Read It and Reap: Historical fiction gems, from Anne Frank to Zorrie
By Ann Connery Frantz
Historical fiction is often the genre readers discover in junior high or high school, where they may begin to devour favorite authors of the period they enjoy. There is plenty of good literature from which to choose. Historical fiction is a great lead-in to biographies and period histories.
World War II and the Jewish extermination remain topics of huge interest across several genres. There are the classics, like Anne Frank’s “Diary of a Young Girl,” and psychotherapist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning,” prominent among them. Books like John Hersey’s “Hiroshima,” Corrie Ten Boom’s “The Hiding Place” and Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22” also stirred readers.
By Ann Connery Frantz
Michael J. Tougias, Mendon-based author of three dozen historical books for adults, young readers and travelers books about history, harrowing storms, heroism and exploration will present an online slide show about the Quabbin Reservoir at 6:30 p.m. March 17, sponsored by Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster.
“Quabbin: A History and Explorers Guide” features a Zoom tour of the reservoir area, based on Tougias’ 2002 book and the years since.
Tougias, a New York Times bestselling author (“The Finest Hours,” “A Storm too Soon,” “King Philip’s War,” “Overboard”) says the narrated slide program explores the demise of several towns flooded to create the Quabbin Reservoir, construction of the massive reservoir, and how the Quabbin functions today. The reservoir and its surrounding forest contain the largest tract of open space in southern New England, home to nesting loons and bald eagles, coyotes, porcupines and moose. Tougias will take
Read It and Reap: Lancaster resident launches book club focusing on Black writers
By Ann Connery Frantz
The mostly white residents of Lancaster are exploring literatures from the Black community, thanks to the idea of a resident who launched a book club for them. After several months meeting online, they look forward to a time when they can meet in person. The book club is the brain child of Sedruola “Sedie” Maruska.
“I know that Black authors are often overlooked but have a lot to share about the Black experience, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction,” she said. “I also wanted to read more Black literature and have a place to discuss it. The timing seemed right.”
Read It and Reap: Pandemic spurs thirst for books
By Ann Connery Frantz
With a scarce supply of compliments for 2020, one can at least enjoy that book sales increased. People haven’t stopped reading, buying and borrowing books. Stores and libraries have kept up through online innovation and special services for readers. In Lancaster, for example, library borrowers agree to pick their selection up on the front porch at a certain time.
Read, a library-friendly website, recommends reserving these coming releases, so you can get to the top of the request list: George Saunders’ “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain,” about reading and writing of stories; “Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning” by Tom Vanderbilt; “The Children’s Blizzard,” by Melanie Benjamin (“The Aviator’s Wife”) is a historical novel that deals with courage during a devastating blizzard in the Great Plains during 1888; “The Charmed Wife” by Olga Grushin, is a creative da
By Ann Connery Frantz
Still looking for that “something else” gift for readers? Here’s a brief look at some books that might fulfill your quest.
•Fredrik Bachman, author of the ever-popular “A Man Called Ove” and “My Grandmother Told Me to Say She’s Sorry,” has released a touching novel about life, “Anxious People.”
He writes realistically, making his character live on the pages, and deals with the highs and lows of life in a now-humorous, now-sensitive manner. All in all, the book is being received very well by readers.
•I first discovered Christopher Paolini after he wrote about dragons as a 19-year-old. His self-published “Eragon” became a movie and he followed it up with other books of the genre. Now, in the fullness of maturity as a writer, he’s introduced “To Sleep in a Sea of Stars,” a wide-open sci-fi novel about the harrowing search for life on an uncolonized planet as war erupts among the worlds on the stars.