Veterans Day is November 11, the recognized date that we as a nation pay tribute to the men and women who have served in the armed forces. It is a time to honor and express our gratitude to those who have defended our freedoms, protected our way of life, and often sacrificed much for the greater good. It is a day to remember their valor, their dedication and their unwavering commitment. Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and was established on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. This conflict, often referred to as the “war to end all wars,” was a devastating global conflict that changed the course of history. Armistice Day was a day to remember those who had served and the profound importance of peace. In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day, reflecting a broader recognition of all veterans, not just those of World War I. It now serves as a day to honor and thank all American veterans for their service.
I am not a veteran. Despite living with a veteran for 40 years, I am sometimes jarringly reminded that I do not fully understand how his service affected him, how his lived experiences differ from my own. Would we have a more consistent and visible compassion for our veterans if we were more aware of those experiences? Maybe. Helping people grow and learn are some of the things public libraries do best, so let’s take a look at some books written by veterans and people working with veterans. Let’s become more aware of their stories. Continue reading “Veteran’s Day Stories”
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in November. 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
“Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education” by Stephanie Land (Nov 7)
When Stephanie Land set out to write her memoir “Maid,” she never could have imagined what was to come. Later it was adapted into the hit Netflix series, which was viewed by 67 million households and was Netflix’s fourth most-watched show in 2021, garnering three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Stephanie’s escape out of poverty and abuse in search of a better life inspired millions. “Maid” was a story about a housecleaner, but it was also a story about a woman with a dream. In “Class,” Land takes us with her as she finishes college and pursues her writing career. Facing barriers at every turn including a byzantine loan system, not having enough money for food, navigating the judgments of professors and fellow students who didn’t understand the demands of attending college while under the poverty line — Land finds a way to survive once again, finally graduating in her mid-thirties. “Class” paints an intimate and heartbreaking portrait of motherhood as it converges and often conflicts with personal desire and professional ambition. Who has the right to create art? Who has the right to go to college? And what kind of work is valued in our culture? In clear, candid, and moving prose, “Class” grapples with these questions, offering a searing indictment of America’s educational system and an inspiring testimony of a mother’s triumph against all odds. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: November 2023”
The book “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club” covers four generations of women and how The Lakeside Supper Club shaped their relationships. Each chapter gives you insight into the individual women, as the book spans the events of several decades.
What I love most about J. Ryan Stradal as an author is the amount of meaning and importance he can put in scenes and words that aren’t even written down. His style is so unique that the parts of the story he doesn’t write are just as vivid and meaningful as the sections he chooses to include.
His love for the Midwest shows in his incredible characters, the towns he invents, and the amazing food. The characters and events are relatable, honest, and heartbreaking. Grab a relish tray and a brandy old fashioned… and do yourself a favor by reading this book!
Three words that describe this book: Food, Family, Nostalgia
You might want to pick this book up if: You are in the mood for a funny and quirky family drama that makes you feel right at home in its Midwest setting.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share reviews throughout the year.
Alex Demczak is a Columbia, MO author and speaker who has co-authored a book with Jon Gordon called “The Sale.” The book is a fictional business fable that teaches four lessons about integrity to create lasting success. Demczak is a former quarterback for the Missouri Tigers who has gone on to be a keynote speaker and entrepreneur, most recently co-founding Streamline Books. His first book, “Thrive U,” is an inspirational collection of stories from 100 collegiate and professional athletes from across the country. He was kind enough to take the time to be interviewed via email. Continue reading “Q&A With Alex Demczak, Co-author of “The Sale””
Join us on November 4 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library to create art for your wall. Let your creative expression run free in making a wall clock with painted disks creating a unique ambiance with interesting design shapes that also tell the time. These can be adapted to your color scheme with paint — go bright and bold or muted and atmospheric. All supplies provided. This program is for adults, and we recommend you register early as craft classes fill quickly.
For more ideas on clocks and other wall art ideas, check out these library resources. You can also explore CreativeBug, which is our database on arts and crafts activities. You can view tons of creative ideas with instructional videos and more are added monthly! You will need your library card and pin (your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) to use this database.
There is not an activity planned for December, but stay tuned for the January Crafternoon in our program guide, on our website and on social media!
20 years ago, Chloe Davis’ worldview was shattered. In her small Louisiana town, teenage girls went missing and wound up dead. At the end of the terrifying summer, her beacon of safety amidst the fear, her own father, confesses to the crimes. Now, an established child psychologist, Chloe works to heal the scars of her own trauma by helping adolescent patients with their troubling experiences.
