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Summer Reading Lists 2017

by | | Rare Reads • Topsham Tales

Are you beginning to wonder if the sun still exists or if summer will ever arrive? I am. But don’t despair! Whether the days are dreary or the sun finally appears, there are book challenges and book suggestions to get us through our darkest days.

The following link is for the Read Harder Challenge. The Rare Reads Book Discussion group that meets here at Topsham Public Library is challenging themselves, and you can get in on the action.

https://topshamlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ReadHarderChallenge2017_web.pdf

 

PBS Newshour published a list of page turners which you can find here:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/19-summer-books-will-keep-night-reading/

 

No summer reading list would be complete without The New York Times. This is a list of suggestions from authors who own bookstores (click here). Maybe on your travels you could stop in at one or two of these bookstores.

 

And we will keep our hopes alive that summer days on the beach will happen with the following list from Travel and Leisure:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/culture-design/books/best-summer-beach-reads

 

If none of those work, stop by Topsham Public Library and we can help you. You won’t leave without a book.

Maine Authors on Display!

by | | Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

This month’s book display, located to the right as you enter Topsham Public Library, is highlighting Maine authors.

Maine is the best place to be in the summer, so when you hit the beach, or head to camp, or relax in your own yard, stop by Topsham Public Library first and pick up some books by Maine authors to enjoy in your Maine surroundings.

Of course, there will be selections from the ever popular Stephen King, Paul Doiron, Tess Gerritsen, Linda Greenlaw, Richard Russo, Monica Wood, and Richard Ford, but you might find some not-known-to-you voices like Earl Smith, Jen Blood, Jennie Bentley, Diane Amos, Joe Coomer, Tom Brown, Stephanie Doyon and others.

Maine is the place to be!

Come Celebrate With Us

by | | Growing the Community • Library Gardens • Something to do • Special Events • Topsham Tales • TPL Gardens

The following was written by Sharon Ross, Development Coordinator for Topsham Public Library.

The Board of Trustees of the Topsham Public Library will be celebrating the opening of its newly configured West Garden Patio on May 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with an opening tea that will also recognize a major donation by Brunswick resident Ruth Bouchard Klein.

In 2016, Ruth donated $15,000 in support of the library’s mission of being a community center for all, and to honor the legacy of her Franco-American Heritage, her parents Emilienne Josephine Painchaud Bouchard and Ovila Henri Bouchard, and her late husband, Walter J. Klein, Jr. The library is recognizing Ruth and her family with a patio container garden, built and curated by library garden volunteer coordinator Sarah Wolpow, and memorial benches made by The Woodshaper Shop of Dedham, Maine.

Ruth is one of 11 children who grew up in the French neighborhood of Topsham Heights along the Androscoggin River. Three generations of her family worked at the Cabot Manufacturing Mill, or Fort Andross, during manufacturing’s heyday. She has fond memories of her childhood in the Heights, where fellow French-Canadians and Franco-Americans built a close-knit community and often shared bounties from their home gardens. These memories may have sparked Ruth’s passion for gardening, which eventually led her to the Topsham Public Library as a volunteer for the library’s gardens. Ruth is a certified master gardener and has taught several master gardener workshops at the library.

The gardens at the Topsham Public Library is the product of dedicated volunteers who have created several demonstration gardens under the direction of certified master gardeners, including current garden volunteer coordinator Sarah Wolpow. Demonstration gardens include a tea garden, children’s garden, edible forest garden, and now our West Garden Patio container garden.

Ruth is a graduate of the University of Maine and has a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Columbia University. In 2014, she published, Je Me Souviens, a tribute to her Franco-American heritage and history in the Topsham/Brunswick area. She was also featured in a short documentary, “The Invisible People of Brunswick Maine,” produced in 2009 by Christian Schneider.

Do You Re-Read Books?

by | | Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

The day was gray and the rain wouldn’t stop. I decided to read a book. I have piles, literally, piles of new books just waiting to be read, but I ignored them. I had the overwhelming desire to read Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I don’t normally re-read books, but there are one or two that I go back to once-in-a-while.

