Gary Elliott is a Mid-Missouri author whose latest book is “The 1849 Cholera Outbreak in Jefferson City.” The book is an account of the cholera epidemic aboard the steamship James Monroe, which left from St. Louis, Missouri and arrived in Jefferson City in May of 1849. A resident of Jefferson City, Elliott is a land surveyor by profession, and has previously authored two other books related to Missouri history. I emailed some interview questions to him, and he was kind enough to take time to write back some answers. Continue reading “Q&A With Gary Elliott, Author of “The 1849 Cholera Outbreak in Jefferson City””
“Convenience Store Woman” is a story about a woman who truly finds her calling, working part-time at a convenience store. If only everyone else in her life could accept this, things would be peachy. But her parents and sister always hold out hope that she will eventually “get better” over her autistic traits. Keiko tries with all her might to understand and obey the rules of being human, observing that “foreign objects get expelled.” This book will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like a misfit.
Three words that describe this book: quirky, funny, thought-provoking
You might want to pick this book up if: You want a quick read or you like stories about quirky people.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
Thanks for joining me for yet another issue of Quintessential Comics! This time we’re going to focus on graphic novels that have undergone either a film or television series adaptation. Some of these contain mature content. If you’ve been looking for a different format in which to enjoy your comic goodness, this is for you. Let’s get right to it!
“Preacher”
This series is about as wild as they come. Jesse Custer, a preacher hailing from Texas, finds the belief system that he has devoted his entire life to called into question when he realizes that he has the ability to command others to do anything he wants. This mysterious power comes as the result of a merger with a being known as “Genesis.” While it seems as though this gift has been bestowed upon him by Heaven itself, Custer isn’t so sure. He decides to hit the road with his renegade girlfriend Tulip and his unlikely best friend Cassidy, who just so happens to be a vampire, in order to find out the truth about his power and why he was chosen to wield it. Originally airing on AMC, this series is now available through Hulu and you can also check it out on DVD. Continue reading “Quintessential Comics: Invasion of the Film Adaptations”
I know that this is the Adults Blog and that I am a grown woman who pays taxes, but we can all agree that adults can (and should) read children’s books, right? Seriously, the best book I have read so far this year was a middle grade chapter book. If you’re limiting yourself to the adult section of the library, you are really missing out, because the best part of being a grown up is getting to read whatever you want. Much like the love of reading, the love for Halloween usually starts early and there are so many great Halloween-y books for kids, teens and tweens that reflect that. Sometimes these books are genuinely scary. Sometimes they are completely adorable. Oftentimes, they are both. Continue reading “Halloween Kids’ Books for Grownups”
“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” ~Mary Jo Godwin, Librarian
It’s fall again and another Banned Books Week is here, September 26 to October 2. This year’s theme is Books Unite Us: Censorship Divides Us. I have written several posts about banned books in the past detailing why various books are banned or challenged. This year, I would like to take a different approach and talk more generally about censorship, how libraries build collections to serve communities, and how our library system approaches challenges. Continue reading “Books Unite Us: Censorship Divides Us”
This is the first of a new blog series, Read the Recipe! Each month, I will review a cookbook that interests me. Sometimes, these will be new titles in our collection, others will be classics that may deserve another look. Each review will be from the view of a competent cook, but I hope to show the achievability of each chosen recipe. Full disclosure: in my former life, I spent some time in professional kitchens, but I am by no means a chef. I plan to make a few dishes from each book, preferably an entire meal, share photos of my process or finished products.
My first title is “The Family Meal” by Ferran Adria & Eugeni de Diego. Ferran Adria ran arguably the best restaurant in the world, El Bulli, from the mid-1980s to 2011. Eugeni de Diego was a chef at El Bulli, and after the restaurant’s closing, he moved on to his own restaurant chain, A Pluma in Barcelona. Continue reading “Read The Recipe!”
The mornings last week had the feeling of fall with cooler air and a sprinkling of early leaves floating down. All summer long, I’ve been thinking about what changes and additions I want to make to our gardens for next year. I’ve been waiting for the cooler weather to get to work on a vegetable garden, so I’m excited to move forward in sub 90 degree temperatures. Continue reading “Garden Dreams”
And now I have reached the Megalopolis. What in the world is a megalopolis you ask? A megalopolis is a very large, heavily populated urban center or complex including all of the suburbs and exurbs. It can feel as if it’s just one continuous city but it’s usually not. The northeastern seaboard is filled with them. Continue reading “Travel Through Story: Megalopolis”
When two African American twins growing up in a small, southern town run away at the age of 16, they lose contact with each other as their lives take completely different paths. While Desiree returns to her hometown and lives in poverty, Stella pretends to be white and lives a seemingly luxurious suburban lifestyle. Told from the perspectives of both twins and their family members, “The Vanishing Half” explores the fluidity of identity and the sacrifices people make in seeking happiness. As the characters change throughout their lives, this author uses well-crafted character development to touch on issues of race, class, family dynamics and gender-fluidity.
Three words that describe this book: Thought-Provoking, Suspenseful, Eloquent
You might want to pick this book up if: You are looking for a book that will make you evaluate your own identity.
-Jonie
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
