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Used Book SaleBrowse our book sale anytime you visit the library!
Only $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers We have fiction, non-fiction, biographies, cookbooks, older textbooks, and a lot of other books you won't find anywhere else for the money. Our book sale is a great way to build or add to your personal book collection. We have fiction in paperback and hardcover, non-fiction, biographies, cookbooks, and much more. |
Boomtown Book ClubThe Boom Town Book Club is a public book club associated with the Mahony Family Library, and all are welcome! Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 5:30 PM at the SouthArk library. Everyone is encouraged to read books of their choosing for discussion at the meetings, and a group read will be chosen for reading and discussion by all members several times per year. Please get in touch with any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in the library! Please contact Lauri Wilson for details about meetings at ltwilson@southark.edu or the library at 870-864-7115 for information.
At our last meeting on October 17th, 2023, just a few of the books we talked about were: The Twyford Code Janice Hallett Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter Holly by Stephen King The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch series) Don't know tough by Eli Craner Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton |
Shelf Life is our library's column of books and recommendations that appears in the El Dorado News Times. Previously, it appeared in the South Arkansas Leader. Scroll down for this month's to read and enjoy. If you have any questions or suggestions let us know!
December 2023 Shelf Life
It’s almost time to wrap up 2023! As with so many things, year’s end makes me want to review and I always look back at what I read this year. With so many choices of reading material out there, it was easy for me to miss a lot of really good books. But here they are – along with quite a few new ones too.
You may have read this popular author since we have several of her other books. This one has been busy since it arrived. Several friends have already read and enjoyed The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. It’s the fictionalized account of an unlikely friendship that had powerful consequences back in its time: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. How they became acquainted and what happened next is the subject of this fascinating true historical fiction.
Even though Louise Penny’s A world of curiosities has been out for a while, it’s easy to jump back into one of her cozy mysteries. They’re usually set around the village and include the townspeople of Three Pines, a charming, friendly and welcoming little place. Still, there’s always some aspect of evil for Inspector Gamache to unravel.
If you’re looking for a change of perspective, this book should give you some ideas. We take for granted our own view of the world, which can’t be compared to the amazing viewpoints of creatures who share the planet with us. Science writer Ed Yong takes readers on a journey to worlds you never knew existed in his book An immense world : how animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us.
From Tesla to Space X to simply X : read it all in Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Can one book completely explain the mind of this unconventional businessman/investor? We’ll see what this excellent biographer reveals about Musk’s unorthodox childhood, his family, his business failures and triumphs, and his latest endeavors.
Next on my list are upcoming books that aren’t even published or in our library, but plan to read soon. Naturally, I included some giant books which are my favorite, and here are two more : Ken Follett’s The Armor of Light continues a series I’ve been reading since 1989 and have recommended to many people through the years.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith (Cormoran Strike series) is another doorstopper of a book with more exploits of private detective Cormoran Strike. If you didn’t already know, this author is a pseudyonym for J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series.
I sure don’t want to miss The Exchange by John Grisham. It’s a sequel to the bestselling novel The Firm, which made John Grisham a household name back in 1991. Did you ever wonder what happened to Mitch McDeere after he exposed a mess of corporate intrigue in his Memphis law firm? And if you’re one of the few who haven’t read the original novel or need a refresher, we have it along with a whole shelf of other Grisham books.
Another book coming soon (March 2024) that looks very interesting is from one of my favorite authors, Chris Bohjalian. The Princess of Las Vegas is about a Vegas nightclub singer whose act is built around impersonating the late Princess Diana, and who performs at none other than the fictitious Buckingham Palace Casino. Only in Vegas, folks. Throw in some political scandal, gangsters, and murder and you’ve got a weekend to remember.
Another new book coming out in April of next year is Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz. Many of you know he’s one of my favorites too. These are fun since the author is a character in his own novels, and it’s amusing to watch how he spars with PI Hawthorne in every book in the series.
