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[read] Everything Matters

Andrea Anglin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:31:29 +0000

If you knew the exact date the Earth would be annihilated how would your life be different? Now imagine having that knowledge literally from birth. This is the position in which “Junior” finds himself in the novel Everything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr.

This interesting book poses the philosophical question, “If the world is assured destruction, does anything really matter?” Junior goes through his life, starting in the womb, hearing voices that inform him about events and people including the past, present and future. He is told how his dad really lost part of his hand in Vietnam (a visit with a prostitute gone wrong), how to cure cancer and of course, the most terrifying knowledge – that in 36 years a comet will hit the Earth, destroying all human life.

Living with this knowledge is soul-crushing and leads Junior into a life of self-destruction and despair along with the people around him. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character – Junior, his mother, father, brother and girlfriend, even the “voices” Junior hears, although the style and dialogue for each chapter are strikingly similar, at times making it hard to figure out who exactly is speaking. A simple formatting change clues the reader in to when the “voices” are speaking, and their candor, bluntness and perspective about the events going are at times humorous, somber and often startling. The voices know the burden of the knowledge they have given Junior but they maintain that there are still choices to be made, despite the seemingly inevitable situation.

Part sci-fi, part drama, part philosophy, Everything Matters is a thought-provoking, interesting read that makes you ask yourself, “What matters?”

[read] Five Teen Lit Classics for Everyone

Bailey Ketterman — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:50:29 +0000

I know that “adolescent literature” sounds like an oxymoron to many, and conjures up images of vampires and werewolves to most. However, I have the luxury of reading many such gems as part of my job description, and I have to tell you – there is significantly more to this genre than meets the eye.

Tales of teen angst are nearly universal; we’ve all felt broken, abused, or put upon at some time, and stories that cater to adolescents are rife with this type of familiar pain. But the unique characteristic of the novels below is that instead of merely telling a story, they somehow incorporate a lesson, one of which we could all use a little reminding.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – A painful story of date rape and its effects on every part of a young woman’s life, Speak unwinds in such a unique fashion that readers are genuinely glued to every page. Though it undoubtedly includes sensitive, controversial material, Speak has begun to find its place in the high school classroom, and for good reason. If you must cheat and rent the movie, you won’t be disappointed: Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame stars in the film adaptation.

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton – Unique in its vantage point, The Outsiders is a coming-of-age story written by someone actually coming of age; Hinton was only 15 when she wrote this novel (her first of many) and 16 when it was published. And though it was written by a young woman, the book speaks to both genders – something truly missing in most young adult literature. The underlying themes haunt us all at one time: loss, the “haves” versus the “have-nots,” and the unending need to belong. I cannot overstate the power of this novel; over 15 years after first reading it, The Outsiders remains one of my favorite novels to this day.

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks – Purportedly the diary of a young woman caught up in the drug scene of the late 1960’s, Go Ask Alice explores this underworld in a raw and powerful first-person narrative. The novel follows the diarist through highs, lows, incarcerations and mental hospital admissions, showing both the supposedly glamorous and the harshly unpleasant side of heavy drug use. It is unknown whether Sparks is the diarist herself or simply the editor who has pieced together this masterpiece, but regardless, Go Ask Alice is widely considered a “classic,” a feat not often achieved by novels in this genre.

Forever by Judy Bloom – One of the most controversial and most frequently banned books of the late 20th century, Forever was one of the first novels to explore teenage sexuality, birth control, and teen pregnancy in a very frank and real manner. A truly fantastic work of young adult literature, Forever had one lasting “side effect”: throughout the novel, one character repeatedly refers to his penis by the name “Ralph.” Since the release of the book, the name “Ralph” has steadily declined in use.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor – Set in 1930’s Mississippi, Roll of Thunder is one of the harshest, most brilliant explorations of racism and its effects on a family and a community in the Deep South. Filled with crime, hatred, and murder, it is not an easy read, but because of its intensity, it will stay with you forever. A Newberry Award winner, it was also made into a TV movie starring Morgan Freeman, making it a double bonus for me.

What books did you read as a teen that you feel still resonate? Let me know below in the comments!

[read] Five Books to Make You Sound Smart

Bailey Ketterman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:58:40 +0000

I’m not going to say I sound like a genius all the time. I don’t know anything about technology, modern science, or theology. I can weigh in on politics and philosophy, but only because those only require offering an opinion, and I’m sure you all know by now I have plenty of those. However, as an English teacher, I am required to be well-read, and this has been my saving grace in many a conversation of the scholarly sort. True, it’s not every day that you find yourself in a room with learned types, but when the topic over dinner is peppered with literary allusions, having a basic knowledge of the following five books will allow you to add something rather than hide behind your wine glass.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – Another satire set in the throes of World War II but made popular by the Vietnam War, Catch-22 is more of a written vaudeville act than any “classic” has a right to be. The take-away from this novel: “Catch-22” is in fact the subversive notion that crazy soldiers are not required to fight; however, you have to be crazy in order to go into combat. But if you are sane enough to realize that combat is crazy, you are sane enough to fight.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – One of the most epic tales of injustice in literature, To Kill a Mockingbird is the tale of the wrongful accusation of a black man of rape in 1930’s Deep South. Though told through the eyes of an innocent 8-year-old girl, the characters of Boo Radley and Atticus Finch are full and dynamic. (Write those two down; there will be a quiz later.)

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – The story of odd couple Tom Joad, a paroled murderer, and Jim Casy, a former preacher, The Grapes of Wrath describes the lives of migrant workers escaping the desolate Dust Bowl of the Midwest for the fields of California. Don’t phone this one in and rent the movie – this is a great example of filmmakers taking liberty with screenplays and altering the message of a book entirely.

1984 by George Orwell – A conspiracy theorist’s first (and best) friend, 1984 is a tale of absolute governmental control over society, behavior, even thoughts. A perfect companion to Orwell’s prior satire, Animal Farm, this should be in every educated (or seemingly educated) person’s repertoire. Read it. Big Brother is watching.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – Once again in the spotlight after its author’s passing, The Catcher in the Rye has become synonymous with teenage angst and a yearning for rebellion. Although (or perhaps because) it is often banned for its use of sexuality, profanity, and abject vulgarity, it has become a classic due to the ability of readers to relate so intimately with the story’s protagonist. Once again, I’m sorry, kids – Salinger never gave permission for this book to be made into a film. Start reading!

What do you think all “educated” people should have read? Let me know below!

[read] Five Books to Read in 2010

Andrea Anglin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:39:14 +0000

If you are pressed for time (and face it, who isn’t?), you may not have time to read a book a month. But if you want to keep yourself entertained and informed, there are five books you should add to your list for 2010 (if you haven’t read them already):

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner – As someone who doesn’t like math, I think the concept behind this book and its sequel, Superfreakeconomics, is fascinating and even, dare I say, interesting! This book makes you think about the cause and effect of things such as abortion rates and crime levels or how the “corporate” structure of gangs mirrors big businesses like McDonald’s.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn– I haven’t yet read this book, but it’s on my list. Many reviewers are calling this “the most important book” they’ve ever read. The book discusses the importance of the role of women worldwide and how effective change agents women really are, both around the globe and in our own nation.
Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan – This is on my list too. A simple, short ( at 112 pages) book with “rules” about what you should be eating and how to make better food decisions. Is it common sense? Probably. But if you need a reminder (and Lord knows I do), this is a good start.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay – This is the first in the series about this lovable serial killer who only preys on those who are guilty of heinous crimes themselves and who have slipped through the fingers of Lady Justice. This is a fun read, purely entertainment. If you like the Showtime series, you will love the book and there aren’t many spoilers between the two. If you only want to read for fun and have a sick sense of humor, you will love Dex.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – If you want something light to read, this is the book. It’s funny and interesting, but not too heavy. Gilbert chronicles her real life exploration of food, love and spirituality in Italy, India and Indonesia. I recommend this to anyone interested in just breezing through an uplifting novel.

I realize this list isn’t for everyone. In fact, looking at it, it looks heavy, but I promise it isn’t as serious as it looks. But whatever you decide to read in 2010, just make an effort to do it. Reading is relaxing, fun and a stress-reducer, and who couldn’t use all that?

[read] 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Wichita Public Library

Karen Moore — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:03:59 +0000

At least once a month, my daughters and I visit one or more of Wichita’s 9 library branches too stock up on fresh reading material for the upcoming weeks. With two voracious readers to keep satisfied and a budget so tight it makes a corset look roomy, I turned to the library a long time ago to help me avoid financial ruin. The kids look forward to our visits, and so do I, which is why I was more than a little shocked to hear a friend of mine who is a longtime Wichita resident say that she had never darkened the doorway of the library, and that she had no real interest in doing so. After making her repeat herself twice, I went on (and on) at some length about why she was missing out on a really great public service that everyone should be taking full advantage of. I don’t know if I changed her opinion, but I did convince her to let me drag her to the library on our next visit. And just in case she isn’t the only skeptic in Wichita, I’ve made a list of 20 things you may or may not know about the library that will hopefully convince you to pay them a visit and see what you’ve been missing:

They have books. This is probably common knowledge, but it never hurts to point out the obvious. No, they don’t have new releases still hot off the presses, but they do have titles available within a very reasonable amount of time after their release date.
The also have DVDs, magazines, music CDs, audio books on CD and cassette, and art prints available to check-out. Blockbuster they are not, but you really can’t beat their prices.
If you can’t find a title you are looking for at your local branch, you can have it transferred from another branch at no charge.
If you can’t find a title you are looking for in the Wichita library, you can request a transfer from a library outsite of Wichita. The Wichita library does not charge a fee for this service.
They have an online catalog. This is such a beautiful thing to me. It’s almost better than bacon. This means that I can peruse the library’s catalog of available books from the comfort of my recliner. A little catalog search tip: Search by author. Yes, you will have to scroll through a list of that author’s books, but I’ve been surprised to find the book I was looking for this way, after coming up empty on a title search. Maybe it’s because I can’t spell.
You can check the availability of a book at any of the branches online. If the book is not currently available, you can reserve it for 25 cents and have it sent to your branch when it becomes available. You’ll get a nice little email to let you know when it’s in.
The online catalog has the spectacularly useful ability to create and store lists. Search for a book, add it to your list, and check it out at your leisure. I have lists of cookbooks, lists of books for my kids, Sci-Fi novels, etc. See something interesting at Borders? Add it to your list! I often browse the bestseller lists online, pick out what I’m interested in, and add them to my library lists for future reading.
You can find a job at the library. Or at least you can find the stuff you need to find a job at the library. Their catalog has a boatload of resources for help in resume writing, writing a cover letter, job hunting, etc., and they have some great links to online resources to help the job seeker.
The library always has something going on. Every branch has book discussions, movie nights, concerts, educational programs, craft and art programs, programs for seniors, adults, teens and kids. And it’s all absolutely free.
The Comotara branch is actually inside a Dillon’s store on North Rock. I know, not earth-shattering, I just think it’s cool that I can check-out a mystery novel and pick up a gallon of milk at the same time.
You can access your account online. This wonderful feature makes it possible to check due dates, sign up for email reminders and much, much more.
You can surf at the library. The internet, that is. There is currently a one-hour time limit, but if your Cox high speed is down and you desperately need to check to see if you got that follow-up e-mail from the Nigerian government about those funds you are going to help them transfer to the United States, this service might come in handy.
There is a used book store on the ground floor in the Central branch. The books come from donations to the library, and there are some unbeatable deals to be had. They are relatively current and in good shape. If you are looking to whittle down your collection, consider donating. All funds raised go back into the library.
The library has an annual clearance sale, where thousands of books go on sale for a quarter each. If you really want to impress a child in your life, take them to the sale and tell them they can get as many books as they can carry. It’ll still be cheaper than a Big Mac and fries.
You can return books to any branch, regardless of where you borrowed them from.
You can renew your books online, at home, in your comfy pants!
The library is a treasure trove for local history buffs and genealogists. Browse microfilm, old newspapers, maps and photographs if you are interested in the history of Wichita and the surrounding areas, or even your own family history. For a peek at what the library has to offer, take a look at the Wichita Photo Archives website.
If you have a need to stay current, the library has 30 newsletters available by e-mail or RSS. Topics range from general library events, happenings and news, branch specific newsletters, and updates and reviews on new book, CD and DVD acquisitions in every conceivable category. I subscribed to at least five. Maybe six.
The Wichita Public Library can issue you a Kansas Library Card. What is a Kansas Library Card, you ask? This is a very good question, worthy of a direct quote from the website: “The Kansas Library Card is your entry to online library resources, including high quality information and research databases” Yeah; I really have no idea what that means. It sounds a bit like an exclusive country club membership. Or a cult. Just don’t drink the Kool-Aid. Oh and it’s free.
And last but not remotely least, sometime in the very near future, the library is getting Wi-Fi! Now all they need is coffee, maybe some biscotti, and I’ll never have to go to Border’s again!

