Note to Shelf: August 2021

Created on March 3, 2022, 11:15 am

Last Updated March 4, 2022, 9:58 pm

Dear Father Time, We would like to formally request the month of August to last a bit longer this year. Here in Connecticut, August is one of the best months of the year. It feels like life slows down, traffic isn’t as heavy, and while it might be hot, we can still enjoy the summer weather. It also is the best time of the year for reading.
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Pat loved Mary Jane, calling it "a funny, yet poignant coming-of-age story about a resourceful 14-year-old girl growing up in Baltimore, Maryland with her traditional and slightly stuffy parents. Summer is approaching, so Mary Jane finds a job as a mother’s helper to a five-year-old neighborhood girl. Mary Jane’s mother thinks this is very acceptable because the dad is a doctor. Little does her mother know, Mary Jane’s world is about to turn upside down! The doctor is a psychiatrist who will be treating only one patient at his house: a rock star musician coping with addiction issues accompanied by his actress wife. This is a perfect summer read because of the engaging characters, humorous interactions, and the collision of two worlds that Mary Jane navigates so flawlessly!"
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Kathleen M. discovered "bestselling author Peter Heller who brings us his newest thrilling novel, The Guide. Jack, a fishing guide with a damaged past, joins an elite fishing resort on some of the “most pristine water on the planet.” He is paired with a fishing partner, a world famous singer who is more down to earth and devoted to fishing than a typical celebrity. It didn’t take them long before they both start to realize that all is not as it should be at this millionaires’ paradise. There are happenings that are frighteningly unsettling in this idyllic private resort located in a Colorado canyon. Peter Heller takes us into a thrilling tailspin that will keep you turning pages into the night. Heller keeps the continuing pandemic center stage where the darkest nightmares become a possible reality. This thriller leaves the reader with some big questions looming overhead. He never disappoints!"
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Kristen O. shares "John Moe’s book, The Hilarious World of Depression, the author offers his own experiences with his struggle with mental illness, specifically depression. Like the podcast, which bears the same name, the book excels in humor that never comes at the expense of an individual. Moe himself is immensely likable, presenting depression in a way that invites readers to laugh along without feeling guilt or pity. He also excels at pacing and balance: while there are numerous tragedies covered, they are spread out in a way that isn’t overwhelming. (Readers should note, however, that the book includes detailed, non-graphic discussions of suicide.) The overall message is one of hope and love for life that doesn’t come across as overly sentimental or insincere. Those who have dealt with depression will find a kindred spirit within these pages, and those who haven’t will find insight into a real and serious condition and a deepened sense of compassion and understanding."
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Ann found that " The reader is transported to World War II era and work camps in Northern Italy and Poland. The characters are authentic and their situations are truly credible. Nina and her parents are Italian Jews and their family has lived in Italy for centuries. It is 1943 and the Germans are occupying most of Italy. Nina and her parents are Jewish Italians with a family tree that spans back centuries. Nina's father is a well-regarded physician and her mother, sadly, is ill and in a long-term hospital. To hide his daughter from the Germans, her father, with the help of a Catholic priest, informs Nina that she will become the wife of Nico, a devout Catholic, who lives with his family on their farm. This is a novel of survival, passion, guilt, cruelty at its worse; yet the power of humanity shines through. Our Darkest Night is an absorbing compelling read of World War II, as well as a story of love and the strength of family."
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Erika shares, "Adventure, mystery, and hints of romance, Ashley Weaver’s new cozy mystery, 'A Peculiar Combination,' is the start to a great new series. During WWII in London, Electra McDonnell is a master lockpicker and safecracker who, with her Uncle, makes a living with a little light burglary. When she and her uncle are caught red-handed during their latest jewel heist, instead of being thrown in prison, they’re recruited by the British Military to aid the Allies' war effort. A great read for fans of feisty female characters and gripping historical fiction! This book has a satisfying conclusion while setting up the series for more exciting stories of espionage. You can also find the e-Audiobook on Hoopla."
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