#ShelfLife - June 30, 2017

The countdown to Independence Day is on! If you're looking for great books to read as you celebrate at the beach or in the backyard, you've come to the right place.

This week's #ShelfLife selections include a powerful non-fiction book about the science of popularity, a book of historical fiction set in 1950s Appalachia, popular books about frogs for kids, and a link to tips from The New York Times on how to raise your children to become readers.

Please remember that all FCPL branches will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, but our eLibrary is always open at www.forsythpl.org.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend reading wonderful books. Leave a comment below to tell us what you're reading and your book could be featured on our #ShelfLife feed on Instagram next week!

No matter how old you are, there's a good chance that the word "popular" immediately transports you back to your teenage years. Even as adults we all still remember exactly where we stood in the high school social hierarchy, and the powerful emotions associated with our status persist decades later. This may be for good reason. Our popularity affects our DNA, our health, and our mortality in fascinating ways we never previously realized. More than childhood intelligence, family background, or prior psychological issues, research indicates that it's how popular we were in our early years that predicts how successful and how happy we grow up to be. But it's not always the conventionally popular people who fare the best. Find out why when you check out POPULAR: THE POWER OF LIKABILITY IN A STATUS-OBSESSED WORLD by Mitch Prinstein, on library shelves this month. #ShelfLife #popular #MitchPrinstein #psychology #nonfiction #bookstagram #amreading #librariesofinstagram #ReadingWithoutWalls

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 27, 2017 at 8:32am PDT

Need to repair your lawn mower this summer? Don't stop at the repair shop, go to the library! The Small Engine Repair Reference Center has a full collection of Clymer repair manuals and full-text reference books with original photos and illustrations for more than 25 years of engine models. Access it for free at www.forsythpl.org with your library card. #ShelfLife #eLibrary #eResources #eReference #nonfiction #fridayreads #fridayrepairs #gardensofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 23, 2017 at 11:26am PDT

This week FIRE IS YOUR WATER by Jim Minick arrives on library shelves. Set in the Appalachia of the 1950s, this book is a perfect candidate for your Reading Without Walls challenge. Twenty-year-old Ada Franklin is well known for her faith healing, but after a devastating fire in the Franklins' barn, Ada cannot cure the burns on her mother's hands. Her powers came from her strong belief in God, which the fire has challenged. Will Burk, an admitted agnostic, shows up to help rebuild the barn with his constant companion, Cicero, an injured raven he rescued after a fierce rainstorm. Ada's future falters until another tragic blaze revives her powers and transforms her friendship with Will into a deeper love, despite their differences in faith. #ShelfLife #ReadingWithoutWalls #summerreading #fireisyourwater #theblueberryyears #jimminick #appalachia #fiction #southernwriter #appalachianwriter #bookstagram #amreading

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 22, 2017 at 9:32am PDT

Each time we walk by the children’s non-fiction section we notice a few more gaps in the shelves holding books about amphibians (and insects and reptiles, too!). Our patrons must love their froggy friends! If your child would like to read about frogs this summer, check out this selection of fiction and non-fiction books that would look lovely on your summer reading log (from top left): FINKLEHOPPER FROG CHEERS by Irene Livingston, FABULOUS FROGS by Martin Jenkins, FROGGY GOES TO THE LIBRARY and FROGGY GOES TO SCHOOL by Jonathan London, FROG GIRL by Paul Owen Lewis, and FROG SONG by Brenda Z. Guiberson. #ShelfLife #fridayreads #frogs #summerreading #fcplstories #amreading #fiction #nonfiction #kidlit #forsythreads #librariesofinstagram #frogsofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 26, 2017 at 9:14am PDT

The Books section of THE NEW YORK TIMES is one of our favorite places to find new books, new authors, and literacy news. This week we discovered a guide written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo entitled “How to Raise a Reader” that offers simple reading tips that are easy for parents to practice as their children grow. For the benefit of busy parents who may not be able to read the entire guide in one sitting, we’ve summarized tips for infant, toddler, and preschool stages of development on our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten blog at goo.gl/4s4oyP. To read more of THE NEW YORK TIMES ONLINE, log in with your library card account and enjoy free remote access to articles, videos, and customizable stock reports wherever your are. #ShelfLife #1000books #1KB4K #kidlit #childrensbooks #earlyliteracy #reading #nyt #libraryperks #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 28, 2017 at 8:51am PDT

Meet Libby, a new app for OverDrive eBooks

Libby is a new app from OverDrive that is intended to make borrowing and reading eBooks from our OverDrive library easier for patrons. The app is available from the App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft (for Windows 10).

