Library Hosts University Exhibit on Internment of Japanese Americans

The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University will host “The Tragedy of War: Japanese American Internment” at the Post Road Library, February 7 – 28. The exhibit will be available to the public during normal library operating hours.

“The Museum develops traveling exhibits like this one to provide context for some of the more complex stories of World War II,” explains Program Manager Laura Bradley. “Last year, we partnered with the Museum to display an exhibit called ‘Beyond Rosie: Women in World War II.’ This year, the exhibit will focus on the internment of Japanese Americans.”

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned an investigation of Japanese Americans living in Hawaii and on the west coast. Authorities feared that Japanese residents were disloyal and might aid in a Japanese invasion of the United States

President Roosevelt learned from a report submitted in November 1941 that there was no “Japanese problem” and that Japanese Americans were remarkably loyal to the United States. Still, with the support of Congress and the Supreme Court, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 in February 1942, authorizing the forced removal of approximately 120,000 ethnic Japanese from their homes, businesses, and communities.

They were forced into a series of camps to live under armed guard. About two-thirds of those forced into the internment camps were American citizens.

Japanese Americans contested these charges of disloyalty throughout the war and later sought formal redress. In 1983, a bipartisan congressional committee concluded that confinement was based on war hysteria, failure of government and military leadership, and racism against those of Japanese ancestry.

"The Tragedy of War" revisits the injustice of Japanese-American confinement by telling their stories and asking questions that resonate today.

A study guide is available online for students in grades 9 through 12 to explore and think critically about the exhibit.

#ShelfLife - January 27, 2017

Happy Friday, fellow readers! Today is extra special because it's #ChocolateCakeDay and we've been watching Instagram users post pictures of mouthwateringly decadent desserts. If you've got a sweet tooth, celebrate this special day with us by checking out a cookbook, making a cake, and enjoying it with a tall glass of cold milk.

Don't have a great book to enjoy with your cake? We do! Stop by the library for a weekend reading recommendation.

But, we'll understand if you're busy standing guard over your chocolate cake at home. If that's the case, keep one hand on your fork and use the other hand to check out an eBook, eAudiobook, or a digital magazine from our eLibrary.

While your materials are downloading, take a look at these books now on the shelves at FCPL:

We think it’s always the right time to enjoy a slice of chocolate cake, but today is #ChocolateCakeDay, so we’re *obligated* to have a piece, right? Stop by the library and pick up a cookbook and a bit of chocholate-flavored reading for the weekend. . Pictured here are THE PALEO CHOCOLATE LOVERS’ COOKBOOK, THE CHOCOLATE CAKE SUTRA: INGREDIENTS FOR A SWEET LIFE, SWEET REVENGE, and MARTHA STEWART’S CAKES, all on the shelves at the Cumming Library right now. . #cake #chocolate #chocoholic #ShelfLife #fridayreads #librariesofinstagram #cookbooks #nonfiction #mystery #bookstagram

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 27, 2017 at 8:36am PST

Obsessed with the History Channel’s TV series VIKINGS? Find out the *real* story of the medieval Norsemen and their adventures in BEYOND THE NORTHLANDS: VIKING VOYAGES AND THE OLD NORSE SAGAS by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough. #ShelfLife #vikings #history

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 27, 2017 at 6:29am PST

The American Library Association announced winners of the 2017 youth media awards in Atlanta on Monday. MARCH: BOOK THREE was recognized with four awards, including the Corretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, and the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. . The graphic novel memoir trilogy was written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell. Check out all three installments in this series at the library! . #ShelfLife #JohnLewis #march #ala #bookawards

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 26, 2017 at 11:24am PST

WILDLIFE SPECTACLES is an awe-inspiring exploration of the most remarkable displays of animal behavior in North America. Zoologist Vladimir Dinets clearly explains how the spectacles work, why they happen, and where they can be seen in real life. #ShelfLife #nonfiction #wildlifewednesday #wildlifespectacles

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 25, 2017 at 9:27am PST

THE DARKEST DARK by astronaut Chris Hadfield is a tale inspired by his own real-life childhood. The story follows a little boy's imaginative journey through the universe, where his adventures in space are challenged by his fear of the dark. #ShelfLife #kidlit #childrensliterature #STEAM #space #science #astronaut

