The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dayton Memorial Library

111 S. 3rd Street, Dayton

Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs., 12-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Storytime: Tues., 10 a.m.

“The True Tails of Baker and Taylor,” by Jan Louch (Adult Non-Fiction) – Jan Louch and her coworker decide that their library needs two cats. They soon find a couple of Scottish Folds that they think are perfect for the role. The library’s patrons soon fall for the cats and their wild antics much like Jan quickly had. After being featured on a poster, they become cat celebrities. Letters from kids across the nation and fans traveling from across the world to meet the cats make them the most famous library felines of all time.

“Swans Are Fat Too,” by Michelle Granas (Adult Fiction) – After the death of Polish pianist Natalia Lanska, her granddaughter Hania was the only one really mourning. Her concert artist career never made it off the ground due to a terrible weight problem. Hoping for a warm welcome at the funeral, she is instead taken aback by the appalling children of her relatives. Following a request to proof an amateur history project, Hania spends her summer between love and history as she tries to keep her mind off the problems of her relatives many children, all while finding the love of the author of the history project she edits.

“A Hero of France,” by Alan Furst (Historical Fiction) – Set during the Nazi occupation of Paris, small gatherings of ordinary men and women dedicate themselves to overthrowing the forces of Adolf Hitler. Mathieu, who is a leader of this French Resistance, helps downed British pilots return home. Helping Mathieu are five people from various walks of life; including a nightclub owner, an aristocrat, and a woman who goes on to fall in love with Mathieu. However, they soon face a new threat, as the Reich dispatches a team to destroy them.

“All Rise For The Honorable Perry T. Cook,” by Leslie Connor (Juvenile Fiction) – A heartfelt story about 11 year old Perry, who grew up with his mother at the Blue River Co-ed Correction Facility in a tiny Nebraskan town. His mom, who is being held at the prison, and Warden Daugherty have done all they can to allow Perry and his mom to be together. A district attorney soon uncovers a hidden truth, and Perry is forced into a foster home. Perry, wanting badly to be with his mom once again, goes to outstanding lengths to uncover the truth about her past downfall.

Weller Public Library

212 Main Street, Waitsburg

Hours: Mon. and Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Storytime: Mon., 10:30 a. m.

“Before the Fall,” by Noah Hawley (Literary Fiction) – One evening, eleven people fly on a private plane towards New York. During the flight, the unthinkable happens: the plane crashes into the sea. The only survivors are Scott Burroughs—a poor painter--and a four-year-old boy, who is now the sole survivor of a wealthy and powerful media mogul’s dynasty. As the passengers’ intrigues become clear, odd coincidences point to a conspiracy. Was it completely by fate that so many influential, powerful people perished? Or was something more clandestine at play?

“A Man Called Ove,” by Frederick Backman (Comedic Fiction) – Ove is a grumpy man who calls out anyone he isn’t fond of as if they were thieves. He is known around town for his strictness and temper. But does this mean that Ove is always cranky all because he doesn’t always seem like the happiest person around? A chance meeting with a young family leads to a feel good story highlighting friendships, U-Hauls, and cats; a meeting that also changes an old grump and an entire community.

“The Girls,” by Emma Cline (Literary Fiction) – Set in the violent conclusion of the 1960s in Northern California, a lonely teenager by the name of Evie Boyd looks upon a group of girls in her local park and is taken aback by their freedom, carelessness, and seemingly reckless abandon. Evie soon meets Suzanne and becomes enthralled by the older girl, which leads to Evie being taken into the inner circle of a rising cult and its charming leader. She yearns to be accepted in her new home in the cult’s hidden ranch, all while being unaware of her drawing closer and closer to unthinkable violence.