Book Buzz

Tune in for the weekly buzz on what we're reading!

Join us each Sunday as Sno-Isle Libraries staff discuss the latest buzz-worthy titles on our weekly radio program, Book Buzz. Tune in to KSER 90.7 Independent Public Radio and let us introduce you to the handpicked favorites that have captured our hearts and minds. Whether you're a book enthusiast or just a curious listener, Book Buzz gives you the inside scoop on what's worth reading.

Latest Episode

Episode 83 - Air date: Jan 5, 2025

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 nonfiction book about sounds, and a historical novel.

First, we’re going to hear from Jayanne, librarian at the Freeland Library, for an exploration of noise. Take it away, Jayanne.

JAYANNE:

Recently, when the power went out, my body relaxed as the whir and whine of the electronic background of life was silenced. That sudden absence made the remaining sounds more prevalent and had me thinking about all the noises around us. In the nonfiction offering, “A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous,” Caspar Henderson celebrates all things "auraculous," or "ear marvelous."

Dipping into many fields of study, he explores the noises out in the cosmos, those made by our planet, as well as those by the plants, animals and people that occupy the earth. In these essays you can discover when the first note was sung, contemplate what you would sound like on another planet, or what scientists think dinosaurs sounded like. He also discusses subjects like how we are healed by sound, how bells vary around the world, and the impact of noise pollution. He shares some of the speculations on the origins of language and on music.

There are 48 entries in this book and in his introduction, he encourages the reader to skip around and read whatever catches their interest. I agree, this is not a book that I read straight through. I enjoyed consuming it in small bites between the fiction currently on my shelf. Pick it up, flip to a topic and discover something quirky or inspiring. It was fascinating to meander through the sound scape with him. It gave me a new appreciation of some good vibrations, and most importantly, it stressed the importance of listening.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Jayanne! What a fascinating reminder of the wonder hidden in the everyday noise around us.

Next, let’s hear from Rebekah, library associate at the Camano Island Library, for a poetic story of desire, love, and grief. Go ahead, Rebekah.

REBEKAH:

“Held” by Anne Michaels is not a large volume. It is a scant 241 pages and yet somehow manages to read like an epic. The story begins in 1917 with the romance of a chance encounter between two people, John and Helen, who fall in love in a pub on a cold winter evening during WWI. This chapter was one of the most atmospheric and beautiful pieces of writing that I have ever enjoyed. It sucked me right into the lives of these characters.

Fast forward three years. The war is over, and John and Helen open a photography studio together. He is the photographer, and she paints beautiful backdrops for the portrait studio. Although John tries to lead a normal life, he remains haunted by the things he experienced during the war. Tragedy strikes unexpectedly and we are transported decades into the future.

The rest of the book is comprised of vignettes spanning over four generations of the family. I was blown away by the lingering poignancy packed into each section. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The author is a poet, and her ability to craft beauty and truth out of minimal words certainly shines through in her writing. “Held” was the winner of the prestigious Canadian Giller Prize this year and after reading it, I must agree that it is very richly deserved.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Rebekah! “Held” sounds like a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Our recommendations this week are: “A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous” by Caspar Henderson and “Held” by Anne Michaels.

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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