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 24, 2017 at 10:23am PST

Today is #NationalHandwritingDay! This day was chosen by Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977 because it is John Hancock's birthday. Hancock is famously remembered for his large and stylish signature on Declaration of Independence and "John Hancock" has become a synonym for "signature" in the U.S. If you'd like to work on your handwriting today, emulate John Hancock's style with MASTERING CALLIGRAPHY by Gaye Godfrey-Nicholls. Or, get creative and use your handwriting to tell a comic book story with THE DC COMICS GUIDE TO COLORING AND LETTERING COMICS by Mark Chiarello (@markchidc) and Todd Klein. #ShelfLife #toddklein #handwriting #lettering #handlettering #crafty

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 23, 2017 at 7:16am PST

Staff Picks: Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm (Juvenile Fiction)

Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm

I am always thrilled to learn something new while reading a book. Full of Beans is a great historical fiction book set in Depression Era Key West. While you follow Beans on his many schemes to earn money for his family (and treats), the history of Key West and how it became a tourist destination are revealed. This juvenile book by Jennifer Holm is perfect for kids in grades 3-5, but this grown-up loved it, too.

Kim Ottesen
Youth Specialist

Local Experts Discuss Global Politics at Cumming Library

Professors from the University of North Georgia (UNG) will lead a series of eight discussions on complex global issues at the Cumming Library. The series is part of Great Decisions 2017, a national program presented by the Foreign Policy Association to help local communities better understand global politics, government, and foreign issues that affect the United States.

Each session will be held on Thursday evenings in February and March (no meeting March 16) at 7:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street. Admission is free, but advance registration is requested at www.forsythpl.org, or by calling 770-781-9840.

The Great Decisions 2017 Briefing Book
can be purchased online or borrowed
from the library. A DVD is also available.

The first event in the Great Decisions series will focus on the European Union (EU) and the impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to exit the EU. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Associate Department Head and Professor, Department of Political Science & International Affairs at UNG, will address Europe’s refugee crisis, lingering financial recession, and the constant threat of terrorism in “The Future of Europe” on Thursday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.

The U.S. political mood toward trade has gone sour, as evidenced by President Trump’s recent action to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Dr. Michael Gove, Assistant Professor of Economics in the Mike Cottrell College of Business will lead a discussion on the metrics used to gauge economic strength and how the U.S. can develop appropriate policy solutions in “Trade and Politics” on Thursday, February 9.

In “Conflict in the South China Sea,” Dr. Christopher Jespersen, Dean of UNG’s College of Arts & Letters, will dissect the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, explain China’s increasing naval presence, and outline the careful diplomacy required to keep tensions from boiling over. This discussion will be held on Thursday, February 16.

Many American policymakers say that Saudi Arabia’s promotion of Wahhabism, an extremely conservative version of Islam, creates jihadists. They also point to the country’s lack of democracy, women’s rights and human rights as a source of instability. Dr. Victoria Hightower, Associate Professor in UNG’s Department of History, Anthropology & Philosophy, will address these topics and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s attempts to shift political power to a younger generation in “Saudi Arabia in Transition,” on Thursday, February 23.

Topics for discussion in March include U.S. Foreign Policy and Petroleum, Latin America’s Political Pendulum, Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Nuclear Security.

While advance knowledge of these topics is not required to participate in the Great Decisions series, the Foreign Policy Association published a Great Decisions 2017 Briefing Book that can be purchased online or borrowed from the Forsyth County Public Library’s collection. A Great Decisions 2017 DVD is also available online and at the library and includes eight 30-minute documentaries.

For more information, or to register to attend a Great Decisions discussion, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Staff Picks: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (Adult Fiction)

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

I am constantly listening to audiobooks in my car and I grabbed The Woman in Cabin 10 because I had heard people talking about it as a good read. The setting is on a private vessel that is on its maiden voyage with journalists on board to report on the luxury and splendor of the vessel Aurora. The gist of the books is that a woman, seen in cabin 10, seems to disappear. Lo, the passenger next door, hears some suspicious noises one night.  When she calls to report the sounds she is told that no one is or has been rooming in cabin 10. Lo seems to be the only one who saw the mystery passenger. This begins a tale that makes our protagonist and those she’s reported the noises to question her sanity. Lo knows what she saw, or does she?  Is there a murderer on the vessel?  

