Wayne Johnston’s novel, ‘First Snow, Last Light’ is another riveting story. When a young only child comes home from school one afternoon on a cold day in the winter of 1936, he finds no one at home. The deserted child is taken under the wing of his missing father’s family. As he grows to adulthood he is successful but is still haunted by his parents’ abandonment of him. There are characters ensnared and entangled in experiences and situations that would stun us. Another great read by one of Canada’s most powerful and prize-winning writers.
American author Jodi Picoult has written over 20 books. She has also written books with her daughter, Samantha Van Leer. Their newest one is entitled, ‘Off the Page.’ This is a companion book to their first collaboration, ‘Between the Lines.’ It is a fairytale type romance full of humour, adventure and magic. It takes place between what’s on the page and what is actually possible.
‘Over the Wire: A Canadian Pilot’s Memoir of War and Survival as a POW’ is by Andrew Carswell. As the air war between Britain and Germany intensified a call went out across the Commonwealth for volunteers for air crews. Carswell enlisted in Toronto just after his 18th birthday in 1941. By the fall of 1942 he was an operational bomber pilot in England. This book chronicles Carswell’s journey through the war; frantic training, no leave, being shot down, taken prisoner, escaping, recapture and finally liberation. The story of a generation who put country and duty ahead of personal ease, security or gain. This book is remarkable and makes you very proud to be a Canadian.
In 2015, the shocking photo of a Syrian refugee, three-year-old Alan Kurdi lying dead on a Mediterranean beach shocked and horrified the world. Afghan born author Khaled Hosseini is an award-winning author now living in northern California. He has created awe-inspiring, disturbing and beautifully illustrated short story called ‘The Sea Prayer.’ The tale of a father and his young son waiting patiently on a beach with their few possessions for a boat to take them to peace and freedom. This book makes us realize that as a the ‘have’ society we must become more aware and active in our care, concern and responsibility for those who have less than nothing. All proceeds from the sale of this unique book are being donated to the ‘United Nations Refugee Agency’ and to the ‘Hosseini Foundation’ to help fund lifesaving relief efforts for refugees around the globe
Young Adult Pick: ‘The Trials of Apollo’ by Rick Riordan.
DVD Pick: ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ starring Dwayne Johnson (the Rock), Kevin Hart and Jack Black – outrageous fun and great special effects!
There is free wireless access during Library hours, so bring your device of choice and join us (we also have three public computers that are available). See you at the Library! Email us at aplgoodtomes@email.com.
