incorporates elements from them in her stories. She is a past president of SinCNE and a former co-chair of the New England Crime Bake.
Kate Flora: Flora’s fascination with people’s criminal tendencies began in the Maine attorney general’s office. Deadbeat dads, people who hurt their kids, and employers’ discrimination aroused her curiosity about human behavior. The author of twenty-four books spanning many genres including crime fiction, true crime, memoir, and nonfiction, and many short stories, Flora’s been a finalist for the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer awards. She won the Public Safety Writers Association award for nonfiction and twice won the Maine Literary Award for crime fiction. Flora has taught writing for the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, Brown University Continuing Education, The Cambridge Center for Adult Education, the Cape Cod Writer’s Conference, and for Grub Street in Boston. She’s a former international president of Sisters in Crime, and a founder of the New England Crime Bake and the Maine Crime Wave conferences. She blogs with the Maine Crime Writers. Flora divides her time between Massachusetts and Maine, where she gardens and cooks and watches the clouds when she’s not imagining her character’s dark deeds.
J.A. (Judith) McIntosh: writes legal suspense and mysteries for thinking adults who like to see people get what they deserve. An attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Children and Families representing the state in child custody matters and in child abuse and neglect cases, her novels are about this area of law and its heartbreaking consequences on families. Her books are primarily about people trying to make the best of an awful situation and their attempts to connect with others and get what they need. All does not turn out well. She lives in a small town, much like her fictional Meredith, Massachusetts, and has lived here most of her life. Most of her family lives here also, an atypical situation in the twenty-first century. As the town has less than 10,000 people, she knows a large percentage of the population.
Kim Herdman Shapiro: is an author, journalist, graphic artist, and vlogger. She has worked in both print and broadcast journalism, as well as creating one of the first ever digital e-zines with her Microsoft Award-winning travel site, Footloose. Although she grew up in Vancouver, she has lived and traveled to many different places around the world. Some of these places are detailed in her book, Gelato with the Pope: and other adventures of a travel writer in Europe. She has spent the last seven years filming across Canada for What the Hell is a Toque: and other questions on the great Canadian roadtrip, where she shows her two sons what it means to be Canadian. For the past twenty years, she has lived with her husband and sons in New England. At present, her writing life is focused on her two mystery series, one based in British Columbia and the other her home for the past 25 years: New Hampshire. She also serves on the board of Sisters in Crime New England and works as their Public Relations Director.
Register for a spot here: CLICK HERE
Tuesday, April 16th at 7pm – VIRTUAL-Curators of Crime — Art-Inspired Murders & Mysteries
Authors Connie Berry, Nina Wachsman, Lane Stone, and M.A. Monnin will discuss the real-life art, artifacts, and art crimes that inspired their mystery novels.
Connie Berry is the author of the best-selling Kate Hamilton Mysteries, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Like her protagonist, Connie was raised by antiques dealers who instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. Her latest novel, THE SHADOW OF MEMORY, was a finalist for the Edgar Award’s Lilian Jackson Braun award.
Nina Wachsman is the author of a series of historical suspense set in 17th Century Venice. She has multiple ties to Venice, as an artist, visiting every two years for the world’s fair of art at the Venice Biennale. THE GALLERY OF BEAUTIES, her debut novel, was nominated for an Agatha for Best Debut, and a Silver Falchion for Best Historical. The second book in the series, THE COURTESAN’S SECRET, received 5-star recommendations from the Historical Fiction Company and the Historical Novel Society.
Lane Stone is the author of The Big Picture art thriller trilogy. Book one, THE COLLECTOR, was followed by THE CANVAS. She is also the author of several cozy mystery series. Stone has a post-graduate certificate in Antiquities Theft and Art Crime.
M. A. Monnin is the author of the Intrepid Traveler Mystery series, including Agatha Best First Novel nominee DEATH IN THE AEGEAN. Her 3rd in the series, DEATH IN ST. GEORGE’S, releases in May 2024.
Register for a spot on zoom to receive a link to join: CLICK HERE
Thursday, April 18th at 6:30pm –
VIRTUAL: Murder, Mayhem and Scandals in New York
Are you interested in finding out about being tarred and feathered, shot by the Black Hand in Little Italy, being caught in a great fire or ravishing flood, participating in a riot, attending some fascinating trials, or encountering some of the most unsavory characters who ever lived in New York City? Of course, this doesn’t count meeting all the ghosts that haunt the City. Then, this is the presentation for you. Don’t worry, it isn’t as gory as it sounds.
