Book lovers certainly do love quotes about books, reading, libraries - you name it! I grew up with a poster of this famous quote by Henry Ward Beecher in my room:

A library is not a luxury but a necessity of life.

Hmmm, wonder if that influenced my choice of career?

I recently checked out some books of quotations and sayings related to all things book-ish, and found some new quotes to savor and share:

Harper Lee:

Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.

A good reader is rarer than a good writer.

Let our books have some of the qualities of music. But they must be the qualities that music has for the unmusical, what we want are dreams, and sound without sense.

And my new favorite, from Oliver Wendell Holmes:

When I want a book, it is as a tiger wants a sheep. I must have it with one spring, and, if I miss it, go away defeated and hungry.

I'm always open to adding new quotes to my collection so send your favorites in!

mcs

Who hasn't known the anticipation of waiting for a new book by a favorite author? I usually hear about a forthcoming title and put it "on hold" at the Library and then wait to be pleasantly surprised when I receive notice that it has arrived and awaiting pickup. But what to do when a favorite author seems to be a rather slow writer and/or the publication of a book is delayed? This happened to me last week when I learned that the sequel to Patrick Rothfuss' wonderful Fantasy debut (The Name of the Wind) has been postponed from April to November. I find myself torn between the sheer frustration of wanting the book as soon as possible and with knowing that I should be patient since a rushed work is only going to disappoint. The reason I enjoy authors like Diane Setterfield (The Thirteenth Tale) and Marisa De los Santos (Love Walked In) is as much for their writing as for the story, so their commitment to take as long as needed can only be a good thing.

Then again, I think some writers have hit a wall and can't continue. This seems to be true of George R. R. Martin who has a great Fantasy series (Song of Fire and Ice) which he started years and years ago, but which he can't seem to finish. He's tried to post updates on his website but he's even stopped those. Even when the next book IS published (possibly in September) I've decided I'm not reading it! I'm going to wait until he finishes the entire series (which at 3+ years per book could be another decade) and then read them start to finish when I won't have to wait years in between for the next installment.

Which author keeps you in suspense as you await their next book?

marlise

What's the secret to raising a reader at home? Start early. Kids love to be read to, even when they no longer want to be referred to as "kids!" Library visits are great for finding new books, but also for finding resources designed to support parents in their quest to raise lifelong readers. Some publications also offer online suggestions.

Raising Bookworms by Emma Walton Hamilton is full of age-appropriate book recommendations.
Feel free to ask our staff for ideas, too! We are happy to help.

There are a variety of book events going on in the area during April, including:

Decisions, Decisions! On Tuesday April 14th there are three different book-related programs at the Library: The 2nd Tuesday Morning Book Group will be discussing Sue Miller's The Senator's Wife starting at 10am. Then, in the evening you have your choice of joining either the Evening Book Group (we'll be discussing The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl) or attend the program "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover - Dead!" featuring the "mystery mavens."

There's been a lot of buzz among reviewers about the new book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. The story is set during World War II in the ethnic neighborhoods of Seattle and the Japanese American internment camps. Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville is hosting an author event and signing starting at 7pm on Tuesday, April 21.

Did you know that our local Borders (on the east side of St. Charles - 3539 E. Main St) also hosts a book club? On April 23 at 7pm they will be discussing the popular book, The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

You might want to check out Townhouse Books' Annual Book Club Mixer on Tuesday, April 28th. From 6:30 - 8:30pm they invite all members of local book clubs (and those who would like to be) to talk books, share lists and have fun!

Last but not least, for those who enjoy contemporary romance, you might want to see best-selling author Cathie Linz at the Glenside Public Library on Wednesday, April 29. She will read from her latest book, speak about her writing life and answer questions.