From an article in the Washington Post written by Nora Krug

Ms. McFadden's three volume "Housewife" series is available
 at the Byron G Merrill Library for your enjoyment!

The author of this year’s best-selling trade-paperback novel, “The Housemaid Is Watching,” really doesn’t want you to know who she is. She uses a pen name, Freida McFadden, and rarely makes public appearances. “I don’t like to be the center of attention,” she said in a video interview this summer from her living room. “I love that people are reading my books,” she added. “But the spotlight on me specifically is hard.”

 “It’s not just about privacy but also about social anxiety,” she said. The excitement surrounding her wildly popular suspense novels has only escalated her worry that she may not be “that amazing person that everyone expects you to be.”

 McFadden did not set out to be a novelist. She is a doctor who specializes in brain disorders — not a brain surgeon, she was quick to point out — and has two young children. She would not disclose her age or whether she has a housemaid.

 McFadden’s novels, written in the first-person present, are accessible: “If I leave this house, it will be in handcuffs,” is the opening line of “The Housemaid.” Her characters aren’t always believable or likable, but the many twists keep the plot moving quickly.

 

 

It’s necessary. A character who is shy and doesn’t do much isn’t very interesting. Some of the characters are like me, if I made different decisions in life. I am not a gambler, I’m very safe. Everything I do, I put tons of thought into, and that doesn’t make a very interesting charactYou’re not an exBKinsella.

What gave you the strength to  “I’m ready to publish”?

Rejection. When I was in college, I wrote a novel and I sent it around to agents, and it was rejected. Between college and medical school, I wrote a novel. My mother helped me send it to agents, and I actually landed an agent for that one and they sent it around, but nothing came of it. So I decided to self-publish. My goal wasn’t to be famous, my goal was to get my book in the hands of readers. I can’t emphasize enough: I just wanted a book I could hold in my hands. And once I did one, I wanted to do more.

 

You seem to produce books pretty quickly. How quickly?

I am limited not by ideas or writing time but good twists. With a thriller, you have to have a fresh twist. I spend a lot of time planning books. Once I start writing, I can go very quickly. Also, I am very cognizant of burning myself out. I am comfortable writing three to four books a year. I started doing this for fun. I want it to continue being fun. Right now it’s still fun, but if I start pushing myself to write more, it won’t be.

What do you hope readers will take from your books?

I am trying to create the kind of book I enjoy — that’s easy to read and fun. I was recently going through a hard time, and I started reading “Listen for the Lie,” by Amy Tintera. It immediately took my mind off my problem. People are looking for so many deep meanings in my books, but ultimately I want them to be enjoyable.

 

Your success is inspiring. How do you feel about being in that role?

It’s surreal. It’s wonderful and makes me proud. I want people to know that you can do it, too, at any age. When I started getting older, I thought I’d missed my chance, that I’d never be able to do this, but it’s never really too late.

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 October 16, 2024

My goodness, it has been forever since we last posted so I bet you are ready for some news!  It was very exciting when Just this last week our website took a vacation... Katy, after a number of tries and help from Lester (our tech guru), finally got everything back to rights. The website is important as it keeps you, our lovely patrons, up to date on our upcoming events and programs... Do check as we have two more events scheduled for October including the one below!

This drizzly, dismal morning has been good for reading... I was able to finish The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombado.

 As Town and Country said, "A sprawling, enchanting debut, this novel jumps back and forth across time to tell the story of one powerful, complicated, and unforgettable family as they navigate love and loss" This reader, who always looks forward to a debut novel, was not disappointed... in fact, I loved it! So much so, that I am looking forward to Ms. Lombardo's latest offering, Same as It Ever Was , which we will soon order. Do share your thoughts about this absorbing read!

And now... New books... catalogued, labeled, and ready to be checked out!!!

Happy Reading!!!

  7/15/2024...                      New Books (in no particular order) just in!!

New from James Patterson... a book we could not resist... just look
at the title... We can hardly wait to dive in!!!

You will find this book and other "Books About Books"
in the "Stack Room"... we are giving you first dibs!!

"A Susan Wiggs novel is a masterclass in storytelling and 
Welcome to Beach Town is no exception, a page-turning novel 
that proves that second chances might bewaiting right where we left them -
and that speaking our truth is always the path to healing" Kristy Woodson Harvey

This brand new book is in the Summer Reads area along with several other
Susan Wiggs selections.... You will love them all!!!

