That's So Library!

by Glenice Lilje

Found Love in a Hopeless Place

When I was younger, my scope of romance novels was limited to Danielle Steel and Fabio. (I’ll just take a quick pause here to give younger readers some time to Google them). Today, there are endless subgenres and varieties of romance literature. According to Fortune[1], romantic fiction topped over 47 million in sales in 2020 alone, up 24% from the previous year. It is the second most popular fiction genre, amounting to 18% of overall adult fiction unit sales. What is it about romantic fiction that makes it so popular?

The basic elements of romance fiction include a central love story (obviously) as well as an emotionally satisfying ending, otherwise known as a ‘happy’ ending. The rise in popularity for this genre has brought about new subgenres and writing styles. From different age groups, heat levels, tropes, various tones and styles. They also do not have any boundaries of when and where in human history romantic stories may take place, giving readers more opportunities to find their ‘Happily-Ever-After’. Even niche subgenres will have a voracious fan base! There really is something for everyone.

In the cinematic universe, Rom-Coms (aka romantic comedy) more or less utilizes the same formula. Many feature two protagonists, who for whatever reason can’t seem to get along despite having an obvious attraction to each other. After a series of obnoxious run-ins paired with comical squabbles, they find themselves in a disastrous predicament that inevitably brings them together. At the end of the two hours, the star-crossed lovers have come to realize what the audience has known all along: that they have been infatuated with each other all along. Predictable? Yes. Satisfying? Also, yes.

Below are some stories of finding love where you least expect it and also my preferred romantic fiction trope of the moment: getting a second chance at love.

The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient #3) by Helen Hoang

When violinist Anna Sun goes viral on YouTube, she finds herself chasing the high and replicating the moment.  She burns herself out in the process, affecting her relationships. Her longtime boyfriend suggests they try an open relationship and Anna has full intent to take advantage of this. After a string of one-night stands she meets a tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan who has her doubting her expectations.

Just Like You by Nick Hornby

Lucy thought she had won the love lottery.  She met a guy that was the same age, same background and the same aspirations.  Two decades later, she is miserable and nearly divorced. With two-school aged sons, what Lucy desperately needs is a babysitter and barely has anytime to herself let alone go on dates.  Enter Joseph. Twenty-two, living at home with his mother and juggling several part-time jobs. He is of a different class, different culture and an entirely different generation. But sometimes life can lead you down different paths to find happiness where you least expect it.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Eva Mercy is a single-mom and bestselling erotica fantasy writer who is stuck in a writing rut.  Shane Hall is a reclusive, award-winning literary author that people tent do avoid. When these two authors meet unexpectedly at a literary event, sparks fly and raising the eyebrows of New York’s Black literati. Little do they know, these two were entangled in fiery love affair twenty years prior, but haven’t seen each other since. Anyone with eyes can see that they have chemistry, never mind the fact that they have been secretly writing to each other in their books ever since.  Can they pick up where they left off, or has too much time passed?

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom

Our story starts after a deadly explosion where nine people on a raft struggle to survive at sea. After three days stranded at sea and their resources depleted, they spot a man floating in the waves and reel him in. “Thank the Lord we found you,” they say. “I am the Lord,” the man whispers. In The Stranger in the Lifeboat, Mitch Albom contemplates what would happened if we called on God for help and what He might look and sound like?

[1] King, R. (2021, August 21). The romance novel sales boom continues. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2021/08/21/rom-com-pandemic-book-sales-romance-bookstore-day/. Accessed March 14, 2022.

by Glenice Lilje

Science Fiction

Personally, I find that science fiction (Sci-Fi), is one of the most creative genres in literature. Readers are taken on fascinating adventures to faraway galaxies, parallel worlds and every which way in between. From a young age, I have always enjoyed the use of elements not typically found in the real world which allows the imagination to run wild with endless possibilities of futuristic concepts such as time travel, aliens, or even time-travelling aliens! My earliest introduction to science fiction were A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and I have enjoyed reading this genre ever since.

Though rooted in scientific facts and/or theories, sci-fi can also get a little too hairy. Think back to the first airing of H.G. Well’s The War of the Worlds. When the radio drama starring Orson Welles first aired, it caused major public panic among those who were not aware that the alien invasion was fictional. (Mind you, the novel had been out for 40 years at that point so whatever hysteria was observed, that’s on them). Welles assumed that the story would be too silly and improbable to ever be taken seriously.  Guess he underestimated the power of imagination.

Regardless of the setting and characters, sci-fi stories can be complex, explore larger themes or even an interpretation-sometimes satirically- about our society beneath the surface. Although examples of sci-fi can be found as far back as the Middle Ages, it didn’t garner much popularity until the late 1800s. As science and technology progressed over the years, so has the genre itself.

