Imagine Your Story- June eBook Displays
Imagine Your Story – Books
Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself by Jill Biden (2019)
I’m not much for political memoirs. However, with Joe Biden as one of the major candidates for the 2020 presidential election, I thought it might be fun to read about the woman behind the man.
First Ladies tend to attract a lot of attention. From Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison to Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, each woman has navigated a tricky role that is unpaid and has no technical responsibilities but still has a staff, an office, and an enormous platform.
But what about the Second Lady?
If First Ladies tend to be lightning rods for commentary, Second Ladies are often able to avoid the spotlight—or, at least, the spotlight shines less brightly on them.
Such is the case with Dr. Jill Biden.
Dr. Jill Biden was a 23-year-old divorcee when she was set up on a blind date with then-Senator Joe Biden in 1975. Joe was in his early 30’s, just a few years into his Senate career. He was also a single, widowed father of two sons. Jill was en route to a career as an English teacher. It seemed like an odd setup, but the pair clicked very quickly.
In Where the Light Enters, Jill Biden (also known as “Dr. B.”) recounts how her relationship developed with her Senator spouse. She talks about navigating complex relationships with Biden’s two sons, Beau and Hunter, and her uneasy development as a political wife.
In her book, Dr. Biden largely remains apolitical. She spends the book sharing personal stories about the Biden family’s complicated and often tragic history. She talks about her role as stepmom, worrying about honoring Neilia, Joe’s first wife, especially with her stepsons. She recounts her husband’s 1988 brain aneurysms that nearly killed him after his first presidential run, and required months of recovery. She recounts struggling with worry as the stepmom of Beau, deployed service member. She also recounts the harrowing experience of losing Beau to brain cancer in 2014.
Dr. Biden also talks about her own career. She holds an EdD from the University of Delaware, and has spent much of her teaching career in community college systems. In 2009, upon her husband taking office as Vice President, she became the first Second Lady in American history to hold a paying job during her husband’s tenure. Because of her relatively low profile, Dr. Biden has been able to continue teaching with many of her students unaware that their professor routinely spent evenings at White House events.
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, there is much to admire and enjoy about Where the Light Enters. It’s a poignant look at the world of a woman who well may be our nation’s First Lady come January.
~ Emma
Imagine Your Story-Audiobooks
Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy a story. Their portable format allows for them to be enjoyed while on the move.Whether you are exercising, gardening, or working on your newest creative project, audiobooks can make for a great addition.
If you are new to audiobooks why not try our pick for our upcoming:
Imagine Your Story Virtual Book Discussion
Listen to this family memoir about how 81-year-old Jay Mendelsohn, who had been a professor of mathematics, enrolls in his son Daniel’s class on The Odyssey. Later, the two men take Mediterranean cruise, retracing the mythical journeys of Odysseus.
Or checkout the selection of biographical audiobooks over at Overdrive!
Imagine Your Story — A Postcard From Home
This summer isn’t panning out to include the travel many of us were hoping for. One summer tradition we don’t need give up on this year is sending postcards. That’s why each of our adult summer reading participants can stop by the library’s curbside service to pick up one of these fantastic ‘Greetings from Rocky River’ postcards. Shout out to our graphic designer, Stephanie for bringing this design to life!
You can pre-register for our summer reading by creating an account and logging in here. Stop by the library’s curbside service starting Saturday, June 6 to request your free postcard while supplies last.
—Beth
Imagine Your Story @ RRPL- Countdown to RiverCon!
Only three more days to go until we kick off Rivercon! What is RiverCon you ask? RiverCon is a celebration of comic books, graphic novels, and manga that you don’t want to miss. Originally envisioned to be a mini-con at the library, we’ve adapted our event so you can enjoy awesome comic content and activities safely from home this June!
Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm yours truly, along with Teen Librarian Ms. Megan, and Children’s Librarian Ms. Amanda, will be passing out RiverCon@Home kits to pre-registered patrons in front of the library. We even have comic-themed face masks to stay safe, courtesy of Ms. Megan.