Presenters: Susan & Art Zuckerman, Licensed Tour Guides, Radio Talk Show Hosts, Authors, College Professors, Historians, Lecturers, World Travelers
Register for a spot on zoom and receive the link: CLICK HERE
April is full of mystery at our library!
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Book Brunch – March Madness 2024
March Madness is in the air, whether you are into college basketball or reading!
Last Friday, Julie and I shared many, many books with our book brunch friends. We usually share up to 10 new books each, but I added the “madness” this month by adding 3-4 read-alikes for each book we highlighted. This seemed like a great idea, until I put together this mega- list of books in different genres- and realized that I have provided 2+ years of reading in one list.
I’m sharing the mega-list (every title is a hyper-link to our catalog, for you to put the books on hold), as well as the visual list with covers (if you like to “browse by book covers”).
Our next book brunch will be Friday, May 17th (and I promise to make the list more manageable!).
Julie’s picks:
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store – James McBride
Read-alikes: historical fiction, race relations, community secrets
Decent People – De’Shawn Charles Winslow
Before all the world / Moriel Rothman-Zecher
Moon lake : an East Texas gothic / Joe R. Lansdale
Another Brooklyn : a novel / Jacqueline Woodson
The Clinic – Cate Quinn
Read-alikes: psychological thriller, unreliable narrator, creepy setting, estranged siblings
The Shining– Stephen King
The Institution – Helen Fields (coming out April 2024)
The Resort– Sarah Ochs
I’ll Be You – Janelle Brown
The Warm Hands of Ghosts-Katherine Arden
Read-alikes: historical fiction, bond between siblings, war nurses, magic/supernatural
London Séance Society – Sarah Penner
The Dutch House – Ann Patchett
Held – Anne Michaels
A Deadly Education – Naomi Novak
Family, Family – Laurie Frankel
Read-alikes: found family, adoption stories
Three Junes – Julia Glass
Commonwealth – Ann Patchett
We are all Completely Besides Ourselves – Karen Joy Fowler
The Last Romantics – Tara Conklin
The Fox Wife – Yangsze Choo
Read-alikes: historical fiction, magical realism
Unraveling – Karen Lord
Curse of Saints – Kate Dramis
The Fervor – Alma Katsu
The Bone Roots – Gabriella Houston
Everyone on this Train is a Suspect – Benjamin Stevenson
Read-alikes: locked-room mystery, Agatha Christie fans
There Should Have Been Eight – Nalini Singh
Murder on the Orient Express – Agatha Christie
Mother-Daughter Murder Night – Nina Simon
The Golden Spoon – Jessa Maxwell
Three-Inch Teeth – C.J.Box
Read-alikes: atmospheric landscape, lots of animals, honorable main character
The Poacher’s Son – Paul Doiron
Tamarack County – William Kent Krueger
Cold Hearted River – Keith McCafferty
Boar Island – Nevada Barr
The Ascent– Adam Plantinga
Read-alikes: Thriller, crime novel, locked-room setting
I will Find You – Harlan Coben
Kingdom of Bones – James Rollins
November Road – Lou Berney
Device Free Weekend – Sean Doolittle
Bride – Ali Hazelwood
Read-alikes: paranormal romance, vampires, werewolves, fated mates
Wolf Gone Wild – Juliette Cross
Lover Reborn – J.R. Ward
Not the Witch You Wed – April Acher
Overbite – Meg Cabot
The Women – Kristin Hannah
Read-alikes: historical fiction, Vietnam, female friendships, war nurses
The Lotus Eaters – Emily Clements (not out yet)
The World Played Chess– Robert Dugoni
Dust Child – Mai Phan Que Nguyen
Absolution – Alice McDermott
Jill’s Picks
The Fury – Alex Michaelides
Read-alikes: locked-room mystery, theatrical, false pretenses, atomospheric
Here in the Dark – Alexis Soloski
The Night of the Storm – Nishita Parekh
The Guest List – Lucy Foley
The Chateau – Jacklyn Goldis
Behind You is the Sea – Susan Muaddi Darraj
Read-alikes: Palestinian-American culture, immigrants
Evil Eye – Etaf Rum
Her First Palestinian – Saeed Teebi (on order)
Only if You’re Lucky – Stacy Willingham
Read-alikes: dark academia, psychological thriller, toxic relationships
The IT Girl – Ruth Ware
Before We Were Innocent – Ella Berman
The Girls Are All So Nice Here – Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
The Kamogawa Food Detectives – Hisashi Kashiwai
Read-alikes: cozy mystery, food-related, overwhelming emotional resonance
The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World – Laura Imai Messina
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune – Roselle Lim
Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Tosikazu Kawaguchi
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop – Satoshi Yagisawa
The Fortune Seller – Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Read-alikes: dark academia, tarot readings, twisty suspense
The Book of Love – Kelly Link