The reader is Imogen Church and she does a convincing job of portraying the stress and tenseness of the situation Lo finds herself in. The beginning of the audio book reminded me strongly of Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins, but as the plot thickens this book stands on its own and leaves you wondering who did it right up to the end. And it might just make you think twice about voyaging, especially on a private ship!

Lola Nichols
Information Specialist

Chatterbooks: A Book Club for Grades K-2 at the Cumming Library

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff

After being told he was not fit to fight in the war, a generous and industrious member of the Philadelphia community found a way to contribute. Travel the pages with us this month as we learn what his contribution was and about the secret mission given to him by George Washington. Children do not need to read the book prior to the program and there is no registration required.  Chatterbooks meets January 26, 2017 at 4:00 p.m at the Cumming Library and incorporates a story, book discussion and a craft.

Lorraine Lane
Youth Specialist

#ShelfLife - January 20, 2017

This week in the #ShelfLife, we celebrated the birthday of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne. If you'd like to celebrate, too, stop by the library to check out a Pooh book or mark you calendars to attend a special Winnie the Pooh storytime at the Cumming Library on February 16.

When you have suggestions for our collections, we're listening. A patron recently asked about the possibility of adding more British police procedural novels and our fabulous materials selectors found a debut series by a new author. We hope our mystery and suspense readers enjoy The Hollow Men by Rob McCarthy.

We hear its going to be a gloomy, wet weekend. What better way to spend a rainy day than curled up with a blanket and a good book? Come into the library (or stay home and check out our eLibrary) to stock up!

We’re listening. A patron requested more British police procedurals in our collection; so, our excellent Materials team found this promising series debut. THE HOLLOW MEN by Rob McCarthy follows police surgeon Dr. Harry Kent in his determination to help those the world would rather brush aside. #fcplstories #ShelfLife #mystery #policeproceduals #fiction #librariesofinstagram #robmccarthy

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 17, 2017 at 11:14am PST

Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior bridesmaid, but she is also having problems with school bully Brent Helzinski. Her cousin Eden, aka The Bride, is clashing with her mother about wedding plans in A PATRON SAINT FOR JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS by Shelley Tougas. #MacKidsBooks #ShelleyTougas #ShelfLife #weddingseason #tweenreads

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 19, 2017 at 9:15am PST

Save yourself a little time on cooking dinner next week when you check out ONE-DISH WONDERS from @southernlivingmag and find ideas for make-ahead casseroles you can put together this weekend. #ShelfLife #cookbooks #food #fridayreads

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:48am PST

Today is National Winnie the Pooh Day! Author A.A. Milne was born on this day in 1882 and you can celebrate Pooh with us next month at the Cumming Library. We’ll be hosting a special Winnie the Pooh storytime for children ages 2 to 5 at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16. #winniethepooh #aamilne #winniethepoohday #ShelfLife #childrenslit #1000booksb4kindergarten

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 18, 2017 at 8:19am PST

Staff Picks: Another Brooklyn - Adult Fiction

Another Brooklyn was my first book by Woodson, and I listened to it (my preferred “reading” method these days), rather than reading a print copy. As is so often the case in audiobooks, the narrator can make or break a title, and in this case Robin Miles complements the lyrical prose perfectly. Her tone and inflection capture the voices of Autumn and her girls as they mature from schoolgirls to young women in 1970’s Brooklyn:

If we had had jazz, would we have survived differently? If we had known our story was a blues with a refrain running through it, would we have lifted our heads, said to each other, This is memory again and again until the living made sense? Where would we be now if we had known there was a melody to our madness? Because even though Sylvia, Angela, Gigi, and I came together like a jazz improv—half notes tentatively moving toward one another until the ensemble found its footing and the music felt like it had always been playing—we didn't have jazz to know this was who we were.

Another Brooklyn tells the story of four young black women, each with her own story to tell… or not. The beauty of this book is in what is left unsaid as much as what is said, as Woodson reveals her characters in fits and starts, switching from character and time and place seemingly without warning. Funny, spare, and heartbreaking, Another Brooklyn is truly a great read.