For the Love of Summer by Susan Mallery (AF 2024)... "Mallery is an expert at writing about strong women, their friendships, and their romances... The friendships in the book are warm and realistic, as Mallery's many fans will expect" (Booklist)

Head to Summer Reads to find this book!

The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer  (AF 2024).... Yes, we have lots of Nancy Thayer beach reads and yet, we always look forward to the next.  Two sisters reonnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket...

...and I just tucked this book into the Summer Reads display!

The Wager by David Grann (author of Killers of the Flower Moon) (2023-Times)

Taking place in and around 1742, this is the mesmerizing story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery, culminating in a court-martial that reveals a shocking truth

You will find this book in our Times - Colonial Era section

 

Barn Blind, A Novel (AF 1980) We are excited to add this Paperback
 to our collection as it is Jane Smiley's first novel, a spellbinding story on the classic American themes of work, love, and duty, and the excesses
 we commit to achieve success.

This new acquisition is displayed in the last section of the stacks with 
the other Jane Smiley novels in our collection.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (AF 2023)... "My novel... was inspired by the saying 'no two persons ever read the same book'. It's the story of nine readers and one novel that changes their lives for ever. It's the story of how books can affect us in the most beautiful and unexpected ways - and how we are all more closely connected to one another than we might thinnk."

This book and the four others we have by Ms. Bauermeister are displayed in the "Stack Room" on the 4th shelf. I have enjoyed them all.... 💚

We Went to War by Meg Heckman and Mike Pride (NH Times 2008)  
In 2007, the authors set out to find members of the WWII generation still
living in NH... this books compiles the stories the two writers collected. These oral histories touch on the well-known and the private.

Take a look at our New Hampshire display of books in the "Stack Room"...
you can't miss it. You will find  it in the Nh Display.

And here is a book you might have missed... A Time Before New Hampshire 
by Michael J Caduto (NH Times 2003)... the story of the land and people of NH from the formation of the earth 4. billion years age through the 17th century
... a very interesting read

This book is also in the New Hampshire display in the "Stack Room"

The Cliffs by J Courtney Sullivan (AF 2024)... A novel of family, ghosts, and homecoming

 set on the seaside cliffs of Maine... I can't wait to read this! Actually I have enjoyed

 ALL of Ms. Sullivan's books and all their family, drama, love carryings on... bet you will too!

You will find Ms. Sullivan's books on the 2nd shelf of the Summer Reads display!

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand (AF 2024) - the book we have been waiting for! Ms. Hilderbrand announced that this will be the last of her annual Nantucket books... sure hope she changes her mind!  In Swan Song, rich strangers move to the island, social mayhem and a possible murder follow. Can Nantucket's favorite locals save the day - and their way of life. 

You will find Swan Song on the same 2nd shelf  in the Summer Reads display.
Additional Nantucket books are on the shelf in case you have to wait... We love them all
and you don't need to read them in any particular order!

Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron (AF 2024) is the 15th novel in the Mike Bowditch series... Game Warden,
 Mike Bowditch, must chase down a cunning and dangerous fugitive in the north Maine woods...
Can Mike Bowditch stop his adversary in time to save the life of a young girl, or will he be forced
to watch another innocent soul die??

Fans of Paul Doiron, #15 has arrived!! If you have not read any of this series,
 we suggest that you start with #1 as they are best when read in order.
ALL of the Paul Doiron novels are displayed as you enter the "stack room" on the 2nd shelf!

It Had to be You by Mary Higgins .... Brand new and on the shelf... #8 in Ms Clark's 
Under suspicion series...  Two identical siblings seemed perfect in every way - handsome,
 intelligent, popular - until a shocking summer night..............

For your convenience, all eight books in this series are displayed
in the stack room on shelf 3. 
You are welcome to "start" the series, "pick up where you left off", or dig into #8!

4/15

  Byron G Merrill Library

10 Buffalo Road, Rumney NH - Website  rumneylibrary.org
Hours:  Mondays 10 - 1 and 3 - 5:30,  Wednesdays  1 - 5:30,  Saturdays  10 - 1

April 13th, 2024 and Beyond!

Just have to say a few words about this past week... Wasn't the Total Solar Eclipse just wonderful. Many of us watched from Rumney and others headed further north (only a 6 hour drive home from St Johnsbury!!)... a beautiful day and all went without a hitch! National Library Week was well celebrated as well... Lots of you kind folks stopping by to say hello and tell us how wonderful we are! The many new books were appreciated as well. Personally, I am half way through North Woods by Daniel Mason, the story of a house in western Massachusetts and the many generations that made it a home.... a good read!
  Please notice that the April logo above is a lot smaller in hopes of a pause in the rain!

