It’s February, and the books that caught my eye this month all happened to have romance. If rom-coms (or rom-drams) aren’t your thing, stick with the first book! It’s got plenty of demons and monsters and magic. The other two are decidedly fluffier!
“Wildblood” by Lauren Blackwood
Victoria is a Wildblood. Kidnapped as a child for her rare magical abilities, she has worked for the Exotic Lands Touring Company as a jungle tour guide ever since. The jungle is full of deadly spirits and creatures, and Victoria and her fellow Wildbloods use their magic to protect wealthy clients on their tours. Now Victoria is eighteen and due for a promotion in the company that will afford her more freedoms than she’s ever had. But she’s instructed to only act as support on her next expedition, letting her competitive and vindictive ex-boyfriend take the lead. The tour is for American gold miners who are headed to the most dangerous part of the jungle, where all the fiercest beasts are drawn to the gold in the Gilded Orchard. As the tour progresses, Victoria and the lead goldminer, Laertes Thorn, begin to fall for each other, and she has to decide if advancement in a corrupt company is really all she should hope for. This fast-paced adventure deftly balances fantasy and folklore with themes of colonialism and slavery. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: February 2023”
We asked our patrons to share what they love about their library! We received some wonderful comments and each month we will feature quotes from our patrons and library staff, highlighting the things that make their buildings so special. This month Eric S. is our guest staff member from the Southern Boone County Public Library in Ashland.
Continue reading “Library Spotlight: Southern Boone County Public Library”
I love snuggling up under a pile of blankets (and my dog!) and not moving for hours, and these new books provide a wonderful excuse! Use them if you need inspiration for Winter Reading, our reading program where you set your own goals. For example, you could make your Winter Reading goal: Read a new book with a person of color on the cover! Just saying.
“Friday I’m in Love” by Camryn Garrett
Look at this dress! How can you not pick this book up? Mahalia had been looking forward to a Sweet Sixteen party for years, but when her birthday rolls around there’s no way her single mother can afford it. It doesn’t help that Mahalia’s best friend got a super extravagant party. On top of dealing with her party disappointment and awkward crush on the new girl at school, Mahalia is struggling with how to come out to her mom. Then she decides that she’ll throw herself a coming out party, with rainbow everything and tons of dancing. She starts to save every penny from her afterschool job, but as her home life and school start to spiral out of control, the party may be just out of reach. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: January 2023”
What do Steve Lacy, Billie Eilish, and Clairo have in common?
They’re three huge names in music and songwriting, with several international tours and viral hits between them. But before the big stages, they were recording and producing music in their bedrooms – and you can, too. Continue reading “Becoming Your Own Producer”
We asked our staff about the YA books they read in 2022 (not necessarily published in ’22) and here are their selections. Whatever you like to read you’re sure to find something great on this list! While most of the responses we got were unique, below are three books that were recommended by multiple people. You can find the complete list here — Staff YA Reads of 2022. Continue reading “Best Books We Read in 2022”
Hello Winter Break! If you’d like a little escapism in your reading before diving back into the next semester, check out these new books I ordered. We’ve got a heist, a magical mystery and a summer romance.
“A Million to One” by Adiba Jaigirdar
Are you ready for an all girl heist set aboard the Titanic? Dublin thief Josefa has just gotten her hands on a coveted ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage—but she has even bigger plans. Though the ship will be full of outrageously wealthy passengers, Josefa only has eyes for a jewel-encrusted copy of the Rubaiyat that is also traveling to America. The book is worth millions, so Josefa assembles a team to help her steal it. Told in alternating perspectives by the four young women, the action moves at a brisk pace as hidden motives and burgeoning romances are revealed. The heist story is so involving that readers might almost forget the stakes are a lot higher than our characters realize. Fun fact, the jewel-covered Rubaiyat actually was on board the Titanic! Spoilers in the link, so read at your own risk. Continue reading “The Selector’s Selections: December 2022”
As you might know, “Wednesday” is one of the most popular shows Netflix has ever had, but it didn’t come from nowhere. In fact, the show has its origins in the “Addams Family” comic strip that first appeared in “The New Yorker” all the way back in 1938! Since then it has had numerous book, tv, movie and video game adaptations and had a considerable influence on pop culture. Not bad for a one-panel comic without any words. Let’s have a look at some inspired by and related works available at your local library. Continue reading “If You Enjoyed Netflix’s Wednesday”
In August, we asked our patrons to share what they love about their library! We received some wonderful comments, and each month we will feature quotes from our patrons and library staff, highlighting the things that make their buildings so special. This month, Lisa G. is our guest staff member from the Holts Summit Public Library.
Continue reading “Library Spotlight: Holts Summit Public Library”
Jólabókaflóðið is coming!
If you don’t happen to be one of the 314,000 people in the entire world who speak Icelandic, we’re talking about the Yule Book Flood.
Maybe you’ve seen the meme on social media about the tradition of Jolabokaflod, pronounced YO-la-bok-a-flud. People exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the night reading and drinking hot chocolate. Sounds magical, right?
The practice dates back to World War II, when there were restrictions on what could be imported for gifts. The restrictions on paper were not as strict, so books became the Christmas present of choice. And Icelanders have honored the tradition ever since. Continue reading “Brace for the Book Flood!”
