Looking for a New Book? Library Staff Has a Few Suggestions

Have you ever wondered what library staff do when they’re not working?

Well, we do the same things you do. (I know this because I have not always worked in a library.)  We spend time with our families and friends, volunteer for our favorite charities, join community groups, attend school and yes, perform the more mundane chores of daily life.

You will bump into us at the service station pumping gas, at the supermarket shopping for groceries and in the dentist’s or doctor’s waiting room. But the one thing we always make time for is reading, whether it’s late at night or early in the morning.

We read for the job but more importantly we read for ourselves. It’s a joy to discover that the book we began “reading” on the drive to work a few days ago is so interesting that we’re taking the scenic way home just to listen to a few more minutes.  (Don’t panic, we’re listening to the book on our iPod.)

Here are a few suggestions from library staff about books they are currently enjoying.

• Room by Emma Donoghue
• The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews 
  
• Astrid & Veronica by Linda Olsson
• The Good Son by Michael Gruber
• Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
• The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

The March Artist of the Month is Charles Durran. His exhibit is titled “The Eye of the Beholder” and can be seen at the Montgomery Campus. A longtime Boulder Hill resident, Charles is known for his primitive art work and muted colors. He still remains active by creating new pieces even though his declining health requires that he live in a nursing home.  His drawings have been shown at Aurora University, The Aurora Historical Society and at many area libraries.

Stitch and Chat meets twice a month at both campuses. The Oswego group will be gathering on Friday, March 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. while the Montgomery group meets on Monday, March 14 and 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.. Anyone interested in knitting or crocheting should plan on attending. For more information about Stitch and Chat you can call us at 630-978-1024.

And don’t forget our book discussions.  There are two groups that meet in the evening and one during the day at the Oswego campus. The groups that meet in the evening will be reading The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett and The Blight Way by Patrick F. McManus in April. The daytime group will be reading The Help by Katherine Stockett. You can reserve a book by calling the Oswego campus at 630-978-1660 or email us at reference@oswego.lib.il.us. The Montgomery campus will have its own book discussion group beginning in June. Please contact Nancy Finley at (630) 978-1037 for more information.