Volume LV, May 2022
Your Monthly News & Updates
Masks are now optional at all times inside the library. Please follow the advice of your health care provider
in deciding if wearing a mask is right for you.
Programs @ Lanier
Poster Girls
May 12 @ 11 AM

Backed with a career in business communications, Meredith Ritchie’s debut novel is a fictional account of two military wives working at the Shell Assembly Plant in Charlotte during WWII. A passion for literature forges an unlikely friendship between Maggie Slone and Kora Bell, a Black woman navigating the challenges of the Jim Crow era.
 
In 1942, in less than six months, the US Rubber Company and US Navy developed over 2,300 acres and 250 buildings for munitions manufacturing. One of every ten citizens of Charlotte worked at the plant. Few employment records exist for the 10,000 employees but estimates are that up to 90% were women with many women of color. Any could earn up to ten times the wages of domestic help. The pay equity in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802 attracted Southern civilians to the urban workforce, triggering the phenomenal future growth of the city.
 
In an atmosphere charged with social upheaval, rationing, and, literally, with gunpowder, Maggie and Kora work together to support their families and unify the workforce.
 
Told from two perspectives, “Poster Girls” reminds readers of forgotten events and accomplishments of diverse American women, still relevant to today’s race relations.
 
Thanks to The Bottle and All Good Things Bakery for refreshments and to Brett Auston Floral for flowers at the program.
Winemaking
May 17 @ 5:30 PM

Join Cory Lillberg, General Manager of Parker-Binns Vineyard, on a journey from earth to vine, bottle and glass, to sniff and comparative tastes. In this story of centuries, science, and risks, Cory will share insights in how the art of wine touches the senses, imagination, and budget.
 
The program will intrigue and entertain wine lovers who simply know what they like as well as connoisseurs who write the poetry of their own tasting notes.
 
Why does a red wine with “plum flavors carried by a substantial but very refined structure, ending with waves of anise” retail for $565 a bottle? How are taste characteristics determined such as light and bold or smooth and tannic? What puts the bubbles in sparkling wine? Are grapes still stomped by foot?
 
Parker-Binns is a 40-acre vineyard in Mill Spring with curently 13 acres of vines. A multi-generational winery started in 2008 by Bob and Karen Binns, their wines range from Petit Manseng and sparkling Cremont Rose’ to Cabernet Franc and Tannat.
 
Seating and sips of Parker-Binns selections are limited so reserve your seat now if you are 21 and older by reserving your space here.
Open Case of the Mystery Bible

The source of the Bible found last October in the Lanier “crypt” is still unknown. No Library member has had a clue as to the identity of Robert S. Abbott who signed the book in 1890.

As a further unsolved puzzle, a hand-written note card, inserted between pages, read: “Dear Don, Since no law library would be complete without the greatest book of law, of love and life in the world I am giving you this one for your library. With love and all good wishes for a happy birthday Mother”. Nothing more is known of Don and Mother.

To preserve the evidence in this open case, the book has been cleaned and rebound thanks to the donation of time and talent by Daphne Sawyer.
On February 1, 2003, the Columbia Space Shuttle exploded at more than 12 miles above the Earth. In Kathryn Schwille’s first novel, the IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards) winner “What Luck, This Life,” townspeople of fictional Kiser Texas hear “two blasts and the roar of a crashing trail that rumbled far too long.” In the following days, searchers and reporters intrude into the troubled lives of a town already burdened with tensions of class, race, and regrets.
 
For example, a father facing divorce finds an astronaut’s remains, a shop owner finds the courage to defend herself against a sexual predator’s increasing boldness, and an engineer finds an old neighbor’s longing when searching for shuttle debris.
 
Schwille says that her book “began as a collection of linked stories [with] the shuttle disaster in every chapter.” She notes imagining and hearing hearing many narrators when writing and couldn’t settle on one to tell the story of the town. “In the end, I was able to knit the narrators together... even though it’s not a traditional novel structure.”
 
