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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2012)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, July 18, 2012 Between the Bookends by Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library Working in the library has meant that I’ve had some in- teresting experiences through the years. Most have been rewarding for me and hopeful- ly for the patrons also. Usual- ly those experiences are just taken for granted, so it was satisfying to recently receive an email from a former patron who expressed gratitude for the exposure to litera- ture and learning he received while using our library in the early 2000s. Just the other day a lady, who has passed through Vernonia several times traveling from California to visit relatives in Washington, ex- pressed her appreciation for the friendliness and hospitality she has encountered in the library—and especially for the use of the clean restroom. (She in- sisted on making a donation to the Friends of the Li- brary.) Of course, not all of the encounters with pa- trons/ potential patrons have been pleasant. Some have been very vocal and adamant that they are not willing to pay the fee assessed to out of town borrow- ers or to pay fines for overdue materials. One time a book was returned with a bullet hole through the en- tire book. (It was a thick book.) Once, when we still had dial-up Internet, a patron called several (adult) numbers, with the charges appearing on the library’s phone bill. As I said, it’s been interesting! My reading tastes tend to lean toward suspense novels and one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve come across lately is Girl Gone by Gillian Flynn. After reading several pages of this novel, I nearly decided to quit because I did not like, and could not relate to either of the main characters—Nick or his wife Amy. At the beginning of this novel, both of these beautiful, self-centered characters who had previously held high-profile publishing positions in New York City, have been forced to move to Nick’s small hometown in Missouri. On the day of their fifth wedding anniver- sary, Amy disappears and Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance. With the passage of time, evidence mounts pointing to Nick’s having mur- dered his wife. As the reader comes to know both Nick W ARD ' S M OBILE S HOP Special Summer Price $2 .20 Propane and Amy and their twisted, manipulative personalities, he/she might find comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock’s thrillers. I’m definitely glad that I didn’t give up on this book and don’t think that even the most ardent solver of mysteries will predict the twists, turns and especial- ly the ending created by Ms Flynn in Girl Gone. Criminal, Karen Slaughter’s latest novel of love, loyalty and murder encompassing forty years, has earned a four star rating from reviewers on Amazon. Followers of Slaughter’s will be intrigued to learn more about the history of the enigmatic Will Trent, the dyslexic agent for Georgia’s Bureau of Investigation, as he and his supervisor, Amanda Wagner, solve two riveting murders. Heather Gudenkauf’s, One Breath Away, is anoth- er that Amazon reviewers have given the four star rat- ing. This novel explores how the fragile normalcy of everyday life can be easily shattered when, in the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Elin Hilderbrand has written about the power of community, family and honesty in her newest release, Summerland. This novel begins with a graduation night cele- bration that ends in tragedy after a horrible car crash leaves the driver of the car dead and her twin brother in a coma. The other passengers are physically unhurt, but the emotional damage is overwhelming. As the novel progresses, Hilderbrand proves that even from the ashes of sorrow, new love can still take flight. Other new acquisitions include porch lights by Dorothea Benton Frank, Tumble- weeds by Leila Meacham, Newport Blues by George Byron Wright, Sea Change by Karen White, Die a Stranger by Steve Hamilton, and Canada by Richard Ford. Summer Reading programs have been well planned by Jennifer Moloney and Lin- da Johnston and well attended by young- sters and their parents. Remember the morning activities will continue on Tues- days through July, from 10-11 a.m. in the library, with the puppet show scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26 will be movie night with the film to be- gin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 30 will be book discussion night with William Kent Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Avenue Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Thu. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m when school is in session. Phone: 503-429-1818 Columbia County Domestic Abuse Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 Hotline or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 ----------------- Military Helpline 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838) Made in Vernonia lb Like us on Facebook Bit of something handmade for everyone! 745 Adams Ave.,Vernonia 805 Bridge Street 503-429-0111 Phone 503-429-1150 or 503-429-0519 Propane and car vacuum located by alley in back. Kruger’s Heaven’s Keep to be discussed beginning at 5:30. The end of July and first of August will find mem- bers of the Friends of the Library busily preparing for the book sale to take place during Jamboree weekend on Friday, August 3 from 4-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 4 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Donations of books for this sale are still being accepted. 503-901-1705 Open Tue., Thu. & Sat. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm