Chase The Chill With A Great Read

Jennifer Reopelle (second from left) leads the Mother/Daughter Book Club at the Cary Area Public Library recently. (Photo by John Konstantaras)

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What makes a book great? Members of the Mother-Daughter Book Club at the Cary Area Public Library have plenty of ideas.

“A good adventure,” said Jessica King, a sixth-grader at Prairie Hill School.

“Not being able to predict the ending,” added her mom, Janie, a fiction fan who liked “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Neffenegger.

“I like escape reading, something (with) characters I can get attached to,” said Leslie Strauss, who enjoys books by Nora Roberts.

The club is one of several the library sponsors, including one for boys and their dads. The mother-daughter club’s selection for the month is “Iris Messenger” by Sarah Deming, which tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who discovers Greek gods living in her suburb. 

“I liked it for the most part,” said Strauss’s daughter, Tegan.

But Susan Good, who joined the group with her daughter Madeline, noticed an odd trend in kids literature.

“What’s up with all the moms that are totally organic? This one makes soy sausage. It’s either that or the kids are all orphans,” Good said.

Winter is a great time to kick back with a book. Check out these recommendations from local libraries.

Literary Fiction
“Labor Day” by Joyce Maynard — “a beautifully-written coming-of-age story involving 13-year-old Henry, his mother and an injured stranger.” (Lauren Rosenthal, Crystal Lake Public Library)

“Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson — “The story of a man of Japanese descent and his 1954 murder trial.” (Martha Hansen, Woodstock Public Library)

Historical Fiction
“The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova — “This novel features Dracula as a mythical and historical figure. The story begins in 1972 and travels back and forth through time and exotic Eastern European locations.” (Mary Robinson, Crystal Lake Public Library)

“Hearts and Bones” by Margaret Lawrence — “Midwife Hannah Trevor finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. (The story) gives a real sense of life at the end of the American Revolution.” (Mary Robinson, Crystal Lake Public Library)

Romance
“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon — “Clare Randall travels from 1945 England to 1743 Scotland; romance and mayhem follow. (The story has) complex characters, realistic relationship and moving writing.” (Mary Robinson, Crystal Lake Public Library)

“Iron Lace” by Emilie Richards — “(The story has) exotic landscapes, treacherous villains and family secrets.” (Sharon Feyereisen, Cary Area Public Library)

Suspense/Mystery
“The Girl Who Played With Fire” by Steig Larsson — “(It is) filled with computer hacking and crime; unique characters – impossible to put down.” (Kelly Dewey, Cary Area Public Library)

“Last of the Breed” by Louis L’amour — “A Native American test pilot is forced down and pursued through Siberia.” (Martha Hansen, Woodstock Public Library)

Horror/Science Fiction
“Bad Men” by John Connolly — “Three centuries after a massacre on a Maine island, evil visits once again.” (Martha Hansen, Woodstock Public Library)

“The Host” by Stephanie Meyer — “An amazing story of survivalism that brings up questions about friendship, war, immortality and family.” (Maggie Wiggins, Cary Area Public Library)

Nonfiction
“Indian Creek Chronicles” by Peter Fromm — “A college student volunteers to spend a winter in Idaho’s wilderness, enduring harsh conditions.” (Martha Hansen, Woodstock Public Library)

“Half Broke Horses” by Jeannette Walls — “The author’s grandmother starts life in a Texas dugout, meets life’s challenges with grit and determination.” (Patricia Tetzlaff, Crystal Lake Public Library)

Kids (12 years old and younger)
“The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan — “(This is the) first book in the Peter Jackson and the Olympians series. A 12-year-old learns he is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea.” (Sue Keller, Cary Area Public Library)

Teens (12 years old and older)
“Life as We Knew It” by Susan Beth Pfeffer — “A teen and her family struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide disaster.” (Sue Keller, Cary Area Public Library)