Kerri Wallace's blog

Welcome to this month’s edition of The Reader’s Den! We will be reading and discussing the historical fiction novel, The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent. You can request a copy of the book by visiting the New York Public Library’s online catalog or stopping by your local branch to pick up a copy.

Sarah Carrier is the daughter of Thomas and Martha Carrier, who have recently fled the town of Billerica, Massachusetts in order to escape the deadly smallpox disease. They are coolly welcomed in the town of Andover and suspicions arise about the new Carrier family. However, the smallpox disease isn’t the only thing to spread throughout Massachusetts. Villagers are beginning to accuse their own neighbors of witchcraft, and the finger is eventually pointed at Sarah Carrier’s mother, Martha. Based on factual events and figures of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, The Heretic’s Daughter offers a page-turning glimpse into one of America’s most tragic events in history.

Feel free to post your thoughts and comments any time during the discussion by clicking on the “comment” link below.

Thank you participating in this month’s online book discussion. I hope you enjoyed The White Tiger as much as I did. If you didn’t have a chance to read the book and participate, please feel free to post your thoughts at a later time. The discussion will remain online in the Reader’s Den and hopefully, others will read the book and join in, as well.

Join us next month for our discussion on Kathleen Kent's historical fiction novel, The Heretic's Daughter. Request the novel online or visit your local library branch!

~Lynda P.

In his novel, Adiga highlights the dichotomy between the rich and the poor. He discusses the poorer Indian peoples' subservient relationship with their rich masters and their reluctance to rebel against the establishment because of ingrained and learned beliefs passed down from generation to generation. The rooster coop reflects the desperate existence of the poor in India and the perpetual power of the rich to manipulate the system to suit their needs. "Hundreds of pale hens and brightly colored roosters, stuffed tightly into wire-mesh cages, packed as tightly as worms in a belly, pecking each other, jostling for breathing space; the whole cage giving off a horrible stench--the stench of terrified, feathered flesh. On the wooden desk above his coop sits a grinning young brother, showing off the flesh and organs of a recently chopped-up chicken, still oleaginous with a coating of dark blood. The roosters in the coop smell the blood from above. They see the organs of their brothers lying around them. They know they're next. Yet they do not rebel. They do not try to get out of the coop" (p.147).

What is Balram's perspective on how and why the Rooster Coop works?

To what extent is the narrator finally able to break this obedience to tradition?

~Lynda P.

Early on in the novel, we learn that Balram is a successful businessman in Bangalore and an extremely complex character. In his first letter to the Chinese premier, he writes "my country is the kind where it pays to play it both ways: the Indian entrepreneur has to be straight and crooked, mocking and believing, sly and sincere, at the same time." What are your thoughts about Balram? Is he a psychopath?

Sudheer Apte, a reviewer for Mostly Fiction Book Reviews, wrote, "the most enjoyable part of this novel is the richly observed world of the have-nots in India: the flocks of drivers hanging out by their vehicles outside air-conditioned buildings, waiting for their masters to summon them, the beggars at traffic stops, who get money mostly from the poor; the petty manipulations among the servants of the house. This is the view most missing from so many Indian novels with a middle class sensibility" (Mostly Fiction Book Reviews). If it is one thing Adiga captures in his novel, is the division between the "haves" and "the have-nots" and how both sides are corrupt and manipulating the other in their own way. Because of his circumstances as a servant in India, do you feel Balram was justified in committing murder as a means to an end? Do our circumstances in life ultimately decide who we are?

Hopefully, you were able to get yourself a copy of The White Tiger and are enjoying the novel as much as I did. Here are a few questions to think about:

Why is Balram addressing his letters to the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabo? What is his intention in writing these letters?

In the first chapter, Balram describes himself as "a thinking man" and "a man of action." Do you agree or disagree? What examples do we see that he is both?

What is the significance of the title, The White Tiger?

~Lynda P.

Mulberry Street's Do It Yourself Series continues on October 19th at 6:30 p.m. We'll be constructing a paper magic folding box that is sure to please!

As some of you remember, this year's summer reading theme was "Be Creative!" Here at the Mulberry Street Branch, we participated by starting a summer Do It Yourself Series for adults. The program was held once a month and met with very enthusiastic participants. Mulberry's creative staff members transformed and revamped ordinary items into awesome and useful objects.

The first craft was a cereal box notebook using recycled cereal boxes and scrap paper. Who needs expensive Moleskine notebooks, when you can make your own!

In July we took old t-shirts and transformed them into tote bags! The library may have run out of plastic bags, but these easy to make totes hold all your library materials.

We got a little fancy in August with wearable button art. Using colorful buttons and felt, participants made fantastic brooches with these simple objects.

The staff and participants had so much fun this summer with our adult crafting programs that we've decided to continue the series into the fall. RSVP to our next craft on October 19th by calling or emailing the Mulberry Street Branch!

