Pittsburg Public Library

4 days ago

From the Stacks
By Carol Ann Robb, PPL Reference Librarian

Living Up to Expectations

Whenever I learn one of my favorite authors is coming out with a new book my first thought is, “Great! I love his/her books.” Then doubt sets in: what if it’s not as good as the last one and then I’m left in limbo until the book is published and I sit down to open the first page?

That’s what happened with “The River We Remember,” which came out last September. I just love William Kent Krueger’s books but what if this one wasn’t up to snuff? I was almost afraid to open it but fortunately, Mr. Krueger came through and it’s now my second favorite of his. If you’ve not read it, you need to get it on your list pronto!

And now I’m faced with a similar situation. I was pleasantly surprised with Eileen Garvin’s novel “The Music of Bees,” which I only picked up because it was about bees (hence the name) but it became one of my top reads of 2022. Her latest, “Crow Talk” (I assume there’s a crow in the storyline), is sitting next to me as I write this. I’m either in for a very enjoyable or a very long weekend. I’ll let you know.

Richard Osman’s next book is not part of “The Thursday Murder Club” series—and all of those have delighted me (well, the fourth one was a little on the morose side)—but his new series beginning with “We Solve Murders” comes out in September. Will it be as good? Time will tell.

David Rosenfelt may be the only reliable author that consistently delivers a book that I know I’ll love (hope I didn’t just jinx it). Andy Carpenter and company have yet to fail when it comes to a mystery that marks all the boxes for me. Fortunately, I only have to wait until July to find out if his streak continues.

It’s a crapshoot every time I pick up a book so it shouldn’t surprise me if a proven author writes a clunker, but it’s tends to be more disappointing. Rightly or wrongly, I hold them to a higher standard and expect nothing but the best from them. Still, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be a happy reader when I pick up new titles by old, favorite authors. And no doubt I’ll also find some good new authors who I can add to my favorites list. ... See MoreSee Less

Pittsburg Public Library

6 days ago

Have you tried Flipster? Read full issues of your favorite magazines on your smartphone or computer. (Get the Flipster app from your app store). Flipster is a FREE service of your Library. Visit our digital services page and start reading today. Plus—no recycling!
pplonline.org/digital/
#ppl #ppldigital #pplmagazines #pittsburgkansas ... See MoreSee Less

Pittsburg Public Library

2 weeks ago

From the Stacks
By Carol Ann Robb, PPL Reference Librarian

The Berry Pickers

The reviews for Amanda Peters’, “The Berry Pickers,” raved about her debut novel (it was the winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and was named to numerous “Best of” lists) but it took some time before I picked it up. And then kicked myself for not reading it earlier. But in my defense, it was never on the shelf when I was looking for a book.

The book begins in 1962 Maine, where members of the Mi’kmaq tribe travel from Nova Scotia to work in the blueberry fields each summer. That year 4-year-old Ruthie vanishes; the last person to see her is her 6-year-old brother Joe. Her disappearance haunts the entire family but Joe never gets over feeling responsible and despite returning to the berry fields each summer, they find no trace of Ruthie.

Meanwhile, a young girl named Norma lives a solitary life with a very protective mother and somewhat distant father in a small Maine town. Norma’s dreams feel more like memories but her mother refuses to talk about her early life, intensifying her feeling that she doesn’t belong in her family’s world. It’s not until her parents’ deaths that she begins to uncover her mysterious path.

This is a difficult book to review since I don’t want to disclose too much but I’m sure you can figure out where it goes. Peters, who is indigenous and a member of the Mi’kmaq nation, got the inspiration for the book from her father who, with his family, was a berry picker in Maine.

She tells a searing story with respect for both sides (though I couldn’t help but get angry with Norma’s mother and feel sympathy for the pain Ruthie’s family went through). This book grabbed me from the first page and was hard to put down. If you’re looking for something to read that’s eye-opening, informative, and well-written, get your name on the holds list today (yep, it’s checked out because it’s a good book!) ... See MoreSee Less

Pittsburg Public Library

2 weeks ago

Check it out! The PPL Bookmobile is part of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services - ABOS Virtual Bookmobile Parade! 📚🚐#pittsburgpubliclibrary #pittsburgkansas #PPLBookmobile #beepbeepIt's a Virtual Bookmobile Parade!
Hit the road with us this week as we celebrate the awesome bookmobiles bringing libraries to YOU!

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their bookmobiles! We're amazed by the creativity and dedication.

Bookmobiles are lifesavers for communities facing barriers to traditional libraries. Let's hear it for these amazing resources!

This is what @pplonline @pittsburgpubliclibrary in Pittsburg, KS says about theirs:
We deliver library materials to patrons every Thursday!

#ABOSoutreach #servingbeyondthewalls #VBP2024 ... See MoreSee Less