Author: Mary Metcalf

Librarian at the Greensboro Free Library, a small, rural public library in northern Vermont.

Categories
Full List of New Arrivals

NEW ARRIVALS – MARCH 2021

ADULT FICTION

“Beneficence” by Meredith Hill — “Powerful…[Hall’s] meticulous prose convincingly captures the daily realities―sometimes beautiful, sometimes cruel―of agricultural life, and offers insight into the ways calamity fractures family bonds…readers will be rewarded.”―Publishers Weekly

“Foregone” by Russell Banks” — “Banks, a conduit for the confounded and the unlucky, a writer acutely attuned to place and ambiance, is at his most magnetic and provocative in this portrait of a celebrated documentary filmmaker on the brink of death. . . . In this masterful depiction of a psyche under siege by disease, age, and guilt, Banks considers with profound intent the verity of memory, the mercurial nature of the self, and how little we actually know about ourselves and others. . . . [For] all lovers of richly psychological and ethical fiction.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro — “A haunting fable of a lonely, moribund world that is entirely too plausible.” —Kirkus Reviews [starred review]

“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vunog — “The novel’s overarching structure is an ingenious representation of our failure — as members of families and communities, as fellow citizens — to understand one another…[This is] a distinctive, intimate novel that is also a reckoning with the Vietnam War’s long shadow…Vuong is a skillful, daring writer, and his first novel is a powerful one.” —Kevin Canfield, San Francisco Chronicle

“Shuggie Bain” by Douglas Stuart — “Compulsively readable . . . In exquisite detail, the book describes the devastating dysfunction in Shuggie’s family, centering on his mother’s alcoholism and his father’s infidelities, which are skillfully related from a child’s viewpoint . . . As it beautifully and shockingly illustrates how Shuggie ends up alone, this novel offers a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Very highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles — “A book about families torn apart, friends lost and found, fear, hope, inspiration, and books and a love of reading. Bravo to Janet Skeslien Charles.” ― The Free Lance-Star

“The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn — “Quinn (The Huntress) returns to WWII in this immersive saga. [Her] page-turning narrative is enhanced by her richly drawn characters and by the fascinating code-breaking techniques, which come alive via Quinn’s extensive historical detail. This does not disappoint.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The Witch’s Heart” by Genevieve Gornichec — “Gornichec’s spellbinding story breathes life into a minor character from Norse myth, delving into the complexities of Angrboda’s familial relationships and the lengths to which she’ll go for both love and vengeance. This powerful fantasy is sure to win Gornichec many fans.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

ADULT MYSTERY

“Blink of a Eye” by Iris Johansen & Roy Johansen — “A thrilling blend of physical and psychological tension that showcases the fierce intelligence, grit, and determination of their female protagonists.”  ―Booklist

“Blindside” by James Patterson and James O. Born — “The daughter of New York’s mayor is missing, and Det. Michael Bennett’s son is in jail. So they agree to trade help, with Michael investigating a homicide victim tied to both the computer-smart daughter and an ambitious hacking operation. The string of nasty murders that follows eventually affects national security, complicating matters by bringing in the NYPD, the FBI, and global crime…” — Barbara Hoffert. LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2019.

ADULT BIOGRAPHY

“This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter” by Anders Morley — “With determination, courage, and a fine poetic awareness of the landscape that surrounds him, Anders Morley delivers a story that makes you want to pack your bags . . . and journey into the great unknown.”  -Torbjørn Ekelund, author of In Praise of Paths: A Journey Through Time and Nature

ADULT NON-FICTION

“American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump , and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power and Treachery” by Craig Unger — “By compiling decades of Trump’s seedy ties, disturbing and consistent patterns of behavior, and unexplained contacts with Russian officials and criminals, Unger makes a strong case that Trump is probably a compromised trusted contact of Kremlin interests.”—John Sipher, Washington Post

“Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver” by Mary Oliver — “The poems in this exhilarating collection span five decades and were arranged by Oliver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who often uses poetry to celebrate nature and to explore humankind’s place within it. Featuring more than 200 poems in a variety of forms and moods, this radiant survey showcases Oliver’s versatility as an artist. …This wide-ranging collection is a wonderful introduction for those who aren’t familiar with Oliver and a great gift for readers who already love her.” — Julie Hale. BOOKPAGE, c2017.

