June Book Clubs!

Please join us for one or both of our monthly book clubs! 

Three Rivers Book Club

When:  Wednesday, June 6th

Where:  Arrowhead Community Center

Time:  7:00 p.m.

Discussing:  Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross

Bookies Book Club

When:  Saturday, June 9th

Where:  Minooka Village Hall

Time:  10:00 a.m.

Discussing:  84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff and/or

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Geraldine Brooks, a Pulitzer-Prize winning author has carved out quite a name for herself in the realm of historical fiction. With Caleb's Crossing, she solidifies her reputation for bringing historical events to vivid life.

Caleb Cheeshahteaumauck, the first Native American to graduate from Harvard (in 1665,) grew up on the island of Martha's Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. That is the fact that Brooks bases her story on, imagining the world in great detail during the 1660's Puritanical era. The story is narrated by Bethia, a lively and smart young woman who resides with her father, brother and baby sister following the deaths of her mother and twin brother.

Bethia, enjoying her brief moments of freedom while she can first encounters Caleb in the woods at the age of 12. They form a tentative if forbidden friendship, sharing the same inquisitive nature and love of learning. Eventually, Caleb comes to fall under the tutelage of Bethia's minister father, where he excels in preparation for his admission to Harvard.

Brooks does a masterful job of creating the world of the Puritans in the 1660's, and unfolds a rich and intelligent story of friendship, culture clash and honor. The research done for this book is self-evident, as Brooks even utilizes vocabulary of the day to lend an air of authenticity. As with most stories involving natives and their interactions with their white brethren, the book has a heartbreaking ending...but one worth the reading nonetheless.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

As the novel opens we find Flavia De Luce locked inside a closet by her two older sisters, but once Flavia puts her plan for revenge in motion she stumbles upon a mystery which begs to be solved. From the discovery of a dead Jack Snipe with a stamp impaled on his beak to the argument Flavia overhears in her father's room with the man she sees take his last breath in their cucumber patch the next morning, Flavia is on the case.

With the help of her trusty bike Gladys, Flavia must figure out how all of these events are connected in order to prove her father innocent of murder. It is easy to forget that Flavia is only eleven years old as she rides around town conducting her own investigation one step ahead of the inspector on the case.

I'm not sure if it was the British setting, the mystery, or the loveable character of Flavia,who is a self trained chemist and amateur detective, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan on reading the rest of this series to see what other trouble Flavia gets herself into while trying to solve crimes.

The Dewey Decimal System of Love by Josephine Carr

Ally Sheffield is the head of the reference department at the Philadelphia Public Library, and has recently fallen in love with a man she had never met. Aleksi Kullio is the new conductor of the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra and not only does he not even know that Ally exists, but he is married as well.

After watching Aleksi lead the orchestra one night, Ally decides that she is in love with this man and in order to encourage this relationship which she believes will soon come to fruition she begins to volunteer at the Philharmonic. Once Ally begins an email correspondence with Aleksi she convinces herself that he feels the same way.

The plot also features some senseless vandalism of both the library and the Philharmonic building, a mystery surrounding a possible murder for hire, missing musical scores and librarians that don't seem to ever work.

When I first saw the title of this book I really wanted to like it. It seemed that it might combine my love of romance with my love of all things library. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. None of the characters seemed particularly likeable and once the plot started to get interesting it was rushed right along to the end. Overall, I think the general idea of this book was a good one, it just wasn't put together very well.

March Book Clubs!

Three Rivers Book Club

Meets Wednesday, March 7th, at 7 p.m. at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon. We will be discussing the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Join us - no registraton is required.

Bookies Book Club

Meets Saturday, March 10th, at 10 a.m. at the Minooka Village Hall. We will be discussing the book Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and each member will be reading a biography of their own choosing and providing the group with a recap.

Come join us for a lively discussion! No registration is required.