Sarah Reynolds
Collection Development Manager

#ShelfLife - January 13, 2017

Congratulations, Forsyth County! We made it through the first snow and ice of the season!

We've seen all the Facebook photos of store shelves completely sold out of milk and bread. We're not sold out of books! Even when the library must close for inclement weather, you can find something to read without leaving the comfort of your couch. Just visit www.forsythpl.org and use your library card account to check out eBooks, aAudiobooks, eMagazines, and more from our eLibrary. #forsythreads #elibrary #librariesofinstagram #snowinthesouth #milksandwich

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 6, 2017 at 9:57am PST

If you're looking for a few new titles to put on your to-read list for the next time we get snowed in, check out these print and eLibrary recommendations featured in our #ShelfLife feed on Instagram:

Manju is fourteen. He knows he is good at cricket. But there are many things, about himself and about the world, that he doesn't know. It seems everyone around him has a clear idea of who Manju should be, except Manju himself. SELECTION DAY by Booker Prize-winning author Aravind Adiga is filled with unforgettable characters from across Mumbai’s social strata. Be among the first to check them out when SELECTION DAY hits FCPL shelves this week. #ShelfLife #selectionday #AravindAdiga #BookerPrize @scribnerbooks

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 10, 2017 at 11:34am PST

Need some help with your New Year’s resolution to meditate or relax your body? Check out a few ideas from @yogajournal when you download the magazine from @zinio. Simply visit www.forsythpl.org, click Zinio on the eBooks & eMags page, and login with your library card account. . #magazinemonday #Zinio #ShelfLife #libraryinmyhand #resolutions #yoga #newyearnewyou

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 9, 2017 at 4:18pm PST

Feel the Kenyan sun on your face, a breeze off the grasslands in your hair…and the ever-present sense of menace prickling at the back of your neck in LEOPARD AT THE DOOR by Jennifer McVeigh. Be among the first to check this title out when it arrives on our shelf this week and be transported to Africa in the 1950s. #ShelfLife #Africa #Kenya #leopardatthedoor #jennifermcveigh #historicalfiction

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 12, 2017 at 11:20am PST

Library Limelight: Meredith Causey, Information Services Supervisor, Sharon Forks Library

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!

Meredith on the Hidden Lake Trail,
Glacier National Park, Montana

Meredith Causey
Information Services Supervisor
Sharon Forks Library

Where is your hometown?

Snellville, GA

How long have you been at FCPL?

3.5 years

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

This is my only one, so far.

Why did you choose to work in a library?

From the time I was about eleven years old, I dreamed of becoming a book editor. I began my library career as a student worker while earning my undergraduate degree at UGA in Journalism. After a year working as a graphic designer/typesetter, I decided that I didn’t want to move to a large city like New York to work in the book publishing industry, and I liked the library world, so I went back to work at the UGA Library while I earned a Masters of Library and Information Science degree.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Scheduling, adult programs, and customer service.

What is unique about your job?

I have the pleasure of supervising an amazing team of co-workers while still being able to assist patrons every day.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love connecting a person with either a book they’ve been longing to read or with a new book discovery. I especially love it when I can put a book into a child’s hands that he or she wants and seeing his or her little face light up with excitement.

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

I’ve been fortunate to travel a bit, but I’ll say Glacier National Park since it’s the freshest in my memory. It’s such a shame that the actual glaciers are forecasted to be completely gone within my lifetime. 

What are your hobbies?

Reading, hiking, knitting, and I have a make-up collecting obsession. I own over 300 shades of eye shadow. I actually cataloged my collection for one of my library school projects, and that was over ten years ago, so it’s grown a bit since then.

What are you reading right now?

I read a variety of different things. I usually have at least four books in progress at once; one to read at home, one to read on breaks at work, one audiobook in my car, and one audiobook on my phone. I’m currently reading the new Wings of Fire: Talons of Power children’s book and I’m listening to Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly for our upcoming Book Chat and also to The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer that a patron recommended to me.

Paper books or eBooks?

