By Heather Pisani-Kristl
The needles have barely fallen off the Christmas tree, and avid readers are already perusing lists of the best books of the year. Readers of literary fiction and nonfiction seek NPR’s staff picks; readers in book clubs are prepping with lists from Time Magazine and Goodreads. But if you want the story most likely to be produced by Netflix, you might try National Book Award runner-up (and Entertainment Weekly’s Best Book of the Year) “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel, a dystopian tale of survival and Shakespeare.
A Toronto performance of “King Lear” ends abruptly when the beloved lead actor collapses and dies of a heart attack. This is obviously traumatic for the cast and audience, but the major unraveling event is a pandemic influenza that spreads across North America within hours of the play’s end, eventually reducing the planet’s population by 90 percent. Over fifteen years, the novel’s characters move from the world as we know it to a post-apocalyptic landscape lacking agribusiness, air travel and insulin. A fragment of the original “King Lear” cast survives as the Symphony, itinerant Shakespeareans who preserve music and literature through free performances. Other survivors occupy the local airport, plundering the infrastructure to create gardens, homes and the Museum of Civilization. My favorite character is Jeevan Chaudhary, a tightly wound paparazzi-turned-paramedic, whose friend in the local emergency room warns him to isolate himself from others until the flu burns itself out. Jeevan’s life before the pandemic is tense and unfulfilling, but by losing everything, he finds a surprising peace in the new world. I’m hoping St. John Mandel decides to write a sequel featuring her memorable survivors. Place your request for this popular novel online at sdcl.org.
If you are haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Past and found yourself unable to enjoy the holidays, you may benefit from the free mindfulness classes offered at the library this winter. Mark Kennedy, a licensed clinical social worker, will provide two series of classes to teach the art of being in the here-and-now. Participants will understand the basic concepts of mindfulness and will be introduced to a variety of mindful awareness practices (sitting, walking, or eating meditation) to use in managing feelings of anxiety or depression. The first series will be held on Tuesdays — Jan. 13, Jan. 27 and Feb. 10 — from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to 10 students, and participants are asked to commit to all three classes in the series. Sign up by calling the library at 619-469-2151.
News from our Friends
Is 2015 the year you join the Friends of La Mesa Library? The Friends purchase special book and movie collections for La Mesa Library and contribute to furnishings for the building. The Friends also fund enrichment activities such as preschool yoga, drawing classes for adults, and Coffee and Books. A family membership is $10, and every member receives 10 percent off purchases at the Friends of La Mesa Library bookstore. If you have enjoyed a special summer reading event, a bestselling novel, or an educational toy in the children’s area, you’ve experienced the Friends at work. Become a member! Membership forms are available in the library lobby and at friendsoflamesalibrary.org/membership.
—Heather Pisani-Kristl is librarian at the La Mesa branch of the San Diego County Library. Call the library at 619-469-2151 or visit 8074 Allison Ave.
