Years after surviving a brutal attack while riding her bicycle in college, Laurel Estabrook retreats into a world that includes only a few trusted friends, her swimming routine, and the familiarity of her work at a homeless shelter. When a former patron of the shelter named Bobbie Crocker dies leaving behind a box of negatives, Laurel is charged with the […]
This year, for the first time, the National Book Foundation is announcing longlists of 10 books in each of its award categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Young People’s Literature. Monday’s announcement was the Young People’s Literature Longlist and as a young adult librarian currently and a youth services librarian previously, this is the list that most interested me personally. For […]
Before I get into the meat of my first post here at our Reading Corner, let me introduce myself! I’m Jen Jazwinski, also known as Ms. Jen by some of our younger patrons, and I’m the Young Adult Librarian here at the Algonquin Area Public Library. My focus is on working with teens and young adults and you’ll see me […]
Just finished reading the first book in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear. Fans of well-written historical fiction and mysteries featuring intelligent women are sure to enjoy following the exploits of M. Dobbs, Psychologist and Investigator.A significant portion of this first book in the series is devoted to Maisie’s backstory. After her mother dies, young Maisie is sent […]
Cultures collide when two mythical creatures from different traditions meet in turn of the century New York City. Chava, a golem whose master dies aboard ship to America, arrives at Ellis Island uncertain of her purpose and path. A sympathetic rabbi recognizes her for what she is and helps her adapt and fit in to the Jewish community. Chava longs […]
“It had only to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles for no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets. ” — Cheryl Strayed I recently finished listening to Wild: From Lost […]
