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Recommended favourite books

The White Thorn is a wonderful story that takes place in South Africa.

The White Thorn is a wonderful story that takes place in South Africa.

It is about an English boy,  who is raised in an orphanage run by Afrikaans.

Courtney is a master at weaving history into a story so you come out quite well informed, while at the same time entertained by the portrayal of his characters.

Even Nelson Mandela is briefly mentioned as coming into politics at this time.  Don’t be deterred by the size of the book as you will laugh, cry, and cheer right to the end.

Kathy Newell, CCPL board member

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Wonder is a very good book.  It is a story about a boy with a deformed face.

His parents say he should go to school and when he does he gets picked on and no one will sit with him or near him.

I recommend this book because it’s the type of book you can’t put down.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a children’s novel great for ages 9-12. The book addresses such issues as identity, appearance, acceptance and bullying

Sam Fait, 11

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During my reading career I have fallen under the spell of many writers depending on my age and interests at the time.

There was the fascination with women’s issues and Erica Jong, the leap into spy intrigue with Elmore Leonard and Robert Ludlum, the need to know how to be self sufficient and fasinating books such as The Findhorn Garden.

Then there were books of fantasy such as The Hobbit, numerous autobiographies, travel books, books on architecture, travel — the list goes on and on.

But when I think about it, I always have a soft spot for one particular book, The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.

It seems to have just the right mix of drama, hardship, kindness and triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Gaeil Farrar

Tribune/Advisor  staff writer

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The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery is one of my all-time favourite non-fiction reads.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of titles such as Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, also kept extensive journals through most of her life.

The journals, filled with sorrows and challenges, were an example of how difficult the lives of some authors are yet they create so much enjoyment for others.

I discovered the two-volume set at the Castlegar library and devoured them through a snowy winter when my girls were small and my husband was a full time student. I read all of her books when I was a kid so it was neat to discover more about LM through her journals.

Monica Lamb-Yorski

Tribune/Advisor