Dear Michele,

I saw my book COVENANT OF WATER mentioned in the Lehigh Valley News as one of your top recommended books! (A friend living in the area sent it on. So glad she did.) I was so touched by your succinct and poignant praise. I wanted to say thank you. One writes in such isolation imagining that moment when a reader’s eyes will fall on the words and the story unfold for them.

So when you said that you “did not want the book to end” … well that was music to my ears. Publishers and consumers grumble about big books. But when I hear the reader (and especially a librarian) say they did not want it to end I feel vindicated. My journey as a writer must have begun as a boy in the libraries of my youth (though my reading of THE CITADEL and OF HUMAN BONDAGE drew me to medicine and not writing. That came later.) What you and your colleagues do is invaluable. It is reassuring to know in this day and age that you are there putting books into the hands of readers. So thank you for the endorsement which this morning as I take stock felt like a particular blessing. It has been a great year for me after many trials with this book.

Thank you and happy new year to you from a grateful writer.

Always,
Abraham

Abraham Verghese
Stanford University

It’s an eclectic mix of fascinating books that feature compelling storytelling, unique perspectives, and a fun mix of fiction, memoir and essays. Check out the list below then come check one out today! Want to make your own list of patron picks? Email mslotter@bapl.org with about 20 of your favs and we’ll make it happen!

1. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
2. The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
3. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
4. Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
5. Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit
6. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
7. Circe by Madeline Miller
8. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
9. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
10. Severance by Ling Ma
11. Borne by Jeff Vandermeer
12. The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monster and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O’Meara
13. Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller

Turning the page on a year: Bethlehem Area Public Library staff lists favorite books

My mother, in particular, adores Quinn’s books, and the other day she talked about how great Julia Quinn’s Facebook page is; she gives her favorite historical book recommendations on it as well as shares literary news. The other day she posted about giving out extra copies of her Bridgerton books in various languages! So cool! We checked the Facebook page together and made the request to see if Quinn would send BAPL any. We quickly got a response and she would send over her books in Portuguese as soon as she could. Not long after, we got them!

Our awesome Technical Services Librarian Sue quickly put them in the catalog and I took a photo of the books in our Foreign Language section at the Main Library to promote it online. Soon a Facebook comment arrived from no other than Julia Quinn herself! Swoon! What a gracious person in addition to being an awesome author.

Check out the Bridgerton books today (in whichever language you choose) before Season Two drops in March!

BAPL Lady Whistledown’s True Identity:

Julia, Youth Services Librarian, who is now legally obligated to actually get around to reading Bridgerton after making this blog post.

Kristen suggests Collective Wisdom: Lessons, Inspiration, and Advice from Women Over 50 by Grace Bonney. A collection of interviews and photographs with over 100 trailblazing women over 50 sharing their life insights and stories. This is a great book to pick up when you need some inspiration!

Matthew R. recommends Less (2017) by Andrew Sean Greer. From its utter hilarity throughout to its exploration of deep themes of aging, love, and the meaning of success, Less managed to delight me at every page turn. Greer won the Pulitzer Prize for this work of fiction and it shows – the book and its protagonist, Arthur Less, offer a joyful abundance of pointed prose.

What was YOUR favorite book you read this year?

Lottery by Patricia Wood – Mary Jo R. says this is a great summer read! “What’s your number? Perry L. Crandall’s number is 76. You have to be 75 to be mentally retarded – he is just slow. Perry is 31 years old and lives with his Gram. They have a routine – bingo, words, the lottery, and lists. They keep lists for everything – especially what they will do if they win the lottery. Gram dies suddenly and Perry adjusts to his new life. His friends, Keith, Gary, and Cherry help him. Then he wins the lottery and everyone wants to be his “friend,” especially his older brothers. They want to “con” him out of his money. With the help of Keith and Gary, Perry outwits his brothers and gets what he wants – but so do his brothers. Read this book to find out how. So – what’s your number?”

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – Amy G. describes this book as “part poetry, part memoir, part naturalist guidebook, and part Indigenous wisdom. Beautifully written, Wall Kimmerer, an Environmental Scientist and Potawatomi, offers a love letter to nature and her culture between the pages of her book.”

I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark – Christine M. says “Reading a Mary Higgins Clark mystery is like putting on a comfy pair of socks: easy to read, good for guessing an ending, not a brain-taxing experience. It’s a cozy read and the appropriate people live happily ever after.”

What books do you recommend? Fill out a short book review to enter and our summer reading prize raffle – the contest is open until August 14! You can enter online or in person at any Bethlehem Area Public Library or Bookmobile stop.

Our most recent winner is Karen G., who won a gift certificate to Town & Country Lanes. Thank you to the Friends of the Bethlehem Area Public Library for donating the prize!

Lauren B. tells us about Fatima Farheen Mirza’s first novel, A Place for Us:

A Place for Us is the debut novel of a young author and what a debut it was! I’m looking forward to see where this author goes. This novel is a slow burn family drama, somewhat akin to Little Fires Everywhere. The story starts at a wedding, and then goes back in time, showcasing little events that led the family to where they are at today. A Place for Us is about a Muslim Indian American family and deals with themes such as belonging, family ties, and cultural identity. I would give it a 3.5/5. I would recommend reading as much as possible in one or two sittings. It’ll make the biggest impact that way. When I stretched out readings more, I found I started losing the threads of what was happening in the book, since it does jump around timelines often and from different characters’ perspectives.

