What’s Ashley Reading?: Home Buying 101

Home Buying 101 by John Gorey

First line: Buying your first home is a big deal.

Summary: This little book will help teach you the lingo, provide tips and explore the process of the home buying experience. It can be exciting as well as anxiety inducing. But with this guide you can be a little more prepared for what is involved in this life changing event.

My Thoughts: I picked this up because the idea of buying a house seems like the next move in my life. I have spent years renting but I feel like I am ready for something more permanent. I found this book to be very informative. I learned new jargon or meanings behind the words you hear on the home buying shows. It was easily broken up into sections that follow the course of the house hunting experience. There are links, scenarios and helpful tips for how to navigate this confusing world of real estate.

If you are looking into buying a home, remodeling or find books on floor plans for a new home then the library is the place to check out.  We have many books on these subjects.  And if you cannot find what you are looking for then ask one of our staff for help or to do an interlibrary loan for a book we do not carry in our collection.

Courtney’s Book Chat: Eventown

Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu

First Line: Jenny Horowitz likes horses and the color pink and asking lots of questions about things I don’t want to talk about.

Summary: Eventown follows eleven-year-old Elodee as her family moves to Eventown to get away from the difficult year and memories they are trying to forget. While Eventown seems nearly perfect at first, Elodee soon discovers that this perfection could mean giving up more than she realized.

My Thoughts: Elodee is a great character. She is fun but flawed and has a rich internal conflict. I  also really enjoyed her voice. It encapsulated the dreamy and magical nature of Eventown, but being in first person, Elodee still sounded like a eleven-year-old, which closely showed her hopes and struggles.

This book was also layered, and I really enjoyed seeing the various threads come together, including the foreshadowing and intentional gaps that line up to reveal what Elodee’s family is trying to forget. And when they did, it makes for an emotional climax. This book sensitively shows kids that all emotions are important, even those that are difficult and easy to run away from.

Eventown is magical, heartwarming story that sensitively portrays grief and accepting your emotions all while weaving together an interesting plot and compelling protagonist.