The Silent Patient

 By Alex Michaelides

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Alvina from the Altona Branch

    Alicia Berenson is a famous artist who is married to a fashion photographer.  They have a seemingly happy marriage until one night, Alicia shoots her husband multiple times and then doesn't speak again.  Theo Fabre, a psychotherapist, is fascinated by Alicia's story and transfers jobs to work with her and to try to get her to speak again. 

    I was hooked from the moment I opened this book.  I loved reading Alicia's journal and following Theo as he desperately tries to understand what happened that night.

To place this book on hold, click here.

This Tender Land

 By William Kent Krueger

Adult Fiction (audio)

Reviewed by Cathy-SCRL Director

    Set in the rural Mid-West during the Depression, the author's writing of the novel is poignant and reminiscent of classics such as Steinbach's "Of Mice Men".  Three teen boys and a young girl escape in a canoe and travel from their residential school trying to reach safety in St. Louis.  They find both hardship and misery as well as compassion from those they encounter along the way.  Touching on some of the society's worst struggles during the 30's, it is still a hopeful story that doesn't gloss over the issues of the time.

    I listened to "This Tender Land' on Playaway Audio.  It was extremely well written and I enjoyed the narration from the point of view of the  younger brother Odie and how he spoke of his relationships with his brother and friend Mose and young Emmy.

To place the playaway audiobook on hold, click here.

This Is How It Always Is

 By Laurie Frankel

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Rachael-Altona Branch Administrator

    This Is How It Always Is tells the story of Rosie and Penn and their family.  The book begins with the story of how Rosie and Penn met and began their family.  After 4 boys in a row, Rosie and Penn still want a girl, however, it seems like only boys are on the horizon for this family.  Their last child, Claude, is born a boy, however, as Claude gets older, he realizes he prefers dresses and continually asks if he can become a girl when he grows up. Eventually, Claude becomes Poppy and the family has to navigate how to keep Poppy safe, while still allowing her to be who she is.

    I really enjoyed this book.  The family is hilarious, complex and vibrant, and the book offers a profoundly touching reading experience.  It becomes very easy to get wrapped up in their family dynamics and really feel what they all must be experiencing.  I highly recommend this book.

To place this book on hold, click here.

Book Club Kit

Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don't)

 By Barbara Bottner

Illustrated by Michael Emberley

Junior Easy

Reviewed by Dorothy from the Morden Branch

    A good picture book is enjoyable for many different ages and this Junior Easy book definitely qualifies. Delightfully illustrated by Michael Emberley and skillfully written by Barbara Bottner, "Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't)" is a book that all ages can enjoy together.

    Poor Missy.  All her classmates find books in the library that they love.  Some love books about fairies, or animals, or trains.  Missy doesn't like any of these. She claims she will never love books.

    Miss Brooks, the librarian, doesn't give up on trying to convince Missy to love books.  Will she find one that might change Missy's mind? Read this picture book to find out.

    I loved this book, not only for the enjoyment of reading it, but for the message it gently conveyed.  As librarians, we know that not everyone likes the same thing.  This is what makes libraries so important, because there truly IS a book for everyone.

To place this book on hold, click here.

The Four Winds

 By Kristin Hannah

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Wendi from the Altona Branch

    "Be brave...or pretend to be." This was my favorite quote in the historical fiction novel, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.  I honestly could not put this book down and felt it was well written, well researched and informative.  The book is set during the Great Depression and features the terrible dust bowls that were prominent at the time.  Elsa, the main character, is a quiet young woman who is often subdued.  She spends her life pretending to be brave. That is, until she is faced with her own children's survival and she realizes that she is indeed brave and doesn't need to pretend.  

    The characters in this book face poverty, loss of hope, homelessness, despair and starvation. And yet, against all odds, they choose love and forgiveness and they never give up.  This is a story of survival amidst the toughest of times.  Even though the characters experience much sadness, the strength they portray is second to none and is something that we can all learn from.

To place this book on hold, click here

Large print book

Audiobook