For the summer program theme of “Imagine We’re Not in Berryville Anymore,” we’ve been celebrating all manner of speculative fiction, including myths and fantasy. Of course, one of the most appealing things about fantasy is the means of escape it provides to another world–and the sheer amount of imagination that fantasy writers use in creating their worlds.
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For July, we’re looking at a haunting work of historical fiction about the Mexican Revolution, some snappy but gritty mysteries from an Arkansas writer, and a biography of an offbeat classic horror writer.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Bee Blankets, Arkansas Mysteries, and Shirley Jackson”
As we announced back in early June, we’re trying to raise $10,000 for the building fund this summer, and all you have to do to help is read (and log your hours)! Over 350 people have signed up. Over 230 have started recording hours. We reached our halfway point of 5,000 hours on June 29. We are so excited for how enthusiastic participation has been and appreciate everyone who is participating. But we have to make it to 10,000 hours by July 31 to get the $10,000, so let’s not slow down! And it’s not too late to join us
Our year-long Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World program has been a fun way to highlight different places across the globe. I’ve been writing posts that highlight books in these settings, but our faithful, fashionable, and intrepid library goose Penelope has actually been seeing the sights herself. (If you’ve been to the library, you’ve no doubt admired Penelope and her elegant wardrobe as she guards the circulation desk.) She’s been posting regular updates on our Facebook page, but she also wanted to share a quick blog post. And who am I to say no to our favorite goose?
[Note: There is some vigorous debate among the library staff about whether or not our dear Penelope is a goose or a duck, and she is kind of evasive on the topic herself. . . .]
Our library theme for 2020 is Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World–because with the library, you truly can travel around the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Every month in 2020, we’ll be landing at a new place on the globe. In June, we’re in London, but that’s mainly just a Harry Potter tie-in, so in honor of the Imagine Your Story summer reading theme, I’ll be highlighting books that evoke or engage with myths and fairy tales from around the world.
Continue reading “Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: Mythology/Fairy Tales”
Note: Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our county, we’ve had to close the building to the public again. However, we are still doing curbside service. Please check out our website for more information on how you can continue to check out items like the movie reviewed today. Thanks for your patience and cooperation!
The Kim family lives in unremitting poverty in Seoul, South Korea, though it’s not for lack of trying. Still, they subsist on meager wages from a pizza box folding job, and the most exciting part of their day is scoring free Wifi for their phones. That is, until son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) scores a job tutoring for the wealthy Park family. He sees a good opportunity–not only for himself but the rest of the family–and starts plotting to insinuate his parents (Song Kang-ho and Jang Hye-jin) and sister (Park So-dam) into the Park family’s life as well. Complications ensue.
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. Usually, I profile a sample of various random new books, but this time around, I noticed 3 books that are all the first in a series, and the summer is as good a time as any to try a new series. Starting a new one might be a wiser move than what I’m doing–rereading an old favorite (George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire . . . because I like to suffer. 😉 )
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Bad Days, Orc Princesses, and Cold Cases”
It’s time for summer reading, and if you’re a long-time library user you know the drill: go to the library, sign up, log your reading and activities in a paper booklet, get prizes. But this year we have some cool new additions that will let you participate without ever leaving home (except to pick up prizes) and will let you help us raise a very cool 10G for a new library facility.
Continue reading “Want to Help Us Raise $10,000 for a New Library Building?”
Our library theme for 2020 is Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World–because with the library, you truly can travel around the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Every month in 2020, we’ll be landing at a new place on the globe. In May, we’re in India.
Continue reading “Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: India”
Hey, everybody, some of you already know this but just confirming that as of today, Tuesday, May 26, the library is partially reopening. This is part of a phased reopening–we are expanding our hours of operations and the services we are providing–however, we are not completely returning to normal. We still must have procedures in place to ensure social distancing and sanitation. So, exactly what does that mean?
Berryville Book Buzz 