Strength in What Remains

Kidder, Tracy. Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness. 2009. (305.896757 Kidde.T & CD & eAudiobook)

In his latest work of nonfiction, Tracy Kidder brings us the story of Deogratias. And what a story it is. In May of 1994 Deo flies from Bujumbura, Burundi, to New York. He leaves behind a promising start as a third year medical student and a war-torn country in which Hutus and Tutsis are slaughtering each other. Having made his way through the massacres in both Burundi and Rwanda, Deo escapes with little beyond his life. He arrives in New York City with just $200 in his pocket, nowhere to stay, and a new language to learn. The only luggage he carries off the plane is a traveling bag of horrific memories. What makes this book truly remarkable is Kidder's masterful ability to structure Deo's story in such a way that Kidder gets out of the way, letting Deo's voice, in all its heartbreaking honesty, emerge without pretense or sugarcoating. Highly Recommended. (Christie, Adult/YA Services)

Six Suspects

Swarup, Vikas. Six Suspects. 2009. (Fiction Swaru.V)

Vicky Rai, playboy, corrupt industrialist, son of an even more corrupt provincial politician is shot to death at his lavish estate during a party celebrating his acquittal for a murder he did indeed commit. As the title says, there are six suspects all with motive and opportunity, and Swarup's page-turning account of how they got to be where they were at the moment of the shooting is not only a fascinating detective yarn in the best tradition of the great mystery authors, but also an unapologetic look at the social, political, and media climate in India. It reminded me of the character-rich, complex novels of Dickens that exposed society's ills. Swarup, like Dickens, is adept at using just the right touch of sardonic humor while lambasting the evils of India's caste-bound society. Many of the themes of this book echo those of Swarup's earlier novel, Slumdog Millioniare, which as a film adaptation won the Oscar for best movie in 2009. (Barbara L., Reader's Services)

Liars and Saints

Meloy, Maile. Liars and Saints. 2003. (F Meloy.M)

Liars and Saints chronicles the lives of the Catholic Santare family; intensely religious mom Yvette, distant and jealous dad Teddy, perfect (or so we think) daughter Margot, second daughter Clarissa and son Jamie who are both struggling to find their place in the world. Spanning the decades of the 1950s through the 1990s, the book follows three generations of the family through war, marriage, divorce, and death. At the heart of the book is a family secret. If you like family dramas with compelling characters, you will love Liars and Saints. Meloy follows up this book with A Family Daughter, her second novel about the always colorful Santare family. (Rika G., Reference)

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In case you didn't know, EPL's Off the Shelf blog is the place to be for a discussion on all things books, music, and movies. Off the Shelf is exploding with new content and we'd be remiss if we didn't tell you how exciting it all is. But don't take our word for it, stop in and see for yourself. All new this week we've got book clubs, Steinbeck, YA reads for adults, an outspoken children's librarian, a chance to support your local libraries, and Margaret Atwood talking hockey. In other words, all things weird, wild, and fun. Get where the action is: Off the Shelf.