Yes, it’s been a couple of years since I’ve been here but thought I’d get the reading ball rolling with postings I started on Facebook and Instagram, based on the books I lug home each week from the library. It’s a mixture of titles I had put on hold and some that called my name from the library shelf. As I peruse them, I determine if they should be added to a future TBR (to-be-read) list. So without further ado, here is this week’s post.
Book Snacks from the Library Stacks
THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer. Goodreads reviews have been positive and glowing, saying this homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a lovely feel-good story and that’s always a good thing. For sure on the TBR list.
THE WAGER: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann. A compelling true sea story taking place in 1742. Fans of Grann’s previous works (KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and LOST CITY OF Z) will want to try this book, perfect for the beach. Definitely on the TBR list.
COMMITMENT by Mona Simpson. I picked this up based on Simpson’s first book, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, which I loved when it came out years ago. A future maybe.
SUCH KINDNESS by Andre Dubus III. This is the newest book by the author of HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and it appears to follow the trope of a down-and-out character who does what they can to survive in life. Maybe I’ll read when I’m in the mood for a Willy Vlautin read-a-like.
FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL by Renee Rosen. I’m a massive fan of “biofic” novels – that is, fictionalized biographies of famous figures. This is based on the rags-to-riches story of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder told through a friend’s lens. Similar authors are Fiona Davis (all set in NYC) and Paula McLain, or for another novel of glamourous lives, watch for Gill Paul’s BEAUTIFUL RIVALS, based on the rivalry between Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden. On the TBR list.
REVENGE OF THE SAGUARO: Offbeat Travels Through American’s Southwest by Tom Miller. It’s always good to read something by a local author, and this could fill the bill. Added to TBR list.
YOU NEVER KNOW by Connie Briscoe. Almost 30 years ago, I read SISTERS AND LOVERS by this author and enjoyed it, but I haven’t read another book by her since. This domestic suspense novel with multiple twists will surely be on my future TBR list.
THE SEASIDE LIBRARY by Brenda Novak. I am a fan of books set at the beach, and how can one go wrong with this title AND the cover. It could be a good readalike for Nancy Thayer and others who set their stories near the ocean.
THE MARRIAGE ACT by John Marrs. A “what if” futuristic novel: “What if marriage was a law? Dare you disobey”? Reading this with THE HANDMAID’S TALE by Margaret Atwood might be interesting but scary. For sure, on the TBR pile.
WONDERFUL TONIGHT by Pattie Boyd. This is a fascinating memoir by the former wife of George Harrison and Eric Clapton. I read it years ago, but I wanted to give it another quick read. Let’s face it, didn’t most women my age want long blonde hair, to live in England and hobnob with the Beatles when we were teens back in the 1960s?
THE LIBRARIANIST by Patrick deWitt. This is the low-key story of a retired librarian in Portland (OR) whose life is changed when he helps a confused woman back to her assisted living facility. My librarian friend, Kim McGee, said this, “Fans of Ann Patchett’s reflective writing with a dollop of THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY and unique characters of Fredrik Backman will immediately become immersed.”
That’s it for this week. Stay tuned for another stack of snacks next week.
One day in 1966, when I was in the 8th grade, I was perusing the rental shelf (5 cents per day, if I remember correctly), when my eyes spied a book I had recently heard about, the groundbreaking Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. When I took it to the desk, Miss Clark looked at it with disapproval and said I needed a note from my “mommy” to check it out. What happened after that shaped my reading life forever.
read next, and she recommended 
Yes, that’s right. Did you know that back when gothic novels were “hot,” book cover artists were instructed to create covers with towering phallic symbols? Who knew? You can read all about it in my review of Grady Hendrix’s 
After that, it was a short coaster ride down the slippery slope to reading more smut. It wasn’t long before I discovered novels by Harold Robbins, such as 
Young Adult Books, 1950s/1960s Style
reader could win Herman’s (Peter Noone) snaggle canine tooth he’d had removed. (I hope no one thinks of less me of when I admit I actually entered that creepy contest.) I didn’t read Tiger Beat very often (think it was hard to find), but I enjoyed Ann Moses’ recent memoir, 
I also discovered MAD magazine, and even though I’m sure much of the content went right over my head, I thought it was hilarious, especially the movie and TV show satires. I still remember my brother and me listening to the 33 1/3 RPM record insert of “It’s a Gas” and giggling uncontrollably. If you never had the pleasure of hearing this classic, listen to it 
My memory of walking into the Cottage Grove Public Library and inhaling that unique “old books” scent is as vivid as if it happened yesterday, but what I also remember is the feeling of anticipation to see what new books awaited me for my reading pleasure–and that hasn’t abated a whit since then. It wasn’t long before I discovered books in series and that I loved following a particular character. I don’t recall reading many Beverly Cleary books (except for Fifteen in my later years) but loved Carolyn Haywood’s Betsy series.
mysteries I hadn’t yet read. I don’t think the library had a system for reserving books (or if they did, the librarian, Miss Clark, never offered as she might have known she’d be pestered to death), so I would rely on my memory to remember what I had read. I liked some more than others and the ones I liked best probably took place in mansions. (As an adult I relived my “Drew” years by reading Chelsea Cain’s delightful 
If you are close to my age, you probably remember singing along to the opening of the Mickey Mouse Club — “Hey There! Hi There! Ho There! You’re as welcome as can be!” But what I loved most were the introductions of the club members and Annette’s appearance! Y? Who knows, I just know she fascinated me, and I was thrilled to find she was featured in a mystery series I found at the five-and-dime store, Knickerbocker’s. I read 
in the rear with a stack of books that appeared to be thicker than the easy picture books and readers from the first grade. I didn’t care that they were above my grade level, I just wanted to burrow my face into the stack. I don’t remember when we were allowed to select what we wanted to haul home (although I do remember taking more books than I had time for, a practice that continues to this day). But I do remember Miss Rorrer reading us a chapter a day from 
I don’t know how old I was when I discovered 
But what I’ve never forgotten is my trips to the Cottage Grove Library and what a treat it was to haul home a huge stack of picture books. I was so impressed by D’Aulaires’ Don’t Count Your Chicks that I took it to Show and Tell and gave my first booktalk, imploring everyone to read this fabulous book. The only problem is I made the grave error of giving away the ending! I never did that again.
UP-LIT OR “FEEL GOOD” READING RECOMMENDATIONS
ROBIN'S BOOKS 