Libby works both as an addition to and as a replacement for the current OverDrive app. Any eBooks you check out in OverDrive will also appear in your Libby app, and vice versa.

You can read your OverDrive eBooks in the Libby app or transfer them to a Kindle device, if you prefer. When you read in Libby, you can adjust the Reading Settings to change the text size (called Text Scale) and lighting. Users can also choose different book designs, such as OpenDyslexic, that make it easier for patrons with dyslexia to read.

Another advantage of Libby is that you can use the app with multiple library cards from the same library system or from different library systems. This feature is helpful for parents that want to check out eBooks for their children or for those that patronize more than one library system. It’s simple to add cards to your account, just select Library Cards in the menu. If the library cards you want to add are from different library systems, select Switch Library first, and then follow the prompts.

If you need assistance with Libby, please visit the Ask Us desk at any FCPL branch.

Book Buzz - a Book Club for Adults - Thursday, July 13th at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman 

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman is a courageous war story (WWII) of how a zookeeper and his family help hide and ultimately save many people from the Nazis in Warsaw, Poland. Everything is centered around the main villa at the Warsaw Zoo where the family lives and tries to maintain some semblance of normalcy during war. The author takes you on a journey of courageous feats in which individuals and families are hidden on their way to and from safe houses around the city, oftentimes hiding in the attic, secret tunnels, and even animal cages. She will tell you their stories along with others involved in the Underground and Resistance within the Warsaw Ghetto. Intermingled with these stories are tales of animals the family cared for both before and during the war.

The movie was just in theaters earlier this year, did you get to see it? How did the movie compare to the book? The book is always better, isn’t it? We would love to hear your thoughts, either way.

Come join our Book Buzz Book Club on Thursday, July 13 at either 1:30 p.m., or at our new Twilight Book Buzz time at 6:30 p.m. to discuss this title.

Joan Dudzinski
Collection Support Supervisor

#ShelfLife - June 23, 2017

Whether you'd prefer exotic travel or going completely off the grid, check out this week's #ShelfLife selections:

First, all you readers that prefer solitude, check out How to Survive Off the Grid from Tim MacWelch and the editors of Outdoor Life magazine.

Next, all you lovers of literary fiction absolutely must check out Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon. This book is a guide for bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe. Check into Hemingway's favorite hotel in Sun Valley, or stroll about Bath's Royal Crescent while entertaining fantasies of Lizzie Bennett and her Mr. Darcy.

If you'd like to travel back in history, go back to the Gilded Age of astronomy when the moon's shadow fell across the American West in the total solar eclipse of 1878 with American Eclipse by David Baron.

Or, if you'd rather a have a bit of lighter reading with the kids, travel back in time to that awesome taco party (but don't let the dragons near the salsa!) in the cute sequel Dragons Love Tacos 2.

We're in for a wet start to the weekend, and we think rainy days are the best for snuggling up to a good book. Leave a comment below and let us know what you're reading this weekend and your book could be featured in the #ShelfLife next week!

