Today’s Harrisburg bookmobile stop is canceled due to a mechanical issue. All library locations will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.
Posted on Monday, June 20, 2022 by cs
Join us online to discuss “Why Fish Don’t Exist” by Lulu Miller, an NPR science reporter on July 7 from noon to 1 p.m. Miller relates the life of influential taxonomist David Starr Jordan to struggles in her own life. Part biography, part memoir and part scientific adventure, this work of nonfiction is a wondrous fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail. For similar books, try this list.
This discussion is geared toward adults. Please register for a Zoom link.
Posted on Friday, June 17, 2022 by Chris
In the years since I first recommended Emily St. John Mandel’s work, her novel “Station Eleven” became the 2015 One Read for Daniel Boone Regional Library and later an acclaimed limited series on HBOMax. Was my recommendation the catalyst for these successes? I’m told the answer is no. Even if this library’s blog posts aren’t influencing television productions, perhaps an HBO executive would still like to arrange for some sort of gift basket to be sent our way. It would be a nice thing to do. In return, I offer a recommendation for adaptation into a future acclaimed limited series: “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel. Continue reading “The Gentleman Recommends: Emily St. John Mandel (again)”
Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 by Decimal Diver
Gladys Swan is a Columbia, MO author whose latest book is “Ceremony of Innocence.” The fictional book follows an American woman named Florrie as she faces many tribulations while living abroad in Copenhagen, Venice and Prague during the late 1980s. Swan is both a writer and a visual artist who has a background teaching literature and creative writing at many colleges, including Mizzou. She has published several novels and short story collections over the years including the Carnival Quintet series and a New Mexico trilogy. She currently has an art exhibit up at the Missouri River Regional Library until June 30, 2022. Gladys was kind enough to take the time to be interviewed via email. Continue reading “Q&A With Gladys Swan, Author of “Ceremony of Innocence””
Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2022 by Lauren
If you could trade two dollars and a little DNA to know your life’s true potential, would you do it? This year’s community-wide reading selection, “The Big Door Prize” by M.O. Walsh, explores this question and more. This offbeat and charming novel about small-town life, relationships and the power of dreams narrowly beat out the exuberant work of historical fiction “Deacon King Kong” by James McBride.
Before the public vote on the 2022 One Read title, a panel of community members considered a varied list of finalist books, from works of historical fiction to books exploring a range of marginalized identities. Continue reading “Literary Links: One Read 2022 Finalists”
Posted on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 by Katherine
Here are a few of the most notable adult fiction debuts for June. These titles have all received positive reviews in library journals. For a longer list, please visit our catalog.
“A Proposal They Can’t Refuse” by Natalie Caña
Kamilah Vega is desperate to convince her family to update their Puerto Rican restaurant and enter it into the Fall Foodie Tour. With the gentrification of their Chicago neighborhood, it’s the only way to save the place. The fly in her mofongo: her blackmailing abuelo says if she wants to change anything in his restaurant, she’ll have to marry the one man she can’t stand: his best friend’s grandson.
Liam Kane spent a decade working to turn his family’s distillery into a contender. But just as he and his grandfather are on the verge of winning a national competition, Granda hits him with a one-two punch: he has cancer and has his heart set on seeing Liam married before it’s too late. And Granda knows just the girl… Kamilah Vega.
If they refuse, their grandfathers will sell the building that houses both their businesses. With their futures on the line, Kamilah and Liam plan to outfox the devious duo, faking an engagement until they both get what they want. But soon, they find themselves tangled up in more than either of them bargained for.
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2022 by Liz
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in June. 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. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: June 2022”
Posted on Friday, June 3, 2022 by Ida
Though we find ourselves a landlocked crew here in the Midwest, the ocean still can cast its spell on our imaginations. The summer reading theme, Oceans of Possibilities, provides an opportunity to revisit some classic works of literature about sea life. Several titles spring to mind. Continue reading “Adult Summer Reading: Ocean Classics”
Posted on Monday, May 30, 2022 by cs
In this month’s virtual book discussion, we’ll depart from our usual format to discuss some picture books with Black history themes in honor of Juneteenth. Adults can find value in reading picture books, which provide an introduction to a subject and are often illustrated with beautiful artwork. This discussion will be held June 2 at 12 p.m. and is geared toward adults. Register for a Zoom link.
Here are the books to read for our discussion:
“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” by Carole Boston Weatherford
“Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks” by Suzanne Slade
“Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott” by Dee Romito
“Swish! The Slam-dunking, Alley-ooping, High-flying Harlem Globetrotters” by Suzanne Slade
“We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song” by Debbie Levy
“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly
“Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams” by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 by Jason Delpire
I am from Up Nort’. Well, Green Bay, Wisconsin, to be exact. (Technically, Green Bay is northeast Wisconsin, but relative to Missouri… The actual “Up Nort” is the northwoods of WI, and beyond. No, there is no “h” in the word north when spoken in my native ‘Sconnie dialect.) Therefore, I do not like the springs, the summers, or even most of the falls here in Missouri. Winter is nice, but I would prefer a bit more cold and snow. So, when I am again accosted by the oppressive humidity, I must look for all the ways to cool myself.
This month, I have begun preparations to fight the heat. My focus will be frozen treats, and this subject seemed like a great topic for a blog post! I made a list of books that looked interesting, though I focused on only a few. Some of these titles will be vegan, as I try to avoid dairy. Additionally, most are kid-friendly. Continue reading “Read the Recipe! Vol. 9”
Posted on Monday, May 9, 2022 by Katherine
Here are a few of the most notable adult fiction debuts coming out in May. These have all received positive reviews in library journals. For a longer list, please visit our catalog.
“The Favor” by Nora Murphy
Leaving would be dangerous. Staying could be worse.
Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives.
They don’t — ever — find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop.
They don’t — ever — discuss their problems and find common ground.
They don’t — ever — acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped.
Leah understands that what’s inside a home can be far more dangerous than what’s outside. So when she notices someone else who may be starting down the same path she’s on, she pays attention. She watches over McKenna from afar. Until one night she sees more than she bargained for. Leah knows she can’t save herself, but perhaps she can save McKenna.
Leah and McKenna have never met. But they will.