During the sweltering anniversary summer of her father’s crimes, Chloe finally feels like she has a grip on moving forward: she’s engaged to a lovely guy she met a year ago, her in-and-out of her life brother is around again and showing his protective side, and she’s successfully dodging a determined reporter who wants to write a “Where Are They Now?” article on the children of a convicted serial killer. Chloe’s goal is to power through the summer and replace the anniversary of her past with a new one: her wedding day.
But this summer won’t slide by easily. Teenage girls are being reported missing again and it all bears an eerie resemblance to a series of crimes she knows too much about. “A Flicker in the Dark” is fast-paced and full of twists and turns as Chloe begins to question her history, her memories, and everyone around her.
Three words that describe this book: Foreboding, Suspicious, Captivating
You might want to pick this book up if: you want a pulpy murder mystery with a foreboding sense of dread that will seep into your bones like a hot Louisiana night.
-Amy
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share reviews throughout the year.
As we are nearing Halloween, I thought I should look at some books devoted to creepy-themed dishes. I grabbed a few titles from our collection and tried to find something fun to make. The first book I looked at just didn’t work for me (more on that later). Thankfully, there was another book I had brought home: “Zach Neil’s The Nightmare Before Dinner: Recipes To Die For.” Continue reading “Read The Recipe! Spooky Food”
As leaves burst into their glorious autumn colors and as pumpkins begin adorning doorsteps, it is a sure sign that Halloween is just around the corner. The last week of October, many people will perform the ritual carving of pumpkins giving them eerie, flickering faces, an iconic symbol of the holiday. But where did this tradition originate? Let’s dive into the fascinating history of the jack-o’-lantern and its evolution from folklore to a beloved Halloween tradition.
The name “jack-o’-lantern” is derived from “Jack of the Lantern” which refers to a mysterious figure known for carrying a flickering lantern to guide lost souls. Over time, the name was associated with the practice of carving faces into vegetables and placing candles inside to create a similar, eerie glow.
The Legend of Stingy Jack
One of the most prevalent origin stories of the jack-o’-lantern is tied to the legend of Stingy Jack. This tale tells of a man named Jack who was not only a trickster but also miserly. As one version of the story goes, Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him but cleverly avoided paying by convincing the Devil to transform into a coin. Instead of paying, Jack pocketed the coin next to a silver cross, preventing the Devil from returning to his original form. Continue reading “The History of the Jack-o’-Lantern”
October 21, 2023 would have been Ursula K. Le Guin’s 94th birthday. On October 25, 2023, the winner of the second annual Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction will be announced. Ahead of the award announcement, we’re reflecting on some of Le Guin’s works in a series of blog posts: Le Guin and Her Legacy. Interested in some of the authors Ursula inspired? Click here to see the titles nominated for the prize, as well as titles by the judges!
Spoiler warning: Given how short this story is, and how integral the title is to any discussion, this post will discuss in detail the events within. If you have any interest, I highly recommend reading the story before continuing with this post. Content Warning: The subject of this post is a story that contains child abuse and neglect. (If these are subjects you are not comfortable reading about, you might check out these animal live cam feeds for something lighter.)
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” was originally published in 1973, in a collection of short science fiction stories from various authors. It was republished in Le Guin’s 1975 “The Wind’s Twelve Quarters,” and has since been widely published online and in other short story collections. Continue reading “Le Guin and Her Legacy: The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
Seriously, “The Déjà Glitch” is probably the most delightful book I have read or will read this year! I loved Holly James’ writing style and found the story of Jack and Gemma’s journey out of a time loop to scratch every specific itch I have in a sweet magical realism romance!
Gemma is very relatable and lovable. I deeply understood her family issues and the lack of confidence that would naturally accompany said issues. Jack is the perfect lovesick dream boy. They are both saving each other here and the desperate collision of hearts through time and space is palpable right off the page. The scientific explanation of what is going on within the “glitch” is nothing short of poetry. I highlighted the heck out of the professor’s explanation!
I mostly want to praise the pacing of this book. Just from the little I knew before starting it, I was worried about a painful repetition of days, but the author did a wonderful job of keeping it fresh every step of the way. I genuinely enjoyed reading every page and felt a bit bereft for it to end. I highly recommend this book to those in search of wonder, heart explosions and a chance at being rescued from the mundane linear timeline we could all use a break from!
Three words that describe this book: Romantic, comedy, time loop
You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy rom-coms and magical realism.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share reviews throughout the year.
