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Ghost with a lantern

From ghosts to zombies throughout the years, find a curated collection of deep cuts in our collection to get you in the perfect mood this spooky season.

Two men in white chefs' coats in the kitchen of a restaurant

They say if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the… well, you know. 

summer reading-adult

Nashville Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) isn't just for kids. Learn how SRC can help promote better reading habits, lifelong literacy, and continuous cognitive development at any age. The Nashville Public Library offers an inclusive and engaging summer reading challenge designed for adults. With a rich history and clear goals, the program invites participants of all backgrounds to join.

Here are some fresh new book picks for children this Disability Pride Month! It is so important to share books with your children that celebrate all types of bodies and abilities. Read on for some of my favorite picture books featuring disabled characters.

Opal Lee, "The Grandmother of Juneteenth", is a former-school teacher, counselor, and activist responsible for making Juneteenth a national holiday in the United States. At the age of 94, she is an accomplished and outspoken advocate for Civil Rights. This year, President Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

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As a child, I categorized people by genres, eras, or media to remember them better. It helped me define how I felt about them and their impact on me. Without this, I would unfortunately forget them as soon as they were out of sight, and that still holds true today!

Spring is springing! It's the best time of year to get outside and enjoy nature. What better way to spend time outdoors with children than birding?! There are so many brilliant children's books about birds. Read on to discover some picture books that share some amazing facts about our avian friends.

Naomi Shihab Nye's 1994 picture book, Sitti's Secrets, is about a young girl, Mona, and her Sitti, her grandmother, who lives in Palestine. This book captures the essence of the love that can persist despite being worlds apart. Mona remembers her visit to meet her Sitti, and the simple fun they shared together, although they did not share a language. Thirty years after the publication of this book, it is ever relevant. This beautiful read is just one of many children's books about Palestinian children and a tender longing feeling for one's distant homeland and loved ones. 

Adventures for the New Year, Adult Literacy Book Picks to Inspire Reading

Here are some of the Adult Literacy Staff's favorite picks from the Fresh Reads collection to inspire reading in the New Year. These titles seek to test the limits of our world and existence. Fresh Reads is a stigma-free book collection explicitly designed for adults learning to read. These are great resources for native English-speaking adults who are developing basic literacy and adults learning English as a second language. 


 

Fractured fairy tales are classic fairy tales with a new spin. Children LOVE funny books and books with surprises, which are pretty much a given in these types of stories! Read on to discover some of our favorite fractured fairy tales!

It's The Manager

Leadership starts from the top. It’s The Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter, uncovers the steps needed for long-term organizational success.

Snuggle up with some of the coziest picture books published in 2023! Each of these wintery stories centers around nature, family, and a spirit of giving. As the days get shorter and the air gets chillier, shared read-alouds are such a fun way to relax and enjoy time with loved ones. 

homemade christmas tree angel

Today, we will discuss Marcia Fenn's upcoming Blessing Tree (November-December) and Black History Month Scavenger Hunt (February 2024).
Marcia Fenn has been a Library Associate at Nashville Public Library's Edmondson Pike Branch since 2021. Over the past three years, she has created and presented multiple popular programs at the Edmondson Pike branch, such as a yearly Breast Cancer Walk, Blessing Tree, and Black History Month Scavenger Hunt. She also runs weekly and monthly programs such as Get Your Walk On, Craft Saturday, The Players Club, and Reading in Color.

Top Ten of 2023

Hope you find some gems that you may not have seen on other end-of-year lists!

Hubo una multitud de libros fantásticos escritos por autores latines para niños publicados en 2023. ¡Aquí están mis favoritos, y una lista comprehensiva de unos más, para celebrar el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispánica! There were a multitude of great children's books written by Latine authors published in 2023. Here are my favorites, and a comprehensive list of more books, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

4 cookbooks

Check out these four recent cookbooks you may have missed!

Nas

 “People fear what they don’t understand, hate what they can’t conquer
Guess it’s just the theory of man”  

Full moon in a cloudy night sky.

Ready for Halloween? Check out Paige's latest spooky read! Yes, we know that Halloween is two months away but who says we can't start celebrating now?

Cheer on your favorite baseball team while checking out these NPL baseball resources.

montana story 2021 starring owen teague and haley lu richardson
Two estranged siblings return home to their family's ranch. They find their father in a coma, and the home they once knew and loved unfamiliar and empty. They are left with a past of hurt and bitterness that must be confronted against a contemporary Western American backdrop.

 

Beatrix Potter was not only a brilliant author/illustrator of Children's books, but also a conservationist, natural scientist, and a downright fascinating woman. On display at the Frist Art Museum in downtown Nashville until September 17th, "Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature" is an incredibly rich and engaging celebration of Potter's life and work. Both children and adults alike will enjoy this timeless collection, a beautifully curated and re-imagined collage of nature drawings, children's book illustrations, photography, and interactive activities!

Good things come in threes! Celebrate Pride by checking out these incredible queer trilogies. 

Win at Spades: Basic and Intermediate Techniques

Learning how to play Spades is easy. But being good at it is an entirely different thing. In Win at Spades, Basic and Intermediate Techniques, you will learn terminology, how to bid, defend, and, most importantly, how to win.

Sometimes your just want to read a snappy story that makes you learn. These are those stories.

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Ok, "borrow" definitely isn't one of the 3 R's, but it should be an honorary member. And when you borrow from NPL instead of buy new, you're doing our Earth a huge favor. Plus, now there's so much more you can borrow from your library -- take a look!

We Own This City

We Own This City, written by former Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton, (now an HBO limited series), is a true story covering the corruption inside the Baltimore Police Department. This book highlights the sad truth some police officers are willing to do to pad stats as well as their wallets. It also reveals the extreme measures some will go to prevent being charged with their crimes. 

Have you ever wanted to read Dune but the sheer size of it makes you think otherwise? I was in that same boat and finally tackled the book. See how I, a librarian with a short attention span, made it through this Sci-Fi tome!

Don't waste your time on hearts this Valentine's Day. Steal something that matters - like art! (But, you know, don't.)

Hygge, pronounced "hoo-ga" is a Danish word which seeks to capture the satisfaction of being cozy. Denmark has consistently been named one of the happiest countries in the world, despite the chilly weather! Getting cozy with a good book is the perfect way to cultivate hygge! Here are some Children's books that spread this unique type of joy that we can all tap into during the darkest days of the year. 

Books to Screen 2023

As always, there are a multitude of adaptations in the works this year!  Here are a few of the most anticipated.

We've done quite a few cooking programs at the Green Hills Teen Center. Learn about some of my favorite dishes we've created and have some recommendations for related cookbooks!

reissues covers

I love keeping up with new releases, but even more exciting is when a book crosses space and time to reach you at the perfect moment.  That, my friends, is the joy of reissues.

