Sunday 16 July 2017

Sunday July 16, 2017 Book Bundles

Our resourceful staff have been putting together something fun for you:  Book Bundles!  Book Bundles are groups of three or four books (or maybe even DVDs or CDs) on a similar theme.  Book Bundles can save you time, and help you discover a new author or artist.  Some of my favorites are described below.

Books, books, books

This bundle includes Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore by Robin Sloan, The little Paris bookshop by Nina George, and The bookseller by Mark Pryor. Interestingly all three books involve mysteries.

In Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore, the bookstore itself is integral in the mystery. Selected bookstore patrons are invited to join in an elaborate quest to solve a puzzle. A new bookstore clerk finds himself pulled into the drama.

The little Paris bookshop tells the story of Monsieur Perdu, a bookseller with a gift of providing the just the right books to meet the needs of his customers. Monsieur Perdu’s shop is on a barge floating on the River Sein. He calls himself a “literary apothecary” as he prescribes books like medicine. Sadly, however, he is unable to heal his own broken heart with books. One day, accompanied by lovelorn chef, and best-selling author with writer’s block, he pulls up anchor and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

The bookseller begins with the abduction on an elderly bookstall owner, Max.  One of the “bouquinistes” who sets up shop next to the River Sein, Max is lucky to have as a friend the head of security at the US Embassy. His friend launches an investigation and discovers Max is a Holocaust survivor, and Nazi hunter. Could his history be related to his disappearance?

Seniors behaving badly

This is a fun bundle, and reminds readers of all ages to have fun and follow their hearts. It includes The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson , The little old lady strikes again by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg and Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper.

The 100 year old man climbs out the window of his retirement home because he doesn’t really want to go to his 100th birthday party. He goes on a bit of a Forrest Gump type journey, where dumb luck serves him well. His disappearance is reported to the local police, who demonstrate ageism and ignorance as they fumble along three steps behind him.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James tells the story of a woman fulfilling her lifelong dream of seeing the ocean. This quirky book focuses on Etta, a retired Saskatchewan school teacher.  She leaves a note for her husband Otto asking him not to follow her, and sets off on foot one morning.  As with many literary journeys, hers is both physical and spiritual.  Etta reflects on her life as she walks, revealing how she happened into a job at a dusty one room school house, fell in love with a boy who was sent off to war, and ended up marrying another.

The little old lady in Ingelman-Sundberg’s book leads a jolly group of friends on a trip to Vegas. They use their age to their advantage as they plot a money-making scheme. Like Robin Hood, they live by the motto “take from the rich and give to the poor”, and in this story outsmart a group of young criminals in the process.

The 27 club

This CD bundle highlights some artists who died young -- at age 27.  It includes Kurt Cobain’s Montage of heck, the soundtrack from the documentary about his life. Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black was her second and last album. Janis Joplin’s Greatest hits rounds out this bundle. This CD features live versions of Down On Me and Ball and Chain.

You will find Book Bundles at all four Library Branches. Children’s book bundles are also available, and are especially handy for busy families.

Joanna Aegard

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