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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
January
20 - January 26, 2005 Edition
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One Book, One Island seeks votes
January 20, 2005
Island librarians and booksellers have announced the candidates for
this year’s One Book, One Island program and are asking local
readers to vote for their first choices. There will be one adult selection
and one for young readers, taken from two separate lists of potential
titles. The winning books will be announced soon and Islanders will
have two months to read before follow-up events are held in early
April.
There are five titles in each list and many of the books have received
prestigious awards. This year the committee has included non-fiction
titles in the adult category. Both of these books have themes that
resonate on the Vineyard. Ballots are available at town and school
libraries and at Island bookstores. Voting will end on January 26.
A variety of follow-up events will be scheduled for April 7 though
10.
“One Book, One Island needs your input,” said West Tisbury
Public Library Director Mary Jo Joiner. “Help us make One Book,
One Island in 2005 the best year ever by casting your vote at your
local library or bookstore.”
Titles for adults
Local author Paul Schneider discusses the glacial formation of Cape
Cod and the Islands in “The Enduring Shore” and goes on
to cover the regions’ natural and human history. The book is
a blend of stories and tales about the authors’ adventures kayaking
local waters.
“The Big House” is subtitled “A century in the life
of an American Summer Home.” The big house was built in 1903
on Cape Cod where author George Howe Colt’s family came for 42
summers. Now the house is up for sale and Mr. Colt chronicles its
place in his life.
“Sea of Glory” by Nathaniel Philbrick is the story of an
expedition that took place from 1838 to1842. The captain of the squadron
was an imposter whose arrogance managed to undermine the expedition’s
achievements. The book follows the expedition’s adventures and
those of its “captain.”
“The Known World” has an antebellum plantation setting.
Written by Edward P. Jones, it is a book about slavery, property,
freedom, and family. The Virginia slaveholder in the book just happens
to be black.
“The News from Paraguay” by Lily Tuck takes place in 1854.
Young Irish-born Ella Lynch meets Franco, the future dictator of Paraguay,
in Paris and follows him to Paraguay as his mistress. The story unfolds
through Ella’s diaries. A war with Brazil and Argentina ruins
the country and Ella ends up back in Europe to live as one of the
famous paramours of powerful leaders.
Books for young readers
“Catalyst” by Laurie Halse Anderson features an honor roll
student, science fair winner, and great athlete. Kate is the daughter
of a widowed minister, who has to fill in at home and chooses to apply
to only one college, MIT. Two disasters occur, including a rejection
from MIT.
“The City of Ember” was built underground as a last refuge
for the human race. Two hundred years later the lights are failing
and the storerooms are running low on supplies. The young protagonist
finds an ancient message that may hold the secret to save the city.
Jeanne DuPrau is the author.
In “The House of the Scorpion,” by Nancy Farmer, the main
character finds out that he was not born, but harvested. The sci-fi
action takes place in the country of Opium, which lies between the
United States and Mexico, where our hero has a patron who cares about
him.
“Tangerine” introduces a boy who is legally blind and wears
bottle-thick glasses and has just moved to Florida with his family.
He has a football-hero brother who is hard to live up to. Paul becomes
a member of the soccer team to get some of his father’s attention.
Edward Bloor wrote “Tangerine.”
“Quest for a Maid” written by Frances May Hendry is an historical
novel set in Scotland in the late 13th century. A fight for succession
of the throne involves the heroine of this tale who witnesses the
death of the current monarch at her sisters’ hands.
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©The
Martha's Vineyard Times 2004 - www.mvtimes.com
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