Note to Shelf: March 2022

Created on March 24, 2022, 11:58 am

Last Updated March 24, 2022, 11:58 am

The days are getting longer and the bulbs are beginning to sprout, but with a few chilly days still to come, we are always delighted to share new titles that you can escape to a cozy spot and savor. As Anne Bradstreet, the first published writer in the North American colonies, stated: “If we had no winter the spring would not be so pleasant.”
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Kiera was drawn to this book by its striking cover: a close-up of a women’s mint-green gloved hands. She says, “It evokes a midcentury style, and while the author is careful to never reveal the exact timeframe in which the novel is set, it seemingly takes place before computers, cellphones, and social media. The titular Mrs. March (we never learn her first name) lives a pampered lifestyle as a housewife on the Upper East Side. Despite her relative privilege, Mrs. March is plagued by insecurities, which are worsened by the publication of her novelist husband’s latest book. What follows is at turns unsettling, thrilling, and darkly comedic. Hitchcock (and Freud) would have had a field day with the inimitable Mrs. March.”
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Maria M. loved The Last Bookshop in London, “In central London during World War II, Grace Bennett is forced out of her home after her mother dies. She and her friend, Viv, move into Mrs. Weatherford’s house. After some coaxing, Grace is hired by a stubborn bookshop owner who swears he needs no help in his dusty, old store. With the onslaught of bombings, everyone in the area scrambles into air raid shelters where Grace starts to read stories aloud as a distraction from the chaos. Little did she know that her daily menial work in the bookstore would lead her to discover the power of storytelling and the impact it would have on the community. This novel is a timeless tale about the effect of literature and must read for everyone who loves books.”
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Brittany says: “Commute is a powerful look at female shame, body positivity, our relationships with others and with ourselves, and what it’s like to just exist as a woman in the world. This unapologetic graphic novel is a timely and powerfully crafted memoir. It’s a must read for our current environment and one that you will continue to mull over long after you’ve finished.”
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Diane declares that “Ashley Whittaker's The Well-Loved House is a must-read for anyone interested in interior design. Ashley showcases nine homes, including her own. As a designer, she discusses her desire for contrast in material, color, finish, texture, and period styles as a design method of tying the home together with a common, sophisticated thread. From traditional to modern to classic, Ashley gives us so many inspirational views and the guidance to achieve that sense of sophistication and comfort in our own homes. The heights and room volumes along with a cornucopia of light fixtures and eclectic mix of furniture give the reader a subtle-to-sensational visual of each room of every house. As a piece of artwork, this book needs to be viewed time and again.”
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Amanda D. shares Encanto with us, which she calls “a beautiful story about a multi-generational family who resides in the mountains of Colombia. Each member of the Madrigal family has a special talent: one has incredible hearing, another has super strength, and another can heal people’s ailments with her food. Broken hand? Here, have an area! I have had the song ‘We Don't Talk About Bruno’ stuck in my head for over a week, but I don’t mind that the lyrics are replaying; it is much welcomed. Lin-Manuel Miranda is the brains behind the soundtrack, so you will definitely be singing and swaying along with the characters. The music is not the only thing that will leave a lasting impression; each scene is visually appealing. The colors and textures are exuberant and jump off the screen. If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy Disney’s latest blockbuster, do yourself a favor and place a hold on Encanto.”
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