The Rachel Incident – Caroline O’Donoghue
The Maidens – Alex Michaelides
The Moorings of Mackerel Sky – MZ
Read-alikes: magical realism, mermaids, atmospheric, local myths
Shark Heart – Emily Habeck
Ten Thousand Doors of January – Alix E. Harrow
American Mermaid – Julia Langbein
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice – Elle Cosimano
Read-alikes: humorous mystery, women sleuths, action-packed fun
Play the Fool – Lina Chern
Racing the Light – Robert Crais
A Good Day to Pie – Misha Popp
End of Story – A.J. Finn
Read-alikes: literary mystery, psychological suspense, puzzles
The Mystery Writer – Sulari Gentill
Augusta Hawke – G.M. Malliet
The Last Word – Taylor Adams
Leave No Trace – A.J. Landau
Read-alikes: thriller, action-packed, National Parks, conspiracies
Wolf Trap – Connor Sullivan
Perfect Shot – Steve Urszenyi
The Switch – Joseph Finder
The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard – Natasha Lester
Read-alikes: historical fiction, haute-couture, Gilded age, Paris/NYC, families
The Winthrop Agreement – Alice Sherman Simpson
Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl – Renee Rosen
The Address – Fiona Davis
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre – Natasha Lester
What the Book Brunch attendees are reading:
Love and Hot Chicken – Mary Liza Hartong
The Teacher – Frida McFadden
A True Account – Katherine Howe (MA author)
Yellowface – R.F. Kuang
Murderbot diaries (series) – System Collapse #7 /Martha Wells
The Great Divide – Cristina Henriquez
After Annie – Anna Quindlen
Women of Good Fortune – Sophie Wan
To Have and to Heist – Sara Desai
The Art Thief (non-fiction) -Micheal Finkel
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Virtual Decluttering Workshops every month in 2024 with Jamie Novak
If you haven’t check out one of these programs on getting organized, you should mark your calendars now! Jamie gets you moving around your space and getting rid of things you might not have thought you didn’t need! Even if you don’t, it’s a mental decluttering as well. See below for the upcoming programs each month through the end of 2024! We host our declutter workshops the first Thursday of each month on zoom at 7pm. If you register and miss it, we’ll send you the recording to view at another time!
March 7th, 2024 at 7pm: File, Pile, Sort, Shred!
If your tabletops are covered with stacks of paper and your filing cabinets are overflowing, then you won’t want to miss this virtual program. Join author and organizer Jamie Novak for this one-hour event when she’ll show you which papers to keep, for how long, and ways to file them once and for all! Plus, she’ll share what you can shred, regret-free. You’ll make your own retention schedule for future reference and organize papers with her during the program.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11439311
April 4th, 2024 at 7pm: How to Organize Your Life into 1 Notebook
Go from scattered to successful this year – with a single notebook! Join us online when organizer and author of Keep This Toss That shows you how to organize your life with a single notebook! You’ll be able to keep track of everything you need to get done, and more. Remember things, get organized, prioritize tasks, and stop misplacing important information.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11439351
May 2nd, 2024 at 7pm: Digital Decluttering: organize and free up storage space
Wondering how to easily delete all those emails? Tired of the “running out of space” messages on your phone? Log on and learn how to declutter your devices with best-selling author and organizing humorist Jamie Novak. During this virtual program she’ll guide you through a live tidy up and share the one thing you need to delete from your phone today.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12053912
June 6th, 2024 at 7pm: The Great Storage Clean Out
We all have THAT space, a closet, basement, garage, attic, or storage unit overflowing with stuff. If you are ready to sort it out (without getting overwhelmed) log on when author and organizer Jamie Novak shares her simple plan. Learn where to begin, what to do first, what to do with the things, and how to stay motivated. Plus, she’ll reveal the secret to maximizing storage space and how to find things, once they are stored.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12053950
July 11th, 2024 at 7pm: Tiny Summer Tidy Ups
Tidy up quickly with plenty of time left for summer fun. Join bestselling author and expert organizer Jamie Novak when she reveals the tiny tidy up tasks that make a big difference. You’ll be guided through a live tidy up session and by the end of the program you’ll have a plan to enjoy the summer, clutter-free!