When I read Lord of the Rings, I feel like I’m going home. I don’t know why, and I suppose it’s silly to say, but that’s how it makes me feel. I enjoy the earthiness of the story, and the camaraderie between the characters. I like the heroes and heroines faults and all, and I guess, especially for their faults. I don’t schedule when to re-read it, it just happens.

I asked my co-workers what books they re-read and here is a smattering of what they said.

Cyndi likes to re-read when she’s tired because she doesn’t have to concentrate as much, and she finds books more entertaining when she reads them a second time. Her go to author is Elizabeth Peters.

Julie re-reads Lord of the Flies by William Golding, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Sharon enjoys to re-visit essays written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Loren Eisley, and David Sedaris.

Emma did not hesitate when she told me what books she reads over and over again: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, Catcher In the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson.

Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, and  A Wrinkle In Time by Madaleine L’Engle are Lynne’s favorite books to read again.

And last but not least, Linda’s two favorite books to read again are by the same author: Great Lion of God and Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell.

Do you re-read books? What are your favorite books to re-read?

 

DVD Update From Dave

by | | Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

The following is an update from Dave about Topsham Public Library’s DVD collection.

Not all the “new” items that come into Topsham Public Library’s collection are noted on our monthly listing.  Most times when we bring something that is published or created in past years, it is not included on the list.  For instance, recently we received several donated DVD titles from Acorn, known to some of you from Acorn TV.  These items have long been released but are new to our collection, and I wanted to bring attention to some of those “new” to us!

Classic mysteries have arrived like the recently re-released Mrs. Bradley Mysteries, starring the terrific Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones & Avengers).  Voted favorite BBC actress, Patricia Routledge show her acting range portraying a retired northern housewife turned private eye in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. The late, great Richard Griffiths in the much-loved Pie in the Sky series also graces our shelves in which he portrays a detective-by-day and a popular chef-by-night.  Anyone who loves crime shows or culinary delights will be immediately hooked.

 

Fans of small town living or family dramas will appreciate the recent additions of Ballykissangel featuring Stephen Tompkinson as an English priest being transferred to a small Irish village.  Fans of Julian Fellowes, creator and author of Downton Abbey, will delight in seeing his acting the part of Kilwillie in the zany character filled Monarch of the Glen.  Others will delight in the current Australian hit show A Place to Call Home, starring Marta Dussledorp (Janet King, Jack Irish) who has won several awards for her portrayal of a holocaust survivor coming home to Australia in the 1950’s.

Speaking of Australian shows, don’t miss other potential favorites and recent acquisitions, 800 Words (a journalist who loses his wife in an accident emigrates with his kids from Australia to New Zealand—but will they stay?), Level (fans of Downton Abbey will recognize Robert James-Collier in a pivotal role) and Deep Water, starring Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black) attempting to solve a present day crime that might resemble the murder of her brother who was killed in a hate crime, years ago.  My personal favorite is Wentworth which I describe as Orange is the New Black meets Oz; it’s dark, but great!

This is just a sampling of the 45+ Acorn/BBC titles recently added to our collection, too many to annotate in this blog.  Most of these DVDs were donated by patrons who hoped fellow residents would enjoy them. If you have gently-used DVDs you are done with, that are not already part of our collection, please drop them by. If we can, we will include them in our collection of 4000 DVD titles. If not, they will go into our annual Friends of Topsham Public Library Book Sale that funds many library efforts including all our programming throughout the year.  We are especially interested in adding classic movies and series to our ever-growing collection.

(Touch of Frost; Duchess of Duke Street; Close to the Enemy; Case Histories; Flambards; Wish Me Luck; Rough Diamond; Cadfael; Invisibles; Strumpet City; Island at War; Maigret; The Grand; Detectorists; Trial & Retribution; Jack Taylor; Vexed; Winter; Jericho of Scotland Yard; Lark Rise to Candleford; To the Manor Born; Single-Handed; The Fall; 19-2; Touching Evil; Wire in the Blood; DCI Banks; Silk; Worricker; The Last Detective; Durrells in Corfu; Home Fires; and more.)

Topsham Public Library is Looking for Board Members

by | | Information • News • Topsham Tales

The following is a note from Susan Preece, Director of Topsham Public Library, concerning the search for new board members.

Topsham Public Library is looking for new board members.