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[read] 12 Days of Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Bookworm

Ashley Perkins — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:06:57 +0000

Maybe for this year’s Secret Santa, you pulled the name of the guy at work who always eats lunch with his nose buried in a book. Or maybe your best friend is constantly quoting Shakespeare. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 12 literary-themed gift ideas, all available at Watermark Books & Cafe (4701 E. Douglas):

1. Edgar Allen Poe finger puppet/refrigerator magnet – $6.50: This one is fun for adults and children alike. Entertain your toddler with “The Raven” puppet show! “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…”

2. Ideas reporter notebooks – $8.25 each: These little flip notebooks with colorful covers and inspiring quotes are perfect for writing down all those day-to-day brilliant notions.

3. Stuff White People Like 2010 daily calendar – $13.99: Hummus, scarves, dinner parties…the list of “stuff white people like” goes on and on – enough to fill a calendar. This would be sure to give anyone a little chuckle every day.

4. The Beatles: The Biography by Bob Spitz – $17.99: Maybe your bookworm is branching out and just got his very own Beatles Rock Band game. This book will make the game experience even more exciting.

5. Weighted bookmark – $8.50: Available in various colors, this bookmark will hold the pages of a book open, freeing up your hands for other important things. It would be especially helpful for use with cookbooks.

6. Go Fish for Art cards – $12.25: This is a Go Fish game for adults (or really ambitious children); each card contains facts about about various works of art. There are three different decks available: Impressionists, Modern Artists and VanGogh & Friends.

7. Jane Austen action figure – $11.75: Perfect for the bookworm who’s read and loved Pride and Prejudice and all of Austen’s other novels. Also, she comes complete with writing desk and quill pen! Kapow!

8. The Onion Front Pages: 1988-2008 – $28: Experience the glorious snark of The Onion all over again.

9. Mini clip-on book light – $10.75: This may seem dorky, but my boyfriend introduced me to the wonders of the clip-on book light a couple years ago and I love it. Great for the bookworm who reads herself to sleep.

10. Great Writers magnet set – $8.95: This nifty magnet set features the faces of Poe, Herman Melville, William Shakespeare and Walt Whitman.

11. The Pizza Hut Story by Robert Spector - $40: Too bad they don’t have “Book It!” for adults – this would be a perfect way to earn one of those gold stars. My favorite part of this book is that it is packaged in a pizza box, but I bet it would be just as good once you cracked it open.

12. 365 Days of Procrastination notepad – $13.99: This little item is billed as the “Not to do notepad” and it’s perfect for anyone whose mantra is, “There’s always tomorrow.”

[read] Review: “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett

Andrea Anglin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:01:10 +0000

There was a time in this nation when, for African-Americans, racial barriers existed for everything from marriage to bathrooms. When it was less deadly to be seen and not heard – a time when friendships between women of two races simply didn’t happen, especially if one of those women was your maid.

First-time author Kathryn Stockett writes about the struggles of African-American maids in the 1960s and the women they worked for in the novel The Help. Set in the segregated and volatile town of Jackson, Mississippi, The Help focuses on three women. The first is Aibileen, an African-American woman who has worked for white families for more than 20 years with a special love of raising children. The second is Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a white woman recently graduated from college who wants to be a writer. Third is Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, who has a reputation for back-talking to her employers and for being the best cook in town, especially for her pies.

