My reading habits are changing the older I get. I shouldn’t be surprised; my taste in books has gone through many evolutions, but finding actual evidence of the aging process always catches me off guard. I recently purchased a copy of House of Breath and Sky, the newest title in Sarah J. Maas’ wildly popular fantasy series, Crescent City and found myself dreading the thought of reading it. It’s one of the most anticipated books of 2022 but I just can’t get excited about it. I used to love the elaborate, intricately detailed worlds of young adult fantasy novels. I could tear through multiple seven to eight hundred page books just to find out what happened to my favorite characters. Now I can barely remember the characters from the first by the time the second book in a series comes out and find myself scrolling through long summaries so I can dimly recall the plot.

As I look over my reading lists from the past ten years, I’ve realized that instead of reading for escape, I primarily read now to reflect. Fantasy books are the ultimate break from reality. But the titles I’ve logged in my thirties tend to hold up a mirror to what has been happening in my own life. Like many women, the biggest life change I’ve experienced is starting a family and beginning the journey of parenthood. Without realizing it, so many of the books I’ve read explore the themes of motherhood and complicated family dynamics. The publishing industry is clearly tuned in to this trend since many book releases from the past few years showcase plots with the same concerns.

Rachel Yoder’s first novel Nightbitch, featured in my top five books of 2021. This dark and disturbing debut features a nameless woman wrestling with the complete loss of her identity as she becomes a stay at home mother and leaves her career as an artist behind. In an attempt to hide from her toddler and the intense demands of motherhood, the mother locks herself in the bathroom, only to discover a patch of fur growing on the back of her neck and elongated canine teeth in her mouth. The main character can’t quite decide if she’s losing her mind or simply turning into a dog. Her husband dismisses her worries and struggles while he travels for work all week and she hides her new identity from her new friends in the MLM scheme she’s joined. This book is by turns hilarious, poignant, and disturbing as this woman makes the Kafka-eque transformation from cultured, vibrant human into something more feral.

Crying in H Mart is Michelle Zauner’s beautiful tribute to her complicated relationship with her mother. This memoir celebrates the power of the mother-daughter relationship as Zauner reflects on her childhood struggle with her identity as one of the few Asian American kids growing up in Eugene, Oregon. Zauner’s mother is both her connection to her Korean culture and her benchmark by which she measures her own success and failures. After a turbulent adolescence, Zauner drifts into adulthood before finding her true passion, music. She and her mother remain at odds, misunderstanding each other’s expectations until her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer when the author turns 25. Zauner drops everything in her life and moves back home to care for her mother, all while embarking on a journey to reconnect with her Korean roots. The end packs a real emotional punch and requires a box of tissues.

Kevin Wilson creates a bizarre but beautiful story of unconventional motherhood in Nothing to See Here. Madison and Lillian develop a lifelong friendship at an elite all girls boarding school in Tennessee and end up creating an unconventional family. When Lillian, a poor local girl on scholarship, takes the fall for Madison, a star athlete from a wealthy Southern family, after drugs are discovered in their room, the pair maintain a long-distance friendship. Madison eventually marries a U.S. senator while Lillian never escapes the poverty she grew up in. The pair are thrown back together when Madison asks Lillian to care for her husband’s children from his first marriage, who just happen to burst into flames when agitated. Lillian can’t quite believe it but takes on the assignment and learns what love and sacrifice truly mean.

2022 is proving to be no exception to the trend of exploring motherhood in literature. I’ve already got The School for Good Mothers, a dystopian take on motherhood regulated by the government, on my TBR (to be read) list. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson features two siblings who road trip together in search of their recently deceased mother’s mysterious past. Finally, Xochitl Gonzalez takes us to modern day Brooklyn where Olga, a wedding planner, has her life turned upside down after her radical activist mother reappears in her life in Olga Dies Dreaming. If you are looking for more recommendations from library staff, check out the Monthly Staff Book Recommendations on the library’s website.

Kate Tigue is the Head of Youth Services at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. Look for her article in the February 24, 2022 issue of the Transcript and Bulletin.

Presidents’ Day, this year on Monday, February 21, can be a confusing holiday. It’s traditionally the third Monday in February. Some people think it’s a holiday to celebrate all America’s past presidents, and that is partially true, but the observed federal holiday was officially established in 1885 as “Washington’s Birthday.” It became Presidents’ Day after it became part of the 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. Since Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is February 12th, it became a provision of the Act to include the celebration of Lincoln’s birthday with Washington’s. At the same time, the original Washington holiday date of Nov. 22nd was moved to the third Monday of February, which falls between the dates of the two presidents’ birthdays. The overall intention was and remains to celebrate all presidents, past and present, at the same time recognizing Presidents Washington and Lincoln.

We’ve learned in school about our first and sixteenth presidents and the historical periods they lived in. However, two contemporary authors have revisited the two men and their times and have recently written books that provide new insights.  

Nathaniel Philbrick, a prolific author of American History, retraces George Washington’s journey as a new president through the original thirteen colonies in his new book, Travels with George: In Search of Washington and his Legacy. Philbrick actually does travel the same route with his wife and dog, recounting history and his personal reflections about Washington along the way. His model was, of course, Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America, which he referenced and seemed to greatly admire.

Philbrick has been an avid student of American history and his many books both educate and entertain us. He has taken his extensive knowledge of history and crafted it into a literary career. Travels with George is an important book in our times when the country’s forefathers are being critiqued. Philbrick presents America in 1789 as a nation fragile and divided between those who favored the Constitution and those who did not trust the central government that the Constitution had created. He reminds us that Washington was a man of the people, a reluctant president, and, like many of his contemporaries, an owner of slaves. He did, however, stipulate in his will that his slaves be freed upon his death. The new America needed the strength of a formidable leader such as George Washington.

As Philbrick journeyed the same path Washington traveled, he recounted some of the facts and myths surrounding Washington’s legacy. One was the “Washington elm” phenomenon. Every town from Billerica to Hartford has a marker indicating that Washington stopped to rest under their elm trees. Some problems are that it was November and cold when he passed thru those towns, and he was reportedly in a hurry.  Also, the elms would have been small seedlings in 1789. Another myth is that Washington had wooden teeth. It was true that he had decaying teeth from the age of 24 and had to have many extracted. The practice in the 18th century was to replace a diseased tooth with a healthy one from another person, often a slave, who was paid for such a donation. It is assumed that Washington received his tooth transplants in such a manner.

Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington, by Ted Widmer, is about another president, another journey and another century. As in Washington’s time, it was a nation divided once again. Widmer visits the 13 days of Lincoln’s train journey in 1861 from Springfield, Illinois to Washington DC toward his inauguration. He portrays Lincoln as a seemingly unlikely leader but someone who could connect with the people, much like Washington, and rise above the many setbacks thrown in his path. In Wilmer’s words, Lincoln was “canny, he was lucky and he was stubborn.”

As Philbrick does in his book about Washington, Widmer discloses little known facts about Lincoln. One in particular was the story that a woman, Kate Warne, who worked as one of Pinkerton’s detective agents, helped prevent the assassination of Lincoln before he became President. In fact, at one point in his journey an unattended carpet bag was found in Lincoln’s train car. Inside was a grenade that was set to explode within 15 minutes. Regardless of the ongoing threats to Lincoln’s life, his secretary John Nicolay wrote that “his sympathy with and for the people” kept him from fearing for his own safety.

Philbrick’s Travels with George, though lengthy, is a must read for anyone interested in history, and especially George Washington’s 18th century America. Adding to the interest for New Englanders is a geographical familiarity to the places, cities and towns visited. Wilmer’s Lincoln on the Verge is equally lengthy and intriguing. In a review of Lincoln on the Verge, fellow author Adam Goodheart said, “Widmer finds relevance and every reason for hope in the past.” The same can be said for Nathaniel Philbrick.

Norma Logan is the Literacy Volunteer Coordinator at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. Look for her article in the February 17, 2022 issue of the Transcript and Bulletin.

As the year draws to its close, the “Best Books of 2021” lists have been released: The New York Times’ 10 Best Books and 100 Notable Books; NPR’s Books We Love (rebranded from its erstwhile title of “Book Concierge”); Times’ 100 Must-Read Books. These lists are full of worthy, compelling, interesting reads–that will likely have long hold lists in our system. While you’re waiting for some of the big-name titles from 2021 to come in, here are a few suggestions for great books that flew under the radar this year.

For fiction lovers of realistic stories, Infinite Country by Patricia Engel weaves a generational tale out of five different voices within a Columbian family in pursuit of safety and opportunity. Elena, Mauro, and their first child manage to leave Bogotá for America; but even as their family grows and they settle into their new life, the precariousness of their undocumented status comes to a head when Mauro is deported. In this same category but quite different in scope, there is also Nona Fernández’s The Twilight Zone, a novel that opens in 1980s Chile during Pinochet’s dictatorship, when secret service agent Andrés Antonio Valenzuela Morales walks into a dissident magazine’s offices to confess his many state-supported crimes. What follows is a taut story about complicity, resistance, history, and the contradictions of a reality in which horrifying political machinations exist side-by-side with the banality of everyday routine. (This book is especially recommended for fans of gritty spy novels. Finally, for a more modern but no less important story, We Are Watching Eliza Bright by A.E. Osworth focuses on the eponymous Eliza Bright: the only female coder at a gaming company to have reached elite status. After she files a sexual harassment report, the company brushes her off; when she takes her story to the press, the company fires her, and she finds herself engulfed in public controversy. Some people rally to her side, while others threaten, harass, and dox her. The subsequent escalation examines obsession, questions the line between real life and internet life, and explores the manifestations of male and female rage.

For those looking for something slightly less literal, Alex McElroy’s The Atmospherians may be just the ticket. Once-beloved social media darling Sasha Marcus has been canceled, and in her search for a job, she reconnects with an old childhood friend. He makes her the face of his new business: “The Atmosphere,” billed as a career workshop for men, but actually designed as a rigorous program to heal them of toxic masculinity. Billed as “the Fight Club for the millennial generation,” the novel is a satirical take on social media and influencers, wellness culture, and self-mythologization. Along similar lines, another novel that uses satire as a framework is Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. An unnamed, stay-at-home mother lives with her 2-year old son in increasing frustration and isolation from her always-traveling, always-working husband–until, one night, she finds that she is (literally) transforming. The metaphor of body horror and transformation functions as a way to make sense of the bizarre new state of motherhood; but lest you be put off by the premise, reviewers have described it as “joyfully subversive.”

The past year in publishing has also turned out a rich crop of excellent non-fiction reads, for those in the mood for essays, memoirs, or otherwise factually-based accounts. If you’re in the mood for slightly lighter fare, Kate Lebo’s The Book of Difficult Fruit: Arguments for the Tart, Tender, and Unruly (With Recipes) is a wide ranging, genre-bending memoir/cookbook that includes 26 essays and accompanying recipes–one for every letter of the alphabet. Alternatively, if culinary musings aren’t your thing, you might enjoy Pop Song: Adventures in Art and Intimacy by Larissa Pham, another series of essays that center on the topics of love and intimacy, heartache and cultural connection, and–of course–art.

History buffs might be interested to check out Sarah Schulman’s Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993, which has been described as the most comprehensive political history account yet written about ACT UP and other American AIDS activists. (While you’re at it, season 3 of Pose is finally out, if you’re the type to combine historical writing with fictional media counterparts.) Readers with a more modern socio-political interest might prefer to pick up White Magic: Essays by Elissa Washuta, writing that spans everything from land and colonization to pop culture phenomenon Twin Peaks to video games to witchcraft and tarot; or Anjali Enjeti’s Southbound: Essays on Identity, Inheritance, and Social Change, a memoir about the process of self-discovery and activism around her identity as a mixed-race woman in the Deep South.

These suggestions barely scratch the surface of all the great books that were released in 2021, of course; if you’re looking for additional recommendations for books you might have missed this past year, give us a call or send us an email. We’re always happy to connect readers to books and vice versa.

Have a safe and happy New Year, and we’ll see you in 2022!

Hilary Umbreit (they/them) is the Adult Services Librarian at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. Look for their article in the December 30, 2021 issue of the Transcript and Bulletin.