Here’s a look at what you can expect for this Saturday, June 6th. There is something for everyone!
- 9 am- 1 pm: Patrons who pre-registered for a RiverCon@Home activity kit (if you didn’t claim your kit yet click here!) can pick-up their kits by stopping at the front entrance of the library to grab your kit from one of the librarians. You can also sign-up early for one of our super fun summer reading programs!
- Pre-registration for kits will end June 5th, but fear not- we will have unclaimed RiverCon@Home kits on hand to pass out to anyone who stops by on a while supplies last basis!
- What will my RiverCon@Home kit include? A RiverCon magnet, materials to make your own upcycled comic book bookmark, blank panel pages to draw your own comics, a librarian curated graphic novel reading list with discussion questions to explore at home, superhero stickers, Hoopla swag, and more!
- 2-3 pm: Teens and adults can learn all about the interesting history of comics and graphic novels in Cleveland from CSU literature professor Jeff Karem at our Graphic Novelists in Cleveland webinar. Register today to get the Zoom link to join emailed to you the day of the event!
- 2-3:30 pm: Kids ages 8-12 can sign up to participate in our online Nintendo Gaming Tournament. We’ve got plenty of spaces left so snag your spot to play today!
The fun continues all month with our first ever Community Cosplay Contest running from June 6th- June 29th! Find all the necessary information for participation here. We want to see your creativity! All ages are invited to bring to life your favorite characters for a chance to win a sweet prize bag. Two lucky winners will win a selection of graphic novels and gift cards to Carol & John’s Comic Shop, Immortals Inc., and Mitchell’s Ice Cream!
Keep checking back here every Thursday, June 11- July 2 to read interviews with talented local comic artists and writers! We will be talking to Karly West, creator of The Scholarly Banana, comics designer and artist Clare Kolat, and Tony Isabella, creator of Black Lightning, to name a few.
Later this month families will also be able to a enjoy a super-fun superhero storytime via YouTube with Ms. Amanda as part of our RiverCon program lineup! Keep your eyes peeled on the website for more details.
We can’t wait to see you! Happy Reading and Happy Summer!
Imagine Your Story @RRPL: Pride Month
June marks the beginning of Pride Month. The celebration of LGBTQ+ pride occurs in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969. The previous links will take you to the Library of Congress; I would encourage you to take some time and explore primary sources, images, documentary footage, and audioclips. While the month is typically marked with celebrations and parades, Pride Month also serves as a sober reminder that we have a long history in this country of marginalizing people as well as a history of uprisings by marginalized people against oppression. It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, to say the least, so I was thrilled to get lost in a book that turned out to be exactly what I needed right now.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a charming story about a remote island that serves as a home for magical misfits. Linus Barker is a case worker for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. In this role he visits government run orphanages and over-sees the well-being of the residents. He is an efficient worker and content with his solitary life. Linus is perplexed whe he is called to a meeting by the Extremely Upper Management. Is he being disciplined for that salad dressing stain on his shirt? It turns out the reason for the meeting is stranger than that. Extremely Upper Management have a special assignment for him- travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside. He is to spend a month there and evaluate the orphange and it’s caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. Also, the assignment is classified, top-secret, and potentially dangerous.
Nothing in his career prepares Linus for what he discovers on the island. He is confronted with a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. His task is to determine for the government if Arthur has control of these children or if they are a threat to the nearby village and possibly the world. As he pushes through his fear and gets to know the inhabitants for Marsyas Island, he discovers a growing closenes with the charming Arthur. He also discovers more dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything.
I cannot emphasis enough how charming and sweet and heartwarming this story is. This book addresses society’s tendancy to fear and shun those who are different, it talks about the meaning of family, and presents a budding gay romance, all with magic and humor. I fell under the spell of Marsyas Island and hope that this is not the end of the story of Linus and Arthur and the children who call the house in the cerulean sea home.
