Comic Book Writer to Talk with Tweens at Hampton Park Library

Young fans of comic books, graphic novels, and Percy Jackson are invited to meet author Robert Venditti at a special event for rising 4th through 8th graders on Wednesday, July 15 at the Hampton Park Library.

Venditti will read excerpts from his latest book and talk with participants about writing for novels and graphic novels at 4:30 p.m. A book signing will follow the event and attendees may bring their own copies or purchase books at the event. Admission to the event is free and advance registration is not required.

He may be most widely known for his graphic novel adaptations of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series, but Venditti is also the New York Times best-selling author of The Homeland Directive, a graphic novel for adults.

In 2009, Venditti’s 5-issue comic book limited series The Surrogates was adapted into a feature film starring Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames. His current work includes three monthly comic book series for two major distributors: X-O Manowar for Valiant Entertainment and Green Lantern and The Flash for DC Comics.

During this visit to the library, Venditti will discuss his debut children’s novel, Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape: Attack of the Alien Horde. The book was published by Simon & Schuster in June and tween-age readers will enjoy following Miles as he enters 7th grade at a new school. When he unexpectedly inherits a golden cape with superpowers, he also becomes responsible for saving Earth from alien invaders.

Rick Riordan praised the story, saying the book is “[c]lever and funny with an irresistible premise, this middle grade adventure/comic book hybrid will engage even the most reluctant reader. Somebody get me a golden cape, stat!”

“Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape fits perfectly with this year’s superhero-focused summer reading theme,” says Laura Bradley, Program Manager. “Many of our tween and teen patrons know Venditti’s work the Percy Jackson series and it will be a special treat to see him in person.”

If you’re not familiar with graphic novels and want to check out some of Venditti’s books, several are available in the library’s collection, says Bradley. “Patrons may use their library card account to place a request for Venditti’s graphic novels online, or they can visit any library branch to browse our collection of graphic novels for children, teens, and adults.”

For more information on this and other Summer Reading Fun programs, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Library Limelight: Beth Moore, Information Specialist

Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians and staff.  We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!

Beth relaxes outdoors.

Beth Moore

Information Specialist

Hampton Park Library

Where is your hometown?

Minden, Nebraska, but I’ve lived in Georgia since 1966. I grew up in Decatur, and moved to Forsyth County in 1987 when I got married.

How long have you been at FCPL?

I started in September of 2003, so almost 12 years.

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

Circulation Assistant, Human Resources Representative, and Information Specialist

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I started bringing my triplets to the “new” Cumming library when it opened in 1992 and it was truthfully one of the only places where staff/employees seemed genuinely happy to see me walk in with triplet boys! 

I never forgot that, so it was the one place I always aimed to work when I got the chance. I was teaching Special Education full-time in 2003, but my boys were still young, and I was finding it impossible to juggle everything and still find time to sleep. I saw the job opening and am very lucky it worked out.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Librarians are the great equalizers.

What is unique about your job?

Probably that I actually really enjoy my job. Not everyone can say that.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I won’t lie, one of the best perks of this job is seeing all the new books come through and reading, reading, reading! I also get a kick out of talking with my “regulars” about books when they come in. You develop relationships and sometimes we’re the only place they go where they get service with a smile. It means a lot to people.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?

When I was a senior in high school, I fled the New England winter and worked at the Bermuda Biological Station for three months doing research on the effects of pollution on marine life in the Sargasso Sea. I had always wanted to be a Marine Biologist, but I quickly headed in a different direction upon learning how much math and science I’d need to take in college! 

What are your hobbies?

Reading, swimming, snorkeling and spoiling my dog, a 14 year old rescue Collie mix.

What are you reading right now?

I’m finishing A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, starting Finders Keepers by Stephen King, and listening to In the Woods by Harlen Coben, because I’ll listen to anything Scott Brick narrates. I am also reading my first graphic novel, March: Book 1 by Congressman John Lewis, whom I’ve always admired.

Paper books or eBooks?

Both, and audio for my commute.

Staff Picks

Financial problems lead to legal ones for an out-of-work poet on the brink of divorce in The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter.  This humorous morality tale offers commentary on modern life, often in stanza and verse.

Poetry lovers and fans of the HBO series Breaking Bad will appreciate how things go from bad to worse when trying to make a profit from the illegal drug market.

In Brock Clarke’s An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England, Sam Pulsifer serves his sentence for burning the historic Emily Dickinson home then becomes the main suspect in a bizarre crime spree when the homes of other famous authors go up in flames.

