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Bremen Library Newsletter

October 2024

Dear Bremen Library Patrons,

Although our late summer weather seems to be continuing, the changing leaves tell us it won’t be for long. We have a number of new books, a beautiful art show and a program to lure you out of your house and into the library in October.

If you have any new books that you are looking forward to reading please let me know - we like suggestions!

Best,

Ellen Dickens, Interim Director

(207) 529-5572

bremenmainelibrary@gmail.com

Books received in late September

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson

The Life Impossible, by Matt Haig

Burn, by Peter Heller

Fire and Bones, by Kathy Reichs

All the Colors of the Dark, by Chris Whitaker

Passions in Death, by J.D.Robb

Here One Moment, by Liane Moriarty

A Death in Cornwall by Daniel Silva

October books - Fiction

Colored Television by Danzy Senna

A funny and piercing satirical novel with sensational reviews

The Drowned by John Banville

A richly atmospheric new mystery about a woman’s sudden disappearance in a small coastal town in Ireland, where nothing is as it seems.

Lies He Told Me by James Patterson/David Ellis

The latest roller coaster ride novel from James Patterson

Tell Me Everything by Elisabeth Strout

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout returns to her familiar cast of Maine characters

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

An enchanting new tale about three characters living along two great rivers, all connected by a single drop of water.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

The first in a new mystery series by the author of the Thursday Murder Club

October books - Non-fiction

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham

A minute by minute history of the Challenger disaster that reads like a thriller.

Slippery Beast by Ellen Ruppel Shell

“A true crime natural history, with eels” by part-time Bremen resident Ellen Shell

More new books coming later in October including the new Michael Connelly

OCTOBER PROGRAMS

Art Show: Marc Poirier In the meeting room through October

The Bremen library is pleased to host the work of Marc Poirier throughout October.

Portofino by Marc Poirier

About his oil paintings Poirier says, "My goal as an artist is to help people realize the everyday beauty that surrounds them and is here for them to enjoy and celebrate if they can just see it." The subjects he enjoys painting are the ones that people hurry to drive by on their way to work. “I'm attracted to old homes worn rough with time and neglect with a gnarly centuries old oak tree in the yard. Curved country roads with crooked archaic telephone poles strung with a tangle of power lines that carve up the sky.” .

Trompe L'Oeil painting with Mary Sue Weeks, Thursday, October 24, 4-6pm

Trompe L’Oeil artist Mary Sue Weeks will present a slide program about Trompe L’Oeil painting - including how to pronounce it!

Trompe L’Oeil is an artistic term for the highly realistic optical illusion of three-dimensional space and objects on a two-dimensional surface. Mary Sue will cover the definition of trompe l’oeil and what makes it unique, as well as a little bit of history starting with frescoes in Pompei, through works of the Renaissance and into modern paintings. She has pictures of paintings in buildings across the U.S. and Maine, including her own work (below). *Refreshments will be served*

Bremen Book Club - Thursday, October 10 at 3 pm

Since we were unable to get enough copies of the originally chosen book the meeting will be a roundtable of recommended books. Members will share books they’ve enjoyed recently including Spying on the South by Tony Horwitz.

Next month’s book is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Knit ‘n Stitch Circle Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm A great opportunity to meet folks with similar interests while working on your own particular projects, Knit ‘n Stitch Circle incorporates crafts like knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, stitchery, and quilting.

Library Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday 10-5

Friday 10-3

Saturday 9-noon.

Bremen Library Newsletter

November 2024

Dear Bremen Library Patrons,

Good News! We have found a new library director. Melissa Chase will be joining us on November 20. She lives in Damariscotta with her husband and her grown daughter and family. Melissa has a wealth of library experience starting as a teenage page in her hometown library in Massachusetts. She is a warm and welcoming person and the entire board feels she will be a great addition to the library. We plan to have an open house after she has a little time to settle in but please stop by after the 20th to welcome Melissa and introduce yourself.

Whether you ’re ready to read something pithy by the wood stove or you just want to escape from reality for a bit we have many things to offer here at the Bremen Library. Keep reading to hear about a great program coming up and a lot of new books just arrived..

