This month I’ll be enjoying some vacation, including some stay-cationing at home, as well as doing some out-of-state traveling for the first time in a long time. I have a relatively short flight ahead, but we have some long layovers, so I was sure to load up my Kindle with ebooks and my phone with audiobooks from OverDrive to keep me occupied. Nothing is worse than being book-less at the airport! Take a look below to see what I’m currently reading this month.
It’s finally June which means that summer is officially right around the corner! We will be counting down the days until the first day of summer, Sunday, June 20th, by sharing the books we are most excited to read in the months ahead. Each week you’ll get a look at titles that Rocky River Public Library staff can’t wait to dive into!
My first summer read pick is The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo.
This book, just published yesterday (!) is a Best of Summer Pick for Time Magazine and a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 Pick for Oprah Magazine, so I’m definitely not the only person who has been looking forward to this title to hit bookshelves.
Nghi Vo’s debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents the American classic story of The Great Gatsby through a queer, magical, immigrant lens. Reimagining Fitzgerald’s character Jordan Baker as a young, queer woman who was born in Vietnam and raised in white, American high society, Vo invites readers along for a fresh, imaginative look at this Gatsby woman. Jordan has money, education, invitations to the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age, but is treated like an exotic attraction by her peers.
Vo, a Milwaukee-based author, whose previous works include the novellas Then the Tiger Came Down the Mountain and The Empress of Salt and Fortune, said in a recent interview that her early influences include Neil Gaiman, British fantasy writer Angela Carter, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” author Patricia Highsmith, and the popular podcast series “Welcome to Night Vale.”
As many students have had to throughout the years, I first read The Great Gatsby in my high school freshman English class, and wasn’t particularly impressed. I’ve re-read it since then and am a fan of Fitzgerald’s works now, but am very excited to read a modern, diverse voice such as Vo’s take on this well-known narrative. I also love magical realism and this new novel sounds like an amazing mash-up of some of my favorite literary elements!
What are some titles you are excited to read this summer? We’d love for you to share your titles with us this month in the comments! Happy reading!
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend and got to spend some time with loved ones. Though many community fireworks displays were cancelled, it seems like there were numerous backyard fireworks that more than made up for the cancellations, though my dog was not happy about it!
It’s not too late to sign up for Summer Reading – you have until July 27! Join today at Beanstack or call us to register! Even if you only enter one book read, you have a chance to win a gift card to Bomba, Danny Boys, Herb’s Tavern, Joe’s Deli, King Wah, Wine Bar, or the Rocky River Brewing Company. For additional information, check out our Summer Reading Flyer.
WEEK OF JULY 6, 2020
Weeklong Event: Fairytale Scavenger Hunt – All Ages
Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11
Come to the Library grounds and find the hidden Fairytale characters!
Ten Minute Tech Tips: What are Some Facebook Tips & Tricks? – Adults
Tuesday, July 7, 10 am
Join us online at Livestream.com/rrpl for a weekly Ten Minute Tech Tip.
To use the chat feature to ask questions or talk with us, sign up for a free Livestream account before the program. No Registration.
Princeton Review Strategy Session – Teens
Tuesday, July 7, 3-4:30 pm
The experts at The Princeton Review cover everything you need to know about the SAT in this virtual seminar. Learn how the test is built and structured and what that means for you as a test-taker. Catch up on the content tested on the SAT and how the test is scored. Get a sense of how one prepares for the SAT as well as the range of resources available. Registration required at https://www.princetonreview.com/product/offerings/463903
Introduction to Computers II – Part 1 – Adults
Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9 10-10:45 am
Already know how to use a mouse and keyboard? Continue learning about computers in this two-part class where you will discover the functions of different computer components and delve into more comprehensive functions of Windows 10.
Class is in two parts: Wednesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 9, 10:00-10:45 am. Registered students will be given information on how to attend the class online.
Topic Level: BeginningPrerequisite: Attendance in Intro to Computers I or equivalent experience is expected for this class
Register online or call us at 440-333-7610, extension 5503. Registration opens on July 1, 2020, at 9:00 am.
Imagine Your Story: Rocky River Story Writing Workshops – Adults
Thursday, July 9, 6:30-7:30 pmExplore place-based writing in this special virtual writing workshop series presented by Christine Howey of Literary Cleveland. You’ll use Rocky River as inspiration for your work and gain tips on crafting a piece well-suited for oral storytelling. Each participant will be encouraged to share their videos at our River of Stories event the week of July 21-27. Register and you will be emailed an invitation to join this virtual event. Registration required.
Princeton Review Free Practice SAT– Teens
Saturday, July 11, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Come take a free online full-length SAT practice test with The Princeton Review! Familiarize yourself with the format and the content you’ll see on the actual SAT and get in-depth feedback question by question with a comprehensive score report that helps you identify areas of weakness and evaluate your current performance. Registration required here: here: https://www.princetonreview.com/product/offerings/463950
For additional July program information, click here.
Check out the Information Kiosk in front of the library for more information, including Summer Reading, Summer Events and Summer Reading Slips. Return those Summer Reading Slips to our new Summer Reading Mailbox right outside our door.
Hope to see you soon and Happy Reading!
~ Dori
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
As much as I have enjoyed spending time at home with my cats, husband, and favorite yoga pants, I am so stoked about spending some time back in the library beginning next week! Library staff is slowly returning to the library to bring our amazing community some great programming, materials, and more to enjoy this summer! In particular, I am brimming with excitement for RiverCon! That is why there are so many exclamation points already in this post.
If you are into pop culture, comics books, graphic novels, and manga you don’t want to miss this celebration of nerdom. You can take a look at the goodness coming your way on our RiverCon webpage!
We’ve got something for everyone and it all kicks off Saturday, June 6th. What might that day look like for you if you were to participate in this at home mini-con? Let me paint the picture for you!
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.
I’ll be posting some sneak peeks of our RiverCon@Home kits next Thursday, highlighting some more of the great comic book content we have curated for you, and reminding you all of the awesomeness ahead one more time before the big kick-off day! It’s so nice to have something to look forward to these days, don’t you think?
Stay safe and well until next time!
On Monday we launched our Adult Summer Reading Program here at Rocky River Public Library.
Stop by the Adult Reference Desk to participate in summer reading for adults. Read a book or magazine, attend a program or show us a receipt with at least five items checked out and earn a qualifying entry. Entries will be entered into a raffle for a weekly gift basket and for the grand prize: a gift certificate to the Cleveland Orchestra.
Register below or stop in the Library to register at the Adult Reference Desk.
REGISTER— Register for the Adult Summer Reading Program
SUBMIT– Enter one submission per book that is read during the summer reading months. Each title or program that is submitted will qualify you for an entry in that week’s gift basket drawing.
Check out our blog (www.readitorweep.org) or the Library’s Facebook page to view weekly prizes
This week prize:
It’s true, our Adult Summer Reading program is coming to a close this week, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still sign up or enter your book submissions! We will be accepting new sign ups and book entries through the week. You can submit your entries at the reference desk of RRPL or online at http://www.rrpl.org.
Every entry this week will get you a chance to win this gift basket:
And every entry that was submitted throughout the entire program this summer will be submitted into our drawing for our grand prize basket! Check out all the goodies we have for a lucky someone!
We will be doing the drawing for our grand prize winner at our End of Summer Reading Celebration on Wednesday, August 10, 7-8 p.m. in the Community Room! Joins us to discuss your favorite reads and light refreshments.
Happy reading!
Beth
This week our Adult Summer Reading Raffle Basket has some fun for the whole family! We have indoor and outdoor games, Cavs gear, and a DQ gift card.
Click here for information on how to participate.
This week we are going to stick to some of the best things in life: books, chocolate, and coffee!
Click here for information on how YOU could win this gift basket!
We are already into our fourth week of summer reading! This week our raffle basket features goodies for some outdoor family fun. We have a handheld bubble machine, water paddle ball set, books, a Dairy Queen gift card, and a Cleveland Cavaliers Moondog hand puppet, all included in a stylish beach bag. Be sure to get your reading entries in before we draw the name for this basket!
For participation information, click here!
Happy reading!
Beth
Read it or Weep 