We the Animals has been a popular small morsel at just 144 pages but packs quite a wallop. Told in the form of linked short stories, Torres’ first novel is an impressionistic examination of a family of mixed race and ethnicity.
The stories focus on the family’s three boys and are often accounts of fighting over blankets or flying trash-bag kites, but because the parents’ marriage is contentious, some are tinged with violence.
Torres novel is a pleasure to read from a gifted writer with a special talent for tone and characterization.

Here are a few firsts that are under the radar.

Meredith Mileti’s Aftertaste finds Mira Rinaldi, the co-owner of a chic New York City trattoria, battling to save her restaurant and pick up the pieces of her life after she catches her husband with another woman. Sprinkled with mouthwatering food descriptions and recipes, Mileti’s first novel examines the daily activities and self-reflections of a busy career woman who suddenly becomes single and directionless as Mira searches for the ingredients she needs to complete her own recipe for happiness. This succulent story will please readers of such similarly satisfying fare as Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate.

In Nancy Jensen’s The Sisters, growing up motherless and under the thumb of a cruel stepfather in 1920s Kentucky, Bertie Fisher and her older sister, Mabel, are torn apart by a painful misunderstanding that reverberates through the lives of their daughters and granddaughters. First-time novelist Jensen redeems her soap opera plot with an observant eye, adept characterization, and a keen grasp of social issues. There is plenty of drama, much of it illuminating the changing roles of women in society over a span of 70 years. Jensen nicely integrates history and themes such as the enduring ravages of war on the men who fight them.

Looking for a haunting romance? The Taker, Alma Katsu’s imaginative, wholly original debut is the story of Lanore McIlvrae, a young woman who is found in the Maine woods claiming she has killed a man. Luke, a young doctor, hears the story of how she was abandoned by a lover 200 years earlier and abducted by a centuries-old Hungarian count who granted her eternal life. Readers will not be able to tear their eyes away from Katsu’s mesmerizing tale. Alchemy and love prove a volatile mix in Katsu’s vivid novel, which toggles between the present and the past. Paranormal and hard-core romance readers might enjoy this debut.

This next gripping novel is not an easy read. Bonnie Nadzam’s Lamb gives Lolita a 21st-century spin. Unlike Humbert Humbert, David Lamb is not obsessed with underage girls but stumbles across one. David’s wife has left him, his father has died, and his work life is in shambles when outside a strip mall he meets a seventh-grade girl whom he entices into a pretend kidnap game “to scare” her friends. What he does once he gets her in his car is drive her home, but he also continues to meet her and give her rides to school. Their friendship intensifies, leading to a road trip, “Just a little secret trip in your secret life,” from Chicago to an abandoned family house of David’s in rural Colorado. There they hole up and eat junk food while Tommie’s mother has no idea where she is. What David promises the 11-year-old is a fantasy, and he comes across as a father figure, a friend, but at times something far more creepy. With Colorado neighbors snooping, the questions become, how far will this go and what will happen if anyone finds out? Nadzam has a crisp, fluid writing style, and her dialogue is reminiscent of Sam Shepard’s. The book suffers from the inevitable Nabokov comparison, but it’s a fine first effort: storytelling as accomplished as it is unsettling. This book is a compelling variation on a disturbing but all-too-familiar theme that will find an audience among serious readers.

For historical fiction lovers, there is Stella Tillyard’s Tides of War. A tale set in Regency England and Spain during the Peninsular War follows the interwoven stories of love and betrayal that shape the marriage of Harriet and James, who are separated when James joins the Duke of Wellington’s troops. The fictional newlyweds’ story is entwined with the historical duke and duchess of Wellington, along with other real and imaginary characters, to give a broad perspective on English society of the early 19th century. Readers share Harriet’s discovery of the waltz, Jane Austen, and ice cream, and witness cutting-edge battlefield surgeries under real-life Surgeon Gen. James McGrigor This sophisticated, unusual portrait of Regency society will appeal to all readers of historical fiction, especially admirers of Bernard Cornwell.

If you are looking for some thematic reading as you start planning for the fast approaching holidays, take a peek at our Thanksgiving Fictionbook list and for other reading suggestions peruse the library’s Booklists page. The newest books for the past six months are listed, as well as thematic mystery titles, readalikes, nonfiction, and award-winning lists.

Movies!
Enjoy some popcorn and Jane Austen on a big screen.
Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. – Becoming Jane.
Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. Movie – Pride and Prejudice.
Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. Movie – Bride and Prejudice.

English Tea!
Saturday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. – Tea and Regency Period Costume Demonstration. Reservations required. Call the Reference Desk at 781-246-6334 x2 starting 1/8.

Dance!
In Jane Austen’s time, dance was an extremely popular pastime. Join Sangita Jhaveri as she demonstrates what Bollywood dancing is all about. Wednesday Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. – Bollywood Dance Demonstration No registration required.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) was born in the Hampshire village of Steventon England, the seventh child in a family of eight. Her father, a rector in the village, encouraged a love of learning in his children and her mother was noted for her ready wit and improvised verses. The entire family loved to act.

