Announcing a new display!
Up on the second floor of the Columbia Public Library (accessible by stairs or elevator) on the shelves along the south orange wall, we are excited to share Things We Love. With this display we, as library staff from all departments, present a gift to you patrons: A sample of some of our favorite books, CDs, and DVDs from our collection.
This display is revolving and evolving, depending on what we have read, listened to or watched. That means that what you notice there on one day might be totally different from what you discover on another day. Each item includes a bookmark with a blurb about why we’re making the recommendation.
Here you’ll find classics and newer picks, from all types of genres. We invite you to stop by to peruse regularly so that you might walk away with something from our collection that intrigues you, challenges you, comforts you or relaxes you.
“The God of the Woods,” by Liz Moore will be the subject of the First Thursday Book Discussion on November 6 at noon in the Columbia Public Library.
“The God of the Woods,” could easily be shelved in the mystery section or the literary fiction section. Moore has the remarkable ability to write a compelling mystery that is also a in-depth study of characters and the buried corners of society.
It opens with the disappearance of a teenage girl from a summer camp. We quickly learn that years earlier another child, the older brother from the same family, disappeared from the same property. Through flashbacks and multiple perspectives the story is carefully constructed, building slowly to a crescendo.
The subject matter covers familial abuse and dysfunctional families among other difficult topics. Questions about class and privilege underlay the story, leaving plenty of fodder for discussion.
Bring your questions, criticism and thoughts to share with other community members on November 6 in the Children’s Programming Room.
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in October. 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
“The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of the Only Flying Mammal” by Yossi Yovel (Oct 7)
With nearly 1500 species, bats account for more than twenty percent of mammalian species. The most successful and most diverse group of mammals, bats come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, from the tiny bumblebee bat to the giant golden-crowned flying fox. Some bats eat fruit and nectar; others eat frogs, scorpions, or fish. Vampire bats feed on blood. Bats are the only mammals that can fly; their fingers have elongated through evolution to become wings with a unique, super-flexible skin membrane stretched between them. Their robust immune system is one of the reasons for their extreme longevity. A tiny bat can live for forty years. Yossi Yovel, an ecologist and a neurobiologist, is passionate about deciphering the secrets of bats, including using AI to decipher their communication. In The Genius Bat, he brings to vivid life these amazing creatures as well as the obsessive and sometimes eccentric people who study them — bat scientists. From muddy rainforests to star-covered night deserts, from guest houses in Thailand to museum drawers full of fossils in New York, this is an eye-opening and entertaining account of a mighty mammal. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: October 2025”
It’s pumpkin spice latte season! I don’t usually buy fancy coffee beverages as I’d rather get the caffeine into my system without the extra sugar and fat, but I do enjoy at least one in September. I am one of those for whom the spicy aroma reminds me of fall, of wearing comfortable sweaters while enjoying brisk experiences in a landscape of oranges and yellows.
Did the “season” start with a pumpkin?
No, not at all. As mentioned below, the current craze started with Starbucks. The spice blend that makes up pumpkin pie spice is old, old and has been used for pies, cakes, cookies, yoghurt, ice cream, jerk chicken, pork rubs, chili, curries and much more. It is cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves perfectly blended to whatever mix you desire. Some people leave out the cloves, others don’t bother with allspice. They may also use mace or star anise. Continue reading “Pumpkin Spice Latte”
With the 2025 release of a new “Superman” movie, a recent book display at the Columbia Public Library asks the question “What makes a man super?” If we are using the character Superman as the standard, dc.com describes him as “the gold standard of heroism, compassion and responsibility. Though his powers make him god-like next to his human compatriots, Superman’s story is not one of greed or conquest. Instead, he strives to represent the inherent goodness of the human spirit, and the capacity of every living thing to do right by their neighbors.” That sounds pretty super to me!
Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a man super, of course, so it is an intriguing topic for discussion. Let’s investigate some relevant books.
At a basic level, the things that make a man super are the things that make any creature super. “How to Be a Good Creature,” by Sy Montgomery, explores the ways animals and humans are alike and different. As a science writer, she shares her insights into what 13 very different creatures can teach us about living life with grace, care and humor. Continue reading “What Makes a Man Super?”
