TGIF

It’s been a bit of a rough week for some of us. Whether it be dead car batteries, frozen pipes, conked out furnaces, or malfunctioning garage doors—the sub-zero temperatures have not been kind to many folks. So taking to the couch with a pile of books sounds like a wonderful way to escape for any length of time, especially since it sounds like another cold spell may be upon us.

I’ll be re-reading “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman for the book discussion next Tuesday, which is a perfect “get-away from reality” read for me. I love the characters, the setting, the wry humor—it’s just good escapist reading.

The only thing worse than Arctic-like conditions would be living through the Blitz, so reading “The Little Wartime Library” by Kate Thompson last weekend made me realize that I have it pretty darn easy by comparison. Based on the true story of the only underground library in London’s Bethnal Green area during WW II, the book is a testament to the power of libraries and books in bringing together people as they strive to survive the darkest days. I suspected it was going to be a nice, little “aren’t libraries good” story, but it provided a good cultural and historical overview of a working–class section of London that politicians ignored even in the 1940’s. This is very different than the Osman book, but a good read.

Another book that explores the way books unite a group of unlikely personalities is “The Lonely Hearts Book Club” by Lucy Gilmore. I loved how the different characters grew to care for one another, creating their own little family. Sure, it was somewhat predictable but sometimes you don’t need any more drama in your life.

Voluntarily taking to the couch for an extended reading session isn’t exactly feasible but wouldn’t it be a wonderful way to leave the stress of everyday life? Which is possible in short spells. So stop by the library and let us help you find just the right book to take you away to a more perfect world, even for just a short time.