The Slow Road North

- Lynn Leave a comment

I picked up The Slow Road North: How I Found Peace in an Improbable Country by Rosie Schaap largely because it was about an American living in Ireland – and it is about that. But it’s also about growing up in New York, living in Brooklyn as an adult, becoming a widow at a young age, working as a freelance writer,  becoming a birdwatcher during the pandemic, and making peace with a mother who inspired anger, bitterness and love.

Schaap reimagines her life again and again. Enrolling in Queens College in Belfast well into middle age, she moves to a near idyllic town in Northern Ireland. There she becomes part of the community – going to the pub, yoga and school meetings.  In the spring of her first year at Queens, the pandemic hits and she finds new ways heal  – to deal with the deaths of her husband and mother.  She finds that she’s able to talk about death and loss in Ireland in ways that she wasn’t able to in New York.

An elegant writer, Schaap weaves in the history of Glenarm, its castle and surrounding forest and coastline  – as well as the complicated sectarian background of the largely Protestant town. She clearly loves embedding in new places, making lifelong friends and doing research into the political, social and historical places she finds herself.

LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 3 — FRENCH

- Jill Leave a comment

Last month we covered the Spanish language and the resources offered by The Library. This month, we’ll take a look at French. While not a commonly spoken language here in the Quad Cities, or even in Iowa, French is the 5th most spoken language in the world. With 321 million speakers (111 million who speak it as their mother tongue), French speakers make up 3.6% of the world population. French is also the 4th most used language on the internet (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) and is one of the only languages with speakers on every continent. With 74 French-speaking countries, French is considered a world language. Only 39 countries and independent states use French as their official or common language (Worlddata.info) and the language is at least partly spoken as a mother tongue in as many as 12 other countries.

It’s no surprise that France boasts the most native speakers – almost 64 million. There is a heavy presence of French speakers in Europe (31% of Europeans), especially in countries bordering France. French is one of the 24 official languages of the European Union (EU) and is also one of the official languages of multiple international organizations headquartered in Europe including the International Olympic Committee, the International Criminal Court, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Due to its popularity and utility around the world, French is popular with those learning a second language – around 51 million current learners (Organization of International Francophonie – OIF).

But, would it surprise you to know that almost 62% of French speakers live in Africa (North Africa, Near East and Sub-Saharan Africa)? In fact, the country with the second highest number of French speakers is the Democratic Republic of the Congo – almost 49 million. In total, there are 20 French-speaking countries in Africa that list French as their official or co-official language. And, in many countries around the world where French is spoken but is not the official language, French is used as the language of instruction or as an administrative language (Worlddata.info). The remaining top ten French-speaking countries (based on millions of speakers) are: Algeria (15M), Morocco (13.5M), Germany (12.3M), Italy (11.8M), Cameroon (11.5M), United Kingdom (11.3M), Canada (11.1M), and Ivory Coast with 9.3M (OIF). All of these countries rank higher in numbers of French speakers than even Belgium – the #2 French-speaking European country. Belgium has only 8.8M speakers.

Closer to home, roughly 11 million (21%) of Canadians speak French as their first language, the majority those residing in Québec (Worlddata.info). French has a foothold in the United States as well, gaining ground during the colonial period and after several waves of immigrants during both world wars and then followed by immigration from large groups of French-speakers from African countries in the 1980s. It is the third most spoken foreign language in the U.S. (after Spanish and Chinese), with over 2 million U.S. households speaking French (census.gov). That is less than 1% of the population. The majority of U.S. French speakers reside in Louisiana (2% of its population), most of them living in or around the New Orleans area. And, many of those actually speak Cajun French or Louisiana Creole, which are French dialects that developed through combining elements of French with other languages. Patois is also a dialect of French that is spoken in the U.S. (ncesc.com). Besides New Orleans, other major U.S. cities with large French-speaking populations are Honolulu, Miami, New York, and Chicago.

