Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1544732
| OHCC LIVING | MAY 2026 | 13 It's May Again "e world's favorite season is Spring, All things seem possible in May." - Edwin Way Teale May is the month of secret surprises. I grew up in a small town in Northern Minnesota at my parents' resort on Lake of the Woods. Winter was brutal, but spring arrived with all its glory. Here, as a small child, everything seemed magical and possible, including traditions handed down from generation to generation. One of the most fun and exciting was May Day. For months we would count the days on the calendar until our teacher would begin our art project of designing and making May baskets. ese baskets were lled with treats or owers or special tokens that only the recipient would value. Each basket would be delivered secretly and le on the doorstep. One would ring the doorbell and run away and hide. If caught, however, the gi-giver had to forfeit a kiss! One might wonder how many romantic relationships have begun with a small May basket and a surprise kiss. Books can also be surprising. For example, we rarely see an author produce a bestselling book on his rst "debut" attempt. It's even less likely that a "self-published" book reaches rapid popularity and success and quickly rises to best seller status. In late 2023, Allen Levi became a rst-time author with eo of Golden. At the time, he thought he might just put the manuscript in a drawer and go back to songwriting, his other passion. Fortunately, it wasn't too long before he decided to embark upon a "personal publication" process that became "wildly popular" and "instantly successful" as sales soared, and in under two years became: "A word-of-mouth smash hit." -e New York Times In 2025, Simon and Schuster took over as publishers, and sales increased even more rapidly, as eo of Golden has remained on the best seller list for 15 weeks! So, what makes this book so appealing? It starts with a simple and beautiful story line. eo, a kind, inquisitive, intelligent, but elderly man moves temporarily to Golden, Georgia. Once there he discovers "e Chalice," a ne coee shop. Inside he nds that the space is also a gallery covered with 92 framed, intricately drawn, pencil portraits of people. On close inspection of the artwork, he becomes intrigued. "Each face reveals a mood that hinted of a hidden story." When he learns that he can buy any of the drawings, he decides to do so and return each drawing to its "rightful owner", and more importantly, discover each of their life stories. He then begins his delightful one-year journey of discovery and kindness as eo comes to know each person shown in the gallery, and they each come to know him. A typical eo of Golden 5-star review: "ere is love and grace and empathy and forgiveness and understanding." "ere is heartbreak, and from the ashes comes astounding beauty." Note: Our Library has purchased eight new large print books that are available behind the main desk. Written by Sally Benton and submitted by the Library Association Library Association MAY BOOK BUYS Chasing Evil .................................Robert Hilland & John Edward Chasing e Clouds ......................................... Debbie Macomber Death Times Seven ...................................................... Anne Perry e Hadacol Boogie .............................................James Lee Burke Hope Rises .............................................................. David Baldacci Lady Tremaine................................................Rachel Hochhouser Maggie; Or, A Man And A Woman Walk Into A Bar ..... Katie Yee e Mailman .......................................... Andrew Welch-Huggins My Husband's Wife .................................................... Alice Feeney e Private Side Of Friendship................ Alexander Mccall Smill Revenge Prey........................................................... John Sandford Served Him Right.......................................................... Lisa Unger eo Of Golden .............................................................. Allen Levi is Book Makes Me ink Of You .............................. Libby Page Trust No One.............................................................James Rollins e Violet Hour.......................................... Victoria Benton Frank Wolf Hour .........................................................................Jo Nesbo A Woman's Place.......................................................Danielle Steel Worse an A Lie ........................................................ Ben Crump Large Print When e Cranes Fly South ........................................ Lisa Ridzen