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 a few compelling non-fiction titles, an interactive picture book, and a novel of epistolary domestic fiction.
Karen N suggests The Hidden World of the Fox by Adele Brand
“This is a British mammal ecologist’s intimate portrait of the fox, which draws on scientific research in multiple countries to share insights into the species’ evolution, its highly adaptable nature and the cultural history it has inspired. Adele Brand has studied foxes for twenty years across four continents—from the Yucatán rainforest to India’s remote Thar Desert, from subarctic Canada to metropolitan London. Her accessible and comprehensive observations have convinced her that the fox is arguably the most modern of all wildlife, uniquely suited to survival in the rapidly expanding urban/wild interface.”
Marg suggests Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer
“When the family patriarch Patrick, suffering from a chronic heart condition and dementia, moves into a long term nursing facility it is up to the Walsh siblings to ready their childhood home for sale. New mother Beth is surprised to find the attic playroom padlocked. When she eventually gains access she discovers a series of letters penned by her mother Grace in the late 1950s and her mother’s death certificate. The cryptic letters and mysterious document seem to indicate discrepancies with their father’s story of how and when Grace actually died. Through the letters (some journal entries and some letters to her sister Maryanne) we get Grace’s backstory. We learn about her privileged upbringing, her courtship with Beth’s father, and her struggles as a young wife and mother of four. When Beth reconnects with her Aunt Maryanne she will soon unravel the mystery surrounding her mother’s fifth unwanted pregnancy and discover the circumstances that led to her death. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain would enjoy this riveting book.”
Julie suggests One Good Reason: a Memoir of Addiction and Recovery, Music and Love by Sean McCann
“Courage, though made famous by another Canadian rock band is exactly what Sean McCann (founder of Great Big Sea and now former bandmate) displays in his new memoir One Good Reason, which he co-wrote with his wife Andrea Aragon. In it, he chronicles very candidly his sexual abuse as a teenager to the alcohol he turns to forget his pain. Aragon tells her side of his self-destruction and the effects it has on those closest to him. Life on the road with Canada’s party band Great Big Sea eventually hits a breaking point that leads to him leaving the band. This is a devastating read yet through McCann’s courage it will leave the reader with hope as he comes out on the other side of his addiction battle.”
Coleen suggests Yoga Animals by Paige Towler
“If you have a reluctant reader, may I suggest you try reading “Yoga Animals,” by Paige Towler together? It will keep your young reader, fully immersed with gorgeous photographs and tidbits of information on nine animals, coupled with an introduction to nine yoga poses – which you can practice together. Pairing the animal with the movement creates a connection to visualize the posture, and encourages a great stress release when you mimic the lions roar, or add the hiss of the cobra when you exhale. The interaction of performing the pose while you are reading, will help to engage your reader, while the pose will help to release tension, create focus, and is just plain fun. Let this book introduce you both to yoga, and perhaps a new daily routine to do together – read a little, stretch a little, and smile.”
Jennifer suggests So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
“This is a great primer on how to have a conversation on racism. It is a quick read despite the heavy topic. For starters, Oluo lets the reader know that if you pick up the book it is a good sign that you are ready to educate yourself on oppression. That being said, you should not expect to get a cookie simply because you are taking responsibility for knowing a passable amount of background information. As one reviewer puts it, “she urges readers to push past their discomfort; to do otherwise is to accept a society entrenched in systemic racism.” The structure of the book combines personal anecdotes with impactful research to support the subject matter covered in each chapter. In a clear, concise and by turns humorous voice, Oluo explains privilege and intersectionality, examines police brutality, the N-word, affirmative action, cultural appropriation, and micro aggressions and debunks harmful myths like the model minority.”
All of these items are available in digital formats and can be reserved County of Lennox & Addington Libraries online at www.CountyLibrary.ca.