Surprisingly, even during the pandemic, horror is a genre growing in popularity. You’d think our real lives held enough horror, but the key thing about reading a horror novel or watching a scary movie is that these horrors are not yours, they belong to someone else and you’re just borrowing them for a moment. Not only that, but you’re viewing these particular horrors from a comfortable distance. Maybe that gives the horror fan some semblance of control in an otherwise chaotic world and at a somewhat exhausting point in human history, that could be useful. Continue reading “Fresh Horror From the Icy Depths of Winter”
The second annual winter reading program kicks off today! I’m so excited to join my fellow readers as we work our way through these cold winter months with the warmth of a good book. Books take us on adventures; they invite us to travel through new and exciting worlds from the comfort of our couches. And while an engaging book will always be my first choice for couch adventuring, a great movie comes in a close second. But why have one or the other? Why not delve deeper into the magic that is movies through the magic that is books? Let’s celebrate all of the amazing men and women who make movies happen: directors, costume and set designers, camera operators, prop masters, cinematographers, writers and so many more. Without their dedication and hard work, movies wouldn’t happen. Continue reading “Beyond the Lens: Books About Movies”
Take some time this winter to get a new perspective on your equine. Pictured is the author’s mule, Mikey.
We recently added several horse-related books to our collection! Check them out to give you a fresh perspective on your equine friends and partners.
Winter is a great time to slow down and try something new with the equines in your life. As my horse (and mule) and I get older, I’ve found a lot of satisfaction, joy and success in learning more about the mind of the horse and the mechanics of their bodies.
Even if you’re not a horse owner or active equestrian, if you love and are fascinated by horses, you may find might find some of the training books interesting. Continue reading “New Horse Books”
Join us for our monthly virtual book discussion on Thursday, February 3 from 12-1 p.m. This month we’ll depart from our usual format to discuss some picture books with Black history themes. Adults can find value in reading picture books, which provide an introduction to a subject and are often illustrated with beautiful artwork.
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
Posted on Monday, January 10, 2022 by patron reviewer
The moment. The breath. “Start Here, Start Now” focuses on these and teaches you how to come back to those whenever you should stray. With touches of a Buddhist connection, it stays mostly on the path toward finding a better you, the you that’s already there, through the simplest thing you’re already doing. You just have to focus. I enjoyed this book for the meditation instruction and tips, but was most thrilled with the humor. “Somewhere in this process, you will come face to face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy,” is among the sharper lines that caught me off guard in this sea of calm prose.
Three words that describe this book: Calm, considered, filling
You might want to pick this book up if: You want to learn about mindfulness meditation, need a refresher, or want a fun read.
-Jim
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? It is celebrated each January during what is traditionally one of the most difficult times of year to maintain a sufficient blood supply. The act of donating blood takes less than an hour and is virtually painless, which inspired me a few years ago to become a regular donor at our local Red Cross. Blood donations are vital for saving lives, but so are the doctors and nurses who work to ensure my donation makes it to a person who needs it. So, this month I’d like to explore some books that capture their stories and experiences with bringing people back from the verge of death. Continue reading “Literary Links: The Art of Saving Lives”
Ringing in the new year is a plethora of adult fiction debut novels. Here are just a few of the most notable titles coming out this January. These have all received positive reviews in library journals. For a longer list, please visit our catalog.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the powerful Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, untrained, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the Crown Prince, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the emperor’s son.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. When treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, however, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream — striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Comic fans, welcome back! We’re at it again with a list of five of Marvel’s most impactful events. The criteria for this list are that the stories herein had some lasting effect on the Marvel Universe or the featured characters. Additionally, some of these might have reached such a level of renown or infamy that they went on to become benchmarks of sorts for future Marvel content. I hope you’re as excited to get into this as I am. Here we go! Continue reading “Quintessential Comics: Marvel Events!”
