New books in today

Taming the Wind

A Sunless Sea

Westward Hearts

New mystery novels are in demand

by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian

According to an issue of Library Journal from earlier this year, mystery novels are the most popular type of books for adults in libraries throughout the United States. That seems to be true here in Litchfield, as well. William Kent Krueger’s newest, Trickster’s Point, has a substantial waiting list of 64 people on the 26 copies in the system. While you’re waiting for your copy to arrive, here are some other new mysteries you can check out from our library.

Queen’s Bounty by Fiona Buckley is part of the Ursula Blanchard series. Ursula is a special aide to Queen Elizabeth I. She receives a threatening letter from a countess who was exiled for treason against Elizabeth, a plot Ursula helped uncover. Strange things begin to happen, and Ursula is accused of being a witch.

Die a Stranger by Steve Hamilton is the ninth Alex McKnight novel. Set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, this mystery starts with bodies left behind after a shoot-out at a remote airstrip. This is followed by the disappearance of Alex’s best friend Vinnie, an Ojibwa tribal member. This series is known for its UP ambiance.

The Crowded Grave: A Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker is part of another mystery series, one that features Bruno Courreges, chief of police in a French village. Bruno investigates a modern body with a gunshot wound, found at a Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal archaeological site. A series of attacks by animal rights activists on foie gras producers and an upcoming international summit complicate the investigation.

Crime Fraiche by Alexander Campion is another mystery set in France and featuring its food, with more of a cozy mystery style. Detective Capucine LeTellier arrives in Normandy with her husband for pheasant hunting season, but a series of hunting accidents kill several employees of a local cattle ranch, and Capucine has to investigate.

The Yard by Alex Grecian is the first novel in a new series, set in Victorian England. Walter Day is newly hired by “The Murder Squad”, Scotland Yard’s group of twelve detectives dedicated to investigating the many murders in London. Public opinion of the Murder Squad is low after they failed to find Jack the Ripper, and then a member of the squad is murdered. Walter teams with Scotland Yard’s first forensic pathologist to solve the crime.

What Comes Next by John Katzenbach is set in modern-day Massachusetts. A retired professor sees a teenage girl abducted. A sadistic couple features her torture in a webcast, but the police can’t find her. The professor decides to find her himself, but he is racing against not only the kidnappers, but also a disease that is destroying his brain and causing him to experience hallucinations. The professional reviewers praise this book, but the average people on Amazon are divided on whether the book is wonderful or terrible.

All of the books listed here were purchased by our library with funding from our local Friends of the Library group. When you shop at our monthly book sale, that money goes to the Friends, which supplements our regular book budget as well as children’s programming and other needs. Our next book sale will be held on Saturday, September 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed for Labor Day

Pioneerland libraries, including Litchfield, will be closed on Monday, September 3, for Labor Day.  Enjoy the holiday!

New (and donated) adult books



The Christmas Pony



And When She Was Good



Love's Long Journey



The Annual Book Bag Review

 By Jan Pease

How I spent my vacation, or a peek in the Pease family book bags. We enjoyed our week away, but as always, the time passed too quickly. I spent hours reading, napping, walking and even did a tiny bit of writing. When I look out over the expanse of Lake Superior, I feel a sense of far-sightedness, somehow seeing more clearly than at home. The Lake rewarded us with its constantly changing moods, gray and still one minute, blue waves with white foam crashing on the rocky beach the next.

I always bring a mystery or thriller along for vacation. This year I read “Red Mist,” by Patricia Cornwell. This, the 19th Scarpetta novel, reminds me of some of her early books, written in the first person. I enjoyed the book. A long-running series tends to become a little tedious, but I think Cornwell is back on track.

I usually bring along a nonfiction book, because I tend to read fiction but think I should read more nonfiction. This year’s book is “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” Written by Susan Cain, this book celebrates the quiet ones. Since I’m a person who needs a lot of down time, this book resonates with me.

Another nonfiction find is “A Jane Austen Devotional,” by Steffany Woolsey, and Jane Austen. This devotional book pairs excerpts from the Austen novels with scripture and a short devotional thought by Steffany Woolsey. I enjoy reading Steffany’s thoughts on favorite passages from my favorite novels. Her choice of Scripture is always appropriate

Because of my enjoyment of all things Austen, I tried “Shades of Milk and Honey,” by Mary Robinette Kowal. Amazon.com called this book “a quasi-Regency fantasy debut.” Ms. Kowal blends characters that would fit quite well in “Pride and Prejudice” or “Persuasion,” with a light touch of magic called “glamour.” It could be Jane Austen with magic, but somehow it isn’t. But it was a great quick vacation read. If I could work “glamour,” I’d find something more interesting to do with it other than hiding bad teeth or making wall murals.

