Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library discussion

What are your first reads of 2016? Are there any books you're really excited about reading this year?

Right now I am listening to a book called Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper. I'm not sure about it yet, but I am wondering why Etta decided she needed to go sea the ocean and set off for it on foot.

I'm also reading Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington. I've never read this classic - it's high time I did!

Good luck with Emma and Otto and Russell and James. I thought it had some good moments, but never understood what motivated any of characters to undertake their bizarre journeys.
I just finished Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel, which was amazing, and am now reading The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters.

So far I've been busy!
-The Revenant, so I could see the movie!
-A Year of No Sugar
-NPR Funniest Driveway Moments- a collection of NPR interviews over the years.
-Notorious RBG, a fan biography on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
-The Lightning Queen

All of them were great in their own ways.

The last one should be The Lightning Queen. I'm not sure how to edit!

Holly wrote: "Good luck with Emma and Otto and Russell and James. I thought it had some good moments, but never understood what motivated any of characters to undertake their bizarre journeys.
I just finished St..."

Yes, I'm finding it much the same as you did Holly--I can't come up with a reasonable reason for the characters actions. I'm just interested enough to keep listening until the end, but I don't think this will go on my favorites list.

Kelly wrote: "So far I've been busy!
-The Revenant, so I could see the movie!
-A Year of No Sugar
-NPR Funniest Driveway Moments- a collection of NPR interviews over the years.
-Notorious RBG, a fan biography on..."

I had to read more about "A Year of No Sugar" after I saw it on your list. I've been hearing a lot about these "no sugar" diets lately. I'm amazed that people can actually accomplish it.

While I think that consuming less sugar is always a good thing, this book wasn't really about a year with no sugar. More like a year with way less sugar!!! The family allowed a few exceptions which I think is more doable. It was a decent read and really highlighted how sugar has infiltrated our entire food system.

I just finished When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi.
It's a beautifully written, heartbreaking account of a young neurosurgeon who is given a terminal diagnosis. It raises questions about mortality and the quality of one's life.