Yearly Archives: 2022

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, is a Historical Fiction novel. It is a book about the take over of the Germans and specifically a family that was taken to a concentration camp and how or if they survived.  The jobs that were assigned to them helped and hurt them in their survival or demise. It gave a depiction of life in the concentration camp based on true lives and events.

The story is sobering and sad but yet something that needs to be told.  I cried several times reading it, but it also showed people with the will to live and help others to get through the worst times that anyone could ever imagine.  It is not for the faint of heart.  It shows how we can come back from the brink of death and despair and have a willingness to live and thrive and help others to do the same.  It is an amazing story based on a real life person who comes out of this horrific time strong and resilient.  

Anyone that loves stories on the human experience, history and human rights should read this story, just have kleenex nearby. 

Recommended by Jen Gardner

Syrena recommends

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’neill

Maus by Art Spiegelman

XMen ‘92 by Alti Firmansyah

Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Jim recommends 

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf

Liz recommends

Any classic literature adaptation by Gareth Hinds like The Odyssey

Americus by M. K. Reed

A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Ōima – Syrena also recommends this book

Mallory recommends

5 Worlds by Alexis Siegel and Mark Siegel

Cucumber Quest by Gigi D. G.

Blindsprings by Kadi Fedoruk

Namesake by Megan Lavey-Heaton and Isabelle Melancon

Robyn recommends

Watchmen by Alan Moore

Sherrel recommends

March 123 by John Lewis

Denise recommends

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Over the holidays I sat down to read a book recommended to me by teen librarian Liz Strauss. The book was One of Us is Next and was written by Karen McManus. I won’t go into the details about the plot.  At one point in the book a popular athlete (Cooper) was coming home from college and everyone in town wanted to see him and get his autograph.  A small group of Cooper’s friends planned to meet in the back room of a local cafe.  But other people heard about the gathering and crowded into the cafe in hopes of getting a glimpse of the famous hometown hero. Here is the description of the crowded cafe: “not only is every table full, but Mr. Santos brought out all the extra chairs that are usually stored in the basement and it’s still not enough. People are standing in groups against either side of the wall, shuffling back and forth as I weave through them with a drink-laden tray for Addie and her friends.”

My library brain immediately  thought: They should have had this homecoming in the community room at the library where more people could be accommodated.

That’s when it hit me. I am constantly on the lookout for possible programs at the library…even while I am reading for pleasure. 

Many times, people come to me (or leave word at the front desk) suggesting a topic or speaker that would be interesting to people in our community.  I always follow up on these suggestions and I almost always find a person willing to share their experience with us. 

So, the invitation is open. Contact me if you are willing to present a program, or if you know someone who has had an interesting and unique experience, or if you would like to suggest a topic. I welcome your input. After all, this is YOUR public library!

Sherrel

Adult program specialist

What do Legos, cork-screw openers, Russian nesting dolls, 3-D printed objects, china dogs, coke items, 19^th Century oddities, famous signatures, and space memorabilia have in common? They were all on display at the library. This is just a small sample of the amazing subject matter that we have exhibited.

Are you a collector or a hobbyist? If the answer is yes, have you considered displaying your collection with the library?

We have three display cases, two in the foyer and one by the front desk. Every month, we highlight a different display. If you are a patron, you have no doubt noticed the wide assortment of subjects that we have been fortunate to feature.

We also have a new artist’s show each month in the Community Room, including various media including paintings, drawings, photographs, prints etc. The library is always appreciative of collectors, hobbyists, and artists who offer to share their work. 

If you would like to participate, we would certainly welcome your collections. Please contact Jan Ridenour 330-343-6123.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Here are some romantic movie recommendations from the library staff.

The Holiday

Wendy’s favorite

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Syrena’s favorite

Somewhere in Time

Also Syrena’s favorite

What Dreams May Come

Robyn’s favorite

Sleepless in Seattle

Rick’s favorite

Ever After

Mallory’s Favorite

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Liz’s favorite

The Notebook

Lisa, Jen G. Jamie, and Ellen’s favorite

Casablanca

Linda’s favorite

When Harry Met Sally

Also Linda’s favorite

Ghost

Also Linda’s favorite

Sweet Home Alabama

Kim’s favorite

Love Actually

Jim’s favorite

While You Were Sleeping

Jen M.’s favorite

You’ve Got Mail

Jan’s favorite

Notting Hill

Denise’s favorite

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Chris’s favorite

Do you know that feeling of butterflies in your stomach? The element of surprise and anticipation? Come “check out” our Blind Date With A Book display starting Monday, February 7th through February 19^th!

The books are wrapped up in red paper and have 5 clues as to what the book is about. We have a variety of genres including historical fiction, memoirs, suspense and heartwarming stories. You can’t judge a book by its cover! Happy Valentine’s Day!

I asked the library staff to share their favorite book they read in 2021. Here is a list of 17 books they loved. Have you read any of these books?

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richards

Favorite of Chris

The Bible

Favorite of Denise

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Ellen’s Favorite

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jamie’s Favorite

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Jan’s Favorite

If You Tell by Gregg Olsen

Jen G.’s Favorite

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Jen M.’s Favorite

The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins

Jim’s Favorite

The Last Castle by Denise Kienan

Kim’s Favorite

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Linda’s Favorite

The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad

Lisa & Paula’s Favorite

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Liz’s Favorite

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone illustrated edition by Minalima

Mallory’s Favorite

Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado

Robyn’s Favorite

Sara’s Key by de Rosnay

Sherrel’s Favorite

Misery by Stephen King

Syrena’s Favorite

Game On Tempting 28 by Janet Evonovich

Wendy’s Favorite