Staff Picks: A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber - Adult Fiction

A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

I have always thought romance books were not my thing, but Debbie Macomber has stolen my heart! A Girl's Guide to Moving On is a heart-warming story about two divorced women trying to conquer life without their husbands. They create a list of things to help with. Debbie Macomber does a fantastic job of making the reader feel like they are a part of the story. If you're looking for a sweet, heart-warming love story, this is the title for you!

Gabi Santangelo
Information Specialist

#ShelfLife - February 24, 2017

Fans of fairy tales, rejoice! Sunday, February 26 is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, so pull out your favorite classic tales and read aloud with your friends and family.

Or, if you're looking for books that offer a little twist on the traditional stories your remember from childhood, check out Extreme Makeover: Fairy Tale Edition on our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten blog.

For more book recommendations and news about upcoming book clubs, take a look at this week's #ShelfLife feed on Instagram:

Sunday is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day. If you’d rather not make up one of your own, check out Extreme Makeover: Fairy Tale Edition on our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten blog at goo.gl/oKmfAE. These 25 books put a little twist on the traditional tales. #nationaltellafairytaleday #1000booksB4K #preschool #prek #kidlit #childrensbooks #ShelfLife #fridayreads #fairytales

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 24, 2017 at 9:27am PST

THIS IS YOUR LIFE, HARRIET CHANCE! by Jonathan Evison, author of THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING, is part dysfunctional love story and part poignant exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. Check it out, then come talk it over with our Lit Chicks book club at the Post Road Library on Wednesday, March 8. #ShelfLife #bookclub #bookstagram #jonathanevison #HarrietChance @algonquinbooks

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"But I’d come to realize that freedom – real freedom – was something that could be found in the most unexpected places, even on the sands of the arena." THE VALIANT by @lesley.livingston is a richly imagined fantasy for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Cinda Williams Chima. Be among the first to check it out this week! #ShelfLife #teenreads #bookstagram #yalit #penguinteen #thevaliant @razorbillbooks

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 21, 2017 at 7:35am PST

THE GIRL IN THE GARDEN by Melanie Wallace is an unforgettable novel about a young woman and her infant son, abandoned at a seaside motel in New England, and the secrets of the townspeople who provide them shelter. #fridayreads #ShelfLife #bookstagram #amreading #fiction #thegirlinthegarden #melaniewallace

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 24, 2017 at 6:20am PST

Today is #nationalmargaritaday and we’re celebrating by reading MARGARITA WEDNESDAYS: A MEMOIR by Deborah Rodriguez, author of KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL. #ShelfLife #librariesofinstagram #deborahrodriguez @gallerybooks

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 22, 2017 at 6:21am PST

Just one look at this morning's book drop and we know how our patrons spent the long weekend: reading and watching DVDs!

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 21, 2017 at 8:58am PST

Staff Picks - Fantasy

I love all things Sarah J. Maas and I swooned over both of her 2016 releases, A Court of Mist and Fury and Empire of Storms. However, her works may be too mature for some readers.

I discovered Susan Dennard and Mary E. Pearson through the Young Adult GoodReads.com e-newsletter, both of whom provide solid fantasy without the overt sexual content. Susan Dennard and Sarah J. Maas are actually best friends in real life! I loved Dennard's entry novel into "The Witchland" series entitled Truthwitch! The second novel, Windwitch is also available.

Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
I devoured Mary E. Pearson's The Remnant Chronicles trilogy over Thanksgiving Break. Who needs turkey when you can binge-read?!

Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson







Meredith Causey
Information Services Supervisor

#ShelfLife - February 17, 2017

The library will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of President's Day, so we encourage you to stock up on books this weekend. If you run out materials - never fear! You can check out eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines from our eLibrary, even when our branches are closed.

This was a week for celebrating: we searched the stacks for the best Italian cookbooks on #NationalTortelliniDay, we celebrated our love for books on Valentine's Day, and then we read 21 Books About Dragons for Preschoolers on #WorldReadAloudDay.

If you're looking for something to read, take a look at what's happening in the #ShelfLife this week:

Off the easternmost coast of India lies the immense archipelago of tiny islands known as the Sundarbans. Life here is precarious, ruled by the unforgiving tides and the constant threat of attacks by Bengal tigers. A contemporary story of adventure and romance, identity and history, THE HUNGRY TIDE by Amitav Ghosh travels deep into one of the most fascinating regions on earth, where the treacherous forces of nature and human folly threaten to destroy a way of life. . Check out the book, CD Audiobook, or eAudiobook and join us for a casual conversation at the next Book Chat on March 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sharon Forks Library. . #ShelfLife #bookclub #bookchat #ForsythReads #bookstagram #fridayreads #thehungrytide #amitavghosh