Our raffle winner this week is Barbara S., who reviewed Linwood Barkley A Noise Downstairs. She won a gift card to Patti’s Petals. Prizes are donated by the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Friends of the Library.

We have great prizes left – so make sure your get your book reviews in to be entered in the raffle. You may enter online or in person at any Bethlehem library location or bookmobile stop.

It is a year-long series, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

The series next meets on April 29 with Song of Solomon, Morrison’s third published novel. The club will meet online from 6:30-8:00. For more information and to book a spot, visit www.bapl.org/events/toni-morrison-book-club-3

We asked BAPL staff members the question: “What was the best book you read this year?” and are happy to share the answers here. Maybe you’ll find your next great read! Here’s to a healthy and happy 2021.

Ellie and Dawn both chose Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. It is full of drama, humor, surprises and a look at eight very different people who are thrust into a life and death hostage situation by the world’s worst bank robber. A true work of art with wonderful humor, completely unexpected plot twists, and meaningful encouragement for people who are struggling — all in one book!

Stef recommends Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz, the follow up to Magpie Murders. It isn’t necessary to have read the first novel to understand the second, but it does give a rabid mystery fan that sense of satisfaction to know little details from book one that appear in book two. The present-day English murder mystery is one of the most creative and cleverest I have read in quite a while. As with the first installment, there is actually a traditional mystery novel embedded into this contemporary one! Not to pat myself on the back too strenuously, but I did figure out the killer. However, getting there was a wonderful and page-turning ride! I can’t wait for the next one!

Matthew R. recommends City of Glass by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli. In this experimental graphic novel adaptation of Paul Auster’s 1985 book of the same name, protagonist Quinn descends into metaphysical, literary gumshoe. Set in a beautifully illustrated, grungy 1980s Manhattan, City of Glass is worthy of a read for any who love delving deep into discussions of inner psyche and language.

Surprising no one, Josh chose a baseball book: Sixty Feet, Six Inches by Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson. The great Bob Gibson was one of many giants we lost in 2020 and I’m glad I spent some of the year with this 2009 book he co-authored with Reggie Jackson. Reggie was a hitter and Bob a pitcher so readers get two distinct views of baseball from two towering personalities and all-time greats.

David recommends The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single classic in possession of a passionate following must be in want of a sequel. And to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice there have been many sequels and spin-offs, most of them not terribly noteworthy. But The Other Bennet Sister is the genuine article: a continuation of the story without being a slavish imitation or a pallid replica. The novel focuses on bookish Mary Bennet and her attempts to find her way in life apart from her disapproving mother and her glamorous elder sisters with their glittering marriages. Author Hadlow does a brilliant job in capturing Austenesque cadences in speech and style and is faithful to what we know of the characters from ‘P&P’ without allowing them to take center stage and usurp Mary’s spotlight. Highly recommended, especially to lovers of Jane Austen!

Janine chose The Poetry Remedy: Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind, and Soul by William Sieghart. If you are one of those people that seek out poems that adequately portray your whole spectrum of moods and lived experiences, this book is for you! Organized by overarching categories such as “Love and Loss” and “Mental and Emotional Well-Being,” this short collection of poems also comes with an empathetic preface for each one from Sieghart that leaves the reader feeling like they have been seen and heard.

Brad R. says: My most enjoyable read this past year was Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner, which was published back in 1926. Warner is one of those writers whose prose reads like poetry, where every minute description resonates with your own recognition. A quiet book for a (sometimes) quiet year.

Julia recommends: The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso. An epic fantasy focusing on a daughter trying to follow in her late (dictator) father’s footsteps. She must navigate the political field as well as keeping her son safe. Queen Talyien suddenly receives a message from her husband who mysteriously vanished five years earlier, on the eve of their wedding, asking for an opportunity to reconcile… Is this a genuine attempt or a trap? This is a very character-driven fantasy novel that I found in 2020. It’s a fantastic read, especially for those who love the political minefield in books such as Game of Thrones.

Valerie chose Buster Keaton: Tempest in a Flat Hat by Edward McPherson. An essential read for the Keaton lover and for anyone just plain curious about the man The Orlando Sentinel has called, “that most American of the silent clowns.” I love Keaton and so does McPherson, yet the stories are too well-researched and the films too well-defined to charge dilettantism. Times Book Review calls it “captivating.”

Catherine recommends  two picture books that celebrate the power of story and imagination:

1. Just a Story by Jeff Mack. When a boy opens a library book, he unleashes a menagerie of mayhem: pirates, elephants, aliens, and more spill into the scene. But it’s okay because . . . (see title!).
2. Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez. Grandma is planning to make pulpo guisado (octopus stew), but the pulpo has other ideas. A fun celebration of family and storytelling as grandson Ramsey, aka Super Ram, tells the tale.

Bethany says: I couldn’t narrow it down to just one so here two of my favorite books this year (honestly it was even difficult just picking two).

Fiction- Normal People by Sally Rooney. Call me basic but this book definitely lived up to the hype. A story set in Ireland about the relationship over time between two people, complicated by their social and socio-economic divisions. The TV series was also amazing but as usual, the book was better!

Nonfiction- Beyond Beautiful by Anuschka Rees, A Practical Guide to Being Happy, Confident, and You in a Looks-Obsessed World. Empowering and insightful, definitely a book to keep on your shelf and revisit often.