AUDIOBOOKS! They keep me sane in our ever-increasing traffic. But paper. I look at a computer too much at work to use electronic devices at home. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I’m part of FCPL’s Goodreads.com committee, so be sure to sign up for a free Goodreads account. I absolutely love Goodreads. It’s an easy way to keep track of books you’ve read, compare your reviews with your friends, and discover new authors and titles to read. 

Library Testing Extra Hours for Patrons with Special Needs

Visiting the library is getting a little easier for individuals with special needs. This month, the Hampton Park Library will launch a Special Needs Library Hour test program to provide additional services to patrons with special needs, such as autism or sensory processing disorders.

The first Special Needs Library Hour event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14 and is open to individuals and children with special needs, along with their families or caregivers. The program will continue to be offered on the second Saturday of each month through May, when library staff will review attendance and patron feedback collected during the program.

“The buzz and excitement of a public place can be too overwhelming for patrons with special needs,” says Kayla Lawson, a Youth Specialist at the Hampton Park Library who first proposed the program. “This program will provide a quiet, low-sensory hour of freedom within the library. And, when it’s over, patrons have the option to stay with us for Sensory Storytime,” Lawson added.

The Hampton Park Library, already nestled into a quiet locale in the northern part of Forsyth County, will open its doors one hour earlier than usual to give patrons with special needs access to the library. Patrons can expect softer lighting, limited background noise, and fewer people in the library.

“Our staff will be on-hand to assist patrons in finding the materials they want, or simply guide them in exploring all our library has to offer,” explains Ross Gericke, branch manager. “But, because this is a test program, we’ll also be listening for feedback from our patrons about their needs and the ways we can make adjustments during Special Needs Library Hour to help them better use the library.”

“Programs like this are becoming more common in libraries across the country,” says Program Manager Laura Bradley.

Such early or extended hours for individuals with special needs are also becoming easier to find in retail and recreation as companies like Chuck E. Cheese’s partner with national organizations like the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) to help children with special needs experience activities that typically-developing children enjoy.

“Reading is for everyone, regardless of age or ability,” says Bradley. “January is Braille Literacy Month and we want Forsyth residents to know that their library can also help children and adults with vison impairments find materials to read. Our staff can help low-vison patrons find audiobooks in our collection, offer assistive devices like text-to-speech readers and digital magnifiers for use in the library, or help patrons sign up for GLASS and receive free audio equipment and materials.”

GLASS, Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services, provides braille texts and recorded books and magazines to patrons who are unable to read standard print due to visual impairment or blindness. The service is free, but patrons must submit an application. FCPL staff members can aid patrons with the application process.

Advance registration for Special Needs Library Hour is not required. Patrons should call the Hampton Park Library at 770-781-9840 ext. 6709 with any questions or specific accessibility requests.

#ShelfLife - January 6, 2017

Welcome to the first week in the #ShelfLife for 2017!

We've seen all the Facebook photos of store shelves completely sold out of milk and bread and we want you to know that your library isn't sold out of books. Indeed, even when the library must close for inclement weather, you can find something to read without leaving the comfort of your couch. Just visit www.forsythpl.org and use your library card account to check out eBooks, aAudiobooks, eMagazines, and more from our eLibrary.

And, if you'll be stuck inside doing homework instead of playing the snow, be sure to check out our new collection of World Book eBooks. You'll find reliable and credible information on hundreds of topics, such as science, literature, geography, and biology.

Stay calm and read on, friends!

What would it be like to tour the solar system, visiting the sun and the planets, taking in everything from moons to asteroid belts along the way? How would you even begin to pack for that!?! Suit up, strap in, and enjoy the ride with astronomer Mark Thompson in A SPACE TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM. #ShelfLife #astronomy #spacetravel #librariesofinstagram

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 6, 2017 at 9:18am PST

Today is National Screenwriters Day! #TBT to Forsyth Reads Together 2016 when best-selling author and screenwriter Dennis Lehane spoke to our patrons about how getting a library card as a child influenced his life. #BoardwalkEmpire #MysticRiver #DennisLehane #ForsythReads #FCPLstories #ShelfLife #nationalscreenwritersday