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 17, 2017 at 7:20am PST

THE EVENING ROAD by Laird Hunt (@lairdhuntt) is the story of two remarkable women on the move through an America riven by fear and hatred, and eager to flee the secrets they have left behind. #ShelfLife #lairdhunt #theeveningroad

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 16, 2017 at 9:08am PST

Today is World Read Aloud Day! Celebrate with the smallest readers in your life by reading 21 awesome books about dragons on our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten blog at goo.gl/Fn80vB. #worldreadaloudday #readaloud #1000booksb4k #1000booksbeforekindergarten #ShelfLife

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 16, 2017 at 7:11am PST

Take a walk with THE WIZARD’S DOG by Eric Kahn Gale, an offbeat, comedic spin on the Excalibur legend told from the point of view of a talking dog who wants to be a magician. #ShelfLife #kidlit #bookstagram #thewizardsdog #erickahngale #middlegrade #books #fantasy #dogsofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 15, 2017 at 11:45am PST

Beth, an Information Specialist at the Hampton Park Library and a member of the FCPL blog team, recommends THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett as one of her favorite books of 2016. We’ve got the book, CD audiobook, and eBook in our collection – check it out! . Find more great books in our Staff Favorites of 2016 collection at goo.gl/TrPqkN. . #ShelfLife #bestbooks2016 #stafffavoritesof2016 #themothers #britbennett @britrbennett @riverheadbooks

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 15, 2017 at 5:56am PST

We've barely finished breakfast and we're already looking forward to lunch because today is #NationalTortelliniDay! Celebrate this little stuffed culinary gem with a plateful from your favorite restaurant, or be ambitious and try making your own with a recipe from MAKING ARTISAN PASTA by Aliza Green. #ShelfLife #lunch #dinner #cookbooks #pasta

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 13, 2017 at 6:35am PST

Staff Picks: Black Olives - Adult Fiction

Black Olives by Martha Tod Dudman

A trip to the grocery store turns bizarre when Virginia spots her former lover, sneaks into the back of his car, and follows him home. From various hiding places in the parking lot, car, and home she ruminates on the disintegration of their long-term relationship. It's a perfect novel for indulging a dark mood.

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Staff Picks - Unlikely Love Stories

My favorite love stories always defy conventional romance. Some end happily but more often things take a tragic course. You’ll find some unlikely authors on my list, starting with Stephen King who made the list twice.

The Wizard and Glass by Stephen King

Book IV in the epic Dark Tower series contains what is chronologically the first book in the long, twisted tale of Roland Deschain, gunslinger of Gilead. In a flashback which becomes the bulk of the book, Roland relives the greatest tragedy of his life. Long before becoming a tough guy, young Roland fell passionately in love. For fans of the series, The Wizard and Glass sheds light on Roland’s damaged psyche. For fans of romantic fantasy the book contains an unforgettable stand-alone love story.

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Strange happenings, a vengeful spirit, plenty of suspense, and grief that blossoms into new love make Bag of Bones by Stephen King one of my favorite love stories. Who knew the master of horror was such a romantic?

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

In The Lover's Dictionary, David Levithan very creatively deconstructs the ups and downs of a volatile relationship. Definitions from “aberrant” to “zenith” frame the novel and offer an insightful take on modern love.  

The Rosie Project by Graeme C. Simsion

This unlikely romance is laugh out loud funny due to the antics of Don Tillman, a genetics professor who approaches his quest for love from a completely scientific standpoint.   

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Young love blossoms between Winnie Foster and a mysterious young man she finds in the woods. Though their time together is brief, Jesse Tuck and Winnie face more obstacles than most of us could ever imagine. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic characters and evocative storytelling make this novel of fatal flaws and tangled romances a larger-than-life classic.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand’s 1957 masterpiece spawned a philosophical movement that continues to gain converts today. Philosophy aside, the passionate affair between Dagny Taggart and the unstoppable Hank Rearden was what I found most engaging about this story.

 East of Eden by John Steinbeck

This epic and evocative family saga contains the quintessential love triangle -- two brothers in love with the same woman. But behind her beauty lies deadly intent! 

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

In a novel that transcends the soap opera gimmick, amnesia offers a troubled marriage a second chance. Hope, faith, and family take center stage in this compelling love story.

Happy Valentine’s Day and happy reading!

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

#ShelfLife - February 10, 2017

Happy Friday, fellow bibliophiles! We made it through another week and now we've got the whole weekend to do what we love best: read!

If you've been on Instagram today, you might have noticed our #ShelfLife post focused on Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese. This book brings to life the true story behind the creation and near destruction of Gustav Klimt's most remarkable paintings during WWII. We were struck by the lovely golden cover, but the painting isn't one of Klimt's. It's actually a small section from An Elegant Lady with Pearls, painted by Gustave-Jean Jacquet (1846-1909). Art lovers may find themselves Googling all the works described in this book as they read.

Other titles in this week's #ShelfLife collection celebrated #nationalpizzaday and princesses that wear black, not pink.  Both the graphic novel The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza and The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation make for delightful reading for the kids in the family.

And, because parents sometimes need a gentle reminder to really listen to their children, check out Love That Boy, a non-fiction book about the hard-won relationship between a father and his son. Find this book, and other non-fiction titles suggested by our staff, in the Staff Favorites of 2016 section of our online catalog at goo.gl/TrPqkN.

Have a great weekend!

Be among the first to read STOLEN BEAUTY by Laurie Lico Albanese when it hits our shelves this week. . "From the dawn of the twentieth century to the devastation of World War II, this exhilarating novel of love, war, art, and family gives voice to two extraordinary women and brings to life the true story behind the creation and near destruction of #GustavKlimt's most remarkable paintings." - @simonschusterartworks . #ShelfLife #StolenBeauty #LaurieLicoAlbanese @atriabooks #bookfacefriday #bookface

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 10, 2017 at 8:18am PST

It’s #nationalpizzaday! Enjoy a slice of your favorite pie with a good book, like THE GLORKIAN WARRIOR DELIVERS A PIZZA by James Kochalka from our collection of graphic novels for kids. #pizza #graphicnovels #kidlit #childrensbooks #librariesofinstagram

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 9, 2017 at 10:41am PST

After battling monsters all night, the sleepy princess decides she could use a vacation. But, just as she’s about to enjoy a warm nap in her comfy hammock, she hears, “ROARRR!” in THE PRINCESS IN BLACK TAKES A VACATION by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. #ShelfLife #theprincessinblack #theprincessinblacktakesavacation #shannonhale #deanhale #leuyenpham

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 9, 2017 at 5:03am PST

“LOVE THAT BOY captures both the fears and gifts of fatherhood […] This book is a joy to read and should be required for all new dads…really,” says comedian Jim Gaffigan. Political columnist @ronfournier writes with honesty about his son and accepting his differences in LOVE THAT BOY: WHAT TWO PRESIDENTS, EIGHT ROAD TRIPS, AND MY SON TAUGHT ME ABOUT A PARENT’S EXPECTATIONS. Find this book, and other non-fiction titles suggested by our staff, in the Staff Favorites of 2016 section of our online catalog at goo.gl/TrPqkN. #StaffPicks #ShelfLife #parenting #nonfiction #lovethatboy

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 6, 2017 at 11:29am PST

Staff Picks

Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Gabi Santangelo recommended The Mistletoe Promise. I loved it! A man and woman pretend they are a couple to get through the holidays. They start to fall for each other, but they are both hiding secrets.

From Wolf to Woof!: The Story of Dogs by Hudson Talbott

Lovable, Livable Home: How to Add Beauty, Get Organized, and Make Your House Work for You by Sherry & John Petersik




Teresa Santangelo
Collection Support Supervisor

Staff Picks:The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky (Adult Fiction)

If you were ever interested in Greek mythology, this book may be just for you. It combines mystery and intrigue and a new look at the gods and goddesses living now in our current time. Their powers have diminished as the thousands of years have gone by. So why was a young woman sacrificed to the gods and by whom? Only a goddess whose powers are starting to return can solve this mystery.  Please join us at the Cumming Library for Book Buzz on Thursday, March 9th at 1:30 p.m. to discuss The Immortals.

Chatterbooks Book Club for Grades K - 2 to Read Dream Something Big

Chatterbooks is a book club designed for children in grades K-2 that incorporates a story, book discussion and a craft.

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers by Dianna Hutts Aston is this month’s selection.

Using only the simplest of materials - cement, rebar, broken tiles, shells and other found items - Simon Rodia created a nearly hundred foot tall tower in his California neighborhood. Come explore this world of big dreams through the eyes of his young neighbor.

Children do not need to read the book prior to the program. Chatterbooks will meet on Thrusday, February 23, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library. No registration required.

#ShelfLife - February 3, 2017

Happy Lunar New Year, friends! While you're waiting to see the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday's big game, we invite you to join in the fun and celebration of Chinese New Year at the Post Road Library. You 'll see a traditional lion dance from the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu and you can also continue the celebration at home with a list of books on the topic developed just for our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten readers.

In other #ShelfLife news this week, we've got something special for fans of Sherlock Holmes: a biography about Arthur Conan Doyle and the real-life experiences that influenced one of literature's best-known detectives.

