The Known World for Edward P. Jones
Recommended by Colleen in Outreach Services…
Colleen’s synopsis:
This is a novel about free blacks who own slaves in Virginia just before the Civil War. The book deals with blacks who have bought their freedom from their white owners and then buy other slaves from the same plantation. There are very intricate, detailed relationships among the blacks and whites, slaves and free.
She says:
This novel is a Pulitzer Prize winner – but don’t let that stop you from reading it! Although there are a lot of characters to keep track of, this is a very interesting book. It is at times an uncomfortable look into the lives of blacks in the south before the war – both free and slave. I really enjoyed this book.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Recommended by Colleen in Outreach Services…
Colleen’s synopsis:
In the late 1970s, Larry and Silas were boyhood pals. Larry was the child of lower-middle-class white parents, and Silas, the son of a poor, single black mother. Yet the boys shared a special bond. But then tragedy struck, Larry took a girl on a date and she was never heard from again. She was never found and Larry never confessed, but all eyes rested on him as the culprit. The incident shook the county – and perhaps Silas most of all. Silas left town. More than twenty years later Larry, a mechanic, lives a solitary existence, never able to rise above the whispers of suspicion. Silas returns as a constable. He and Larry have no reason to cross paths until another girl disappears and Larry is blamed again. Now the two men are forced to confront the past.
She says:
This is a very well written suspense book. I found the characters to be engaging and the plot very well paced. I like good mysteries and this is a good mystery.
Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Recommended by Asra in Adult Services…
Asra’s synopsis:
Set in Noepe (current day Martha’s Vineyard) during the 1600s, Bethia Mayfield is the brilliant daughter of a minister. As she comes of age, propriety requires that she forgo any hopes of a formal education and instead pursue qualities that are more becoming of a woman and homemaker. Still, Bethia maintains her scholarly interests by eavesdropping on her less erudite brother’s lessons and finds contentment. While foraging the seashore for clams one day, she meets Cheeshahteaumauck, an impressive young native she renames Caleb, and they quickly form a bond. Keeping their friendship secret, Caleb soon joins Bethia’s family and becomes her father’s prized student. Little does Bethia know that their lives will intertwine and that Caleb will be instrumental in her access to education.
She says:
I can’t remember the last time I sympathized so greatly with characters as much as I did with Bethia and Caleb. Their challenges were authentic, and because they faced their lot in life admirably and with grace it was impossible not to root for their well-being. I give credit to Brooks for introducing Caleb Cheeshahteaumauck to the mainstream. I will not be surprised if my thoughts return to this story from time to time, particularly to Caleb. I would love to learn what his experiences truly were and hope that a biographical account appears one day.
The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, by Ben Mezrich
Recommended by Jeff in Technical Services…
Jeff’s synopsis:
Almost everyone is familiar with Facebook which started in 2004. Currently, it has over 600 million users all over the world. This is the story of how two Harvard undergrads, Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg, started one of the biggest social network sites on the internet.
He says:
This is a good story of two friends creating something for fun and the course it takes when they decide to make it a “business”. The movie, The Social Network is based on this book and is also worth watching.
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive by Steve Earle
Recommended by Jeff in Technical Services…
Jeff’s synopsis:
Doc Ebersole, is haunted by the ghost of Hank Williams a decade after giving Hank a shot of morphine that possibly ended his life. Doc finds himself alone in San Antonio tending to the down on their luck misfits, dealers, illegal’s and prostitutes that inhabit the Yellow Rose and the neighborhood surrounding it. A girl named Graciela comes into his life and has a healing effect on him and others in the neighborhood.
He says:
This novel by singer, songwriter Steve Earle is dark and depressing but also has a positive side of beauty and redemption. If you’re interested in what life may be like on the other side of the tracks this is a very good, quick read.
