Sharon Reads: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

June 13, 2013June 3, 2013 / Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is a young adult novel about a world in which the children and teens of the world have either died from a strange illness or developed mental powers. The adults are both scared for their children and, in some cases, of them. Ruby was only ten when her parents locked her in the garage and she was sent to a camp for the newly ‘gifted’ children. Six years later, Ruby is still struggling with her abilities, the conditions she has survived, and the idea of freedom. On the run, Ruby discovers that there are multiple faction and dangers working in the world. Much has changed since she was last outside a fence, and discovering who she can trust is more challenging than surviving in the camp ever was. Can Ruby survive on the outside, and can she protect those that help her from her uncontrolled abilities?

The Darkest Minds is a highly entertaining and engaging read. It is however, not easy emotionally. It is very highly charged. Just for starters, they round up kids and send them to ‘rehabilitation’ camps and fear them. The world building is so well done that you could believe that the scenario could happen anywhere at any time. The fear, mob mentality, and power plays in the world are something I could honestly see playing out.

I highly recommend The Darkest Minds to young adult and adult readers. This dystopian novel has rich characters, a world to fear, and deep set conspiracies and plots that will have you looking over your shoulder long after putting it down. There are significant amounts of death, violence, and cruelty in the book- so I do not recommend it for younger or more sensitive readers. I am looking forward to reading the sequel(s) that I have been told are coming.

Brightly Woven

Alexandra Bracken’s other book in our collection, Brightly Woven which is about sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, an unusually talented weaver, must master her mysterious power and join a young wizard in stopping an imminent war in land. I also recommend a reading this book, perhaps while waiting for sequels of either to be released.

From the Children’s Room : New Train Table

June 12, 2013June 7, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

A big favorite in the Children’s room is our Thomas the Tank Engine train table. It gets very heavy use from boys and girls alike. After a couple of years, all that play can really start to take a toll, so the Children’s dept. is very happy to say that, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library, we’ve been able to replace the old Thomas Train table with a brand new updated model. We invite you to come on in and take the new trains and cars through their paces!

Author Johanna Lindsey

June 8, 2013June 5, 2014 / Linda / Leave a comment

Johanna Lindsey

June marks a big milestone for New York Times bestselling historical romance author Johanna Lindsey. Her 50^th novel, One Heart To Win, a western set tale, will be released on June 11.

When she was younger, she was such an avid reader, she found she couldn’t get enough historical romances to read. She decided to write a book for her own enjoyment – Captive Bride. It wound up being published in 1977 and was an immediate success.

Johanna’s books span various eras of history – Middle Ages, Regency England, American Old West and the Viking era. Her stories portray vivid adventures to foreign lands and time periods.

One Heart To Win is on order at the Cheshire Library. You may place a hold on it if you wish.

Susan Picks: Foreign Films

June 7, 2013June 5, 2013 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

I like foreign films as a form of foreign language practice. The people speak at a normal rate and use conversational words as they would if you went to their country. But, like most people, if it’s a language I don’t know well, I tire of the gibberish after five minutes, and I rarely have time to sit and watch subtitles. On the other hand, I like foreign films because they aren’t the same repetitive formulaic Hollywood boredom. They often rely heavily on character development, less on action, and are hard on irony. The sceneries are often exotic and intriguing, ways of life (like collapsible yurts and nomadic circles) so very different – yet oddly similar – to America in all its forms. You sympathize with the main characters and feel their pain. Here’s a weekend’s worth of films that you probably haven’t heard of and are well worth your trouble:

Since Otar Left – a Georgian film about three generations of women who haven’t heard from their bread-winning relative in ages, and imagine how well he’s doing as they wait for him to call. Kind of like Waiting for Godot in Sochi.

Tulpan – a Kazakhstani film about a young nomadic sheepherder named Asa who returns after serving in the Russian Navy and wants a wife – but try and find one on the empty steppe. Then there are the crazy traditional courting rituals to be conquered …

Combination Platter – a story about an illegal Chinese immigrant trying to live out the American promise while working like a slave in a Chinese restaurant and dodging the terror of immigration.

9^th Company – a modern Russian film about their futile 1980’s war in Afghanistan, a no-holds-barred action thriller every bit as good as any American movie. You might have hated them in 1980, but you will cheer for them now.

Vitus – a sweet Swiss film about a little boy whose parents help push him to be a brilliant concert pianist by the age of nine – but all he really wants to be is a little boy.

Travel the world from your recliner and give one a try today!

Book Buzz : Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

June 5, 2013August 27, 2014 / Linda / Leave a comment

Jason Matthews is a 33 year veteran of the CIA, who has turned his considerable knowledge of espionage into a fantastic debut novel. Reviewers have said it is the best thriller you will read this year.

Jason and his wife (who also worked for the CIA) appeared on CBS This Morning on June 4^th. They gave a fascinating interview recounting their lives as CIA agents. You can view it here.

Mr. Matthews is the first American spy to take a turn at writing fiction. Authors John le Carre, John Buchan, Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham, Ian Fleming and Stella Rimington all worked for the British intelligence community.

Red Sparrow is about a hotheaded rookie spy, Nathaniel Nash, who is pitted against a gorgeous Russian intelligence officer, Dominika Egorova. The story takes place in Moscow, Helsinki, Athens and Washington. Mr. Matthews is very skilled with his writing – smart, fluent, great dialogue and extremely knowledgeable. The book is filled with seemingly classified information – both American and Russian. It’s a wonder the manuscript got past the redacting committee at Langley!