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 5, 2017 at 5:42am PST

Students return to Forsyth County Schools tomorrow and we’ve got just the thing to help them with their next research project: World Book eBooks! Log in with your library card to access reliable resources on a variety of topics or use the World Book eBooks app to create your own bookshelf and keep track of your notes. Get started at http://www.forsythpl.org/readersCorner/elementary.aspx. #ShelfLife #ForsythReads #FCPLstories #librariesofinstagram #homework #homeworkhelp #backtoschool

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 4, 2017 at 10:21am PST

How do you learn courage? How do you face your fears? Find out how one young football player did it in GUTLESS by Carl Deuker. #ya #football #bullying #shelflife

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 3, 2017 at 8:50am PST

Staff Picks - Adult Fiction

I really enjoyed these books and audiobooks by South Asian authors that I discovered on one of FCPL's Recommended Reads Book Lists.

The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh

Amitav Ghosh's The Hungry Tide is lyrically haunting and instantly transports you to the Sundarbans, a vast archipelago in the Bay of Bengal.

The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Shilpi Somaya Gowda's The Golden Son is powerfully emotional. I didn't want the story to end. This features an excellent audiobook narrator.

Before We Visit the Goddess by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I loved the interconnectedness of the characters in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Before We Visit the Goddess.

The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar

Thrity Umrigar's character, Lakshmi, in The Story Hour is instantly loveable and you'll cheer for her throughout the book.

A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev

Sonali Dev's A Change of Heart is soulful and riveting.




I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Meredith Causey
Information Services Supervisor
Sharon Forks Library

Get Financially Fit with Retirement 101 and Adulting 101

It’s a new year and nearly everyone is making a resolution to improve some part of their lives. If your resolution is to work on your family’s financial fitness, visit the Cumming Library for a series of free workshops with local experts.

The first Retirement 101 workshop will be led by Chris Hardy, owner of Paramount Investment Advisors, Inc. and Paramount Tax and Accounting, LLC, on Sunday, January 8. This 2-hour workshop begins at 3:00 p.m. and is designed to help people nearing retirement with financial decisions like how to manage an IRA and deciding if part-time work or self-employment should be part of a retirement plan.

Chris Hardy, CFP®, EA, ChFC®, CLU®, NTPI Fellow®

“Baby Boomers have dramatically changed every phase of life they have entered over the past 60 years, and that applies to retirement as well,” says Hardy.

Hardy has developed a deep knowledge of the financial industry and the pitfalls retirees can face. In addition to his designation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), he also earned Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations from The Solomon S. Huebner School at The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is an Enrolled Agent (EA) for the Internal Revenue Service and, in 2013, he completed the Fellowship of National Tax Practice Institute, a rigorous three-year curriculum covering all variances of examinations, audits, collections, and appeals.

“There is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but there are several key decisions to a successful retirement. Attendees will leave this seminar knowing what decisions are ahead and the risks involved.”

Hardy also has some advice for those just beginning their careers and will lead a workshop for young adults in the new Adulting 101 series at the Cumming Library on Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m.

“The rules for handling money have changed over the last decade,” says Hardy. “Younger adults need to make personal changes to ensure a successful journey along the path to financial independence.”

Hardy’s session will focus on how to develop a budget and stick to it, as well as how to pay off student loans quickly. Additional sessions in the Adulting 101 series will be presented in the coming months by local experts on topics like car insurance and real estate.

Both the Retirement 101 and Adulting 101 workshops are free and no advance registration is required. For information on upcoming programs in the series, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Best of 2016: Books for High Schoolers

As the year comes to a close, library staff members and volunteers reflect on the best books they've read in 2016. Here are their suggestions for the best books for readers in high school:

The Sun is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
Recommended by Cleo Joyce, Youth Services Supervisor, Sharon Forks Library
Cleo says: "This book hit me hard and has stuck with me since (and that’s saying something as I read a lot of realistic teen fiction this year!). Natasha, the daughter of illegal immigrants, is hours away from deportation. Daniel, whose parents are also immigrants, is on his way to a medical school interview for Yale. When Natasha and Daniel’s paths collide in New York, what follows is the most memorable day of their lives. A great romance for everyone who believes in love at first sight."