Another, more successful blending of wit reminiscent of Miss Austen with the paranormal, is “Soulless,” the first book in the “The Parasol Protectorate” quintet, by Gail Carriger. Amazon.com says that “Soulless” is “is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.” I’m not a fan of paranormal fiction, but this blend of steampunk, the paranormal and Victorian London is a lot of fun. I plan to continue on with the next four books even though vacation is done.



The other series I’m reading is George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire.” We watched the dvds based on the series, HBO’s “A Game of Thrones” each night before going to bed, which made for some interesting dreams. I’m reading the newest book, “A Dance with Dragons” as slowly as I can, to savor the experience. Mr. Martin is working on the next book in the series, but it won’t be published for some time. I plan to re-read the series to get a better understanding of the complicated plot and characters and will enjoy every word

Dave is reading Brandon Sanderson, the author chosen to finish Robert Jordan’s monumental series “The Wheel of Time.” Dave read the first two books in the “Mistborn” series, “Mistborn,” and “The Well of Ascension.” (He already read and enjoyed the George R.R. Martin books.) He also continued to read his Bible, as he reads it in its entirety every year. I admire his discipline. Some years I get stuck in Leviticus or the minor prophets and don’t make it farther. It’s hard to admit such frailty, but there it is.

Finally, I should admit that I really didn’t bring a book bag. All of my books fit on my e-reader, with room to spare. Technology really is amazing. See you at the library!

Summer's Ending, Fall's Beginning

by Beth Cronk, county librarian


As we look ahead to fall, I’d like to invite you to put some Litchfield Library events on your calendar.

The first is really an end of summer event. It’s taking place Thursday, August 23rd, at 3 p.m. We’re having a special event for the end of our summer reading program. Kids of all ages, especially those who are in elementary school, are invited to Professor Marvel’s Dream Machines, a fun-filled magic show. Magician Robert Halbrook always focuses his show around children’s books, both classic and new, to fire kids up about reading. This summer’s show is based on our summer reading theme Dream Big: Read. I can’t say I’m a big fan of magicians in general, but I love to watch Robert. His shows are interesting, he’s funny, and he gets the crowd involved in a really enjoyable way. I’ve seen a huge crowd of both kids and parents having a great time at a show he did here in Litchfield a couple of years ago. Drop in to the children’s department at 3:00 to celebrate summer and reading. Kids can still turn in their reading logs until the end of the month.

In September I’m starting a new adult book club. We will have a brown-bag book club for adults that will meet at noon on the second Tuesday of the month. We’ll meet in the library meeting room for about 45 minutes, but if you need to get back to work after a half hour, you are welcome to leave sooner. You may bring your lunch if you wish. I’m hoping this will be a good opportunity for adults working in town who can get away on their lunch break, people who have jobs that aren’t 9 to 5, retirees, and stay-at-home parents who don’t have their kids with them at that time. Our first meeting will be on September 11th, and our first book is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I have copies available; stop in to pick one up if you’d like to join us.

Our gaming club is continuing on Monday nights from 6-8 p.m. It’s for adults, teens, and kids ages 10 and up. We have been getting a small but steady turnout from all of those age groups, and they’ve been having a good time. Sign up at the library if you plan to come every week or just once in a while, so that our volunteer leader can plan the night’s activities. So far they’ve played Dungeons & Dragons, BattleTech, and Magic: The Gathering. If you have a tabletop game you’d like to bring in and demonstrate, talk to me about setting up an evening for that. If you’re into something like Settlers of Catan or Dominion, we’d love to have you teach others how your new favorite game is played.

Save the date for the Litchfield Public Library Foundation’s wine & cheese fundraiser on Thursday, October 25th. It will be held at the Litchfield VFW from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at the library, at the Litchfield liquor store, and from library board members. The foundation is asking for a donation of $20 per ticket. The event will feature local authors, as well as wine, cheese, and chocolate tasting. Invite your friends and make it a fun night out.

New adult fiction

Seating Arrangements

You & Me

The World Without You