Looking for something new and interesting to read this summer for your #ReadingWithoutWalls challenge? Check off the “read a book about a topic you don’t know much about” box when you check out HOW TO SURVIVE OFF THE GRID: FROM BACKYARD HOMESTEADS to BUNKERS (AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN) by Tim MacWelch and the editors of OUTDOOR LIFE magazine. The book is an illustrated guide for the modern homesteader that covers energy efficiency, finding and pumping your own water, keeping chickens, goats, bees, and other critters for those folks who dream of leaving it all behind and heading for the hills. And, just FYI, if you’d like to read a few issues of OUTDOOR LIFE, download full issues for free with your library card from FCPL’s Zinio digital magazine service at www.forsythpl.org. #FCPLstories #ReadingWithoutWalls #offthegrid #outdoorlife #timmacwelch #wildlife #survival #survivalskills #zinio #magazinemonday #amreading #nonfiction #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 19, 2017 at 5:37am PDT

Follow in the footsteps of much-loved writers, including Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen, and Robert Frost when you check out NOVEL DESTINATIONS (Second Edition): A TRAVEL GUIDE TO LITERARY LANDMARKS FROM JANE AUSTEN'S BATH TO EARNEST HEMINGWAY'S KEY WEST by Shannon McKenna Schmidt (@noveldestinations) and Joni Rendon. For vacationers who crave meaningful trips and unusual locales, this book is a guide for bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe. Check into Hemingway's favorite hotel in Sun Valley, or stroll about Bath's Royal Crescent while entertaining fantasies of Lizzie Bennett and her Mr. Darcy. The fully revised second edition includes all of the previous sites-with updated locations-plus color images and an expanded section on all things Brontë. The book begins with thematic chapters covering author houses and museums, literary festivals and walking tours. Then, in-depth explorations of authors and places take readers to Franz Kafka's Prague, James Joyce's Dublin, Louisa May Alcott's New England, and other locales. #ShelfLife #amreading #amtraveling #noveldestinations #fiction #nonfiction #travel #vacationreads #forsythreads #summerreading #readingwithoutwalls

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 21, 2017 at 11:22am PDT

The countdown is on! We’re eight weeks and four days away from witnessing a solar eclipse on August 21. Stay tuned for more information on eclipse programs at FCPL, but while you wait for the moon to cast its shadow, check out AMERICAN ECLIPSE: A NATION’S EPIC RACE TO CATCH THE SHADOW OF THE MOON AND WIN THE GLORY OF THE WORLD by David Baron. From publisher @w.w.norton: On a scorching July afternoon in 1878, at the dawn of the Gilded Age, the moon’s shadow descended on the American West, darkening skies from Montana Territory to Texas. This rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse—offered a priceless opportunity to solve some of the solar system’s most enduring riddles, and it prompted a clutch of enterprising scientists to brave the wild frontier in a grueling race to the Rocky Mountains. AMERICAN ECLIPSE animates the fierce jockeying that came to dominate late nineteenth-century American astronomy. James Craig Watson, virtually forgotten in the twenty-first century, was in his day a renowned asteroid hunter who fantasized about becoming a Gilded Age Galileo. No less determined was Vassar astronomer Maria Mitchell, who—in an era when women’s education came under fierce attack—fought to demonstrate that science and higher learning were not anathema to femininity. Despite obstacles erected by the male-dominated astronomical community, an indifferent government, and careless porters, Mitchell courageously charged west with a contingent of female students intent on observing the transcendent phenomenon for themselves. Finally, Thomas Edison—a young inventor and irrepressible showman—braved the wilderness to prove himself to the scientific community. Armed with his newest invention, the tasimeter, and pursued at each stop by throngs of reporters, Edison sought to leverage the eclipse to cement his place in history. What he learned on the frontier, in fact, would help him illuminate the world. #ShelfLife #forsythreads #fcplstories #davidbaron #americaneclipse #astronomy #eclipse2017 #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 21, 2017 at 7:43am PDT

Hop into your time machine and experience that awesome taco party one more time, but don’t let the dragons go near the salsa! Additional copies of DRAGONS LOVE TACOS 2 are on-order and a few books are left on the shelves now. Come check out your copy today! #ShelfLife #DragonsLoveTacos2 #tacotuesday #dragonslovetacos #newreleases #picturebookfavourites #picturebook #kidlit #summerreading #fcplstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 20, 2017 at 9:30am PDT