Have you ever been listening to a podcast only to find out there are no more episodes left? Have no fear, there might be a book for that new favorite podcast of yours.

501 Unarmed Self-Defense Skills

Self-defense is one of the most important skills I believe anyone should have. I like to say, “better to know but not need.” In 501 Unarmed Self-Defense Skills, Chris McNab gives you simple techniques you can use to ward off an attacker.

Diwali, or Deepawali, is a 5-day holiday celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Beginning on the new moon in October, popular festivities include the lighting of diyas, beautiful clay candles, a great cleaning of the living space, honoring of deities such as Lakshmi and Ganesh, and creating rangoli, decorations from colored sand, inside each room in the house. Check out some books from Nashville Public Library that shine a light on these radiant celebrations!

Southern Festival of Books logo

This year’s Southern Festival of Books is October 14-16!  The festival is in-person again this year and takes place at Nashville Public Library and War Memorial Plaza.  It is free and open to the public.

Breaking Blue Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely Accused

Sean “Sticks” Larkin (formally of Live PD fame) has written his first book Breaking Blue: Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely Accused. This book highlights his and other members of law enforcement’s experiences of being falsely accused.

bdsm 101 by rev jen

In BDSM 101 Rev Jen speaks frankly about sex and sex work, and her sexual encounters with partners and clients. The book functions as a how-to, and a biography on Rev Jen’s time as a pro-sub, and her life as a "consummate perv."
 

There are more comics to read than ever before, and now there's a new way to read them: Comics Plus!

Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do

Are you wondering how to motivate employees to be their best self? Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do by Daniel M. Cable discuss why this is lacking in some organizations and how to create an environment that allows for creativity and increase productivity.  

B.B Cronin's Lost series is an enchanting exploration through a world of color and beautiful scenery. Join Granpa and his grandchildren on their quests to find all the things (and people) they lost! These Seek and Find picture books are fantastic for readers of all ages.

Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers is the long awaited return of Kendrick Lamar. This album discusses what he was dealing with during his absence and the growth that came along with it. 

The whole family can celebrate Pride Month with two fantastic children's books about same sex couples and their families' lives. Bathe the Cat is a hysterical tale about a feline friend who causes all kinds of mayhem in efforts to avoid his bath. Dad and Daddy and the whole family are thrown out of sorts trying to prepare for Grandma to arrive! Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle is an endearing story of a child and her Mama who spend a whole week together while Mommy is travelling for work. 

NPL Logo with Pride Flag colors

Happy Pride! To celebrate the fact that reading is for everyone, check out these incredible titles written by and about LGBTQ+ folks.

Diversity in the Workplace

In the book Diversity in the Workplace, Bari A Williams, Esq. conducts a series of interviews discussing some of the diversity challenges that happen in the workplace. The goal of this book is to induce conversations about privilege, identity and bias. 

legendborn by tracy deonn

Bree Matthews thinks she's found the perfect escape from her parents and small town when she's accepted into UNC-Chapel Hills residential program for high school students. But then her mom dies, and her perfect escape becomes an escape from grief and guilt. Then, magic and mythical monsters turn to reality which puts everyone around her in peril. 

anti diet christy harrison

Over half of Americans have dieted at some point in their lives. Upwards of 90% of those who have intentionally lost weight have gained it back within five years. Plus, over half of those who embark on weight-loss efforts, end up gaining more weight than they lost. Why are we so obsessed with dieting when it is clearly ineffective? 

The problem is diet culture (aka the wellness diet): a system of beliefs that equates thinness to health and moral virtue. It promotes weight loss as a means of attaining higher status, and demonizes certain ways of eating while elevating others. Ultimately, it's sexist, racist, and classist, yet it's so enmeshed in our moral fabric that it's hard to recognize and extricate. Today, it masquerades as health, wellness, fitness, and inspirational Instagrams, but it's still all-consuming and harmful.

Children's books provide a wonderful opportunity to spark discussions about race and antiracism with children. By learning about one another, listening, and practicing non-violent communication, we can teach our kids the importance of cultivating empathy.

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts

This review originally appeared in the Panel Discussion zine, a print supplement to the Main Library's Panel Discussion book club. If you'd like to join the club or receive a copy of the zine at your branch, email Jeremy at jeremy.estes@nashville.gov.

Discipline by Dash Shaw

Jeremy shares a review from the latest issue of the Panel Discussion zine. Pick up a copy of the zine at the Main Library or write to jeremy.estes@nashville.gov to get a copy sent to your branch. 

Crash Site by Nathan Cowdry

Jeremy shares a review from a recent issue of the Panel Discussion zine. This monthly zine is a print supplement to the Panel Discussion book club and can be found at the Main Library and select local stores. If you'd like a copy sent to your branch, email jeremy.estes@nashville.gov

We lost too many literary hard-hitters in 2021. Explore the works of a sampling of these talented writers whom we won't forget.

Rice's works have been a thread winding through my life, periodically making themselves known like snags in a sweater begging for attention and tending.

Best of 2021

Presenting my 11 favorite books of the year.  I really wanted it to be a top 10 list, but I couldn’t bring myself to cut any of these!
 

Quiver book cover

It's Banned Books Week! Tennessee Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee shares a few of its favorite challenged or controversial books.

Yoke: my yoga of self acceptance

Yoga means to yoke. Yoke means to join together. So, what are we joining together when practicing yoga? Is it simply a workout, or something else? Jessamyn Stanley explores the idea of yoking when it comes to yoga, especially among American practitioners.

New Nonfiction

2021 has been a great year for nonfiction so far.  Here are four titles you may have missed:

High Anxiety

Anxiety is hard to live with, but it makes for some great literature.

If you're looking for some simpler, lighter recipes for the summer months, this beautifully designed cookbook will give you the inspiration you need.

Just the Good Stuff book cover

Just the Good Stuff has this magical quality where everything you make is somehow better than it ought to be.

In 2020, Taylor Swift released two albums, folklore and evermore, to critical acclaim. But her 2019 album Lover isn't one to be ignored. In fact, it just might be her best album. 

 

elevation by stephen king

Scott Carey looks normal, yet he is gradually losing more and more weight. The problem is he has no idea why this is happening, and he is scare of what might happen when the scale reads zero.

Pop Culture Nonfiction book covers

Here is my favorite type of book: the kind where you have to keep stopping to Google things.

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Self-care is the act of preserving your health and well-being, especially during times of stress. NPL staff share their favorite restorative practices to help them cope.

Best American Food Writing 2020 book cover

The newest entry to the popular Best American series, Best American Food Writing started in 2018 with Ruth Reichl as the first editor and has been consistently outstanding.

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth

Wonder Woman’s place in DC’s trinity--along with Batman and Superman--has never been in doubt, but finding a story which suis not only her messy backstory but also the near-omnipotence of her powers has proved difficult for many creators.