Variety is the spice of life. Several people mentioned this when I told them my Literary Links topic. And this adage does hold true, of course. Can you imagine only listening to the same 10 songs for the rest of your life? A symphony with only trombones would not have the same depth of sound that a full orchestra could provide. Eating exclusively one food at every meal would not only be dull but would result in nutritional deficiency. There are endless examples of how a lack of variety would leave someone wanting. Variety is often required for balance, interest and health. This is true in many facets of life.
Let’s explore a few books on the topic!
“Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth,” by Nicola Davies, is a children’s book that explains how millions of living creatures inhabit Earth and why their differences matter. Emily Sutton’s illustrations show how some creatures look the same, though they are actually quite different. The book touches on interdependence of species in an ecosystem and how humans have only discovered a fraction of the species that we know must exist. A beautiful spread of illustrations shows creatures from small to large that have all been discovered in the last fifty years. This is a great book to open children’s eyes to the wonderful biodiversity on our planet and why it is worth protecting. Continue reading “Literary Links: The Case for Variety”
September is full of opportunities to explore this year’s One Read, “North Woods” through discussions, an interview with the author, a community art show and more! It’s a smorgasbord of activities for the bibliophile.
If you’re worried about how you’ll fill the void left in the wake of One Read, have no fear. Join us for the First Thursday Book Discussion on October 2, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Columbia Public Library. Continue reading “October First Thursday Book Discussion: The Measure”
“Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service” is a book edited by Michael Lewis, featuring essays by various authors. The book challenges the negative connotations of “bureaucrat” by providing deep insights into the roles, responsibilities, and general humanity of government workers across seven different agencies.
I really enjoyed the level of depth the authors gave about each person, and how there was a balance of historical context to organizations, modern impact on everyday people, and personal connection to the employees. As with any book by several authors, I preferred some writing styles over others, but the heart of the book is still worth reading.
Three words that describe this book: Educational, blended writing
You might want to pick this book up if: You want to learn what your government does for you!
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in September. 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
“The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters” by Christine Webb (Sep 2)
Darwin considered humans one part of the web of life, not the apex of a natural hierarchy. Yet today many maintain that we are the most intelligent, virtuous, successful species that ever lived. This flawed thinking enables us to exploit the earth towards our own exclusive ends, throwing us into a perilous planetary imbalance. But is this view and way of life inevitable? “The Arrogant Ape” shows that human exceptionalism is an ideology that relies more on human culture than our biology, more on delusion and faith than on evidence. Harvard primatologist Christine Webb has spent years researching the rich social, emotional, and cognitive lives of our closest living relatives. She exposes the ways that many scientific studies are biased against other species and reveals underappreciated complexities of nonhuman life — from the language of songbirds and prairie dogs, to the cultures of chimpanzees and reef fishes, to the acumen of plants and fungi. With compelling stories and fresh research she gives us a paradigm-shifting way of looking at other organisms on their own terms, one that is revolutionizing our perception both of them and of ourselves. Critiques of human exceptionalism tend to focus on our moral obligation towards other species. They overlook what humanity also stands to gain by dismantling its illusions of uniqueness and superiority. This shift in perspective fills us with a sense of awe and satisfies one of our oldest and deepest desires to belong to the larger whole we inhabit. What’s at stake is a better, sustainable way of life with the potential to heal and rejuvenate our shared planet. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: September 2025”
“North Woods” by Daniel Mason, will be the subject of the First Thursday Book Discussion on September 4 at noon in the Columbia Public Library.
“North Woods” was selected by a community vote, after a small committee of local residents narrowed down nearly 200 nominations to just two, to be this year’s Community One Read. Attending the book discussion is a great way to kick of the month of community activities that will be centered around the book. Hear other patrons’ opinions, discuss themes and share your ideas and questions. You’ll be primed to partake in the events throughout the month!
The discussion should be lively. “North Woods,” has been loved by some readers and less so by others. It has no shortage of imagery and symbolism for analysis: apples, rot, growth and fertility, to name a few. The story crosses a variety of genres and topics, changing with the passage of time across this small piece of Massachusetts.