Today is National Fudge Day! While we don’t want to get caught in the stacks with sticky, fudge-coated fingers, we did immediately think of re-reading SUPERFUDGE, FUDGE-A-MANIA, and DOUBLE FUDGE by @judyblume. We hope you have a moment today to enjoy a bite of fudge and read a book that makes you smile! #NationalFudgeDay #ShelfLife #fridayreads #amreading #kidlit #librariesofinstagram #superfudge #judyblume #happyfood

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 16, 2017 at 10:55am PDT

Expect Service Interruptions June 26 - 27, 2017

Recorded Books, Inc., the vendor for the library's Zinio eMagazine and OneClickdigital eAudiobook services, is working to upgrade and merge those two services into a new website and mobile app called RBdigital.

The new RBdigital app and website will consolidate Zinio and OneClickdigital services into a single, easy-to-use interface. FAQs about the migration to RBdigital are provided below:

When is the migration and will service be interrupted?

The migration to RBdigital will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 26 and may take up to 14 hours to complete. Service disruptions are expected and patrons will see an outage message during the migration if they access content on the web directly or via the OneClickdigital app. Affected services also include Artistworks and Atomic Training.

When can I update my OneClickdigital mobile app to RBdigital?

The new RBdigital app will replace the OneClickdigital app on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. If your mobile device is set to automatically update apps, then your OneClickdigital app will automatically update and display the new RBdigital icon. Users can also update manually.

To use the new RBdigital app, log in with the same credentials you used for the OneClickdigital app. The new RBdigital app will have all your previous checkouts, along with stored wishlists, holds, and history, but those checkouts will need to be downloaded again.

When can I update my Zinio for Libraries mobile app to RBdigital?

Beginning June 27, you can download the RBdigital app from the app store for your device and then remove the Zinio for Libraries app to free up space on your device.

To use the new RBdigital app, log in with the same credentials you used for the Zinio for Libraries app. The new RBdigital app will have all your previous checkouts, but these materials will need to be downloaded again.

The existing Zinio for Libraries app is expected to be discontinued later this year and users will see in-app alerts and messages with instructions on upgrading to the new RBdigital app.

Two "Small" Services Help Library Patrons in Big Ways

Forsyth County Public Library launches two new eLibrary services this month, thanks to an ongoing relationship with content and research giant EBSCO Information Services.

Local entrepreneurs will want to check out the Small Business Reference Center. Backyard mechanics and do-it-yourself enthusiasts will find help for all kinds of repair projects in the Small Engine Repair Reference Center.

Small Business Reference Center

Getting a fledgling business off the ground is even harder when you don’t have the information you need to file legal forms, register patents, and compile reports or make financial projections.

FCPL’s new Small Business Reference Center database will provide local business users with localized start-up kits and forms, demographic data, and other valuable business resources.

Take your idea from concept to reality with help from the Small Business Reference Center.

The database contains over 400 full-text business magazines, journals, and trade publications including Advertising Age, Beverage Industry, Franchising World, and HR Magazine published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Small Business Reference Center includes more than 450 full-text reference books, including the popular NOLO series of do-it-yourself forms and instructions, as well as case studies and industry reports, such as The Complete Guide to Buying a Business, Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business, and Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center

The Small Engine Repair Reference Center offers a full collection of Clymer repair manuals. The database contains over 500 full-text reference books – complete with original photos and illustrations – for more than 25 years of engine models.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center contains a full collection of Clymer repair manuals, with new and updated content added regularly.

Visit this database in the Consumer and Automotive section of the library’s eResources collection and you’ll find instructions for more than 90,000 repairs on a variety of small engines, such as chainsaws, tillers, lawnmowers, and jet skis.

Access to Small Business Reference Center and Small Engine Repair Reference Center is free on any library computer. Both resources can be accessed outside the library by visiting www.forsythpl.org and logging in with a valid library card account.

Library cards are issued for free to residents of Forsyth County, property or business owners in Forsyth County, employees of Forsyth County government, and currently enrolled students or employees of any public or private educational institution in Forsyth County. Out-of-county library cards are also available for an annual fee.

