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Check out the Summer Reads at Beach Library

By Staff | May 11, 2011

Upcoming Activities

Preschool Story Hour is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m.

Also on Wednesday, Jewelry Making class from 12:30pm. Pre-register and $10 materials fee.

Conversational Spanish class on Thursday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. Pre-register.

After School session also on Thursday, 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Pre-register.

Book Discussion group meets on Tuesday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m.

Activity Details

Jewelry Making provides ample opportunity to create a unique, custom piece of wearable jewelry.

Want to have some understanding of Spanish in using basic everyday phrases? Consider joining the class on May 12 for that experience. Class environment is non-threatening and stimulating. Pre-register so materials are available.

Book Discussion probes “Gentlemen and Players” by Joanne Harris. The term “gentlemen and players” refers to class differences and snobbery. This is Harris’ first mystery novel, though fiction readers will likely recall her “Chocolat” and “Five Quarters of the Orange” (HAR).

Summer Reads

If one looks at the Books of the Year 2010, a few come to mind that have broken ground or tackled familiar themes with new energy. Each of these suggested reads for your summer have met with such satisfaction in 2010 that they are coming out in paperback in 2011.

“Room,” by Emma Donoghue (DON) has the entire story told from the perspective of Jack, a just-turned five-year-old who is living with his Ma. Jack and his mother live and eat and play and sleep in a 11×11 foot space that is their prison, having been kidnapped. Imagine the perspective of Jack who knows nothing outside of this room, and his mother who knows what is outside before her captivity.

“Annabel,” by Kathleen Winter (WIN), is a first novel but so well written that one would guess it comes from the hand of a veteran. If you like a deeply complex story without being in the least showy, this is one to make a part of your summer reading. It follows Wayne’s journey through life, and being born a hermaphrodite and not told about it, brings about plenty of fluidity and ambiguity as the story progresses.

“Beatrice & Virgil,” by Yann Martel (MAR), a light, short novel that is compelling and simple read at first glance. If you enjoyed Martel’s earlier “Life of Pi,” you’ll find the use of animals in the story somewhat natural; if not, then it will take a little to get used to it. The author uses animals, finding that the reader is less cynical about wild animals than about people. Martel’s story of the novelist and the taxidermist and the donkey and the monkey will gradually bring to light the real story, and that is one of the discoveries of this novel.

Library Hours

When we are closed, a recorder gives the hours of operation, either on 765-8162 or on 765-8163. Except for holidays, we are open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 to 5; and Saturday 9-1. We look forward to seeing you.