“Fathoms: The World in the Whale” by Rebecca Giggs — “There is much to marvel at here…Deeply researched and deeply felt, Giggs’ intricate investigation, beautifully revelatory and haunting, urges us to save the whales once again, and the oceans, and ourselves.” —Booklist, starred review

“Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age” by Sanjay Gupta, MD — “In a steady, measured voice, [Gupta] presents a comprehensive view of the best that brain science has to offer to preserve and improve memory… A genuine source of practical knowledge and sympathy to those struggling with dementia and the family members who are primary caregivers.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Made in the Shade: A Zentangle® Workbook” by Cris Letourneau –“This book will open up a wonderful, dynamic, and 3-dimensional world of shading possibilities. Learn to shade your Zentangle art with confidence and creativity. This workbook is for the intermediate to advanced tangler who wants to learn more about shading. It includes step-by-step instruction with exercises on shading techniques, dozens of ideas for shading 20 official tangles, plus 4 step-by-step shading projects to teach the reader to analyze a tile and use shading to create a focal point, improve contrast, add dimension, and enhance the overall design. Plus, there are instructions for drawing 12 new tangles. Finally, there are 36 tiles, 6 artist trading cards, 3 Zendalas, and 4 pieces of Zentangle-Inspired Art from artists around the world for inspiration and practice.” — Amazon.com

“Tangle Journey: Exploring the Far Reaches of Tangle Drawing, from Simple Strokes to Color and Mixed Media” by Beckah Krahula — “A major bonus is the inclusion of simple instructions for making one’s own sketchbook or journal. This guide is an excellent next step for anyone who has already tried and enjoyed this type of illustration. VERDICT A welcome addition to all art instruction collections, especially those that already hold a basic tangle title or two.” – Library Journal

“The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make”by Ron Lieber — “Contains an implicit analysis and critique of higher education as a system, by acknowledging the inequities that exist at every level from recruitment to admissions to financial aid. It’s a how-to book that will also make you think, ‘But why?'” — New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice

“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered — “Sered issue[s] a clarion call to take [violent crime] seriously and handle it with nuance. Sered reminds us that, if we’re serious about reducing mass incarceration, we need to grapple seriously, and safely, with people who have committed violent offenses and the survivors of their crimes.” —HuffPost

PICTURE BOOK

“Only the Cat Saw” by Ashley Wolff

JUVENILE DVD

“Soul”

JUVENILE FICTION

“Duel at Araluen” by John Flanagan — “King Duncan and Princess Cassandra are trapped in the south tower of Castle Araluen and under near-constant attack from the Red Fox Clan. Sir Horace and Ranger Commandant Gilan are holed up in an old hill fort, surrounded by the enemy. And Ranger’s apprentice Maddie is the only one who can save them all. With the help of Hal, Thorn, and the rest of the Heron brotherband, Maddie will have to break her father and his men out of the hill fort, but will they reach Castle Araluen in time?” — Publisher Annotation:

“Key Hunters: The Titanic Treasure” by Eric Luper — “Cleo and Evan have a secret. A collection of books so dangerous they are locked up tight. And only they can find the keys to release the magic inside!A FORTUNE LOST AT SEA!When Cleo and Evan set sail on the Titanic, time is not on their side! The famous ocean liner is destined to hit an iceberg. If they can stop a thief from stealing a priceless jeweled book — and find their next key — they might avoid sinking with the ship in this historic disaster!” — Amazon.com

“Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever” by Ann M. Martin with Annie Parnell — “Betty MacDonald’s beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle always had one-of-a-kind ways to remedy children of their annoying or impolite habits. Now, nearly 70 years later, her singular magic can enchant a new generation, thanks to this delightful contemporary follow-up from Martin (Rain Reign), writing with MacDonald’s great-granddaughter, Parnell.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Stella Diaz has Something to Say” by Angela Dominguez — “Stella Díaz Has Something to Say is delightfully rich, both humorous and sensitive at the same time. This is the story of a curious girl who longs to fit in, but also feels the need to be herself, learning how to speak up in two languages.” ―Margarita Engle, Young People’s Poet Laureate