Mary Jane chose: Notre-Dame: A Short History of the Meaning of Cathedrals by Ken Follett. For the lover of cathedrals – world-renowned, best-selling author Ken Follett takes us on a fascinating journey through time on the history of Notre Dame Cathedral and its impact on the building of other cathedrals. Follett has been a frequent visitor to Notre-Dame and discusses his emotional trauma when discovering the cathedral was ablaze in 2019. The author has been making visits to Notre-Dame while it undergoes restoration, and I’m guessing he will follow-up this tome with one regarding the restoration and rebuilding of Notre-Dame. Can’t wait!.

Rayah has five recommendations to share:

1. Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad. This book is for those who honestly want to do something about racism’s insidious infectious disease and face their demons. It is also for those who no longer want to turn a blind-eye by remaining silent to a cancerous issue that continues to eat away at our souls – the time has come for us to say enough. The book is designed to guide and force us to engage in difficult conversations.
2. Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America & Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. If you know nothing about James Baldwin, by the end of this book, you will. I read and listened to it a hundred times – I’m exaggerating. Still, I read it a few times because I liked how the author intertwined his personal journey to unravel and understand Baldwin’s passion for making a difference during the Civil Rights Movement. The book also shows how unrest in the 60s is so prevalent in the 21st century. The author painted a tapestry of words that shows how the unrest in the United States continues.
3. Something Happened in Our Town: Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins & Ann Hazzard; Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin I love, love this book! There are two families, one Black and the other White, converse with their elementary children about the shooting of a Black man. The authors and illustrator crafted a difficult story on the bias, prejudiced attitudes, and discriminatory actions, which will help ease parents’ and educators’ ambivalence to discussing such topics. All three authors are psychologists, and it shines through in their storytelling.
4. Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh is an informative and excellent children’s book. This book gave me goosebumps from the first page because the text and illustration show a sad and distorted child being treated differently. It was the first time learning about Sylvia Mendez, a non-fictional character. Imagine being a child in a new elementary school and being treated as if you don’t belong. “Go back to the Mexican School.” The author writes about a non-fictional character that teaches us about the difficulty of a family fighting for the right to a decent education for their children.
5. My son and I read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart over the summer, and my, oh my, were we surprised at the unexpected ending. There were mystery and unpredictability, and who would have thought that the author would have pulled such a thing on her readers. The book is about a family and their annual trips to their summer beach house. The author weaved a well-written and clever story about the dynamics of a privileged family falling apart because of jealousy and bonded with each other through the power of love.

Dana recommends: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. The story of Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a 17 year old who chooses the disappearance of a local teen, Andie Bell eight years ago, as the topic for her Capstone project. Given local prejudices and gossip, fingers point towards Andie’s boyfriend Sal as the culprit. An “obvious” target, Sal took his own life in the days following Andie’s disappearance. The community feels that Sal’s death speaks to his guilt – case closed. Pippa thinks otherwise and sets out to find what really happened. New evidence comes to light, multiple suspects surface, and danger follows Pip as she persists in her search for the truth.

Sarah recommends Me, by Elton John. Fascinating, fantastic and some funny stories give a good glimpse into the life of a legend.  The audiobook is very well read by Sir Elton and Taron Egerton, the actor who portrayed him in the movie biopic, Rocketman.

This page will feature antiracist resources available in our collections, links to external resources, and information about library programs that promote antiracist conversation within our community and with our patrons.

In our collections

Antiracist reading

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
• How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi
• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (Author), Karen Chilton
• Tears we Cannot Stop, by Michael Eric Dyson
• We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta Nehisi Coates
• Between the World and Me by Ta Nehisi Coates
• White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son by Tim Wise
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Race Matters, 25th Anniversary by Cornel West
• The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race, edited by Jesmyn Ward
• Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
• Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces by Radley Balko
• Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? by Mumia Abu-Jamal
• When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
• A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History by Jeanne Theoharis
• How We Fight White Supremacy by Akiba Solomon and Kenrya Rankin
• On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope by Deray McKesson
• Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon
• The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
• Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F Saad

Black authors, thinkers, and creators

“Reading Anti-Racist Nonfiction Is a Start. But Don’t Underestimate the Power of Black Fiction,” Jasmine Guillory, writing for Time Magazine

• How Long Til Black Future Month?  (Overdrive)
• The City We Became (Overdrive)

• Bloodchild and Other Stories
• Kindred

• The Wedding Party
• Royal Holiday (Overdrive)

• Sula
• The Source of Self Regard: selected essays, speeches, and meditations

• Negroland: A memoir

• Sag Harbor
• Zone One
• The Intuitionist (Overdrive)
• The Underground Railroad (Overdrive)

Films and documentaries

Courageous Conversations: Stamped from the Beginning

• A 5-month discussion series focused on Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
• Watch conversations from the series on BAPL’s Facebook

Dialogues on Racial Justice: An Introductory Workshop Series on Issues of Systemic Racism in the United States

• A 4-week workshop covering how racism is constructed and maintained, historical contexts of systemic oppression and police brutality, and the progress towards equitable reform for restorative justice. Taught by Linda Wiggins-Chavis; thank you, Ms. Wiggins-Chavis!
• If you are interested in hearing more about this program or contacting Linda Wiggins-Chavis, please email Janine at jcarambot@bapl.org.

• Read about the first session, Race and Racism: The Construct of Race and How Racism is Maintained, in the Southsider

• Watch the third session, Police Brutality: A Historical Perspective, on BAPL’s YouTube channel

• Community suggested resources from Dialogues on Social Justice
  • Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon (nonfiction)
  • The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
  • The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (nonfiction)
  • Slavery By Another Name, dir. by Samuel D. Pollard (documentary)
  • ‘The Strange Story Of The Man Behind Strange Fruit’
    by Elizabeth Blair for NPR Morning Edition (2012)
  • ‘The Philadelphia Race Riot (1918)’
    by Will Mack for Blackpast.org (2017)
  • ‘Race riots in Philadelphia during the 1919 Red Summer’
  • ‘MOVE: Or When the Philly Police Dropped a Bomb on a Residential Neighborhood’
    Stuff You Should Know podcast episode (2019)
  • ‘The Long Hot Summer’
    NPR’s Throughline podcast episode (2020)
  • Felony Disenfranchisement Laws Map
    ACLU.org (accessed July 2020)
  • Criminal Disenfranchisement Laws PDF – State by State Breakdown
    BrennanCenter.org (updated June 2020)
  • The Childhood Opportunity Gap Expanded Data Visualizations
    Diversitydatakids.org (2019)

BAPL Virtual Film Club for July 2020: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Available to stream on Kanopy)

Read a review of The Last Black Man in San Francisco in The Southsider!

The Clearing: Movement towards Communities of Compassion

• A Dancing Mindfulness Gathering with Dr. Alisha Tatem. Thank you, Dr. Tatem, for leading this program!
• If you are interested in hearing more about this program or contacting Dr. Tatem, please email Janine at jcarambot@bapl.org.

Black Women Writers: Past and Present

• Presented in partnership with Lehigh University Dept. Of English and facilitated by Jo Grim and Shelby Carr

External links

• Movies
  • Mississippi Burning
  • Loving
  • A Dry White Season
  • Putney Swope
  • 42
  • Whose Streets?
  • White Like Me
  • Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
  • King in the Wilderness
  • Dolores
  • Motorcycle Diaries
  • Che
  • Real Women Have Curves
  • Incident at Oglala 
  • First Daughter and the Black Snake
  • Smoke Signals
  • La Haine/The Hate
  • Driving While Black: Race, Space, and Mobility in America
• Full length films and other videos from PBS
  • Racism in America
  • Reconstruction: After the Civil War
• Bookshare reading lists
  • A further list of anti-racist books
  • Books on anti-racism for kids and teens
  • Books by black authors for adults and teens
  • YA reads featuring leads that are People of Color
• Black Film history links
  • UCLA Film and Television Archive
  • Criterion Channel: Pioneers of African American Cinema
  • NPR Podcast Special Series: African Americans in Film
  • Film Quarterly
  • National Museum of African American History & Culture: Film and Television
  • The Guardian: “Black films matter – how African American cinema fought back against Hollywood”
  • Film Forum: “BLACK WOMEN: Trailblazing African American Actresses & Images, 1920 – 2001”
  • University of Maine Honors Thesis: “A Comparative Study of African American Representations in Film from Original to Remake as Influenced by the Civil Rights Movement”
• Articles & Podcasts – community suggested resources compiled during Dialogues on Social Justice
  • ‘The Strange Story Of The Man Behind Strange Fruit’
    by Elizabeth Blair for NPR Morning Edition (2012)
  • ‘The Philadelphia Race Riot (1918)’
    by Will Mack for Blackpast.org (2017)
  • ‘Race riots in Philadelphia during the 1919 Red Summer’
  • ‘MOVE: Or When the Philly Police Dropped a Bomb on a Residential Neighborhood’
    Stuff You Should Know podcast episode (2019)
  • ‘The Long Hot Summer’
    NPR’s Throughline podcast episode (2020)
  • Felony Disenfranchisement Laws Map
    ACLU.org (accessed July 2020)
  • Criminal Disenfranchisement Laws PDF – State by State Breakdown
    BrennanCenter.org (updated June 2020)
  • The Childhood Opportunity Gap Expanded Data Visualizations
    Diversitydatakids.org (2019)

Jodi recommends: I would like to recommend The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.  Both children and adults will fall in love with this somewhat snotty china rabbit who is owned and adored by a little girl named Abilene Tulane.  Edward’s journey begins when he is accidentally lost at sea for almost a year.  From being rescued by a fisherman, to befriending a hobo and his dog and living in a dump, to ending up on a shelf in a doll makers shop, Edward’s journey spans many years and through these years his heart softens and he learns to love.  Available as both an ebook and an audiobook on Overdrive.

Kate recommends: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. Totally engrossing! Wildly smart, fun, and about how people change, create, and survive over a lifetime. Also! Anything by P.D. James, Kate Atkinson, or Louise Penny–Nothing like a deeply humane and compelling mystery (with a solution) to comfort the soul.

Brad R. recommends: In times of stress I tend to climb back into the world of Sherlock Holmes, with all of its rich detail and vividness. Sherlock always puts things right, in the end (or almost always). Also of benefit is that there are so many great stories by Doyle to read, not to mention all of the filmed interpretations (Granada’s series with Jeremy Brett is most bingeable), and even more Holmes stories by other writers to discover! As a second choice, I’d also like to mention Peanuts by Charles Shulz. The Complete Peanuts by Fantagraphics Books is ideal, but there are so many collections that getting ahold of some classic cartoons should be easy.