The Girl at Midnight
by Melissa Grey
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

March (Books One, Two, and Three)
by John Lewis
Recommended by Cleo Joyce, Youth Services Supervisor, Sharon Forks Library
Cleo says: "This award-winning graphic novel follows John Lewis from his childhood on an Alabama farm through pivotal moments in the Civil Rights movement, culminating with the march from Selma to Birmingham. A powerful must-read for any American. Please note: This book contains violence and strong language."

The Sleeper and the Spindle
by Neil Gaiman
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

The Darkest Part of the Forest
by Holly Black
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

Lumberjanes, Vol 1, Beware the Kitten Holy
by Noelle Stevenson
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

Ms. Marvel, Vol 1, No Normal
by Willow G. Wilson
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

Bone Gap
by Laura Ruby
Also available as CD Audiobook and eBook
Recommended by Julie Boyd, Youth Services Supervisor, Cumming Library

The Here and Now
by Ann Brashares
Recommended by Julie Boyd, Youth Services Supervisor, Cumming Library

Winter
by Marissa Meyer
Also available as eBook
Recommended by Julie Boyd, Youth Services Supervisor, Cumming Library

Challenger Deep
by Neil Schusterman
Also available as eAudiobook
Recommended by Holly Raus, Youth Specialist, Cumming Library
Holly says: "This is a powerful and uniquely told story about mental illness that was inspired by the author’s teenage son’s artwork as he suffered from schizophrenia in a psychiatric facility. This National Book Award winner weaves a complex tale of a story which becomes clear to the reader is a mirror to reality."

Ink and Bone
by Rachel Caine

Best of 2016: Books for Preschoolers

As the year comes to a close, library staff members and volunteers reflect on the best books they've read in 2016. Here are their suggestions for the best books for preschoolers:

Little Red
by Bethan Woollvin
Recommended by Kim Ottesen, Youth Specialist, Sharon Forks Library
Kim says: "This new retelling of Little Red Riding Hood has vivid illustrations in black, grey, red, and white that help tell the story in a way that is sometimes surprising. Woolvin's version of Little Red needs no valiant woodsman. She can take care of herself!"

Before I Leave
by Jessixa Bagley
Recommended by Diana Wolski, Information Specialist, Post Road Library
Diana says: "This is an adorable and emotional story about an anteater's best friend, a little hedgehog, whose family is moving away. The pictures in this book are so sweet and show just how close best friends can be. The message at the end is, even though you cannot be physically near someone you love, you can be as close as you want to be, at heart. Even though it's hard, these two characters still feel close by sharing letters, sending pictures, and waiting until they can see each other again."

Hogwash
by Karma Wilson
Recommended by Jessica Phillips, Collection Support Aide, Cumming Library
Jessica says: "Hogwash by Karma Wilson is a hilarious rhyming story that my kids love. This one is set on a farm and is about pigs who do NOT want to take a bath, much to the farmer's frustration. Read it in an extra-southern accent and you're sure to get lots of giggles from your little ones!"

Same, Same But Different
by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Also available as a Read-Along
Recommended by Jessica Phillips, Collection Support Aide, Cumming Library
Jessica says: "Same, Same But Different is a wonderful story of two pen-pals who live in different parts of the world. They embrace their differences while at the same time learning that they also have much in common!"

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
Also available in Spanish
Recommended by Jessica Phillips, Collection Support Aide, Cumming Library
Jessica says: "Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a favorite at my house. My four-year-old asks me to read this so often that she has memorized it! Kids are introduced to the days of the week as the little caterpillar eats his way through the week and at the end turns into a beautiful butterfly."

Llama Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney
Recommended by Jessica Phillips, Collection Support Aide, Cumming Library
Jessica says: "Llama Llama Mad at Mama, by the late Anna Dewdney, is another of my kids' favorites. Little Llama grows impatient at the grocery store and throws a rather epic tantrum (been there, done that, got the t-shirt), but in the end Mama Llama shows understanding and patience and helps him to calm down. A great lesson for kids and parents alike."

