Harlem Library

Our grand prize winners for the Summer Reading program are Ozzy Baker and Lizzy Baker in the preschool - grade 1 age group. These two each listened to 180 books this summer. In the grades 2-4 age group the winner is Orion Cuts the Rope who won by reading 85 books. Conan Cuts the Rope was the winner in the grades 5-6 category by reading 12 books. Congratulations! A total of 927 books were read by the children participating in the Summer Reading program. Great job everybody! Thanks to everyone who supported our summer reading program with donations and by encouraging your children to read.

The library is selling our collection of VHS tapes. Please stop by if you are interested. They are on sale for $.50 each or 3 for $1.00.

The total solar eclipse takes place Aug. 21. The library has a limited number of special viewing glasses to give away as well as a flyer with information so you may more fully enjoy the eclipse experience.

Looking ahead: If you are interested in participating in The Book Club, a book discussion group for adults, you may pick up a list of the year’s selections. The first book we will read is “H Is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald. When naturalist and falconer Helen Macdonald lost her beloved father she was devastated. Her journey from grief to grace came on the wings of a prickly and murderous goshawk. This books will hold your interest as its well-written prose provides escape and salvation in the world of nature. You may pick up your copy Sept. 5-8 and our first discussion will be Monday, Sept. 11, 4 P.M. in the meeting room.

Triangle Communications will be at the library Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30 P.M. to present the free training “Basic Internet and E-Mail.” Please call the library or let us know on Facebook if you are interested in attending.

“The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.” - Joseph Joubert 1754-1824 French moralist and essayist.

So let’s see what new books you would like to read this week. Of course you can always check out an old book, too.!

“Perennials” is a debut novel by Mandy Berman. Rachel Rivkin and Fiona Larkin spent many idyllic summers together as camper at Camp Marigold. Now after their first year of college they meet again as camp counselors. But, things between them have changed. Rachel, a street-smart city kid loses patience with Fiona’s insecurities. Fiona comes from a not-so-perfect suburban family and finds herself envying Rachel’s ability to charm campers and fellow counselors. Tensions build to a tragic event which forces Rachel and Fiona to lose their innocence as they enter the world of adulthood.

Tracy Chevalier is the author of “New Boy.” The tragedy of Shakespeare’s Othello is set in a 1970s suburban D.C. playground where Osei Kokote, a diplomat’s son arrives. This is his fifth school in as many years and knows if he is to survive he must find and ally. He does in Dee, the most popular girl in school. But Ian can’t stand to see Dee’s and Osei’s friendship and sets out to destroy it. By the end of the day the school, the teachers and the students will never be the same.

Laurie R. King has written a novel of suspense “Lockdown.” Principal Linda McDonald came to Guadalupe Middle School a year ago determined to change the school’s reputation for truancy, gang violence, and neglect. Her idea of Career Day is to bring together children, teachers, and community presenters. But not everyone shares Linda’s vision. A shocking turn of events transforms the day into an explosive confrontation.

A new Jack Ryan Jr. novel by Tom Clancy is “Point of Contact” by Mike Maden. Jack Ryan is hired to work for the Hendley Associates to examine the books of Dalfan Technologies in Singapore. Hired to work with Jack is mild-mannered forensic accountant Paul Brown. While Jack keeps it secret that the Hendley Associates is a cover for The Campus, a secret intelligence agency; Paul also has his own secrets. Together these two must outrun a murderous storm of trained assassins and prevent a global catastrophe.

A new memoir by Sherman Alexie is “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” a story about family, loss, love and forgiveness. Another memoir is “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J.D. Vance.