Regina recommends: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. Allen’s novels are fun and light and dip magical realism. This story, available on Overdrive, has all the elements of easy Southern charm, including a big old mansion, misfortune, scandal, romance, and secrets to be discovered.

Erin recommends:  Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass and Court of Thorns and Roses series. Maas is a young adult fantasy author, but her books are big hits with adults, as well. They are full of adventure, intrigue, romance, and compelling characters. Plus, there are many books in each series, so anyone with extra time on their hands and extra worries on their mind can take a real deep dive into Maas’ beautifully crafted worlds.

Caitlin recommends: Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling A great source of comfort for me is to return to a place of familiarity, which in this case would be the magical world of Harry and friends. Their adventures at Hogwarts and beyond, are filled with excitement and humor, and at times, heartbreak. Personally, I find the series’ themes of friendship, love, and hope in the face of difficult times uplifting. The whole series is available on Overdrive, in e-book and e-audiobook format… but most of the titles in the series appear to have a waitlist, so apparently others consider these books to be comfort reads too!

Catherine recommends: 

• The Heart of a Whale by Anna Pignataro. Awash with soothing watercolors, this tail (!) of a lonely whale makes a good choice for quiet time or bedtime reading—with a happy ending for all.
• The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry. The unlikely friendship between a scarecrow and a baby crow grows into a tale of enduring love. With touching rhymes and expressive art, this book is one you won’t mind reading over and over.
• And for a laugh: Hello, Door by Alastair Heim. In this loose variation on Goldilocks, a felonious fox learns the perils of breaking into strangers’ houses—or does he?

Janine recommends: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In this classic, Lewis ingeniously portrays the voice of temptation through Uncle Screwtape, who is writing to his evil-aspiring nephew Wormwood, instructing him of the ins and outs of evil-doing by talking through his own endeavors in the corruption of his “patient.” Through Screwtape’s malevolent advice, the reader gathers both an honest and humorous take of the things in this world that teach us about our own human vulnerabilities and virtues, and how we can prevail despite the evils in this world. A quick and brilliant read- now available on Overdrive!

Dana recommends: Any children’s title by Oliver Jeffers.Okay, they may not provide comfort but they are laugh out loud funny and laughter can be good for your health. Jeffers is best known for illustrating Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit, but has written and illustrated several picture books of his own including our favorite, Stuck. It’s the story of Floyd and his kite. One day, Floyd’s kite becomes stuck in a tree. Floyd throws up his favorite shoe to dislodge his kite, but this becomes stuck too. Floyd then throws up his other shoe, and so on, and so on… This picture book is an unbelievable adventure in ridiculous behavior and absurd choices. Read it and have a good laugh.

Valerie recommends: The books of Mark Twain. We have several of his titles in our Overdrive collection. Great for just about all ages and lovely for a family read-aloud.

Sarah recommends: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. It is little bit hokey with some obvious “moral of the story” messages. And yet, there is comfort in the reminders that adapting to change is essential to life. Sometimes change is a surprise or sometimes it comes with some warning signs. When we are open to seeing such warning signs, we can predict and prepare for new circumstances. Acknowledging the surprise change, even if temporary, reduces our stress level and helps us adapt more smoothly.

Original video idea by Clearwater Public Library

Music by Bensound – Song: Happyrock

Music by Bensound – Song: Happyrock 

David recommends: IF CATS DISAPPEARED FROM THE WORLD by Genki Kawamura, trans. by Eric Selland. When a young postman is given a grim prognosis by his doctor, and, as he and his faithful cat Cabbage ponder his future, the devil appears, to offer him an extra day of life, provided he agrees to the total elimination of something (telephones, movies, etc.). When, on the third day, the devil proposes the elimination of all cats from the world, the postman is confronted with a painful choice. — This book is about recognizing one’s own mortality, taking responsibility for one’s decisions, and determining what, exactly, it is that gives a life value and meaning. (Sounds heavy…but it’s not! It’s amazingly delightful.)

Valerie recommends: RESERVOIR 13 by Jon McGregor. A beautifully written book that gives new meaning to concepts of time, community, and nature itself.

Julia recommends: NICE DRAGONS FINISH LAST by Rachael Aaron. The first in the Heartstriker. series, this follows Julius, the nicest dragon in a clan full of bloodthirsty and scheming dragons. Julius gets punished by his equally bloodthirsty mother and forced to live as a human in one of the biggest supernatural cities in America! He teams up with a witch who is a very entertaining character, I loved this book and its series due to its urban fantasy elements and of course, dragons, they’re always entertaining to read about. A refreshing narrative about a protagonist not dealing with internal struggle, but rather dealing with people like his mother who refuse to accept his goodhearted nature.

Matthew R recommends: THE PUBLIC LIBRARY: A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY by Robert Dawson. This recent collection of photographs chronicles American public libraries, big and small, bustling and vacant, from the small town to the big city. Dawson’s vibrant photographs capture just how varied this nation’s libraries are, and just how integral they are to their communities. The photographs are supplanted by an ample serving of library-centric essays from well-known authors such as Barbara Kingsolver and Amy Tan and tibbits and anecdotes about unique public libraries that will fascinate Americana enthusiasts.

