Quick Links

Search Adults


True/False Films available at DBRL with a T/F logo

Book Oracle

Let us find your next great read!

First Thursday Book Discussion – Yellowface: A Novel

Posted on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 by Beth

Book cover: American DirtIn 2020 the novel “American Dirt” was released to great fanfare, after a bidding war had resulted in a seven-figure advance for the author. The accolades rolled in: “American Dirt” remained on the New York Times Bestseller List for 36 weeks, and emerged as one of the best-selling books of the year. It has been published in 37 languages and has sold over three million copies worldwide. 

Then the controversy hit. In USA Today Barbara VanDenburgh commented, “These character, story and style missteps would be problematic no matter the source. But it matters in this case that the source is a European-born woman in the U.S. without ties to the Mexican migrant experience.”

Suddenly the book world was abuzz:  Who exactly was allowed to write about which experiences? And what precisely constituted cultural appropriation in publishinBook cover: Yellowfaceg?

In a riff on this real-life situation, R. F. Kuang addresses these questions and more in “Yellowface: A Novel,” the Columbia Public Library’s First Thursday Book Discussion selection for April.  Continue reading “First Thursday Book Discussion – Yellowface: A Novel”

March 2025 LibraryReads

Posted on Monday, March 10, 2025 by Kat

LibraryReads logoCheck out these new books that library staff around the country love! March brings at least one seasonally punny book, a new novel by last year’s One Read author and a wide variety of other fiction. Read on to pick out a new book to welcome Spring with, and find a way to use all this light in the evenings (thanks Daylight Saving Time, I guess).

Murder by Memory book cover“Murder by Memory” by Olivia Waite

Dorothy Gentleman, ship’s detective on the Fairweather, is trying to solve a mystery in which the victim has been erased completely. There is a very real possibility that she herself is inhabiting the body of the killer, due to an emergency action by the ship’s mind. Waite has come up with something insanely clever and truly original.
~Jill Minor, Washington County Public Library, VA

 

Wild Dark Shore book cover“Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy

A gripping novel of a father and his children residing on a remote island, frantic to protect the last remaining seeds for future generations. Their lives are disrupted when an injured woman washes ashore. Mutual interest in the natural world enhances their passionate connection, despite a tense urgency for the truth. An immersive novel of family, nature and the ties that bind.
~KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador, CT

 

Go Luck Yourself book cover“Go Luck Yourself” by Sara Raasch

This delightful follow-up to The Nightmare Before Kissmas follows Kris, the other Christmas Prince, and Loch, the Prince of St. Patrick’s Day. There’s a bit of mystery and political intrigue, as well as passionate banter. Great for readers looking for fun holiday rom-coms with a bit of spice that can be read outside of the winter holidays.
~Katelyn Tjarks, Anne Arundel County Public Library, MD

 

The River Has Roots book cover“The River Has Roots” by Amal El-Mohtar

Sisters Esther and Ysabel are among the lucky few to have found their way home after getting lost in the land of Faerie. When Esther falls in love with a stranger, a darkness threatens to separate the sisters forever. An enchanting story of the bonds of sisterhood and the magic of Faerie for readers who love a good riddle song or murder ballad.
~Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL

 

More new books coming out in March:

Literary Links: Women’s Work

Posted on Sunday, March 9, 2025 by Jonya

I went into a research rabbit hole this fall after rereading “Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years: Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times” by Elizabeth Wayland Barber. Join me as I share some of the works I discovered. 

Young archeologist Elizabeth Wayland Barber began researching women’s contributions to early society, thinking she would write a paper, revised that to a book and then made it a life’s work. Male researchers had, for the most part, ignored findings of ephemeral fibers and families. “Women’s Work” has a deserved place on American Scientist’s list of “100 or So Books That Shaped a Century of Science.”

“Women’s work” has often meant labor traditionally seen as the domain of women, often linked to specific stereotypical roles that are viewed as inherently feminine or related to domestic responsibilities that include low or no pay. However, women and their supporters are working to evolve that, to turn ‘women’s work’ into anything a woman aspires to do. Continue reading “Literary Links: Women’s Work”

Reader Review: Polish Your Poise With Madame Chic

Posted on Friday, March 7, 2025 by patron reviewer

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year. “Polish Your Poise With Madame Chic” has lessons on how to live like a courteous lady or gentleman — I found the instructions in the book were very attainable. Even though I’m in my 40’s, I learned some ways to refine myself in a pleasing way. This book will be an annual read for me.

