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Fiction A to Z October 2018
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Cornelius C. Jones takes care of his father, too ill to work. His nights are filled with his father's lectures on history and philosophy, his days with his work as a projectionist at a movie theater in New York's East Village, until...we meet him again, reinvented as John Woman, a distinguished history professor at an unconventional university. Walter Mosley will be interviewed live at HPLQ, October 25, 7 PM. All Houston Public Library events are free and open to the public.
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Ordinary People by Diana EvansIn a crooked house in South London, Melissa feels increasingly that she's defined solely by motherhood, while Michael mourns the former thrill of their romance. In the suburbs, Stephanie's aspirations for bliss on the commuter belt, coupled with her white middle-class upbringing, compound Damian's itch for a bigger life catalyzed by the death of his activist father. Longtime friends from the years when passion seemed permanent, the couples have stayed in touch, gathering for births and anniversaries, bonding over discussions of politics, race, and art. Ordinary People is a moving examination of identity and parenthood, sex and grief, and the fragile architecture of love. For fans of: Zadie Smith's multicultural NW, or Richard Yates' mid-life crisis novel Revolutionary Road.
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| She Would Be King by WayƩtu MooreEloquent and perceptive, this genre-defying debut is both a brisk adventure and a thoughtful examination of colonialism and resistance. Moore's debut is a dramatic reimagining of the founding of Liberia, with touches of magic. Meet West African Gbessa, shunned as a witch; preternaturally strong former slave June; and mixed race Jamaican Norman, who can disappear. In the fight for freedom, their unique traits become powerful strengths.
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| The Dinner List by Rebecca SerleIn this wish-fulfillment tale, Sabrina Nielsen arrives at her 30th birthday party to see that the guests are her answers to the ice-breaking question, "Who in all of history would you like to share a meal with?"
Seated at Sabrina's table are sentimental best friend Jessica; the father who abandoned Sabrina as a child (and who has since died); her on-again, off-again lover, Tobias; a college philosophy professor...and Audrey Hepburn, who adds some class and magic to the proceedings. |
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| I Liked My Life by Abby FabiaschiRecently deceased wife and mother Maddy starts meddling from beyond the grave when she sees how her suicide shattered her family's lives. Sprinkled with humor, this sympathetic take on coping with death offers the perspectives of several complex characters and a moving view on marriage and parenthood.
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| The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie FlaggFounded in 1889, Elmwood Springs, Missouri has flourished over the last 150 years. As has the town cemetery -- everyone buried there quickly "wakes up" to catch up with long-departed friends and family members. This epic family saga combines historical detail with an intriguing premise and a teasing murder mystery, with quirky characters, warm humor, and a close-knit community. |
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| In A Dirty Job, secondhand-shop owner Charlie Asher learned he worked for Death, collecting souls in San Francisco. In Secondhand Souls, those souls are being stolen, and Charlie himself is trapped without a body. As with anything by Christopher Moore, an appreciation of the absurd, for jokes both clever and rude, and of outsize characters are all necessary to enjoy this irreverent take on life after death. |
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| The Afterlives by Thomas PierceSmall-town loan officer Jim Byrd was technically dead for five minutes before reviving. He's rather disappointed that nothing profound accompanied the experience. Seeking answers, Jim turns to investigating ghost sightings, psychic readings, and other potentially supernatural activities that now appear commonplace.
Numerous plots, a breezy tone, and an accessible tinge of science fiction bring light to that common question -- what happens to us after we die? |
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Not Your Mama's Book Club Bracewell Neighborhood Library Thursday, October 25 | 6 PM - 7:45 PM Join us for a lively book discussion on The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley.
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Classic Literature Book Club Central Library Tuesday, November 13 | 12 PM - 1 PM Do your reading tendencies lean towards the classics? If you enjoy reading and discussing classic literature, please join us for The Stranger by Albert Camus.
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Eleven Blowout Books Central Library Thursday, November 8 | 12 PM - 1 PM Join us to learn more about green themes including the environmental, social and economic approaches to sustainability. Held the second Thursday of the month at noon; led by Steve Stelzer, Program Director, Houston Green Building Resource Center.
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Heights Great Books Heights Neighborhood Library Saturday, November 10 | 2 PM - 4 PM Join us for a lively book discussion of Giant by Edna Ferber.
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Heights Library Readers Group Heights Neighborhood Library Monday, November 5 | 6:15 PM - 7:45 PM Join us for a lively book discussion on Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.
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Mystery on the Boulevard Heights Neighborhood Library Saturday, October 20 | 2 PM - 4 PMJoin us for a spooky book discussion of Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie.
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Murder at Midday HPL Express at Discovery Green Tuesday, October 23 | 12 PM - 1 PM Are you a fan of mysteries? Whether you like cozy, thriller or historical we have something for your tastes. Join us at Discovery Green for Murder at Midday, if you want to find out whodunit!
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Looscan Book Lovers Looscan Neighborhood Library Thursday, October 18 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM
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Morris Frank Express Book Club Morris Frank Library, an HPL Express Location Wednesday, November 7 | 10:30 AM - 12 PM Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Join us for a lively book discussion on Double Blind by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen.
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Meyer Mystery Book Club Frank Neighborhood Library Thursday, October 18 | 1 PM - 2 PM Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Join us for a lively discussion with the Meyer Mystery Book Club (hosted by Frank). Please call Frank Library to get details on the book being discussed this month. This month, we will be discussing All Day and a Night: a novel of suspense by Alafair Burke.
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Mystery Book Club Ring Neighborhood Library Thursday, November 8 | 1 PM - 2:30 PM Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Join us for a lively discussion with the Ring Mystery Book Club. Contact Ring library for more details. This month, we will be discussing The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn.
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