For more information, or to access these services, please visit www.forsythpl.org.


 

Staff Picks: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel by Suzanna Clarke (Adult Fiction)

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Susanna Clarke brings the spirit of the Napoleonic Wars to life in a historical fantasy that chronicles the tutelage and rivalry of two magicians who hope to aid the British crown. Talented and highly opinionated Mr. Norrell and his young apprentice Jonathan Strange perform feats of magic that equally astonish and horrify. This imaginative and epic journey is filled with irony and subtle humor and is a real treat for fans of historical fantasy.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Staff Picks - Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

This novel is a powerful, gripping and emotional read I couldn’t put down. Eilanna is a woman beaten down by life’s blows and is left with nothing. She's strong, desperate for love and is willing to risk it all to get a touch from Jesus to heal her body and soul. This author allows readers an up-close and personal view of this young lady’s life as readers walk in Eilanna’s shoes and feel her pain. She’s heart sick and desperate to be healed of a sickness that plagued her body and shaped her life.

There are twelve discussion questions to enhance your book club experience. I highly recommend this novel, it’s one you won’t soon forget. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, it won’t be the last. This is an incredible, life changing story that would be great for your book club. It’s a must read.

Nora St. Laurent
Collection Support Aide

#ShelfLife - June 16, 2017

This week in the #ShelfLife we're letting patrons know that cookbooks absolutely count toward your Reading Without Walls goals, especially when you choose recipes from around the world. Check out Vibrant India on library shelves this week to learn the basics of tempering spices and working with unfamiliar ingredients.

Fans of Georgia Public Broadcasting will be pleased to know that two more DVD titles are arriving at all four of our branches this month. Be sure to check out The Georgia Stories and The Green Tree Frog in our DVD collections.

Please remember that our social media team will be offline and all FCPL branches will be closed in observance of Father's Day on Sunday, June 18. If you're looking for something to read while we're away, please check out the FCPL Goodreads Group to see our latest book club selections or browse the eLibrary at www.forsythpl.org.

Cookbooks absolutely count toward your Reading Without Walls goal this summer! If you’re looking for fresh and fantastic recipes to try this season, check out VIBRANT INDIA by Chitra Agrawal, chef and owner of Brooklyn Dehli. Focusing on classic dishes based around lentils, rice, and fresh produce, Agrawal helps home cooks learn the fundamentals of Indian cooking, from tempering spices to working with unusual ingredients. VIBRANT INDIA shows readers that Indian food goes beyond heavy curries to include food that is vibrant, bright, and beautiful. #FCPLstories #ReadingWithoutWalls #cookbook #plantbasednutrition #yogadiet #bangalorecookbook #india #vegetarian #vegan #glutenfree #amreading #amcooking #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #brooklyndelhi @chitra @brooklyndelhi @penguinrandomhouse

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 13, 2017 at 2:09pm PDT

Teens: get the scoop on scripts at the Summer Teen Writers Workshop! Aaron Levy, author, playwright, and Director of Academics at Georgia Film Academy, will lead a workshop on script writing at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26 at the Post Road Library. The program is free for teens in middle school and high school. Want to read some of Aaron's work before you come? Check out his book BLOOD DON'T LIE or his play, PIZZA WITH SHRIMP ON TOP. #ShelfLife #summerreading #scriptwriting #amwriting #teenwriter #playwright #fcplstories #authortalk #aaronlevy #georgiafilmacademy

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 15, 2017 at 10:54am PDT

We are grateful to Georgia Public Broadcasting (@gpbmedia) for providing each of our branches a copy of THE GREEN TREE FROG: HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW, a short animated film inspired by the true story of how a Georgia fourth grade class proposed that the green tree frog become the Georgia State Amphibian. Look for it in the Juvenile DVD collection this month and stay tuned to Instagram for information on additional DVDs from Georgia Public Broadcasting. #ShelfLife #georgiapublicbroadcasting #dvd #tv #howabillbecomesalaw #kidlit #summerreading #fcplstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 12, 2017 at 11:15am PDT

We are grateful to Georgia Public Broadcasting (@gpbmedia) for providing each of our branches a set of the two-part series THE GEORGIA STORIES. The series was designed to support the learning of Georgia history through archival film and photographs, interviews with Georgia residents, historians and authors, documentary footage, and dramatic recreation of events. GEORGIA STORIES I contains stories about Georgia’s political and cultural history. GEORGIA STORIES II contains stories about Georgia’s economic history. The DVDs are shelved in the Adult DVD collection at each FCPL branch. #ShelfLife #georgiapublicbroadcasting #dvd #tv #history #georgiahistory #localhistory #nonfiction #summerreading #FCPLstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 14, 2017 at 1:48pm PDT

#ShelfLife - June 9, 2017

This week in the #ShelfLife we learned that our patrons love chocolate ice cream and Rebecca (we do, too!).

Now that we've put that combination in your head, we bet you might just dig out your old copy of that Daphne du Maurier novel and sit down to read it with a scoop of ice cream.

When you finish, don't forget to record it in your summer reading log! Patrons who register and reach their summer reading goal will be entered in a grand prize raffle drawing for the prizes we announced for kids, teens, and adults on Instagram earlier this week.

Join us on Instagram next week for more #ShelfLife recommendations for #ReadingWithoutWalls and great books for kids to read with Dad on Father's Day.

Today is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! We're celebrating with a scoop of our favorite flavor as we read some great books on making your own favorite summer treat at home. Pictured here are A LA MODE: 120 RECIPES IN 60 PAIRINGS by Bruce Weinstein and @markscarbrough; SWEET CREAM AND SUGAR CONES: 90 RECIPES FOR MAKING YOUR OWN ICE CREAM AND FROZEN TREATS FROM BI-RITE CREAMERY by Kris Hoogerhyde, Anne Walker, and Dabney Gough of @biritecreamery; THE PERFECT SCOOP: ICE CREAMS, SORBETS, GRANITAS, AND SWEET ACCOMPANIEMENTS by @davidlebovitz; and JENI'S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS AT HOME by @jenibrittonbauer of @jenisicecreams. #nationalchocolateicecreamday #ShelfLife #icecream #alamode #theperfectscoop #summer #dessert #cookbooks #nonfiction #cooking #bookstagram #amreading #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 7, 2017 at 7:37am PDT

you read and loved REBECCA, go behind the story to see author Daphne Du Maurier as a shy seven-year-old, a rebellious sixteen-year-old, a twenty-something newlywed, and finally a cantankerous old lady in MANDERLEY FOREVER: A BIOGRAPHY OF DAPHNE DU MAURIER by @tatianaderosnay. Then, check out other Du Maurier works in our collection, such as FRENCHMAN'S CREEK and THE BIRDS (yes, we mean the Alfred Hitchcock film, as it was based on a story by Du Maurier) and fictional works by Tatiana de Rosnay, such as SARAH'S KEY, A SECRET KEPT, and A PARIS AFFAIR. #ShelfLife #bookstagram #summerreading #amreading #nonfiction #biography #manderleyforever #fiction #romanticsuspense #romance #mystery #daphnedumaurier #tatianaderosnay #writersofinstagram #librarygarden #gardensofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 7, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT

THE PAPER MENAGERIE AND OTHER STORIES by Ken Liu, a collection of thought-provoking short stories that range from realistic to fantastical, was recommended to us by Nicholas Y. at the Sharon Forks Library. Nicholas says his favorite stories were "The Paper Menagerie", "An Advanced Readers' Picture Book of Comparative Cognition", and "The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary". If you're looking for something beyond beach reads this season, give THE PAPER MENAGERIE a read and let us know what you think. If you liked the book, you might be interested to know that Ken Liu is an author and translator of speculative fiction, as well as a lawyer and programmer. He's a winner of the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards and is writing a silkpunk epic fantasy series called THE DANDELION DYNASTY. Place a hold on the first two books, THE GRACE OF KINGS and THE WALL OF STORMS, in our online catalog. #ShelfLife #staffpick #ReadingWithoutWalls #shortstory #amreading #fiction #scifi #fantasy #thepapermenagerie #kenliu #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 6, 2017 at 12:44pm PDT