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Cal, Fox and Gage are childhood friends who share the same birthday. To commemorate their 10th birthdays, the boys sneak off to the woods, where they swear a blood oath to one another, unwittingly releasing a centuries-old demon. Every seven years for one week, all hell breaks loose on their small town, resulting in a horrific crime wave. Now, 21 years later, the demon's strength is growing and the 3 men know this might be their final chance to end the reign of terror.

Quinn Black is an author who specializes in the macabre, and has come to town to research her book on the phenomena that take place in Hawkins Hollow. She and Cal not only share an instant attraction to one another, but also the ability to experience things that happened in the past. When Layla inexplicable finds herself drawn to Hawkins Hollow, Quinn recognizes a connection to the demonic events, and summons her friend Cybil to complete the group.

This is the first book in the "Sign of Seven" trilogy, and focuses mostly on Cal and Quinn. While it is traditional Nora Roberts fare, it is an entertaining and quick read. Fans of paranormal romance will enjoy this book, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

We all have heard stories about Ernest Hemingway, one of the finest writers of the twentieth century, but how much do we know about the man behind the myth? Although this is a work of fiction, author McLain has researched Hemingway for years and feels quite "proprietary" towards him as a subject and it shows in this book.

The story begins with Hadley and Ernest's first meeting at a party in Chicago. Hadley is a 28 year old quiet and respectable woman to Ernest's 20 year old lively self. The two become infatuated with one another, even as Hadley returns home to St. Louis, the two continue to correspond by mail. When Ernest proposes marriage and a move out of the country, Hadley accepts.

The Hemingways life in Paris was a whirlwind - befriending other creative types such as Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein, the "anything goes" lifestyle of Paris in the 1920's is a big adjustment for the young couple. Although very much in love with one another, Ernest's larger-than-life yet extremely needy personality and prevalence of a willing partner, leads Ernest to betray Hadley with one of her closest friends.

The Paris Wife is first and foremost a love story between Ernest Hemningway and the woman he continued to love for the rest of his life. It is poignantly and sympathetically told, bringing the characters to life as well as Paris and the lifestyle favored by the "in" crowd. If you are looking for a gripping story of love and betrayal, look no further!

The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier

One Friday evening, the Illumination happened. People's wounds, injuries or pain began emitting a light - from the slightest dull twinge to the bright blinding light of life slipping away - no one was immune.

The book follows several very different people, who, on the surface, have nothing in common, but all share both the pain that seems to be the constant human condition as well as the desire for connection, no matter how fleeting. The story centers around a diary in which a wife recorded the little love notes she received daily from her husband. The book travels from person to person, affecting each one in a slightly different way.

This is a quiet little book that can be difficult to read, as each character struggles with their own very personal pain. Underneath it all, however, is that pull to reach out to others, resulting in an ultimately hopeful story.

February Book Clubs

We're looking forward to some excellent reading for the month of February!

Three Rivers Book Club

Meets Wednesday, February 1st at the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon at 7 p.m. We will be reading The Paris Wife by Paula McClain.

Bookies Book Club

Meets Saturday, February 11th at the Minooka Village Hall at 10 a.m. We will be discussing Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. No need to read both if you are pressed for time!

We hope to see you for one of our lively discussions!

Chill Out @ Your Library!

With the recent turn of wintery weather, it's the perfect time to settle in with a good read - why not reward yourself and enter our winter reading program? The program is for Three Rivers Library Card holders ages 12 and up.

Keep track of your winter reading online and be automatically notified when reading goals are reached or your name is drawn for a raffle prize. You will receive a packet of hot chocolate for signing up for the program and the first 65 people to read 5 books* will receive a special prize!

There will also be random drawings and a grand prize "Booklovers Basket" drawn at the end of the program. So the more you read, the better chance you have of winning!

*Only book, audio-books or e-books count towards your goal.

Register here beginning January 14th or on our Winter Reading Page!

Looking for a Solid Mystery Series?

