A reader's dilemma

There is a fine balance to keeping a number of books on hand to read so one does not run out of reading material. As a reader that relies heavily on the library, this can have complications for me. I prefer to have three or four books in waiting, and this has not been a problem while being a member of two book clubs. I tend to be on several waiting lists for the more popular books at the library, and this is where things can get interesting. For instance, with three books due for book club in the next month and a half I've been taking it easy with "other books" by reading some shorter mystery books. Then all of a sudden, I had several long awaited books arrive for pick-up at my local library. Here's how what I've managed in the past month.

The Diva Runs out of Thyme by Krista Davis

While waiting for my book club books to arrive (Orwell!), I picked up a few mystery books to hold me over. The Domestic Diva mystery series caught my eye, and I've read the first three so far. I'm not a great mystery solver, so my strategy is to read through these quickly to figure out "whodunit" instead of trying to figure it out myself.

The main character, Sophie, ends up solving crimes in old town Alexandria, VA, while running her successful party planning business. Natasha is another party planner in the book that seems to be a younger Martha Stewart. The start of each chapter has a Dear Sophie or Dear Natasha question and response for party planning help. It is hilarious to read their respective responses, and try to figure out how that topic will work its way into the chapter. Note of caution - don't read these on an empty stomach - the descriptive food details will make you hungry.

The Pillsburys of Minnesota by Lori Sturdevant from the Minneapolis Star Tribune

I found out about this book via an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It showed up at the library the same day as my assigned reading, 1984 and Animal Farm. Since the Pillsbury book had a three week limit with no options for renewal, I tackled it first. For a historical book, I was surprised at how much of a page-turner this was for me. This family has had a positive, and widespread impact on the state of Minnesota, starting in the 1850s.

The foreword contains a summary of family values that sticks with me: don't hold grudges, if you do, you become the problem; the arts are important, they communicate in a universal language; integrity is the most important attribute in making choices; joy comes from helping others, character comes from when you don't get credit for it.

If you are familiar with the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, you will recognize many of the names, businesses and locations that were associated with this family. Here are a few: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Blake School, General Mills, Pillsbury flour, Cargill, Dunwoody, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gale Woods Farm, James J. Hill, Lowry, Loring, the Minneapolis Park Board, Lakewood Cemetery, Orchestra Hall, Peavey, Washburn, Nicollet Island, University of Minnesota and the list goes on...

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

This may be my favorite book of the year. Like the Pillsburys, I read a review about this in the Star Tribune and added it to my library queue. Before being able to start Orwell, this showed up at the library. It too has a three week due date so I had to get cracking. This is the type of book that keeps me up past midnight on a work night. I flew through the 600 page book in two days (with the consequence of a much neglected to-do list). As I reached page 400, I could tell the story would not finish with this book. Sure enough, it is book one of a trilogy, with the other two yet to be published. This made me sad that I will have to wait until 2012 for the next installment, but happy that the story will continue.

It starts with Dr. Diane Bishop, conducting research in the Bodleian library at Oxford. Diane is a witch, from a prestigious line of witches on both her mother and father's sides of the family. She tries to suppress her powers, in order to get credit for her work as a normal human. Diane specializes in 17th century alchemy, and how this lead to modern day science. The book goes on to involve the other "creatures" of vampires and daemons. These creatures may be facing extinction, and an unlikely team gathers to look into this and risks their lives to break thousand year old traditions in their quest. I can't wait for 2012 to see what happens next.

September 24 - 25 is the National Book Festival

Check out more at: http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

Now, on to Orwell!