Panel Discussion is a monthly book club for adults focused exclusively on comics and graphic novels. We meet (virtually) at 12pm on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Rob Liefeld's 1990s creation John Prophet character was reimagined in 2012 to great effect by a new generation of comics creators. 

illustration of corrective heart surgery using a shunt
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If February is both Heart Month and Black History Month, then it is most certainly Vivien Thomas Month! 

Together book cover

If you feel yourself withdrawing from others right now after months of limited social interaction, I highly recommend this book.  

The difficult periods of life will hurt, but beauty can still found within them. Katherine May recounts a painful season and the inevitability of sadness in her nonfiction book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.   

person in mask holding a basket of hand sanitizer
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If the commercial demands of winter holidays stress you out, December 2020 offers the chance to embrace a new way to be present with the season.

dreads by alfonse pagano and francesco mastalia

It's insane that Eurocentric beauty standards have made people of the African diaspora think that their natural hair and skin color are unpresentable. --Me

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...especially when the woman scorned is a witch.  Maria Owen navigates joy, pain, and the trials and tribulations that come with love in Alice Hoffman's Magic Lessons.  

10 Overlooked Gems of 2020

Here are two novels, a short story collection, three nonfiction books, and four movies that I wish had gotten more attention in this overwhelming year.  With a special focus on women authors and actors!
 

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It’s open enrollment season for the health insurance Marketplace (“Obamacare”). Learn more about the benefits of Marketplace plans, and get local, 1-on-1 enrollment help starting November 2. 

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic

A house that's "sick with rot, stinks of decay, booms with every single evil and cruel sentiment" would definitely get a five star rating on a "terrifying vacation destinations" booking site; and it is the absolute perfect setting for Sylvia Moreno-Garcia's chilling 2020 novel.

harleen by stejpan stejic

Harleen has spent her whole psychiatric career trying to understand and rehabilitate criminals. She's now in Arkham Asylum, interviewing the most deranged and maladaptive criminals anyone has ever seen, but one stands out above the rest:The Joker. With strange dreams come intense longing and obsession for the good doctor's Mr. Jay. This is Harleen's fall, and the rise of Harley Quinn.

Start Simple book cover

Almost six months into constant cooking, you may feel in need of some inspiration.  Luckily, NPL has lots of eBook cookbooks that you can access immediately!

National Immunization Awareness Month
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Vaccines have worked to stop the spread of serious diseases in recent history. All eyes are on the race to develop one for the virus that causes COVID-19. 

image of hands and text that says National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
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The toxic stress that Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) experience from racism is known to cause chronic mental and physical health problems. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month brings attention to this issue.

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When kids learn and succeed in the kitchen it gives them confidence to try new foods and to be creative. A new series from Nashville Kids Cook provides a chance to learn these skills!

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Has the pandemic got you down? Are you overwhelmed by all the movies on Hoopla and can't decide what to watch? Have no fear, Movies @ Main host Bill is here with some excellent recommendations that you can watch without a wait.

Frank Cotton is a hedonist. Frank Cotton is done with the paltry pleasures of this world, and is determined to find pleasure from beyond the human realm. Frank Cotton regrets that decision.

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Drawing can help us express and process our emotions. It's also a popular way to share personal stories of illness, and to learn about health.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I think now is a good time to revisit one of my favorite subjects: being good to yourself.

Did you know that Asian Pacific American Heritage month is traditionally celebrated in May? This year, we might not be able to throw a big party, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our Asian Pacific American read on.

How does a vacation to a far-off destination sound to you? Maybe with a beautiful, sandy beach or a picturesque french countryside; amazing right? And also not physically feasible for most people right now. But that doesn't mean you can't still go to these places, just check out one of these books. 

With Earth Day just around the corner, let's take a look at some ideas for easy, around-the-house activities you can do to help out the planet.

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News travels fast on social media, and sometimes it can be false and dangerous. Stop the spread of bad health information with these quick tips.

During these times of sheltering at home, patrons and staff alike are missing regular in-person library programming. Here at NPL in 2020, we also had to postpone special in-person library events for the year's Nashville Reads title, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. While that is sad, the good news is that you can still enjoy books and activities inspired by the marvelous Yuyi Morales's works while you're at home! 

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Jessamyn Stanley speaks about how she got started on her yoga journey. She also speaks about how readers can get started on their own yoga journeys.

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We're turning off holds while we're closed. How do you keep track of books you want to read and movies you want to watch if you can’t put them on hold? Use the My Lists feature in our web catalog!

Even with all this free time, it can still be tough to find the motivation to write or get our kids to write. Here are a few of my favorite writing prompts to get the pen to the paper.

This is a great collection for the ghost story neophyte or for the old hand at enjoying ghost stories.  The editors present a collection that includes both classic and new tales from established authors in the genre. In bringing these masterful tales back from the dead, Ghost Stories will enlighten and frighten both longtime fans and new readers of the genre.

Periods of self-distancing and isolation can make us feel anxious and BORED. Here are some recommendations for ebooks that help you fill the time with activity or stillness.

If you weren't able to check out any physical books from the Library before self-isolating at home, or perhaps the one you have hasn't turned out to be very good - don't worry! Here are some recommendations for titles to check out NOW from the Library's Overdrive page. 

When it seems like everything has changed and nothing will ever be the same, books can be a welcome constant.

I’m really a ghost story kind of guy, but the title of this book intrigued me:  Mystery Writers of America Presents VENGEANCE, edited by Lee Child.  I remembered really fun stories about vengeance from my high school teaching days—“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe sticking out most in my mind.

You know when you pick it up that a book whose writer has won the Nobel Prize in Literature is going to be an important read.  I picked up The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing because it piqued my curiosity. 

It's been 26 years in the making, but 2020 will be the year I finally learn to ride a bike - with the library's help of course.

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"I find that regularly practicing tai chi is relaxing and helps to reduce stress. It has helped to improve my focus, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance." -Ann Hargis, Tai Chi instructor

What's good about frigid and dreary winter weather? It's the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book.

Check out this wealth of recommendations from some of our bloggers, and find out a bit more about them as you do.

Well folks here we are at the end of another year. I've laughed, I've cried, and I've definitely hit my reading goal. Let me tell you all about my 2019 stand outs.

My favorite holiday tradition is watching an old Fruity Pebbles commercial in which Barney Rubble, disguised as Santa, tries to steal Fred Flintstone’s cereal. 

Not sure what to bring to the table this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—I've got you covered.

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I love love love cozy mysteries. These books and shows are what I consume after reading and/or watching my other favorite genres—Horror and SciFi. Cozies are what I cozy up to when I’m feeling too exhausted and stressed. They are also what I go to if I don’t want to be overwhelmed by too graphic or too explicit content. All the TV series mentioned have books associated with the series. All of the series mentioned here are available from Nashville Public Library!