Try "Sworn to Silence" by Linda Castillo. Since a serial killer stopped terrorizing local citizens in the 1990's, nothing much happens in the rural burg of Painters Mill, Ohio, which is just how Chief Kate Burkholder likes it. After years of experience in the more urban setting of Columbus, Ohio, she jumped at the chance to become the police chief of her hometown. Her past as a member of the local Amish community has given her a unique perspective and ability to act as a go-between between the private Amish community and the "English."

When one of her officers responds to a "loose cattle" call and instead finds the nude body of a young woman in the snow, Kate's peaceful existence comes to an abrupt halt. Not only is the murder reminiscent of the serial killings that took place in the '90's, but it brings Kate's history crashing back to her, including a secret that she, her brother and sister have kept all these years. When the town calls in outside help, Kate is resistant, fearing her secret will be exposed after 16 years, but as bodies continue to turn up, she must face her fear in order to solve the gruesome crimes.

John Tomasetti has been to hell, and does not seem to want to leave. Since losing his partner and family a few years earlier, his life has continued in a downward spiral, thanks to his steady diet of booze and painkillers. When he is assigned to work on the Painters Mill murders, he knows it is his last chance. Can Kate overcome her fear and mistrust to work with Tomasetti?

This is the first book of three so far featuring Chief Kate Burkholder, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of John Tomasetti as well. Despite the Amish connection, this is definitely NOT a cozy mystery - the grisly details, salty language and sexual situations and references are not for the faint of heart. Kate is a great heroine - strong yet vulnerable, principled yet hesitant, and damaged yet hopeful. I look forward to seeing more from this series. Fans of this book may also like Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Silas "32" Jones is the constable of a tiny town in rural Mississippi. His childhood friend, Larry Ott, still lives in the house he grew up in and "operates" his father's automotive business - a business that hasn't had a customer in years, as Larry has long lived under suspicion in the disappearance of a local girl when he was a teenager.

When a similar crime takes place, Larry is at the center of suspicion when he himself is the victim of a violent crime. Silas reluctantly gets involved, knowing that Larry is innocent of the crime. As Silas digs deeper into the crime wave hitting his tiny community, he starts letting go of his own secrets - secrets that provide important details in the girl's disappearance so many years ago.

Franklin has written a quiet and thoughtful southern novel that studies friendship, secrets and justice. The majority of the characters are not all that likable overall, which made for a rather slow read for me. However, the interest in the crimes and hope for reconciliation kept me reading until the end.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Set in the not-too-distant future (the year 2044,) Cline's dystopian yet hopeful tale is a fun, thought-provoking and clever story.

Orphaned high school senior Wade Watts lives in the "stacks" - giant stacks of trailers piled on top of one another - with his aunt and several others just outside of Oklahoma City. In an effort to escape his bleak reality, he spends his days logged into the virtual world, "OASIS," where he has created an alternative identity and also where he attends school. When not attending his online classes or hanging out in a chat room with his best friend, he devotes his time to pursuing the ultimate gaming challenge - OASIS creator James Halliday's complex multi-layered puzzle, the winner of which will receive Halliday's fortune.

When Wade solves the first puzzle, he (or his avatar, Parzival,) is suddenly thrust into the limelight, triggering untold fame and infamy, as he becomes the main target for the evil corporation, IOI, who employ thousands in the hopes of solving the puzzle (and gaining the fortune and power) first. The floodgates are then open, as Wade's best friend, online crush, and brothers from Japan also solve the first puzzle, soon to be followed by the IOI bots (i.e. "Sixers.") It isn't long before the Sixers have the advantage, and are the closest to solving the final puzzle.

Can Wade and his friends outsmart and defeat the Sixers? Or will they all go down in fiery defeat? Will Wade ever be able to function in reality, instead of just online?

Cline's love of pop culture shines through in this endearingly geeky homage to the 1980's. There are so many layers to this story, it has the potential to appeal to a wide audience. Rumors indicate that a movie is already in the works!