Three words that describe this book: Valuable, life, lessons

You might want to pick this book up if: You want or need better things in life. This book helps to make your life choices become excellent.

-Anonymous

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year. 

New DVD List: March 2025

Posted on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by Decimal Diver

Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.

“Wicked” – Website / Reviews 
This film adaptation of the musical (based on a book) tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is part one of a two part film series starring Grammy winning musicians Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“Juror #2” – Website / Reviews 
From filmmaker Clint Eastwood comes a drama about a juror for a high-profile murder trial who finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma that could influence the court verdict.

“Nosferatu” – Website / Reviews 
Robert Eggers’ horror film is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

“The Order” – Website / Reviews 
In this crime thriller, a string of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads veteran FBI agent Terry Husk into a white supremacist plot to overthrow the federal government.

“September 5” – Website / Reviews
A historical thriller that takes place during the 1972 Munich Olympics where an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering a hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes. Continue reading “New DVD List: March 2025”

Nonfiction Roundup: March 2025

Posted on Monday, March 3, 2025 by Liz

Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in March. All of the mentioned titles are available to put on hold in our catalog and will also be made available via the library’s Overdrive website on the day of publication in eBook and downloadable audiobook format (as available). For a more extensive list of new nonfiction books coming out this month, check our online catalog.

Top Picks

Propaganda Girls book cover“Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS” by Lisa Rogak (Mar 4)
Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII. As members of the OSS, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in the European theater, across enemy lines in occupied China, and in Washington, D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene forged letters and “official” military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: March 2025”

Reader Review: 100 Days of Real Food

Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 by patron reviewer

100 days of real food book cover“100 Days of Real Food” is a cook book but it’s also the author and her family’s journey of taking a 100 day pledge to eat only real, unprocessed food. She shares her favorite recipes for eating whole food, what she learned along the way, as well as information about our conventional food system.

The book was quite eye opening. I knew a good amount of the information already but this is a pretty comprehensive look at the food industry. While it’s not a new book, it’s got really rich information in it and timeless advice on how to find and benefit from REAL food.

Three words that describe this book: Cooking, health, lifestyle

You might want to pick this book up if: You’re looking for healthier recipes with few ingredients, looking to make lifestyle changes but aren’t sure where to start, are disgusted by the corporate food industry and want info to inspire you to make changes in how you source your food.

-Hannah

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

Reader Review: Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons

Posted on Friday, February 21, 2025 by patron reviewer

Godzilla Here there be dragons book cover Two of my favorite things are Pirates and Godzilla movies. So I was ecstatic when I stumbled upon “Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons.” This comic book limited series, now collected in trade paperback, is an awesome summer read.

Written by Frank Tieri, this story places Monster Island in the tropical waters of the golden age of piracy. The book is a quick read, full of maritime adventure and giant monster battles.

Even if you don’t dig the story, the book is worth picking up just to peruse the gorgeous artwork. Artist Inaki Miranda’s illustrations are so good that they earned this title a nomination for Best Penciller/Inker at this year’s Eisner Awards.

{Pirate voice}: If ye be searching for some summertime adventure, voyage to DB-Arrr-L and pick up “Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons.”

Three words that describe this book: Adventurous, Exciting, Fun

You might want to pick this book up if: You are into Pirates or Kaiju

-Joe

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

New DVD List: February 2025

Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 by Decimal Diver

Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.

“The Outrun” – Website / Reviews 
Based on the best-selling memoir this dramatic film is about addiction and recovery, strength and survival, mental health and the ability of the sea, the land and of people to restore life and renew hope.

“Robot Dreams” – Website / Reviews 
This Oscar-nominated animated film, based on the graphic novel, follows the adventures and misfortunes of a dog and a robot in New York City during the 1980s.

“Sleep” – Website / Reviews 
In this South Korean dark horror comedy, a young, expectant wife must figure out how to stop her husband’s nightmarish sleepwalking habits before he harms himself or his family.

“The Substance” – Website / Reviews 
This Oscar nominated horror film stars actress Demi Moore as a fading celebrity who decides to use a black market drug to temporarily create a younger, better version of herself.

“Seeking Mavis Beacon” – Website / Reviews 
Shown at the True/False Film Fest, this doc follows two DIY detectives seeking the cover model behind a popular educational typing software, while posing questions about identity & technology. Continue reading “New DVD List: February 2025”