When Skeeter returns from college she sets out to write a “meaningful” book and enlists the help of Aibileen and Minny to gather stories from the black maids in Jackson about what it’s like to work for white families. Between the efforts to convince other maids to participate, cover their tracks to keep their book a secret and the challenges of working and living their lives, the three women develop a deep respect and appreciation for one another.

Written from the perspective of all three women, Stockett did a wonderful job of creating three distinct voices for the chapters. It is obvious by the word choice and tone which woman is speaking, even if the chapters were not named. Despite its theme, The Help is not preachy or self-righteous but rather an interesting glimpse into the past, into a time that most of us, thankfully, have never experienced.

In addition to racism, the book also touches on sexism and classism as the main characters and the women around them deal with being “the weaker sex” and the struggles that come from being considered “white trash” or a “society lady.”

Overall, The Help is an uplifting read about friendship, overcoming prejudice and loving oneself. But don’t take my word for it. Check out for yourself at the any of the Wichita Public Library branches or local bookstores.

[read] Three Books That Will Change The Way You Eat

Jenn Garvin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:29:39 +0000

You may be thinking “Why does my diet need any revolutionizing?” and rightly so. I mean, you’re a carefully selective consumer, right? You buy the most ethical foods you can find, and make sure this food is grown by producers that not only make the most humane decisions, but care less for profit than your health and the welfare of the delicate Earth upon which our livelihoods depend…

Yeah, right. You are more likely the buy-as-you-go, hunger, convenience, and economically minded consumer, bent on getting in and getting out as fast as you can, and worrying about carbs, displaced African communities, and inhumanely treated heifers later. Do the world (both present and future) a favor. Get a food education. Consider yourself enrolled in a self-taught class on intelligent consumerism. All I’m doing is providing the booklist.

Start with Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. This book is an easy read, full of laughs, gasps, and tender moments. It’s the autobiographical story of Novella Carpenter, a farmer who lives in Oakland, California, with her pigs, chickens, and bunnies wandering in and out of car lots and back yards. You’ll read about her misadventures growing turkeys, and how she learned to make salami by getting caught feet-up in a restaurant dumpster. The whole book puts such a positive spin on becoming an active participant of food production that you’ll be motivated to grow an heirloom tomato off of your apartment balcony, or buy an unconventional (edible) pet. If you’ve never considered starting a garden or buying local honey, Farm City may be the motivation you need to try experiencing food in a novel (har har) way.

After getting your hands dirty by repotting your home grown cocktail garnishes, wash up and proceed to the kitchen. The Foodie Handbook: The (Almost) Definitive Guide to Gastronomy by Pim Techamuanvivit singlehandedly turned me, the spaghetti mistress, into an expert on galettes, a master of the roast chicken, and a fearless wine-pairing diva. Pim’s book is a godsend, full of valuable lessons like how not to fall for out-of-season truffles and how to score a table at a four-star restaurant. More importantly, though, she teaches you how to prepare delicious pie crusts, decadent side dishes, and perfectly tender meats. Her instructions are simple, but never condescending, and her recipes are foolproof. (I should know. I’ve sampled most of them.) If you’ve been living in fear of your galley kitchen, now is the time to set your inner foodie free.

My third recommendation is aimed at a reader who is already mindful of the world of food. It’s full of arguments, statistics, and history… but don’t let that scare you. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto is a book by Michael Pollan, an author already made famous by his brow-raising attack on mindless consumerism The Omnivore’s Dilemma. In his most recent book, he illustrates the downfall of the western diet by showing us our unfortunate tendencies to be nutrient- (not food-) obsessed, and driven by money and convenience, rather than morality and honest work. Though challenging at times, this book is truly rewarding. After reading it you will never look at white flour or value menus the same way again. (And that’s not such a bad thing.)

