The Librarians at the Topsfield Town Library are always busy reading! Here are some reviews of recently-read books:
Sean’s review of Burn by Peter Heller:
I have to admit: I was taken by the blurbs on the cover of Peter Heller’s Burn, name-dropping Ernest Hemingway and Cormac McCarthy as comps! I very much enjoyed the main plot of the novel: two friends caught in the middle of inexplicable civil violence in the setting of rural Maine, attempting to remain human and survive in inhumane conditions, with the cathedral of rural beauty as a backdrop. I am in particular haunted by the humanity of the interaction between the Colonel and Collie at the end of the novel; a reminder of the common humanity we share in a fraught, polarized political moment.
(By the way, Maine is having a moment in literature over the past 12 months, with The Berry Pickers and The Frozen River just two examples of several excellent books taking place in Maine).
I did find the flashbacks to the past, exploring Jess’s backstory, to be, by far, the weakest part of this novel, at times feeling rushed, random, weird, or shoved into the story. I think the story would have been more effective, more haunting, without these additions. Still, a quick and satisfying read. 3.5 stars.
Lindsey’s review of The Eras Tour Encyclopedia by Mari Bolte:
Are you a Taylor Swift fan? Do you like sparkles and pretty costumes and great concert pictures? Taylor Swift’s the Eras Tour Encyclopedia is for you. This book is a comprehensive guide to all things Eras Tour, from the tour stops, setlists, and song analysis, to the costumes and dance moves. This is the kind of book fans pore over and delight in. I certainly did. There are plenty of details discussed that you may not know about the epic Eras Tour.
I can’t lie. I’m a #Swiftie. This book is fun. This book is definitely informative. This book is probably the closest I’m going to get to actually attending the Eras Tour (except for our Swiftie Party!) I recommend this for anyone who likes concerts, fashion, and of course, for the biggest Taylor Swift fan in your life.
Becca’s review of The Measure by Nikki Erlick:
What is the measure of a life? If you could know how much time you had left, would you choose to know? How would you behave towards people if you knew how much longer they would live? How would you spend your time if it was short? If it was long?
These are all excellent questions that are asked in this fascinating work of fiction, the debut novel of Nikki Erlick. I enjoyed this book so much. It had a little bit of everything and was incredibly thought provoking. It would make a great book club book.
It was also so interesting to see how she envisioned the world through this fake historical event. Hypothesizing how the world would change, how governments would react, how individuals would react, how this knowledge could benefit and harm society. If you’re not a fan of dystopian fiction, don’t worry, it’s honestly not heavy on fantastical elements, but more of a study of society and how we relate to people based on the knowledge we possess about them and ourselves. Give it a read!
Noelle’s review of Read at Your Own Risk by Remy Lai:
Hannah and her friends thought they were just going to have some fun when they decided to play a game called Spirit of the Coin, where you communicate with spirits of the dead. But when an evil spirit answers their call and crawls its way into the pages of Hannah’s sketch diary, what horrifying consequences will they have to face? For fans of the Quija board, R.L Stine, and horror. Suggested for middle grade-highschool.
