Staff Picks - The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown

The Witchfinder's Sister is a work of historical fiction. The story is based on the real-life figure, Matthew Hopkins, who was responsible for the conviction of over a hundred women during the witch hunts which took place in England during the 1640's. Even though this book is fiction, it gives great insight into the reasons why women of this time period were suspected of witchcraft and how fear and ignorance were partly responsible for this horrific time in history.  This is a suspenseful read, but very informative and sad to consider the unnecessary suffering and loss of life that occurred.

Lynne Jackson
Information Specialist

Staff Picks - The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown (Adult Fiction)

The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown is the perfect Halloween read. This historical novel reveals the shocking history of Matthew Hopkins, a self-appointed 'Witch Finder General' whose reign of terror from 1644-1647 sent over 100 people to the grave.

Hopkins' half-sister Alice narrates the dark family drama. With well-founded fears both for and of her younger brother, Alice Hopkins provides a unique perspective on the fate of the accused and the motives of the accusers. Historical details highlight the suspense of this fascinating story. Lucy Brownhill brings the characters to life in the audio version which I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys listening to artful narration.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Staff Picks - New 2017 Thriller/Suspense (Part 2)

A multi-layered police procedural told from alternating viewpoints, Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner (Missing, Presumed, 2016) again features DS Manon, a strong female detective investigating a murder in Cambridge. While working the case, Manon is pregnant, exhausted, and stressed as she struggles to parent her newly adopted son, Fly, who is 12 years old and angry at the world. An added twist will make you doubt how well you can ever really know someone. Though a sequel, this could easily be read as a stand-alone. I look forward to seeing more of DS Manon in the future!

Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda is told from the first person point of view of husband Paul, over the period of 24 hours. The title made me think the book might be silly, so I put off reading it. Boy, was I wrong! When I finally picked it up, I couldn't put it down and dragged into work sleep-deprived the next day. I absolutely love getting into the mind of a character completely, and once you get to know Paul, you understand the simplicity of the title. Paul surprises his wife, Mia, with an overnight trip to their cottage, just the two of them, while their two small children stay behind. As the day unfolds, and layers come off to reveal more layers, Rouda amps up the suspense. At first I was not sure the ending was satisfying. The more I really thought about it, the more I realized it was perfect! Really glad I discovered Kaira Rouda.

Are You Sleeping has been compared to Serial (audio Podcast) hosted by Sarah Koenig, and Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood  (2015) which I absolutely devoured in one sitting, so it took no convincing for me to read this book! Are You Sleeping is told from the alternating viewpoints of Josie, who suffered unspeakable trauma as a child, and Poppy Parnell, annoying investigative journalist determined to reinvestigate the murder of Josie's father thirteen years prior. Josie has distanced herself from her past with layers of lies for her own protection, but Poppy's (a character you love to hate) podcast goes viral. Suddenly, Josie has no choice but to reveal herself and fears losing her boyfriend, Caleb, when the truth is revealed. Though a twisty, satisfying thriller, Are You Sleeping is also about relationships, redemption, and the power of forgiveness.

Beth Moore
Information Specialist

Libraries Celebrate Fall with Costume Parades and Storytelling

Fall is in full swing at Forsyth County Public Library as staff and patrons look forward to Trick-or-Treat storytimes, costume parades, and a special One World Forsyth program celebrating El Día de los Muertos.

The Cumming, Hampton Park, and Post Road branches will host Trick-or-Treat Storytime events October 26 through 31 featuring family-friendly Halloween stories, music, and activities. Children are invited to dress up and participate in a costume parade around the library as they trick-or-treat with library staff.

Storyteller Barry Stewart Mann

After Halloween, come celebrate Latin American culture and El Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, with storyteller Barry Stewart Mann at the Cumming Library on Thursday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m.

This special One World Forsyth program will be hosted during the library’s regularly scheduled Twilight Tales storytime and is sponsored by FCPL Friends & Advocates, an independent non-profit organization that raises funds for library programs and materials through sales at the Friends Bookstores.

Barry Stewart Mann’s captivating program includes a selection of stories and poetry from Mexico and across Latin America told in both English and Spanish.

“Using traditional stories and songs, he’ll share the customs and folklore surrounding Día de los Muertos celebrations that honor lost loved ones with music, festivals, and colorful calacas skeleton and calaveras skull decorations,” says Youth Services Supervisor Julie Boyd.

The program is appropriate for all ages and for speakers of every language. Admission to the El Día de los Muertos program is free and registration is not required to participate.