Even though most of Joan Samson's novel The Auctioneer takes place during the three seasons of the year that aren't winter, it possesses a bleak and chilly atmosphere that might as well be the coldest day in January.

A cookbook, an essay collection, a chef memoir, and a book by a James Beard Award-winning food journalist.

Mark your calendars! The Southern Festival of Books is October 11-13.  The festival takes place at Nashville Public Library and War Memorial Plaza and is free and open to the public.

In about a month, Silicon Valley will start its last season on HBO. Here's why you should get caught up before it ends.

Ronald Wimberly has gathered and presents quotes from a dozen black luminaries in mutliple fields. He provides illustrations of each person, some background information, and their most memorable quotes.

Right now, in the Pacific Ocean, is a widening gyre of plastic garbage, and among the junk food wrappers are heaps of forsaken toys, broken, exploded by firecrackers, and forgotten by spoiled children across the world. Intrepid explorers through this archaeological landscape will be able to timestamp their findings to the early to mid-1980s when they stumble upon the impressive figure of He-Man.

As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” I love trying new cookbooks and learning from different chefs. I recently discovered local Nashville chef and author Laura Lea Bryant, and her cookbook has quickly become a favorite.

It’s almost fall, which means it’s almost time to curl up with a blanket and hot chocolate and read some classics!  Here are some lesser-known suggestions.

Emily Guendelsberger spent several months working at an Amazon fulfillment center in Kentucky, a Convergys call center in North Carolina, and a McDonald’s in San Francisco.  Her account of this time is an enraging, eye-opening, essential book.

This novel was completely insane in the very best possible way. 

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“With wicked insight, Joyce Carol Oates demonstrates why the females of the species—be they six-year olds, seemingly devoted wives, or aging mothers—are by nature more deadly than the males” (cover flap).

For two nights in January 1972, Aretha Franklin joined voices with the Southern California Community Choir at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. The recording event was filmed and after thirty-plus years of legal wrangling, it is finally available to wow us all.

Warmer temperatures and longer days outside increase the risk for dehydration, especially for those in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. If plain water isn’t your thing, check out these tips and tricks to maintain good hydration throughout the day.

Science fiction writers of the past dreamed of futures, dark and bright, in which humans traveled to the stars, colonized other worlds, and encountered aliens both friendly and deadly. In all their imaginings, did they ever see their genre--ghettoized for so long as just that, genre fiction, said with a sneer--gaining prominence, even prevalence in the culture?

Lieutenant Jacqueline 'Jack' Daniels' is a homicide detective whose personal life is perpetually in shambles. Unfortunately, fixing her life has to be put on the back-burner while she tries to deal with the maniacal killers running around her city.

 

This is the funniest and most enjoyable book I’ve read this year.  If you’re a little misanthropic and have a vacation coming up, you need to place your hold now.

Science fiction teaches us not to bother. Don’t investigate that derelict spaceship. Don’t try to figure out what “soylent green” is, because figuring stuff out only causes trouble. Sure, there are wonderful discoveries to be made, but sometimes it’s important for buried secrets to remain hidden, deep in the ground.

You’ve probably heard about the upcoming movie versions of The Woman in the Window, The Goldfinch, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette.  But are you ready for Lovecraft Country and Motherless Brooklyn?

 

One cannot, I think, err when choosing to read one of Joyce Carol Oates’ anthologies of stories.    This volume, Haunted:  Tales of the Grotesque, is as good as any other at introducing the reader to one of the great anthologists and short fiction writers of the last century. Winner of several  O. Henry awards for her short fiction, Oates has also received the Rea Award for Achievement in the Short Story.  Oates clearly knows her way around the shadows and mists on the dark side of the imagination.

When we think of raising children to be the best that they can be, we think of teaching them every single thing we can stretch into our time. Oftentimes, when we talk about teaching them the things they need to know, we think of popular mainstream subjects such as math, reading, science, and history. But, we also need to be encouraging them to be what they want to be, growing up and finding what makes them happy too.

Happy Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month! To celebrate, let me share with you one of my all-time favorite novels.

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This book is a hugely entertaining work of pop history that traces the use of poison as a political—and cosmetic—tool in royal courts, from western Europe in the Middle Ages to today’s Kremlin. 

Nostalgia is a valuable commodity. No generation is safe from it, but those of us on the cusp of middle age are particularly susceptible to it. Just ask the X-Men t-shirt in my closet.

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Ten years ago aliens came down to earth and deemed humanity as not alive. Humanity has spent a decade studying these aliens, and grappling with the stunning fact that we are not alone and are unworthy of the aliens' time.

With another new episode of Game of Thrones airing tonight, and the series' end coming in just a few weeks, here are a couple of titles to binge and fill the void.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alison Lurie offers here nine spooky tales of women  haunted by ghosts-both literal and metaphysical.  There is no clue, or introduction, to tell us why the focus is on women, only the stories, each with a female protagonist, grappling somewhere between the natural and the supernatural, the definite and the not-quite-defined.

As you have probably guessed, I read an incredible amount of young adult fiction and classic literature. But did you know personal essays are in my top 3 favorite genres? Check out some of my favorite writers.

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Genetics is one piece of personal health and can help you understand your risk for inherited disease. Creating a simple medical family tree is considered one of the best genetic tests to share with your doctor. Best of all, it's free!

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It seems that many of the authors of ghost stories—including M.R. James and H.P. Lovecraft—point to the stories of Sheridan Le Fanu as the preeminent masterpieces of the genre.  As a ghost story enthusiast, it took me some time to get to him in my “studies,” but the wait and the reward were both well worth the wait.  In a Glass Darkly contains six stories considered by critics to be among Le Fanu’s best works. 

I love this cookbook because instead of offering specific recipes, it teaches you how to pair ingredients, often without a trip to the grocery store!

Conspiracy theories are beautiful and dangerous. Beautiful because they connect dots across social, political, and cultural spheres, creating a mosaic of intentions which seems deliberate. They’re dangerous for the exact same reasons. 

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What a great book of stories for the ghost story enthusiast who wants something different than the Victorian classics!  Editor Ellen Datlow says this collection of stories is designed to be scary—and indeed, even the most self-composed reader may find the hair rising and the skin creeping over this collection.

New to the world of anime and manga? So am I! Here are just a few reasons why you should give them a try.

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Do you feel like a captive to your phone?  You may want to check out this book.

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, and 1 in 3 adults will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Show your heart a little love during American Heart Month with these healthy habit ideas and resources.