Dedicate a month to these three books. Each is relatively short, but give yourself enough time to play in a pot of dirt, host a pad Thai party, and have impassioned debates over societal follies (and Chardonnay). After finishing the third volume of my Revolutionary Eating Book List, I’m positive that you’ll feel inspired to make positive changes. Don’t worry about time or money. If a student living on multiple part-time jobs can find the minutes and means to prepare an organic apple tart, so can you. And with a full belly and clear conscience you, like me, will be thankful you hit the books.

If you have any recommendations for additions to this book list, I’d love to hear about them! With your help, I can start a syllabus for Revolutionary Eating 102.

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[read] Join the Club: BookEnd Babes

Andrea Anglin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:10:56 +0000

Malena Lott is a woman with a vision. Her goal? Bringing book clubs back with some sass. “Girlfriends don’t get together as much as we would like. A book club makes reading a priority and provides a nice structure for a girls’ night out,” Lott said.

As an author, Lott has written and published two novels, The Stork Reality in 2006 and Dating DaVinci in 2008. Encouraging literacy isn’t just job security, it’s a passion for this mother of two in Oklahoma. “Studies have shown that reading reduces stress levels in eight minutes,” Lott said. “Reading is another form of self-healing we can all practice.”

Inspiring women to Eat, Pray, Love, Lott has developed a web site called Book End Babes providing women with a step-by-step guide to starting their own book club or BE Babes Chapter in their town. In July, a new book club headed by local babe Dani Stone became the first chapter in Wichita and one of the first in the nation. Now, there are 17 chapters, and more than 400 women following the BE Babes strategy for getting together with girlfriends and good books.

“This club gives us an excuse to read for fun, then meet with smart, funny women to discuss while snacking and sipping wine,” Stone said. “It’s a perfect evening with some of my favorite ladies.”

The Book End Babes site provides ideas for what kind of organization your book club can have, book suggestions and reviews, contests and swag, even recipes and tips for entertaining. “I would love to see multiple chapters in each city,” Lott said.

To be a chapter, a “QueenB” must step up to organize at least six parties and of course, it helps to be passionate about books. Think you are ready to step up to lead another chapter in Wichita (sorry gals, Dani’s club is full)? Just fill out the form at Book End Babes and start recruiting your friends, co-workers, anyone with whom you like spending time.

One of the interesting ways Lott and Book End Babes are connecting readers to authors and babes to each other is through social media. Twitter is a big part of that strategy – Lott has created a Twitter directory of members and members are encouraged to tweet during their club meetings. Eventually, Lott would like to add a chat room to the web site to allow for even more exchange of ideas between members. But cyberspace isn’t where Lott wants the clubs to stay. “This movement is not just about reading books but going deeper than that and getting a connection with other women,” she said.

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[read] Book Review: The Glass Castle

Andrea Anglin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:11:47 +0000

You’ve heard the saying, “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Every person and every family has a glass house they would rather no one know about, but former MSNBC.com columnist Jeannette Walls has given an open invitation to view hers in The Glass Castle: A Memoir, a story about her life as a child.

The story of Walls’ life begins when she is only three-years-old and ends up in a hospital after being severely burned while cooking hot dogs in a frilly and not flame-resistant costume. She doesn’t understand why the nurses are upset that she was cooking by herself, after all, it was normal in her house to prepare one’s own meals while mom was painting and dad was away. After that, we meet her family. Her father, Rex Walls, is a brilliant, but troubled man, burdened by impossible dreams and alcoholism. Jeanette’s mother, Rose Mary is an eccentric, possibly mentally ill, struggling artist. Together, Rex and Rose Mary raise their children on a steady diet of excitement, adventure, heartbreak and uncertainty.

Walls’ story, while filled with shocking and cringe-worthy moments, is not told from the perspective of a victim. Rather, Walls’ account of her life’s adventures and neglect are told matter-of-factly, creating a compelling story in which you find yourself laughing one moment and somber the next. Despite its subject matter, The Glass Castle is not a depressing read. Walls and her brother and sisters learn to be independent and take care of one another so ultimately, it’s a story about unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness and success despite challenges.

You can find The Glass Castle at Watermark Books (4701 E Douglas), Al’s Old and New Book Store (1710 W Douglas) or check any of the three Book-A-Holic locations around town.

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