Column: April's Sherwood Book Corner

By Rebecca Nelson and Adam Bienvenu, for the Sherwood Sun

SHERWOOD, Ore. — Welcome back to the Sherwood Book Corner! You may have heard, but this month we were able to drop off a large number of new books to the Marjorie Stewart Senior Community Center. One of our missions with the bookstore is to be sure that everyone has access to quality books to read and enjoy. To accomplish this, we take in donations from members of our community and find new homes for them around Sherwood. We’ve also dropped off books at The Springs, the Sherwood YMCA, and will start contributing to the little free libraries around town. Wherever you go, you’ll have a chance to find something fun to read!

This month we have two books that we’re delighted to share. The first is a medieval horror, which was previously available as independently published, and was one of our most popular titles when the store opened – then it disappeared. “Between Two Fires” is back, having been picked up by one of our favorite publishers, Tor. On the lighter side, we have a fantastic children's book that is perfect for the springtime. Following the natural cycles of nature, it shows how all the life in your garden is connected.

Between Two Fires

By Christopher Buehlman

The Black Death has long fascinated the minds of medieval historians and storytellers, but Christopher Buehlman's "Between Two Fires” reimagines this plague through the lens of supernatural horror and religious dread. The novel opens with a chilling exchange between fallen angels debating how best to destroy God through humanity. When Azazel suggests killing humans with fire or cold, Lucifer instead proposes a devastating Plague. This choice resituates the Plague from a historical tragedy to a weapon brandished in the war between heaven and hell.

Set in 1348, the Black Death has devastated France before arriving at the doorstep of the mysterious Delphine, who Thomas, a disgraced knight, saves from fellow brigands during his search for food and meaning. Claiming to have been chosen by the angels for a mission to confront the fallen, Delphine is determined to make her way to the city of Avignon. Reluctantly, Thomas accompanies her. 

Their journey takes them through villages emptied by disease, haunted forests, deadly lakes, and cities rife with lawlessness and corruption. Incorporating psychological terror, despair, shame, and crises of faith, Buehlman explores a society grappling to understand this inexplicable sickness and its apocalyptic connotations.

Gritty and gruff, Thomas embodies disillusionment after experiencing the loss of his lands and his family. His response to this world is often jaded, violent, and reactionary. Alternatively, Delphine, a young teenager, evokes spiritual authority through her unwavering faith. Their relatability, from sadness to determination, along with the plausibility of angels, demons, and other supernatural horrors – active participants in humanity’s suffering –  is what makes this novel both haunting and riveting. 

Up In The Garden And Down In The Dirt

By Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal

In this gorgeously illustrated children’s book, author Kate Messner weaves a narrative about a young girl learning how to garden from her grandmother. As they till the earth, illustrations provide insight into what is occurring both above the garden and below it. Hidden down in the dirt one notices pill bugs chewing through leaves, and insects such as earthworms, slugs, and snails stirring up the dirt as they dig and build. Above, the little girl and her grandmother create rows in which to plant and water their seeds, preparing them for growth. 

This book is colorful, cozy, and perfect for the spring season. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of a glossary, detailing information about the animals and other items found within the story. There is also a “further reading” list at the back of the book, listing additional garden books for young readers. For anyone looking to introduce their children (or themselves) to gardening, this book is a beautiful entry point!