The announcement of the Caldecott, Newbery, and other recipients of the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards is a cause for celebration! Did your favorites win? Or what books will now be on your reading list? Check out our round-up (with links to our collection) below

I've taken quite a few literature classes in my day, and while some texts were a struggle to read (I still don't really know what happened in The Faerie Queene), others I couldn't put down. Here are a few of my favorite "required reading" books and their movie adaptations.

A fresh new year means it is time to set a fresh new reading goal. Whether you are hoping to finally break 100 books read in a year, or you are hoping to finish at least one book this year, here are a few ways you and I can reach our goals.

A planet covered in darkness and filled with monsters can be a serious impediment to true love.

All three of these books were very well-reviewed, but sadly are not racking up the holds queues that they deserve! Please consider helping to remedy that situation.

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As we leave behind 2018, check out Legends of Film host Bill Chamberlain's picks for best overlooked movies of the year.

This year has been full of great reads. I found some excellent new series, a couple of graphic novels that made me cry, and lots of amazing YA novels. Here are some of my most favorite reads from 2018.

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When it’s cold outside, the sun refuses to show, and no amount of hot tea is enough to cure your winter-time blues: it might be time to warm up from the inside out with a good book. 

The year’s not quite over, but here are my top 5 picks in fiction, nonfiction, and movies, in no particular order:

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Since 1988, December 1 has been World AIDS Day. Help break down stigma by checking out some library material on HIV/AIDS health information, its history and early activism, and the personal experiences of people living with and affected by this virus. 

The holidays are here! Which means we all have plenty of time to binge watch our favorite TV shows.

During our annual Thanksgiving feasts, we gather around the table with those we love, and indulge in rich and delicious tradition. Health isn’t always the priority during the holidays, so here are a few simple tips and cookbook suggestions to make your Thanksgiving Day a little healthier.

As of today, there are just 10 more days till NaNoWriMo 2018 comes to an end and all of the word goals must be met. Here are a few non-writing tricks to help you push through these last couple of weeks.

It’s the time of year for feeling grateful. But let’s face it: with today’s busy lifestyle, even the best of us can have a tough time tapping into the “attitude of gratitude.” These books from NPL’s collection might help. From meditations on thankfulness to the essentials of mindfulness practice, these reads offer practical ways to focus on what matters and harness gratitude.

Welcome to Shocktober! (Thunder crashes) Today for your horrific pleasure, I bring you – THE FEMALE BRAIN! (Bwa-ha-ha)

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How can manga show us not just great stories, but deep characters as well? Find out inside as we look at some highly recommended dramatic manga series!

“...that country where it is always turning late in the year. That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noons go quickly, dusks and twilights linger, and midnights stay.”

Pumpkin spice, hayrides, and sweater weather - oh my! Fall is just around the corner, and it's time to get cozy. Here are a few books I'm going to indulge in.

If you're looking for something exciting to read, I suggest browsing in the Young Adult section. Don't think reading about teenage drama is for you? Let me tell you, YA is so much more, and there is something for everyone.

Once, at a punk rock show in Kentucky, the lead singer of a Nashville band lamented the small turnout of the crowd. “I think Kentucky is more Southern than Tennessee,” he said. 

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Take a look into the world of manga genres by diving in and learning about Shojo, one of the most popular types of manga publications, and some shining examples!

UK's most intrepid musical occultists present four extended tones intended for spiritual transportation.

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Chances are good that you’ve heard library music at some point in your life and not known it.

The new Benedict Cumberbatch adaptation on Showtime is an excellent excuse to finally get around to reading Edward St. Aubyn.  

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If you’ve already been to your local multiplex to experience avengers, wookies, and dinosaurs in action, get ready for something completely different: Movies @ Main’s Noir Summer. 

If you want a straight-up, studio-jam experience of the legendary Memphis music scene, this DVD will not disappoint you and will leave you wanting more and more and more...

Do you love Giant Robots? Drama? Larger than Life Action? Look no further than these excellent entries into one of the grandest animated series in all of Japan!

Philip Roth, America’s best-known writer of Jewish angst and second-best-known native son of New Jersey, died Tuesday evening at age 85.

Punk rock is the voice of the silenced. It rises in troubling times, disquiets in times of peace.  We take a look at some of  Nashville Public Library's most punk rock books by pioneers who were there for its rise, its fall, and its revival. After all, libraries are punk: what's more punk than free access to information?

WARNING: This post contains spoilers for the film Avengers: Infinity War, because the internet is a cruel place.

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In The Recovering, author Leslie Jamison confronts her own alcoholism with the help of a chorus of famous drinking writers: Raymond Carver, Jean Rhys, Charles Jackson, and Denis Johnson, to name a few.  

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The book or the movie? An eternal question always likely to instigate some lively debate, although most folks will probably side more often with the book. And every now and then they’re definitely both worth heralding, which is the case here.

David Sedaris is set to visit Music City next week. Before he comes, here are a few of his essays and collections I consider "Required Reading."

To get ready for the upcoming release of Deadpool 2: The Search for More Money*, we're looking back at the movie career of Deadpool himself, Mr. Ryan Reynolds.

I’ve been wrong about a lot of things. The first time I used the internet I typed “X-Men” into a search engine and, finding the results unsatisfactory, said, “This will never catch on.”

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Johnny Smith wakes up from a coma to find everything around him changed, including himself.

Ah, here is something to be savored and enjoyed!  I make no bones about Flamenco’s being my favorite art form, but biases aside, this is a magnificent, gorgeous, jaw-dropping film by a master director, Carlos Saura.

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Searching for manga that will invigorate and fill your craving for adventure? Look no further than these two highly recommended series!

An award winning game designer tells what it was like to be at the center of Gamer Gate.

No, his mind is not for rent. To any God or government...

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John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps (and its multiple subsequent film and television versions) is likely the work most closely associated with his name.

A movie about a musical about one hit wonders with JC Chasez and Topher Grace? Yes please.

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Visionary science fiction and fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin has passed away at the age of 88.

As a new year dawns, so do the opportunities to seek and find new connections! These manga series look into two vastly different ways of how sometimes relationships get complicated!

A TV series that intersects at one of the few points where art and fine dining meet.

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Was your New Year’s resolution to be kinder to people?  You should read this book.

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Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone alphabet mysteries and legendary pioneer for women in detective fiction, died last week at the age of 77.  

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Agatha Christie may have secured eternal recognition for a classic murder mystery involving a train and copious amounts of snow, but she wasn't the only skilled mystery writer of yesteryear to use those elements in service to an enjoyably twisty adventure.

Working in a library is a gift. There are no door-buster sales, no agitated customers (okay, maybe a few), and no Black Friday shenanigans. Instead of trampling over one another, our patrons wait patiently for the latest best sellers. Best of all, everything is free.

Rashad "thaPoet" Rayford shares his reading list for those who wish to further explore activism and civil rights in literature.