JUVENILE NON-FICTION

“Maker Camp: Heritage Crafts and Skill-Building Projects for Kids” by Delanie Holton-Fessier — “Classic and innovative hands-on projects for kids ages 3 and up designed to teach both heritage skills and how to think creatively.” — Amazon.com

“Old Enough to Save the Planet” by Loll Kirby — ” The world is facing a climate crisis like we’ve never seen before. And kids around the world are stepping up to raise awareness and try to save the planet. As people saw in the youth climate strike in September 2019, kids will not stay silent about this subject—they’re going to make a change. Meet 12 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change. Learn about the work they do and the challenges they face, and discover how the future of our planet starts with each and every one of us. ” — Publisher Annotation

YOUNG ADULT BIOGRAPHY

“To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee” adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham — “The economic and racial disparities, the blinders that “civilized” society stubbornly clings to, the realization that justice for all can never exist without equality for all—these are vividly portrayed not only via Lee’s words but also by Fordham’s art, making this graphic adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird a worthy partner to the original, providing a clarion call for civility, equality, and justice for all.” — New York Journal of Books

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

Blindside by James Patterson and James O. Born

“The daughter of New York’s mayor is missing, and Det. Michael Bennett’s son is in jail. So they agree to trade help, with Michael investigating a homicide victim tied to both the computer-smart daughter and an ambitious hacking operation. The string of nasty murders that follows eventually affects national security, complicating matters by bringing in the NYPD, the FBI, and global crime…” — Barbara Hoffert. LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2019.

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Famly Will Ever Make by Ron Lieber

“Contains an implicit analysis and critique of higher education as a system, by acknowledging the inequities that exist at every level from recruitment to admissions to financial aid. It’s a how-to book that will also make you think, ‘But why?’” — New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby

“Duel at Araluen” by John Flanagan — “King Duncan and Princess Cassandra are trapped in the south tower of Castle Araluen and under near-constant attack from the Red Fox Clan. Sir Horace and Ranger Commandant Gilan are holed up in an old hill fort, surrounded by the enemy. And Ranger’s apprentice Maddie is the only one who can save them all. With the help of Hal, Thorn, and the rest of the Heron brotherband, Maddie will have to break her father and his men out of the hill fort, but will they reach Castle Araluen in time?” — Publisher Annotation:

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

“Compulsively readable . . . In exquisite detail, the book describes the devastating dysfunction in Shuggie’s family, centering on his mother’s alcoholism and his father’s infidelities, which are skillfully related from a child’s viewpoint . . . As it beautifully and shockingly illustrates how Shuggie ends up alone, this novel offers a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Very highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

A Young People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

“Beginning with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leading the reader through the struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism, Zinn in the volumes of A Young People’s History of the United States presents a radical new way of understanding America’s history. In so doing, he reminds readers that America’s true greatness is shaped by our dissident voices, not our military generals.” — Amazon.com

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory by Claudio Saunt

“Jones and Lee, editor and submission reader, respectively, for the New York Times Modern Love column, assemble a charming assortment of brief tales of love from the popular column. Each of the 175 selections distill a story of love into fewer than 100 words. While romantic love predominates, there are stories of love between parents and children, siblings, and even for pets and places. . . . This is a moving testament to the diversity and depths of love.” —Publishers Weekly

Categories
Highlighted New Arrivals

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

“Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice…combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line”― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Categories
Full List of New Arrivals

NEW ARRIVALS – FEBRUARY 2021

ADULT FICTION

“Inland” by Tea Obrecht — “With Inland, Obreht makes a renewed case for the sustained, international appeal of the American West, based on a set of myths that have been continually shaped and refracted through outside lenses. . . . Discovering the particular genre conventions that Obreht has chosen to transfigure or to uphold soon becomes central to the novel’s propulsive appeal.”—The New Yorker

“The Book of Lost Names” by Kristen Harmel — “Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this unforgettable historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the “epic and heart-wrenching World War II tale” (Alyson Noel, #1 New York Times bestselling author) The Winemaker’s Wife.

