Poetic librarian

Since I only work part-time right now, I have had a lot of time to read.  Along the way, I’ve discovered some gems out there and a few disappointments. I belong to a children’s/young adult book club that meets once a month to discuss the month’s selection or share our own recommendations.

Non-fiction

Dewey, the Small-Town Library Cat that Changed America by Vicki Myron and Brett Witter, is a charming tale of how a stray cat comes to live in the library of Spencer, Iowa. The true story transcendes the animal story genre and even non-animal lovers will feel a connection with this unusual cat who becomes part of a community.

The History of Last Night’s Dream by Rodger Kamenetz is a fabulous work, especially if you are interested in dream psychology. It is one man’s journey to discover the hidden link between his dreams and his spiritual path.

Fiction

You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby is a humorous tale of death, revenge and romance. Told in the voice of Holly Evans, a 22 year old, who is thought to have committed suicide two days ago, is barred from heaven until she resolves her earthly issues.  Subsequently she is sent down to earth to set the record straight and figure out the cause of her death–for two days. The only problem is that she can’t come back in her own body, since she’s dead. Instead, she occupies the body of Vince, a former co-worker and childhood friend whom she ignored in life.  Thought to have died at Holly’s funeral, Vince only passes out and regains consciousness later that day in the hospital.  That’s when things turn hilarious.  As time starts ticking, she must convince her former colleagues and friends that she didn’t kill herself and find out who did. In the process, she discovers that there’s more to life than meets the eye and it doesn’t hurt to put yourself  in someone else’s shoes for a day or two either.

Children’s

But, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis is a charming story about 10-year old Buddy Caldwell, author of Buddy Caldwell’s Rules and things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. Set in 1936, Flint, Michigan, Ten year old Bud is an orphan who has run away from his foster family after a severe punishment, on a quest to find Herman E. Calloway, the man who must be his father. Although his mother never told him the name of his father before her death, she left a a flyer advertising Herman E. Calloway’s band, Dusky Devastators of the Depression lying around. As a result, he heads toward Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his father’s band plays. Along the way, he meets a delightful cast of characters and he finds the family he’s been looking for.