Find Sanctuary in a Good Book: The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance and Before the Coffee Gets Cold

7 Jul

The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance
by Chiara Bullen
The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance is the new debut novel by Chiara Bullen. This is a sweet cozy fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Legends and Lattes. The novel begins at a D&Desque inn at the bottom of an ominous mountain which is said to be inhabited by monsters including a ferocious dragon. Ainsworth is a scholar who has been reluctantly sent to the inn to line up interviews with the adventures who will be tackling the mountain for a research paper. To his surprise though party after party chooses to not go up the mountain after they stay a night at the inn and the inn keeper, Honey, claims that no one has a actually chosen to make their way up the mountain. Ainsworth starts out as a seemingly vain and rude, but as he gets to know Honey and the other inn workers and guests, he begins to find himself opening up and healing from an abusive relationship. If you enjoy character driven stories with a focus on found families and strong friendships, this story will be one to check out. The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance was a story I did not want to put down.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold
by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Before the Coffee Gets Cold is the first in a series of novels by Toshikazu Kawaguchi set at a cafe in Japan where guests can go back to the past. But there are rules to the time travel, most importantly, they can only be in the past as long as it takes for the coffee that they have been served to get cold. The story was adapted from a play and this is reflected in the strong dialogue. Although they can not change the past, those that experience the magic of the cafe are often changed themselves and their future often takes a new path. We read the story for the Hoboken Public Library’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group’s May discussion, but it will also appeal to those that enjoy magical realism, literary fiction, and are interested in Japan and life there. Our book group overall had a positive response to the story. I found Before the Coffee Gets Cold both touching and thought provoking.

If you are interested in joining one of the library’s upcoming book discussions, see our online calendar for a listing of upcoming dates. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Group will be meeting on July 27 to discuss Eliot Schrefer’s The Darkness Outside Us.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Picture Books for Disability Pride Month

2 Jul

July is Disability Pride Month! Here is a round up of our favorite picture books that feature characters with disabilities, providing the perfect opportunity to see one’s self reflected or to learn about other people’s experiences. All featured titles are available in our BCCLS collection. Looking for middle grade and young adult books? Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon!

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas (physical book, Hoopla eBook)
Various Disabilities
A picturebook that helps young readers understand physical and learning disabilities in a respectful and empathetic way

Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull (physical book)
Various disabilities
There’s so much to do at our friends’ houses. Along the way, we learn the different ways people communicate and have fun.

Signs of Friendship by Annie Silvestro (physical book)
Deafness and ASL  (although not always considered a disability)
Sally and Sonia are two friends who communicate through sign language. Can their friendship withstand a newcomer?

We Move Together by Anne McGuire and Kelly Fritsch (physical book)
Various disabilities 
An exploration of how people navigate their world and relationships. Helps young readers understand disability, accessibility, social justice and community 

Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez and Angel Chang (physical book, Hoopla eBook)
Sensory processing disorder
A child shares what helps them when they are feeling overstimulated.

Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming by Steve Asbell (physical book)
Autism and stimming
Examples of stims to try when the world is overwhelming

More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean (physical book)
Communication disabilities, different communication styles
Nathan doesn’t say much. But that doesn’t mean he has nothing to say. In this beautifully illustrated book, we learn the many ways people can convey what’s on their mind and how we can be good listeners.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott (physical book, Libby e-audiobook, physical audiobook, DVD)
Speech impediments
A boy struggles to accept his stuttering until his father provides him a new perspective.

Maybe Just Ask Me! by Katie Mazeika (physical book)
Physical disability 
Mazie wears an eye patch and a headscarf. Her classmates come up with fantastical stories as to why (did a dragon burn her hair off? Is she secretly a pirate?), leading her to wish they’d just ask her.

Sam’s Super Seats by Keah Brown (physical book)
Cerebral palsy and mobility issues
Sam is excited to go back-to-school shopping with her mom and best friends. She has to take some breaks when she gets tired, but that doesn’t stop the fun. 

How I Learn: A Kid’s Guide to Learning Disability by Brenda Miles Ph.D and Colleen Patterson, MA (physical book)
Learning disabilities
Created by psychologists, this guide teaches young people what the definition of a learning disability is, that they are capable no matter what, and strategies to help with their learning.

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott (physical book, eBook)
Dyslexia 
A skilled artist struggles to keep up with their classmates’ reading pace. After conquering their fear of words, they learn to appreciate reading and learn about famous people who struggled with reading. In time, they learn how to pair their drawings with words to bring stories to life.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (physical book, Libby e-audiobook, disponible en español)  
Dyslexia
Trisha can’t understand why she’s having so much trouble at school. It’s not until her teacher, Mr. Falkner, steps in to encourage her that she understands and works with her disability. 

Written by:
Allison Woodley
Information and Digital Services Library Assistant

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