Prior to writing “What Luck, This Life,” Kathryn Schwille was an award-winning journalist before moving to North Carolina to be editor at the Charlotte Observer. Her fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals.
Support @ Lanier
Tom Ervin, author of Earth Day Every Day and Lanier Board VP, recalls writing song lyrics and poems since he was a teenager. His wife Kathyrn adds, “I never thought I’d have a song written for me.” Now to her joy, not only has he written that song but also, in a duet with Nashville singer/composer/guitarist Marvin Evatt, sings the lyrics and strums the guitar.
 
Composed in celebration of their anniversary, “You’re My Angel” will be released on CD on May 10. Tom will be signing CD inserts on Tuesday May 10 at Lanier Library from 2-4 PM. Signed CDs will be kept at the Library as gifts for every new member, new donor, and membership renewal during May.
 
Tom and Marvin can be seen performing “You’re My Angel” on You-Tube and CD Baby will be streaming the song worldwide.
Smiling for Lanier
We now have 53 members who have designated the library as their charity of choice with Amazon Smile! Please help us to reach our goal of 75 Smile contributors! Go to amazonsmile to access the link to designate Lanier Library as the nonprofit on your account today.
Become a Member @ Lanier
Membership Renewal
Is your membership about to expire? No need to come in to the library, just visit the library website by clicking on: https://thelanierlibrary.org/membership/online-membership-form/ and renew online.
2022 Lanier Library Book of the Month
Reading Challenge

Start your challenge by picking up your BOMC (Book of the Month Challenge) log at the Library & read one qualifying book a month that you have not read before.

The May challenge is a science fiction book.
Return your completed book log to the Library before January 31, 2023.

Please note the bonus opportunities.
Each book is an entry in a February 2023 drawing. Prize to be announced.

You can also download it here:

Books @ Lanier
Book Lovers Meets May 7 @ 10 am
Book Lovers - April 2022
 
The first Saturday of every month, avid readers meet at Lanier Library to discuss books they’ve enjoyed (or not)! It’s casual, enlightening, and there are no rules. Join the fun. Here are current favorites.

Fiction
We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Summerwater by Sarah Moss
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
The Maid by Nita Prose
Oh, William! by Elizabeth Strout
Honor by Thrity Umrigar
Louise’s Lies by Sarah R. Shaber
Vladimir by Julie May Jonas
The Tannery by Michael A. Almond
Shadows Reel by C.J. Box
West with Giraffes by Linda Rutledge
Dog Eat Dog by David Rosenfelt
The List by John Grisham
A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

Mystery
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
About Face by Donna Leon

Biography
Going There by Katie Couric
Laptop from Hell by Miranda Devine

Nonfiction
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Children
Just Try One Bite by Camila McConaughey
NONFICTION BOOK CLUB Meets May 8 @ 1:30 pm
The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet to discuss The Chancellor by Kati Morton on May 8 at 1:30 pm in the Library.

The June 2022 Nonfiction selection is South to America by Imani Perry. Mark your calendar for the June Club meeting on June 12.

The Club will not meet in July or August.
Orders & Acquisitions
Below are the links to our April Orders and Acquisitions. Feel free to contact the library to put your name on the hold list for any you would like to read.

You can call us or log in through the catalog on the website using your library card number for ID and PIN.

And, as always, let us know if there is a book or DVD you think
would enhance the collection.

Click here for Orders
Click here for Acquisitions
May Book Review
The Tannery, by Michael A. Almond
 
Michael A. Almond’s first novel, The Tannery, is a combination of historical Southern fiction, murder mystery, and legal thriller that blurs the lines between past and present, fiction and nonfiction.

July 5, 1900, Wilkes County, North Carolina: The beautiful young daughter of tannery owner Jakob Schumann is found dead on the north bank of the Yadkin River, brutally beaten, a skinning knife in her chest. Who killed Rachel Schumann? And why?