For more information on these and other programs for children, teens, and adults, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

10 Things Parents Need to Know about Tutor.com after Parent-Teacher Conferences

If you met with your child's teachers for a conference last week and learned your child needs a little help with homework, we've got great news for you!

Forsyth County Public Library offers all library cardholders free access to homework help with live, on-demand tutoring through the professionals at Tutor.com. As a parent, we know you want to monitor your child's use of the internet. Here are ten things that Tutor.com wants you to know about how the service works:

1. Tutor.com provides personalized support.
   Every Tutor.com session is personalized to meet the needs of your child, from remedial to advanced.
   
2. We work with their curriculum.
   Tutors use examples from the students' class notes, assignments, or textbooks to make sure our methods meet teachers' expectations.
   
3. We help with more than homework.
   Tutors can help students with specific homework problems, as well as test prep, concept reviews, and essay reviews.
   
4. Tutor.com is there when no one else can be.
   With over 3,100 tutors, Tutor.com can help your child late into the night and even on weekends. Tutors are available through the eLibrary at www.forsythpl.org for on-demand sessions daily from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
   
5. We are experts in over 40 subject areas.
   Students can get help with math, science, language arts, Spanish, social studies, AP classes, Microsoft Office, college entrance exams, and more.
   
6. We impact student achievement.
   Multiple independent research studies by educational experts have found that using Tutor.com raises students' grades and scores.
   
7. We build student confidence.
   On average, 96% of student survey respondents report that Tutor.com helps them feel more confident and complete their assignments.
   
8. We work with parents, too.
   Tutor.com tutors can help you better understand your child's homework so that you can help them complete their assignments.
   
9. Tutor.com is free and available on your computer or mobile device.
   Students just need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection, along with a valid library card account to get connected to a tutor.
   
10. We are a safe online environment.
    All Tutor.com tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check, repeated annually. No personal information is exchanged between student and tutor. All work is completed in our recorded classroom and monitored by management staff. 

All you need to begin using Tutor.com on-demand tutoring, test prep, and overnight review is a valid library card account. Don't have a library card? Apply online! All Forsyth County students are eligible for a free library card.

If you need help using Tutor.com or have questions about the other benefits of your library card, visit the Ask Us desk at any FCPL branch.

Staff Picks - The Skinny Gut Diet by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith - Adult Non Fiction

The Skinny Gut Diet by Brenda Watson, C.N.C. with Leonard Smith, M.D.

The author states, …”you have reduced the fat, reduced the sugar, reduced the carbohydrates, and certainly reduced the flavor of your meals. You have counted calories, counted inches, counted pounds and counted on each diet being the last one you’d ever try. You have eaten mindfully, eaten organically, eaten locally, and eaten your way through more diet books then you’ are to admit.” Oh, yeah all in the name of getting healthy. I can relate.

This is not a diet book but a lifestyle change. A way to live without heartburn and stomach pain. The author gives eye opening information about how the body works hard to try to keep the gut balanced so we can feel well. She talks about boosting our immune system to keep things balanced. The information is easy to understand and has a list of key points at the end of each chapter for review. Sprinkled throughout the book are testimonials from people that have made simple (some dramatic) changes that have transformed their lives.

I like the “teaspoon Tracker” formula tool. The author makes label reading easy and tracking sugar in foods easy to locate. She has three simple rules to eat by. There is a two-week eating plan to get you started and 70 recipes. I’ve tried a few of the breakfast meals with my family and they loved it. The dinners look like ones my family will enjoy. I’m excited to try the things I’ve learned in this book about getting a healthy gut.

Nora St. Laurent

Collection Support Aide

#ShelfLife - October 20, 2017

It's finally fall, friends! We can sit outside in the early mornings, wrapped up in both a blanket and a good book. We can tell spooky stories around campfires or simply sit and enjoy a brisk breeze.

Whatever your favorite fall activity is, we hope you'll pause a moment to stop by the library or make a virtual visit to our eLibrary and find a book, some music, or a movie to enjoy this season. If you're looking for a recommendation, check out our #ShelfLife feed on Instagram. This week's round-up includes books on pasta, purses, and progeny, with a side of cupcakes!