Best,

Ellen Dickens, Interim Director

(207) 529-5572

bremenmainelibrary@gmail.com

Wreath Sale

The Bremen Library Wreath Sale begins soon. Official sale dates are Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 9am to 2pm at the Bremen Town House, Route 32 in Bremen. However, beginning Friday, Nov. 15 you can stop by the Town House from 9:30 am to noon or 1 to 2:30 pm to pick out a wreath or you can call the library at 529-5572 to pre-order a wreath or to find out about shipping a wreath. Fully decorated wreaths range from $30-$45 with plain and bow-only wreaths less.

These wreaths are beautifully decorated with natural materials by a talented squad of decorators who gather the materials themselves. Each one is unique. This is a major fund-raiser for the library and a real community effort. You can support the library while purchasing a one-of-a-kind holiday decoration for your home.

Upcoming Program - Thursday, November 14

Author Talk: The Caretakers: War Graves Gardeners and the Secret Battle to Rescue Allied Airmen in World War II by Caitlin DeAngelis

We are pleased to present internationally renowned cemetery expert Caitlin Galante DeAngelis on Thursday, November 14 at 4 pm. DeAngelis will talk about her book The Caretakers: War Graves Gardeners and the Secret Battle to Rescue Allied Airmen in World War II, a fascinating story about the cemetery gardeners who worked for the Imperial War Graves Commission after World War I, caring for the WWI cemeteries in France. In 1940, these caretakers were trapped in France when the Nazis invaded. Some were arrested and sent to internment camps; others joined the French Resistance.

Through meticulous research, never-before-published journals and papers, and compassionate storytelling, DeAngelis honors the sacrifices made by War Graves gardeners and their families.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Books received in late October

Fiction

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel

A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel in this fiendishly clever, suspenseful new novel

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

From the bestselling historical novelist, a rich, transporting story that follows a family of glassmakers from the height of Renaissance-era Italy to the present day.

Non-Fiction

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

In her long-awaited memoir, Ina Garten—aka the Barefoot Contessa, author of thirteen bestselling cookbooks, beloved Food Network personality, Instagram sensation, and cultural icon—shares her personal story with readers hungry for a seat at her table.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

A must-read for all parents: the generation-defining investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in the era of smartphones, social media, and big tech—and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood.

November books - Fiction

Colored Television by Danzy Senna

A funny and piercing satirical novel with sensational reviews

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman

From the New York Times bestselling author of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series comes a breathtaking thriller about a man whose only chance to rescue his family is to return to the past he thought he’d left behind.

Bad Liar by Tami Hoag

Small-town labels are hard to shake. Hometown hero. Fallen angel. Can anyone ever escape their past?

The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

Welcome to Eris: an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out The propulsive and powerful new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Girl on the Train

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

An enchanting new tale about three characters living along two great rivers (the Tigris and Euphrates), all connected by a single drop of water.

The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

It’s the new Louise Penny you’ve been waiting for

In Too Deep by Lee and Andrew Child

The new Jack Reacher you’ve been waiting for

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

An exquisitely moving story about grief, love and family—but especially love

Playground by Richard Powers

Set in the world’s largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game, and interweaves beautiful writing, rich characterization, profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity

Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLosier

The story of a healer who risks her life, her freedom, and everything she holds dear to protect her beloved city from the encroaching Black Death

The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams & 2 more

At Castle Kinloch in the Scottish Highlands, literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley is found dead under strange circumstances, leading Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh to investigate three American novelists—each with their own motives and secrets—as he uncovers connections between Presley’s murder and the castle’s dark history.

November books - Non-fiction

Patriot by Alexei Navalny

Alexei Navalny began writing Patriot shortly after his near-fatal poisoning in 2020. It is the full story of his life: his youth, his call to activism, his marriage and family, his commitment to challenging a world super-power determined to silence him, and his total conviction that change cannot be resisted—and will come.

The Language of Breath by Jesse Coomer

Discover Better Emotional and Physical Health through Breathing and Self-Awareness. This is a gift from the Damariscotta/Newcastle Rotary Club

Art Show: Sarah Wilde - In the meeting room through December 7.

