DIXFIELD – The Adult Reading Group of the Ludden Memorial Library met the first Tuesday of June in the downstairs reading corner. Present were Nancy Tapley, Carol Cantin, Ruth Raynor, Ginny Campbell and the group coordinator, Diane Stanley.

“The Tea House on Mulberry Street” by Owens was read from the new arrivals shelf. It takes place in Belfast, Ireland. Several lives are brought together by their association with the tearoom. It has romance in the background. It was found to be a good read.

“Like a Lamp in a Whore House,” written by Phyllis Diller, is also found on the new arrivals shelf. It is an autobiography done with her sense of humor. She was born in the Bible belt and grew up quite religious. However, in her adult years she became an atheist.

Diller is 88 and is shown to be a woman of great strength and courage. She is an accomplished pianist. The language in the book was described as colorful, but it was said to be a great read.

“Come Spring” by Tim LaHaye war reported on by one of the group. It is described as being a parable of love and faith. The reader looked up the definition of the word “parable,” and after reading the book, did not feel that it met those requirements. It was thought that the story, although sweet, lacked depth. It is about and artist and his struggles. It contained some romance and an historical background.

Jodi Picoult is an author that most everyone in the group loves. Two of her books were discussed, “Vanishing Acts” and “My Sister’s Keeper.” “Vanishing Act” is on the new arrivals shelf. The main character lived in New Hampshire.

She and her dog search for missing people. Periodically, she would have flash backs in memory, remembering things that she was not able to clarify. It is a mystery with lots of family dynamics and a strange ending.

“My Sister’s Keeper” is a strange tale about a young girl who was conceived for the sole purpose of being extra body parts for her sister who has cancer. She grows up to seek freedom from the task. It also has one of Picoult’s fabulous endings. It is highly recommended reading.

“Angela’s Ashes” is an older library book. An autobiography, the main character is born in New York City to Irish immigrants. It contains lots of dark material, but is infused with tremendous humor. Two in the group had read it and loved it.

“Any Bitter Thing,” written by Maine author Wood, is on the new arrivals shelf. The book is dedicated to the author’s uncle who was a priest before he died a couple of years ago. The story about a young girl who losses her parents in an accident and goes to live with her uncle, who is a priest. It is not an easy situation and the housekeeper causes lots of trouble and the girl’s life becomes saddened as she moves on to another family. The reader loved the phrasing and thought this was Wood’s best book.

Still working through the “Left Behind Series,” one of the group said she had finished “The Mark” and “Desecration.” These are books eight and nine. This part of the series deals with having to take the mark of the Anti-Christ during the tribulation period.

“The Ginger Tree” by Wind was read by a member of the group for another book She shared an overview. The story took place in 1903 and tells about an English girl who goes overseas to marry her fiance.

She ends up having an affair and becomes pregnant. The story spans 40 years and deals with her hardships in life. It is written in diary form. The reader found it wordy and boring.

“Bel Canto” by Patchett was reviewed. It has a Japanese background. During a concert rebels take over the palace and all are held hostage for several months. It has an odd ending, but was thought to be interesting.

“Wilderness Wife” by Angier was said to be a wonderful story. It starts with a husband and wife. He is a writer and she is a dancer. Having lived several years in the city, they decide to head for the back woods and live off the land. The story contains lots of good advice about living in the wilderness and survival. It is a warm story.

“She Took to the Woods” by Rich was written along the same vein. It takes place in the South Arm area. The main character is a woman of substance physically. It was stated to be a tremendously inspiring read.

“The Witness” by Brown was read and enjoyed by the group.

It is one of her earlier novels and is a mixture of thriller and romance. The main character ends up being a reluctant witness who knows too much about an insidious evil. It is a page-turner and a quick read.

The Adult Reading Group meets the first Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the downstairs Adult Reading Corner of the Conference Room. Tea/coffee are served. One does not have to be a patron to join.

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