Dreams of Joy by Lisa See Reviewed by Lisa Howe

  Dreams of Joy is a sequel to the book Shanghai Girls, and if I had one word to describe this book, it  would be "powerful."  Lisa See is one of my all-time favorite authors and she has not let me down again this time.  It is a fictional tale of a young girl trying to find her way in this world. It takes you from Chinatown in California to small rural villages and big cities in China.  The authors descriptions of the characters and cities  are vivid and beautiful, but also real and at times, mind-boggling. This story takes place in 1957 when 19 year old Joy runs off to join The New Society of Red China and faces many dangers in the Communist regime.  Joys mother then returns to China to try and find her and runs into many old demons and difficult challenges.  The biggest challenge of all is how to get back out of China.  If you haven't read Shanghai Girls, you definately need to read that first, but Dreams of Joy is a treasure!

Founding Gardeners. The Revolutionary Generation, Nature and the Shaping of the American Nation. Reviewed by Judith C.

When one thinks of the founding of our nation, you do not immediately think of gardening. Andrea Wulf has vividly recounted the founding of our nation through the "Founding Fathers" love of agriculture, botany and planting. The book tells of a time when the leaders of this new nation knew that if the United States were to ever succeed, we needed to be independent of reliance on other nations for our basic needs such as food and manufactured goods. George Washington was so devoted to his love of Mount Vernon (his home plantation) that on the eve of the Revolution, when British warships gathered off Staten Island, he wrote to his estate manager about planting the gardens. (Some of those very trees are still standing today) Wulf writes of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson's very close friendship and how they traveled in English countryside examining gardens. James Madison and Jefferson's New England countryside tour, and John Adams' obsession with manure. Most of all the call to a republican state (not political party) where an agrarian society it to be held  in the highest esteem; preservation of natural resources prevailed, and thinking of the collective good above personal gain. 

I found this books to be absolutely inspiring and a must read for a gardener and/or history buff.

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newman. Reviewed by Lisa H

     The Sandalwood Tree starts off in India in 1947, where an american couple have relocated to start a new life with their son.  They move into a brick colonial bungalow in a  small village to try and escape the violence surrounding India and Britain. It is in walls of that bungalow, where a dark secret is hidden.  When a series of old letters dating back to 1857 is discovered, the mistress of the house is compelled to find out what happened to the occupants and the author of the letters.  The search leads the mistress to temples and bazaars and finally back to her bungalow.  While searching for history the mistress and her husband try to reconnect with each other after a difficult separation during World War II. The author does a wonderful job describing India and its many traditions, celebrations and tragedies.  While the book does jump back and forth between 1857 and 1947, it is not difficult to follow. It is a story of forbidden love in a forbidden country between forbidden races and cultures. 

The Wilder Years by Wendy McClure. Reviewed by Lisa H

    Those of you who love Little House on the Praire, either the books or the T.V. shows, will definately need to read this book.  The author of this story is quite possibly the biggest fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the book revolves around her attempts to actually be Laura Ingalls Wilder. The book is the authors true life adventure to visit Lauras log cabins and farms.  As the author traces the Ingalls travels from one state to another, she discovers many things, including the fact that the Little House books may actually be fiction.  The author also attempts to churn butter, make bread and remember the "vanity cakes" that Laura had on her birthday? She makes those too! Reading The Wilder Years took me back to my own childhood and I love remembering those books.  She makes wonderful references to the Little House books that just make me smile.  While her visits to the different places that Laura lived didn't all turn out the sunny way she imagined, the way she describes the details, makes it seem like she enjoyed herself anyway.  The author has a wonderful sense of humor and I think you needed it if you were going to live like Laura Ingalls. 

The Confession of Katherine Howard 05-12-11 reviewed by Lisa H

The Confession of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn, is a fictional account about the 5th wife of Henry the VIII.  I am so interested in everything that has to do with the Tudors, but I find alot of the books are hard to understand.  This book was easy to comprehend and easy to read.  The book begins when "Kate" is queen and flips back and forth into the past, revealing a fictional account of her youth. The story is told from Kates childhood friends point of view, and while we all know the eventual outcome of her short life, it is fascinating to think about what her life prior to being queen might have been like.  I know some of the book is based on fact,  but I enjoy picturing what they all looked like and how they lived.  Suzannah Dunn has written 3 other books on the wives of Henry the VIII, all of which I will be reading.

Changes Are Happening

We are making all kinds of changes! We have moved the Adult Audio Books to the center isle near the DVDS so that they are easier to view in the tilted shelves. CD's cases have been moved to allow a comfortable and inviting seating arrangement. So come, sit a spell and enjoy what your library has to offer.

Also check our new Calendar of Events page. We will be adding our programs to the page so you can easily access, print or receive e-mail notification of events.

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Spring has Sprung!

If you are working on your yard or planning that garden stop by the library for some great lanscaping books to get your creative juices flowing.

Have some home improvement projects in mind? Check out Home Improvement and Small Engine Repair database from the comfort of your own home just got to the library web page, click on Reference and Resources, Online Databases then to EbscoHost Home Improvement or Small Engine Repair.

If you have questions you may call the Refernece Desk at 614-837-4104 ext. 233