Dear Editor:
I'm not sure if your readers are aware of it, but there's a total eclipse of the sun happening in Jefferson City (and other parts of North America) on Aug. 21. As the city and its surrounding areas get prepared for this once-in-a-lifetime (for most of us) event, I wanted to add my two cents as to one more way to enjoy this celestial phenomenon.
There are some great books out there that have total eclipses as major plot points. My favorite may be Missouri's own Mark Twain's book, "A Connecticut Yankee in King's Arthur Court;" Stephen King has written two books where a total eclipse plays heavily into the story: "Dolores Claiborne;" and "Gerald's Game." Both books offer strong female leads and are a departure from Mr. King's usual horror work. For readers who can't get enough of vampires - you know who you are - there's "The Strain," by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Many readers may be familiar with the TV show adapted from the book series.
For younger readers who enjoy alternative fiction, there's the aptly titled, "Eclipse," by Erin Hunter, Book No. 4 in her bestselling "Power of Three: Warriors" series. Readers of that series may also enjoy Kenneth Oppel's "Sunwing" Book No. 2 in his highly successful Silverwing series. For young adults who enjoy more realistic fiction, there's the wonderful coming-of-age novel, "Every Soul a Star," the story of three unlikely friends who come to accept who they are after watching a total eclipse of the sun.
One of the best things about these books is that they're all available to the public at the Missouri River Regional Library. Thanks to Qhyrrae Michaelieu, Madeline Matson,and Claudia Schoonover for their help in compiling this list, and to the entire staff of MRRL for doing what they do everyday and reminding us that nothing eclipses reading a good book.
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