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
