Last month we highlighted some of our most recent staff picks – books we gobbled up. But not every book is for every reader. Sometimes a book just doesn’t click: it moves too slowly, the characters aren’t compelling, the writing style doesn’t hold our attention, or the story simply isn’t what we need at the moment. One reader’s boring book is another reader’s unforgettable favorite, and that’s what makes discovering books so much fun. So this month we’re exploring some Staff “Dis” (as in disrespect or dislike), from library staffers. Even librarians find books they don’t care for. So here we go!
Of David Baldacci’s Nash Falls, Cathy says, “The main character Walter Nash [was] not an exciting character, and therefore the book fell flat for me.” Renee loves a book that continually twists – but that book was not Blood Bath by Stephen Leather. Of this collection of short stories by different authors all inspired by the title and book cover she says, “it quickly became too predictable to stay engaging.” In the romance/rom-com genre, Janet didn’t care for Fake Skating (Lynn Painter), because even though all rom-coms are formulaic, “Fake Skating was so completely stereotypical it was no fun. It was like eating straight sugar. The author told us everything we needed to know in the first chapter and then drew it painfully out. I couldn’t finish it.” Louise also wanted something more substantial when she read Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jiminez. “Although some romance is ok” Louise says, “it was a bit too fluffy for me, more romance than I would like. I did not like it enough to finish it.” And although she loves fantasy, Mindy dissed Glass Across the Sea by Sara Ella. She says, “This book tried TOO HARD to be a Cinderella retelling. I got halfway and just didn’t care anymore.” And Lesley joins the crowd of those who dislike Moby-Dick (Herman Melville), saying “This never-ending treatise on whaling would have made me glad that Ahab was destroyed in the end except that I died from the tedium [first].” Not finishing seems to be the librarian choice for dealing with books we don’t care for! But you may find that one of these books is exactly the read you were looking for. Check them out for yourself.
But here’s something we do all agree on: the fun kids library event for the summer is happening soon – the Summer Reading Program, full of good books, reading, outrageously fun events, and prizes. Open to kids ages 0-18, the program starts June 2 and runs through the end of July. Events in the offing are a Foam Party at Hermit Park, a bilingual Dino Yoga class (dinosaurs! yoga! who knew?), Touch a Truck and more. Pre-register at the library on Tuesday and Wednesday May 26 and 27 to receive a coupon for one free prize. You don’t have to be here all summer to take part. Details in-library or on our website at www.westcusterlibrary.org.