Library Lines ...

Despite tornadoes, blizzard warnings, warm weather, high winds, and chilly rain that we have experienced in the course of the last few days, we have been busy here at Rhoads Memorial Library. Cataloguing, then shelving, new books for checkout has been done along with vigorous spring cleaning not only in the library proper but in our meeting room. As the weather warms up, we can tackle the weeds outside!

Newly released books that have arrived and are ready for checkout include:

-"The Nature of Fragile Things" by Susan Meissner, follows Sophie Whalen, a young Irish immigrant new to San Francisco. She arrived as a mail-order bride to handsome but aloof Martin Hocking. Sophie discovers ties to two other women, and they are thrust into a perilous journey when the April 18, 1906, massive earthquake devastated the area.

-"Exit" by Belinda Bauer features Felix Pink, an elderly widower who volunteers with a group that helps people die with dignity. He is an Exiteer, meaning he sits with a terminally ill person as they die by suicide, assists with logistics and moral support, then removes the evidence so that family or friends are not implicated in the death. But when Felix makes a mistake (or is set up for committing murder?), he must run from police while trying to ascertain what went wrong.

-"The Vineyard at Painted Moon" (a novel) by Susan Mallery focuses on elite winemaker Mackenzie Dienes. She seems to have it all: a successful career, a beautiful home on the grounds of the family winery, and close friends. The problem? Everything and everyone is tied to her husband. So when they admit their marriage is over, she must decide whether to stay on as a winery employee or build a life on her own.

-"A Tip for the Hangman" (an historical novel) by Allison Epstein features Christopher "Kit" Marlowe in 1585 England led by Queen Elizabeth I. In his final year at Cambridge, Kit's flexible moral compass is noticed by Her Majesty's spymaster, who offers Kit a job as a spy. Kit accepts and is dispatched as a servant to the manor where Mary, Queen of Scots is under house arrest. His task is to report any Catholic plot that could elevate Mary to the throne.

-"The Kitchen Front" by Jennifer Ryan is set in Britain during World War II at a time when Nazis are winning battles, the Blitz has destroyed cities, and U-boats have cut off the supply of food. In an effort to help housewives with food rationing, a BBC radio program called The Kitchen Front launches a cooking contest. The grand prize, a job as the program's first-ever female co-host, would offer some lucky winner the chance to change their life. But with so much at stake, will the contest bring the community together or break it apart?

We will be closed on Good Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, in observance of Easter. We will re-open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6.

Until next week, Happy Reading!