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Air date: June 23, 2024
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JESSICA:
Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I’m the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.
Today's two reading recommendations are a Hollywood memoir and a YA romance novel.
First, we’re going to hear from Lorraine, librarian in the Collection Services department, for an autobiography from two famous brothers. Over to you, Lorraine.
LORRAINE:
“The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” by actor and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and his brother, character actor Clint Howard, is great for people who like a nostalgic look at family relationships through the lens of acting, television, and film.
The brothers share their story from early childhood through young adulthood, telling tales of their participation in iconic television classics including “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Gentle Ben,” “Star Trek,” and “Happy Days.” Ron and Clint both began performing in Hollywood films and television when they were preschoolers and were guided through their early careers by their loving and supportive parents, Rance and Jean Howard, who were actors themselves.
The Howards prospered with love and clear communication in an industry not known for functional families. The sons refer to their father as “The Child Whisperer” for his skill in preparing them for emotionally realistic performances.
Ron moved on to become an A-List film director and Clint has been in over 200 films and TV shows, both continuing to use techniques and a strong work ethic they learned from their parents.
I highly recommend this book, especially the audio book version. Ron and Clint are the narrators, and it adds so much to the story to hear the bond between these two famous men.
JESSICA:
Thanks, Lorraine! I agree. Audiobook memoirs read by the authors really elevate the experience.
Next, let’s hear about a high school romance, from Kristi, library associate for Library on Wheels. Take it away, Kristi.
KRISTI:
Have you ever channeled your frustrations with the world into writing? How would you feel if the person you’re writing about got hold of those drafts? That’s exactly what happens to Sadie Wen in the YA novel “I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” by Ann Liang.
Perfect and quiet on the outside, but absolutely fuming on the inside, Sadie has been venting her frustrations with her classmates and teachers into email drafts for her entire school career. When those drafts are accidentally sent out, she finds her carefully crafted life turned upside down as she faces the ire of those she’s written about, including her arch-nemesis Julius Gong. The two are forced to work together on a principal-mandated mission and find that there is more to each of them than expected. As they begin to open up to each other, will they find friendship, and maybe more, or are they doomed to be rivals forever?
As a high school perfectionist myself, I really related to Sadie’s people-pleasing ways and her desire to keep everything calm on the surface. And the hating-to-dating romance between Sadie and Julius was a joy to watch unfold. If you like rom-coms that are high-drama and character-driven with a sweet romance, “I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” is sure to please.
JESSICA:
Thanks, Kristi! The character of Sadie sounds so adorable. I’m rooting for her!
Our recommendations this week are: “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” by Ron Howard and Clint Howard and “I Hope This Doesn't Find You” by Ann Liang.
Join us next time, when we’ll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.
Until then, I’m Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.
Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.
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