In Iowa, roughly 7,500 people speak French at home (statisticalatlas.com) – the majority of whom are foreign-born French speakers hailing from West and Central Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. According to a 2021 report by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, of the 12 most common world languages found across Iowa Counties, French is spoken in 22 of them. It is the fourth most commonly spoken foreign language in Iowa and is one of the 10 foreign languages spoken in Scott County with just under 400 speakers (MLA Language Map Data Center). There are roughly the same number or French speakers in Rock Island County, on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. While French is not a commonly spoken language in America, it is a commonly studied language and is a good choice for second language acquisition.

Here’s just a sampling of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you learn French. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

   

French in a flash : grammar and vocabulary fundamentals by Barbara Boyer

15-minute French : learn in just 12 weeks by Caroline Lemoine

Get talking French in ten days : audio course by Jean-Claude Arragon

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Short stories in French : read for pleasure at your level and learn French the fun way by Olly Richards

French short stories for beginners : 20 captivating short stories to learn French & grow your vocabulary the fun way : easy French stories

Learn French with short stories : fifteen beginner stories with parallel French & English text

#Language hacking French : a conversation course for beginners by Benny Lewis

Teach your dog French by Anne Cakebreak

50 French coffee breaks : short activities to improve your French one cup at a time

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

French English illustrated dictionary by Thomas Booth

The Firefly French/English visual dictionary by Jean Claude Corbeil

 

COMPLETE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Complete French by Gaëlle Graham

Collins easy learning French complete audio course by Rosi McNab

Learn Canadian French : for basic to advanced level French speakers by Pierre Lévesque

And, a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

 

Rick Steves’ French phrase book & dictionary by Rick Steves

French phrase book & dictionary

Fast Talk French

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 4 — GERMAN

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

- Michelle Leave a comment

Shari Lapena does it again with her latest release, What Have You Done? a suspenseful, roller coaster ride of a story where the innocent veneer of a small town hides countless secrets that multiply after a violent crime.  Residents of the small town of Fairhill, Vermont love the rural feel of their community, where everyone knows each other and you can count on your neighbor if you need anything.  One fall morning, word spreads quickly that a young girl has been found murdered in a farmer’s field on the outskirts of town.  When her identity is confirmed to be that of high schooler Diana Brewer, a popular student and star athlete, no one can believe that someone would want her dead.  Authorities quickly come to the conclusion that she was murdered and the evidence at the scene point to someone she knew well.

Someone evidently did want Diana Brewer dead.  There are a handful of Fairhill residents who are hiding secrets of their own that involve the murdered student.  As the authorities begin their investigation, secrets start to trickle out with a number of suspects having a clear motive. It soon becomes apparent that the residents of Fairhill have not only their own secrets to hide but are complicit in covering up for the guilty parties as well.  Could the culprit be her boyfriend who was pressuring her to attend the same college, was it an older teacher who was suspected to have crossed the line with his students, was a schoolmate upset with Diana unbeknownst to anyone else or was it someone that no one expected?  When the pressure mounts, trusted family members, friends and colleagues begin to turn on one another and expose secrets and lies.  With the circle of suspects getting smaller and smaller the pressure on the community gets heavier and heavier.  What Have You Done? also has a slight paranormal element strung throughout that adds depth to the story.

Told in alternating narrators (who have questionable motives and reliability), Shari Lapena has an uncanny knack to cast doubt on nearly every narrator’s version of events and that leaves the reader questioning every account.  As someone who reads primarily mysteries and psychological thrillers, Shari Lapena is one of my go to authors that I can count on to tell a intricate story with an ending that catches the reader off guard.  What Have You Done? kept me guessing right until the end with its twists and turns.  A highly recommended read if you are a fan of this genre.

Books to help you discuss tough topics with kids

- Beth Leave a comment

Sometimes when caregivers face a difficult topic they need to discuss with a child, the grownup doesn’t know where to start. They are afraid of saying the wrong thing but can make the situation worse by saying nothing at all.

The following are picture books in our Literacy and Learning Collection, meant for caregivers and children to read together. These books also offer additional guidance for caregivers.

From My Head to My Toes by Aly Raisman gently introduces young readers to the topics of consent and bodily autonomy in a positive way.

My Body Safety Rules by Jayneen Sanders teaches children with disability about body safety and consent and provides them with essential skills to recognize unsafe situations. Using age-appropriate language and illustrations, this book addresses the needs and challenges often faced by children with disability, helping them to understand their rights in regard to their body and personal space.

