Monte Recommends | Monticello Public Library

Monte Recommends: A Story from China

These fascinating reads are set in China, featuring historical fiction and Chinese folklore.

Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Coming-of-age girls question foot binding and marriage prospects in rural China. Friendship helps them explore the world beyond their homes, which tragically turns into flight from a rebellion. A powerful story. Also available in movie form on DVD.

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

A man dives into a chance to save a town from a Cholera epidemic in China, motivated by his discovery that his wife cheated on him. She dutifully comes along discovering more about the man she dismissed. Also available in movie form on DVD.

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Generations must cope with their luck. When good news hits, never seem ungrateful for the gods will strike you down, on bad news, try to cope and hide the struggle. Explore different connectivity to the land and what that might bring.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Four women recall the reasons they left China, their daughters' unrealizing their challenges and bravery. Also available in movie form on DVD.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This juvenile book features a young girl on a mission to find the Man in the Moon and appeal for monetary help for her family. Featuring Chinese folklore and a myriad of characters, the exploration on the way to the Man on the Moon might be the best part.

Monte Recommends: Ocean of Possibilities

This oceanic list is full of possibilities.

Sailing Alone by Richard J. King

King chronicles ocean journeys since they began, focusing on the epic accomplishment of doing it alone. What might a trip across the ocean feel like as a single human being? Read this compilation to understand the complexities.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

This fictional tale imagines a trip across the ocean in a rowboat with a tiger. Encounter the strangeness of being trapped on a rowboat with limited possibilities but the desire to live.

Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman

What if you wanted something so badly that you could never have, no matter how you tried, and then all of a sudden the sea delivered it to you in a small rowboat? This book pulls at your heartstrings in ways you wouldn't think possible. Each character has powerful needs and good intentions and it's hard to align with one side. This is also available as a movie.

The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson

This nonfiction title invites you to understand the vastness and complexities of the ocean through scientific observation. Marvel at the ocean through amazing details.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway

A man who was down on his fishing luck strikes it rich with a monster catch, but the catch puts up a stunning fight. What unfolds is a sacrifice of a fisherman's body and mind to become victorious.

The Shallows (DVD)

A young woman gets stranded on a small rock and is tortured by a relentless shark. While the shark gets stronger (and perhaps a bit too smart), you really route for this woman and her safety.

Monte Recommends: Human Plant Connections

Undeniably, humans and plants lives are interconnected. Here are some non-fiction titles diving into trees and plants and a couple of fiction titles around special gardens.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Blending indigenous wisdom with plant science proves not too challenging for Robin Wall Kimmerer. Her book is full of respect and reciprocity. Using her life experiences as a plant science teacher and her Potawatomi heritage, her unique outlook will have you looking at the world more closely. Also, if you enjoy this title, she recently released a new one called The Serviceberry.

Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan

Humans and plants are so tightly connected. This book explores how humans' desire for each of the four plants—potatoes, marijuana, tulips, and potatoes—benefits from human tending.

Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help you Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li

Learn how interconnected your happiness and health are to forests and trees. Enjoy the beautiful forest photography while you read. It's near impossible to not feel calm wash over you as you read and look through this title.

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

A young girl arrives in Australia; she was tucked away on a ship from England and adopted immediately by a dock worker. Her quest to understand her banishment leads her to a strange tale of friendship and an abandoned garden.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

This book features a very special apple tree that is tended by a family in North Carolina. The generations of women embrace or shun the tree, but ultimately their abilities are connected to it.

Monte Recommends: Racing

Very different racing adventures await with these books and movies.

Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord

Adventure racer Mikael Lindnord went across the world for an outdoor racing adventure of a lifetime and came home with something better. Learn how he prepped for his adventure race and how his extra challenge came through exporting a dog back home. This book is also a movie, Arthur the King.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Vern

A bet turns into a race against the clock and someone who will do anything to win. This classic novel showcases the myriads of ways of world travel in 1872. A short TV series highlights this challenge as well.

Ford V Ferrari (DVD)

The talents of many converge with the desire to win. Passionate characters with personal motives mash to create true racing history. This is based on a true story in the non-fiction title Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed at Le Mans by A.J. Baime.

Cars (DVD)

A racecar learns there is more to life than racing and winning. This title is a repeat watch, including a wonderful nod to small town America. It's fun for kids and smart enough for adults.

Monte Recommends: Mountain Adventure

Reconnect with nature on these mountain journies.

Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman

A boy dares to take on the task the killed his father, climbing to the top of the Alps. Rudi starts his journey without his family's blessing because he must fill this inner need.

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

On the cusp of the Civil War, two strangers may be falling in love. Timing separates them, but the only thing keeping them alive might be their longing for one another.

The Kid Who Climbed Everest by Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls takes on the challenge of climbing Everest after healing from a failed parachute accident. This book follows his race to the summit and explains in great detail what is required to acclimate (multiple climbs up and down from camp to camp).

Sherpa (DVD) directed by Jennifer Peedom

Follow the legacy and growth of the industry that the Sherpa people must acclimate to.

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

In the Appalachian mountains, follow the story of three folks who help the reader reconnect deeply with nature.

Monte Recommends: A Very Long Walk

These true stories share the extraordinary impact of long walks that went very right or very wrong, plus a local hiking guide to get you started on your long walk.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson can get a giggle with his snarky cynicism on most any topic; this book just happens to be his journey along the Appalachian Trail alongside an old friend. Enjoy his new experiences and his annoyances equally.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

A very lost young woman finds purpose on the Pacific Crest Trail. Taming her basic necessities propels her from a life of ruin to a life of promise.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

A boy walks across his country to freedom and returns to restore resources for those in need. Watch storylines merge while marveling at the strength of hope.

A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry

Narrated by a young wolf, this journey starts in the state of Oregon and goes down to California, approximately 1,000 miles. The mission is survival; the outcome is an incredible tale. This story is based on a true wolf's journey that was tracked via a collar fitted as a pup. If you enjoy this title, you are in for a treat. The missing brother of this tale got his own book recently, A Wolf Called Fire.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Madison: Including Dane and surrounding counties

Find a great spot to go out and enjoy a walk nearby for yourself!

Monte Recommends: Anne of Green Gables

Visit (or maybe revisit?) Prince Edward Island of Canada with these Anne of Green Gables suggestions. If you've already read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, here are more ways to dive into her world.

Anne (DVD) (later seasons are entitled Anne with an E)

Sassy and determined Anne finds her way through childhood and friendships on the beautiful Prince Edward Island in the 1880's. Beautifully filmed.

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy

Author Sarah McCoy envisions Marilla's early life before Anne is even a thought. Watch Marilla as a young woman growing up and see how that may have inspired some of her parenting decisions for Anne.

The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables: The Enchanting Island that Inspired L.M. Montgomery

Immerse yourself in the island beauty with this photograph rich title. See L. M. Montgomery's locations and isnpirations and perhaps find a little of Anne as well.

The Road From Belhaven by Margot Livesey

This book is so similar to Anne's world, taking place instead near Glasgow, Scotland. If you read all you can of Anne, try this title, which includes smart details about milking cows, raising hens, wood stoves in the kitchen, and the daily joys and struggles of life on the farm. The main character grows up and becomes a mother quickly in a well-researched and rich environment.

Anne Arrives by Abigail Halpin

Anne is getting a chapter book refresh. Try these titles for a lovely first introduction to Anne for young readers.

Monte Recommends: Organizing

If getting things tidy is on your list of things to do, look to these titles for inspiration.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

Follow this no-nonsense guide if you need some solid guidelines to lessen clutter. Kondo discovered success with organizing all of the same items in category instead of by location. She's a proponent of using what you have to store your items and stresses decluttering as the first step.

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin

Friends turned business partners, Shearer and Teplin feature gorgeous inspiration! Color coding, beautiful stacks of cookies in glass jars, and handwriting you will covet—dive into the eye candy of organization.

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

Oxenreider is practical and inspiring. She shares her experience of living across the globe and prioritizes experiences over stuff. She also squeezes in clean living and has the best natural deodorant recipe! Cleverly, the book is spiral bound for easy use. It is list heavy for those who thrive

Remodelista: The Organized Home: Simple, Stylish, Storage Ideas for All Over the House by Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick

Remodelista is more inspiration, less decluttering. It's tips and tricks to employ for all sorts of spaces. They acknowledge we all don't have spacious mudrooms as entryways and show off how to tackle small spaces like an apartment entryway.

New Order: A Decluttering Handbook for Creative Folks (and Everyone Else) by Fay Wolf

This book is more interested in how to tackle your mess, not the outcome of the mess (so it's not pretty photos of organized food items in pantries). This book is resource-rich; there is a section in the back of the book that lists so many places you can recycle, drop off shredding, send old trophies, donate musical equipment, and more. It is a treasure trove of responsible ways to banish clutter from your space!

Monte Recommends: Iceland

If you are dreaming of Iceland, here are some resources to get you started.

Ragnar Jonasson's Hulda Series

Before you go visit, after you return, or just to travel via book, dive into Ragnar Jonasson's Hulda Series. Follow Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir across the island to solve forgotten mysteries. Each book stands alone, and the trio gives a fuller picture of Hulda's personal story.

Stunning Iceland: The Hedonist's Guide by Jouanne Bertrand

When you are ready to plan your visit, or if you'd like to know what that looks like, join Icelander Jouanne Bertrand on many mapped out adventures in this title. The trips are very obtainable in the given time frames and highlight local lifestyles. This title is for sale all over Reykjavik for traveler's to nab as a beautiful souvenir. A wonderful bonus, this is part of a book series covering other major world cities.

The Lopapeysa Sweater: A Journey North in Search of Iceland's Iconic Knitwear

Iceland is closely bound to sheep and the wool they give for for warmth. This book features the author's journey to find the perfect sweater from many Icelandic knitters. Shopping in Reykjavik you cannot miss the countless sweater options, made from Icelandic brands like 66 Degrees North and Icewear, but this book takes you around the entire island, featuring handmade sweaters. It includes patterns, history, and mini adventures. Look to it for a few off the beaten path travel destinations even if you don't like wool, sweaters, or knitting.

Moon Guide: Iceland (2023)

Originally from New York City, the author relocated to Iceland in 2012. As such, her recommendations come with local authority. This guide is a great planning and decision making tool with loads of suggested stops and possible agendas.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (DVD)

When a middle aged day dreamer gets confronted with job loss, things start to become more real. Watch Walter start to spend less time wondering and more time living in this daring journey which was filmed in Iceland.