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12053962
August 1st, 2024 at 7pm: Treasure in the Attic: what to do with sentimental stuff my kids don’t want
Did the kids tell you they don’t want your candlesticks? Are you attached to your treasures, collections, and sentimental items? If so, this virtual program is for you! During this online program organizing humorist and author of Keep This Toss That, Jamie Novak reveals her method for decluttering sentimental items. By the end of this laugh-out-loud funny program you’ll have a plan for how to keep the memories without keeping all the stuff.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12054253
September 5th, 2024 at 7pm: Tidy Your Kitchen and Bathrooms Fast
Let’s sort out the two most used rooms of your home, easily! Join author and organizing humorist Jamie Novak online, when she shares simple steps to declutter the bathroom and the kitchen. Learn how to make this overwhelming task a lot easier with her easy ideas and get started live during the program with a mini guided tidy-up.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12054389
October 3rd, 2024 at 7pm: 3 Steps to Sort Your Photos
If you have too many photographs to sort, this virtual program is for you! During this online program author and organizer Jamie Novak reveals the three steps you can take today to make sense of your boxes of memories. She’ll guide you through a LIVE mini de-cluttering session and by the end of the program you’ll be prepared to successfully tackle your photo sorting project!
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12054424
November 7th, 2024 at 7pm: Clean Your Clothes Closet by the Weekend: sort, share, sell, store
Can’t walk in your walk-in closet? Do you dread sorting your clothes? Log on and learn the 5 steps to organize any closet with expert organizer and author Jamie Novak. She’ll share her insider tips and the things every closet needs to stay clutter free. Plus, you’ll tidy live with her and learn what a capsule wardrobe is and why you may want one.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12054641
December 5th, 2024 at 7pm: What to Tidy When Company is On the Way
Company on the way? Just want to get organized but you don’t have a lot of time? Log on with expert organizer and author of Keep This, Toss That, when she shares what to focus on – and what you can leave for later. Learn what company notices first about your home. And see how to make the most of your efforts. Plus, during the program, you’ll be guided through a tiny task.
Register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/12054828
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Let’s Talk Books 2024 Reading Challenge Discussion Group
Massachusetts Center for the Book provided a 2024 Reading Challenge – Each month there is a theme – you choose a book to read in that theme. Their monthly challenge, after you read, is to submit a form online – simple, and fun. They will have prizes at the end of the year. If you are interested in this, go to the link for more information: massbook.org/readingchallenge
We have chosen to use this reading challenge to introduce a new reading group at our library! It’s called, Let’s Talk Books with Jill and Julie and meets the last Wednesday evening of the month at 6:30pm, with in-person and online attendance!
January’s group had a great discussion, sharing stories along with their book choices – as the theme was to share – a book you read years ago that you may feel different about now. See the graphic below of some of the books discussed:
February’s group was a little smaller, but we had fun coming up with as many titles with colors on the fly as an activity after discussing our books.
See the graphic below for some of the books discussed:
We would love to have more people come to discuss March’s theme: A book whose protagonist has a different culture or lifestyle from you.
If you are interested – register to join us in-person or virtually (zoom) on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30pm. Link to register: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11433878
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Book Brunch January 2024
A new year welcomed a new format for Book Brunch – in-person only in the fireplace room. There was coffee, delicious snacks and lots of books shared. Julie and I shared 10 books each and then heard from others what they have read recently, to create a nice list to start off the year with. Our next Book Brunch will be Friday, March 15th at 10:30am. Please register if you plan to come – so we have enough seats! https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11886773
Click on the book titles for more information about each book (link to our catalog) and to see if a copy is available!