Welcome to the Reader's Den! This month's online book discussion will be The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga. Feel free to participate and make comments.

Aravind Adiga was born in Madras, India in 1974. In high school, he and his family immigrated to Australia. Later, he studied at Columbia and Oxford Universities and published his first novel, The White Tiger, in 2008. The White Tiger received the Man Booker prize for 2008, an esteemed accomplishment for a first time author. Adiga was also a correspondent for Time magazine and has also written for the Financial Times, the Independent and the Sunday Times.

The White Tiger tells the story of a young Indian man named Balram Halwai, who makes it of the "darkness" by brutally killing his rich master. The story takes place over the course of seven days while Balram, the son of a poor rickshaw puller from a small village in Bihar India, writes daily letters to the Premier of China, Wen Jiabao. In these letters, Balram tells his deepest, darkest secrets and how he came to be an entrepreneurial success. We learn that Balram murdered his master, Ashok and stole a great deal of money in order to get where he is today. He justifies his wrongdoings by rationalizing that it is the unfairness of the Indian society that forced him to do it. Told in a sardonic wit, The White Tiger will make you laugh, while also revealing the corruption of both the rich and the poor and give readers a look at the many sides of modern Indian life.

Reserve your copy of The White Tiger through The New York Public Library Catalog or at your local branch. The discussion will take place over the next four weeks. I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Lynda P.

Thank you for participating in this month's book discussion! If you were unable to pick up a copy of The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner, it is never to late to read the book and join the discussion. Feel free to post your comments any time by visiting The Reader's Den!

If you enjoyed the book, here are a few more titles you might like:

Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals by Wendy Dale
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Join us next month as we discuss Anne Enright's The Gathering!

I hope you have been enjoying The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. Here are a few discussion questions to think about as you finish up the book. Feel free to post your own thoughts and comments!

• Do you think Eric Weiner achieved his goal in finding the happiest places around the world?
• A few of the places mentioned in the book such as Iceland and Thailand seemed like surprising places to find happiness. Were you surprised by some of the locations that he picked?
• What locations around the world would you have assumed to be the happiest places?
• After visiting Switzerland and Qatar, what do you think is Weiner's conclusion about wealth and happiness?
• If you were to visit any of the places mentioned in the book, where would you go and why?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments!

Eric Weiner, the author of The Geography of Bliss, has been a correspondent for National Public Radio since 1993 and has been assigned to work in various places across the globe including India, Jerusalem, Iraq, and more. Weiner reported on serious topics in these places, so The Geography of Bliss allowed him to cover new territory and happier topics. In his introduction he ponders, "What if, I wondered, I spent a year traveling the globe, seeking out not the world's well-trodden trouble spots but, rather, its unheralded happy places?"

You can find out more about Eric Weiner by visiting his website. Be sure to click on the "photos" tab to see pictures from Weiner's stay in Bhutan. Stop by The Reader's Den next week for discussion questions!

For some of us, taking an exotic vacation this summer just isn't in our budget, but sometimes it's nice (and maybe a little bit cheaper) to live vicariously through other travelers' stories. Join The Reader's Den this month as we travel with Eric Weiner in his book, The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

In this non-fiction travel book, you'll venture to Switzerland, Iceland, Great Britain, and more in Weiner's search for some happy places across the world. The Geography of Bliss is also a non-fiction pick on this year's adult summer reading list! Make sure to visit The Reader's Den to follow the discussion and post your comments about the book.

So take a trip to your local library and pick up a copy of The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. It will be the cheapest vacation you take all summer.

D.I.Y., or "Do it Yourself," is all the rage lately! On June 24th at 6:30 p.m. the Mulberry Street Branch launches its Summer Do It Yourself Series for adults. We'll be making simple books using recycled materials (bring an empty cereal box if you can). Just one way to Be Creative this summer!

Registration is required. RSVP by calling the library at 212-966-3424 or send us an email at mulberry_branch@nypl.org.

On May 27th at 6:30 P.M., the Mulberry Street Branch introduces you to our neighbors from Crosby Street, the Anne Frank Center USA. Established in 1977, the Center provides education and exhibits on the importance of tolerance through the memory of Anne Frank.

Join us to learn more about the Anne Frank Center USA along with information on the life of Anne Frank.

RSVP at the library, by phone at 212-966-3424, or email mulberry_branch@nypl.org. All are welcome.

Saint Patrick's Day is tomorrow and March is usually the time when I reflect upon my heritage and honor my ancestors' history. Since March is also Women's History Month, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite female American Irish writers who inspire others to write and love great literature.

