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Thank you to all who turned out for our 16th anniversary celebration this past weekend. The festivities began with an author visit and book discussion with Brian Freeman, (our first author to attract self-proclaimed "groupies" to an event).  Mr. Freeman shared his unique story of getting published and read from a recently released novella in his Jonathan Stride series, Turn to Stone. Stride stops in Shawano, WI one snowy evening to visit his mother's grave and stumbles upon a shocking small town mystery in the process. The author has also recently released his eighth suspense novel in the Stride series called The Cold Nowhere.  This story has the detective back in his native town of Duluth, MN battling the elements and the worst parts of human nature.
The book discussion pick for July's event was a stand-alone psychological suspense novel called The Bone House.  However, the author has recently completed a second book called Season of Fear which features the same detective.  Although the second book is not set in lovely Door County, WI, it promises to have all the thrills and chills of the first title in the author's second suspense series.
It's wonderful that we have the means to host author events at our library. Most authors are eager to share their love of writing, the writing process, and even give tips on how to get your work published.  They are thrilled to talk about their work and enjoy it with others.  The exchange allows the reader to gain new perspective and insight into the author's work. And so, dear readers, the biggest "thank you" for our most recent author visit goes out to the Friends of the Manitowoc Public Library group who support these fun and enriching activities.  (It's extremely easy to join and then you can share your love of the library with like-minded folks.)  

The (fictitious) History of Ice Cream

Occasionally you will meet a character who manages to be both compelling and reprehensible at the same time.  This individual is shrewd, daring, bold and self-serving.  Oftentimes it is those contradictions of character that creates the blend of personality that causes the reader to become and remain transfixed.  What will happen next?  What will this person do next?  What won't they do in order to survive?

The queen of expediency.

This is the story of a young Jewish girl named Malka who immigrates from Russia to the United States with her family.  From the beginning, there are hints that this move may be the end of the family. While waiting for their boat, Mama and the other girls got sick which delayed the family's departure.  Malka and Papa were left to themselves and the tickets that were originally bought for South Africa are traded in for tickets headed west, across the Atlantic Ocean. Malka, the keeper of the secret money stash and tickets, was convinced by her father that this would be the best move for him and the family.
Their journey takes them to New York where they have no friends or family. Mama is furious with Malka and Papa but does her best to provide.  Soon the family is desperate and the two youngest girls (whom no one will hire due to the recent Triangle Factory Fire) are on the street doing odd jobs for pennies in order to help the family survive. Papa is quickly fading from the picture.
When Malka is run over in the street by the Italian man selling ices, she is abandoned by her mother for now she is crippled and useless. She is taken in by the man and his family.  Although she gradually becomes a part of the family, she is never really a family member.  This separation is the catalyst that will inspire her to work her way to the pinnacle of the ice cream trade.  It is also the impetus that causes her to be instrumental in the downfall of the very family that saved her.  As Malka, now named Lillian, would say, "You will see Darlings, my conscience never forgave me."
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street takes the reader through the major political events and social changes of the twentieth century.  From failure to success and back again, this character has learned that she must make her own way even if it is at the expense of others.  Unlike Forrest Gump, whose successes were based on happenstance and dumb luck, this character commands her story through force of will.  This may not be a relaxing beach read, but it's engrossing none the less.
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