Library Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday 10-5

Friday 10-3

Saturday 9-noon

The Bremen Library Wreath Sale begins soon. Official sale dates are Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 from 9am to 2pm at the Bremen Town House, Route 32 in Bremen. However, beginning Friday, Nov. 15 you can stop by the Town House from 9:30 am to noon or 1 to 2:30 pm to pick out a wreath or you can call the library at 529-5572 to pre-order a wreath or to find out about shipping a wreath. Fully decorated wreaths range from $30-$45 with plain and bow-only wreaths less.

These wreaths are beautifully decorated with natural materials by a talented squad of decorators who gather the materials themselves. Each one is unique. This is a major fund-raiser for the library and a real community effort. You can support the library while purchasing a one-of-a-kind holiday decoration for your home.

To order a wreath for shipping or pick up use this link Wreath Order Form or call the library 207-529-5572

Bremen Library Newsletter

JANUARY 2025

Dear Bremen Library Patrons,

It’s hard to believe that we are stepping into a new year already! My first month or so here at the library has been eventful. We once again had a very successful holiday wreath sale fundraiser. Many thanks are due to the Bremen Town House and Bremen Fire Station for letting us use their spaces before and during the sale, and to our incredible volunteer “elves” for the countless hours they spent designing, constructing and selling the wreaths. Without all that support, there is no way that such a successful fundraiser could happen. In addition to the wreath sale, we also hosted 8 local artisans for a “Last Minute Holiday Sale.” Hopefully you were able to come take a peek and maybe leave with a gift or 2! I have been busy doing some shifting of furniture and books, particularly in the children’s room, in hopes of making things more accessible and welcoming. I have also been evaluating both the adult and children’s collections to clear out some outdated material, making way for new purchases to grace the shelves. Be sure to stop in and take a look!

I would like to remind you that a Bremen Library card is free to all, even if you don’t happen to live in Bremen! This library card allows you to get interlibrary loans from other libraries throughout the state of Maine, making it possible to get items you may not see on our shelves. This card also allows you to take advantage of the downloadable media service called CloudLibrary. We participate in the Maine State Library’s consortium, Maine InfoNet, which provides a collection of streamable and downloadable audiobooks and eBooks that is shared by more than 140 libraries across the state. Only one user is allowed to use each title at a time, but you may place a hold on items that are not currently available.

Anyone with a Bremen Library card can access this collection. All you will need is:

*Your Bremen Library card number (call us at 529-5572 if you don’t know your number)

*Internet access

In order to use the CloudLibrary on a phone or mobile device, you will need to download the CloudLibrary app by going to your App Store. If you are having trouble, give a call or stop in! I am always happy to help!

Are you a homeschooling family? Please give me a call, drop me a line or stop in to let me know what you need from your library! I’d love to try to facilitate some homeschooler meetups, as well as help out with the state library skills requirement.

I would love to meet more of the community that I serve! Stop in and get a library card if you don’t already have one or just say hi! Let me know what you would like to see for books, programs and services! Let’s head into 2025 together and make the library the place to be!

I wish you and your family a safe and peaceful new year!

Melissa Chase , Director

(207) 529-5572

bremenlibrary.mchase@gmail.com

Ongoing Programing

All ongoing programming is free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted

Monthly Book Club: January 9 @ 2:30 Discussing Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Tech Help Saturdays from 10-12 : January 4 & 18 : Tech helper Caleb Pusey will answer your tech questions at the library

Knit & Stitch Group Thursdays 1-2:30 Bring your current fiber project and meet and support other like minded folks!

Weekly Storytime has moved to Wednesdays @10:30. Stories, songs and craft with Miss Melissa, for ages 3-6

JANUARY’S BOOKS ARE ON THE WAY!

- Fiction

All fours by Miranda July

A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in an entirely different journey.

Bellevue by Robin Cook

From the bestselling author and "master of the medical thriller" (The New York Times), Robin Cook, comes a new tale of suspense-horror about a first-year resident whose life-shattering visions reveal the truth behind some of the greatest medical advances in the history of medicine.

