Reading Chalenge, Part 2

Adult Winter Reading Challenge, Harvest McCampbell, published in the Willipa Harbor Herald on 1.18.17.  Full article clips here.   This is the full article as written, but not as edited for publication.

Adult Winter Reading Challenge! (634 words.)

Pacific County Libraries feature an Adult Winter Reading Program each year with some great prizes.  For every five books you read, Raymond Timberland Library offers a bar of chocolate and a book of your choice from the Friends of the Library book sale.  At the South Bend Library, for every five books you read you are entered into a drawing for a winter reading themed gift basket, and for every ten books you get to choose a free book. All Pacific County Timberland Library branches also enter your name in a drawing for a night’s lodging for two at the Shelburne Inn, with the other branches offering varying selections of local prizes.

This year, the Raymond and South Bend branches have added an additional challenge, just for fun. They are challenging everyone to read some books outside of their favorite genres.  There is a check list with some very interesting suggestions, including one to read a book that has been translated into English from another language.  Here are some suggestions for translated books, in a variety of genres, from our library system’s collection:

The Shadow of the Wind, is a gripping tale of suspense which features an ancient secret library full of mysterious and other worldly books. The rare person allowed to choose a book finds their lives changed profoundly, but not necessarily for the better.  The plot spans generations and national borders, while it weaves in and out of connected and intersecting narratives.  The author’s gifted descriptions of looming weather, the mood of the city, and the thoughts swirling around in his characters’ minds will stir music from horror films out of memory.  In fact, this title fulfills a couple of other check list topics!  In addition to a translated work, it also counts as a horror story and the first book of a series.  The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, translated from Spanish.  

The File on H., is hysterically funny, super intelligent, and very literary.  In this fictional work we find two Harvard researchers visiting Albania to explore current epic oral traditions, of which Homer and the Odyssey and the Iliad are ancient examples.   The local authorities, however, doubt the intrepid scholars true identify and purpose, and begin a bungling investigation. There is never a dull moment, between cross cultural snafus, women who see the scholars as a ticket to the west, and others who assume all Westerners are affluent and able to leverage large sums of money.  All these topics and more are treated with a comedic twist.  This book is ultimately satisfying with an epic ending all its own. The File on H., by Ismail Kadare, Arcade Publishing, translated from Albanian. 

Miral, is a historical and autobiographical novel that tells the story of two generations of Palestinian women.  The story begins in 1948 and concludes with the signing of the Oslo Accords, which form the basis of International Law regarding the partition of Israeli and Palestinian lands.  As the UN has recently signed a resolution condemning Israel for building settlements on Palestinian lands, this book forms an interesting backdrop for current events.  However, this is not a work of political rhetoric.  The stories shared in the novel are very personal and warm, about the lives of women, and how cultural and political influences helped shape very different personalities and passions.  It also gives us a rare look at Middle Eastern women at a period in recent history, before the fundamentalists grew in power to the degree they are wielding today.  This title has also been made into a feature film, which will give you another mark on your checklist.  Miral, by Rula Jebreal, Penguin Books, translated from Italian.

Visit your local library for more suggestions, instructions on using the on-line book request feature, and contest entry forms. 

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Full clips of the article as published available here:  http://adult-winter-reading-challeng.html.

Copyright, Harvest McCampbell, 2017.  All print rights reserved.  Reprint rights available for the book reviews.  If interested in may be able to rework the article to your specifications. Reprinting or reposting with written permission only.  For more informationplease send an e-mail to:  harvest95546 @ yahoo.com (take out spaces).

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