The following information was submitted by Lynne Rubio, Readers’ Services supervisor at the Des Plaines Public Library.

In the Jewish faith, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which this year is from Monday, Sept. 17 through Wednesday, Sept. 26, is time to be spent in atonement for the sins of the past.

By asking for and granting forgiveness in preparation for the coming year, a person can relinquish the past and start fresh. The benefits include emotional peace, stronger relationships, and even improved physical health. Regardless of our religious affiliation, we could all use a little of that.

On a personal level, the ideas of mercy and atonement can be painful to address. Books and movies give us an opportunity to explore them without the sting of direct self-examination. We can lose ourselves in the drama and face universal human truths at the same time.

Here are some inspiring stories that deal with themes of forgiveness and starting over that can be found at the Des Plaines Public Library:

Fiction:

• The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffmann
• Atonement by Ian McEwan
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Bleachers by John Grisham
• Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

Movies:

• Seven Pounds with Will Smith
• The Straight Story with Sissy Spacek and Harry Dean Stanton
• Amish Grace with Kimberly Williams-Paisley
• The Mission with Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro
• An Unfinished Life with Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez and Robert Redford

Earlier: The Amish Project takes the stage at Oakton Community College.

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