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It’s usually children who get permission to color and play, but at Bordeaux Branch Library's weekly coloring night, it’s all about the adults, and they keep coming back.

Welcome to Part #2 of my NaNoWriMo series. We are now nine days into NaNoWriMo, and at roughly 2,000 words a day, you should have written about 18,000 words. Are you keeping pace? Need help?

As the days get shorter and Halloween is not too distant in the past, let us preview some manga tales of the supernatural. One of these manga is an all-time classic, the other is still publishing! Join us as we journey into the unknown world of monsters and spirits!

Doesn’t the cooler weather make you want to get out the crockpot and start roasting vegetables?  Check out these three recent cookbooks for ideas.

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Short stories are one of the best ways to quickly inject some pleasurable fear into your veins this time of year.

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Greetings!  I’m always up for a good scare or haunting, and when this book came sliding through my hands, I set it aside out of a sense of duty because I am the Yankee who has lived here for twenty-five years and still doesn’t know enough about the Bell Witch to sound respectable around a cracker barrel.  

It’s almost that time of year again. We’ll soon know who is going to play in the World Series. Will the Cubs repeat or will it be another 108 years until we once again know the joy of victory?

Have you picked out who you’re going to see at the Southern Festival of Books October 13-15?
The festival is free and open to the public, and sessions take place at the Main Library and War Memorial Auditorium.

Last week, libraries nationwide celebrated Banned Books week.
This week, Nashville Public Library uniquely celebrates BAND Books.

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As a former high school teacher who served up Nathaniel Hawthorne to juniors via The Scarlet Letter for many years, I have a love relationship with Hawthorne’s extensive and beautiful vocabulary.  

The birthday train rolls on and the music theme continues. 

Who doesn’t love a haunted house story? This fall, as we head towards Halloween, watch the blog for reviews of great spooky reads.

The Haunting of Hill House is one of them, and one of the best examples I know of a “page turner.” I first came to know this story as a young child....

There’s a scene in Karin Tidbeck’s Amatka where the main character, Vanja, goes into a locked archive in her office to file papers and surreptitiously search for secret details about her commune’s past. Outside, a stern secretary watches the clock to ensure Vanja doesn’t spend too much time alone with these secrets.

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As summer turns to fall and everyone is back in school, we all face new challenges, difficulties, and tests in life. Usually everyone falls back on their friends to help them during these times and their friends are there for them. So what happens when the challenges are a little...alien?! Find out in this Manga Exploration!

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1 in 5 adults in the United States will experience a serious mental health issue in their lifetime. Though stigma and shame can prevent us from seeking help, NPL and the local mental health service community are here to provide information, validation, and hope.

If today you were to spot a kid walking around and talking to themselves, you'd probably reasonably conclude that they were imaginative.

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Tony Chu is a cibopathic by-the-book cop who gets recruited by the Food and Drug Adminitstration to take care of some fowl business.

Glen Campbell died yesterday. While his death was not unexpected, it does give us pause to look back on his stellar career and graceful goodbye.

Whether you're pressed for time or need some vacation reading, short stories are the answer.

He wrote with Bob Dylan, played Dolly Parton’s husband, penned prize-winning off-Broadway plays and maintained a dignity to his work through the years that never betrayed his rough beginnings. When you consider a modern day Renaissance man, you could easily be referring to Sam Shepard. 

 

The end of Summer Challenge is bittersweet. It means school is starting up and the prizes have all been awarded. The good news is there’s a new Star Trek show premiering this fall, with a whole new cast and a whole new mission. Before the franchise begins this new chapter, let’s take another look at its past.

Six Scary Stories is a collection of horror short stories, hand-picked by Stephen King. Each tale takes the mundane and turns it into something horrifying!

Red alert!  There’s an incredible recent movie that you probably missed.

What happens if all your dreams come true when you're still teenager? Usually, you become Justin Bieber. Wil Wheaton avoided the path taken by most child actors, but his journey was still as bumpy as it was beautiful.

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Are you feeling the need for the regal in your reading life? Are you looking for manga that leaves a feel-good warmth with some laughs and drama along the way? Do we have some good news: it’s once again time to provide you with a classic and a popular manga to add to your lists!

This post's theme is stronger heroines, conquering their fears and defying limitations that imposed on them by others. One has the Princess due to a family title and the other has the title that they have given themselves. That being said, both of them hold the right to refer to themselves as Princesses at heart.

Ancestral homes often have a habit of feeling haunted, and when they appear in stories that mix the Southern Gothic genre with the supernatural, you can bet they probably are. 

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With 16 free, weekly classes to choose from, get out your mat (or borrow one of ours) and join NPL for a summer of yoga! We've also got books and DVDs you can use at home.

Summer Challenge is the perfect time to do things with your family. Your space family from Star Trek: The Next Generation that is.

I laughed while driving in traffic. Yeah. It's that funny. (I was listening to the audio version. Don't freak out.)

Are you feeling like taking a manga break in the middle of a busy schedule of work and bustle? Again we take the time to compare an absolute must-read manga with an up-and-coming manga series. In this edition, we compare the classic slice of life manga Azumanga Daioh with the recently published Kiniro Mosaic!

 

This is my favorite type of nonfiction, where you learn a ton of stuff while laughing.

Jonathan Demme, Academy Award winner for Best Director for Silence of the Lambs, died today at age 73.

Animanga month is every March at Nashville Public Library. By now, you may need new ideas about what to read in the manga world. What to read among the hundreds of series that come out in a year? Look no further for something a little older along with something newly released in America!

Let me start out by saying that I usually have a harder time focusing on essay books, which may or may not be attributed to some mild attention problems. However, I loved every moment of Alan Cumming’s essays in You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams. 

 

Thirty years after the release of his most famous work, most people still don’t know the name Koji Kondo. This installment of the 33 ⅓ series goes a long way toward correcting that.

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Want to improve your fitness but low on time? High intensity interval training, or HIIT, can help you get just as good of a workout in half the time!

She was convicted of murder at age nine. Now she is pregnant and in state custody at age sixteen. If Mary can't trust her mother, her social worker, or her own memory, how will she survive and make a better life for her and her baby?

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African-American chefs, dietitians, and activists shed light on the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and its cultural ties to African and Carribean heritage.

Greetings!  I’m always up for a good scare or haunting, and when this book came sliding through my hands, I set it aside out of a sense of duty because I am the Yankee who has lived here for twenty-five years and still doesn’t know enough about the Bell Witch to sound respectable around a cracker barrel. 

John Olson of the band Wolf Eyes reviews one record per day for one year... from the best in death metal demo tapes to thrift store bin gospel.

This March 7 release will be one of the big hits of the season--put your copy on hold now!

Yeah, cheesy title. We know. But, want to know more about the woman who set the standard for women's early roles in television? We've got you covered.