These are just a few of the books I skipped this year, but I think are worthwhile reading and I hope to get to them soon, and some of the ones that I’m really anticipating for the next year. I hope you have a great year of reading in 2024!
Lauri Wilson is the Cataloging and Digital Content Librarian at the Mahony Family Library at South Arkansas College.
It’s almost time to wrap up 2023! As with so many things, year’s end makes me want to review and I always look back at what I read this year. With so many choices of reading material out there, it was easy for me to miss a lot of really good books. But here they are – along with quite a few new ones too.
You may have read this popular author since we have several of her other books. This one has been busy since it arrived. Several friends have already read and enjoyed The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. It’s the fictionalized account of an unlikely friendship that had powerful consequences back in its time: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. How they became acquainted and what happened next is the subject of this fascinating true historical fiction.
Even though Louise Penny’s A world of curiosities has been out for a while, it’s easy to jump back into one of her cozy mysteries. They’re usually set around the village and include the townspeople of Three Pines, a charming, friendly and welcoming little place. Still, there’s always some aspect of evil for Inspector Gamache to unravel.
If you’re looking for a change of perspective, this book should give you some ideas. We take for granted our own view of the world, which can’t be compared to the amazing viewpoints of creatures who share the planet with us. Science writer Ed Yong takes readers on a journey to worlds you never knew existed in his book An immense world : how animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us.
From Tesla to Space X to simply X : read it all in Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. Can one book completely explain the mind of this unconventional businessman/investor? We’ll see what this excellent biographer reveals about Musk’s unorthodox childhood, his family, his business failures and triumphs, and his latest endeavors.
Next on my list are upcoming books that aren’t even published or in our library, but plan to read soon. Naturally, I included some giant books which are my favorite, and here are two more : Ken Follett’s The Armor of Light continues a series I’ve been reading since 1989 and have recommended to many people through the years.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith (Cormoran Strike series) is another doorstopper of a book with more exploits of private detective Cormoran Strike. If you didn’t already know, this author is a pseudyonym for J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series.
I sure don’t want to miss The Exchange by John Grisham. It’s a sequel to the bestselling novel The Firm, which made John Grisham a household name back in 1991. Did you ever wonder what happened to Mitch McDeere after he exposed a mess of corporate intrigue in his Memphis law firm? And if you’re one of the few who haven’t read the original novel or need a refresher, we have it along with a whole shelf of other Grisham books.
Another book coming soon (March 2024) that looks very interesting is from one of my favorite authors, Chris Bohjalian. The Princess of Las Vegas is about a Vegas nightclub singer whose act is built around impersonating the late Princess Diana, and who performs at none other than the fictitious Buckingham Palace Casino. Only in Vegas, folks. Throw in some political scandal, gangsters, and murder and you’ve got a weekend to remember.
Another new book coming out in April of next year is Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz. Many of you know he’s one of my favorites too. These are fun since the author is a character in his own novels, and it’s amusing to watch how he spars with PI Hawthorne in every book in the series.
These are just a few of the books I skipped this year, but I think are worthwhile reading and I hope to get to them soon, and some of the ones that I’m really anticipating for the next year. I hope you have a great year of reading in 2024!
Lauri Wilson is the Cataloging and Digital Content Librarian at the Mahony Family Library at South Arkansas College.
Mahony Family Library Mission:
At the Mahony Family Library, we're not just a place to find books; we're a hub for innovative lifelong learning. Discover the difference in our diverse collection of resources, curated to spark curiosity and fuel your educational journey. Our dedicated staff is here to guide you through a world of knowledge, offering personalized assistance and cutting-edge services.
The Mahony Family Library promotes excellence in learning, teaching, and service, provides lifelong educational and cultural enrichment opportunities, and serves as an intellectual, cultural, and development resource for the community. The Mahony Family Library serves as the leading intellectual resource for our region. |