HAPPEE BIRTHDAE HARRY

By Brenda Anderson, Children's Librarian

We can’t let July 31st go by and not celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday! All that day we will have Harry Potter themed games going on, a Harry Potter scavenger hunt, Harry Potter crafts and other opportunities to step out of the muggle world into the wizarding world of Hogwarts.

Refreshments will be served from 3 to 4 p.m. Harry Potter costumes are encouraged. Attendance of house elves would be appreciated.

Even though your acceptance letter to Hogwarts has not arrived don’t miss out on the Harry Potter festivities on Monday, July 31 at the Bremen Public Library.

Recommended Read

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

By Violet Gunter, Children's Department Assistant

Kit Tyler has just lost her grandfather and can no longer live on her plantation in Barbados. Traveling to Connecticut Colony, Kit moves in with her aunt and uncle and their two daughters. Life in this Puritan community is entirely different than the one Kit used to lead, but if she is to fit in, she must learn to follow their strict rules. Kit struggles to conform to the Puritan ways and often feels like an outsider, but soon she meets Hannah Tupper, the acclaimed witch, who lives a solitary life on Blackbird Pond. Through her friendship, Kit finds life is not quite as lonely as she originally thought. Just when it seems Kit has found a rhythm, things are turned upside-down, and she now faces the noose.

Elizabeth George Speare,a two-time Newberry medalist, writes a sensational story about living to one’s true self and standing up for what is right. The excellent story is undoubtedly, one to add to your to-read-list and is a wonderful choice for all ages.

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Book Club Chat

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

By Shelli Kauffman

The Bremen Readers gave the American classic, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald at 2.93 rating. The classic novel set in the roaring twenties revolves around several egotistical and self-centered characters in New York City. Jay Gatsby is obsessed with recapturing his past with the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Unfortunately, Daisy is married and rather shallow. She loves Gatsby, but is very comfortable with the lifestyle her philandering husband provides her.

Most of the book discussion centered on how unlikable all of the characters were. How did Fitzgerald’s novel become a classic with a group of characters who seem to have no redeemable traits? Why do readers, decades after the first printing, still flock to this classic? Well, the novel certainly does evoke conversation. There’s greed, romance, suspense, and murder. Then there’s the rhythm Fitzgerald uses with the English language that makes the reader fall in love with Gatsby while at the same time disapproving of all he does. When describing Gatsby’s smile, the narrator expounds, “It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.” Ah, if only we could all ask Fitzgerald to describe our smile in that way. Overall, this is a novel definitely worth the read, but don’t expect to feel light hearted exuberance when you’re finished with it. 

To join the Bremen Readers' next discussion on Aug. 16, stop by the Adult Desk to request a copy of the next book, "When We Were Sisters" by Emilie Richards. 

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Book Club Chat

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

By Holly Heller, Communications Coordinator

Who reads a book about attempted suicide and depression in July? The Night Owls, that's "hoo."

(Pardon my lame attempt at humor, but we need to lighten the mood after reading this book.)

The Bell Jar chronicles a young woman's descent into clinical depression while highlighting many of her failed suicide attempts along the way. While the book is obviously not an uplifting read, many Night Owls were still able to look past the downer topic and appreciate Plath's writing style.

Others found the novel difficult to follow. The story line jumped from topic to topic, guided by the thoughts of the mentally-ill main character, Esther Greenwood.

The Bell Jar is semi-autobiographical and parallels Plath's own descent into clinical depression. As you probably know, Plath was deeply troubled and ended her own life at the age of 30. This interesting fact intrigued almost everyone and naturally, the discussion gravitated toward Sylvia's story, rather than Esther's. Most members were in agreement that they found the author's true life story much more interesting than this novel.

The overall rating was 3.2 out of 5 stars.

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Next month, the Night Owls will read and discuss "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford. To join in the discussion, inquire at the Adult Desk.

Friends of the Library

By Holly Heller, Communications Coordinator

Have you heard the exciting news? A group of library supporters have gathered to launch the inaugural Friends of the Library group for Bremen Public Library!


The Friends is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the library through philanthropy and advocacy. Pictured are the leaders of the Friends group, the executive board members, from left: Colleen Maynard, president; Michaele Barts, secretary; Sheila Reed, vice president; and Tami Hudson, treasurer.

This executive board will be working hard in many different areas in the months ahead.

Their first project is an Art/Book Sale set for Aug. 10-15 in the lower level meeting room of Bremen Public Library. During this sale, the library's entire collection of art prints will be for sale. For a sneak peek at our massive art print sale, please visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/BremenFriends/

The Art/Book Sale will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10 and continue during regular library hours through Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Hours are as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 10:    5:00-8:00

Friday, Aug. 11:         9:00-5:30

Saturday, Aug. 12:    9:00-5:00

Monday, Aug. 14:    9:00-8:00

Tuesday, Aug. 15:     9:00-8:00

Pricing information will be coming soon!

If you are interested in being a Friend of the Library, watch for coming details on membership and volunteer opportunities. 

Recommended Read

Pennyroyal Academy

By Brenda Anderson, Children's Librarian

Set in Grimm’s fairy-tale world, Pennyroyal Academy is recruiting courageous young people to be trained to become tomorrow’s knights and princesses. Reese Witherspoon recommends this series with the words: “M. A. Larson has created a magical world of adventure -- a world that shows who princesses truly are: people of character and courage and strength. No one rescues Pennyroyal princesses; they rescue themselves.”

This trilogy is even better than Princess Academy by Shannon Hale and is reminiscent of my favorite, Runaway Princess by Patricia Coombs. The setting of Pennyroyal Academy is a generation or two after the famous fairy tales have taken place and a war is being waged by the menaces of the day, witches and dragons. The plot is suspenseful and not predictable by any means.

The third and final book in this series, The Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy, comes out in August 2017.

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Recommended Read

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

By Violet Gunter, Children's Department Assistant

Mara is an Egyptian slave, who detests her lot in life and will do anything to gain freedom, even become a spy.

                

One day a mysterious man comes to the home of Mara’s master and offers to buy her, no matter the cost. It is in this moment that Mara’s life is forever changed. The man makes her a deal; spy for him and once his enemy has fallen he will set her free or she can say no and be sold to someone else. She readily agrees to go undercover and discover who is leading the rebellion. 

         

While on her way to Queen Hatshepsut, under the guise of an interpreter, she is caught eavesdropping on Lord Sheftu by none other than Sheftu himself. He also makes her a bargain; spy for him or die. 

Mara, Daughter of the Nile is a captivating story full of witty remarks, excitement, near death experiences, betrayal and a pinch of romance that will transport you to ancient Egypt. The story takes off, as Mara starts her new life as a double spy. Read as Mara becomes a key component to the rising rebellion, but will she be its downfall or will she help it conquer? Who will she help gain the throne and become Pharaoh?

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