Two books; each remarkable in its own way; yet each so very different?
The first is another intriguing book as written by Joy Fielding, who is a very stunning writer. Her book, entitled SHE’S NOT THERE is really more than unusual; this is an author’s walk into a family’s life; a life that can be somewhat familiar with its characters to the reader.
A couple travels from San Diego to Rosario Beach, a lovely resort area in Baja California/Mexico for the celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary. Accompanying them are their two small daughters; the older being 5 years old and the other barely 2 years of age. Greeting them to the wife’s surprise are three other couples of friends; whose company the wife enjoys but had strong hopes that she and her husband would be alone to rekindle their married life. However, on the last note of their celebration, the younger daughter is kidnapped from her crib. And, Caroline Shipley, spends years and years of her life searching for news of any kind of her daughter.
Eventually, the marriage ends; the older daughter and her mother become antagonistic relatives; and her mother, Grandmother Mary (the mother from hell) takes sides with her granddaughter and her non-do-well son against her daughter.
The climax of this plot will catch you totally unaware; but do plan to read the author’s Acknowledgments at the ending of the book. It may be somewhat enlightening. This author has an unbelievable talent of being able to pull the reader into the plot; and then turn that reader loose to wonder. I heartily recommend reading the other books of Ms. Fielding we have in the Library; you will not be disappointed.
David Baldacci has an incredible talent of writing; short succinct sentences that carry a full impact. (Goes back to his legal training!) He has written six serial books of characters and the latest, THE LAST MILE further carries the protagonist of MEMORY MAN into another trip.
The “memory man”, Amos Decker, a former NFL player, for at least one play, is embellished with the skill of never forgetting anything; he has become an acquired savant. As a result of that play on the football field, in which he died twice, he is now a “victim” of hyporthymesia. This means he never forgets anything, whether in his past life or a news item he has read. These become flashbacks into his mind in sequence. Additionally, he has obtained the “skill” of seeing events and people in colors, known as synesthetes. To see a person as he does, embellished in a dirty gray is not a welcoming sight nor is an observance of a death scene in Neon Blue..
Somehow Decker, a former policeman and private investigator, becomes involved in the life of another football player, Melvin Mars, who is facing the death chamber in Texas for a crime he didn’t commit. Traveling through this plot that takes you back to the killings of black children in Alabama and into the present day time is a talent of Baldacci; he can make you believe and see what you are reading.
June will be arriving shortly and with it will be the Summer Reading Program at our Library. Do plan to come and see our knowledgeable Librarian, Shirley Gordon, for more information to sign up your child. The Summer Reading Program begins May 31st with sign ups at the Library, with the first program being June 14th and ends July 9th. The theme of this celebration will be: Get on your mark; Get set; READ; which should spur all young readers on. And the Friends of the Library will be sponsoring another Movie program on Saturday June 11th with popcorn, pickles and a drink.
I know I’ve used the following quote for several years, but it really makes sense: Just Think About It!
“When An Old Person Dies, A Library Burns Down!” -Karen Gillespie
And we certainly don’t want our Library to burn down!
Bless all who support it in so many different ways; we welcome our visitors that enter here from time to time and also the many regular folks who are part of our every day joy.
And a word of regret, we just lost a very wonderful lady, Diane Howell, who with her husband, Dixie, were regular peoples that came in to see us. We miss Diane very much; just hope to see Dixie from time to time.
