Here at the Library we have just received another donation of books and dvds; our patrons are the very best anywhere as they continually help us. If these are duplications of existing books on the shelves, they are put up for sale, and the proceeds go to purchase some dvds or books that we do not have. As our purchasing budget has been cut in half, we are extremely grateful for the thoughtfulness of all.
Summer is really here; just see all the kids at the Front Beach! And, Mothers, this also means that your personal time has become quite limited when it comes to settling down with a good book. If you are looking for amusement and a slight distraction from dishes and the never ending laundry, pick up one of the following books. They’re deep enough to involve you personally, but not so much to put the laundry off for a month! And the tube won’t be offering much during the next few months, as re-runs are starting already.
Just had the opportunity to revisit an author I had enjoyed earlier, and that is Catherine Coulter with her FBI series. I found the book Double Take and realized that this is one that I had missed. Written in 2007, the book is set in my favorite city, San Francisco, and for me, the delight was revisiting so many of the streets, areas, and places that I had called home for many years. The main characters in the series are the two agents, Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, husband and wife, who are known as Sherlock & Savich respectively. They have a delightfully computer-literate young son, who becomes a necessary part of each story. The plot this time evolves from the attempted assassination of the young wife of a previously murdered psychic to the later deaths of several other psychics. Well written and very easy to read; also a story that you will want to continue to read long after the dishes call your name.
A new author on the shelves is Dorothea Benton Frank, and don’t let her interesting and “old-timey” first name throw you. Ms. Frank is originally from Sullivans’ Island in South Carolina, a barrier island across from Charleston, and her books are set in those areas. I picked up The Christmas Pearl first and enjoyed it so very much that I was thrilled to find two more of her books on our shelves. The Christmas Pearl is set in Charleston with a charming woman of 92 years young, longing for the return of her Christmas traditions. But with the arrival of her children, spouses and grandchildren for the holidays, their ideas of Christmas are not set in traditions. Further, the back of the book contains some wonderful recipes of foods that are native to Charleston, including red rice. The book is worth reading if just for the recipes alone.
Then I found Return To Sullivans’ Island, and became enthralled with that area once again. We’ve been fortunate enough to have spent time in Charleston and its surrounding areas and visited Sullivans’ Island at the recommendation of someone I met on the streets of Charleston. The Island itself maintains the air and traditions of the 30’s and 40’s, an area still somewhat slumbering and enjoying it with no plans to change. The book reflects that belief in its opening chapters as it introduces a charming family of Beth Hayes. Her relatives have persuaded her to stay in their large home on the dunes and house-sit for a year, while foregoing her plans to attend graduate school. The reader forms the strong desire to know these characters and really wish they lived nearby. But the strongest desire is to revisit the Island; the author states again the Island belief that once you get its sand in your shoes, you can never truly leave.
One day last week Shirley and I had a very pleasant surprise; a charming lady brought in several boxes of books to be donated, and then told us how much she has enjoyed this column. Talk about wow! Just hope we can continue in that vein; and a sincere thank you to all the readers. We have a number of books, both hard cover and soft cover, available for sale; at the prices of $1.00 for hardcover and $0.25 for the soft. They make excellent companions when you go on a trip and don’t want to worry about a due date from our Library. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.
“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie
