Happy National Library Week!
National Library Week is held from April 12-18.  This year the theme is “Unlimited possibilities @ your library®.” I think that should be the theme every year, because that really is what libraries have always meant to me.  Every since I was a child I have held the library in the highest regard.   The stacks seemed a lot taller then, but the endless rows up books are still a wonder of all information.  When I was an undergraduate I worked as a periodicals assistant at the university library.  That meant I was responsible for shelving the last twelve months of peer-reviewed journals.   It was eye opening to discover how many possible fields of study I could pursue.  It turns out that I couldn’t pick one, so I decided I’d like to spend the rest of my professional career with constant access to as much information as possible.  That’s how I found myself here today.

Libraries still hold a very special place in my heart.  I collect library cards from all over the state, and I often find myself inside unfamiliar buildings exploring libraries when I travel. I’ll be spending my week maxing out my borrowed items on as many library cards as possible, being grateful that I live in Ohio, where I have access to all of the public libraries in the state. If you are looking for a few ways to celebrate National Library Week, check out some of these latest additions, and stop by the Adult Reference Desk in our Grand Reading Room to enter yourself in our National Library Week giveaway.

Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore

Descent by Tim Johnston

Florence Gordon by Brian Morton

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

Have a happy National Library Week!

Happy reading,

—Beth

Did you get to travel this past holiday weekend?  My husband and I made a trip four hours south to tropical Cincinnati to visit his parents.  Okay, I know tropical isn’t a very accurate description, but I live in Cleveland and I’m pretty easy to please.  Cincinnati is always at least ten degrees warmer, and their seasons seem to change approximately a week earlier than Cleveland.  That means I saw green grass and budding blossoms.  A four hour trip there and back also meant we could put a good dent into an audio book, so we did.  We listened to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  It’s been a few decades since either of us had read it for school, and we wanted to refresh our memory of it before Go Set a Watchman arrives on shelves in a few months.  It’s still one of our favorite classics and we enjoyed sharing the experience together.

Whether you’re in the market for a classic or looking for a your next new to you book to read, our Reading Room has you covered with great recommendations.

Here is a list of some of our latest additions:

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
Place a hold

The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins
Place a hold

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan
Place a hold

The Sun Is god by Adrian McKinty
Place a hold

Wolf In White Van by John Darnielle
Place a hold

Happy reading!

—Beth

This time of year I can’t help but feel a tinge of wanderlust creeping into my being as the weather starts to change and I emerge from my hibernation.  One place I’ve always been curious about is Alaska.  Though we often think about how cold and snowy Alaska is, I can’t help but be curious about the beautiful nature preserved in that remote part of the world.  I look forward to visiting all fifty states throughout my lifetime, especially Alaska.  Did you know that on this date in 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars?   There was a lot of skepticism at the time, calling it “Seward’s folly,” and the press referred to it as “Seward’s icebox” and Andrews Johnson’s “polar bear garden.”  (Library of Congress) Frankly, I’m thankful for that purchase 148 years ago and look forward to exploring the polar bear garden someday,  hopefully soon.

Now, enough about far off states, let’s get back to our regularly scheduled report of the Reading Room’s Latest Additions.

Bingo’s Run by James A. Levine
Place a hold

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
Place a hold

My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh
Place a hold

Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof
Place a hold

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Place a hold

Happy reading!
—Beth

Did you miss me yesterday?  I sure missed you.  Believe me, I would have much rather been at work writing up our latest additions to the Reading Room rather than the alternative.  Life has a funny way of throwing some tough situations at us when we least expect them.  This past weekend included a car accident for my husband (don’t worry, everyone was fine), and a case of food poisoning for myself. I’ll spare you the details, but just know I would have much rather spent Sunday evening preparing for my work week and Monday at work.    On the bright side, we both survived, relatively unscathed, and I had a lot of down time to get some reading in, so now I’m looking for my next read.   Maybe I’ll choose from one of the following latest additions:

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Place a hold

Amazing Gracie by Sherryl Woods
Place a hold

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Place a hold 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Place a hold

The Wonder of All Things by Jason Mott
Place a hold

After reviewing some of our latest additions to the Reading Room, it’s safe to say I will be adding a few of these to my “to read” list.  Until next time, I wish you all a safe and healthy week!

Happy reading!

—Beth

Happy Monday!  Maybe it’s a happy Monday because warmer weather is finally upon us, or maybe you are having a happy Monday because you are just an all around optimistic person.  If you aren’t having a happy Monday, may I suggest you attempt to turn it around in order to kick-start your week in a positive manner.

Some suggestions for turning an ordinary Monday into a happy Monday include:

• Treat yourself to your favorite ice cream.
• Go for a walk with a friend.
• Watch videos of cute animals on YouTube.
• Write a letter of gratitude to someone in your life.
• Perform a random act of kindness.
• Find yourself a good book to read.

