"Topaz Book Club Turns Pages of Noteworthy Titles"

This week I will publish the reading list for Topaz Book Club. Their year is almost over, but the selections they had in the fall of 2003 and the rest of their schedule for 2004 are certainly noteworthy.

"For Packrats Only" by Don Aslett I’m sure the discussion was quite lively. The whole title will give you a clue: For Packrats Only: how to clean up, clear out, and live clutter-free forever! Subtitle on the cover: How to clean up, clear out, and dejunk your life forever! We’ll have to read the book to see if the claims are accurate.

"Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold This title has been reviewed before, but I can’t say enough good things about this poignant and insightful story about a 14 year old that’s been murdered.

"The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci This author has given us such edge-of-the-seat thrillers as “Absolute Power” and “Last Man Standing”, as well as “Wish You Well”, a critically acclaimed story of hope and family. Now Baldacci once again brings us a uniquely entertaining holiday tale.

"Borrowed Finery: a Memoir" by Paula Fox The true story of the haphazard young life of Paula Fox, an outstanding children’s book author. The “borrowed finery” of the title refers to the few pieces of clothing worn by Paula, almost always lent by kindhearted strangers, that offer Fox a rare glimpse of permanency.

"Florabama Ladies Auxiliary & Sewing Circle" by Lois Battle Lois Battle creates a rich tapestry of female friendships in this funny, heartfelt, and poignant story about the surprising power of a group of small-town women.

"The Red Badge Of Courage" by Stephen Crane Critics call Stephen Crane, who is best known for his Civil War novel, “The Red Badge of Courage”, the first “modern” American writer. Crane was only twenty-eight when he died, but his work had a profound influence on American letters.

"Goodnight, Nebraska" by Tom McNeal At the age of seventeen Randall Hunsacker is a young man desperately in need of a second chance: he has just shot his mother’s boyfriend, stolen a car, and is on the verge of killing himself. His redemption may lie in a small Nebraska farm town called Goodnight.

"Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand The author beautifully renders this breathtaking saga of one horse’s journey from also-ran to national luminary. “Seabiscuit: an American Legend” is an inspiring tale of unlikely heroes, a classic story of three embattled individuals overcoming the odds in the Great Depression.

Memorials to the Columbus Library Foundation include those from D’Ete and Fred Kluck in memory of Herman Ernst and Monica Wunderlich. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kratky presented a memorial in honor of Gail Parrott. The Library staff, including Jan Osten, Donna Thiem, Dianne Clause, Kathy Soulliere, Donna Thomerson, Matt Asche, Sally Hansen, Veronica Kiuntke, Ellen Stewart, Robert Trautwein, and Brad Hruska presented memorials in memory of Fritz Engel, the father-in-law of library employee, Peggy Engel.