Born in 1851, Kate Chopin was the daughter of Thomas O'Flaherty, an Irish immigrant and a founder of the Pacific Railroad. Chopin was attuned to the Louisiana lifestyle and role of the submissive housewife, which she herself rejected (even though she eventually married and had six children). These observations were reflected and often criticized in her short stories, poetry, and novels. Though unsuccessful in her own time, The Awakening is now considered a significant work in feminist literature.  read more »

The goal of the Reader's Den is to offer library readers with busy lifestyles a convenient and unique way to connect with books and The New York Public Library. This online book club, accessible 24/7, gives readers an easy way to spark insightful discussions with the surrounding community, while reading at his or her own pace.

How does the Reader's Den select its books?
Each month, the selected books are chosen by The New York Public Library's librarians. The selections are noteworthy, popular, and deal with a variety of themes for discussion.

How do I get a copy of the selected book?
All titles selected for the Reader's Den can be found in the LEO catalog in multiple formats (book, audiobook, large print, etc). Reserve your copy online and have it delivered to your local branch! Contact your local librarian for further assistance.

How do I sign up for the Reader's Den?
There's no need to sign up! Leave your comments and reviews by clicking "add new comment" at the end of each post.

How will I know when the next discussion is running?
Check the Reader's Den page often for updates. You can also follow us on Twitter, Goodreads, or become our fan on Facebook!

We'd love to hear from our readers! Have any thoughts, suggestions, or questions? Email us at readersden@nypl.org.

In honor of the Oscar awards that took place this past Sunday, I thought I'd share some Hollywood drama in the fiction form. The following novels are set in Hollywood, California and cover various themes. From satire to mystery, these novels capture the Hollywood essence.

In Charles Bukowski's Hollywood, Henry Chinaski gets caught in celebrity Hollywood as he writes his screenplay, "The Dance of Jim Bean."
 
 
 
 
After a nervous breakdown, Maria Wyeth reminisces on her days as a frustrated actress in Joan Didion's Play it as it Lays.
 
 
 
 
What's Hollywood without its wild parties? In Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis, Clay finds himself in the California party scene, but after some disturbing events decides he needs to leave.
 
 
 
Based on true details from a 1947 unsolved murder, The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy is a page-turning mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat. Bucky Belichert is out to solve this brutal murder and investigates the whereabouts of his missing partner.
 
 
No other novel captures Hollywood like Nathanael West's 1939 classic, The Day of the Locust. Artist Todd Hackett works as a set and costume designer in Hollywood, while meeting a host of strange characters that he hopes to include in his painting, "The Burning of Los Angeles."
 

These titles can be requested by visiting the LEO catalog or contacting your local branch.

Thank you for participating in this month’s discussion! If you enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, here are some more titles that you might enjoy:

The Blood Doctor by Barbara Vine
The Keep by Jennifer Egan
The Lemur by Benjamin Black
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
The Savage Garden by Mark Mills

Of course you may also want to try some of these classic novels that were mentioned in the novel:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Next month The Reader’s Den will be discussing the memoir, A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown. Visit your local branch or the LEO catalog to reserve your copy!

Kerri Wallace is a book discussion leader at the Mulberry Street Branch Library, which meets on the last Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

I hope everyone has been enjoying The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. The following are some questions to think about as you finish up the novel. These are just suggestions, so feel free to raise your own questions, as well as to highlight passages in the novel that you'd like to discuss further.

• In what ways does 19th century literature affect the telling of The Thirteenth Tale?
• Why do you think Vida changes her storytelling from third person (he, she) to first person (I)? Does this strengthen the novel?
• How do books, novels, and stories play an important role in this book?
• Discuss the role of twins in The Thirteenth Tale.
• In what ways are Vida Winter and Margaret Lea similar?
• What were some memorable scenes in the novel?

"A wholly original work told in the vein of all the best gothic classics." Booklist

"Former academic Setterfield pays tribute in her debut to Brontë and du Maurier heroines: a plain girl gets wrapped up in a dark, haunted ruin of a house, which guards family secrets that are not hers and that she must discover at her peril." Publishers Weekly

Margaret Lea has been requested to write the biography of the mysterious and prolific fiction writer, Vida Winter. Margaret is at first hesitant to take on the job, but dark secrets and mysteries are unveiled as the dying Vida Winter reveals her life's story. Told in a gothic tone, The Thirteenth Tale will remind you of classic stories like Rebecca and The Turn of the Screw. An enjoyable read that's hard to put down. Visit LEO to read the book jacket.

Welcome to The Reader's Den! This month we will be reading and discussing The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. You can reserve your copy of the book on the LEO catalog or visit your local library branch. The Thirteenth Tale is also available in large print and audiobook. Feel free to leave your comments and reviews for The Thirteenth Tale any time during the month of January.

There is no need to sign up for The Reader's Den! Leave your comments and reviews in the comment form of the blog. Don't forget to check back often to see what other readers are saying about the book!

Thank you for visiting The Reader's Den; we look forward to discussing The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield with you!