In this fertile family environment Austen started her literary career. Her earliest writings date to 1787 and survive in three notebooks. The notebooks contain plays, short stories and other prose clearly showing Austen experimenting with different writing styles. Her growth as an author is shown in the novel Lady Susan (1793), a portrait of a woman consumed with exercising her own mind and personality to her social destruction.

Sense and Sensibility, the earliest of her “popular” novels, began as a novel in letters in 1795. Her father contacted publishers in 1797 to have it published but it was declined.

In 1801 a period of upheaval began when Austen’s father retired to Bath and the family began a succession of moves to the homes of relatives and different lodgings. In 1802, Austen agreed to marry Harris Big-Wither but changed her mind the next day. Since very little survives from her lifetime in the way of journals and letters, no one knows why she did not marry him. But her books reflect her knowledge of love and disappoint in love as well.

He father died in 1805. In 1809, their nomadic existence finally came to an end when Austen’s brother Edward provided them a large cottage in Chawton, not far from Steventon. Once settled in Chawton, Austen developed a new sense of resolve and began to prepare Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice for publication. Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811 and was favorably reviewed. Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813 and was the fashionable novel of the season. Austen flourished during this period and in 1817 was deep in the story of Sanditon, a satire of health resorts and invalidism when her own health began to decline. She was not able to finish the story and died July 18, 1817.

In 1869 the publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen by her nephew brought Austen to the attention of a much wider audience then she previously enjoyed. By the 1940’s she was acclaimed as a “great English novelist”. It is her concentration on character and personality and the tension between characters that make her a “modern” novelist. The wit, realism and timelessness of her prose endear Austen to the reader and help to explain her appeal to readers of all kinds.

“Mystery novels are genre fiction,” Ephron says, “and though there’s no one way to write one, there are plenty of insights that can make the process a whole lot less painful the first time out.”

She is also the author of “1001 Books for Every Mood,” a guide to the best books of our time “organized to suit your every mood.”

An award winning book reviewer for the Boston Globe, Ephron’s “On Crime” column of crime fiction book reviews appears on the last Sunday of each month in the “Ideas” section.

She grew up in Los Angeles, the third of four writing Ephron sisters (Nora, Delia and Amy). Her parents were screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron who wrote classic movies like “The Desk Set” and “Carousel.”

Ephron’s February 11 talk is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. For further information, go online at www.wakefieldlibrary.org or phone 781-246-6334.

(Photo by Asia Kepka)
Novelist and short story writer Jennifer Haigh will speak at Beebe Library on Thursday, December 4, at 7 p.m. Her first book, Mrs. Kimble, won the 2004 PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction. Her second, Baker Towers, was a New York Times bestseller and won the PEN/L.L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author. Her latest novel is The Condition.

In her masterful first novel, Mrs. Kimble, Haigh delivers a riveting story of three women who marry the same man. Ken Kimble is a chameleon, a man able to become, at least for a while, all things to all women.

Baker Towers,”is both a family saga and a love letter to our industrial past, to the men and women known as the Greatest Generation; to the vibrant small town life of America’s Rust Belt when it was still shiny and new.

Compassionate yet unflinchingly honest, witty and astute, The Condition explores the power of family mythologies, the self-delusions, denials and inescapable truths that forever bind fathers and mothers and siblings.

Ms. Haigh’s appearance at Beebe Library is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. For more information, phone 781-246-6334, or go online at wakefieldlibrary.org. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Wrote The House on Fortune Street

Margot Livesey, author of six novels including her latest, “The House on Fortune Street” (May 2008), will speak at Beebe Library on Wednesday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.

Her previous novels include “Homework,” “Criminals,” “The Missing World,” “Banishing Verona” and “Eva Moves the Furniture.”

“The House on Fortune Street,” centers on Dara, a therapist, and Abigail, an actress. After meeting while in college, they remain close friends years later, despite their differences.

Abigail confidently uses her charms both on and off stage, but is reluctant to make commitments. Dara, on the other hand, throws herself into every relationship with frightening intensity. Both young women seem to have found “true love” – Abigail with her academic boyfriend, and Dara with a tall, dark violinist.

Soon, however, trouble – in the form of an anonymous letter – threatens both relationships and their friendship. Meanwhile, a reconciliation between Dara and her distant father reawakens complicated childhood feelings.

Publisher’s Weekly called “The House on Fortune Street” “Absorbing…The pieces cross-reference and fit together seamlessly.”

According to Entertainment Weekly, “It’s a work that lingers long after the last page is turned.”

Kirkus Reviews said, “The House on Fortune Street” is “moving, gruffly tender and piercingly truthful.”

Margot Livesey grew up in a boys’ private school in the Scottish Highlands where her father taught and her mother was the school nurse. After earning her B.A. in English and philosophy at the University of York in England, she spent most of her twenties working in shops and restaurants and learning to write. Her first book, a collection of stories called “Learning by Heart,” was published in 1986.

Ms. Livesey is currently a distinguished writer in residence at Emerson College and the John F. and Dorothy H. Magee writer in residence at Bowdoin College. She lives with her husband, a painter, in Cambridge, MA.

Following her talk, Ms. Livesey will be happy to sign copies of her book. Refreshments will be available.

Ms. Livesey’s appearance is sponsored by The Friends of the Library.

To reserve your seats for this program, phone 781-246-6334, x2.

• Massachusetts Libraries
  Check out the new website for Massachusetts libraries from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). It’s easy to use, visually appealing and gives you answers to common questions about libraries in Massachusetts.
• Today’s Front Page
  If you’re interested in what’s happening around the world, take a look at “Today’s Front Page.” Over 500 newspapers from around the world send their headlines to “Newseum.” Area maps of the world are displayed on a toolbar. Click on the area of interest, and the resulting map will display location dots of corresponding newspapers. Click on the dot and the front page of the newspaper appears. Some newspapers are in the language of the country. Lots are in English.
• Having Fun with Images
  Put your name in lights! Use the following website to create your message for the “Godzillatron” at the University of Texas. Save the image to your computer and then dazzle your friends
• Use this website to create blinking neon signs for your blog, website or to email to friends.
• Booklists
  Because this is a library column, we have to have something on books! This website consists of booklists on themes, places, characters, and plots of crime novels, annotated booklists focused on fiction for adults, kids, and teens; a calendar of authors’ birthdays and some resources for book groups. It was originally part of the Waterboro Public Library website but moved to this new site in late 2007.
• Very Short List
  Everyone gets tons of emails daily, but “Very Short List” is an email worthy of the 5 minutes or less that you spend reading it. “VSL” sends you an email, five days a week about ONE “cool” thing. It could be a book, CD, movie, TV show or web video – it’s always interesting, to the point and doesn’t drown you in a sea of words.

Upcoming Events

• Singer Peter Sheridan shares songs, music and stories with young children Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. on January 19, February 2, March 8 and 22. Contact the Youth Room for Tickets.
• Author William Martin discusses his new book The Lost Constitution, on Thursday January 24, in the Lecture Hall, at 7 p.m. Contact the Reference Desk at 781-246-6334, x2 to reserve seats.
• Frosty’s Magic Birthday, a magic show with Greg McAdams will be in the Lecture Hall on Friday January 25 at 4:00PM. Kids 5 and older will be amazed at Greg’s sleight of hand. Contact the Youth Room to register.
• Chess for grades 5 and up, Friday January 25, 3–5 p.m. Sign up at the Youth Room Desk.
• Drop in story times for four and five year-olds is on Tuesdays at 11:00 or Fridays at 9:30. Winter II session January 8 – February 15. Spring session: March 11 – April 18.

Soon enough, January comes and reality sets in. Credit card bills arrive and the hard truth must be faced. In some cases, panic results because the amounts that are now owed are way beyond the resources available to pay them.

Steve Bucci offers a way out of this financial mess in Credit Repair Kit for Dummies (332.743 Bucci). In this practical book, he shows how to deal with bill collectors and offers tools and tips for fixing bad credit and cleaning up a messy credit history. Although it is geared towards people that are having financial difficulties, the book is also a great tutorial for young adults. It explains how to use credit wisely and gives illustrations of what happens when credit is abused.

Another notable book on money management is Jean Chatzky’s Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever (NEW 332.024 Chatzky). She emphasizes the importance of saving regularly, how small changes in spending patterns make a huge difference when it comes to getting on top of debt, especially credit card debt.

The whole family needs to practice money management and the Economides family has to be one of the best examples.

Steve and Annette Economides’ book, America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams (NEW 332.024 Economides) offers many options on budgeting. Although this family really likes to save every spare penny, they recognize that not everyone is alike. The book has several options and levels of being thrifty. No matter which level you choose to follow, there will still be savings.

Young adults will appreciate the valuable money advice in Sheryl Garrett’s Starting Out (332.024). Money management basics such as creating a budget, how to deal with credit, managing debt, saving, investing and buying a car or house are just a sampling of the topics offered.

If you are near retirement, then you are more interested in focusing on the savings that you already have. Ed Slott’s book, Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map: the Leave-Nothing-to-Chance, Worry-Free, All-Systems Go Guide (NEW 332.024 Slott) is the best retirement tutoring guide by an acknowledged IRA expert. Major parts of his book are the different checklists that help focus where and how you should be investing your life’s savings.

Whether you are just starting out or nearing retirement, Beebe Library offers a variety of money management and personal finance resources to help simplify the process. Stop by the library’s “Financial Fitness” display and explore the many resources that are available on this topic.

Book Group to Meet

Books by the Lake, Beebe Library’s book discussion group for adults, will meet next Wednesday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. The group will discuss The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards.

William Martin Speaks

William Martin, the bestselling author of “Back Bay,” “Harvard Yard” and six other novels, will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, at Beebe Library, 345 Main St. Martin will be discussing his latest book, “The Lost Constitution.” The event is free and open to the public. For more information go online to www.wakefieldlibrary.org. To reserve seats, contact the Reference Desk at 781-246-6334 x2, or email@wakefieldlibrary.org.