Bethany recommends: SLOW: SIMPLE LIVING FOR A FRANTIC WORLD by Brooke McAlary. A terrific guide/reminder to slow down enjoy people and experiences around us without acquiring more stuff! The philosophy of simple living is about finding the freedom to be less perfect and taking time to enjoy the pure joy of life.

Janine recommends VAPOR: poesía selecta/selected poems by Javier Ávila.  Ávila explores themes of identity, family, mortality, faith, love, lust, and professorship within his own life. His poems, written in English and Spanish, captivate the reader in intense and beautiful ways. A truly brilliant collection of poetry!

Kate recommends: EMPTY MANSIONS: THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF HUGUETTE CLARK AND THE SPENDING OF A GREAT AMERICAN FORTUNE by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr. A page-turning historical biography–and catalogue of fortune–that spans from the Gilded Age to the present, exploring the very unusual life (and death) of one of the last surviving daughters of the age of robber barons, and how tremendous wealth can shape a life.

Brad recommends: ANNIVERSARIES by Uwe Johnson. The daily life of an immigrant single mother and her daughter in NYC in 1967-8 is interspersed with the story of her German family before, during, and after the Nazi catastrophe. An unbelievable feat of writing, newly translated. It’s long, so requires commitment, but very rewarding.

Matt W recommends: THE NEW CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HIT MAN by John Perkins. Former economic hit man John Perkins shares new details about the ways he and others cheated countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Then he reveals how the deadly EHM cancer he helped create has spread far more widely and deeply than ever in the US and everywhere else—to become the dominant system of business, government, and society today. Finally, he gives an insider view of what we each can do to change it. Economic hit men are the shock troops of what Perkins calls the corporatocracy, a vast network of corporations, banks, colluding governments, and the rich and powerful people tied to them.

Libby recommends: SLOAN KRAUSE MYSTERIES (SERIES) by Ellie Alexander. These books appeal to the next generation of cozy mystery readers. Sloan Krause, who works in a brewery in a town similar to our cozy Bethlehem, finds herself investigating strange murders during peak season in this quaint Beervaria village.

Sarah recommends: SPACE BOY #1 by Stephen McCranie. Fun, fresh story line and fully absorbing graphics. A quick, engaging read with a satisfying conclusion, yet intriguing questions remain to be answered. Luckily, binge-worthy volumes 2-4 are found in BAPL’s collection!

Stephanie recommends: CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER by Phaedra Patrick – One of the most heartwarming love notes I have stumbled upon! ( And I hate romance books!) A lonely widower discovers his late wife’s charm bracelet that she assembled before her marriage. Who was this woman he loved for 40 years before she was Mrs. Pepper?

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, Little, Brown and Co., 2011

The Crime Writer: A Novel by Jill Dawson, Harper Perennial, 2017

Baby Teeth: A Novel by Zoje Stage, St. Martin’s Press, 2018

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel by Gail Honeyman, Penguin Books, 2017

The Girls by Emma Cline, Random House,  2016

Gone So Long: A Novel by Andre Dubus III, W. W. Norton & Company, 2018

Libra by Don DeLillo, Penguin, 1988

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, Hachette, 2013

The Music Shop: A Novel by Rachel Joyce, Random House, 2018

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, Random House, 2017

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, Celadon Books, 2019

Social Creature: A Novel by Tara Isabelle Burton, Doubleday, June 5, 2018

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, Random House, 2011

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, Doubleday, 2016

The Vacationers by Emma Straub, Penguin,  2014

We Were the Lucky Ones: A Novel by Georgia Hunter, Penguin Books, 2017

What the Dead Know: A Novel by Laura Lippman, William Morrow, 2009

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud, Knopf, 2013

From Cor Van den Heuvel’s ‘The haiku anthology’

The artist known as “peanueti” from right here in Bethlehem is the first community member to participate in a “BAPL Community Recommended Reads” display. We thought it would be fun to have some BAPL regulars do their own version of a shelf-talker or “staff picks” list. The books are available at the Main Library on the first floor waiting to be read, so come check them out. Literally!

Titles include books on ecology, poetry, music, art and more. (Partial list is below.)

• Andrew Wyeth : close friends  — Andrew Wyeth (artist)
• Catching the big fish : meditation, consciousness, and creativity — David Lynch
• The haiku anthology — Cor Van den Heuvel
• The eco-living handbook : a complete green guide for your home and life — Sarah Callard
• Bob Marley : his musical legacy — Jeremy Collingwood
• The Misfit’s Manifesto — Lidia Yuknavitch
• Behave : the biology of humans at our best and worst — Robert Sapolsky

JANINE RECOMMENDS: Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson. Brilliantly organized in a liturgical format, Dyson writes a concise history of America’s systemic racism, provides tangible ways to discuss and dismantle these institutional systems, and lovingly convicts white allies to struggle through their discomfort to do so. Regardless of the title, this is a must-read for anyone living in America today.

DAWN RECOMMENDS: The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels by Jon Meacham. A reminder of discordant times in the history of the United States, the book focuses on the resilience of the American people while they dealt with each challenging issue. An informative and enjoyable book which offers hope for the future.

DAVID RECOMMENDS: Between Earth and Sky by Amanda Skenandore. The wife of a prominent Philadelphia attorney (c1906) reads in the newspaper of the impending murder trial of a Native American she knew some twenty years earlier, when her parents opened a school in Wisconsin to educate Native American children. In her determination to save him, she finds she must confront some aspects of her past that she has kept well-hidden–and ask herself searching questions about the wisdom of assimilation and the issue of racism. The reader will ponder these questions, too, once the pages of the novel are closed.

JOSH RECOMMENDS: I’m going to break with tradition here and not recommend a baseball book. I’m also going to stretch the definition of “read” and recommend an audio book I listened to. That audio book is Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches by John Hodgman. Hodgman is known for his TV appearances, but boy is he an excellent writer. The stories are hilarious and moving and touching without being sappy. He writes about his kids and his family and his famous friends all with the same wit and observational flair. I really enjoyed his reading of the book as well. I’m sure it’s great on the page, but I feel like the audiobook version (read by the author) gave it that extra Hodgmannishness. “Maine is not a death cult. I mean, it is, but it’s a slow one.”

VALERIE RECOMMENDS: The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. A seamless blend of 1940’s American political history, autobiography, and fictionalized response to the question, “Could it happen here?” What if Lindbergh had run for president and defeated Franklin Roosevelt?  What if Lindbergh’s America First Party had allied itself with the Fascists of Germany?  What if American Jews were displaced from their homes and forced to live in restricted areas? Another vital read for all of us living in America today.

KRYSTA RECOMMENDS: Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. An immersive fantasy adventure, this book follows twelve-year-old Sophie Foster as she leaves the human world behind to hone her telepathic abilities in a magical elven school. Detailed world-building, a sympathetic cast of characters, and plenty of action make this an ideal series starter for fans of Harry Potter or of fantasy in general.

SARAH RECOMMENDS: Educated by Tara Westover. True story about her life, so far. This young woman was raised by survivalists with no formal education until she went to college. A story of family loyalty versus self loyalty and the balance of self reliance versus human society. A wonderfully written memoir, by a born writer, that you may forget is non-fiction.

LIBBY RECOMMENDS: The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur. The Sun and Her Flowers sheds light on the struggles of the author, many of which we can all relate to. With themes ranging from depression, rebirth, immigration, and survivorship, Kaur helps her readers understand that they are not alone, and that the sun will always shine in the morning.

BAPL is partnering with PBS39, ArtsQuest, Let’s Play Books!, and the public libraries of the Lehigh Valley to bring the conversation locally. We are kicking off the fun at Musikfest. Each day of the festival at noon there will be read-alouds of classic books for kids and families held at the Crayola Creativity Tent. Join us and cast your vote!

What is your favorite book on the list? Vote here!

Additionally, we are making a movie! Email us here if you would like to be part of our film: “The Great Lehigh Valley Read!” All you have to do is talk about a book you love. You can submit the video to us or come to a scheduled taping (dates tbd). The final project will be screened at a date to be determined, along with the big announcement of the most-loved book in the Lehigh Valley! Who will win? Let the debate begin!

My favorites:

• A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck- Full disclosure, this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve read this book. It’s a Christian fiction romance about a woman from New Orleans who has left her past as a 40s style lounge singer behind her, and is trying to forget the man she loved, Luc,who broke her heart years before. When he shows up out of the blue to invite her back to New Orleans with him to sing at his brothers wedding she accepts, but only so she can retrieve her grandmother’s engagement ring and go on to marry her semi-boring boyfriend. Not surprisingly her reunion with Luc turns her carefully constructed plan upside down.

• Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady’s Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneill- This is quite possibly the funniest book I have ever read. At various points I laughed until I cried, and I kept insisting my mom listen to various hilarious and horrifying facts found in the book. Oneill is a humorous historical writer, and she guides the reader through the nitty gritty disgusting details of being a woman in the Victorian era. Be warned that this book is not for the faint of heart- those ladies did not lead glamorous lives- but it will make you very grateful you were born in modern day.

• Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter- I devoured this book in a day. Maddie and Logan used to be best friends. Until Russian terrorists tried to kidnap the First Lady of the United States (who is also Logan’s mom) and their plot puts Maddie’s dad, part of the White House security detail, in the hospital. After his release, Maddie’s dad moves them to Alaska, and despite writing many letters, Maddie never hears from Logan again. Until he pulls a stunt that causes his parents to send him somewhere he won’t be able to get into trouble…Alaska. But the reappearance of her best friend is the least of Maddie’s problems…

May reads:

• A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck

• Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

• Lost Books and Old Bones (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #3) by Paige Shelton

• The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #2) by Dorothy Gilman

• Sprinkle with Murder (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #1) by Jenn McKinlay

• Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady’s Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneill

• Royals by Rachel Hawkins

• Corrupted (Rosato & DiNunzio #3) by Lisa Scottoline

• The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters

• Cursed (Regan Reilly Mysteries #12) by Carol Higgins Clark

• The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody #3) by Elizabeth Peters

The Other Lady Vanishes by Amanda Quick

The Dry by Jane Harper: A man returns to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood best friend.  An engrossing, suspense filled, murder mystery told in the present tense with flashbacks that might illuminate characters’ attitudes. If you like this one, then next up is her new book, Force of Nature.  Recommended by Sarah

Stay Awake by Dan Chaon: This collection will make you feel uncomfortable in all the right ways. Chaon gives you a look into the lives of characters that come face to face with personal horrors which seem to seep from the past to the present and from dreams to reality. Chaon’s writing style leaves you wondering what’s real and what’s not and might make you look closer at your own strange life. Recommended by Janine