You don’t need to be a lit major to enjoy the twists in these dark comedies.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Staff Picks

With secrets, betrayals and three unreliable (and unlikable) narrators, The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller that’s being compared to Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. 

This intriguing story is set in London where the chronically drunk Rachel spends a daily commute obsessing over her ex-husband and imagining a perfect life-- not for herself but for a younger couple that lives in her former neighborhood.  As in Gone Girl Rachel’s narrative and that of her romantic rival just don’t add up.  Throw in the perspective of the new young woman on the block and the ride really gets interesting-- especially when one of the narrators goes missing.

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Staff Picks

Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag

Hush Hush by Laura Lippman

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah







Mary Ann Kowaleski
Information Specialist

Staff Picks

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant







Trina Schlecht
Information Specialist

Author and Animal Communicator Coming to Sharon Forks Library

Local animal lover Tim Link is a nationally syndicated radio host, an author of two books, and a consultant, among other accolades. But most people are intrigued by his ability to communicate with animals, a talent he’ll share with patrons at a book signing and author talk at the Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Link says his ability to communicate with any species of animal came as a surprise when he accompanied his wife to a pet workshop in 2004. “I communicate with animals through an intuitive connection with them. I am able to connect with them, ask them the questions that their human companions want to know and then communicate this information back to the human companions. The animals are also able to share with me anything that may be on their mind and I relay that information to the human companion as well.”

Even if pet owners don’t have this special gift, they can still become more effective in communicating with their pets, says Link. “As with any member of the family, building better relationships with your pet is based on mutual respect and an understanding of what is expected from the pet and the other family members (human or animal).”

Link’s second book, Talking with Dogs and Cats: Joining the Conversation to Improve Behaviors and Bond with Your Animals, will be published by New World Library on June 2 and is dedicated to helping pet owners decode what their pet’s meow, bark, tweet, or stare actually means.

Victoria Stillwell, trainer, author, and host of the Animal Planet television show It’s Me or the Dog, wrote the foreword for the book. Other notable animal experts have praised Talking with Dogs and Cats as well.

“You’ll discover ways to solve common pet problems and make interacting with animals more meaningful,” says Marty Becker, DVM, a member of the Board of Directors of the American Humane Association, as well as its Chief Veterinary Correspondent.

Link will begin his appearance at the Sharon Forks Library with a brief talk on his methods. Following a short question-and-answer session, Link will sign books for patrons. Link will have copies of Talking with Dogs and Cats available for purchase at the signing.

For more information on the event, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Kids Get Free Digital Magazines at the Library

Today Forsyth County Public Library is expanding its partnership with digital magazine provider Flipster and will begin offering 16 new magazine titles exclusively for children.

“Flipster has been incredibly popular,” says Stephen Kight, Assistant Director for Public Services. “Our adult patrons have completed over 14,000 downloads and online views since Flipster launched in September 2014 and we expect that our youngest patrons will also enjoy reading digital magazines with Flipster for Kids.”

Launching Flipster for Kids at the start of the summer may also prove successful, especially considering efforts parents, teachers, and librarians are making to encourage kids to continue reading over the summer break.

There are a variety of subjects covered in Flipster for Kids, says Kight. “Click, Cricket, Ladybug, Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick, Jr., Spider, Zoobies, and Zootles are in the collection, so preschoolers and early elementary school students can view pictures and age-appropriate articles on art, science, wildlife, and culture, as well as reading short stories and poems.”

“We have also purchased Flipster digital subscriptions to Ask, Boys Life, Cobblestone, Dig Into History, Discovery Girls, Faces, Sports Illustrated Kids, and Zoobooks recommended for ages 6 and up so older elementary school students have additional choices in reading about history, adventure, applied science, and sports,” says Kight.

Patrons can use their library card to access Flipster for Kids. They can view a web-based version of a magazine or download a magazine via the Flipster app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

Patrons do not need to be inside a library branch to access the service, so families will find it easy to “pack” their digital magazines on vacations, picnics, or short trips around town. With automatic expirations and returns, young patrons – and their parents – will not have to worry about late fees. When the borrowing period ends, the title will simply disappear from the patron’s account and the Flipster app, if used. If additional reading time is needed, patrons may log back into their Library account to check out the item again.

To browse the selection of magazines available in Flipster or Flipster for Kids and check out a digital magazine, please visit www.forsythpl.org.