What is your winter survival strategy? We live in New England so either consciously or unconsciously, we all have one. Hopefully it does not involve behavior that is too self-destructive – hot toddies and smokey scotchs can be wonderful, unless you’re fighting to be free of an addiction! Some can practice moderation and abstinence is better for others. One thing we all desperately need however is good old vitamin D. I don’t mean to go down a medical path. If you suspect you are getting insufficient vitamin D, you should consult a medical professional. What I mean is that I feel a lot better on days when I get to enjoy some time directly underneath blue skies. Sun burns are unpleasant and can lead to significantly nasty long-term complications, so please stay covered and wear sunscreen, even on cloudy and days, when you’re going to be outside for a prolonged period.

When the temperatures drop, it can be tempting to stay inside where it is (hopefully) safe and warm. Now is the time for bravery! Dig through your closets and drawers and find layers. Fabrics that wick away moisture, rather than trapping it next to your skin, are key. Save the cotton, dive into your synthetics and your wools. Wind can be especially cutting, so wear something it can’t easily penetrate. Pay attention to extremities like fingers, ears, and chins. Many years I use winter as an excuse to grow my beard longer. I’m not sure if it adds any real warmth, but trimming it in the spring really feels good!

Once you’re ready, it’s time to get outside!

Lace up some boots, and grab a walking stick if it provides welcome stability. Taking even a short walk can do wonders. Check out one of our local trails. You can download maps from the town website, or simply stop by the library and we’ll give you what you need.

The Weston Ski Track is only ten miles away and is a great place for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. This season they are requiring reservations for everyone, so make some and head on over. You can bring your own equipment, or rent it there. 

Ready to add some speed? I recommend starting with the Blue Hills. With the right conditions you can have a really good time here, with an amazingly short drive. Get a snow report from their website and discover this local gem that has been operating for over 70 years!

Have you been to the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood yet? It is truly a world-class facility that attracts athletes training for the Olympics and other stellar opportunities. There are still tickets available to join the Town and the Club for a Celebration on Ice to honor Norwood’s 150th anniversary. It is happening on Saturday, February 26, starting at 6:00 p.m. and you can purchase tickets here at the library at our main desk on the ground floor (and they’re only $10!) Its going to be an inspiring evening with performances that have won medals all around the world, including the 28-time U.S. Champion synchronized skating team, the Haydenettes.

The Skating Club of Boston also offers multiple public skating sessions throughout the week. Public skating is a perfect opportunity to get on the ice and experience some recreational fun. Norwood residents enjoy a 50% discount on public skating admission, for a cost of $5.00 (Adults) and $4.00 (children 12 and under) per session. They also have skates and skate aids available to rent. Learn more and see the weekly rink schedules on their website. 

Once you’re gotten some ice time for yourself and your family and friends, you may likely be ready to sit down and enjoy watching some athletes set some amazing records. The Olympic games are kicking off on February 4 and running over two weeks until February 20. There are certain to be lots of inspiring performances and fascinating stories about the athletes to watch. There are also lots of books and videos you can borrow to read and watch to further immerse yourself in this world. One recent book you may not have yet seen was just published in 2021. It is by Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando and titled Dare to Make History: Chasing a Dream and Fighting for Equity. It is the story of twins Jocelyn and Monique who grew up with four older brothers playing on a frozen pond next to their home in North Dakota. They played hockey on teams where they were the only girls, eventually winning six world championships, two silver Olympic medals, and finally a gold, playing on the USA Women’s National Team in South Korea in 2018. They also worked to create a new professional women’s hockey league and create more opportunities for greatness to shine.

Winter is celebrated for its incredible beauty and opportunities for awe-inspiring athleticism in such a wonderful way by the filmmaker Warren Miller. He has a nearly cult-like following, and for good reason. Learn about his story in Ski Bum, instantly streamable from hoopla, or just go straight to the source with Ski Country (1984), Winter Fever (1979), Extreme Winter (1990), or the 1992 Steeper and Deeper. 

Stay warm, don’t forget to stretch, get inspired, and go have some winter fun!

Clayton Cheever is the Director of the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. Look for his article in the February 3, 2022 issue of the Transcript and Bulletin.