One of my favourite things about working in a library is having co-workers who love to read as much as I do. I would like to share a few recommended titles of my co-workers in circulation who are avid readers. These ladies process thousands of books each year, love books and have a wealth of knowledge about bestsellers, contemporary and classic titles.
Angela recommends I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb. Angela read this book seven years ago and says that it is "still memorable, which is common of Wally Lamb's books - they stick with you! There is excellent character development; it leaves you wondering what the characters are up to after the story finishes." Angela also liked the psychological aspect of the storyline. Issues addressed in this book include divorce, SIDS, domestic and sexual abuse, schizophrenia, and post traumatic stress-disorder. All of these issues touch the life of Dominick, whose identical twin brother suffers from schizophrenia.
Barb's pick is Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille. Barb says she likes DeMille's novels because his writing style has a "sarcastic sense of humour. His novels really hold your interest and the pace moves along quickly." Wild Fire is the fourth thriller in DeMille's series featuring former New York Police Department detective John Corey. Corey, now a member of the Federal Anti-Terrorist Task force, is married to his boss, Kate Mayfield, an FBI agent. "Wild Fire" is the code name for a United States government retaliation plan that guarantees a massive return attack on the Middle East if the U.S. is attacked by nuclear weapons. A right-wing fanatic plans to launch an attack on two U.S. cities so that the government will use its retaliation plan and obliterate most of the Middle East. It is up to Corey and Mayfield to stop this from happening.
Eunice's selection is The Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine. Eunice likes that she went from knowing little about Caine's life to having the actor entertaining her with tales from his youth and his transition to two-time Academy Award-winning Hollywood actor. Born in 1933, he grew up in the poverty-stricken Elephant and Castle area of south London. During the Second World War, he was amongst children who were evacuated to the safety of a farm in Norfolk. He left school at the age of 15 and eventually served in the British Army, with which he saw active duty during the Korean War. Caine dreamed of becoming an actor but worked at menial jobs until he began getting parts in theatre, television and film. Caine has starred in over a hundred films but he is also a husband, father, grandfather and restaurateur, and he has been knighted by the Queen. Eunice admires Sir Michael Caine for his sense of humour, storytelling ability and love of family.
Janine recommends The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: My Jewish Family's Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World by Wall Street Journal reporter Lucette Lagnado. She tells the story of her family living in Cairo, Paris and New York, pre- and post-WWII. Janine says she was enthralled by the story: "You feel a part of the family dynamics. The author writes in such a way that you feel and taste Cairo - from their strong coffees to the exotic spices of the land. The description of the heat and small breezes flowing through the window made me feel warm." The "man in the sharkskin suit" is Lagnado's father, Leon Lagnado, a successful Jewish businessman and investor who loves Cairo and its nightlife. In 1943, Leon marries Edith, a beautiful, shy schoolteacher, and they have four children. At the conclusion of the Suez War in November 1956, President Nasser adopts a policy to rid Egypt of foreigners and eliminate the Jewish state. The Lagnado family of six leaves Cairo in 1963, bringing $212 with them to the New World. They arrive in New York, where they struggle to start over and build a new life in Brooklyn.
Rebecca's choice is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. The story is told by 93-year-old Jacob Jankowski. He reflects on the greatest adventure of his life, which begins in his youth when he hops a mysterious train. He leaves his hometown after his parents are killed in a car accident on the same day as his final day of veterinary school. The train is home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus animals. He meets and falls in love with Marlena, the beautiful circus star who is married to August, the charming but sinister animal trainer. Jacob meets Rosie, an elephant that seems untrainable. The travelling show hopes that Rosie will draw customers to the circus and prevent the show from closing down. Rebecca likes the book because she says the "characters are very well developed and it gives a glimpse into circus life during the Great Depression. There is intrigue, romance and the bond between animals and humans is depicted with compassion."
If you are looking for a good book to read this fall, please talk to the staff at your local library. They will have recommendations and resources to find a book that will captivate your interest.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published every Wednesday. Lori Nick works at Terry Fox Public Library in Port Coquitlam.
