One of my joys in working at the Library, as I’ve done for the last seven years, has been to review some of the books we receive. Often some of these books are new to the Library and some are those that have been on the shelves for some time. Some are authors new to me and some are authors I’ve enjoyed in the past or those that have been mentioned to me. But, what I write in a review is strictly my impression of the book; not the bit on the cover or a review by someone else.
James Grippando is an author I’ve read and reviewed earlier; his latest is entitled Need You Now, which starts in Wall Street with the suicide of the manipulator of an incredibly large Ponzi scheme, continues in China with the emergence of several financial analysts and returns to New York City with the assistance of the FBI, a “mafia” family, and an unusual character with the name of Mongoose! The plot grabs you and holds your interest throughout; the characters are fascinating people although some you dislike and distrust, but this makes it a totally enjoyable book to read.
Thanks to all of you who have purchased some of our used books at the Library, we have been able to use some of those funds to add to our collection of authors. One of those is James Lee Burke, whose series concerns the Louisiana detective-deputy sheriff, Dave Robicheaux. We had been missing the first of this series, The Neon Rain, and now it is on our shelves. This book begins with our protagonist working in New Orleans as a Lieutenant in the Police Department, continues with the introduction of his half-brother Jimmie the Gent, a restauranteur in the French Quarter somewhat aligned with the “Mob”, and along the way discusses Clete Purcel, his partner at one time in the Police Department, the often humorous yet self-destructive detective-p.i. Robicheux finally leaves New Orleans and returns to his early home area of New Iberia and Bayou Teche, from which location all further books are written.
Burke’s books are semi-denoted as “Fiction Noir” or “Black Fiction” because of the plots; however, to me, the plots are not really black or depressive, but tell the stories of real people. And, unfortunately, at times, bad things do happen to good people, and just as sadly, good people often do bad things.
TO OUR WINTER TEXANS:
The Port O’Connor Library is located at 6th & Adams next door to the Fire Station. Our hours are:
Monday: 9 — 1; 2 — 6
Tuesday: 9 — 1; 2 — 6
Wednesday: 1 — 6
Thursday: 12 — 5
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 9 — 1;
Sunday: CLOSED
We welcome any visitor in this area to our Library during those hours; we currently have five computers available for use, and an outstanding selection of books and DVDs. Just takes a current Library card and we will be happy to issue one!
We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many times those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed!
“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie