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

Looking for a light, gentle romantic read with a social conscience? Richard Paul Evans might be just what you are looking for.

Christine is stunned when her fiance, Martin, calls off their wedding (that she has planned in a bridezilla-like fashion) one week before hand. Her best friend, Jessica, in an effort to pull Christine out of her deep depression, signs them up for a volunteer trip to Peru, where they will put in time at an orphanage.

Paul, the director of the orphanage, an American ex-pat who also happens to be a doctor, has some baggage of his own to deal with. However, when he first lays eyes on Christine, he is transfixed by her. Although their time together is brief, the adventures they encounter in the jungles of South America allow them to get to know each other fairly well - enough to know that they both will have some tough questions to answer about their future at the close of the trip.

Ultimately, this is a romance, which guarantees a happy ending. Not even the appearance of Martin towards the end of the story can thwart the budding romance between Paul and Christine. Will they remain in Peru, working at the orphanage together? Or will they come back to the U.S. to live happily ever after?

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

John Grisham, best known for his legal thrillers, has strayed outside his normal genre on several occasions, and met with success each time. He has written Playing for Pizza, Bleachers, and this title, Skipping Christmas, all of which are beyond the scope of his usual fare.

Skipping Christmas details the story of the Kranks, a suburban family who decide to buck the yearly holiday traditions of overspending, overdoing and overstressing in favor of taking a luxury vacation. Their grown daughter has joined the Peace Corps, so will not be home for Christmas, giving Luther and Nora the perfect opportunity to escape. What Luther, who is the catalyst behind the plan, does not anticipate is the reaction of his neighbors, coworkers and friends who consider the Krank's antics high treason. When Luther and Nora discover that their daughter is coming home for Christmas after all, will they choose to stick with their master plan? Or will they manage to pull together a Christmas to remember?

While this is a nice, quick read for this busy time of year, the story lacks any real oomph. Luther is rather unlikable; Nora is much more sympathetic, so the reader wants things to work out for her sake. That being said, this might be just the sentimental light story that will make readers happy this time of year.

Soccer Mom= Demon Hunter?

I grabbed a book randomly from the shelves because I was out of books. The book I grabbed was called California Demon by Julie Kenner. This was a fun read, although not comical. The main character is Kate Connor, a demon hunter that recently came out of retirement. The tricky part is Kate's family knows nothing about her new job, which makes it a little tricky. Add to the mix a two year old, a 14 year old daughter, a husband about to announce his candidacy for District Attorney and a retired demon hunter named Eddie. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read, which is the 2nd book in the series.

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

Chip Linton had a good life - a successful airline pilot at a northeastern airline with a loving, successful wife and happy 10-year old twin daughters. One day a flock of unlucky geese change all that. As his plane's engines die as they suck in a flock of geese, he is calm, focused, and chooses to emergency land the plane on nearby Lake Champlain, fully anticipating a Sully Sullenberg moment. Luck, however, is not on his side, and his plane's wing catches a wave, causing the initially-smooth landing to morph into a careening, plane-breaking disaster in which 39 passengers are killed.

Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Chip and his family relocate to a small, quiet New Hampshire town to aid in his recovery. While he and his family, wife Emily and daughters Hallie and Garnet settle in, many of the townspeople seem to take an unnatural interest in the girls. As Chip deals with some ghosts of his own from his crash, Emily attempts to keep a hold on working, the girls, their strange new home with a creepy history, and Chip's apparent downward spiral into insanity.