Looking for something new and interesting to read this summer for your #ReadingWithoutWalls challenge? Check off the “read a book about a character who doesn’t look like you or live like you” box when you check out WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND, the first in the new Gilded Age Mystery series by Rosemary Simpson. In the gilded age of Manhattan, the Great Blizzard of 1888 provides the perfect cover for the murder in this tale of old money, new love, and grave suspicion. Be among the first to check it out at the library this month! #whatthedeadleavebehind #rosemarysimpson #seriesdebut #historicalfiction #mystery #amreading #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #fcplstories #readingwithoutwalls

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 5, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

Help your kids learn Spanish this summer with SALSA DVDs! We are grateful to Georgia Public Broadcasting (@gpbmedia) for providing SALSA, a television series designed to make language learning fun for children to our community. The SALSA I set contains 30 lessons and the SALSA II set contains 12 lessons. Look for the DVDs in the Easy Language Learning collection at all four FCPL branches this month and stay tuned to Instagram for information on additional DVDs from Georgia Public Broadcasting. #ShelfLife #georgiapublicbroadcasting #dvd #tv #languagelearning #spanish #SalsaTheSalamander #kidlit #summerreading #fcplstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 8, 2017 at 12:41pm PDT

Library to Receive Donated Materials from Georgia Public Broadcasting

The library’s collection of DVDs for children and adults is growing, thanks to a generous donation from Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Salsa:Award-Winning Language Program

Each branch will receive sets of the Salsa award-winning TV series, which was designed by leading language and early childhood experts to present Spanish language and culture to children in a fun and engaging way.

Salsa I is a set of eight DVDs containing 30 lessons altogether. Salsa II is a set of four DVDs containing twelve lessons.

Young learners in kindergarten through third grade will enjoy Salsa the salamander and his puppet friends, who teach Spanish through familiar stories, sparkling animation, songs, and real life adventures.

All of the Salsa DVDs will be housed in the Easy Language Learning collection.

Official Amphibians: The Green Tree Frog

The Green Tree Frog: How a Bill Becomes a Law is a one-disc animated short film inspired by the true story of how a Georgia fourth grade class proposed that the green tree frog become the Georgia State Amphibian.

This DVD will be housed in the Juvenile DVD collection at each branch.

History: The Georgia Stories

The Georgia Stories is a two-part series regarding the history of the state told through archival film and photographs, interviews with Georgia residents, historians, and authors, documentary footage, and dramatic recreation of events.

Georgia Stories I contains stories about Georgia’s political and cultural history. Georgia Stories II contains stories about Georgia’s economic history.

The Georgia Stories will be housed in the Adult DVD collection.

Check Out these DVDs

Our Materials team is processing the donation and tagging each item with a special plate acknowledging the donation from Georgia Public Broadcasting. All the DVDs will be on library shelves and available for check out this month, so look for them in the online catalog.

 

Staff Picks Giada's Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets

Giada's Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets by Giada De Laurentis

What makes this cook book different from her others? She’s included the calorie count and nutritional analysis for each recipe, along with a colored icon that signifies if the dish is GF (gluten free), DF (dairy free), V(vegan), or VG (vegetarian). It also contains the serving size for each recipe.

Giada gives readers a peek into how she takes care of herself, from skin care, to exercise and rest. She says, “everyone is different; …(this is a )…personal look into how I keep my body and mind in a happy and healthy balance.”… “My philosophy on eating: Eat a little of everything, but not a lot of anything.”

Giada is quick to say this is not a diet book. She is just showing readers how she came about the routines and food choices that have worked for her and her family over time. There are 120 recipes that are her favorites. She has ingredients that are easy to find and simple instructions.

Nora St Laurent
Sharon Forks

#ShelfLife - June 2, 2017

It was a short week, but we still managed to connect patrons with some wonderful books!

