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 August, we’re in Botswana.
Continue reading “Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: Botswana”Movie Review: Emma. (2020)
Emma is a fantastic matchmaker–just ask her. She successfully paired up her beloved governess with a local widower, and buoyed by that success, Emma turns her sights on finding a husband for her friend, Harriet. In Regency England, successful matchmaking entails more than just joining two souls in love–it also involves ensuring financial security and securing/maintaining social status. Emma’s brother-in-law and family friend George Knightley warns her against the matchmaking shenanigans, but what could possibly go wrong when she starts trying to pair up the socially disadvantaged Harriet with the local bachelors? Lots. Lots could go wrong.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
I posted this earlier this summer (here and here) about our reading challenge to raise money for our building fund for a new library facility. The goal was for folks to read 10,000 hours during this year’s summer reading program (a real jump from the 6,800-ish hours read during the previous summer). The Judy G. Western family was willing to match the amount, dollar for hour, as long as we hit 10,000 hours. So, how did we do?
Book Buzz: Pilgrim Brides, Medieval Amateur Detectives, and Mysterious Relics
Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For August, we’re looking at a family saga of romance and American history, medieval murder, and a new look at a very old historical debate, the Shroud of Turin.
Continue reading “Book Buzz: Pilgrim Brides, Medieval Amateur Detectives, and Mysterious Relics”
Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: Fantasy
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 July, we were
scheduled to be in New Zealand (as a nod to the Lord of the Rings series) but then came a
quarantine (more about that later–poor Penelope). All of this to show that escape is more
important than ever in our COVID-filled world, so let’s talk about some newer fantasy novels instead! 🙂
Continue reading “Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: Fantasy”
Discussion Post: Favorite Fantasy
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.
Book Buzz: Bee Blankets, Arkansas Mysteries, and Shirley Jackson
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”
Summer Reading Challenge Update
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
Guest Blogger: Penelope the Goose
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. . . .]
Your Library Card, Your Ticket to the World: Mythology/Fairy Tales
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”
Berryville Book Buzz 