We have received a nice batch of new books at McClintic Library, some by our favorite authors like Stuart Woods, Scandalous Behavior, Stephen King, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, and Nora Roberts, Star of Fortune – but we also have some new, intriguing titles by authors that may be new to you.
The Hours Count by Jillian Cantor is the story of Millie Stein who, in 1947, moves into a New York apartment with her husband, Ed, and their toddler son, David. David is struggling with developmental issues, and Millie feels anxious and isolated in this new place. Fortunately, there is another young mother living right next door with whom she develops a friendship. Her name is Ethel Rosenberg. Now, if that name sounds familiar to you – you know your history! Ethel and her husband, Julius Rosenberg, were both executed for conspiring to commit espionage in 1953. Cantor blends fact and fiction in this compelling story of a real-life family caught in a terrible time.
Patrick Modiano has written more than 20 novels, and in 2014 was award the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Nobel committee called him the “Marcel Proust of our time.” This French author has contributed to the world of literature, yet remains little known here. His newest book, So You Don’t Get Lost in the Neighborhood, is a slim volume, dark and moody, and a perfect introduction to his work. We meet Jean Daragane, a solitary man living in Paris who, after a very mysterious, even threatening phone call, finds himself caught up in the mystery of a decades-old murder. He is forced to confront the memory of a buried trauma, and in doing so, examines himself. The burning question here is: do we ever really know ourselves?
If you have read any of Elizabeth Strout’s previous novels, you will be very happy to learn that her newest book is out, and receiving rave reviews. My Name is Lucy Barton examines the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters -in particular, the relationship between Lucy and her own mother. Lucy is recovering from surgery, a recovery that is unexpectedly slow. Her mother, whom she has not spoken to in years, shows up at her hospital bed. Lucy tells the story of this visit with insight and yet without sentimentality. This is such a gem.
And finally, if you like reading the book before you see the movie, we have The Revenant by Michael Punke, Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas, and Bridge of Spies by Giles Whittell (in e-book format only). Of course, there is also The Martian by Andrew Weir and In the Heart of the Sea: the tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick.
There’s something for everyone, so stop in and find your next favorite book.
