Hello from the Center of the Universe!

May 31, 2020

Your Fremont Branch team misses seeing you at the Center of the Universe and hearing about your latest Library discoveries. Here’s what we’ve enjoyed lately and think you might like, too.

While you’re waiting for the Seattle Reads There There events to happen later this year, try reading Lot by Bryan Washington. It’s also a set of interconnected stories, set in the sprawling neighborhoods of Houston. I’ve been reading up on all things Texas recently, partially because of idle thoughts of moving there, but mostly because you can’t really understand America’s future without coming to grips with it. Texas, and Houston in particular, is far more complicated and diverse than the caricature version you see in pop culture. Lot is a staccato blast of fiction. Its cast of young characters reflects its tangle of heritage in short set pieces that mix bravado and despair. ~ Daniel S.

If you loved Scooby-Doo as a kid, check out Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero. It’s the summer of 1977 and the Blyton Summer Detective Club has solved the case of the Sleepy Lake monster: just another fortune hunter trying to get his hands on legendary riches. And he would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids. But what if it wasn’t just a guy in a mask? Now it’s 13 years later and the former detectives are still haunted by that night. Andy, the once intrepid tomboy, decides she needs answers. It’s time to get the gang back together (including the dog!) and find out what really happened at Sleepy Lake. ~ Christiane

About a week into the stay at home order, I started re-listening to one of my favorite podcasts – The Adventure Zone. It’s a story I know and love, and it brings me what we all need during this time – comfort. TAZ is a real play podcast in which three brothers and their dad play table top RPGS (mainly Dungeons & Dragons, but also Monster of the Week, Urban Shadows and others). The hosts keep the show engaging, funny and touching throughout their adventures. If you aren’t into podcasts but love a good adventure story, you’re in luck! Their first two quests are available as graphic novels, with the third one coming in July. Read the first one as an e-book. ~ Jaz

John Prine. As I write his name tears spring to my eyes. Losing him to Covid-19 at only 73 years is a heavy blow. His passing means another soul whose lyrics will be elevated, but the songs he had yet to write will remain with him in the Cosmos. In my view he is the Poet Laureate of Songwriters, and should rise to the distinction of Patron Saint of Musicians. His swan song, The Tree of Forgiveness, is available to download on Freegal, along with an extensive collection of his other albums. These songs: “Hello in There” is relevant to these times; “The Bottomless Lake” is an upbeat, perilous tune; however, “Only Love” has haunted me the most through our social distancing. ~ Darcy