Library Lines ...

Memorials are appreciated here at Rhoads Memorial Library and are accepted the year round. They often come in the form of books, money, or subscriptions. The latest one given to us is the book, "Oregon Latino Basketball Tournament" from our own Sulema Oltivero in memory of her husband, Reynaldo "Rey" Oltivero Sr. We thank her for her thoughtfulness.

The book, written by former Dimmitt resident David Espinoza, details how a Latino basketball tournament reunited a small community and has been held annually. He includes inspiring Latino stories and notes that many participants go on to play college basketball, with some becoming professional. The book is ready for checkout.

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

"NYPD Red 6" by James Patterson and Marshall Karp;

"A Deadly Edition" (A Blue Ridge Library mystery) by Victoria Gilbert;

"You Betrayed Me" (The Cahills) by Lisa Jackson;

"Hart's Hollow Farm" (The New Americana Series) by Janet Dailey.

A recent release that came out at the end of September is "The End of the Day" by Bill Clegg. This novel captures 60 years within the framework of one fateful day, when three seemingly disconnected lives come together. Participants are: -a retired widow in rural Connecticut who receives an unexpected visit from her childhood best friend whom she hasn't seen in 49 years;

-a 67-year-old taxi driver in Kauai who receives a phone call from the mainland that jolts her back to a traumatic past; -a man, who, collapsed on the floor of a Pennsylvania hotel, is found by his estranged son who arrived to introduce his newborn daughter.

This book reminds us how choices - to connect, to betray, to protect - become our legacy.

Famous author John le Carre, 89, died of pneumonia on Dec. 12, in a Cornwall, England hospital. He published more than 24 books during a literary career that spanned six decades. Among his best known and most lucrative works were "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

Le Carre, whose real name was David John Moore Cornwell, was born Oct. 19, 1931, in Poole, England. Upon entering the British military, he joined Britain's domestic and international spy services, known as MI5 and MI6, respectively.

His books showed spies trying to be inconspicuous while being hyper-observant. He delved into their moral choices where gray areas ruled. Such characterization was the polar opposite of author Ian Fleming's James Bond series which featured sex, gadgets, chase scenes, and impeccable dress. Le Carre is credited with elevating the spy novel to one of literary distinction.

We will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Dec. 28, for Christmas. We will re-open at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29, then close on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, for New Year's Day. We will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!