YA Books - Not Just for Teens

When we come to the library to hunt for something new, we are usually on “auto-pilot” and head directly for the adult section of the library. Yet YA books have a lot to offer, even for those of us beyond our teenage years. And there’s lots of variety!

For example, for a walk down memory lane and a chuckle or two, consider reading one of Beverly Cleary’s wonderful YA books, which include: Fifteen, Jean and Johnny, The Luckiest Girl and Sister of the Bride.

For those of us who still love our superheroes, think about starting the new DC Icons series. The first book in the series, Wonder Woman™: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, was just released on August 29^th, and will be followed by Batman™: Nightwalker by Marie Lu on January 2, 2018; Catwoman™ by Sarah J. Maas in the summer of 2018, and Superman™ by Matt de la Peña in the spring of 2019.

Finally, lovers of fairy tales will want to consider watching for The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, which is due out on January 30, 2018. This dark fairy tale has been described by one reviewer as “pure imagination candy.”

Books in Series

Those of us who read a lot love nothing better than to discover a good book series to start. (The idea that there are more enjoyable books that follow the one we’re reading is indescribably reassuring, somehow.) With that in mind, here are some books in series, both classic and newer, to consider:

-          The Game of Thrones series, by George R. R. Martin

-          The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

-          The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling

-          The Mitford series, by Jan Karon (latest book due out on September 19^th)

-          The Millennium Trilogy, by Steig Larsson

Some Forthcoming Books for Fall

Readers who enjoy keeping up with the newest book releases will certainly be busy this fall! Here’s just a sample of what you can expect:

-        Y is for Yesterday, the latest book in Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series, will be released next week (August 22nd)

-        Glass Houses, Louise Penny’s latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel, will be released on August 29^th

-         Author Ken Follett continues writing about the fictional city of Kingsbridge (the setting for The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End) in A Column of Fire, to be released on September 12^th

Nonfiction fans can look forward to Braving the Wilderness: the Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, by Brené Brown; and What Happened, by Hillary Rodham Clinton (both to be released on September 12^th).

Books to Shows on PBS

Many avid readers are also enthusiastic viewers of the latest series and stories that PBS has to offer. While you’re anxiously waiting for the next installment of your favorite series, why not read some of the books that inspired those programs – or read the book that’s the source for something you’ve already seen? Here are some examples:

-  Call the Midwife – The first few seasons of this popular series are based on books in Jennifer Worth’s Midwife Trilogy series, including Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times

-  Grantchester - Grantchester is based on The Grantchester Mysteries series by James Runcie

-  Poldark - Poldark is based on the Poldark family novels by Winston Graham. The first book in the series is Ross Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1783-1787

- To Walk Invisible – to learn more about the Brontë family, the subject of this program, try reading The Brontës: a Life in Letters, by Juliet R.V. Barker

Once Upon a Crime

Are you addicted to “Law and Order” episodes? Can’t stop watching “Criminal Minds?” Then make sure to stop in and pick up a book from our newest book display, which showcases the theme “Once Upon a Crime.” From Jack the Ripper to the Charles Manson family to a book on crime scene forensic science, our August book display is full of material about real criminals and true crimes. Stop in and check them out!

Library and Book Lovers, Something For You

In today’s digital age, many people have probably never used a library card catalog. But for some of us, the card catalog is an enduring memory and something we still miss. For anyone nostalgic and/or curious about this long-standing library institution, the Library of Congress has recently published a wonderful book: The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures. Chronicle Books, the book’s publisher, provides this description: “Featuring more than 200 full-color images of original catalog cards, first edition book covers, and photographs… [and] packed with engaging facts on literary classics—from Ulysses to The Cat in the Hat to Shakespeare's First Folio to The Catcher in the Rye—this package is an ode to the enduring magic and importance of books.”