Lots has changed in the years the Berryville Library has been in our current building. We expect lots will change in the years the library will be housed in the new building we are hoping to break ground on soon. That’s why we think it is so important as we move towards this bigger, better future to remember our roots. To that end, we have created the Berryville Library Legacy Project, which lets donors highlight a piece of local history of their choice by selecting photographs to be displayed on the end of a shelving unit at the new library. We also remain committed to helping create a sense of place through our collection, so we are going to highlight our Arkansas section this year. Each month, we’ll look at some of the different books and resources in that collection that feature unique parts of the history and culture of Berryville, Carroll County, the Ozarks, and Arkansas. There’s lots to explore about this place we call home! For August, we’re looking at literature.
Continue reading “Local Roots: August”Category: biography (books)
Dale Ross’s A Voice for Ira
One of Carroll County’s claims to fame is being the birthplace of iconic long-time Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown. Born in Green Forest in 1922, Helen left the county as a child. As an adult, her career path included work as a secretary, ad copywriter, and author before reinventing Cosmopolitan in the 1960s as a magazine for modern single women. After her death in 2012 at the age of 90, she and her husband David Brown–a noted movie producer in his own right who worked on Jaws, among other films–were buried in Sisco Cemetery here in Carroll County at her mother’s family’s plot.
However, as local historian Dale Ross explains in his book A Voice for Ira, Helen’s father Ira is an interesting figure in his own right. Both of Helen’s parents were schoolteachers, but Ira also pursued a successful political career in the 1920s and 1930s. He served multiple terms as a state representative before being appointed Game and Fish Commissioner. He had signaled an interest in running for Secretary of State before he was killed in a bizarre elevator accident in the summer of 1932.
Continue reading “Dale Ross’s A Voice for Ira”Book Buzz: Librarians, 19th Century and Medieval Historical Fiction, Ancient Romans, and Bandit Bios
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For September, we’re looking at historical fiction that covers everything from WWII-era librarians to the Sioux Wars to a famous figure from medieval literature, as well as nonfiction about ancient Rome and a profile of stagecoach robber Black Bart.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Librarians, 19th Century and Medieval Historical Fiction, Ancient Romans, and Bandit Bios”Walk a Mile in My Shoes: September
This year, our theme is “Walk A Mile In My Shoes.” The idea that you can’t understand someone (and shouldn’t judge them) until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes is a pretty common sentiment. And research has shown that reading fiction is one way to really get such a walk going. So, that’s what we are going to do this year: use fiction (and some nonfiction when we just can’t resist) to take walks in someone’s shoes. We hope you join our journey. For September, our theme is addiction.
Continue reading “Walk a Mile in My Shoes: September”Book Buzz: Modern-Day David Copperfields, WWII Romances, Vacations, Rivers, and Journeys
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For November, we’re looking at Barbara Kingsolver’s latest acclaimed novel, a Rebecca-esque romance set during WWII, a throwback to summer, the real-life story of a modern mythical figure, and an audiobook set in medieval Ireland.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Modern-Day David Copperfields, WWII Romances, Vacations, Rivers, and Journeys”Book Buzz: Scottish Fantasy Islands, Commuting, the Weather, Old West Crime, Seafaring Tales, and Housewife Thrillers
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For August, we’re looking at an atmospheric fantasy romance set in Scotland, a celebration of friendship among commuters, a cute romance set at a news station, an engrossing anthology of Westerns with a side of mystery, two fascinating tales of real-life adventure on the high seas, and an audiobook thriller about catty rich housewives.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Scottish Fantasy Islands, Commuting, the Weather, Old West Crime, Seafaring Tales, and Housewife Thrillers”Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends (2014) and Agent Sonya (2020)
If you’re a long-time blog reader, you know that I can be pretty enthusiastic for some of my favorite authors. So, brace yourselves, gentle readers. I have a new favorite author I want to talk about. 🙂
Continue reading “Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends (2014) and Agent Sonya (2020)”What a Wonderful World: October
This year, our theme at the library is What A Wonderful World. We’re focusing on a different color for each month, and October’s is harvest wheat. To that end, we’re highlighting books at the library with that color (or something close to it) on the cover!
Continue reading “What a Wonderful World: October”Book Buzz: Treasure Hunts, Mysterious Games, Nostalgic Rivers, and Awkward Vacations
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For September, we’re looking at a caper mystery surrounding artifacts, an inspirational novel about a treasure hunt in the hills of West Virginia, a fun cozy mystery series, a memoir/family history companion piece to A River Runs Through It, and an audiobook thriller about a destination wedding gone very wrong.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Treasure Hunts, Mysterious Games, Nostalgic Rivers, and Awkward Vacations”Book Buzz: Chinese-History-Inspired Epic Fantasy, Unwitting Hitwomen, WWII-Era Cooking Contests, and Audiobooks Galore
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For May, we’re looking at a fantasy series rooted in Chinese history, a funny cozy mystery with a bit of bite to it, a heartwarming tale set on the homefront during WWII, and a pair of very different audiobooks.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Chinese-History-Inspired Epic Fantasy, Unwitting Hitwomen, WWII-Era Cooking Contests, and Audiobooks Galore”
Berryville Book Buzz 