Ambitious Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro has arrested Virgil Wade, a mixed-race boy, and is convinced the case is open and shut. But local lawyer Ben Waterman is not so sure. Ben's investigation uncovers evidence that undermines the prosecutor's case and points in an entirely different direction. But can he prove it? Can he convince an all-White, all-male jury of Virgil's innocence?

The Tannery transports readers to the turbulent world of the post Reconstruction South. Reflecting issues prominent in today's headlines, themes of Black voter suppression and intimidation, the violence and depravity of vigilante "justice," and the rise of Jim Crow drive the narrative to its dramatic and surprising conclusion.  

Review by Cindy Caldwell
Last Month @ Lanier
A standing room only crowd enjoyed an informative program from Shields Flynn on April 21 about the geology and minerals of North Carolina. The talk included an overview of the geology of North Carolina, the economic impact of minerals on the state’s economy, and information on the state’s mineral (gold), rock (granite), and gemstone (emerald). A native of Tryon, Shields was able to share stories of mineral exploration from his childhood in Polk County. Thank you to Shields for his fascinating program and for the beautiful display case of minerals from his personal collection.
Author David Hoffman shared from his timely new book Accidental Oligarch to an interested crowd on Tuesday, April 26. He introduced his book and its characters, reading two excerpts before opening conversation with the audience, who had many questions and comments. One key point he made is that this war really began with the Maidan Revolution in 2014, and is years rather than months old. David’s travels to Ukraine over many years give him a rich background on which to base his fictional novel. If you missed the program, the video is available here.
Pets @ Lanier
Lanier Library welcomes all library-friendly dogs & cats,
but asks that they remain on leash or in their carriers at all times.
Meet Emma!
who stopped by to visit with owner Connie Kennelly.
Displays @ Lanier
Sandra's Shelf Display

Sandra will share two book displays in May:
"Enjoy A Science Fiction Title To Complete Our May Reading Challenge" & "Celebrate Our Natural World" 
which will feature titles from the Felburn collection.

April Display

This month’s display will feature a collection of Little Golden Books curated by Eilene Morgan.

Do you remember your first book? If you grew up in the 40s and 50s, it was probably a Little Golden book. This series of children's books began in 1942. The top-selling children's book of all time is a Golden Book--The Poky Little Puppy.Little Golden Books are still sold today and loved by children of all ages.

Take a look at May's display of Golden Books and see if you can find your favorite!
Building Update
On May 3, the library will be closed for the installation of new carpet in the offices, periodical room, children's room, and stairwell. For some of that time, we will also be without internet or phone service. Later in May, all of the flooring in the LeDuc Room will be replaced as well. Please come by to see all of these great improvements, made possible by generous estate gifts. 
Poem of the Month
The Lanier Library Poetry Committee is pleased to introduce a poem of the month program. Each month we will be posting a different poem that we hope will inspire you. The poem will be in the monthly newsletter and posted at the library.
Please let us know what you think of each month's selection.
Songs for the People
By Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Let me make the songs for the people,
  Songs for the old and young;
Songs to stir like a battle-cry
  Wherever they are sung.
 
Not for the clashing of sabres,
  For carnage nor for strife;
But songs to thrill the hearts of men
  With more abundant life.
 
Let me make the songs for the weary,
  Amid life’s fever and fret,
Till hearts shall relax their tension,
  And careworn brows forget.
 
Let me sing for little children,
  Before their footsteps stray,
Sweet anthems of love and duty,
  To float o’er life’s highway.
 
I would sing for the poor and aged,
  When shadows dim their sight;
Of the bright and restful mansions,
  Where there shall be no night.
 
Our world, so worn and weary,
  Needs music, pure and strong,
To hush the jangle and discords
  Of sorrow, pain, and wrong.
 
Music to soothe all its sorrow,
  Till war and crime shall cease; 
And the hearts of men grown tender  
Girdle the world with peace.

Lanier Library | 828-859-9535| thelanierlibrary@gmail.com