February is African American History Month, and we want our patrons and students studying the topic to know that the library's Infobase Access Video service offers a collection of more than 1,000 videos on notable moments and important African American figures throughout history. If you need additional assistance with research, please Ask a Librarian.

Have a great weekend!

The Post Road Library is celebrating Chinese New Year with a special lion dance performance from the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu. If you'd like to continue celebrating the Year of the Rooster at home, check out our #1000BooksB4K blog at goo.gl/XqBOnU for 10 books about Chinese culture and lunar new year traditions. #ShelfLife #chinesenewyear #yearoftherooster

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:40pm PST

HEY HARRY, HEY MATILDA (@heyharryheymatilda) by @rachel.hulin is the story - told entirely in hilarious emails - of fraternal twins as they fumble into adulthood, telling lies and keeping secrets, and finally confronting their complicated twinship. #fridayreads #ShelfLife #twins #heyharryheymatilda

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jan 31, 2017 at 9:32am PST

If you loved COLD MOUNTAIN or THE INVENTION OF WINGS, we’ve got just the book for you! Be among the first to check out THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PERSIMMON WILSON by Nancy Peacock and follow the epic journey of a slave-turned-Comanche warrior who travels from the brutality of a New Orleans sugar cane plantation to the indomitable frontier of an untamed Texas, searching not only for the woman he loves but also for his own identity. #ShelfLife #historicalfiction #coldmountain #theinventionofwings #thelifeandtimesofpersimmonwilson #nancypeacock

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 1, 2017 at 9:31am PST

February is African American History Month and FCPL’s Infobase Access Video service has assembled a collection of over 1,000 videos our patrons can view on-demand. Learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington at goo.gl/ivuPd8. #africanamericanhistorymonth #ShelfLife #elibrary

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 2, 2017 at 11:40am PST

As a young medical student, Arthur Conan Doyle studied under a diagnostic genius, Dr. Joseph Bell, who could often deduce the occupations, hometowns, and ailments of his patients just by observing small details of dress, gait, and speech. All of this training culminated in the creation of master detective Sherlock Holmes, the star of Doyle’s books. Find this and other interesting bits of Sherlockian trivia in ARTHUR AND SHERLOCK: CONAN DOYLE AND THE CREATION OF HOLMES by Michael Sims. #ShelfLife #sherlock #biography #sherlockholmes #sherlockians

A photo posted by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Feb 3, 2017 at 8:06am PST

Book Chat - A Book Club for Adults

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Join us at the Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. as we discuss Martha Hall Kelly’s story about three women whose lives were changed forever when Hitler’s army invaded Poland in September 1939. If you are a fan of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult you will love this book. Whether you have read the book or not, come join us for the Book Chat discussion.

Mary Ann Kowaleski
Information Specialist

Library Limelight: Julie Boyd, Youth Services Supervisor, Cumming 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!

Julie on Lake Lanier

Julie Boyd
Youth Services Supervisor
Cumming Library


Where is your hometown?

Both Deerfield and Round Lake, IL

How long have you been at FCPL?

8 years

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

Collection Support Aide (CSA) and Information Specialist

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I have ALWAYS loved libraries, but I had never thought about working at one. When I saw the opening, I thought, “SURE!” 

Describe your job in five words or less.

Patrons, publications, planning, and puppets!

What is unique about your job?

The mixture of being both creative and analytical 

What is your favorite part of your job?

Smiling faces

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

Sailing through the Grenadine Islands

What are your hobbies?

Sailing, Precept Bible study, Insect collecting, Gardening

What are you reading right now?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer, The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, Fervent by Priscilla Shirer, Life Reimagined by Barbara Bradley Hagerty, The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey, and Butterfly World by Paul Smart  (Yes, I like to read multiple books at the same time!)

Paper books or eBooks?

Both

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

The people, both those whom I work with and our awesome patrons, make working at FCPL wonderful.

Staff Picks: The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu - Adult Non-Fiction

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts by Joshua Hammer


This amazing book tells how a handful of librarians in Timbuktu risked their lives and saved priceless manuscripts from being destroyed by jihadists.  These manuscripts illustrated Timbuktu’s rich cultural and literary legacy, some dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. With the establishment of numerous libraries and repositories for collected works, Timbuktu was gaining recognition once again as a cultural hub.

The book chronicles the increasing jihadist activities in Northern Mali and eventual takeover of Timbuktu in 2013, along with the story of the man charged with finding, preserving, and protecting the manuscripts. His dedication helped him find international support and a network of librarians and others in the area to help save them from being pillaged by multiple terrorist factions.

Imagine packing fragile manuscripts in the middle of the night by flashlight with terrorists canvassing the streets outside. A true library adventure worthy of Indiana Jones cred!


Joan Dudzinski
Collection Support Supervisor