Have you ever wanted to take time and let the world fall away while you read? Well, some of our patrons lived that dream for one weekend at the recent reading retreat hosted at the library. Participants enjoyed silent reading, an acoustic concert, and yoga in the library atrium.
One theme from the weekend was community. The library is a place of community. It offers programs and services that bring people together. This program was no different except that it brought together a diverse community of readers with different interests and preferences who were able to share those differences and contribute to the reading lives of others.
Every few hours participants joined together for snacks, tea, or just a break and sat together and talked. Included in those gatherings were book related conversation starters. Below are some of those questions and book recommendations that we received along the way.
What book are you reading today?
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The story of a murder on an isolated Irish island, The Guest List is told through the points of view of multiple characters all of whom could be suspects. The participant reading the book finished and enjoyed it, but thought that The Hunting Party (also by Lucy Foley) was better.
What are your thoughts on books being made into movies?
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
The participants were skeptical of books being made into movies. That being said, there was high praise for adaptations of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The most sought after version? The 1995 BBC adaptation with Colin Firth.
What book was your childhood favorite?
Matilda by Roald Dahl
We had a variety of answers for this one, as one would expect. The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett had their fans. There was also some debate about Roald Dahl. Matilda was a particular favorite, but the merits other books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were debated.
What book would you recommend that everyone read?
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
A book on what modern feminism looks like, it is based on a TedX talk of the same name. We Should All Be Feminists was recommended for all adult and teen readers, all genders and races.
There were some other book recommendations that you can find here at the library:
An important book to read: Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock.
The most chilling book you’ve read: The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
Your coziest sci fi: A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
A book that changed your perspective: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Do you wish that you had been able to attend? Want to discuss books with others? Try out our book clubs: Books on Tap; Brown Bag Books; or Contemporary Books.