Archives for January 2020

Eight Great Reads for Black History Month

January 31, 2020

To commemorate Black History Month, celebrated every February, we recommend these eight reads for adults. All are new titles and include memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction.

Fiction

Remembrance by Rita Woods: Remembrance is a stop along the Underground Railroad, a magical pleat in time and space. If the enslaved can find their way to it, they disappear from the slave hunters and from white people altogether, and can live in peace and freedom. The trauma of slavery forms the core of Woods’s arresting debut, which weaves together tales of four black women from the late 1700s to the present day.

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Borrow a Time Machine for Kids From the Library

January 30, 2020

If your TARDIS, Time Turner, or DeLorean is in the shop, never fear! With your library card and a good book, time travel has never been easier. Here are some amazing time machines for kids you can check out for FREE at the library!

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Caring for an Older Family Member

January 28, 2020

If you are caring for an older family member, the library has resources to help you manage and plan.

Our Large Print Collection has a wide assortment of current fiction and non-fiction books. Just search “Large Print” in the catalog.

For those who read e-books, the fonts can be adjusted larger and e-readers can weigh less than books.

Our Audiobook Collection, including a large collection of e-audiobooks, also has new content added each month.

Our Ability Tools collection allows you to try some products before you buy.

Here are some particularly good books I recommend:

Elderhood by Louise Aronson – Geriatrician Aronson lays out what older people need to thrive as our population lives longer.

How to Be a Patient by Sana Goldberg – Registered Nurse Goldberg gives tips for patients and their advocates in navigating our complicated health care system.

Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher – Pipher offers common sense advice on aging using engaging stories from women she has interviewed, from different walks of life, plus her own experience.

— Recommended by Ceil H., Manager, Collection Management Department

Wholesome Teen Reads

January 23, 2020

There’s something uniquely exciting about browsing the library shelves and picking up a book you’ve never heard of before, whether it’s because the cover catches your eye or the blurb on the back grabs your attention. But it can be scary too, especially if you like to avoid books with a lot of violence, language, or intimate relationships. It can be overwhelming knowing where to even start, whether you are just making your first forays into the Young Adult section or if you’re just looking for something new! Don’t worry, we’re here to help with this list of books that are exciting, engaging, and safe for any level of content–comfortableness–all at the same time!

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Juvenile Graphic Novels Bring Epic Adventures

January 21, 2020

Explore your favorite superheroes, make your own costume, read a Wonder or Crossover story in comics, and show some Guts with Raina Telgemeier’s latest. When it comes to graphic novels, the possibilities are endless! Check out these books by your favorite authors and experience epic adventures staring your favorite characters and more!

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Board Games for Adults: Try Something New!

January 16, 2020

Maybe you just got home from a long day of work, and once again, you find yourself settled in for a night of endless scrolling through the Netflix queue. I’m not judging, I’m doing the same exact thing! Then a thought strikes you: “Why don’t we crack open the ol’ game cupboard?”

Sitting in front of you are dust-encrusted Scrabble, Life, Yahtzee, and Monopoly. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing Monopoly as much as the next person. Who doesn’t love becoming an unbeatable corporate juggernaut and absolutely demolishing Grandma, even if your Mom says you “ruined Thanksgiving” for the “third year in a row?” (Fun Fact: Monopoly was originally designed as a game to warn against the dangers of income inequality and corporate greed! Check out The Monopolists by Mary Pilon for an interesting history of the game. Another Fun Fact: We’re all playing it wrong! You’re supposed to auction off the property to all players if the person landing on it doesn’t want it. I’ve literally just saved you hours of your time and saved your relationship with your brother-in-law!) While all of those games are still a treat to play, sometimes it’s fun to try something new!

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Magic Tree House Read-Alikes

January 14, 2020

One of our most frequently asked questions is… “My child is growing tired of or has finished all of the Magic Tree House book series. What else can you recommend?”

Some of the book series that are similar to the Magic Tree House in reading level and theme include…

A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy

Three friends and their assorted pets and siblings, help their local police officer solve mysteries around town.

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Talking to Your Child About Loss

January 9, 2020

When your child has a loss in their life, having resources to start a conversation with them can be difficult. This can be especially trying if you are also going through a loss. Typically, speaking about loss directly, with realistic words, is best. Not using imaginary situations will help your child confront the loss. Sending a dog to the “farm” will not help the child deal with that pet’s death in a healthy manner. A child can go through the stages of grief in a natural way, and it will allow them to handle it better when they get older.

From death, to changing of a life situation, there are many books that can help you start the conversation and the healing process.

When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers

This book, written by the incomparable Fred Rogers, helps children share their feelings about the death of a pet. A reassuring book that grieving is a natural and healthy thing to do.

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