Attention Book Groups

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn has written a fast-paced book about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong.

On a warm summer day in North Carthage, Missouri, Nick's wife Amy mysteriously disappears.  As the reader soon finds out Nick is not the best husband in the world, the blame falls on Nick, but more surprises await, and one finds out Amy is not exactly an ideal wife.

Gillian Flynn delivers a dark thriller which is difficult to put down.

Available as a Book Group to Go Bag.

Attention Book Groups

Set in a Wisconsin town just after the Civil War, A Prayer for the Dying opens on a languid summer day; only slowly do events reveal themselves as sinister, as one neighbor after another succumbs to a creeping, always fatal disease.  Our sole witness to this epidemic is Jacob Hansen, Friendship's sheriff, undertaker and pastor.  As the disease engulfs the town, Jacob must find a humane way to govern, as well as take care of his wife and baby daughter.

Dark, poetic and chilling, A Prayer for the Dying asks if it's possible to be a good man in a time of madness.

It confirms what some readers have known all along: Stewart O'Nan is not merely one of the best young novelists in America, but one of the finest novelists of our time.  (description from publisher)

Available as a Book Group to Go Bag.

Summer Journaling

I’ve got another literacy tip to keep your child practicing their literacy skills in a fun way this summer.  Practicing their writing skills sounds like a chore but remembering the fun parts of the day can be appealing!  If you add taking pictures or drawing that makes it even better.

It’s not too late to encourage your child to keep a summer journal.  This is a good discipline that will strengthen writing skills and create a record of the summer.  Have them write one fun thing that they did that day or something funny that happened that day. They can draw pictures in the journal or add photographs.  Keep a journal yourself and share journal entries.  It’s a nice way to look back on the day together and talk about the good parts of your day.  These journals are also fun to go back and read in later years!

From Page to Screen--Catching FIre

I'd say it's the moment we've all been waiting for, but come on now--it's the trailer and in actuality, we still have to wait until November 22 for the movie.  Which is a bummer, but still, check this out:



Not bad for a teaser, eh?  It almost makes me wish we were closer to November, but then I think to myself... NAH!!!  It's July!  Go to the beach and read the book again, ya'll!
Happy Reading!

Reading is fun. Especially in the summer!

Keeping reading fun for kids through the summer  can be a challenge, but kids have a chance to do more leisure reading in the summer and you can take advantage of this.  They can read just for the fun of it and on any topic they choose!

Try making a weekly trip to the library together and let your child pick out books.  They may have interest in books that are too difficult for them to read on their own, but their interest can be a big motivator.  Try reading these books together.  Share the task and talk about the book together to ensure that they are understanding the content.  They also may pick books that are very easy for them.  This is not all bad.  Such books may give them confidence in their reading abilities.  Is there a younger child that they could share the book with?  

Even if your child is not reading yet, picking out their own books can be fun.  You can always sort out anything you might think is inappropriate before actually checking them out.  For many kids this is like going into a candy store and they can pick out whatever candy they want.  Yes, they do need some oversight!  

While you’re at the library pick out some books to read with your child at bedtime!  Don't forget that chapter books are great at bedtime for older children.  Read one or two chapters each night.  This is a good opportunity for the child to “re-cap” what has happened previously in the story before beginning each night.  Bedtime reading is great at any age.  We all want to know what’s going to happen next. I love being read to at nighttime and I’m not so young!  Is it bedtime yet??

Mix some reading into your Summer travels!

In my June 25 post I encouraged everyone to join one of our summer reading programs.  There are actually programs for everyone 0 – 100 years old  ... and older! 

Registering your child in a summer reading program is just one way that you can help them avoid the ”summer slide” where a child can actually lose reading skills if those skills are not exercised over the summer months.

There are other fun ways to keep them reading.  I’m planning to post some of my ideas on this topic in the coming weeks.  I am hoping you find some of the tips useful and fun!

Traveling this summer?  Check out a few books first.  We have books on Michigan and all the other states, other countries, wildlife, fishing, camping, bugs, outdoor sports, and much more.  This can make your trip more meaningful.  It may spark some latent interests!  Make it a family adventure and learn together.

Not traveling this summer?  Check out a few books and do some armchair travelling with your child!  You can go anywhere your imagination takes you!  Ancient Egypt, modern day China, France, Hawaii, Mars ...  You can even pick the weather!  This can be great fun.  Draw pictures of where you have traveled and write letters home to tell everyone about your activities and what a great time you are having!  Maybe you can even build a vehicle together for your travels.  Just imagine…..

Tom Rademacher at Herrick District Library!!

Our second author visit of the summer is but a week away!  Tom Rademacher, local legend of newspaper fame and master storyteller of the people around us, will be speaking on Tuesday night (that's the 16th) at 7:00 in the auditorium at the downtown library.
In case you aren't familiar with his work, Tom has written two books, Splitting Wood and Knocking at Your Door. His writing is best known for engagingly profiling stories of Western Michiganders both struggling and soaring--you might even find your neighbors featured in his work.
Mr. Rademacher's reputation for being a showman precedes him as we are told that he not only reads from his work, he is also a masterful harmonica player, forever ready to exhibit his talent!  Join us for the fun!
Tom will be available for signing after his talk, and his books will be available for sale the night of his talk.
See you there!