The Friends of the Diamond Bar Library invite everyone to read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman for the Spring Four Seasons Book Group. We will meet in the Diamond Bar Library Windmill Room on Saturday, April 22 at 11 am.to discuss this interesting book.

At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet, a curmudgeon with staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People think him bitter, and he thinks himself surrounded by idiots.

Ove’s well-ordered, solitary world gets a shake-up one November morning with the appearance of new neighbors—a chatty young couple and their two boisterous daughters—who announce their arrival by accidentally flattening Ove’s mailbox with their U-Haul.  What follows is a heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unlikely friendships, and a community’s unexpected reassessment of the one person they thought they had all figured out.

A word-of-mouth bestseller that has caused a sensation around the world, Fredrik Backman’s irresistible novel about the angry old man next door is an uplifting exploration of the unreliability of first impressions and a gentle reminder that life is sweeter when it is shared with other people.

 All are welcome and encouraged to join us on Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. in the Diamond Bar Library Windmill Room.  Refreshments will be served.

Friends of the Library Bookstore News

Located in the Diamond Bar Library

Each book and item sold in the bookstore supports the Diamond Bar Library to enlarge their reading and media collections. Improving literacy in our community one book at a time.

Bookstore hours are:

Monday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm

Thank you to all our customers who support our Friends of the Library Bookstore!

Look for the free Opportunity Basket in the Bookstore. Each customer is entitled for one free ticket per transaction. Friends’ board member MaryKay Nichols makes these beautiful baskets.

Do you have books that you are reading that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you for our upcoming e-newsletters.

From Cynthia Yu, Interim Community Library Manager

The Little Book of Joy by Dalai Lama XIV

This picture book is beautiful and inspirational! Nobel Peace Prize winners His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared their childhood stories and wisdom to show young readers that joy is everywhere, even during the most difficult of times.  

From: Janet Ramirez-Manchan, Teen Services Librarian

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes this lively retelling of Pride and Prejudice as a modern day rom-com. Zahra Kha is trying to forge her own path in love, but her Bangladeshi mother is intent on saving the family from their financial woes by arranging an advantageous match for her. The problem is that her intended match leaves her cold and she already has a love interest in mind. She works out an arrangement with the aloof target of her mother’s meddling to pretend to go along with the match to escape the relentless matchmaking. Soon, Zahra is getting what she wants and dating the person of her choosing but she soon realizes that maybe her mother’s choice was right all along.  

From:  Kathleen Newe

Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

This is a story about Northern Ireland during the Troubles when a young woman is caught between allegiance to community and a dangerous passion. Trespasses is a heart-pounding,  heart-heartrending drama of thwarted love and irreconcilable loyalties, in a place where what you come from seems to count more than what you do, or whom you cherish.

From:  Nancy Lyons

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

Hedy Lamarr was a stunning beauty, and she also possessed a stunning mind.  Fleeing World War II, she escaped to Hollywood and became a famous movie star. She was also a scientist and knew a few secrets about the enemy.  She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis…if anyone would listen to her.

Whether you are interested in Old Hollywood or World War II, there is much to learn and enjoy here.

From: Reading Between the Lines Book Group

 Karen Gerloff reported that the group had quite a discussion about Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan.  Karen said, “If you missed book club and did not read this book, I would suggest that you go ahead and read it.  It is a mind bender, and you will learn a lot about bees.

Our book club will meet on February 27 to discuss Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty.   A page turner that looks into the lives of three happy couples and how their lives are changed forever after a neighborhood weekend barbeque.   Moriarty's characters are well drawn, and her talent is in closely observing the lives of very ordinary people.  A Goodreads Choice for Best Fiction and New York Times bestseller.”  Chosen by Annel Ortega.

From: Diamond Bar-Walnut AAUW Book Group

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

This was the January pick for our group and led to a very lively and interesting discussion ranging from lost mothers to elephant lore. The love of a daughter for her mother transcends even death in the novel “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult. Psychic Serenity Jones believes she has lost the ability to communicate with spirits when thirteen-year-old Jenna Metcalf comes to her for help in locating her mother, Alice Metcalf. Alice had disappeared the same day another woman was killed on the grounds of the New England Elephant Sanctuary. Jenna can’t believe her mother would have abandoned her willingly. Her hunch turns out to be right as she, Serenity and Virgil Stanhope, one of the cops who originally investigated the incident at the sanctuary, work together to unwind the mystery of Jenna’s past. The plot of the novel takes the reader through a variety of twists and turns in Jenna’s search for answers.

Here is one of the interesting programs at the Diamond Bar Library this month:

¯ Library Lovers Month: DIY Mini Library

National Library Lover’s Month:  DIY Lino Stamp Art

Wednesday, February 22, 11 am – 12 pm

Did you know that February is NATIONAL LIBRARY LOVER’S MONTH? That right! The entire month of February is set aside to celebrate libraries, books, and book lovers.  Come in and proclaim your love for libraries and all things bookish by designing and making your own linocut stamp for block printing and decorating a canvas book bag to celebrate library lover’s month.  For Adults.

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Registration open one week before this program. To sign up, see library staff, or register online at Visit.LACountyyLibrary.org/Events and filter by location or event date.

Looking at the library offerings above you can truly see that there is something for everyone at the library.  Do not forget to check out all the great programs available through the Los Angeles County Library and at the Diamond Bar Library.