Following up on the Coffee, Conversation & More session earlier this year that focused on the Aid in Dying movement, we have two new adult books in our Memorial Collection as well as a few related children’s books. The two new books are Diane Rehm’s On My Own and Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air. In On My Own, the author talks about the long death of her husband of 50 years, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease. Her book touches on practical aspects, including the Aid in Dying movement, as well as the deeply emotional aspect of struggling to create a new reality while clinging to memories of the past. When Breath Becomes Air deals with how one can face their own death; Judy Gibson bought this book on impulse, after having read some rave comments about it. Remarking on When Breath Becomes Air, Atul Gawande wrote: “Rattling, heartbreaking, beautiful….Proof that the dying are the ones who have the most to teach us about life.”
Also in the Memorial Collection are two illustrated books intended for children: Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way To Explain Death To Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen and What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? By Trevor Romain. These are small volumes, good for young and old alike.
Other new books that have appeared in the last few months include: I’m Sorry for Your Loss: Hope and Guidance in Managing Your Grief by Lillian L. Meyers and a beautifully illustrated children’s book, Just A Dream by Chris Van Allsburg.
Books will be accessioned periodically throughout the summer, so check back often to see what is new. Soon to available for check out is Christ for Unitarian Universalists: A New Dialogue with Traditional Christianily by Scotty McLennan. The newly published book by Peggy Orenstein aimed particularly at parents of teens – Girls and Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape will also be available. If you are looking for something a little lighter to fill a lazy summer day, we also have many YA books for entertaining and quick reads. We hope you will stop by the Coots Library often to find your summer reading.
Lorraine Olendzenski, Chair, Library Committee