almost Normal on a Friday

 We were open from 10 to 5 and actually may have had more bodies in the library (Clue??) than curbside picker uppers.  We've opened up the Community Room and the Local History Room for meetings and the quiet study rooms are open for business as well. We are asking that capacity in the study rooms be limited to two.  For the moment masks are still required in the library in keeping with the town ordinance for mask wearing in town buildings.  

We put up a couple of book displays recently--something for everyone!  One on outdoor activities for people of all ages...

and one on gardening!

and in partnership with the school district, a display of books on the Hopkinton Middle High School Summer Reading List.  We've also included information on whether titles are available to download on one of our platforms.  

And on the reading front, I find myself much surprised to be quite taken with Jane Smiley's newest "Perestroika in Paris" featuring...wait for it...a horse, dog, raven and two ducks and a handful of humans.  I'm sure it is rich in metaphor, but it is also simply a nice quiet read with charming and clever characters.  How can one NOT be smitten by a raven named "Sir Raoul Corvus Corax, the twenty-third of that name"

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning and best-selling author: a captivating, brilliantly imaginative story of three extraordinary animals--and a young boy--whose lives intersect in Paris.

"If you're looking for a feel-good escape, try this." --The New York Times

I'm also listening to "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman because my daughter recently reported that it is one of her favorite books. It is also charming escape, read by the author who does a masterful job.  Finally, I'm regularly dipping into "Mantel Pieces" by Hilary Mantel, author of the award winning Thomas Cromwell series.  They are pieces that she wrote for the London Review of Books and very entertaining and covering a range of subject matters from contemporary issues to Anne Boleyn and Diana, Princess of Wales.  the title alone, made me want to pick it up.  Good summer-y weekend to all....Rhubarb focaccia is on the menu...another way to deal with the bumper crop.  At least the chipmunks don't eat that....