Sherman Library Adult Book Discussions 2012!
Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be served Call the Library
at 354-2455 or email sl@biblio.org reserve a book or to register for a discussion.
More info.
February 17
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones.
The sole remaining white man on a Pacific island shattered by civil war takes on the task of teaching the native children, using the only book at hand - "Great Expectations." "Mister Pip" is at once an engaging coming-of-age tale and a moving meditation on the resilience of the human spirit.
Discussion led by Mary Rindfleisch.
March 30
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreh
A young female doctor in a Balkan country still mending from war explores the circumstances of her grandfather’s recent death—and mysterious life, including the many legends and stories he told, and those he concealed.
Discussion lead by Cynthia Osborne.
April 27
The Firedrake by Cecilia Hollandl
Originally published in 1966, is the first book by a writer who has become well-known for her carefully researched and grimly realistic historical novels. The setting here is the lead-up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, seen through the eyes of an itinerant Irish knight.
Discussion led by Stephanie Spinner.
June 1
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Smoot
Exploring the intersections among ethics, race and medicine, this best-selling work of non-fiction traces the continuing “life” of cells taken without her knowledge from a poor black woman in 1951 to become the foundation of emerging scientific work on the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping and more.
Discussion led by Lorna Barrett.
July 13
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
Brought in to treat a celebrated painter who has attacked a work in the National Gallery and now refuses to speak, psychiatrist Andrew Marlow finds himself obsessed with a search for the meaning of art, love and lunacy in a tale thatranges from the mid-19th century Impressionists to the present day.
Discussion led by Pat Corrigan.
August 17
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
This National Book Award-winning novel limns the thoughts and deeds of a diverse cast of New Yorkers on the day in August 1974 when tightrope artist Philippe Petit staged his famous walk between the twin towers of the then brandnew World Trade Center. We will supplement our reading with a screening (date TBA) of Man on Wire, a documentary about Petit’s exploit.
Discussion led by Joe Keneally.
September 14
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
"A World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption” from the author of Seabiscuit, which tells the life of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner, Air Force bombardier and prisoner-of-war in Japan for much of the war.
Discussion led by John Barrett.
October 12
Old Filth by Jane Gardam
Aging barrister Sir Edward Feathers looks back on his life, which included many years in the Far East, resulting in his nickname of Old Filth (Failed in London, Try Hong Kong). While not well known in the US, Gardam is a perennial nominee for every British literary award, praised for her dry wit and her insightful and well-rounded characterizations.
Discussion led by Diana Bristol.
November 16
1491: New Revelations of the America Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann.
In a wide-ranging survey of archeological, anthropological, scientific and literary evidence, science journalist Mann re-evaluates our misconceptions about what the Native American world was like before its “discovery” by European explorers.
Discussion led by Eva and Hank VonAncken.
ONE BOOK ONE LAKE...a partnered summer reading program fostering a connection among our lake communities by bringing people together through literature.
“One Book One Lake 2011” was a great success. Many thanks to all of our sponsors and participants. We look forward to One Book One Lake 2013!
During the summer of 2009, the public libraries of the five communities situated around Candlewood Lake – Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford and Sherman – worked together to provide the area’s first regional common read program. Called One Book, One Lake, that summer program consisted of more than 30 programs which focused on Bill Bryson’s book about his attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods.
The 2011 ’s book was The Killer Angels, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the battle of Gettysburg by Michael Shaara. Once again, the same five public libraries prepared a variety of programs that will not only acknowledged the book, but also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
For information www.onebookonelake.org