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Frank's sole purpose in life is to experience the pleasures of the world, without consequence. Frank's brother just wants to be good husband, and live a quiet domestic life. Frank's actions pull his family into a horrifying world full of horror.

If your New Year’s resolution was to cook at home more often, this is the cookbook for you.

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Mkombozi was supposed to be Theia's savior, but destroyed it instead. Now, it has fallen to Eden to save Earth from the same fate that befell Theia, whether she likes it or not.

Unique and frightening, this anomaly of a novel combined mystery and horror to illusory, bewildering effect.

December 10th is Human Rights Day and the library has the information to help you answer "What is that?"

It's December, which means it's time for "best of" lists everywhere you look. Hurray!

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Not enough poultry in your life? Then you need POYO!!!

It's been a rough week: we've lost some talented people. Longing to know more about Gwen Ifill, Leon Russell, Leonard Cohen, or Janet Reno? We offer these selections.

Listening to The Bird and the Rifle for the very first time, I spontaneously burst into tears during track six.  That’s some impressive song crafting.

 

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I love this cookbook for so many reasons--its fun, veggie-filled recipes, its attention to fixed grocery budgets, and its PDF version with a creative commons license for online sharing.

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Bob Dylan joins the ranks of previous American laureates in literature--Faulkner, Hemingway, and Steinbeck--with the honor of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016, "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." On the occasion of this award, we offer a Dylan primer.

It's Burn Notice meets Psych with just a hint of Jack Bauer for zest. How much better can you get?

When was the last time you were stopped in your tracks by a pleonasm or a zeugma? You probably wouldn’t know unless you consulted Mark Forsyth’s The Elements of Eloquence: Secrets of the Perfect Turn of Phrase (Berkley, 2013).

Edie has lost everything dear to her since being dragged into the immortal game. Now, she is more determined than ever change the past to prevent the future that she has experienced.

Most of us remember laboring through The Odyssey as high school freshmen; we learned at the time that there was another book by Homer—The Iliad—which was about the Trojan War prior to the taking of the City of Troy. If it wasn’t assigned, we didn’t read it, but what an opportunity missed, and how great it is that we can decide to read it as adults! 

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Do you ever get to the bottom of a page and have no idea what you just read because your mind was wandering? While the book may be interesting, you find yourself worrying about the future or dreaming of the past? Come back to the present moment with the simple practice of mindfulness. 

Are you anxiously awaiting your copy of The Girls? Here are a few suggestions to tide you over until your hold arrives.

26% of Nashville Public Library visitors do not have internet access at home. Close to 50% use the Library’s internet when they come to our buildings. Without basic internet service at home, people are unable to apply for jobs, complete online homework assignments, or look up needed services.*

Good gossip! Here’s a book chock-full of juicy tidbits about the Presidential families, going all the way back to the Truman administration. You'll get to witness first-hand the details of life in the White House during some of its most tense and historical moments: the assassination of President Kennedy, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the Nixon disgrace and resignation, the Clinton sex scandal, told by those who saw the events unfold. These stories add another layer of interest to what we learned about these events through the news media.

Bright Lights, Dark Nights is a modern tale of first love between star-crossed teen lovers; Walter, the comic book nerd, who loves the Wu-Tang Clan and film noir and Naomi, the athlete, who just so happens to be the sister of Walter’s best friend.

Texas transplant, song-writer supreme Guy Clark died May 17 at age 74. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Having read The Girl with All the Gifts, I was really excited to pick up the second book under Mike Carey’s new pen name. Mike Carey is very well-known in the comic book scene as the writer for the Vertigo comic book series Lucifer and 35 issues of Hellblazer (which was the basis for both the movie and television show Constantine).  He is the current ongoing writer for X-Men: Legacy and the Ultimate Fantastic Four for Marvel Comics.  These are just a few of his credentials in the world of comic books – he’s written fiction novels, as well.

First, I should say that I know this book isn’t new. It came out in 1987 when I was a delicate three-year-old child, who had not quite gotten to chapter books just yet. Misery is a psychological thriller about an author of famous Victorian-era romances who is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes. The only problem? Annie Wilkes is completely off her rocker.

Happy Poetry Month! If you're not a big poetry fan, you need to check out Mary Oliver's new book because she'll convert you.

What? The library doesn't have enough weather books for you? Have no fear! ILL is here!!!

Imagine being a single mother to thirteen girls - all before you turn 21! Not many people would choose that life, but Katie did.

Whether you be a Grinch or a Who, tis’ the season to cozy up with a warm blanket, long book and a cup of hot tea.  In keeping with the holiday spirit, we’ve compiled a list of Young Adult books to keep you company as the nights get colder. Sing to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

What’s a girl to do when she has to leave her home, move to a strange country, and marry a man she’s never met? What can any woman do when she finds herself miles away from everything she knows, hemmed in on all sides by intrigue and shackled to a man who may be old, ugly, diseased, a drooling imbecile or all four at once? If she’s a queen, she might just take a handsome lover!

An original author, creating a fictitious author writing what amounts to fan fiction, that was then borrowed by another fictitious character for more fan fiction, and then back to the original author who took the fictitious author's character and wrote her own fan fiction? What's not to love about that?

You might not expect a novel about killer plants to be thoroughly lacking in over-the-top corniness, but John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids handily pulls it off.

When we travelled to Italy, I really wanted to learn more of the language because Italians don’t, as a rule, speak much English. What no one tells you before hand is that Italian is hard to learn. When I came across this book, I was hoping that it would give me the added insight to get better at Italian.

We need diverse books! I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase or seen the hashtag on twitter in the past year. Per statistics compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 36 out of 3,500 children and young adult books published in 2014 were written by Latino authors.

 A Southern family dynasty romance? I’m so in. I have a real soft spot for Southern literature and family sagas, so to put those together was very exciting.

Who do I love? Hmm...let's see. I love my husband. I love my crazy kittens. I love my family. I more than like my job. I love...

Wait.

What?

Oh. Who Do You Love is the title of a book by Jennifer Weiner?

A few years ago we all (and I mean ALL of us) geeked out over a little book called Ready Player One. It was an epic battle filled with gaming, fun 80′s stuff, and adventure. It even made our Best of 2012 Popmatic Podcast episode as one of our favorite books of the year. Thanks Crystal for bringing us so much fun and entertainment!

Summer is winding down, the days are getting shorter, and the first day of school is just around the corner. Shake off your back to school blues and go on an end-of-summer vacation with a hot YA Road Trip title. Before hitting the open road, don’t forget to fill up the gas tank, pack some snacks, and create the perfect summer playlist.

This is a super enjoyable 40 minute PBS documentary (not including voluminous and very worthwhile bonus features) celebrating the rise and fall and ongoing club-like passion for the American station wagon.