Over the past week, as we have begun to advertise for trustee positions, I have been answering many questions about what the library board does and what we are looking for in a trustee. The first way to begin a discussion about being a trustee is to remind folks about the structure of the library itself.

The Topsham Public Library is a non-profit organization.  What this means is that contributions made to the library are tax-deductible and the library is tax-exempt. We receive about 85% of our funding from the Town of Topsham. The additional 15% of our funding comes from our own fundraising and from The Friends of Topsham Public Library. The Friends support virtually all of the programs that are offered through the library. The library’s Annual Appeal and other occasional fundraising events, like last year’s canoe raffle, along with the dedicated support of 19 local businesses who support our Business Roundtable at a variety of donation levels provide another source of revenue. Finally, we have many generous individuals and families who donate memorial funds to honor their loved ones or make celebratory donations to mark a life event like a birthday or a wedding.

Topsham has a long history of supporting the public library. In 1803, the first library facility in Topsham was established in 1803 as a “social library for the purpose of promoting knowledge”. In 1931, the first public library was incorporated by a group of community-spirited women who established the Topsham Public Library on the second floor of the Androscoggin Firehouse. In 1941, following that tradition, Sarah Whitten bequeathed her family home at 8 Pleasant Street, which became the library’s location for the next sixty years. In May of 2004, after a very successful capital campaign, the approval of a bond by town voters, and tremendous effort on the part of the board, staff, and community, Topsham Public Library moved into its first permanent home. This was one of the most significant building projects in the history of Topsham.

The library is run by the director and the board of trustees. The trustees and the director work together to provide adequate funding, offer programs, materials and services to the community and function as a community center for all in Topsham. The library’s board of trustees are a policy-making and governing board. The trustees supervise the director and the director supervises the staff.

Trustees are crucial to the delivery of library service to Topsham. Together, with the director and the staff, they make sure that the library provides books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and computer programs for all ages. They make sure that the staff has the resources needed to do their jobs effectively and they make it their mission to let the community know about what the library has to offer. This may mean attending meetings, talking to neighbors and community members, speaking up at Select Board meetings or Town Meeting. Trustees, with the help of the director and staff, keep abreast of nationwide trends and issues affecting libraries. This may include learning about library legislation at the state and federal levels and ensuring that the library complies with standards.

One of the most important jobs of a trustee is to find out what the community wants from their library and to figure out how to provide it. Fundraising, understanding the town’s budget process and stresses, and communicating with the schools, local non-profits and businesses to create sustainable funding is key to the library’s future. As a member of the board, individual trustees work toward consensus building and always speak as one. The board meets monthly (except in August), usually on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the library. Board members also serve on one or more committees, (governance, finance, development or facilities.) Usually the time commitment is about 8 hours per month.

Public libraries are the most important democratic institutions in the nation and have a long history of independence. A good public library should have something to offend everyone, provide free access to materials and services, including the Internet and protect every individual’s privacy regardless of age, or circumstance. It is important that the Board of Trustees understand the importance of the library in the community and work together to support library values.

If you love libraries, working with others to create something special and have the time, we want to hear from YOU! Applications for Trustees are available on the library’s website or at the desk. Deadline for the submission of applications is May 15, 2017. Interviews will be conducted by the governance committee during the week of June 5, 2017. If you are would like more information about being a trustee, please contact Susan Preece, Director at 725-1727 or director@topshamlibrary.org.  Check the library’s website  at www.topshamlibrary.org to learn more about current board members.

 

An Author Comes Calling

by | | Special Events • Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

The Mystery Readers’ Roundtable has been faithfully meeting once a month, except during the summer, since September 2009 here at Topsham Public Library. We’ve read books from all over Maine, from all over the U.S. and from all over the world. We have explored amateur sleuths, police procedurals, and even true crime. We have also visited a few different centuries. We have had some great discussions and a lot of fun. On a couple of occasions, we have even had the author join in. That really makes for an exciting discussion.

