What the Bears Know - September 29
At our August 25th meeting, we discussed Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Our group members were big fans of the book, and everyone enjoyed the discussion. Members liked how the author incorporated history and fiction seamlessly, but gave an author note on how she adjusted this story around the real life of Martha Ballard. I brought pumpkin squares to share.
Our next meeting is Monday, September 29th, at 3pm at the LME Library. We will be discussing the book, What the Bears Know, by Steve Searles. Books can be picked up at the library or are also available through our ebook/eaudio resources. The discussion sheets can also be picked up or printed here. Summary: "In this wonderous and eye-opening exploration, Steve Searles, the renowned and respected "Bear Whisperer" of Mammoth Lakes, takes the reader on a journey into the lives of these remarkable creatures and the world we share. In the late 1990s, the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, hired Steve Searles as a hunter to cull half its troublesome bear population. But as he began to prepare for the grim task, the bears soon won him over, and Searles realised there had to be a better way. As Searles shares his remarkable knowledge and we become immersed in the ursine world, you'll never look at bears or nature the same way again. Warm and poignant, and perfect for anyone who has been fascinated by the natural world, What the Bears Know shows that wisdom and fulfillment can come from unexpected places."--
Frozen River - August 25
Sorry I'm late posting on our July 28th meeting! We read The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, and the group enjoyed this novel. They liked the characters, the friendship between Lily and Odile, and the descriptions about life in occupied France. Overall, it was very highly rated!
Our next book is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk, and we will be meeting on Monday, August 25th at 3pm. We will meet in our small meeting room since the Friends booksale is going on in the large one. The discussion guides are available for pick up or online.
July 2025 - Paris Library
At our June 30th meeting, we discussed the Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane. It was okay, but we felt it did not have enough substance for book group. Some felt the mystery wasn't very suspenseful, and others thought the title was misleading. Overall, it was a quick and easy read - good for those who just need a beach read.
Our next meeting is Monday, July 28th at 3:30pm at the LME Library. Copies of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles are available for pickup at the front desk. Discussion sheets are also available for pickup or can be downloaded here. Summary: "Paris, 1939. Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; her adored twin brother Remy; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library's legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. But when World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear - including her beloved library. After the invasion, as the Nazis declare a war on words and darkness falls over the City of Light, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. They risk their lives again and again to help their fellow Jewish readers. When the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal. Montana, 1983. Odile's solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by Lily, her neighbor, a lonely teenager longing for adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, they find they share a love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending just the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret. Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library explores the geography of resentment, the consequences of terrible choices made, and how extraordinary heroism can be found in the quietest of places"--
Girl Who Disappeared Twice - June 30
Our May 19th book club had low attendance, but we had a lot to discuss with The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. This true crime non-fiction work profiles Stéphane Breitwieser, who stole more than 300 art objects from museums, churches, and auction houses over nearly ten years. His narcissistic behavior and the lack of repercussions for his crimes stunned us. Finkel was very thorough and presented the details with startling clarity.
Our next meeting is Monday, June 30th at 3pm at the LME Library. We'll be reading the Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane. Copies are available for pickup at the front desk and discussion sheets are available at the desk or online.
Book Summary: When they are hired by veteran family court judge Hope Willis to find her missing daughter, Forensic Investigators--a team of renegade investigators comprised of a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, an intuitive, and a former Navy SEAL--must race against time to bring Krissy back alive.
Art Thief - May 2025
At our book club meeting on April 28th, we discussed The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. The group liked that it was a quick, engaging read. Even though the timeline jumped around a bit, it was still easy to follow since there was only one point of view. All rated it highly.
Our May book club meeting will be a week early due to the Memorial Day holiday. We will meet at the LME Library on May 19 at 3pm, and we will discuss the Art Thief by Michael Finkel. Copies of the book are available at the front desk. The discussion sheets are also available for pickup or are here.Summary for the Art Thief: "For centuries, works of art have been stolen in countless ways from all over the world, but no one has been quite as successful at it as Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than two hundred heists over nearly ten years, Breitwieser stole more than three hundred objects, until it all fell apart spectacularly. Unlike most thieves, he kept his treasures in a single room where he could admire them to his heart's content. Possessed of a remarkable athleticism and an innate ability to assess practically any security system, Breitwieser managed to pull off a breathtaking number of audacious thefts. Yet these strange talents bred a growing disregard for risk and an addict's need to score, leading Breitwieser to ignore his girlfriend's pleas to stop-until one final act of hubris brought everything crashing down."