Working downtown like I do it’s hard...no, nigh unto impossible to ignore the existence of the food truck phenomenon. A few of them even park directly in front of the library on 6th Avenue. And yet…I’ve never officially eaten at one.

Our whirlwind library culinary tour continues with one of my favorite ingredients - is it savory or is it sweet? Nope. It's just The Egg.

If Julia Child is the grande dame of cooking, then MFK Fisher is her counterpart in the land of food writers. There is no way we could possibly Savor Summer without mentioning her brilliance.

In anticipation of the release of the new Harper Lee title, Go set a watchman, you may want to visit the classic, the title by which all American modern fiction is measured, To Kill a Mockingbird. The new title was written before Mockingbird, remained unpublished and is a sequel to Mockingbird, telling the tale of the adult Jean Louise Finch Scout.

Food: the final frontier. These are the recipes of the Star Trek Franchise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new dishes, to seek out new delicacies in new civilizations, to boldly go where no diet has gone before.

I came across Scowler while at the library. I did not check it out at that point, because while it piqued my interest, I am always somewhat hesitant to pick up teen novels. Many teen novels that I have read have diverse plots, and are well written. However, I would quickly discover that a major part of the books’ focus are on the main characters’ love lives— a love triangle usually ensues. I like romance in small doses. When I realized this book was a Horror/Suspense novel, I quickly ran to check it out from the library.

Kramer has teased readers with this work for thirty years. Four years ago, I mentioned I was anxious for it come out. All 775 pages of Volume 1 have finally arrived. Need blurbs? It’s the gay history of the United States. Kramer’s theories are so controversial his publisher would only release American People as fiction though it started as straight (forgive the pun) nonfiction. 

Superhero movies have dominated Hollywood for nearly a decade, but superheroes' popularity is nothing new. Characters like Batman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman have been popular for over seventy years, but many of their caped brethren have fallen through the cracks of history.

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The Summer Challenge theme this year is "Every Hero Has a Story." Check out these books with antiheroes - characters who lack conventional superhero characteristics, such as courage, idealism, and morality. You may just find your next favorite read!

My father is where I get my love of science fiction and fantasy. I grew up around Robert Heinlein and Marion Zimmer Bradley (I was even named after one of her books!). Both my parents encouraged me to read growing up, which has made me the bibliophile I am today!

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Hi there! Are you a fan of offbeat romantic comedies looking for fun vacation reads? Even better, titles to read as part of your NPL Summer Challenge participation? If so, add  I Take You to your  holds list.

 

3 nights at a 4 star hotel in a warm climate: approximately $1000

Car rental to get you to the beach: $100

Reading a good book at said beach while you dig your toes into the warm sand: Priceless. Oh wait. No, I’m sorry. The name of the book is Priceless. You don’t have to read it at the beach. You can read it anywhere you want.

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According to Merriam-Webster, a hero is someone who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities. Take a peek at these stories of bravery and outstanding achievement!

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Summer is the time to be outside in the sun and lounge around. If you're looking for a good book to read, check these out. You're not likely to find them on any summer reading list you encounter this year.

As baby-boomers redefine the cultural landscape, it is appropriate that we re-write the literature, cinema, and music of our time. That’s right, Stevie Nicks, it’s now the Edge of Seven-ty.

And now I want to go to culinary school. Don’t get me wrong I love my job and I really have no desire to start working every night and holiday in a hot, sweaty kitchen being yelled at by some Gordon Ramsey wanna be because my risotto’s al dente.

And yet.

Introducing Melanie, the smartest of a group of children being taught in an underground facility. They have a variety of teachers, some cold and calculating, others loving and caring like Mrs. Justineau. Mostly, they learn about literature and Greek myths. They are no tests. In fact, the children are all strapped into chairs, escorted by armed soldiers, and treated like animals.

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Each April, YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) releases a list of nominated books. From the list of approximately 25 books (found in the post), teens everywhere choose their favorites. So if you want your favorite on the Teen Top Ten list, check out the nominees and cast your vote!

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America's Pastime, baseball, is starting up. Picture yourself in the stadium. Smell the hot dogs and hear the crunch of peanut shells as their trampled. Now, pick up one of these books and enjoy!

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Believe it or not, many movies are adapted from books. More recently, several of those movies were once Young Adult books. Here's a list of upcoming feature films that are based on Young Adult novels.

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I love to watch the Food Network. I can watch hours upon hours of food TV even if I never make anything the fancy chefs are cooking. I do think, though, that my cooking has improved just by proximity. Watching all that good cooking - some of the tips and techniques had to get buried in my brain somewhere.

The worst thing about history is its lack of monsters. There’s Hitler, of course, the gold standard of historical bad guys, but when I say monsters I mean MONSTERS--mysterious, possibly hairy and/or scaly creatures of unknown origin, things you run from in the night and hope aren’t lurking under your bed. Unfortunately, monsters like Hitler are real and those other guys aren’t, but that leads us to the best thing about history: you don’t have to let facts get in the way of telling a good story.

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Suppose you were stranded in the scattered, floating remains of a demolished space vessel. Barely surviving by sheer will, hoping for rescue and constantly disappointed, hovering close to death for no less than 170 days…would you begrudge a passing ship that took notice of you but continued on its way? And what would you do about it?

To tell you about this graphic novel, I must give a little background about the world of Dead Space. Dead Space takes place about 300-500 years in the future where the Earth is dying. Resources have become so limited that the people of Earth have started mining planets for resources, and have colonized several moons and planets.

Since New Year’s is all about making resolutions, I think one of the best resolutions a reader can make is to diversify what they read throughout the year. That being said, POPSUGAR has created a 2015 Reading Challenge, a list of different genres or themes to use as a jumping off point to expand your reading horizons.Here are a few highlights from the POPSUGAR list, and what I'll be reading for each one.

In honor of the beginning of the next series of Sherlock on Masterpiece Mystery, I went to the periodicals stacks to dig up some original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and came across something that interested me even more. 

This is hands-down the best historical fiction that I have read this past year. I cannot say enough about this book, it is so good. The story is compelling and poignant and the atmospheric setting immediately transports the reader to another place and time.

We lost one of our most vibrant and uncompromising voices with the death of poet, playwright, and cultural critic Amiri Baraka. Born LeRoi Jones, Baraka had the distinction of dropping out of three universities and being discharged from the Air Force for communist sympathies before starting his literary career.

Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson is called away from London to  review the handling of a murder investigation led by police in Northern Ireland. Gibson quickly finds procedural mistakes, and evidence that another recent murder may make this the work of a serial killer. When yet another victim is discovered, Gibson is put in charge of the investigation.

Audio books are my favorite way to sneak a little “reading” into the post-holiday grind. Thankfully, the library has three ways to do it with CD audio, Playaway audio, and downloads from Overdrive.