THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

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Summer reading roundup

READING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LIBRARIES AROUND THE COUNTY
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." - George RR. RR. Martin, "Game of Thrones" author

It is the perfect time to do some extra reading. Whether you are finding yourself with some spare time, finding yourself needing more screen-free options to entertain your kiddos, or are finding yourself with a desire to learn more about different people and places, the following recommendations from local libraries have you covered.

Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library (Virginia City)

Children:

"Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry: It’s up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashi Harrison. (Amazon book description)

"Tails from History" by Thea Feldman: In an aquarium in California, there was a sea otter who was a mother for rescued pups. She taught them how to look for crabs and open clam shells. She also inspired a state law to protect the endangered species. (Amazon book description)

"I Am Perfectly Designed" by Karamo Brown: With tenderness and wit, this story captures the magic of building strong childhood memories. The Browns and Syed celebrate the special bond between parent and child with joy and flair. (Kirkus Reviews)

Adult:

"A Better Man: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel" by Louise Penny (fiction): A Better Man, with its mix of meteorological suspense, psychological insight and criminal pursuit, is arguable the best book yet in an outstanding, original oeuvre,” Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal

"Joy of Cooking 2019 Edition Fully Revised and Updated" by Ethan Becker and Megan Scott (nonfiction): It’s the Joy of Cooking that you’ve come to know and love, updated for the 21st century. Recipes include chocolate chip cookies and Megan’s seeded olive oil granola. (Thompson-Hickman Library staff review)

COVID-19 policies and hours: Materials are quarantined for up to five days upon return. Carts are available for books taken off the shelves and not checked out to keep them from going back on the shelves without being disinfected or quarantined. Computers are disinfected after each use. People are asked to wear masks, which are provided if needed, and hand sanitizer dispensers are offered at the front door. Youth programs will happen outdoors and the Community Center, with a space large enough to support social distancing, has been provided as an alternative if weather is not favorable. The library tries to promote ventilation by opening windows and doors and is cleaned each evening by a janitorial staff. Open Monday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Twin Bridges Public Library

Children:

"The Land of Stories" series by Chris Colfer: The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face to face with fairytale characters they grew up reading about. (Amazon book description)

Adult:

"Lilac Girls" by Martha Hall Kelly (fiction): New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hilter’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France. (Amazon book description)

"Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption" by Bryan Stevenson (nonfiction): A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time. (Goodreads book description)

"Noir: A Novel" by Christopher Moore (fiction): The absurdly outrageous, sarcastically satiric and always entertaining New York Times bestselling author Christopher Moore returns in finest madcap form with this zany noir set on the mean streets of post-World War II San Francisco. (Amazon book description)

"Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World" by Vivek Murthy (nonfiction): The book we need now to avoid a social recession, Murthy’s prescient message is about the importance of human connection, the hidden impact of loneliness on our health and the social power of community.

COVID-19 policies and hours: No restrictions on materials; materials are quarantined for 72 hours once returned before being offered again to the public. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Sheridan Public Library

COVID-19 policies and hours: Two different aps and an online option are available for checking out e-books and audiobooks—Libby [e-book and audiobook borrowing app] can be accessed in Apple, Android or Windows app stores, Overdrive is an app for Kindle users and montana.overdrive.com is the appropriate URL. A QR code is also available on the Friends of the Sheridan Public Library Facebook page. A library card number is required. Call 406-842-5770 for a temporary number or to look up an existing library card number. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Wednesday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.)

Madison Valley Public Library (Ennis)

Children:

"The Snail and the Whale" by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler: An oldie but a goodie in that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.

"What Do you Do with an Idea?" By Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom: A beautiful story about ideas and perspective through the eyes of a hopeful child.

"Martina the Beautiful Cockroach" by Carmen Agra Deedy and Michael Allen Austin: A sweet and super-fun read aloud Cuban folktale.

"The Book with No Pictures" by BJ Novak: This book is definitely for the reader to take advantage of a captive audience. Be ready to ham it up.

"How I Became a Pirate" by Melinda Long: This is a fun, classic summer adventure with pirates and sandcastles.

Middle grade/young adult:

"Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus" series by Rick Riordan: These should be on everyone’s reading or re-reading list— they’re just fun!

"Escape from Lemoncello’s Library" by Chris Grabestein: A crazy library adventure that will leave you with another great book list.

"Smells Like Dog" by Susanne Selfors: This is a fun fantasy and great treasuring hunting family read.

"Red Queen series" by Victoria Aveyard: A Game of Thrones scifi adventure for young readers.

Adult:

"American Spy" by Lauren Wilkenson (fiction): An espionage thriller that was actually inspired by true events.

"How the Penguins saved Veronica" by Hazel Prior (fiction): A mellow, really lighthearted summer read that takes you on an Antarctic adventure.

"Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamach Series (fiction): Still Life, A Fatal Grace and The Cruelest Month are the first in the series of a beautifully written mysteries in a small Canadian village.

"The Feather Thief" by Kirk Wallace Johnson (nonfiction): A true tale of thievery and the art of fly-tying.

CJ Box’s "Joe Pickett series" (fiction): This is our most popular series about a Wyoming game warden and his action adventures. (All above descriptions from Karen Ketchu, Madison Valley Public Library)

COVID-19 policies and hours: Hours are reduced to allow staff time for cleaning and processing hold requests. Incoming items are sanitized and sit for 72 hours before returning to the shelves. Capacity is reduced in the main library and community/meeting rooms. Masks are appreciated. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

My recommendation

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams- Partially because I just finished this and it is fresh in my head, but also because it was truly phenomenal, Queenie is my number one summer reading recommendation. It reads easily and you could devour it in a day if you had the time. It is one of those books that speaks to the times we are in, but also a book I think any women could find a bit of themselves in. It allows you to gain insight into someone else’s life while also reevaluating parts of your own.

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The Madisonian

65 N. MT Hwy 287
Ennis, MT 59729
406-682-7755
www.madisoniannews.com

Cori Koenig, editor: editor@madisoniannews.com
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