“The Four Winds” by Kristen Hannah — “Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice…combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line”― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The Mountains Sing” by Nguyen Phan Que Mai — “A luminous, complex family narrative . . . The Mountains Sing affirms the individual’s right to think, read, and act according to a code of intuitive civility, borne out of Vietnam’s fertile and compassionate cultural heritage.” —NPR

“The Russian” by James Patterson & James Born (Large Print) — “Weeks before NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is to marry his longtime love, Mary Catherine, an assassin announces his presence in the city with a string of grisly murders. Each victim is a young woman. And each has been killed in a manner as precise as it was gruesome….Bennett promises Mary Catherine that the case won’t affect their upcoming wedding. But as Bennett prepares to make a lifetime commitment, the killer has a lethal vow of his own to fulfill.” — Amazon.com

“The Once and Future Witches” by Alex E. Harrow — “This novel cleverly connects the dots between the suffragist movement of the past to the Me Too movement of today. Compelling, exhilarating, and magical, The Once and Future Witches is a must-read.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Warm Montana Home” by Cynthia Bruner (Large Print) — “All Poppy Marsh wants is to find a safe place to heal from the pain of a broken relationship and to finish the degree she’s worked so hard to earn. After Colton Gunnerson’s search for rodeo fame crashes to the ground, saving his family ranch is the only future he has left. Colton has an old Montana homestead for rent, and Poppy needs a place to stay. As they become entangled in a web of family ties and the dark secrets from the past, they need faith to change the course of their lives and to show them the love and hope neither thought they would find. The Moose Hollow series tells the story of broken people and second chances, and love stories filled with love, humor, romance and redemption.” — Amazon.com

ADULT BIOGRAPHY

“His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life” by Jonathan Alter — “In unfolding his carefully researched narrative, Alter portrays Carter as far more successful in his labors as chief executive than is generally acknowledged. A balanced and complete portrait.” — Booklist

“The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit” by Michael Finkel — “Thought-provoking and enduring . . . Will leave readers thinking deeply about modern society, the search for meaning, and the impact of solitude. Finkel is a skilled storyteller.” —Portland Press Herald (Maine)

ADULT NON-FICTION

“A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith” by Timothy Egan — “A glorious, laugh-out-loud, wipe-away-tears, blister-riddled, often rain-soaked, sometimes bone-chilled, desolate and desperate, quietly triumphant walk through church history—every last footfall in search of an elusive modern-day spiritual certitude…Egan aimed high, and he reached it.”—The Chicago Tribune

“All the Wild that Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West” by David Gessner — “A spirited, ecologically minded travelogue…. [Gessner] writers with a vividness that brings the serious ecological issues and the beauty of the land…to sharp relief…urgent and engrossing.”― Publishers Weekly, Starred review

“Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World” by Simon Winchester — “The latest sweeping, satisfying popular history from the British American author and journalist, this time covering a topic that many of us take for granted…Engaging revelations about land and property, often discouraging but never dull. — Kirkus Reviews

“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives” by Lori Gottlieb — “Provocative and entertaining . . . Gottlieb gives us more than a voyeuristic look at other people’s problems (including her own). She shows us the value of therapy.” —Washington Post

“The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the English” by Sarah Lyall — “Why do the English keep aplologizing? Why are they so unenthusiastic about enthusiasm? Why does rain surprise them? When are they being ironic, and how can you tell? Even after eighteen years in London, New York Times reporter Sarah Lyall remained perplexed and intrigued by its curious inhabitants and their curious customs. She’s since returned to the United States, but this distillation of incisive-and irreverent-insights, now updated with a new preface, is just as illuminating today. And perhaps even more so, in the wake of Brexit and the attendant national identity crisis. While there may be no easy answer to the question of how, exactly, to understand the English, The Anglo Files-part anthropological field study, part memoir-helps point the way.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“The Complete One Pot Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen — “The only one-pot cookbook you’ll ever need!” — Amazon.com

“The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen — “A one-stop collection for anyone seeking to put plants front and center in their diet, with hundreds of foolproof, uncomplicated recipes appealing to vegans, the veg-curious, and everyone in between.” — Publisher’s Annotation

