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In Just for the Summer, Minnesota author of our No Strings Book Club book, Abby Jimenez portrays the finite summer months as one of exploration and discovery around our great state. While it’s true that her characters don’t make it to Pipestone, we are fairly certain that Emma and Justin would have loved our upcoming Saturday program—a morning stretch on our green space followed by a sound bath with gongs, chimes, and singing bowls.
As a traveling nurse, Emma would have appreciated the physical benefits of yoga, while Justin—as a new caretaker to his younger siblings—would have reveled in the mental health bump to be gained from the ancient art of using sound to boost your well-being.
Lucky for you, being a beloved character in a romantic story about connection, relationships, self-discovery, healing, and the beauty of Minnesota, isn’t a prerequisite to attend our 9 a.m. program with Jamie from Winding Woods Yoga. In fact, everyone is invited to grab a towel, yoga mat, or blanket and join us for a little community relaxation before the lazy mornings of summer slip into fall. Modifications will be presented to assist all abilities and experiences.
Participants are invited to stay afterward to share conversation and light refreshments on the patio or to try their hand at creating a rhythm that soothes their soul. This program is part of our Community Connection series that aims to bring people together through artistic expressions. Sponsored in part with a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, the morning activities are free and open to everyone.
Always free at Meinders Community Library? A chair—inside or out—where you can read, relax, work on your next master’s degree, apply for a job, watch your young’uns play, or participate in our many events such as the Summer Reading Program.
Youth can keep reading and earning keychain beads and/or ice cream cones until Aug. 29. At that time, all completed reading logs will be placed in a drawing for a free pizza and bowling party—complements of Pipestone Area Friends of the Library.
Our Classics Book Club meets on the second Thursday each month at noon to discuss books that have been deemed important to our broader culture. This month (Aug. 14), we will be talking about Minnesota author Louise Erdrich and her contributions to our literary and cultural landscape. Love Medicine is one of her older novels and part of her Native American series.
On Thursday Aug. 21, our Early Bird Book Club will tackle Three Days in June, a short novel by yet another award-winning Minnesota author, Anne Tyler. Anyone is welcome to join our book clubs. Simply let library staff know, and we can help you get the next book on our reading list.
With a scant few weeks of summer left, you should be able to knock off at least one more book from your to be read pile. Don’t have a TBR pile? Ask the librarians. Our circ staff is great at offering recommendations based on the kinds of books you like.
Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite reads so far this summer:
•24 Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds. This is a love story that spans generations in a delightful and unexpected way. Young Adult Novel
•His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabes Corpora. Ancient Egypt and ancient gods. Pharaohs, kingdoms, and treachery. Also a YA novel, but perfect for any historical fiction lover. For an adult tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, try The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty.
•The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes. A seriously good and murderous romp for cozy mystery fans. I not only laughed out loud; I actually snorted a few times.
•The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnos. On its face, you can’t love a nonfiction book about individuals with unimaginable power and wealth and how the way they live shapes our politics, culture, and everyday lives. Equal parts terrifying and fascinating for so many reasons.
•Eat, Slay, Love by Julie Mae Cohen. Because everyone should read a dark comedy about murder and mayhem every once in a while.
•Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I have no words to describe the impact of this classic novel on my soul. Pure gold.
And finally, Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Sweet romance without the trauma of love triangles and constant bickering. Jimenez writes about real characters whose relationships are informed by the complexities of life. It’s more about people than bodice ripping. Because, quite frankly, no bodices were ripped in this beach read with heart.