Robbed Blind and Hard Line by Gerry Boyle

In Robbed Blind and Hard Line, Jack McMorrow returns in a 14th and 15th novel, a two-book arc that will see the acclaimed series come to an end thirty years after McMorrow first appeared in the now-classic, Deadline.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…

Mind Games by Nora Roberts

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Identity presents a suspenseful new novel of tragedy and trauma, love and family, and the blessings and curses of power

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova

A breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.

Pearly Everlasting by Tammy Armstrong

Set during the Great Depression, an immersive and enchantingly atmospheric novel about a girl and a bear raised as sister and brother in a remote logging camp, and the lengths to which they’ll go to protect each other.

Golden Hour by Stuart Woods

Former CIA operative Teddy Fay returns for another heart-pounding Hollywood-fueled adventure in this latest installment in the New York Times bestselling series.

Trial By Fire by Danielle Steel

In this inspiring novel from the bestselling author, the life of a Parisian woman changes in a heartbeat when she’s trapped by wildfires in Napa Valley.

- Non-fiction

Cabin by Patrick Hutchinson

A memoir of the author's journey from an office job to restoring a cabin in the Pacific Northwest, based on his wildly popular Outside Magazine piece.

The Elements of Marie Curie by Dava Sobel

The acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Galileo’s Daughter crafts a luminous chronicle of the life and work of the most famous woman in the history of science, and the untold story of the many young women trained in her laboratory who were launched into stellar scientific careers of their own

Framed by John Grisham

John Grisham is known worldwide for his bestselling novels, but it’s his real-life passion for justice that led to his work with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, the first organization dedicated to exonerating innocent people who have been wrongly convicted. Together they offer an inside look at the many injustices in our criminal justice system

Good Nature by Kathy Willis

A ground-breaking investigation into newly discovered evidence showing that remarkable things happen to our bodies and our minds when our senses connect with the natural world.

Storm In A Teacup by Helen Czerski

A physicist explains daily phenomena from the mundane to the magisterial.

-Children’s Books

Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl

Dog Man 13 by Dav Pilkey

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Indigenous America by Liam McDonald

This Day In History for Kids by Dan Bova

-YA Books

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

Library Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday 10-5

Friday 10-3

Saturday 9-noon

Bremen Library Newsletter

MARCH 2025

Dear Bremen Library Patrons,

Spring is just weeks away! We can do this! As the weather becomes nicer and getting out-and-about becomes easier, don’t forget that the library has discount passes to area attractions! Right now, the Children’s Museum in Portland, The Farnsworth Art Museum, The Maine Maritime Museum, and the Portland Art Museum are available for use, and there will be more passes available when “the season” starts later in the spring. It is best to reserve passes ahead of time, as we can only allow one pass per day per family to be borrowed. Call the library or stop in to reserve!

Stay safe and be well!

Melissa Chase , Director

(207) 529-5572

bremenlibrary.mchase@gmail.com

MARCH ARTIST OF THE MONTH

ERIC DARLING

We are happy to host New England native Eric Darling as our March Artist of the Month. Over the past few years, he has collected over a ton of abandoned pot warp and explored its versatility as a durable medium. His collection, entitled The Drift Rope Project, is “art with a mission”: recycling one of Maine’s largest industries’ waste into fine art. His work will be on display in our meeting room gallery throughout the month of March, and can be viewed whenever the library is open.

The Bremen Patriotic Club is collecting donations for unhoused female students at the Medomak Valley High School. Requested items are feminine hygiene products, travel sized toiletries, warm socks, hand/foot warmers, and snack items. There is a collection box at the library; donations may be dropped off throughout the month of March during library hours.

Ongoing Programing

All ongoing programming is free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted

Monthly Book Club: March 6 @ 2:30 Discussing Lost on A Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler. Copies available to borrow at the desk.

Tech Help Saturdays from 10-12 : March 8 and 22 : Tech helper Caleb Pusey will answer your tech questions at the library

Knit & Stitch Group Thursdays 1-2:30 Bring your current fiber project and meet and support other like minded folks!

Weekly Storytime has moved to Wednesdays @10:30. Stories, songs and craft with Miss Melissa, for ages 3-6 (NO STORYTIME ON MARCH 5)

Library Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday 10-5

Friday 10-3

Saturday 9-noon