Saturday, December 21 from 12-6 a.m. access to library services will be intermittently unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. All library locations will be closed December 24 & 25 as well as December 31 & January 1.
Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 by Megan
Young Adult books aren’t just for teens! In fact, many of our staff regularly read YA so we asked them what their favorites were this year. We asked them to describe their favorite books in three words and to rate them on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Check out some of their picks below or you can check the full list here! Continue reading “2024 Staff Picks”
Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 by Megan
We’ve had several staff blogs about J. R. R. Tolkien (read them here, here and here) but now it’s time to hear from our patrons! Check out what our readers had to say about this beloved book series. Whether you are reading them for the first time or for the umpteenth time now is the perfect time to roast some potatoes, light the fires of Gondor and curl up with these classics! Continue reading “Teen Reader Reviews: J. R. R. Tolkien Books”
Posted on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 by Dana
My sadlings, you have returned for more Sad People Music!
This time of year is filled with complicated emotions and lots of memories. When everyone is pushing the “holiday cheer,” sometimes you just want permission to be a downer. Sad music helps us know we’re not alone. Luckily for you, I have even more sad songs to add to the playlist you put on repeat when you’re all in your feelings. Continue reading “Sad People Music – Vol 2.”
Posted on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 by Megan
Ugh. It’s fine. Not every book you read will change your life. Not every book on BookTok is earth-shattering. Sometimes the movie IS better. These are all books our readers thought were ok. We’re sharing them in November because it’s probably dreary or whatever. Read these books or don’t. They’re probably better or worse books out there. *shrugs and pulls hoodie over face*
Continue reading “Meh Teen Reader Reviews: Books with ★★★ or less”
Posted on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 by Dana
It’s getting colder, the leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter.
That’s right kids, it’s sad people music season.
Sad people music is a mood. A vibe. It’s songs for when you want to feel your feelings. Wallow in bed and be miserable for a little while. Let someone else perfectly describe the angst of existing as a sentient creature on a rock hurtling through space. There is a kind of joy in knowing that other people have felt like us, have worried like us, have cried like us. Continue reading “Sad People Music”
Posted on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 by Laura W
I’ve wanted to cosplay for many, many years. Before this year, however, I never had the courage. I always assumed that I would take up too much space, that people would look at me too much. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that taking up space is not actually a bad thing. If people judge me adversely for cosplaying, that’s their problem, not mine. With this in mind, I recently created my first costume! One of the absolutely hardest parts for me was starting. With many projects, it can seem incredibly daunting at first. Luckily, we have many resources here to help with that. Regina made an absolutely wonderful list of costuming books. Though it’s labeled as being for Halloween, many of the titles work year-round! If even a book is overwhelming, keep reading for my list of how to get started. Continue reading “First Time Cosplaying Tips”
Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 by Megan
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
Anne Shirley, “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
Just like Anne (with an e) we love October at the library! Our teens love this spoopy, leafy, ghostly time of year too! Check out our readers’ reviews below. We’ve got everything from classics to some downright grisly reads!
Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 by Laura W
In 2009, EA released “Dragon Age: Origins.” For the first time, players were introduced to the world of Thedas and tasked with protecting it against the monstrous Darkspawn scourge that periodically arose. Two years later, “Dragon Age II” was released. This time, players became Hawke, a human who becomes a legend over the course of a decade of strife. Following the same breakneck pace, only 3 years after “II,” “Dragon Age: Inquisition” graced our screens. We followed the Inquisitor as they tried to close the Breach, a tear in reality that allowed demons to come forth. Then, there was silence. For the past 10 years, fans have been waiting for a new “Dragon Age” title. And it is finally happening. On October 31st, EA will release “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” a direct sequel to “Inquisition.” Whether you’re waiting that final week for the game to finally be released or you’ve been playing a while and are trying to prolong the experience, these books are for you. From canon-accurate novels to my favorite dark fantasy, any of these next titles will help you stay connected to “Dragon Age.” Continue reading “If You’re Playing (or waiting for) Dragon Age: The Veilguard”
Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 by Grae
Is there something strange in your neighborhood? 🤔
Or something weird and it don’t look good? 😳
That might be because it’s *checks watch phone* spooky season, y’all!!! Many sinister salutations for this most ghastly of times, when all of the delightful frights come out to haunt the moonlit, fog-filled corners of the night with tricks and treats in equal share. If you, like me, wish October took up 301 days of the year instead of the usual 31, welcome to yet another installment of Spooky, Not Scary™, a watch-list for any and everyone who absolutely adores Halloween and its eerie, phantasmagoric cheer, but also may be a bit of a Halloweenie at heart. 🖤🐣🖤
For those just joining in, I give you the following titles that are avowedly Spooky, Not Scary™. Each title is rated on a scale of 0-5 smashed pumpkins. The more smashed pumpkins (which I’ve metaphorically dropped out of terror), the closer the tv show/movie/video is to being truly frightening.
Note: no gourds were harmed in the making of this list, though some may have been consumed. I just found out about St. Louis-based craft soda maker Fitz‘s newest flavor, Pumpkin Pop. Move over, PSL, you are soooooooo 2003. 🎃
You can access the full list here (and volume one here and volume two a.k.a. boo! here); what follows are some of my not-so-fearsome favs with minimal spoilers. But first, Google/Siri/AI being of choice, play “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr.! #Iain’t’fraidofnoghost #👻 Continue reading “Spooky, Not Scary™ Watch-List: Volume Threeeeeek 🦇”
Posted on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 by Dana
I love a cemetery.
The older, the better. I am definitely the girl who yells, “Skeleton holes!” and pulls the car over to investigate a good cemetery.
I have planned vacations around what graveyards I can visit. I have a bucket list of cemeteries I still need to see.
And I realize that a lot of people think that’s weird.
I don’t care. Continue reading “Celebrate Spooky Season With a Cemetery Tour!”