For additional Pride Month Reads be sure to visit our digital libraries for specially curated collections.
OverDrive collection: https://clevnet.overdrive.com/clevnet-rrpl/content/collection/1084850
Hoopla Collections:
https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/4123
https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/1530
https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/4103
https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/5846
https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/1599
Stay strong, dear reader, and take care of yourself and each other. We are all in this together.
~Megan
New Books Tuesday @ RRPL
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 books we picked out for you!
Credible Threat by Judith A. Jance – Ali Reynolds and her team at High Noon Enterprises must race against the clock to save an archbishop who faces mysterious death threats. By a New York Times best-selling author.
The Summer House by James Patterson & Brendan DuBois – Investigating four Army Rangers who have been implicated in the destruction of a luxurious summer lake resort, Army Major, and former NYPD cop Jeremiah Cook is stonewalled by local law enforcement and dangerous secrets.
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan – Millennial Irish expat Ava becomes entangled in a love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer.
The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin – Forging an unlikely connection with a stranger at a bar who warns her against resuming a dysfunctional relationship, an aspiring reporter investigates when the man goes missing on September 11, 2001. By the best-selling author of Something Borrowed.
Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini – Devastated by her 1875 suicide attempt, the sisters of widowed former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln navigate the consequences of their husbands’ choices while advocating for Mary’s needs. By the best-selling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker.
The Persuasion by Iris Johansen – Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn’s artistic daughter, Jane, teams up with former flame Seth Caleb and confronts their complicated dynamic while trying to escape a brilliant psychopath. By the best-selling author of the Kendra Michaels series.
Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen – This incisive book provides an indispensable overview of the calamitous trajectory of the past few years. Gessen not only highlights the corrosion of the media, the judiciary, and the cultural norms we hoped would save us but also tells us the story of how a short few years have changed us, from a people who saw ourselves as a nation of immigrants to a populace haggling over a border wall, heirs to a degraded sense of truth, meaning, and possibility.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – Separated by their embrace of different racial identities, two mixed-race identical twins reevaluate their choices as one raises a black daughter in their southern hometown while the other passes for white with a husband who is unaware of her heritage.
A Convenient Death: The Mysterious Demise of Jeffrey Epstein by Alana Goodman & Daniel Halper – In this book, investigative reporters Alana Goodman and Daniel Halper search for the truth behind the scandal that shocked the nation. With unprecedented access to Epstein’s victims and lawyers, to medical professionals, Wall Street insiders, and law enforcement officers, they reveal the dirty secrets and sinister ties that may have driven someone in Epstein’s circle to take matters into their own hands.
The Second Home by Christina Clancy – Inheriting their family’s Cape Cod summer home years after long-term estrangement, two sisters are reunited by a man with a legitimate claim to the property who would set the record straight.
Bombshell by Stuart Woods & Parnell Hall – Teddy Fay returns to La-La Land in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Stuart Woods. It’s a lot of knives to juggle, even for a former-CIA-operative-turned-movie-producer accustomed to hazardous working conditions. This time Teddy will need to leverage every bit of his undercover skills and fearless daring to stay one step ahead of his foes . . . or he’ll find himself one foot in the grave.
Night of the Assassins: The Untold Story of Hitler’s Plot to Kill FDR, Churchill, and Stalin by Howard Blum – The Edgar Award-winning author of American Lightning documents the true story of how a Secret Service agent and his unlikely Soviet partner foiled a Nazi plot to assassinate Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin during the 1943 Tehran conference.
Dot.Con: The Art of Scamming a Scammer by James Veitch – From viral comedy sensation James Veitch (as seen on TED, Conan, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) comes to a collection of laugh-out-loud funny exchanges with email scammers.
Ask Me Anything by P. Z. Reizin – From the author of Happiness for Humans, a romantic comedy for the technology age: a young woman unlucky in love gets a little help from the most unlikely of places to find her perfect match.
