Ocean City Free Public Library Book Blog

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Turning back the clock and resetting time to when dinosaurs once ruled the earth. To witness such a marvel would be considered a moment of pure genius and a great scientific discovery. Should scientists take such power into their hands?   Jurassic Park  is a wonderful work of science fiction that not only captures the imagination of dinosaurs walking among us once again but the frightening idea of everything wrong that could happen. Dealing with dinosaurs, experiments gone wrong, and an over sense of feeling doom when things are not going right are some of the most  exhilarating parts of the book. Also you will love to hate and can't help but agree with an always right and explaining everything mathematician.   We enjoyed the book and talked about how it differed from the movie. We loved and hated some characters. Overall, we enjoyed the book and some of us went to pick up the second book to continue the story....

Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel This month we read Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel, our only non-fiction book pick, is an emotional and eye opening narrative about the soldiers sent to war and the challenges they, and their families, face when returning to the home front. Everyone featured in the book has been touched by the wounds of war, whether physical or mental, and how they manage life when everything has changed by death or survival in war. These are the personal storied that follow members of a battalion the months and years after their last deployment and their journey through the bureaucracy of getting the help they need.   We had a lively discussion about the book, we had a veteran share his view and personal experiences, shared stories about our own families who served, and how we felt about this book and the issues it addressed.   Check out a copy here  and learn more about our soldiers.     May’s ...

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff      If you had a moment to save a life, would you? Two wo men, differen t backgrounds, secrets of their own,  and yet are bound together by a bond of survival. This  is an incredible story of friendship, loss, and bravery. Set during World War II, t he story follows the lives of two strong women, Noa and Astrid, as they make their way on a traveling circus. Author Pam Jenoff transports readers along for the ride. With her rich writing style and strong characterization, readers will quickly become emotionally invested in the story that unfolds, and the final outcome of our protagonists. We enjoyed the story, felt for the characters, and knew that this story will stay with us for a long time.  Be prepared with a box of tissues. Check it out  here  and embark on the journey.    April’s book choice is Thank You For Your Service   by David Finkel. We will meet on April 17 th  in...

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness      What makes a book magical? Is it the story or the characters? Is it the way the author can enchant us with their writing? This month we read  A Discovery of Witches , the first installment of the All Souls Trilogy. It was a great read and the book captivated us. Some of us liked how Harkness developed her characters and showed their growth and change s throughout the book s . We enjoyed the bond between Diana and Matthew as scholars and lovers, but also uniting as a witch and a vampire. We also appreciated the connection the author drew between alchemy and the sciences, and how close they have ties in the supernatural, especially with magic. It was an adventure to see how everyone was looking for the same thing but were on different paths. Some parts did stretch out a bit but it did not take away the overall excitement and enthusiasm for the book.  ...

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho We started this year’s OCFPL Book Club with Paulo Coelho’s widely popular book The Alchemist . We enjoyed the story and the journey that took place. It was an adventure traveling with Santiago (The Boy) as he was going through both a spiritual and emotional journey. What started out as a quest to find treasure became the greatest quest of all. The gold and jewels may have been a reward but finding one’s self, destiny and fulfillment was the greatest treasure of them all. We enjoyed reading about the signs and importance they have in the book and share a few traditions, signs, and superstitions that we grew up knowing. Overall, we enjoyed this book. Check it out here and embark on your own journey. February’s book choice is A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. We will meet on Feb. 20 th in RM N111 at 6pm.