Joe Webb Memorial Library

09/03/2026

God’s Country by William Kent Krueger

(This beautiful photo was taken by Cully Shannon on his trip to the Boundary Waters. Cully is D'Ann and Keith Shannon's son.)

God’s Country is the 22nd novel in the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. This book is shorter than the usual Krueger novel and it could be read as a standalone outside the series. It differs from other books in the series in that the usual cast of characters, Cork’s family and friends, do not play a large part in the story.
Cork is given several warnings when his son and grandson have disturbing visions about him. These visions are followed by a stern warning from his friend and mentor, Henry Meloux. Cork chooses to ignore the warnings and move forward with a canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Early in the expedition, the adults in the group realize that something bad has disturbed the pristine wilderness. Cork sends them all home to protect the children on the canoe trip, and he chooses to move deeper into the wilderness in an attempt to help an old friend who is in danger.

The story turns into a spiritual adventure in which Cork ponders the nature of darkness within himself while trying to survive in the wilderness. His blend of Catholicism and native teaching that has served him well as a lawman and family man, leaves him unsure about himself. His situation causes him to recall the traditional tale told by Henry Meloux about two wolves. “There is inside us all two wolves battling one another. One is good and one is evil. The wolf who wins the battle is the one you feed.”

The Boundary Waters themselves act as a character in the plot. Cork describes the beauty of the wilderness and how it has always served as a worshipful sanctuary where he is cleansed. He describes how violence has ruined the holy nature of the wilderness and how this drives him to a darker psychological place.

The action in the story is predictable. In fact, I put the book down a couple of times because Cork refused to heed warnings of danger. However, his introspection added to the tension and I was drawn back into the story. It was a quick read, and I always enjoy visiting Minnesota in my mind. Below you can see a picture from my son’s canoe trip in Minnesota this summer. This will give you a good visual of what Cork experienced in God’s Country.
D'Ann Dixon Shannon, Claiborne Parish Library

Photo courtesy of Cully Shannon - The Boundary Waters.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Wow, what a wonderful photo of Haynesville history!

We received this photo of Haynesville Colored High School, circa 1920, from Crosby Beene. We hope others will find photos we can use to keep a record of this important part of Claiborne Parish history! Thank you Mr. Beene.

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

Woodson High School, Haynesville, LA

08/25/2026

Ann Patchett’s most recent novel, Whistler, is a beautifully written and well-paced story. The cover art is a painting of a riderless horse, but don’t be fooled into thinking this a story about a horse.

This is a story of Daphne Fuller who reunites with Eddie Triplett, a man who was her stepfather when she was nine years old. Eddie was very abruptly removed from Daphne’s life, and they had not seen each other for more than 40 years. Their re-connection is instant, and they resume a father daughter relationship as if it were never interrupted.

The horse, Whistler, and his owner Mary Carter are a story within the story. Whistler is a metaphor for comfort and survival that Eddie tells Daphne in a time of vulnerability when she was a child. Daphne and Eddie reflect on the story of Whistler when they reunite, and they return to that story often. Whistler reminds them of loyalty, love, and death, which are all themes that they struggle with in their relationships.

Daphne and Eddie are lovers of art and lovers of literature. They are both self-aware and willing to self-reflect, so this story unfolds gently with little nuggets of wit and wisdom along the way.
I would recommend this book. It would be a great read on a rainy day, and we really do need some rainy days.

D'Ann Shannon, Claiborne Parish Library

08/20/2026

This is our first of several informational meetings through out the parish concerning the sales tax propositions for the continuation of rural trash pickup in the Parish - we hope that you will join us Claiborne Electric Cooperative on August 31st at 6:00 pm!

08/18/2026

New historical fiction title by Lisa See!

Lovers of historical fiction will be glad to know the library has Lisa See’s newest novel, Daughters of the Sun and Moon. The book takes place in the 1870s in Los Angeles with some chapters told from 1929 looking back. It was a time of great change and growth after the Civil War, and anti-Chinese sentiments were high in Los Angeles. See offers detailed descriptions of events that are both gritty and disturbing. As with her other novels, See has done a wonderful job of researching the era and she provides readers with a bibliography for further reading.

This story is a tale of 3 unlikely friends who each come from a different social stratum in China. Petal is a peasant girl who is sold by her family to service in the United States. Although slavery is illegal in the States, the Chinese gangs found a loophole and document the sale as a form of indenture. Most girls sold into indenture have no hope of ever exiting indenture alive. Dove is the daughter of an imperial scholar, and she is also sold, but as a second wife of a wealthy merchant in Los Angeles. Although technically a wife, she has no individual freedom. Moon is the daughter of a doctor of Chinese medicine, and she has been married to her father’s successor.

Violence and control are the backdrop for this story, but the main themes of the novel are friendship and perseverance. The lives of these women are so tightly controlled that their communication is at times limited to a kind word in passing or a look of understanding from across a room. They are instantly drawn to one another and find ways to build community together.

After a particularly violent encounter, Petal is taken to the local doctor’s office where she is treated by her friend Moon. When Petal calls her a good friend, Moon thinks, “Friend. I soaked in the word. I’d felt alone and lonely for so long… Helping. Connecting. Yes, this was at the center of our three-way friendship.”

The subject matter of this novel is difficult to read, but there is redemption. Petal offers the following beautiful description of their lives. “The Buddha said life is suffering, but he also noted that the flower and the thorn are on the same stem.” Petal, Dove and Moon experience many tragedies and pains, but together they enjoy the beauty of life, love and friendship.

Review by D'Ann Dixon Shannon, CPLibrary