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Montgomery County Libraries celebrates ONE BOOK, ONE COUNTY with The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

See bestselling author Daniel James Brown on Tuesday, April 19 at 1:30 pm at Ursinus College’s Bomberger Auditorium in Collegeville or at 7:00 pm at Montgomery County Community College’s Science Center Theater in Blue Bell. His two appearances are the culmination of the first ever ONE BOOK, ONE COUNTY community wide event hosted by Montgomery County Libraries. Book sale and signing to follow both events. For more information and to purchase $10 tickets for Brown’s appearances, visit montcolibraries.org.

In addition, The Lower Providence Library will host two The Boys in the Boat book discussions. One on Monday, April  4 at 7:00 PM and another on Monday, April 18 at 1:00 PM.  Please email [email protected] or call 610-666-6640 to find out additional information about the book discussions.  All are welcome!

 

Barbara Loewengart

 

 

Set in the small town of Holt, Colorado, neighbors Addie Moore, a widow, and Louis Waters, a widower, begin to forge a friendship. This quiet, slim novel captures how people strive to live a meaningful, connected life. Woven into each page of Haruf’s story are messages about the power of loving and being loved, the weight of life’s hardships and how we set about seeking joy in our life.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

 

Barbara Loewengart

Some books are meant to be drawn on!  Join us on Monday, February 8th at 1:00 PM for an Adult Coloring Book class.  All materials will be provided.

 

Barbara Loewengart

 

 

As a child growing up in the 70’s, Carly Simon was always the epitome of cool to me. Her relaxed manner combined with her strong deep voice was incredibly appealing. It was with all those memories that I enthusiastically dived into her memoir, Boys in The Trees. She crafts the tale of her life beautifully. Her stories are rich in feeling as she reveals many of her fears and struggles. Carly discloses terrific stories that include, family friend Jackie Robinson teaching her to bat left handed at Dodger Stadium, her complicated relationship with her parents, singing with her sister Lucy, growing up in New York City in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, friendships with Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and others, her marriage to James Taylor and becoming a mother. Even after all these years, she’s still the epitome of cool.

Barbara Loewengart

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to tear through the city in a speeding ambulance trying to get to someone in cardiac arrest?  Well, look no further than Kevin Hazzard’s terrific memoir, A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedics Wild Ride to the Edge and Back.  His observations and experiences are both hilarious and frightening.  He also happens to be a gifted writer and a superb storyteller. You’ll never look at an ambulance rolling by the same way again.

 

Barbara Loewengart

The Oscar nominations were announced recently and many of the movies nominated were inspired by books. Do you have a rule that you must read the book before you see the movie? If so, make a point of checking these books out of the library before you head to the big screen.

The Martian by Andy Weir
The Revenant by Michael Punke
The Big Short by Michael Lewis
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
The Price of Salt (Carol) by Patricia Highsmith

Barbara Loewengart

A new and noteworthy memoir recently published is When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi.  Paul, a 36-year-old neurosurgeon in his last year of residency at Stanford, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Before his death last March, he had a daughter with his wife Lucy and penned this moving memoir about his illness, life, and coming to terms with his mortality.   When Breath Becomes Air has been highly reviewed and is definitely on my to read list.

Barbara Loewengart

Drew Barrymore’s memoir is filled with tales of her chaotic childhood, her emancipation from her parents at the age of 14(!), her wild teenage years and stories of those who cared, guided and loved her along the way. We also see how Drew’s perseverance brought her to her current life that includes motherhood and a solid and loving marriage. I admire her for not repeating what was done to her. Many people simply don’t have the strength but she did and does.

p.s.  I have to mention that the cover of this book is beautiful. The background color, the font, her dress and most importantly Drew’s expression of simultaneous calm and joy, are all perfection.

 

Barbara Loewengart

The American Library Association announced the 2016 Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners today.

The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature went to Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson.  The Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children was awarded to, Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick. 

Barbara Loewengart

Actress and activist Emma Watson , most famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, is starting a feminist book club on Twitter @EmWatson. The club is called “Our Shared Shelf” and will start with Gloria Steinem’s just released memoir, My Life on the Road. Watson has said she will ask author J.K. Rowling and singer Taylor Swift to join in too.

 

Barbara Loewengart