Atwater Library and Computer Centre

Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg
“As a former radio producer/host, an avid reader, blessed with dear friends, this memoir spoke to me on many levels. Here’s Nina Totenberg’s comment: “For nearly 50 years, Ruth (Ruth Bader Ginsberg) had knit ourselves ever more tightly into the fabric of each other’s lives”. Read it, watch Nina Totenberg on PBS All Things Considered.”
— Estelle Rosen, Library member.

Hunting El Chapo: Taking Down the World’s Most Wanted Drug Lord
by Andrew Hogan and Douglas Century
“A police thriller: drugs, corruption, gobs of money, military maneuvers, personal dancer, coincidences and miraculous escapes – all true.”
— Anonymous, Library member and supporter.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
“Very surreal, yet very engrossing story involving Second World War Japan and a mystery. I loved it!”
— Diana H., Library volunteer.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
“One of my favourite books, it is full of imagination and creates a magical place I wish I could visit.”
— Liona Davies, Coordinator of Computer Courses and Room Rentals.

Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot
“Mailhot’s inner strength and courage going beyond ugliness of her life experience is inspirational. A touching memoir poetically written.”
— Estelle Rosen, Library member.

Veep (TV Series)
“Among the many comedy DVD series at the Atwater, Veep — with an all-star ensemble cast headed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus — is the one I would highly recommend.”
— Edward McCann, Library volunteer.

Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches by John Hodgman
“This book smells of sun tan lotion and you will enjoy its lighthearted, funny, yet unexpectedly deep stories. A great collection by this quirky New Englander.”
— Kimberley Ryan, Head Librarian.

The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall
“Whittall dives into suburbia through the intricate, interwoven story of a Connecticut family in crisis. A wonderfully dark morality tale.”
— Lucy Uprichard, Library volunteer.

Loving Vincent (DVD)
“Set one year after his death, a young man tries to piece together Van Gogh’s final weeks. Visually stunning, the movie is entirely hand painted in Van Gogh’s signature style.”
— Tatjana, Library volunteer.

A Long Way From Home by Peter Carey
“Unforgettable characters, a 1954 car race around Australia, searing commentary on race and colonialism. By the mind-blowing Booker winner.”
— Lynn Verge, Executive Director.

Back to Beer…and Hockey: The Story of Eric Molson by Helen Antoniou
“This is a great read…pre-war Montreal, the life story of a brewer extraordinaire and a good guy who finishes first by keeping to his last.”
— John Aylen, Library President.

The Sea Road by Margaret Elphinstone
“A truly marvelous tale of 11th century Icelanders and their voyage to a new land; vivid descriptions of nature, wildlife, and touching on the spiritual.”
— Agnes McFarlane, Library volunteer.

Brother by David Chariandy
“An exquisite novel about loss, longing, joy and hip-hop. Set in Toronto, the story rooted itself in me and held on firmly.”
— Victoria, Library member.

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter — We offer it in eBook format
“This is a fascinating story of a family of Polish Jews and what happened to the children during the Holocaust, with every member’s experience being radically different.”
— Gail Ewan, Library volunteer.

The Revenant (DVD)
“The movie that gave DiCaprio his first Academy Award is a pure work of art. The cinematography and the landscapes are what makes it such a special experience.”
— Bayron Melendez, Building Custodian (summertime).

Bruno Chief of Police by Martin Walker
“A classic ‘who dunnit’ murder-mystery set in the beautiful region of southwest France where you enjoy a wine tour and culinary exploration with online recipes linked to the cuisine in the book. Fabulous!”
— Gabrielle, Library volunteer.

Elizabeth Rex (DVD Shakespeare Collection)
“Queen Elizabeth is sleepless on the eve of the execution for treason of the Earl of Essex, her rumoured lover. Timothy Findley conjectures a night where she turns to Shakespeare’s players for distraction and solace through the waiting hours.”
—Mark Gallop, Library member and Past President.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
“Follow two families’ experiences with slavery. Every chapter is heavy and emotional, but the parallel stories intertwine beautifully.”
— Zia, Library volunteer.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
“A wonderful epic fantasy novel that immerses you in its world and makes you fall in love with the characters. I can’t wait for second book in the series!”
— Kathleen James, Assistant Librarian.

Arrival (DVD)
“Arrival (2016), which begins and ends with beautiful somber music, is a moving film about memory and time. Extraordinary and contemplative.”
—David Sume, Library volunteer.

Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti Series
“The Inspector Brunetti series are great page-turners. Very well written and Leon is in a class above most mystery writers.”
— Diana H., Library volunteer.

Mad Blood Stirring: The Inner Lives of Violent Men by Daemon Fairless
“So why do some men behave like vicious but senseless animals now and then, one of them wondered.”
— Anonymous, Library member and supporter.

The Hebrides by Paul Murton
“A beautifully illustrated book taking a voyage through the Hebrides; packed with entertaining stories of the people, places and legends. Reading this will make you want to go!”
—Agnes McFarlane, Library volunteer.

Howl (DVD)
“‘I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness…’ A bio-pic of Allen Ginsberg, an account of the obscenity trial that resulted from the 1955 publication of his poem, but also a lyrical and visual riff on the poem itself.”
— Mark Gallop, Library member and Past President.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
“A great read, well timed for summer as each chapter of Hope Jahren’s life is mirrored by the development stage of a plant. It is beautifully written and it provides a sneak peek into the world of academia.”
— Liona Davies, Coordinator of Computer Courses and Room Rentals.

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
“A poetic, meditative and disturbing novel, in the best way possible! It is told from the point of view of the biologist of a strange scientific mission who has a hidden agenda.”
— Daisy Winling, Library volunteer.

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
“Immigrant story, love story, crime story…a feisty and reckless young woman defies convention on many levels in New York during the War.”
— John Aylen, Library President.

Church of Spies: The Pope’s Secret War Against Hitler by Mark Riebling
“Enticing and suspenseful, the book brings much insight into the Church hierarchy’s role in the opposition to the Nazis. A must-read about a complex subject!”
— Marco De Petrillo, Saturday and Evenings Library Manager.

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
“Catherine Steadman’s debut novel has it all! Compelling flawed characters, an original intrigue and the great twists and turns you’d expect from a thriller.”
— Kimberley Ryan, Head Librarian.