Book of the Week: ‘Ikigai’
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy LifeHéctor García and Francesc Miralles2016, 194 pagesNonfiction Ikigai can be translated as your purpose in life, or “the happiness of always being busy.” Héctor García, a blogger and former software engineer, and author Francesc Miralles are curious about this concept of ikigai, and they travel to the island of Okinawa in Japan. Okinawa has the highest average of people who are over...
Book of the Week: ‘Artemis’
ArtemisAndy Weir2017, 305 pagesFiction Andy Weir doesn’t disappoint with his follow up to the best-selling novel (and block buster movie) The Martian. While this book isn’t a sequel to The Martian, it does feature many of the same elements that made his debut such a success: likable characters, lots of humor, fascinating science and a thrilling conclusion (this time on the moon).Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara is Weir’s cunning and smart...
Book of the Week: ‘To Be Where You Are’
To Be Where You AreJan Karon2017, 450 pagesFiction Episcopal priest Father Tim Kavanagh is in retirement, but he’s not sure what that means. Does he need a part-time job? Is he staying at home too much? When a friend goes into the hospital, a full-time job finds Father Tim. “God help!” he says. He doesn’t know a thing about running a small-town grocery store.Newlyweds Lace and Dooley Kavanagh are settling in at Meadowgate Farm and...
Book of the Week: ‘Ghost of an Innocent Man’
Ghost of the Innocent Man: A True Story of Trial and RedemptionBenjamin Rachlin2017, 344 pagesNonfiction Ghost of the Innocent Man marks the publishing debut of Benjamin Rachlin, a native of Concord.Ghost presents the story of Willie J. Grimes, a man wrongfully convicted of rape in 1988 who, despite repeated attempts to appeal his case, serves more than two decades in prison. Quiet, good-natured and steadfast in his innocence, Grimes...
Book of the Week: ‘From Ant to Eagle’
From Ant to EagleAlex Lyttle2017, 243 pagesChildren’s Fiction Ever wonder what it would be like to have a sibling with cancer? This is a story that digs at your heartstrings as you follow Calvin’s journey through watching his brother fight cancer. He spends day after day with his brother after moving to a new town and not having much luck making friends. Although, as chance would have it, he makes a new friend named Aleta. They hit it...