Evie has given up on love, in the real world and in her once-beloved contemporary romance novels. How can she when her parents have just gotten a divorce? When she suddenly acquires the ability to see the end of a couple’s relationship (and as Evie will tell you, they always end) it only confirms her belief that love isn’t worth the time because no one gets out unscathed. And yet, when Evie gets partnered with X at the La Brea Dance Studio, she can’t help herself from noticing all his positive qualities, and she can’t walk away. So now Evie must navigate a world where she is confronted by love and visions of its subsequent heartbreak everywhere she goes, while trying to keep herself out of its snare.
I loved so much about “Instructions for Dancing.” The premise is a little goofy (suddenly she can see the whole “lifespan” of a relationship when she watches a couple kiss?), but it lends itself well to the challenges Evie is facing as she grapples with love and the risk that it is. Yoon is a great writer; she breaks from a standard storytelling mode to seamlessly integrate Evie’s visions and texts with friends in a way that moves the story along without it feeling awkward.
Three words that describe this book: Delightful, unique, heartwarming
You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick this book if you enjoy Nicola Yoon’s other works, YA romance, romantic comedies or dancing.
-Sarah
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
In this month’s virtual book discussion, we’ll depart from our usual format to discuss some picture books with Black history themes in honor of Juneteenth. Adults can find value in reading picture books, which provide an introduction to a subject and are often illustrated with beautiful artwork. This discussion will be held June 2 at 12 p.m. and is geared toward adults. Register for a Zoom link.
Here are the books to read for our discussion:
“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” by Carole Boston Weatherford
“Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks” by Suzanne Slade
“Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott” by Dee Romito
“Swish! The Slam-dunking, Alley-ooping, High-flying Harlem Globetrotters” by Suzanne Slade
“We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song” by Debbie Levy
“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly
“Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams” by Lesa Cline-Ransome
“First Comes Like” is about a young, single woman who also happens to be a fashion influencer. As seems to be the case with on-line communications, she becomes engaged in a flirtatious convo with somebody and alllllll the things go askew. I loved this fun romp … it was light-hearted and easy while still being substantial enough to thoroughly enjoy. I also really appreciated the multi-cultural considerations when it comes to dating, love and marriage.
Three words that describe this book: fun, funny, thoughtful
You might want to pick this book up if: You’re in the mood for summer fluff with nutritional value.
-Kate
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
I am from Up Nort’. Well, Green Bay, Wisconsin, to be exact. (Technically, Green Bay is northeast Wisconsin, but relative to Missouri… The actual “Up Nort” is the northwoods of WI, and beyond. No, there is no “h” in the word north when spoken in my native ‘Sconnie dialect.) Therefore, I do not like the springs, the summers, or even most of the falls here in Missouri. Winter is nice, but I would prefer a bit more cold and snow. So, when I am again accosted by the oppressive humidity, I must look for all the ways to cool myself.
This month, I have begun preparations to fight the heat. My focus will be frozen treats, and this subject seemed like a great topic for a blog post! I made a list of books that looked interesting, though I focused on only a few. Some of these titles will be vegan, as I try to avoid dairy. Additionally, most are kid-friendly. Continue reading “Read the Recipe! Vol. 9”
I collect those black Singer sewing machines. They are awesome! And they will continue sewing as long as you keep them clean and oiled. My featherweight machine is named Inskeep after my mother-in-law as it was her machine before me. She sewed my husband’s school shirts with it and probably many other things but of course, as a child, he only remembers what involved himself. I don’t know if he actually liked the shirts. I don’t think that was one of his mother’s requirements. Continue reading “Beginning Sewing”
Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.
“C’mon C’mon”
Website / Reviews
In this drama from writer-director Mike Mills, radio host Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) receives a call from his sister Viv (Gaby Hoffman), asking him to temporarily take care of her son Jesse (Woody Norman). They forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future. Continue reading “New DVD List: “C’mon C’mon,” “Attica” & More”
“The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson took much longer to read than I expected. This book weaves several compelling fictional stories together with descriptions of real-life responses to climate change in a way that captured my attention for several weeks. I would read 30 pages and then need a day to think about what I had read before tackling another section — and I normally devour books whole! I highly recommend this book for readers who are willing to take a deep dive into what climate change will mean for people, and the many different ways that we can choose to think about addressing it.
Three words that describe this book: Thought-provoking, challenging, wide-ranging.
You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick up this book if you are concerned about climate change and want to think outside the box.
-Sarah
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“People We Meet On Vacation” introduces us to Poppy and Alex, who have been friends since college when they traveled home together to the small town they grew up in. Since that trip home, they became best friends — the type that have nothing in common but take a trip together every summer. At first, these trips were done with little to no budget, but now Poppy is living in New York and writing for a travel magazine and able to use the magazine’s money for these trips. But the last trip Poppy and Alex went on together, left them not speaking. Poppy is miserable and determined to get her best friend back, so she decides they need to take another trip together like they did in the old days.
Three words that describe this book: Fun, Sweet, Summer-y
You might want to pick this book up if: You want a fun summer read! It’s perfect to read by the pool or when you are on vacation!
-Rebecca
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
As we swing into summer and flowering plants start blooming, I want to introduce you to the concept of wild harvesting, which is finding dye plants in the ditches along country roads and highways. Wild harvesting should not be done in your neighbors’ yards without permission nor in a protected area such as a park. Always park safely and watch the traffic, don’t over-harvest an area, and always watch for the wildlife sharing the ditch with you.
This is not an article about how to dye but I will share a couple of dyeing resources later. Continue reading “As Beautiful as Wildflowers”
With so many events happening in May, we thought we would make this month’s Crafternoon super easy: refrigerator magnets. We provide the magnet, flat glass bead, Mod Podge and a glue applicator stick. All you need are a pair of scissors, a dab of glue and a picture of a family member, furry friend or even just decorative paper. (These kits are designed for adults; the magnets and glass beads can be dangerous for children due to their small size.)
These kits will be available while they last in all of our branches on Friday, May 13. You may pick them up at the reference desk at the Columbia library and near the service desks at our other branches. For other picture craft ideas, try this list.
Evie has given up on love, in the real world and in her once-beloved contemporary romance novels. How can she when her parents have just gotten a divorce? When she suddenly acquires the ability to see the end of a couple’s relationship (and as Evie will tell you, they always end) it only confirms her belief that love isn’t worth the time because no one gets out unscathed. And yet, when Evie gets partnered with X at the La Brea Dance Studio, she can’t help herself from noticing all his positive qualities, and she can’t walk away. So now Evie must navigate a world where she is confronted by love and visions of its subsequent heartbreak everywhere she goes, while trying to keep herself out of its snare.
With so many events happening in May, we thought we would make this month’s Crafternoon super easy: refrigerator magnets. We provide the magnet, flat glass bead, Mod Podge and a glue applicator stick. All you need are a pair of scissors, a dab of glue and a picture of a family member, furry friend or even just decorative paper. (These kits are designed for adults; the magnets and glass beads can be dangerous for children due to their small size.)