The idea of parents taking a break from or ending their relationship is scary and sad for children of all ages. If My Parents Are Divorced by Dagmar Geisler shows how different families can deal with a separation and which insecurities may arise in the minds of children.

Having a family member diagnosed with cancer can be scary and confusing for children. Cancer doesn’t just affect those who have it, but their family and friends as well. Momma Has Cancer by Phi Thach will take your child through journeys of pain and disease but also strength and encouragement.

What Does Grief Feel Like? by Korie Leigh shares the many ways people can grieve when a loved one dies and validates children’s unique grief experiences. Open-ended questions throughout the book invite children to share what they are thinking, feeling, and going through.

The Literacy and Learning Collection carries even more titles to help guide you through parenting in unusual and challenging circumstances. Items cover topics in mind, body, health and sex education, neurodivergent learners, and healing from trauma, abuse and violence.

His and Hers by Alice Feeney

- Stephanie Leave a comment

“Sometimes I think I am the unreliable narrator of my own life. Sometimes I think we all are.”
― Alice Feeney, His & Hers

Alice Feeney is hands-down one of my favorite thriller writers. Looking for a new-to-me read, I found His & Hers by Alice Feeney, a novel released in 2020 that I missed! How?! Let’s get into it.

Anna Andrews may not have the personal life she wants, but she finally has the professional career she has worked so hard for. She is currently working as the main TV presenter for the BBC’s lunchtime news. Her job always comes ahead of her family, friends, and her ex-husband. When a news story involves a murder in the sleepy village, Blackdown, where Anna grew up, she is reluctant to go, but makes the journey anyway. As soon as she learns who the victim is, Anna has to stay to cover the story and to make sure that her secrets stay buried. CI Jack Harper needed a change when he left London and settled in Blackdown. Drawn into this murder case, the detective is suspicious of Anna’s involvement and immediately considers her a suspect. Secrets run rife in Blackdown and this outsider has their own share.

I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. Alternating narrators, Feeney has written a dark, mysterious, fast-paced, and complex thriller that had me questioning what I thought I knew the entire time I was reading. Alice Feeney is the master of twists and AHHHH they got me good at the end of this novel. Can’t wait for her next book!

This title is also available in large print.

Online Reading Challenge – March

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Welcome Readers!

This month the Online Reading Challenge is focusing on biographical fiction. Biographical fiction tells the story of a real person while using fictional elements. Our main title for March is The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. Here’s a quick summary from the publisher:

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov’s experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions. – Harper

This title is also available in large print and CD audiobook.

Looking for some other biographical fiction? Try any of the following.

As always, check each of our locations for displays with lots more titles to choose from!

Oprah’s Latest Book Club Pick: Dream State by Eric Puchner

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Join Simply Held to have certain celebrity book club picks automatically put on hold for you: Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Bush Hager, and Oprah Winfrey. While Reese and Jenna generally announce a new title each month, Oprah’s selections are more sporadic. Reminder that if you join Simply Held, you can choose to have these titles automatically put on hold for you.

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Oprah Winfrey’s latest selection is Dream State by Eric Puchner.

Curious what Dream State is about? Check out the following description provided by the publisher.

Cece is in love. She has arrived early at her future in-laws’ lake house in Salish, Montana, to finish planning her wedding to Charlie, a young doctor with a brilliant life ahead of him. Charlie has asked Garrett, his best friend from college, to officiate the ceremony, though Cece can’t imagine anyone more ill-suited for the task—an airport baggage handler haunted by a tragedy from his and Charlie’s shared past. But as Cece spends time with Garrett, his gruff mask slips, and she grows increasingly uncertain about her future. And why does Garrett, after meeting Cece, begin to feel, well, human again? As a contagious stomach flu threatens to scuttle the wedding, and Charlie and Garrett’s friendship is put to the ultimate test, Cece must decide between the life she’s dreamed of and a life she’s never imagined.

The events of that summer have long-lasting repercussions, not only on the three friends caught in its shadow but also on their children, who struggle to escape their parents’ story. Spanning fifty years and set against the backdrop of a rapidly warming Montana, Dream State explores what it means to live with the mistakes of the past—both our own and the ones we’ve inherited.

