Catherine Coles
Coles’ Notes
The staff of the County of L&A Libraries are avid readers and always eager to share their favourite books. Here we bring you a list of some of the reads we’ve recently enjoyed. This month you’ll find two compelling historicals, a riveting thriller, an upbeat juvenile book, and a romantic short story collection for teens.
Julie recently enjoyed The Captive by Fiona King Foster
“Set in an alternative present day in a secessionist rural state where its residents need to survive without everyday comforts, Beth has to face her past when a fugitive turns up at her farm. The fugitive that she captures is a man from the family that was in a blood feud with her own notorious family before she escaped and started her new quiet existence. The secrets she has tried to keep hidden from her new family are threatened to be exposed as they set out on foot to bring the fugitive to justice. The Captive is an exciting debut novel by Fiona King Foster reminiscent of The Kept and The Donnellys Must Die. Is it worth risking her family’s safety and her secrets being exposed to claim the reward?”
Marg recently enjoyed The Woman Outside My Door by Rachel Ryan
“What would you do if your seven year old son insists that his imaginary friend ‘New Granny’ is real, then she suddenly starts making phone calls and showing up (undetected of course) at the playground with treats for him? Sound creepy? Well it is! The Woman Outside My Door, is the fast-paced debut novel by Rachel Ryan. This captivating domestic thriller will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, and Clare MacKintosh will likely enjoy this thrilling page-turner.”
Karen S recently enjoyed Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance is delightful and funny – I was listening in the car and found myself laughing out loud a number of times. She’s never one to back away from a cause, whether it’s big or small, so when sports-loving Lupe finds out the next unit in PE is square dancing, there’s no way she’s going to let that happen! You see, Lupe’s father had passed away a couple of years ago, and this year her uncle had promised her if she got all As he’d arrange a meeting for her with Fu Li Hernandez, her favourite major league pitcher. I have to admit I couldn’t quite identify with her feelings, since I hated sports and quite enjoyed square dancing, but that didn’t stop my admiration for her tenacity, spirit, and love for her friends and family and empathizing with the loss of her father. The book accurately portrays the world of 12 year olds, with friends, frenemies, selfishness, and sticking up for each other. I would suggest this book for any child in that age range, and also for the adults who know and love them!”
Kristin recently enjoyed The Exiles by Christina Baker Klein
“Christina Baker Klein, bestselling author of Orphan Train, returns with a riveting tale that that captures the hardship and resilience of a trio of women’s lives in 19th-century Australia. This impressive novel tells the story of a new society being created in a beautiful, yet challenging land. It honours the strong, unbreakable women of history who were ripped from their homes, or who had to suffer through the dehumanizing conditions on convict ships. I assure you that reading The Exiles will touch your heart, stir your soul, and conquer up a variety of emotions thanks to the phenomenal story-telling ability of this author!”
Chantell recently enjoyed Together, Apart
“This young adult novel is a collection of short stories written by a variety of authors about finding love in unexpected places while living in a pandemic. The stories give you hope and possibilities in a time of isolation and uncertainty that are fun and relatable. This makes this a great lockdown read that captures reality and shows that we are not alone in this world. If you are a fan of YA Fiction, enjoy short stories or you are looking for a book that puts a positive spin on this pandemic, then give this title a try.”
All of these titles can be reserved online with your library card at CountyLibrary.ca.