~Semanur
Imagine Your Story @RRPL
RRPL Staff Share Their Summer Reading Plans
New Books Tuesday @ RRPL
Check out this selection of new releases for your enjoyment coming this week! MY FRIENDS Jarrod has felt distanced from his daughter Liv since the death of Jarrod’s partner Charlie, but when Liv finds boyfriend Zel murdered, Jarrod rushes to her aid and they comb for clues across the Coachella Valley while a killer’s on…
Genre Book Club : Mystery
Each link below leads to RRPL’s catalog which allows you to further read about each title or place a hold. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly Still Life by Louise Penny The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames The Body in the Back…
New Books Tuesday @ RRPL
There are many exciting new book releases coming and you don’t want to miss it… THE MAID’S SECRET Head maid Molly Gray’s discovery of a priceless artifact sparks a media frenzy, a daring heist, and revelations from her grandmother’s hidden diary, intertwining a present-day mystery with a long-lost tale of forbidden love and family secrets.…
New Books Tuesday @ RRPL
There are tons of new releases that come to our shelves every week. Here are some books we picked out for you! THE WRITER When the husband of bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow is found dead in their luxury apartment, NYPD Detective Declan Shaw must unravel whether she is a target, a victim, or the…
New Books Tuesday @ RRPL
These are the books we are adding to our collection this week… BATTLE MOUNTAIN Nate Romanowski seeks vengeance after a devastating attack, while Joe Pickett teams up with a rookie game warden setting both on separate paths destined to collide at Battle Mountain, in the latest addition to the series following Three-Inch Teeth. CLOSE YOUR…
How to Choose Your Next Read
How RRPL Librarians and Staff are breaking into their own TBR lists and suggestions for you: Most used TBR trackers & list makers: To DNF or not to DNF: Whatever your reading style may be this year we encourage an overabundance of holds and checkouts from your local library!!
Imagine Your Story – Sympathetic Serial Killers
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 those characters happen to be serial killers.
If we want to trace the beginnings, though, while I’m sure I was influenced by all the baddies that Stephen King had to offer back in the day, I first, truly fell for a serial killing character in The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. I admit to reading this one after seeing the flick starring Matt Damon and Jude Law. Reading it really made me fall for Ripley, though. So misunderstood, so handsome, so deadly.
Next up was when I met Dexter in the novels by Jeff Lindsay-and my friend tells me the series is great too. But here, too, I encountered an utterly handsome and charming guy, who is almost perfect– minuses for working as a blood spatter analyst (yuck!) and for regularly murdering people (but he only murders bad people!)? So, who wouldn’t fall for that kind of guy…am I right?
Oh, and then there is Patrick Bateman from Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, who was, to be honest, fun reading about, but I wouldn’t want to run into personally. Ew, actually, he was pretty demented, Let’s just skip him.
Which brings me to today’s obsession–Villanelle. My latest serial killer obsession is the star of Killing Eve, a BBC show that just concluded its third season. This British black comedy-drama spy thriller television series follows Eve Polastri (the amazing Sandra Oh), as a British intelligence investigator who has been tasked with capturing the psychopathic assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). As the chase progresses, the two develop a mutual obsession. I’m with you, Eve. I can’t wait for season four either!
I get it if these murderous types aren’t your cup of tea, though. Just wait a week and I’ll likely be back to birds and kittens.
Imagine Your Story This Summer @RRPL
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 to inspire your outdoor activities, we’ve been planning for you.
Summer reading begins June 6 with our RiverCon Kit, Teen Book Kit, Children’s Summer Reading Kit, and Adult Summer Reading slips/postcard pickup. See our online calendar to register for the RiverCon and Teen Book Kits. For the Chidren’s kit, see the calendar for open times to pick up your kits. Adults can attend on Saturday the 6th to pick up Summer Reading slips and to get a lovely Rocky River postcard to mail to a friend. They can also call the Reference Desk and we’ll get slips to you through curbside pickup.