Written with humor, precision, and enormous heart, both a love letter and an elegy to the American West, Dream State is a thrillingly ambitious ode to the power of friendship, the weird weather of marriage, and the beauty of impermanence. – Doubleday

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Join Simply Held to have Oprah, Jenna, and Reese’s adult selections automatically put on hold for you!

Online Reading Challenge – February Wrap-Up

- Stephanie Leave a comment

Hello Fellow Challenge Readers!

How did your reading go this month? Did you read a mystery that you enjoyed? Share in the comments!

I read our main title: The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex. I started reading a print copy of this book, but life got in the way, so I quickly turned to listening to the audiobook. Inspired by the true story of three lighthouse keepers disappearing from a remote tower in 1972, The Lamplighters dives into the lives of the keepers and those they left behind. The premise was fascinating and hooked me from the start. Flipping back and forth between 1972 and 1992, readers learn about what happened before the keepers disappeared and then 20 years later to present day. The circumstances surrounding their disappearances are never known, but theories abound. When a writer decides to interview the family members of the men in 1992, he hopes to find a united front, but instead discovers that the three main women have separated.

This narrative is tense, dark and unsettling. Saying that I enjoyed it sounds a bit wrong, but the exploration of the psychological impacts that lighthouse keeping, the tower, and grief have on everyone involved was intriguing. Multiple different points of view are shared, secrets are uncovered, and lives are woven together into a messy normal life. Seeing how the relationships change over time is typical of normal life with some changes. While this is a mystery, supernatural theories are explored. The ending wasn’t what I expected and I would LOVE to know your thoughts on it! While I know that we truly will never know what happened both to the real life men that disappeared and to the men in this book, the ending was challenging for me (I’m trying so hard not to spoil anything). Let me know your thoughts and concerns in the comments!

Next month, we will be reading biographical fiction!

In addition to following the Online Reading Challenge here on our Info Cafe blog, you can join our Online Reading Challenge group on Goodreads and discuss your reads!

See some 2025 Oscar-nominated films using your library

- Beth Leave a comment

The 97th Academy Awards airs on Sunday, March 2, and your library has some of the nominees available on DVD and Blu-ray. Place a hold on the movies you want to see and start your own Oscar-viewing marathon today!

Alien: Romulus. Nominated for Visual Effects

 

 

 

The Apprentice. Nominated for Actor in a leading role (Sebastian Stan) and Actor in a supporting role (Jeremy Strong)

 

 

 

Conclave. Nominated for Best Picture; Actor in a leading role (Ralph Fiennes); Actress in supporting role (Isabella Rossellini); Writing (adapted Screenplay); and other nominations. Here’s a link to the book the movie is based on, “Conclave” by Robert Harris.

 

 

Dune: Part Two. Nominated for Best Picture; Cinematography; and other nominations

 

 

 

Gladiator II. Nominated for Costume Design

 

 

 

Inside Out 2. Nominated for Animated Feature Film

 

 

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Nominated for Visual Effects

 

 

Nosferatu. Nominated for Cinematography; and other nominations

An Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature, “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” is available on DVD or streaming through Kanopy.

 

 

The Substance. Nominated for Best Picture; Actress in a leading role (Demi Moore); Directing; and Writing (original Screenplay)

Wicked. Nominated for Best Picture; Actress in a leading role (Cynthia Erivo); Actress in a supporting role (Ariana Grande); and other nominations

 

 

The Wild Robot. Nominated for Animated Feature Film. You can also read the book “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown that inspired the movie.

 

New Music on QCBeats

- Bill Leave a comment

Six new albums are now available on QC Beats!

Bontempi by Centaur Noir,
Music for the Next Scene by Chrash,
REVELATIONS by Connor Lyle,
Fish Out Water by Lewy Canoe,
Light of the Dark by Molly Conrad, and
and Shapes and Colors by The Textures.

 

QCBeats is an online streaming audio collection of original music featuring Quad Cities musicians and artists. QC Beats is a collaboration between Davenport Public Library, Bettendorf Public Library, and St. Ambrose University.

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