This week's column will feature "Novel Ideas," courtesy of the Washington Missourian. Each of the titles is available at the Marshall Public Library.

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Stock up on Post-It notes when you crack open "Walking on Eggshells," by Jane Isay. You'll want to mark passages in this upbeat book about developing a healthy relationship with your adult children.

These days parents may be frustrated with the slow maturation of their 20- and 30-something offspring. With a gentle hand, Isay reminds the older generation that times have changed -- young people are marching to their own drum, and the beat is in perfect sync with today's world.

Isay interviewed dozens of parents and adult children for her book. Each chapter is filled with true-life accounts of the challenges facing parents of adult children, and tips on navigating these sometimes choppy waters.

Don't offer unwanted advice, wait 24 hours before you even think about sending a nasty letter or e-mail, avoid criticism. And don't have unrealistic expectations--your adult child might be close to 40 before you enjoy the type of relationship with him or her that you desire, Isay cautions.

Until then, take a deep breath, and know that love conquers all. Even if parents royally mess up when their children are young, there's hope, Isay says. If a parent is willing to change, the adult child will usually embrace that change and the relationship can be mended.

"Coal Black Horse" is a classic, timely tale of the cost of war, and the tragic toll it takes on individuals and their families.

You're in for quite a ride with "Sister Mine," a spirited novel by Tawni O'Dell, who previously penned "Back Roads," an Oprah Pick, and "Coal Run."

Nobody's going to push Shae-Lynn Penrose around. A former cop, Shae-Lynn now drives a cab. She'll throw a punch at the drop of a hat, and take on tough guys twice her size.

Shae-Lynn was born in the coal mining town of Jolly Mount in rural Pennsylvania. The daughter of an abusive miner, Shae-Lynn raised her younger sister after their mother died in childbirth. Dodging blows from her dad and protecting Shannon from his wrath was a full-time job.

Now Shae-Lynn's an adult. She has a grown son who doesn't know who his father is, and she hasn't seen her little sister Shannon in 18 years. Shannon ran away as a teen, and Shae-Lynn hasn't heard a word from her. Out of the blue, Shannon turns up in Jolly Mount, pregnant, and determined to sell her baby to an adoptive family.

Shae-Lynn also has a childhood friend who's fast becoming a love interest, E.J., one of The Jolly Mount Five, a group of miners who were trapped in J & P Mine No. 12 for four days before being rescued. As Shae-Lynn tries to reacquaint herself with her sister, and make peace with the past, the stories of the miners come to light.

"Sister Mine" a bit confusing because of the number of characters, but a careful read is worth the effort. The story builds up steam, and O'Dell delivers a satisfying, and surprising conclusion.

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New materials

Fiction

-- "Sunrise" by Karen Kingsbury

-- "Miss Julia Strikes Back" by Ann B. Ross

-- "Afternoons with Emily" by Rose MacMurray

-- "6th Target" by James Patterson

Non-fiction

-- "Carved in Sand" by Cathryn J. Ramin

-- "Let's Face It" by Kirk Douglas

-- "How Doctors Think" by Jerome Groopman, M.D.

-- "The New American Story" by Bill Bradley

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Library events

Preschool Story Time -- each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years old.

Pajama Story Time -- each Monday at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

Wee Ones Lap Time Story Time -- for babies up to 24 months old, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.