There are tons of new releases that come to our shelves every week. With all the books being unique in their own ways, it is hard to choose between the ones that are suitable for your taste. Here are some…
I admit it, I love a good serial killer story. And, no, the quarantine didn’t drive me to it; I just like the way that authors let us readers live inside of the mind of fictional characters, and some of…
We have something for everyone this summer! Our theme is IMAGINE YOUR STORY and includes events and summer reading for all ages. From creating costumes for RiverCon to Smartphone Video and Writing classes inspired by Rocky River to weekly giveaways…
We can’t believe it’s the final week of our May virtual book club already! So in this last Sunday, we’re going to wrap up the discussion of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. If you’re just finding this post today, no worries! Click the link above…
I am back to my favorite genre again: historical fiction. This week, I am reviewing The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant by Kayte Nunn, a work of historical fiction that could also be classified as a romance novel. The Forgotten Letters…
Struggling with what to read next? This can be overwhelming, especially with the constant barrage of best seller lists readily available anywhere, yet ever changing. Joining a celebrity or popular book club can be a great way to discover new books and possibly dive into some meaningful discussion. This can be a great option if you can not physically attend a book group.
Here are 4 celebrity or popular book groups you should consider joining now:
Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, Hello Sunshine. The book choices in her club focus on books written by female authors. Reese’s current book pick is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Jenna Hager Bush, co-host of NBC “Today Show”, Read With Jenna Book Club. The book choices in her club are generally contemporary novels with a compelling plot. Hager explained her book tastes in an interview as, “No matter what, you have to have a great, compulsively readable plot. Something where you cannot wait to figure out what’s going to happen.” Jenna’s current book pick is All Adults Hereby Emma Straub.
Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club. Oprah deserves the ultimate round of applause for popularizing book clubs across the county. Oprah unveils her pick each month, and then features an interview with the author. Oprah’s current book pick is Hidden Valley Roadby Robert Kolker.
Now Read This, a book club from PBS NewsHour and The New York Times. This is a staff created book list in which they choose a book that, in their own words, “helps us makes sense of the world we’re living in — fiction, history, memoir, and more.” The current fiction book choice is Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips.
Revisiting favorites is a comforting and fun activity during these uncertain, and often stressful, times. Whether it is a favorite film (I just watched Back to the Future last night!) or a favorite book, there is something about that second or fifth re-watch or re-read that feels like visiting with an old friend.
Maybe you will notice a small detail in the plot you never caught before, or a line will hit you in a new way, or maybe the story will read entirely different to you this time around! I’ve been perusing some of my all-time favorite comics series and have shared them below. Maybe you’ll spot a favorite of your own or find a brand new series to pick up!
A weird series that has it all- dystopian future Earth, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, epic robot/monster battles, political intrigue, forbidden romance (with Death!), sci-fi spaghetti western tones.. .and the art is gorgeous. This series hasn’t ended yet so snag Volume 1: The Promise now on Hoopla and prepare for the end!
Joe Hill’s talents as a terrific horror and thriller author shine in this amazing series! Readers follow the Key family as they move into the mysterious Keyhouse mansion, which they discover is filled with mysterious and powerful keys. The Key kids also soon find other nefarious forces are at work to obtain the keys- will they survive? You may have recently caught the new Netflix series based on the comics, but I can assure you the books are much weirder, darker, and spookier than the show- in the best way. You can read the entire series from beginning to end on Hoopla, starting with Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft.
This is the series that truly began my love affair with comics. Sure, I’d read X-Men and Spider-Man plenty, but when I picked up Gaiman’s brilliant tale of Morpheus aka Dream I was blown away by how philosophical and creative The Sandman world was. The imaginative weaving together of mythology, fairy tales, Shakespeare, and more will entrance you. The impressive cast for the Audible adaptation was announced last week and inspired me to want to read this series for a third time! You can read the entire series, including the 30th anniversary edition of Volume 1: Preludes & Nocturnes, on Hoopla now.
Saga is a huge, sweeping sci-fi epic that is actually about love and parenting- but also super weird, graphic in more ways that one, and sometimes soul-crushingly sad. But it is so so good! Two soldiers on opposite sides of a long-running war fall for each other and have a child, quickly making them the most wanted fugitives in perhaps the entire galaxy. Saga is their story, as told by their daughter, Hazel. The series is on a hiatus, so while we patiently await the next new issue (or not so patiently), you can get caught up on Hoopla starting with Volume 1!
If you are a comics fan be sure to check out our online programming celebrating comics, graphic novels, and fandom kicking off June 6th- RiverCon! Originally envisioned to be a mini-con in the library, we have revamped our plans to offer you some awesome goodies and activities to safely enjoy at home! Register for a RiverCon@Home activity kit now on our event calendar and keep your eyes peeled on our website for more great stuff. I’ll be posting next week with a sneak peek of some of the cool content coming your way in June.
What is your favorite book you have read this year and why is it your fave?
Leviathan Wakes by James Corey. Excellent Sci-fi thriller book. It has mystery, intrigue, plots and subplots, and is an excellent read. I have heard that this book inspired a tv show and am now looking forward to checking out the show once the RRPL opens again:-)
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What book are you looking forward to reading next?
Battlestar Gallatica reruns, Masked Singer, American Idol, and a new cheesy sci-fi series entitled “Vagrant Queen”
What are you listening to…music, podcasts?
Sports talk radio and numerous CD’s of classic rock & 1980’s music
What are you doing to occupy your time during these uncertain times?
Taking daily walks with my dog Ellie (pictured below), reading my first eBooks using the Libby App, doing yard work (trimming, mowing, mulching), and repairing my cedar picket fence.
You may have heard that we are starting curbside delivery service at the library next week. We are as excited to get materials to you as you are to receive some new reads, watches and listens.
Here’s how it’s going to work: from the hours of 11-7 Monday through Friday, we will take your phone calls to request items. We will only be able to place items on hold that are owned by Rocky River Public Library; unfortunately, we cannot get items from other librarys until they open. In the meantime, our library is a full of unknown treasures, so explore the catalog. Use the upper left hand filtering option to choose Rocky River Only. Then search away and find something new! We are also always willing to make recommendations if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.
Once you call and ask for the item, you have then have to wait until you are notified with a phone call/email/text telling you that your items are available. Then come to the library, call us and let us know you are here. If you’re in a car, tell us the number of the parking space that you are in. If you’ve walked or biked, let us know – there will be a spot for you to pick those items up as well. All items will be walked out to you by staff with masks on and they will place in the items in the trunk of your car – think Heinen’s or any other curbside pickup service. That’s it!
Speaking of book recommendations, here’s another episode of RRPL Book Harbor – and please send us more at askalibrarian@rrpl.org!
What is your favorite book this year and why is it your fave?
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? by Horace McCoy Two strangers with nothing to lose in depression-era California enter a marathon dance where they battle physical and mental exhaustion. I was fascinated by the parallels between 1930’s marathon dancing and modern-day reality televisions.
What book are you looking forward to reading next?
I recently started Schitt’s Creek after having been told to watch it by many people for the last few years.
What are you doing to occupy your time during these uncertain times?
I’m well into my second 3000 piece puzzle and I’ve been replaying the video game Mass Effect 3. Also, I have a sourdough starter from which I’ve made a few loaves of bread with already.