“Tiny Love Stories” by Daniel Jones & Miya Lee — “Jones and Lee, editor and submission reader, respectively, for the New York Times Modern Love column, assemble a charming assortment of brief tales of love from the popular column. Each of the 175 selections distill a story of love into fewer than 100 words. While romantic love predominates, there are stories of love between parents and children, siblings, and even for pets and places. . . . This is a moving testament to the diversity and depths of love.” —Publishers Weekly

“Toaster Oven Perfection” by America’s Test Kitchen — “Take your toaster oven from sidekick to superhero with 100+ streamlined recipes that save time and energy and make your cooking life easier.” — Amazon.com

“Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory” by Claudio Saunt — “Unworthy Republic offers a much-needed corrective to the American canon, showing how a heavy-handed president, a deadlocked Congress, and a lust for profit combined to construct a shameful national legacy.… A riveting story that invites us all to reflect on how we got where we are today.” ― Elizabeth Fenn, Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado Boulder, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Encounters at the Heart of the World

KIT

Calculator Kit
Chess Kit
Magnatiles Kit
Small Snowshoes
Large Snowshoes
Woodland Story Box

PICTURE BOOK

“All Families are Special” by Norma Simon
“And the People Stayed Home” by Kitty O’Meara
“One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey” by Henry Cole
“The Curious Fish” by Elsa Beskow
“The Story of the Snow Children” by Sibylle von Olfers
“Winter is Here” by Kevin Henkes

JUVENILE AUDIO BOOK

” A Young People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn — “Beginning with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leading the reader through the struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism, Zinn in the volumes of A Young People’s History of the United States presents a radical new way of understanding America’s history. In so doing, he reminds readers that America’s true greatness is shaped by our dissident voices, not our military generals.” — Amazon.com

JUVENILE FICTION

“My Life as Youtuber” by Janet Tashjian — “Jake–with friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto–is thrilled to be taking an after-school video class taught by a YouTube sensation (and “that doesn’t require ANY reading”). Jake secretly features a monkey his family is fostering in his video and learns a hard lesson when Frank is removed from their home. As usual, cartoon marginalia illustrate Jake’s vocabulary-learning in this fast-moving, timely seventh story.” — THE HORN BOOK, c2019.

“Ways to Make Sunshine” by Renee Watson — “Adroitly captures the uncertainty of growing up amid change through the eyes of an irrepressible black girl.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

JUVENILE GRAPHIC NOVELS

“Maker Comics: Fix a Car!” by Chris Schweizer — “Offering challenging but realistically doable projects and specific explanations of background chemical and physical principles, these engaging guides will leave no wrench or spatula safe from middle and high school students (not to mention more intrepid grade schoolers).” ―School Library Journal

JUVENILE NON-FICTION

“Builders” by Reina Olliver & Karen Claes — “Beautifully illustrated and informative, an interesting collection of animals. Children interested in learning about different types will enjoy the detailed illustrations and descriptive texts about these unique creatures.” — Bibliotheek Kortrijk

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

“The Positivity Workbook for Teens; Skills to Help You Increase Optimism, Reslilience, & Growth Mindset” by Gaoli Saed Bocci & Ryan M. Niemiec

“(Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health” edited by Kelly Jensen — “Lively, compelling . . . the raw, informal approach to the subject matter will highly appeal to young people who crave understanding and validation . . . This highly readable and vital collection demonstrates the multiplicity of ways that mental health impacts individuals.” —Kirkus Reviews

Categories
Programs

JamTown Family Jam

Enough is enough! I miss playing with kids and caregivers so, come March we are building music muscles one song at a time. Free on Zoom!

Thursdays in March  (PST/Seattle)
10am 2-3 year old focus
11am 4-5 year old focus
all ages/siblings welcome at both times

What to expect? Learn & play zany songs and warm-up games. Bring your rhythm instruments – be ready to play when the doors open. No instruments? No problem. We’ll scavenger hunt for the instrument of the week and build Fam-jam-ily packs as we go. (Tip: sign in a few minutes early.)

Log onto https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudO-qqD0rHdJVvYNiYd-r_cPrJuMR2yzJ to register and get the Zoom link.