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose |
Goldenseal by Maria Hummel |
Principles of (E)motion by Sara Read |
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson |
Mom Com by Adriana Mather (book on order) |
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins |
Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden |
Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody |
The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer |
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods |
Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert |
Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong |
Dissolved by Sara Blaedel Mads Peder Nordbo |
The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell |
The Vacation House by Jane Shemilt |
Calamity by Constance Fay |
The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring |
Wavewalker: A Memoir of Breaking Free by Suzanne Heywood |
The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri |
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon |
What others in the group are reading and recommend:
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The River we Remember by William Kent Krueger |
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The Lioness of Boston -Emily Franklin |
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Land of Milk & Honey– Pam C Zhang |
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The Berry Pickers– Amanda Peters |
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There’s a Word for that – Sloane Tanen |
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The in-between : unforgettable encounters during life’s final moments / Hadley Vlahos, R.N. |
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The Maidens – Alex Michaelides |
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The Last Love Note – Emma Gray |
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The Spirit Catches you and you fall down – Anne Fadiman |
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Steven Spotswood – Fortune Favors the Dead – fun series/woman detective in the 40’s |
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The Many Lives of Mama Love(memoir)-Lara Love Hardin |
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Prom Mom by Laura Lippman |
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West with Giraffes by Linda Rutledge |
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Tom Lake by Ann Patchett |
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The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese |
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Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan |
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Such Kindness – Andre Dubus III |
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The Inheritance – Nora Roberts |
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The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart– Holy Ringland |
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A New Year = A New Book Group
Let’s Talk Books with Jill and Julie is new! Once a month, we will be hosting a new book group – where everyone shares what they are reading in the same theme. Julie and I are the Reader’s Advisory department at the library and we are bringing book suggestions to you on multiple platforms. In the library, we provide reader’s advice at the desk and with displays, bookmarks, flyers and blog posts. Online we share our recommendations on social media, and through our upcoming TV show.
Instead of all reading the same book and then meeting to talk about that one book, this is a group where everyone reads different books within the same theme. The best part about this, is that everyone will leave with a list of recommended books by the group and talk about books!
Our book group is following the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2024 Reading Challenge themes. The challenge offers options beyond just meeting at the library to discuss the book you chose in that theme. How the reading challenge works for the masses, is to read a book in the theme, go to the website: www.massbook.org/readingchallenge and fill out a short form to share your thoughts on the book. The Mass Center for the Book will host a year-end party to celebrate the participants who committed to the challenge as well as be entered in a drawing to win some totes filled with books and goodies.
We will be meeting the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm in the McCarthy meeting room – in-person or on zoom (HYBRID) to hear about what every is reading in the same theme. We hope you will join us!
January, 31st : A book you read years ago that you may feel different about now -register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11434291
February, 28th: A book with a color in the title – register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11434308
March, 27th: A book whose protagonist has a different culture or lifestyle from you- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11434320
April 24th: A book about nature, the environment, or climate change- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436536
May 29th: A graphic novel- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436548
June 26th: A book that inspired a film or television series – register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436563
July 31st: A book by an author born outside of the United States- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436564
August 28th: A book whose title starts with the same letter as your birthday month- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436569
September 25th: A debut book by a Massachusetts author- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436571
October 30th: A book about a time in history you’d like to know more about – register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436574
November 20th: A relaxing, soul-soothing book- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436597
December 18th: A well-reviewed book in your least favorite genre- register here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11436605
Check out our calendar online, or pick up a paper copy by month in the main lobby:
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Chelmsford’s Top Books Checked out in 2023
When the book you put on hold takes forever, you are most likely in good company! Perhaps one of those books are on this list. Libraries are sharing their lists of the most checked out books from 2023 all over the country – there are a lot of similar titles!
Here are the most checked out books at our main library and Mackay in 2023.
- Mad Honey: a novel, Jodi Picoult
- Lessons in Chemistry: a novel, Bonnie Gamus
- Verity, Colleen Hoover
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: a novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Hello Beautiful: a novel, Ann Napolitano
- It Starts with Us: a novel, Colleen Hoover
- The Hotel Nantucket: a novel, Elin Hilderbrand
- Spare, Harry
- Someone Else’s Shoes, Jojo Moyes
- It Ends with Us, Colleen Hoover
- The House in the Pines: a novel, Ana Reyes
- Small Mercies: a novel, Dennis Lehane
- Happy Place, Emily Henry
- Horse, Geraldine Brooks
- The Boys from Biloxi, John Grisham
- The Personal Librarian, Marie Benedict
- Migrations, Charlotte McConaghy
- Demon Copperhead: a novel, Barbara Kingsolver
- Remarkably Bright Creatures: a novel, Shelby van Pelt
- Book Lovers, Emily Henry