The first book, Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase, is the selection for next week's Book Buzz book club at the Cumming Library. By popular request from patrons, Book Buzz will meet as both a day and evening book club. Book Buzz Twilight will meet at 6:30 p.m. on June 8, concurrently with Twilight Tales storytime, so bring your children along, too!

Two of this week's selections, Where Will I Live? and The Lines We Cross, would be perfect for taking the Reading Without Walls challenge this summer.

What's that? You don't know about Reading Without Walls? Anyone can join the challenge simply by finding something new and different to read, such as:

• Reading a book about a character who doesn't look like you or live like you
• Reading a book on a topic you don't know much about
• Reading a book in a format that you don't normally read for fun, such as a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse, or an audiobook

Step out of your comfort zone and read something new. If you'd like to recommend a book, leave a comment below and your suggestion could be featured on our Instagram #ShelfLife feed next week.

Reading Without Walls encourages readers of all ages to explore unfamiliar books and materials in three ways: 1) Read about characters who don’t look or live like you 2) Read a book on a topic you don’t know much about and 3) Read a book in a different format, such as an audiobook or graphic novel. Children who want to join in Reading Without Walls this summer can check out WHERE WILL I LIVE? by Rosemary McCarney on library shelves this month. This photo essay explores what life is like for children who are forced to flee their homes due to war, terror, hunger, and natural disasters. #ReadingWithoutWalls #FCPLstories #ShelfLife #FCPLstories #nonfiction #childrensbooks #picturebook #rosemarymccarney #amreading #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram @_secondstory

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on May 30, 2017 at 1:11pm PDT

Teens, do you want to join in Reading Without Walls but haven’t yet found a book that sounds interesting? Check out THE LINES WE CROSS by @randaafattah, now on library shelves. Meet Michael, a teen with parents who drag him to rallies protesting the flood of refugees entering the U.S. Then see how Michael’s worldview shifts as he meets Mina, a Muslim refugee from Afghanistan at school. Both teens will have to choose what they want their world to look like. Will it be fear and destruction? Or tolerance and love? #ReadingWithoutWalls #ShelfLife #FCPLstories #teenfiction #fiction #teenreads #thelineswecross #amreading #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on May 31, 2017 at 11:18am PDT

We’ve come a long way since the first nail polish was made from a mixture of bees’ wax and gum Arabic around 3,000 B.C. Today, @essiepolish is celebrating the first annual National Nail Polish Day. If you’re looking for fresh ideas to paint your own nails, check out this stack of books bursting with ideas for going well beyond a simple coat of polish (L to R): NAIL CARE TIPS & TRICKS by Emma Carlson Berne; TOTALLY COOL NAILS: 50 FUN AND EASY NAIL ART DESIGNS FOR KIDS by Catherine Rodgers (@totallycoolnails, and keep reading, she’s got a book on this list for grown-ups, too!); NAIL CANDY: 50+ IDEAS FOR TOTALLY COOL NAILS by Donne & Ginny Geer (@heynicenails); DIY NAIL ART: EASY, STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR 75 CREATIVE NAIL ART DESIGNS by Catherine Rodgers; and NAILS, NAILS, NAILS! 25 CREATIVE DIY NAIL ART PROJECTS by Madeline Poole (@mpnails). #firstannual #NationalNailPolishDay #ShelfLife #nonfiction #kidsnonfiction #beautybooks #nails #heynicenails #stylesecrets #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #amreading

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Jun 1, 2017 at 6:51am PDT

Book Buzz, a day and evening book club for adults, will discuss BLACK RABBIT HALL by Eve Chase on June 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Cumming Library. Parents, bring your children and they can enjoy Twilight Tales storytime at 6:30 p.m. while you participate in the Book Buzz Twilight book club! #BookBuzz #ShelfLife #bookstagram #bookclub #blackrabbithall #evechase #FCPLstories #librariesofinstagram #momreads #fiction

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on May 30, 2017 at 1:06pm PDT