Sherwood Book Corner Column: Summer Thunders On

Introduction by Adam Bienvenu, reviews by Rebecca Nelson for the Sherwood Sun

SHERWOOD, Ore. — I was woken up after five on a July morning to the roaring sound of thunder and a few flashes of intracloud lightning. I’m sure many of you were woken up by the same, rare, summer thunderstorm. The longer I listened to the deep rumbling, the more I missed it when it was gone. Even though it was a small event, it felt tremendous for the brief time it was here, and then it passed. Reading gives us the ability to live and relive moments like this, letting ourselves be washed over by incredible stories, magical events, and heroic feats, before we close the book and move along with our life. Like passing thunder in the summer.

A bit less poetic, but by the time you’re reading this, it’s August, which means SherBOB is about to conclude. Our summer reading program has hit nearly 80 registered participants, which is just humbling. I couldn’t be happier to provide an event for our community, apparently there are more than just a few readers in Sherwood! This summer has been a great one for new book releases, and Rebecca has a couple she’d like to share with you.

"Land" by Maggie O’ Farrell

Written in lyrical prose that winds as sinuously and unforgivingly as the Irish land it depicts, "Land" is, at times, a hopeful and at other times, a heartbreaking novel about the impact of colonization on the land. Set in 1865, O’Farrell introduces a cartographer and his family who move from the city to an Irish peninsula after he has a life-changing experience at a well in a copse. 

Flashing between past and present, former and current inhabitants, the novel effortlessly follows the evolution of the countryside and its inhabitants.

There are some books that just stick with you, and "Land" is one that has resonated with me a month after completing. What I enjoyed the most in this novel is O’ Farrell’s writing style. Her prose is gentle yet sharp, hauntingly beautiful in its capture of the complexities of settling in a new space, both physically and relationally. The dynamic between Liam and his father, Tómas, is full of love yet is tense. Liam doesn’t quite know how to be around his father after the experience in the copse, and this uncertainty informs not only his actions but also some of the novel’s primary movement. This is a perfect read for anyone who loves historical fiction, lyrical prose, stories of family relationships and trauma, and Maggie O’Farrell’s other work. 

"Moss’d In Space" by Rebecca Thorne

Torian Razner will do anything to get her sister Celise off the space station that is slowly killing her — even if it means leaving the gorgeous captain she has a complicated relationship with. Having scrupulously saved to purchase her own ship, Torian is one step closer to heading toward the planet of Rhymarra, where she can apply to take a citizenship test. If she can pass that, she can move Celise and start a new, healthier life. There’s just one problem — or a few, starting with the sentient MOSS, who both runs the mechanical operations and support systems of the newly christened ship — the Traitor. Harboring abandonment issues, MOSS is an endearing character who works to keep Torian and the ship going in a galaxy full of surprises.

This new series by Rebecca Thorne is one you will not regret picking up! While I have a physical copy of the book, I opted to listen to it on Libro.FM and absolutely loved it! The characters are quirky and fun, and they don’t always make the best decisions. Yet what emerges are strong friendships, much-needed conversations, and the start of an unforgettable adventure. I found myself dreading the novel's ending, not because it was bad, but because I didn’t want it to end! It is a beautifully written, well-paced story that feels cozy, romantic, and adventurous in all of the best ways. 

Be sure to pick up your copy of "Moss’d in Space" and join us for our Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club on August 13th at 5:30 P.M., where we will be discussing it as a group!