Kate Saunders has crafted a lovely amateur sleuth in Laetitia Dodd, a widow whose brother is a lawyer famous for not losing a case. He’s interested in facts; Mrs. Dodd is intuitive and relies on “feelings” she gets. Set in mid-nineteenth century London, the book is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, a work Saunders much admires. (True confession: If I’ve read it, I’ve forgotten it.) Multiple murders, multiple infidelities, multiple names—tracking it all with Laetitia and her landlady is a delightful read.
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How could I resist a title like that? This volume by Michiko Aoyama and translated by Alison Watts, is set in Aoyama’s native Japan. It’s a series of five charming interlinked stories in which the characters find just what they didn’t know they needed with the help of an enigmatic reference librarian at a local community center. When not busy, she makes felted wool figurines that she gives to the patrons along with a book list to aid their quest. Each book list also includes one unexpected title that seems irrelevant. Having very little knowledge of Japanese literature, I’d wondered if the books were real. Yes--there’s a book list in the back of every title she and the other characters discuss. My only regret is that her other works are not available through local or Ohio libraries. Perhaps more will be translated soon! |
What I’m ReadingI began working in libraries as a seventh grader, courtesy of scoliosis. My orthopedic surgeon wrote me a pass to miss gym class, so I began working in the school library to feed my love of reading. Even after my surgery to correct the curvature, I kept getting out of gym to work in my high school library and then in my college library (for pay, at last!).
So began my eventual career as a college reference librarian—after a detour into teaching high school English. Later I worked for an educational publisher before going back to libraries.
I have a reading and writing life now. I devour both fiction and nonfiction, and will tell you about some of my favorite reads, both old friends and new discoveries.
Here's some library-themed music to get you in the mood.
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