LIBRARY CORNER
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER & DECEMBER 2009
SEPTEMBER
Delana would like to call your attention to a new author on our shelves: L.A. Kelly and her medieval Tahn Series. In the author's note, Kelly says that this story "presented itself to me in one big lump." She aptly describes her work when she writes, "I knew as I was writing Tahn that there was a message in it about the incredible mercy of our loving God, who reaches down to the lowest depths of humanity with his saving grace. But the story also speaks of the forgiveness necessary among men."
The first book in the series, Tahn, begins with Tahn Dorn scaling a stone wall to kidnap Lady Netta of the House of Trillet. Tahn has been trained as a mercenary since he was only four years old, but he now finds himself torn between his master's control and the urgings of his conscience. He tries to convince Lady Netta that he kidnapped her to keep her safe from another noble family's sinister plot, but Netta knows Tahn is the cloaked man who killed her husband years before. Lady Netta becomes more confused when this killer shows up with seven ragged children whom he has rescued from the bandit's lair and shows an interest in hearing about God.
When Tahn has been redeemed by God's grace, he finds himself drawn to the town he has sworn never to enter. In Return to Alastair, Tahn returns to the place where his nightmare begins...where his earliest memories are of having a pot of boiling water dumped on his four-year old back and Samis, the leader of the mercenaries, steals him away for training as a killer. As Tahn tries to learn about his past, the people of Alastair are closemouthed and eager to be rid of this young man who sparks feelings of guilt, fear and hatred among those who know his tale. Relying on his faith in God and the help of his friends, Tahn learns that in accepting God's forgiveness and forgiving others, it is also important to forgive yourself.
Back at the Trillet estate, the adventure continues in The Scarlet Trefoil. Netta Trillet is kidnapped by bandits on the eve of her wedding, but we soon discover it is revenge and self-preservation, not ransom, that prompted this evil act. It is impossible to write more in this review without spoiling much of the first and second novels. Suffice it to say that this series must be read in order and with plenty of time on your hands. Once you get to know the characters, you will become engrossed with their stories and turn rapidly from page to page and book to book.
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If your preference is for a modern tale rather than the medieval, check out one of our reader's recommendations in When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. You will be introduced to Annie, a little girl in need of a heart, and Reese, a mysterious man who is haunted by his past. Reese must overcome his own guilt and grief before he can reach out to help a little girl in need. The plot shifts between flashback and present, making it a bit slow and confusing at first. However, if you stick with it, you will discover highly developed characters, believable dialogue, and a well crafted story as the truth about Reese's past is revealed and he faces the ghosts of his past.
OCTOBER
September was stewardship month for the St. John's Library. While Bible study, worship, outreach activities and many other outlets enable you to grow in your faith every day, the quality Christian media items available in our library provide such an opportunity as well.
Are you looking for a new devotional to lead your daily Bible readings? How about books that address family issues for kids, teens, marriage and aging? Check out the non-fiction selections on the bottom two shelves along the north wall. If you would like to relax for a few hours with your family, we have dozens of family and kid's DVDs that both instruct and entertain. Even the thousands of fiction books that line a majority of the shelves present a wide variety of lessons based on God’s Word.
While the St. John's Library is a great way for you to be a good steward to both your faith and your mind, it also provides you with a wonderful opportunity to reach out to others. Invite your friends to join you as you explore the library shelves and you can share your faith with them at the same time.
DECEMBER
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Christmas follows a mere four weeks later. The countless
activities, events, and shopping trips associated with these holidays can lead to sour attitudes and
short tempers during what should be a time of celebration. SLOW DOWN! Keep your FAITH,
FAMILY & FRIENDS at the forefront this season and take the time to enjoy the simple things.
Remember the awe and anticipation with which you approached this time of year as a chilid. Start a
tradition of reading together or sharing family stories each night. There are many family-friendly
Books and movies in the St. John's Library to help you keep the JOY in the SEASON.
Paul Maier's The Very First Christmas is a perfect book to read together as a family. When young Christopher wants to hear a "real" bedtime story, his mother tells him about the miraculous birth of Jesus, using scripture to answer his many questions. Copies of this book can be found in both our children's (Easy) and Juvenile sections.
Max Lucado has something to offer all ages. First, you should not miss The Crippled Lamb, which we offer as a book/DVD combo found on the children's shelves. The tender tale of Joshua the Lamb will help children see that God has a very special plan for each person's life if we simply wait for Him to reveal it. Another Lucado offering for family reading is An AngeL's Story. In this short story (Adult Fiction), the Christmas story is told by the angel Gabriel, allowing the reader to picture the drama involved in that first Christmas so long ago. The final suggestion from this author's vast array of books is The Christmas Cross (Adult Fiction) which meets difficult subjects such as adoption and marital problems with the powerful messages of faith, family and forgiveness. The movie based on this story is titled Christmas Child and can be found in the Family DVD section (top row on the north wall) of our Library. (Please return movies within a week so others can enjoy them.)
For a more interpretive view of the events leading to the birth of Jesus, you may enjoy Elizabeth Berg's The Handmaid and the Carpenter. While it is set at the time Christ's birth, this book has a more modern feel in the way it approaches the relationship between Mary and Joseph. "Poetic license" is definitely utilized as conflicts arise and characters are introduced, but this novella still offers an interesting take on this pivotal event.
The Stable That Bob Built will again be on the children's table in the library during the coming weeks. Children love to use the VeggieTales display to illustrate the story as you read to them. We encourage you to take the time to share this fun activity with your children or grandchildren while visiting the Library this season.
During this busy season, the numerous books found on our shelves which have three or four novellas under one cover provide enjoyable stories with the added bonus of offering the reader a good place to pause without losing the storyline. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Fireside Christmas by Kristin Billerbeck; A Christmas Joy by Peggy Darty; and Christmas Dreams by Rebecca Germany. (These selections often feature multiple authors - only the first is listed here.)
Throughout the coming month, we will showcase various Christmas stories on our display stands, so stop in often to see what else we have to offer. Watch for: Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge; The Christmas Quilt by Thomas J. Davis; The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (Juvenile book and DVD); The Chrismas Shoes and others by Donna VanLiere; Jamaican Me Crazy: A Christmas Escape by Debbie DiGiovanni; and Christmas Every Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren.