Death of a Dyer by Eleanor Kuhns

The sequel to A Simple Murder finds the main character, Will Rees, back on his farm in Maine. From the previous novel, Will is still working on reconciling with his son, David, and sorting out his feelings for Lydia, a woman from a Shaker community.  Will also has to deal with his need to travel and was born under “a traveling quilt.” His farm and hometown hold good and bad memories for him. When he is back, his boyhood friend is murdered. The son of the murdered man is under suspicion and the widow asks Will to investigate the matter. The author evokes the setting of post-Revolutionary War America and the hardships and joys of that time. Will Rees is a strong, morally upright man trying to navigate his time and character that I hope will continue. Though it is a sequel, this novel can also be enjoyed without reading the prior book.

Check out Death of a Dyer @ the library!

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

In this first of many Maisie Dobbs mysteries a seemingly open and shut infidelity case leads the private investigator to more questions than answers.  Maisie looks into a place called The Retreat where severely injured soldiers form the Great War live out their lives with others who understand what they have been through.  Their savings are pooled and used to pay for the community.  This case brings up memories for Maisie from her own time serving as a nurse in the Great War and her backstory is gone over in detail.  You’ll love the smart, independent, and very intuitive Maisie Dobbs and be happy to know she has many more adventures.  Checkout Maisie Dobbs@ thelibrary!

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Disagreeable people often make the most interesting characters in a book. J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy has so many disagreeable characters she has created a real page-turner, despite a mundane sounding plot concerning an election for a village council. Only Barry Fairbrother, who suddenly dies at the very beginning of the book, seemed to be decent and sincere. The others either seethe with anger and resentment or smugly bask in unwarranted self-esteem. Mr. Fairbrother’s sudden death creates a vacancy on the Pagford Village Council. He had grown up poor and worked his way into the middle class without forgetting his roots.  As a member of the council, he was the strongest supporter of the public housing complex called The Fields where the poorest Pagford citizens live. After his death, several people announce their intention to run for the vacant seat but none have his leadership abilities or empathy for the residents of The Fields. Gossip, lies and dirty tricks undermine the campaigns and reputations of several candidates as well as some of the current council members. Hostility to the public housing residents is the single issue driving the election. Many of the residents of The Fields, particularly the Wheedon family, have so many problems they cannot make an effort to even appear to be the “deserving poor.” But in Pagford, all the citizens have faults and weaknesses. Moral superiority and decency does not necessarily come with education, money or class. 

Check out The Casual Vacancy @ the library! (Perhaps while waiting for your hold on The Cuckoo's Calling!)

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Faren Joy Fowler

Rosemary Cooke spent the first five years of her life joined at the hip with her beloved sister Fern.  One day, Rosemary is sent away to her grandparent's house for three weeks only to be returned to a different house with no explanation. But as distressing as this might be for a five-year-old, the worst is yet to come:  Rosemary cannot find Fern anywhere.  What happened to her sister?  Why will no one in her family speak Fern's name?  Why is her older brother so angry all the time?  The once motor-mouthed child withdraws deeper and deeper into herself as her family begins to self-destruct around her.

Fast forward almost ten years and we find Rosemary in college at the University of California, Davis.  She hasn't thought about Fern in ages.  She barely even thinks about her brother Lowell who disappeared at the age of 18 and became what amounts to a domestic terrorist.  Rosemary is pulled into the path of an unusual girl named Harlow and suddenly many things from her past return to her all at once.  Will she be able to find any answers about Fern?  Will Lowell return even for the briefest of moments? Karen Joy Fowler's We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is an interesting look at the institution of family, scientific experimentation and self identity.

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: the Final Installment

       

Today's the day! Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library TONIGHT Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit.  Today marks our final 2 questions!

      Q. 19: The chicken or the egg?  

    

      Definitely the chicken (but don’t ask me why)!

      Q. 20: Do you dream up your characters or are they based on real people?  

      There are definitely qualities of people I know (including myself) in all of my characters.  (Truthfully, there’s probably a little piece of me in every character I write.)  But it’s not a perfect one to one ratio, where someone could say, “Oh, clearly that character is based on So-and-So.”  The traits get redistributed and blended with behaviors and quirks I’ve also invented.

We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase this evening at the reading.  Join us at 7 PM in the Constitution Room!

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 17 & 18

Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.  

      Q. 17: What would you say was the most memorable moment you’ve had while meeting another author? 

      As a student at the University of Wisconsin, I had a workshop with Lorrie Moore and I was totally star-struck.  She’s not only a phenomenal writer, she’s also an incredible, charismatic teacher. 

      Q. 18:Who is your favorite fictional character?  

      Emma Woodhouse.  Jane Austen once said of her that she was the heroine “no one but myself will much like.”  But I disagree, because I adore Emma; she’s so delightfully flawed and everything she does is in earnest.    

     We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us tomorrow for our final questions with Andrea!

20 Questions with Author Andrea Lochen: Questions 15 & 16

Local author Andrea Lochen will be doing a reading and Q&A session about her new novel The Repeat Year here at the West Allis Public Library on Tuesday, August 13th at 7 PM in the Constitution Room.  In preparation for her visit, Andrea did a little interview with me in order for you dear patrons to get to know her a bit. I will be posting two of her responses each weekday until her visit on the 13th.

      Q. 15: If you could change one thing that happened to you yesterday, what would it be?  

      

      This is kind of silly, but I wish I had remembered to bring a 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  I always get them in the mail and never use them, but the one time I went and bought something there, I didn’t have one with me!

       Q. 16: Do you have a phobia?  Bugs? Snakes? Fire? Elevators?  

      Weirdly, I have a phobia of jellyfish even though I’ve never actually been stung by one.  I’m hoping to keep it that way!  

      We have several copies of Andrea's book here at the library if you would like to prep yourself with questions but get one soon!  They are always flying off the shelves!  Signed copies of the novel will be available for purchase at the reading.  Join us next time for more questions with Andrea!