If you decide on my final suggestion and are in need of some suggestions, here are a few of our latest additions to the Reading Room:

How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
Place a hold

Pegasus: A Novel by Danielle Steel
Place a hold

Season of the Dragonflies by Sarah Creech
Place a hold

Spark by John Twelve Hawks
Place a hold

The Drop by Dennis Lehane
Place a hold

Thanks for checking out the latest  additions to the RRPL Reading Room.  Happy reading!

—Beth

HOORAY!  The sun is out! The snow is melting!  HOORAY!  We’ve been lucky enough to have multiple beautiful days in the Cleveland area and that’s cause for a celebration!  I’m all about celebrating the small things, along with the big events in life.  Frankly, seeing the sun regularly and watching the snow melt seems like a huge event!    One of my favorite ways to celebrate is by slowing down and taking it easy, possibly while indulging in a cheese platter.  I highly recommend it. Nice work, fellow Ohioans, you’ve survived another brutal winter.   Now let’s all enjoy the coming rainy season with some good books,  and if you’re interested, maybe some cheese.  Here are some of the latest additions to the Reading Room:

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith
Place hold

Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
Place hold

Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Place hold

Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Place hold

House Broken by Sonja Ingrid Yoerg
Place hold

Happy reading!

—Beth

Some may say Monday is not a fun day.  It’s the start of a brand new work week. If that sounds bleak, perhaps it’s time to make a tweak and plan yourself a get-a-way.

-Ode to Monday, inspired by Dr. Seuss, who was born on this day in 1904.

Now, for some greatest renditions —er— I mean latest additions!

2 A.M. at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino
Place Hold

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
Place Hold

All the Rage by Courtney Summers
Place Hold

The Widower’s Tale by Julia Glass
Place Hold

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
Place Hold

Happy Reading!

—Beth

Oh, did you watch the Oscars last night?  What was your favorite part?  Full disclosure, I did not watch the Oscars last night.   I had a busy day hosting my brother’s birthday dinner and by 8:00 p.m. I was in bed, cuddled up with a book.  Lights out by 9:00 p.m..    I did, however, see highlights from the the Academy Awards as I scanned through social media this morning.    Thanks to the wonderful powers of the internet, I got to see some highlights including Lady Gaga’s tribute performance of “The Hills Are Alive” and the powerful speech by Patricia Arquette.  If you also opted for reading instead of watching, and are now in need of another book to read, check out some of our latest additions to the Reading Room.

Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson

River by Beverly Lewis

The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna Van Praag

The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

Though all of the listed titles merit your consideration as  possible contenders for future reading, The Girl on the Train and The Rosie Effect are most certainly getting a lot of buzz these days.  In fact,  I wouldn’t be surprised to see them on a few award lists.  Maybe this time next year we will be talking about the movie versions being nominated for…dare I say it…Academy Awards?!  PURELY FLIMSY SPECULATION!  I truly know nothing about the movie rights to these titles.  *pinky swear*

Happy reading!

—Beth

It’s Presidents’ Day and I hope you’re celebrating by staying inside and cozying up with a great book!   I know that is how I would be celebrating if it were up to me!  It’s a perfect day, week, and month to stay in and make a dent in your library shelf.  By ‘library shelf’, I mean the dedicated shelf of your bookshelf that is filled with library books.  Surely I’m not the only one with a dedicated library shelf.   Are you looking to add more titles to your library shelf?  Check out some of the titles that have recently been added to The Reading Room.

An Age of License by Lucy Knisley

Another Night, Another Day by Sarah Rayner

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley

How I Made it to Eighteen: A Mostly True Story by Tracy White

Mermaids in Paradise: A Novel by Lydia Millet

Happy reading!

—Beth

Happy National Read in the Bathtub day!

Well, it is a shame that this is not a holiday that is recognized by government offices, because it seems like one of the most fabulous of holidays!

Beth here!  I’ll be delivering your Latest Additions from this day onward.  Want to know a little about me?  Okay, here you go.  As you may have guessed, I’m one of the Adult Reference Librarians here at RRPL.  I previously taught computer classes at RRPL.  I enjoy reading fiction, short stories, and occasionally non-fiction.  In my free time I enjoy baking pies, collecting vintage Pyrex dishes, and scouring the beaches of Lake Erie for beach glass. Enough about me, let’s get into the good stuff!

Here are some of the latest additions to The Reading Room (any of which would make an excellent companion for celebrating National Read in the Bathtub Day):

The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

When the World was Young: A Novel by Elizabeth Gaffney

The Bishop’s Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison

Revival: A Novel by Stephen King

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

I hope you find a title that is worthy of this special holiday!

—Beth

P.S. Please don’t harm any library books while celebrating National Read in the Bathtub Day! 🙂