by Anne Newins

We are going to display our most popular books for the next two months.  It can be a challenge to predict which display topics are going to be popular with Manor readers.  Some are successes while others garner little attention.  So every year or so, we let you, the devoted readers, decide.  Our library software system tracks which books have the most circulation, so why not put them out where everyone can easily find them?  Some authors are perennial favorites, such as William Kent Krueger, but we will try to showcase as many writers as possible.

A number of library patrons come in asking for a book they’ve heard about. Here it is:

1.  Jean K. Dunham                       Two Women in Africa:  the Ultimate Adventure

2.  Richard Osman                        The Thursday Murder Club

3.  William Kent Krueger              This Tender Land

4.  Billy Crystal                                Still Foolin’ em:  where I’ve been, where I’m going, and where the hell are my keys?

5.  Min Jin Lee                                 Pachinko

6.  Ann Cleeves                               The Long Call

7.  Bonnie Garmus                         Lessons in Chemistry

8.  Louise Penny                             Glass Houses

9.  William Kent Krueger               The Devil’s Bed

10.  William Kent Krueger             Desolation Mountain

contributed by Connie Kent

The letter ‘e’ is the most common vowel in the English language.

Challenged to make a sentence without once using the letter ‘e,’ Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a nineteenth century Bengali poet and playwright responded:

“I doubt I can. It’s a major part of many words. Omitting it is as hard as making muffins without flour. It’s as hard as spitting without saliva, napping without a pillow, driving a train without tracks, sailing to Russia without a boat, washing your hands without soap. And anyway, what would I gain? An award? A cash bonus? Bragging rights? Why should I strain my brain? It’s not worth it.”

submitted by Mary Jane Morrison

by Connie Kent

Words matter. If I call an activist a “freedom fighter,” you can tell I approve of his activity. If I call him a “terrorist,” you know I don’t. And you know not only how I feel, but also how I hope you feel or how I want you to feel. “Freedom fighter” is a euphemism; “terrorist” is a dysphemism.

A euphemism substitutes a pleasant, mild, or indirect word for a more accurate or direct one that might be offensive. English raconteur Quentin Crisp called euphemisms “unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.” Here are some examples:

Dysphemism is the opposite of euphemism. Dysphemism is substitution of a harsh or offensive word for a neutral one in order to make something or someone sound negative, bad, or unlikeable. It is meant to shock or offend. If a euphemism is a shield to protect our sensibilities, a dysphemism is a sword to wound them.

For example, a person who died might have “passed away” (euphemism) or “kicked the bucket” (dysphemism). One’s spouse could be his/her “better half” or a “ball and chain.” Here are some other examples:

Bureaucrat	Government employee
Tree hugger	Environmentalist
Nerd	Engineer or IT specialist
Pig	Police officer
Cancer stick	Cigarette
Pre-owned	Used
Nutcase	Mentally ill

So choose your words carefully. And listen carefully, too, to the ways others – including news casters – choose their words.

submitted by Mary Jane Morrison