April 2016 – Algonquin Library Adult Services

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice
by Curtis Sittenfeld

“Love, sex, and relationships in contemporary Cincinnati provide an incisive social commentary set in the framework of Pride and Prejudice. Sittenfeld’s inclusion of a Bachelor-like reality show is a brilliant parallel to the scrutiny placed on characters in the neighborhood balls of Jane Austen’s novel, and readers will have no question about the crass nature of the younger Bennets, or the pride—and prejudice—of the heroine.”

- Leslie DeLooze, Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia, NY

The Obsession
by Nora Roberts

“Readers who love romantic thrillers will be mesmerized by the latest Roberts offering. The suspense kept me up all night! Naomi Carson, a successful young photographer, has moved across the country and fallen in love. She thinks she has escaped her past, but instead finds that the sins of her father have become an obsession. The serial killer premise makes it a tough read for the faint-hearted, but sticking with it leads to a thrilling conclusion.”

- Marilyn Sieb, L. D. Fargo Public Library, Lake Mills, WI

The Murder of Mary Russell:
A Novel of Suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
by Laurie R. King

“Worried about Mary Russell? Well, you should be. She’s opened her door to the wrong man and deeply troubling secrets are set to tumble out, rewriting her history and putting herself and the people she loves in a dangerous spot. Once again, King spins a tantalizing tale of deception and misdirection for her readers’ delight and scores a direct hit in her latest Russell-Holmes mystery.”

- Deborah Walsh, Geneva Public Library District, Geneva, IL

‘Til Death Do Us Part
by Amanda Quick

“Gothic atmosphere meets tender romance in Quick’s latest Victorian era tour de force. Calista Langley asks crime novelist Trent Hastings for assistance in unmasking a twisted secret admirer that seems to have singled her out, and the two become tangled up in more than just an investigation. Quick perfectly balances setting, characters, plot, and relationship development–the end result being a story that will delight her legion of fans, as well as earn her new ones.”

- Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY

Lilac Girls: A Novel
by Martha Hall Kelly

“This is story of the Ravensbruck Rabbits: seventy-four women prisoners in the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Using alternating first-person narratives, the characters relate their experiences from 1939 through 1959. Drawing upon a decade of research, Hall reconstructs what life was like in Ravensbruck. More than a war story, this is a tale of how the strength of women’s bonds can carry them through even the most difficult situations. Lilac Girls is a solid, compelling historical read.”

- Andrea Larson, Cook Memorial Public Library, Libertyville, IL

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts
by Joshua Hammer

“For centuries, Arabic manuscripts were collected by private households in Mali, particularly Timbuktu: gilded manuscripts painted with real gold, showing vibrantly colored illustrations of nature. These highly valued manuscripts were handed down within families who acted as caretakers. As radicalized Muslim leaders came into power, the manuscripts were seen as corruptions of true Islam, requiring intervention. History and adventure at its best.”

- Marika Zemke, Commerce Township Public Library, Commerce Township, MI

Every Heart a Doorway
by Seanan McGuire

“What happens to children who find a doorway into a fantasy land, and then come back into the mundane world? It’s certainly not a happily ever after scenario for these children, but those that find their way to Eleanor West’s school are learning to cope. Shortly after Nancy comes to the school, a series of horrific events occur. It’s up to her and others at the school to figure out who is committing these atrocities. This book is so wonderfully written.”

- Jennifer Kelley, Kershaw County Library, Camden, SC

Best of My Love
by Susan Mallery

“Shelby has a plan to help herself overcome her relationship issues: asking Aiden to be her friend. Aiden agrees, because he realizes that he does not treat women very well and wants to learn how to treat them right, even though he doesn’t want to get married. The situation seems to work well for both Aiden and Shelby, until they realize they feel much more than friendship for each other. Mallery never fails to deliver a great story full of love and friendship. Another fantastic read.”

Jenelle Klavenga, Marshalltown Public Library, Marshalltown, IA

A Murder in Time: A Novel
by Julie McElwain

“Kendra is a smart, confident protagonist who is familiar with the hustle it takes to stay afloat in a male-dominated profession. Thrown into a situation completely alien to her, she manages to assimilate to her surroundings, albeit roughly, while using her wits to catch a ruthless killer. She can be abrasive, and I found myself cringing, curling my toes, and muttering out loud. It will be fun to watch her mature in future books. McElwain has created a highly entertaining story.”

- Randee J Bybee, Upland Public Library, Upland, CA

Tuesday Nights in 1980
by Molly Prentiss

“Following the lives of three individuals in New York on the cusp of 1980, this book was structured in such a unique and original way. Lucy is in her early twenties, experiencing life in a big city; James who after college finds himself the reigning critic of the art world and Raul, escaping the post Peron Dirty War in Argentina will find himself the art world’s new favorite; these three will find their lives entwined in many ways. A tragic accident will change all these characters and others close to them. This is a wonderful book that I wasn’t ready to finish.”

- Diane Scholl, Batavia Public Library, Batavia, IL

National Poetry Month, which takes place each April, is a celebration of poetry introduced in 1996 and organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. The Academy of American Poets' website Poets.org serves as a hub for information about local poetry events during the month.

National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives.

While we celebrate poets and poetry year-round, the Academy of American Poets was inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), and founded National Poetry Month in April 1996 with an aim to:

highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets,
encourage the reading of poems,
assist teachers in bringing poetry into their classrooms,
increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media,
encourage increased publication and distribution of poetry books, and
encourage support for poets and poetry.

Participate in Poem In Your Pocket Day:

Every April, on Poem in Your Pocket Day, people celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others throughout the day at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and on Twitter using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

Poem in Your Pocket Day was originally initiated in 2002 by the Office of the Mayor, in partnership with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education, as part of the city’s National Poetry Month celebration. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets made the initiative national, encouraging individuals across the country to join in and channel their inner bard.

Poem in Your Pocket Day 2016 will be held on April 21.

Download Poems for Your Pocket:
Join the celebration by printing one of the following poems from the downloadable Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF.

Poetry is best when shared, and Poem in Your Pocket Day is the perfect time to surprise someone with the gift of poetry.

Looking for inspiration to channel your inner bard with books about poems, poets, or writing poetry? Look no further than your local library! We have all the resources you might need, whether you want to enjoy a few poems, or write one of your own.

The library is hosting a program, Queens of the Adriatic on Sunday, April 10, about traveling to two beautiful European destinations nestled along the Adriatic Sea: the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, thought by some to be the next Riviera, and Venice, Italy. (Click here for details and to register.)

I have been dreaming of a trip to Croatia to see the beautiful country where my Grandmother was born, with a side trip to Venice, Italy. The ancient and well-preserved medieval cities, sunny beaches, aqua sea, and countless resorts, coupled with a superb climate -- heaven!!

Whenever I start daydreaming, my first thought is… what can I find on this topic at the library? The library never disappoints in its ability to inspire me. I found many guidebooks, DVDs, and online resources, as well as an interesting memoir, music to get in the mood, and even some fictional books and movies set in the region to tide me over until I am able to book my trip. Here are a few of the titles about these “Queens” that we have at the library to get you inspired, too! Click on the title to see more information about each.

Algonquin Library Adult Services

Month: April 2016

The Best Brontë Books & Movies (Both New & Old):

April 2016 Library Reads Picks

April is National Poetry Month!

The Queens of the Adriatic