One does not have to be a Trekkie to be interested in the genre; many sub-genres have emerged making it more accessible. Readers of all ages enjoy stories that provide a portal into another universe or dimension. It can also be used as a tool to warn us humans of what our possible future could look like where utopian novels can teach us what we should be doing, while dystopian novels show us what to avoid. Whatever the case may be, the main reason you should read anything is because you enjoy it!

Here are some of the latest Science Fiction titles that have recently been added to our collection.

Ring Shout or Hunting Ku Kluxes in the End Times by P. Djeli Clark

Set in 1920’s Georgia, the film, The Birth of a Nation, has just been released and has caused a rift between worlds as well as spreading hate and fear among the vulnerable. Ring Shout follows 3 badass trio Maryse Boudreaux, Sadie Watkins and Cordelia Lawrence on their quest to hunt and destroy demons summoned by the Ku Klux Klan or “Ku Kluxes”.  A well-paced fantasy mixed with historical facts, Ring Shout provides the reader with thrills, chills, macabre humor and engaging heroines to root for.

Dune by Frank Herbert 

Paul Atreides was born a brilliant and gifted young man and heir to a noble family. He is tasked with travelling to the most dangerous planet to ensure the continuation of his family and people.  As conflict grows over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious and coveted resource, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.

The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

From beloved Canadian astronaut and author, Chris Hadfield, is his first thriller titled, The Apollo Murders. Our story starts in 1973 with a top-secret mission to the Moon.  Three astronauts find themselves a quarter of a million miles away from home in a Space Race against the Russians.  Old rivalries are ignited and political stakes are stretched and not everyone aboard is who they appear to be.  Readers will be taken for a ride with the fascinating technical details and claustrophobic twists making them feel like they too are in the cockpit.  Who better to detail these experiences than from a former Commander of the International Space Station who has lived through them?

Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings by Earl Swift

Earl Swift places the reader in the captain’s chair in this fast-paced historical recollection of the Lunar Rover’s explorations and the final Apollo moon landings that occurred in 1971-1972. Across the Airless Wilds details the evolution of the Lunar Rover highlighting the final three missions where its range has vastly increased thus providing astronauts with better communication and expanding their range of lunar exploration. Swift provides a highly detailed and technical explanation of the engineering side of it but is still very accessible and very well-told.

Living with Robots: What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know by Ruth Aylett

Many blockbuster movies depict robots/A.I. in futuristic, utopian (or even dystopian) settings leaving people apprehensive about incorporating them into our daily lives. Ruth Aylett and Patricia Vargas, two robotic experts, hope to ease some of the apprehensiveness by revealing the truth about what robots can and cannot do, how they work as well as robots that raise ethical and social issues.  Other questions/issues addressed include: “Why robots can swim and fly but find it difficult to walk?”, “Why we develop feelings for robots” and “Which human abilities are hard for robots to emulate?”.

by Glenice Lilje

Ownership

Have you ever heard, “What’s mine is yours and yours is mine,” or “What’s mine is yours and mine is mine”? The latter may be more familiar to those with siblings as the Younger Sibling Tax: a form of payment given to the older sibling in exchange for an alternate option to physical harm, or for their secrecy (careful with this one, as it may be used against you in the future), or simply just for existing. No matter how hard you try, nothing is truly yours when you have a sibling.

But has claiming ownership gone a little far? One of the early words that babies learn is, “mine”. We used to label all of our school supplies, right down to each and every pencil crayon. Patents, copyrights, leases are filed to protect both physical and intellectual properties. Throughout history, people are constantly fighting for their rights to have full and complete self-ownership. Today, we are learning of a new type of ownership called NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.

Who owns what is more complicated than we think and never straightforward. Here are a few titles in our collection that may challenge your thoughts on ownership or invite you to explore it from various angles.

 Mine! How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Controls Our Lives by Michael Heller and James Salzman

Ownership is about who gets what and why. The rules are omnipresent and invisible and throughout history, a lot of people have fought to the death to preserve ownership. Law professors Heller and Salzman illustrate the six pathways to claiming ownership: possession, attachment, first-in-time, labour, self-ownership and family. But where do personal boundaries end and societal etiquette start? Who claims the space between our knees and the reclining chair in front of us on airplanes? Can my neighbours ask me to chop the tops of my trees off so they can install solar panels on their property? Why do I lose my Audible purchases when I cancel my subscription? Mine! Is full of eye-opening, and sometimes infuriating, stories that answers these questions and explore the secret rules that govern our lives.

Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World by Simon Winchester

Most aboriginal people believed that land was communal property and that no one person owns the land. In Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World, readers will explore the geological history of the planet and the legal, cultural and social issues related to land use and ownership. Winchester provides a wide and bird’s eye view into the ways humans have claimed possession of land throughout history. From surveying and mapping to acquiring and stewarding as well as a look into why humans fight over it and how, in some instances, come to share it.

by Glenice Lilje

Quick and Easy Meals

After a long day, do you ever find yourself staring into your fridge, wishing the random food items would magically come together and create a decent meal?  Have you ever gotten into an argument that quickly escalated because you were hangry and simply asked, “What do you want to eat?” Maybe you’ve tricked yourself into ordering another meal from Skip the Dishes or UberEats and justified it because the ingredients themselves would cost the same as the take-out bill plus there is less to clean up after. I have done all of the above…almost weekly, in fact.

Even with the help of food delivery programs, I still find myself struggling to construct a well-balanced meal on the daily. Honestly, how did our parents do this?  Luckily, I am not alone and it turns out that some celebs have found themselves in the same predicament as well.  They are just like us!  Below are some new additions to our cook book collection to help curb our hunger and provide tasty recipes to add to your rotation.

The Quick-Fix Kitchen by Tia Mowry

You may remember Tia Mowry from Sister, Sister back in the 90’s.  Today you can catch her on many Hallmark Channel movies. As a busy mom and actor, Mowry shares her hacks and tips for creating nutritious, hearty dishes that doesn’t take you away from the family for too long.  Not just recipes, included are helpful food shopping tips, help with meal planning, meal prep guidelines as well as pantry organizational hacks.

The Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach

Creator of the popular blog, Dinner: A Love Story, Jenny Rosentrach was struggling with wanting to make better eating decisions both for her health and for the planet.  Problem is, she didn’t want to give up the meat that she also loves. So like me, she decided to be a “weekday vegetarian” with meaty splurges for the weekend. With more than 100 recipes, The Weekday Vegetarians is packed with tips, techniques and food for thought that is sure to increase the meat-free meals and shake up your weekly rotation.

Together: Memorable Meals Made Easy by Jamie Oliver

Now, more than ever, getting together for meals has never felt so important. Each chapter of Jamie Oliver’s new book, Together: Memorable Meals Made Easy, features a meal with simple ingredients that can be mostly prepped ahead.  For any one that has prepared a large feast, you know what a godsend it is being able to prep things ahead of time so you can maximize the time you spend with your guests. Oliver strives to take the stress out of cooking by equipping you with tips to help you stay organized and ahead!

by Glenice Lilje

Eazy, Breezy, Fantasies

To escape the monotony of the daily grind, I like to escape with what I call a breezy read. Otherwise known as beach reads, these are the kind that you can put down and pick them up again without having to go back a couple of chapters to remember what you just read.  They can be cheesy romances or a suburban thriller with an improbable twist. Honestly, as long as the writing is good and the dialogue is natural, I can forgive over a mediocre plot.

The last couple decades, the rise in fantasy shows and movies have increased significantly. From your Harry Potter to Game of Thrones. These epic fantasies suck you into a new and foreign world. There is usually an important quest to save the world, royal bloodlines constantly fighting for control and spectacular magic battles. What better to escape to than a world where our rules and physical laws do not apply?

Combine these two elements and you have yourself an entertaining afternoon or two.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune (2020)

[2021 Alex Award winner, Lambda Literacy award-winning author]

My most recommended book of the year.  I even listened to the audiobook which made it all the more enjoyable as the narrator gave each character a better voice than anything I could ever come up with. This book was such a breezy read with quirky yet endearing characters that are reminiscent of those a la Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). The House in The Cerulean Sea follows our prickly protagonist as he discovers his truest self while finding an unlikely family in an unexpected place.

The Ex Hex by Erin Stirling (2021)

Erin Stirling gives us a classic rom-com trope that is hard to resist: a small-town witch is going through a heartbreak, has a little too much to drink and casts what she thought were harmless curses on her ex. Who hasn’t? What she didn’t anticipate was running into the same ex years later or the undeniable chemistry between them. The Ex Hex is a story of second chances, magical mishaps and love. Best enjoyed with a cozy blanket and an espresso martini or a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Rainbow Rowell’s Simon Snow Trilogy:  Carry On, Wayward Son, and Any Way the Wind Blows (2021)

I stumbled upon Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park and immediately gravitated to their easy writing style.  I was glad to find out that she writes a whole array of things: stories about teenagers, stories about adults and now she brings us a series about lovesick vampires and guys with dragon wings. The Simon Snow books one part ghost story, one part love story and two parts mystery. A hero’s journey filled with kissing, monsters, traumas, triumphs and an ending about endings.