The f-word makes one appearance, but otherwise, I didn’t notice any other language that would disqualify the book. Summary/Thoughts: Found this title on a list of Gentle Reads from Hennepin County Library( ), but it didn’t quite fit with my idea of a gentle read with its theme of the metaphorical “invisibility” of the middle-aged woman in society.Appeal Factors: Main character is a mother in her 50s with 20-something children, theme of women’s empowerment, humor.It’s a sweet story that kind of puts me in mind of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for the way the story unfolds slowly, drawing you in with the characters, and dealing with sadder elements of life (in this case, the baby is left at the bookstore by a young single mother who drowns herself) in a gentle and ultimately uplifting way. This is a love story to the power of books and reading that has strong appeal readers, librarians, and – of course – booksellers. has no way of knowing the tremendous impact these events will have on his life. Then his prize possession, a first edition of Tamerlane by Edgar Allan Poe is stolen, and a baby is left on his doorstep. Fikry, the proprietor of Island Books, is newly widowed and rather prickly when the new publisher rep from Knightley Press, Amelia, shows up to sell him the winter line. Appeal Factors: Pacing – steady, not the main appeal Characterization – Quirky, relatable characters Language – Standard Story – character-driven and of great appeal to book lovers Tone – fun, gentle Frame – current-day, island (fictional) off the coast of Massachusetts.Notes taken by Betty Johnson Second Titles Next meeting-Octo9:45-noon at the MLSWhately Please enter information for the second title you read. For children, try American Girl books or the Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Green Light Teen Reads is good source for YA books. Maeve Binchy, EF Benson, Miss Read, Elizabeth Cadell are usually sure bets for gentle reads. Point to remember-not every book by an author is the same tone or genre. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith-young adult novel can be read by adults.Bachelor Brothers’ Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson-snarky clever eccentric but unique humorous. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson-widower slow pace relationships multicultural.Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn-family memories poignant kindness of strangers charming, not boring good character development.Emily Dickinson is Dead by Jane Langton-Emily Dickinson centered in Amherst local author.Anything by Katherine Hall Page-gentle mystery.Marley and Me by John Grogan-book about bad dog nonfiction.Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber-character driven realistic “sandwich generation” issues.Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray-middle aged women literary fiction empowering metaphorical societal issues.Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen-good setting eccentric characters magical realism little more complex.22 Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber-too sweet group of women concentrated on past events.Bell Canto by Ann Patchett-literary peaceful leisurely pace relationship driven gentle read?.Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith-lovely brief read stories of romance connected to trains safe passing glimpse at characters.Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah-fairly tragic perhaps not a gentle read.Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett- queen talk of books bookmobile.Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin-good setting book seller Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer-interesting setting and male characters written through letters.The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber- small town comfortable moving through past life events.At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon-small town with eccentric characters.Woman’s Place by Lynn Hall-relationships of women “Rosie the riveter”.Thoughts of attendees after reading book choice Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani Jot down details that might bother certain readers. Important to work together as a staff to know books to recommend. Relationship focus rather than suspense.WMLA Author Talk on June 19 was successful but is morning a better time for attendance?Ĭharacteristics of Gentle Reads as reported by attendees: Benchmark: Lucia, Lucia by Adriana TrigianiĪdult Reading Round Table Gentle Reads notes Notes on Discussion
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