On April 11, Mary Lawrence, author of the Bianca Goddard mystery series, came to sit in on our Roundtable.  Ms. Lawrence led us on a great tour of her book, The Alchemist’s Daughter. The story is about a young girl, Bianca, who has struck out on her own because life with her parents left much to be desired. Vowing not to be like her own mother, at the mercy of a man, she is determined to be an independent, self-sufficient woman, which was quite a feat in the 1500’s when this story takes place. Ms. Lawrence originally intended for this to be a young adult coming-of-age story and spent 16 years making it so. Apparently Bianca had other ideas, and headstrong as she is, decided she would rather be the heroine in a mystery. Being a good author, Ms. Lawrence knew when to let go and let her child be. She said it really is true that the characters take the author on a journey, not the other way around.

Writing an historical mystery carries extra responsibility as well, to be accurate with the happenings, dress, and customs of the time. Even the use of language is important to enhance the setting. Going back to medieval England and getting the colloquial language right without making it difficult for readers to understand is a real challenge. As a fan of Shakespeare, Ms. Lawrence took a page from his writing and just made up some of the words. I never would have guessed. The meanings were made clear by the context. There were a few actual terms that I had to look up, but only because I was curious to see if they meant what I thought they did. Yes, they did, but they might make you blush if I put them here.

Why alchemy? Ms. Lawrence’s major in college was science, although it was Bianca’s father who was the alchemist. Bianca didn’t believe in that foolishness, but she did learn how to design and carry out experiments from him. She preferred to use herbs and plants to make cures for common maladies. The trouble all started when she made a concoction for her friend, Jolyn, to aid her digestive symptoms, only to watch Jolyn die right in front of her.

Ms. Lawrence has a good sense of humor too. She hid the names of some Maine towns in her book. Did you know there is a small town in Maine called MeddyBemps? It’s in Washington County and Ms. Lawrence named one of her characters after it.  I’ll let you find others on your own.

Ms. Lawrence stated that she wanted this book to be fun to read, not heavy and grim. Add an incompetent buffoon of a constable, some unsavory citizens, and a well-meaning suitor, and the mood lightens considerably. Still, Bianca must prove herself innocent of this crime. But first she has to determine if she really is innocent. That’s where the rats come in.

Anyway, I don’t want to give anything away. Suffice it to say that after this story emerged Ms. Lawrence’s publisher was sold on the book. She had intended this to be a stand-alone, but was delighted when her publisher asked her for two more episodes. She happily obliged and now numbers four and five are in the works.

I think most of us who read a lot often dream of becoming the person who writes the books. After all, it’s such a glamorous life, isn’t it? Imagine going to book signings, having adoring fans clamoring for your next book, appearing on The Today Show with your very own Oprah recommended book, raking in all those royalties. But, alas, it is not so. Ms. Lawrence shared that she procrastinates every day, having coffee, running errands, staring at her chair, and having more coffee, before finally pushing herself to sit down and write her 1000 word requirement for that day, every day, mostly. She also has to do much of the promotion for the sale of her books, although she doesn’t get to choose the title or the book cover. And that’s not her only job. She and her husband David Sliman, have a seven acre farm in Limington where they grow their own fruit and make their own jam for sale. You can check it out at www.rareberryfarm.com.

So it was very gracious of her to come and meet with our book group, driving up the coast and sharing her time and experience and wit with us. Thank you very much, Mary, we enjoyed having you visit.

My Random Thoughts About Audio Books

by | | Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

Last week, my sister Laurie, my cousin Lisa, and I went on a road trip to Michigan to visit my sister Becky. It was second nature for me to check out a variety of audio books from Topsham Public Library in preparation of the 14ish hours of drive time. (I won’t mention which of us has the lead foot.) Now, all three of us are readers and enjoy reading, but what I did not know is that Lisa had never listened to audio books before. She was a little nervous about the experience she was about undergo. I happened to have checked out The Guilty by David Baldacci, so we began with it because she was familiar with Baldacci and liked him. The time flew by with the three of us in the car, filling our mouths with junk food, spilling family secrets and switching up the audio book with some tunes. And Lisa thoroughly enjoyed her first audio book experience.

I, also, was an adult when I listened to my first audio book. My family was headed north for a vacation and I picked up a couple audio books from Topsham Public Library to, hopefully, make the ride more bearable. For no particular reason, I chose Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce read by Jason Hughes. A young boy in a small village in Wales tells the story of his sister’s grand plan to steal an art masterpiece to help their father save the family business. All of us, including my three elementary aged children, loved it. Even to this day, some 10 years later, we quote lines from it. The way Jason Hughes read the book added so much to the story.