All ages will be using our new online reading log, Beanstack. Beanstack’s user friendly interface and convenient mobile app allow you to participate in our summer reading program from wherever you are. Create an account for yourself or one for your whole family.
Once you have created your account, click “add a reader” and then enter the information for yourself and each family member. Based on age, different readers will have access to their age appropriate reading program. Register each reader for the appropriate reading challenge and start logging books today!
TEENS – GRADES 6-12
Sign up to receive a Summer Reading starter kit that includes a new book, candy, library swag, and a summer reading board. Choose from: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson, or Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page. Starter kits will be distributed beginning Saturday, June 6 once you register for your kit online. Quantities are limited to the first 100 requests.
Summer reading will take place using Beanstack. Teens will get tickets for earning badges and automatically earn a ticket for signing up and another for completion. They will also earn a badge for every book read, up to 10 books, and for every activity completed. Tickets can be entered into the raffle of their choice: $25 gift cards to Mitchells, Starbucks, Panera, Danny Boys, Dollar Tree, Books-a-Million, Immortals, Inc., and Gamestop.
ADULTS
Adults have options when it comes to Summer Reading this year! For every book read, participants can ‘log a book’ on Beanstack, call the Reference Desk so staff can fill out a paper slip, or drop off a paper slip at the library in our Summer Reading mailbox. You can pick up paper slips using our curbside service. Every entry is eligible to receive one ‘virtual’ ticket, and each ticket can be submitted to earn one of seven raffle prize packs. This year’s prize packs feature $50 gift cards to Joe’s Deli, Bomba, Danny Boys, Herb’s Tavern, King Wah, Rocky River Brewing Company, and Wine Bar. Participants can also visit the library’s curbside service to request a free Rocky River postcard while supplies last.
Keep an eye on our calendar, our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and right here on our blog for info about upcoming events and programs at RRPL for Adults and Teens.
June 1-6:
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, June 3, 3:30 p.m.
Due to popular demand we’ve added another virtual book club session! Join us in Google Hangouts for a discussion of the book Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder. This title is available in Hoopla as an audiobook and ebook. We will send an invitation to the event via email closer to the day of the event.
RRPL TRIVIA WITH ZOOM LIVE +
Thursday, June 4, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun night of trivia! Hosted by Cleveland Trivia, you will need to create a Zoom account on your computer or download the app on your phone. Feel free to form teams in advance with your friends or the host will assign teams. Register and you will be emailed an invitation to join this virtual event. Registration required.
BOOK TALKS AT RRPL
Friday, June 5
It’s the first Friday of the month and let’s review some books. In June we’ll be reviewing Dads in fiction. Register for this event and you will be emailed a list of titles so that you can jump into that next great read.
RIVERCON! @ HOME
Saturday, June 6- Monday, June 29
Celebrate comics and fandom with RRPL’s RiverCon @ Home throughout the month of June! Register to reserve your RiverCon @ Home kit that will include materials to make your own recycled comic craft, graphic novel book discussion guides for three select titles (adult, children, and teen), a RiverCon magnet, information on our cosplay contest, and more! Safe and secure pick-up details will be emailed to registrants before the pick-up date of Saturday, June 6th. While supplies last.
Check out the Rivercon page on our website throughout the month of June for more virtual programming you can enjoy from home including interviews with local comic illustrators and authors, a superhero themed storytime, a community cosplay contest, and downloadable graphic novel discussion guides.
GRAPHIC NOVELISTS OF CLEVELAND – Adults & Teens
Saturday, June 6, 2-3 pm
Gotham may get all the attention, but the heart of comics is really in Cleveland. Join Jeff Karem, a professor of literature at Cleveland State University, for an engaging discussion of the rich history of comics and graphic novelists from Cleveland. Presented as part of our RiverCon schedule. Register and you will be emailed an invitation to join this virtual event. Registration required.
Everyone has a story to tell ~
~ Dori
Read it or Weep 