Saturday Sleuths Book Club

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.

Man Who Died Twice

The Thursday Murder Club is looking forward to a little bit of peace at their retirement village, Coopers Chase, but they are out of luck. An unexpected visitor arrives, desperate for their help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions, and is on the lam. Then a body is discovered, and Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim soon find themselves up against a ruthless murderer.

Friday Movie Matinée: Drop

Friday, September 5, 2:00 p.m.

Drop

Summary: Violet, a widowed mother on her first date in years, arrives at an upscale restaurant where she is relieved that her date, Henry, is more charming and handsome than she expected. But their chemistry begins to curdle as Violet becomes irritated and then terrorized by a series of anonymous drops to her phone. She is instructed to tell nobody, and follow instructions, or the hooded figure she sees on her home security cameras will kill Violet’s young son and babysitting sister. Violet must do exactly as directed, or everyone she loves will die. Her unseen tormentor’s final directive? Kill Henry.

“Drop” (USA/Ireland 2025). Directed by Christopher Landon. With Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane. Runtime: 1 hr., 35 min. Rated PG-13.

Scranton Selections: May 2025

BOOKS FEATURING UNFORGETTABLE MOTHERS

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating stories that explore the beauty, complexity, and challenges of motherhood. Whether grappling with loss, identity, or the fierce love they have for their children, these literary mothers embody the richness and nuance of what it means to be a mom.

–Emily Rush, Head of Reference

School for good mothers

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
This dystopian novel follows Frida Liu, a single mother who, after a moment of poor judgment, is sent to a government-run reeducation facility for “bad mothers.” In this institution, mothers are subjected to surveillance and training to prove their worthiness to regain custody of their children, raising profound questions about societal expectations and the nature of motherhood.

Forbidden Territory

The Forbidden Territory of a Terrifying Woman by Molly Lynch
Here, Molly Lynch crafts a haunting narrative where mothers worldwide mysteriously disappear, intertwining motherhood, ecological collapse, and identity. The story follows Ada, a Canadian-born woman living in Michigan, who vanishes one night, leaving her husband Danny and young son Gilles in turmoil.

Chouette

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
Chouette is a surreal and darkly humorous novel that follows Tiny, a professional cellist who discovers she is pregnant, not with a human child, but with an owlet conceived during a dreamlike affair with a female owl. As Tiny’s pregnancy progresses, she faces societal rejection and her husband’s refusal to acknowledge the reality of her situation, leading her to embrace a life of nocturnal hunting and maternal devotion to her unique daughter.

The Push by Ashley Audrain
This is a psychological drama that delves into the complexities of motherhood, identity, and generational trauma. The story follows Blythe Connor, who is determined to be the nurturing mother she never had, but becomes increasingly convinced that her daughter, Violet, exhibits troubling behavior. As Blythe grapples with her suspicions, her husband dismisses her concerns, leading her to question her sanity and the nature of her daughter’s actions.

Book Eaters

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
The Book Eaters is a dark fantasy novel that introduces a secretive clan of people who sustain themselves by consuming books, absorbing their content and knowledge. Devon (a woman raised on fairy tales and cautionary stories) discovers her son, Cai, possesses a rare and dangerous hunger for human minds instead of books. As she navigates a patriarchal society that views her as a mere vessel for reproduction, Devon must make harrowing choices to protect her son and herself.

Twelve Tribes Hattie

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
This novel traces the life of Hattie Shepherd, a determined African American woman who moves from Georgia to Philadelphia in 1923, seeking a better life. After the tragic death of her twin infants, Hattie bears nine more children, each chapter delving into the struggles and resilience of her offspring, capturing their individual stories and the overarching impact of Hattie’s hardships.

Bright Burning

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Here we follow Sonya, a former actress turned single mother in Dublin, as she battles alcoholism and the haunting shadows of her past. Her four-year-old son, Tommy, is her anchor, yet her addiction threatens to sever their bond, leading her to a pivotal choice: continue down a destructive path or seek redemption through rehabilitation. Harding’s narrative delves deep into the complexities of motherhood, addiction, and the pursuit of self-forgiveness.

Leavers

The Leavers by Lisa Ko
The Leavers follows the life of Deming Guo, an eleven-year-old boy whose undocumented Chinese immigrant mother, Polly, disappears without a trace. After her sudden absence, Deming is adopted by a well-meaning white couple and renamed Daniel Wilkinson. He struggles to reconcile his new life with the memories of his mother and the community he left behind. The narrative unfolds from both Daniel’s perspective as he grows into a young man and Polly’s journey, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of family and immigration.

Scranton Selections are written by various staff members. This month’s contributor is Emily Rush, Head of Reference..

Seed Library

Free seed packets of various native plants are now available at the Library! Local UCONN Master Gardeners have prepared packets of at least a dozen varieties. The packets are in a rack at the Borrowing desk, along with instructions on stratifying and planting the seeds.  A demonstration on seed starting will be held on January 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Room.