Spring Clean Up!!  WE NEED YOU!
Saturday, April 27th, 10 - noon

Chairpersons Katy Gautsch and Lorrie Eaton have announced a community event for cleaning up the area outside around the library and museum... sweeping, raking, freshening the gardens. They are making a list!

This is a joint project for the library and the Rumney Historical Society
 as we get ready for upcoming community events and activities to be held
outside during the months ahead.
Remember... it takes a village!

Snacks will be available, fun for the kids as well, and a good time for all!!

 Monday mornings at 10... Family Time downstairs in Merrill Hall

Wednesday afternoons at 1... Cozy of Knitters: Bring your current project, enjoy the company of others, have a cup of tea!

For the complete list of our activities and events check out the calendar on our website.

www.rumneylibrary.org     

Wishing you all a good week,
The Library Ladies (We are here for you!) 

 Byron G Merrill Library
10 Buffalo Road, Rumney NH - Website  rumneylibrary.org
Hours:  Mondays 10 - 1 and 3 - 5:30,  Wednesdays  1 - 5:30,  Saturdays  10 - 1

April 8th - 13th 2024

Tomorrow, April 8th, is Solar Eclipse Day at last! What will you be doing to make this a memorable day?? The library will be open 10 - 1 and will then remain closed in the afternoon so that we all can spend the time with family and friends. We felt pleased that we were able to offer a well attended program about the eclipse to our patrons and we have given away dozens of the special glasses to actually watch the eclipse. And now the eclipse will actually be happening and even with clear skies predicted. 

Hey Readers, This is National Library Week and what better way is there to celebrate than by checking out a new book... What a selection we have for you!  Stop in and see all the new books on display!

 Monday mornings at 10... Family Time downstairs in Merrill Hall

Wednesday afternoons at 1... Cozy of Knitters: Bring your current project, enjoy the company of others, have a cup of tea!

Coming up in April and Beyond:  For the complete list check out the calendar on our website.

www.rumneylibrary.org     

Wishing you all a good week,
The Library Ladies (We are here for you!) 

 Byron G Merrill Library
10 Buffalo Road, Rumney NH - Website  rumneylibrary.org
Hours:  Mondays 10 - 1 and 3 - 5:30,  Wednesdays  1 - 5:30,  Saturdays  10 - 1

April 1st - 8th 2024

Welcome to another week at the Rumney Library and this one starts_
 with April Fool's Day... Stop in and play a joke on us... We will be ready!
And perhaps we will have a few to play on you! 
It looks like the weatherman has a few jokes to play on us too
 if the predictions play out. Be sure to check before heading our way
 on "questionable" days.

The Rumney Library Seed Swap 

Saturday, April 6th  10:30 - Noon

A Family Event!

• Bring in some garden seeds and have some fun sharing and trading seeds with other gardeners.
• Enjoy conversing and getting inspired to start your garden.
• Learn about our Seed Library which will be available on our open days
• Kids are invited to plant a seed and participate in a solar eclipse craft

It will be a fun day so be sure to join us.
 If you need more information contact Jane at jkelso@rumneylibrary.org

Coming up in April: The Seed Swap is just one of several activites and programs we have planned for this month. For the complete list check out the calendar on our website.

www.rumneylibrary.org     

Wishing you all a good week,
The Library Ladies (We are here for you!) 

 

Byron G Merrill Library – 10 Buffalo Road – Rumney NH 03266

Website – rumneylibrary.org

Open Mondays 10-1 and 3-5:30, Wednesdays, 1-5:30 and Saturdays 10-1

March 25th, 2024, Update

Tuesday, March 26 at 5 pm 
Getting Ready for the Total Solar Eclipse!

The Eclipse is coming! We hope you can join us tomorrow, Tuesday March 26, at 5:00 when Sally Jensen, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, will explain this exciting event and have special solar eclipse glasses and information to pass out so people will understand what is happening. “Observing a total solar eclipse is a truly incredible experience. As the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, the sky darkens, temperatures drop, and the stars become visible in the middle of the day, the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, becomes visible as a beautiful halo around the moon. We, in New Hampshire, will have to wait another 55 years for the next solar eclipse to happen for this area, even though eclipses happen on a regular basis, about twice a year somewhere on Earth. The goal is to help people enjoy the experience safely.”

 

 

We are re-scheduling our Seed Swap thanks to last Saturday’s snow storm. It will take place on Saturday, April 6^th at 10:30.
Book Club is still on schedule for Friday, March 29^th, at 5.