Bohjalian does a masterful job of creating a sense of dread with this story. As Emily struggles between needing the support of her new friends and a growing feeling of unease with their ways, she also remains unaware of Chip's close calls with causing physical pain to her and their children as the paranormal forces sink their claws deeper and deeper into him. As the group of herbalists surrounding Emily and the girls seem to grow more and more bizarre and malevolent with their rituals, Emily's maternal instincts kick in...but is it too late? Creepy mulit-dimensional novel with a dark, harsh ending.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This time of year is perfect for curling up with a hot mug of tea and a truly terrifying ghost story. Heart-Shaped Box fits the bill nicely. Jude Coyne is an aging rock and roll star with a taste for the morbid - so when he is tipped off about a "ghost" that inhabits a recently deceased man's suit for sale on an internet auction site, he can't resist. The suit arrives - in a black, heart-shaped box - a few days later. Jude, his live-in girlfriend, Georgia, and his personal assistant, Danny have no idea what is in store for them.

The ghost wastes no time making himself known to the inhabitants of the house, not only making personal appearances, but also infiltrating the dreams of the occupants of the house, as well as transmitting his voice over the radio and TV. Jude, a wee bit disturbed by all of this undead activity in his home, discovers that the dead man just happens to be the stepfather of his previous girlfriend, who committed suicide when their relationship ended. Presumably, the ghost has come back with the intention of enacting revenge on Jude - by goading Jude into killing not only himself, but also anyone who tries to help him.

As Jude and Georgia attempt to outlast the ghost, Jude is also trying to outrun his dying father, a cold and abusive man, who is on his deathbed in rural Louisiana, and who he has not seen in over 30 years. As Jude and Georgia flee his farm in an effort to solve their ghostly predicament, they grow closer to figuring out a way to not only outsmart their ghost, but also determine what really happened to Jude's former flame. Through this all, Jude learns to grow up and see what is really important in his life...but is it too late?

I really enjoyed this book, I thought the ending was surprisingly upbeat considering the subject matter. If you enjoy feeling the hair stand up on the back of your neck, give this one a try. It is interesting to note that the author, Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. He seems to have the same gift for story telling that his father does.

The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin by Joe McGinniss

Regardless of your political perspective, I believe just about everyone can agree that Sarah Palin is a very provocative - yet mostly irrelevant - figure on our current national radar. Joe McGinniss had planned on spending the summer of 2010 in Alaska conducting research and interviews on a book about Palin. By sheer luck, he was offered the opportunity to rent the home right next door to the Palin's.

While much was made of this "stalking" behavior by Palin and the media, it was really a non-event. McGinniss stuck to his promise to not spy or creep out the neighbors, living quietly next door, leaving often to meet up with other Alaskans or travel to other locations to do research. What results is an interesting read that I had difficulty putting down.

It seems that most people have already formed an opinion of Palin and I'm not sure this book will change anyone's mind - those who like her will call this book "gossip," while those who are not fans will say, "I knew it!" One thing I know for sure - I would love to sit down for a cup of coffee with Joe McGinniss to hear his impressions of Alaska and the people who live there.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Brunonia Barry has, in her first novel, written an ambitious tale of family, tradition, mental illness, witches, romance, and just about anything else you can think of. The end result, for the members of our Three Rivers Book Club, ranged from something that people "loved," "hated," or, were "thoroughly confused by."

Towner Whitney, living in California where she house sits and reads screenplays, returns to her hometown of Salem Massachusetts when she learns that her beloved "Aunt" Eva has gone missing. Towner has a complicated relationship with her relatives there - her mother, May, her brother, Beezer and her Aunt Emma and Uncle Cal. We learn that Towner (whose real name is "Sophya,") also had a twin sister who committed suicide while still in her teens.
Towner comes from a long line of lace readers, including Eva - who can divine the future by reading the patterns in lace - but chooses not to utilize her gift, as disastrous things have happened when she has. However, the similarities between lace reading and Towner's life are always there, haunting her.

This is not a book to be read quickly or lightly. There is so much to like about this book - Salem, Massachusetts as a setting is a character in its own right. I will not spoil the ending here, but only say that I felt as if I needed to read the entire book again as the (surprise)ending was revealed. The book shifts around from first person to third person - be warned that when in first person, the perspectives are not entirely reliable - and was a little clunky to read. If you enjoy books with a historical or paranormal slant, give this one a try.