Barnacle is Bored
by Jonathan Fenske
Recommended by Jennifer Anderson, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

Here Comes Valentine Cat
by Deborah Underwood
Recommended by Teresa Santangelo, Collection Support Supervisor, Sharon Forks Library

Best of 2016: Graphic Novels for Adults

As the year comes to a close, library staff members and volunteers reflect on the best books they've read in 2016. Here are their suggestions for the best graphic novels for adult readers:

Here
by Richard McGuire
Recommended by Kim Tomblin, Collection Development Librarian

Monstress
by Marjorie Liu
Recommended by Kim Tomblin, Collection Development Librarian

Mooncop
by Tom Gauld
Recommended by Kim Tomblin, Collection Development Librarian

Best of 2016: Mystery & Suspense

As the year comes to a close, library staff members and volunteers reflect on the best books they've read in 2016. Here are their suggestions for the best books in mystery and suspense for adults:

No Time for Goodbye
by Linwood Barclay
Also available as CD Audiobook and eBook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

Playing with Fire
by Tess Gerritsen
Also available as eBook and CD Audiobook
Recommended by Diane Roberts, Information Specialist, Cumming Library

The Good Goodbye
by Carla Buckley
Also available as CD Audiobook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

The Lake House
by Kate Morton
Also available as eBook, Large Type, and CD Audiobook

Redemption Road
by John Hart
Also available as eAudiobook, eBook, Large Type, and CD Audiobook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

A Game for All the Family
by Sophie Hannah
Also available as eBook and CD Audiobook
Recommended by Alicia Cavitt, Information Specialist, Sharon Forks Library

Redemption Road
by John Hart
Also available as eAudiobook, eBook, Large Type, and CD Audiobook
Recommended by Kim Tomblin, Collection Development Librarian and Sarah Reynolds, Collection Development Manager

A Murder in Time
by Julie McElwain
Also available as an eBook
Recommended by Kim Tomblin, Collection Development Librarian

The Woman in Cabin 10
by Ruth Ware
Also available in Large Type and as eBook, CD Audiobook, and eAudiobook
Recommended by Trina Schlecht, Library Trainer
Trina says: "The Woman in Cabin 10 is a suspenseful mystery set on a cruise ship sailing the North Sea. Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, encounters a woman in what is supposed to be an empty cabin on the small ship. Everyone on the ship is accounted for yet Lo is certain that she met someone in cabin 10. Was there really someone in the cabin or is Lo's mind playing tricks on her?"

I Let You Go
by Clare Mackintosh
Also available as eBook and CD Audiobook
Recommended by Amy Weiler, Information Specialist, Sharon Forks Library
Amy says: "This is a psychological suspense novel with a midway twist that surprised me as much as the twist in Gone Girl."

The Darkest Secret
by Alex Marwood
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

The God's Eye View
by Barry Eisler
Also available as CD Audiobook
Recommended by Lola Nichols, Information Specialist, Sharon Forks Library

All the Missing Girls
by Megan Miranda
Also available in Large Type, eBook, and eAudiobook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

Arrowood
by Laura McHugh
Also available as CD Audiobook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

Confessions
by Kanae Minato
Also available as an eBook
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

Don't You Cry
by Mary Kubica
Also available as eAudiobook, CD Audiobook, and Large Type
Recommended by Beth, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library
More of Beth's recommendations can be found throughout the year on our Thrillers & Suspense bookshelf on Goodreads.com.

Before the Fall
by Noah Hawley
Also available as eBook and eAudiobook
Recommended by Martha, Materials Selector, Library Headquarters

What She Knew
by Gilly Mcamillan
Also available as CD Audiobook and eBook
Recommended by Melissa Reed, Information Specialist, Post Road Library

The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins
Also available as eAudiobook, Large Type, CD Audiobook, and eBook
Recommended by Jessica Phillips, Collection Support Aide, Cumming Library
Jessica says: "The Girl on the Train, now a major motion picture, was an absolute page-turner! I stayed up all night reading it because I just had to see what was going to happen next. It was a well-written mystery full of suspense and twists and turns."

The Ex
by Alafair Burke
Also available as eAudiobook, eBook, CD Audiobook, and Large Type
Recommended by Melissa Reed, Information Specialist, Post Road Library

Closed Casket: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery
by Sophie Hannah
Also available as CD Audiobook
Recommended by Amy Whitten, Information Specialist, Hampton Park Library