After that first experience, I wanted to check out every audio book and listen non-stop. I was soon to discover not all audio books are created equal. Just as Jason Hughes’ performance added to the story, there are just as many readers who destroy a story. You will love some, and you will hate others.

I can remember what I was doing when I was listening to my favorite audio books. I hulled strawberries, froze strawberries, made strawberry jam, and made strawberry shortcake while listening to The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey and read by Paul Michael. I’m not sure if I would have liked the book as much as I liked the audio book. Paul Michael, through slight nuances, makes this story more thoughtful than if I had read it myself. This story is about a young man who tries to do everything right but everything goes wrong. He’s a descendant of one of King Arthur’s knights only he doesn’t know he’s a descendant until he tries to steal Excalibur and he doesn’t know he’s stealing Excalibur until it’s too late and the fate of the world is in his hands.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and read by Allan Corduner, I have listened to many a time. I listen to audio books while preparing supper, or cooking for fun, or cleaning out the refrigerator, or sewing at the kitchen table. Usually, during these times I would be hard pressed to find my children as they make themselves scarce when they think I might need someone to dry dishes, or worse yet, wash dishes, so imagine my delight while I was listening to this particular book my eldest slowly making his way into the kitchen and asking me what I was listening to. He stood there in the kitchen – he didn’t pull up a chair, he just stood and leaned against the counter under the spell of Corduner and his reading. That was also the first time an audio book disappeared, and I found it because I heard him playing it in his room that night.

By the time they graduate from high school, I try to have a scrapbook done that chronicles my children’s school days. It was when I began working on my daughter’s scrapbook that I listened to Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle and read by David Ackroyd. This is a story about rum-running off the coast of Rhode Island during prohibition and about two boys who are changed by a grisly find on the beach.

Some other favorites of mine are:

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys read by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, and Michael Crouch is a fictional account of the true life sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a transport ship carrying refugees and German military fleeing the coming Russians.

The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer and read by Scott Brick is the first in a series, but is enjoyable as a stand alone, about an archivist that bucks security protocol to impress a childhood sweetheart. This leads to a dictionary once owned by George Washington which then leads to murder.

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and read by Tony Goldwyn is non-fiction and tells the story of a serial killer in Chicago during World’s Fair in 1893.

I could go on, but what about you? Are you an audio book fan? What are your favorites?

 

March Madness

by | | Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

Are you caught up in the NCAA March Madness College Basketball Tournament? My family loves March Madness and we each have our own bracket. It is a family tradition and the winner gets to decide where we will go out to eat. I’m already out this year. I’m usually the first one out of contention each year because I don’t look at stats, I don’t look at the season, I just go with my heart. My husband on the other hand actually thinks about his bracket; he analyzes the team record, thinks about coaches and individual players, and makes an informed decision. He usually doesn’t fare any better than I do.

So, since I’ve been thinking basketball lately, I thought I would share some books that are available through Topsham Public Library that may be of interest to other basketball fans.

 

The Legends Club: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Valvano and an Epic College Basketball Rivalry by John Feinstein is a look at the recruiting wars, the high pressure stakes, and the sometimes ugly rivalry between big time college basketball powerhouses University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke, and North Carolina State.

 

Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA by Joe Nocera and Ben Strauss is an unveiling of the dark side of the NCAA. They argue the organization exploits the student-athletes it is meant to protect.

 

 

In 2016, the world of basketball mourned the loss of Pat Summitt, the most successful women’s basketball coach whose career spanned 38 years. The Final Season: the Perseverance of Pat Summitt by Maria M. Cornelius covers her career and her battle with early onset Alzheimers.

 

1966 is a historic year in basketball: it was the first time a college coach started five African-American players, and if that wasn’t enough, they went on to unseat the then nationally top-ranked University of Kentucky. Coach Haskins tells this amazing story in Glory Road: My Story of the 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship and How One Team Triumphed Against the Odds and Changed America Forever.

 

Usually it’s the sports legends that write their stories, but if you want to know what it’s like to sit the bench, try Don’t Put Me in Coach: My Incredible NCAA Journey from the End of the Bench to the End of the Bench by Mark Titus.