January Reading List

I've bemoaned the fact for many years that I don't keep a record of the books I've read--and as I get older, it's harder for me to remember--or keep straight--what I've read. I'm still looking for just the right format to keep track of titles & authors, but for now recording my list on this blog will have to do. Below are from this month (it helped to be iced & snowed in for two weekends straight):

1) All Mortal Flesh by Clare Fleming-Spencer (the best of the bunch--but read the earlier books in the series first)

2) Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel by Jill Connor Browne (pure SPQ. Not for the easily offended)

3) One Mississippi by Mark Childress (I was led to believe this would be a light-hearted book. Wrong! But the author evoked the time period very well, except the explosive ending felt more current-day than 1970's)

4) Learning to Play Gin by Ally Carter (weaker than Cheating at Solitaire but she's a Kansas author who I had to read. And still better than many books out there)

5) Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie (Crusie is my secret pleasure & rarely disappoints)

6) Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (didn't finish once I knew the discussion would be cancelled due to weather--and I had the two previously listed books waiting to be picked up! It may be a prize-winner but I need a galloping plot! This one moves slower than I do on ice)

7) My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet) by Toby Devens (a pleasant surprise. Fairly predictable but that's not always a bad thing)

8) The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (just got started on this over the weekend. Has a cozy feel, doesn't move particularly fast but there's enough going on that my interest has been held, even through interruptions of soup making most of Sunday)

Kansas Reads The Learning Tree

In 1998, librarian extraordinaire Nancy Pearl implemented “If All Seattle Read the Same Book” as an outgrowth of book discussion groups and as a way to get people to talk about literature and build community. The concept has been adopted—and adapted—not only across America but worldwide. In an interview, Pearl stated, “Everybody can read the same book — you can get the same edition, everything identical — yet everyone reads a different book. Because everybody brings their own experiences, their own life history. We’re such a fractured society, and it’s getting even more so. We see our differences rather than our commonalities when we look at people. So I think that bringing people together and talking about fundamental responses [to a book] is really an interesting way to build understanding across racial or ethnic or gender or economic divides. Making the world a better place — through reading.”

Although a number of cities in Kansas have organized one book reading programs, this is the first year that the entire state has participated in such an undertaking. In order to build community, promote reading, and highlight Kansas literature, the Kansas Center for the Book is sponsoring Kansas Reads, a statewide project that encourages Kansas adults to read, discuss and experience the same book. A committee of “qualified” librarians (since I was part of the group, the term “qualified” is to be taken with a grain of salt) met for several months to come up with a list of quality titles to choose from—and there were many—and the first book in the Kansas Reads program is “The Learning Tree” by the late Gordon Parks (and it is safe to say that it was on each of those “qualified” librarians’ list).

Kansas Reads The Learning Tree runs from January 29th (Kansas Day) through April 30th, but of course, Kansans can read the book—and others by Mr. Parks—at any time. But here in Pittsburg we’re concentrating the effort during the month of February. The Friends of the Library—a most wonderful and worthy organization—has generously provided funds for our celebration of Kansas Reads and one hundred copies of “The Learning Tree” have been purchased for distribution. It is hoped that if—no, make that when—you pick up a copy at the library, or Starbucks, that you will read it, then pass it on to a friend, acquaintance, or stranger so that he or she can then read it. What a wonderful gift to share—and at no monetary cost to you! And you will have several opportunities to experience “The Learning Tree” and the genius that was Gordon Parks.

To kick off the event on Monday, January 29th, the library is pleased to have David Parks speak about his father at a noon lunch, courtesy of the Friends of the Library (I told you they were good!). After enjoying a bowl of soup, you can hear Mr. Parks tell about life with his famous father. Hosting David is quite a coup—he is appearing in only five cities to jump start Kansas Reads. His visit is sponsored by the Kansas Center for the Book and GLPM Architects of Lawrence. If they sound familiar, it’s because you’ve seen the fruits of their labors here in Pittsburg, at the Presbyterian Church, Russ Hall, and their award-winning work at the library in the original building project of 1996-98 (they were among my favorite people even before their generous sponsorship of Kansas Reads—and are even more so now!).

Other events include a presentation by Jill Warford, the director of the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity in Fort Scott, on Tuesday, February 6th, at 6:30 PM. Faye Smith, a former library employee a few years back (I don’t dare say how many, since it would date us both), will lead book discussions, one at Starbucks on Tuesday, February 13th, at 6:30 PM and another one at the library a week later, February 20th, at 6:30 PM. Lem Sheppard will wrap up the activities with a musical tribute to Gordon Parks on Tuesday, March 6th, at 6:30 PM.

All programs are free and open to the public—again, thanks to the Friends’ generous support. And once March 7th rolls around planning begins for the 2008 Kansas Reads, which will feature Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. Stay tuned…..

3 for 3 in 2007

What a relief! I have picked up three books since we welcomed in 2007--and I've just flown through them. I love having books that beckon me to them. It's far more fun than cleaning house.

Murder 101 by Maggie Barbieri is chick lit with an actual mystery hidden inside. More down to earth than Evanovich (not necessarily a bad thing) and a heroine who is not runway model perfect (but her friend is). Still, it was light without being frothy--a perfect antidote to the hustle & bustle of the holidays.

That was followed by Rapid Fire by Donna Ball. How can a good writer go wrong by using dogs in her mysteries? This second in the series featuring Raine Stockton did run like the dogs in agility trials and that's exactly what I like in a book--'rapid fire' plots that race along. This is one I read in the manner of my younger days (start on Friday, finish by Saturday).

Then came the dark, depressing mystery--All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming. I love the hymn of that same name, so am sure that's why I was drawn to it. Unfortunately (for me), this appears to be the fifth in the series & although I vaguely recall reading the first one some years back, I skipped over the middle installments. Which means I've missed out on some good books (I could go back but now that I'm caught up with the storyline, what's the point?) I admit that the ending left me a bit cold--tied up too neatly with a slight twist thrown in with little explanation--but I've certainly read worse endings.

Now it's to a "have to read for the book discussion" title--Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer Prize winning Gilead. Which I should read anyway. But so far it's all description with no plot (yet). And I want to gallop! But if I work at it, I can get it finished by the weekend & reward myself with a "want to read" title. And yes, I have a couple in mind. To be continued....