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline: When a 17 year old girl in foster care ends up doing community service hours helping a very wealthy 90 year old woman, they are surprised to find how much they have in common.  Many years before, the elderly woman had been put on the Orphan Train, taken to the Mid-West by the Children’s Aid Society, and given away to anyone who wanted help.  Surprising, but logical, twists and turns bring these two together in a small Maine town.  Because it is based on history, the story is at times disturbing but ultimately uplifting.  Well written.  Recommended by Donna

Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray: Clover, a wife and mother in her fifties, wakes up one morning and discovers she is invisible. Incredibly, it takes two weeks for her husband and grown son to realize it. She joins a support group of invisible women and they work together to find a solution to their plight. Humorous and well written, this book caught my attention and kept me interested right up to the end. Recommended by Ellie

Try these two picture books for Summer bedtime stories, Recommended by Catherine

Windows by Julia Denos: As a young boy walks through the neighborhood at dusk, he sees many different scenes through lighted windows. A calm and quiet read that lends itself to a family walk the next night.

The Boy and the Blue Moon by Sara O’Leary: “On the night of the blue moon, anything can happen,” said the boy. And it does. A walk with his cat takes him through the nighttime forest and then on to the moon, where they share a space-eye view of the Blue Planet, Earth. A good companion to Windows, with most pages heavily saturated in deep blue.

Like audiobooks?

How to Listen to and Understand Great Music by Robert Greenberg: I’ve been listening to this great book on CD — it is a series of lectures given by Robert Greenberg. Although I’m just finishing up the first set of 8 lectures, I’ve learned a lot and his sense of humor is wonderful. All in all, a lot more fun than I would have expected! Recommended by Dawn

Children’s and Young Adult novels

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend: In this humorous middle-grade book, eleven-year-old Morrigan Crow enters the magical world of Nevermoor, where she must compete to become a member of the Wundrous Society.  Perfect for fans of Harry Potter. Recommended by Krysta

Royals by Rachel Hawkins: Daisy Winters didn’t ask to be thrust into the spotlight (and the tabloids) but when her older sister gets engaged to the prince of Scotland, Daisy’s world gets turned upside down. A great young adult read, especially in the wake of the royal wedding.  Recommended by Jenne

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter: Maddie and Logan were best friends. Until the night Russians attempted to kidnap Logan’s mom, the First Lady of the United States. Now Maddie’s dad, a former Secret Service agent, has dragged Maddie to the middle of nowhere, Alaska, and Logan hasn’t answered her letters in years. But all of that is about to change when Logan pushes his parents too far and they send him to the one place he can’t get into trouble–Alaska. Recommended by Jenne

Hunger by Donna Jo Napoli: The story of 12 year old Lorraine and her family and the hardships they endured during the Irish potato famine.   A family of tenant farmers, Lorraine, her parents, and little brother Paddy discover their blighted crops, acknowledge the dire consequences, and look for ways to survive.  Their close knit community of farmers share and help one another in the face of starvation, sickness, and death.  This is an overwhelmingly sad tale of a strong girl who goes to great lengths to help others survive.  She befriends a wealthy English landowner’s daughter who comes to understand the farmer’s plight, and provides Lorraine with eggs that feed many desperate families.  As their close friends leave Ireland, Lorraine’s family remains on the land that they love.  The book provides much information on the famine but also gives readers a feel for Irish culture and tradition, interweaving Irish words into the text.  A glossary and timeline of Irish history provide additional information and clarification for the reader. Recommended by Dana

Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff: Conveys what it was like on the World War II home front for Lily and her Grandmother.  The two spend the summer of 1944 at the family summer house in Rockaway.  Lily’s father has recently joined U.S. forces in Europe and her best friend in Rockaway moved away to follow the family to better employment opportunities.  Lily, left to her own devices, finds interesting, sometimes questionable, ways to spend her time alone, but longs for a friend.  She is introduced to Albert, a refugee from Hungary, who has lost everything.  Together, they navigate uncertainty, loss, grief, great adventure, and eventually hope.  Readers are introduced to the war era from a child’s perspective, one that holds on the belief that anything is possible.  This is a great, classic read that I am glad I finally picked up. Recommended by Dana

Here are a few non-fiction picks

An epidemic of absence : a new way of understanding allergies and autoimmune diseases by Moises Velasquez-Manoff is fascinating. Well-researched and finely written–poses the question: How do we balance the benefits of scientific discovery with thousands of years of hard-wired human evolution? Reads like a thriller memoir. In order to bring home the drama of his thesis, Velasquez-Manoff documents his personal struggles with autoimmune disease. WARNING: Has a definite “ick” factor–Hookworms may be beneficial? Ewwwww. Recommended by Valerie

Gratitude by Oliver Sacks: Gratitude is a great small read for people encountering Sacks’ work for the first time. With his selection of words and unraveling tales, he guides us to look inwards and reflect upon life as mortal beings. Recommended by Ari

I’m Keith Hernandez by Keith Hernandez: I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t Hernandez famous for being on The Mets? And also for his mustache? True on both accounts. And although I love mustaches, as a Phillies fan I distinctly don’t love The Mets. However Hernandez has written a fantastic baseball memoir here. It’s more reflective and literary than the typical sports memoir. Hernandez includes poignant tales of his childhood as well as on-the-field moments illustrating his career from the minors to big-league superstar. Highly recommended for baseball fans! Recommended by Josh