As always, we'd love to hear about what you're reading. Love it or hate it, you can tag us in a photo or leave a comment about what you're reading and we'll share it on our Instagram feed. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Finally fall weather has arrived this week and it puts us in mind of telling tales around shadowy campfires. Though A SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES by Louisa Morgan focuses more on the relationships between the women of one family than the power they must learn to wield and conceal, readers who love a good yarn will want to add this book to their to-be-read piles this season. Reserve a copy by logging into catalog.forsythpl.org with your library card account. #ShelfLife #asecrethistoryofwitches #louisamorgan #womensfiction #historicalfiction #mothers #daughters #family #amreading #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #FridayReads

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 20, 2017 at 5:33am PDT

Today is National Chocolate Cupcake Day! Sounds like a perfect time to enjoy a sweet treat and a good book, like one of these: DARK CHOCOLATE DEMISE by @mckinlayjenn, THE CUPCAKE CLUB: ICING ON THE CAKE by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk (@plccupcakeclub), NANCY DREW AND THE CLUE CREW: CUPCAKE CHAOS by Carolyn Keene, CUPCAKE DIARIES: MIA AND THE WAY THE CUPCAKE CRUMBLES by Coco Simon, And TROPHY CUPCAKES AND PARTIES! by Jennifer Shea (@trophycupcakes). #ChocolateCupcakeDay #ShelfLife #fiction #mystery #kidlit #cookbook #cupcakes #shelfie #bookstagram #amreading #librariesofinstagram #FCPLstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 18, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

#TBT to last month when @norastlaurent’s review of THE PROGENY by @toscalee was trending on the library’s Bookmarked blog. About the book: THE PROGENY is the first of the DESCENDANTS OF THE HOUSE OF BATHORY books bringing a modern twist to an ancient mystery surrounding the most notorious female serial killer of all time. The book is a fast-paced thriller for fans of Ted Dekker’s THE BOOKS OF MORTALS, Dan Brown’s THE DA VINCI CODE, and BBC America’s hit series ORPHAN BLACK. Reserve your copy at catalog.forsythpl.org! #ShelfLife #mystery #suspense #fiction #crimefiction #staffrecommendation #staffpick #amreading #goodreads #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #toscalee #theprogeny #descendantsofthehouseofbathory

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 19, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

Today is National Boss Day! Whether you’re showing appreciation for your boss, working on becoming a better boss, or just looking for a laugh, your local library has exactly what you need. Come celebrate with us and read like a boss! #BossDay #ShelfLife #ReadLikeABoss #BossBaby #TheBossOfYou #HowToBecomeAGreatBoss #amreading #librariesofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 16, 2017 at 6:13am PDT

#TBT to just last month when @norastlaurent’s review of DEADLY TIES by @vickihinze was trending on the Bookmarked Blog. The book is the second in the Crossroads Crisis Center series and you can request a copy through our online catalog or click over to the blog to read Nora’s review when you visit www.forsythpl.org. #ShelfLife #fiction #mystery #suspense #staffpick #staffrecommendation #amreading #bookclubreads #readersofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 12, 2017 at 6:16am PDT

We just heard that today is National Handbag Day. Make a little space in your own handbag to check out and take these books home: MY BOYFRIEND BARFED IN MY HANDBAG AND OTHER THINGS YOU CAN'T ASK MARTHA by Jolie Kerr ADORABLE ACCESSORIES: PAPER CREATIONS TO WEAR by Jennifer Phillips LILY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE by Kevin Henkes #NationalHandbagDay #ShelfLife #fashion #accessories #purse #bookstagram #shelfie #amreading #librariesofinstagram #booksofinstagram #FCPLstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 10, 2017 at 9:58am PDT

It’s National Pasta Day and we’re already looking forward to a celebratory plate of pasta for dinner! If you need a recipe, check out our cookbook collection in the 600 shelves in our non-fiction collection. You’ll find both traditional and modern recipes in books like PASTA MODERN by @francinesegan, FRANKIE AVALON’S ITALIAN FAMILY COOBOOK by Frankie Avalon, EVERYONE IS ITALIAN ON SUNDAY by @rachaelray, and CHLOE’S VEGAN ITALIAN KITCHEN by @chefchloe Coscarelli. If you’re laying off the carbs, maybe you can just imagine enjoying a plate while reading STICK DOG SLURPS SPAGHETTI by Tom Watson. #NationalPastaDay #ShelfLife #amreading #bookstagram #cookbook #kidlit #pasta #italian #vegan #StickDog #TomWatson #HarperChildrens #forsythreads #fcplstories

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 17, 2017 at 8:06am PDT

Put your coffee down and step away from your cell phone for just a moment. Dr. Robert Lustig, author of the best-selling FAT CHANCE, is back with a book about how your brain got hacked. Visit catalog.forsythpl.org to place a hold on THE HACKING OF THE AMERICAN MIND: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CORPORATE TAKEOVER OF OUR BODIES AND BRAINS and figure out how to reclaim your brain. #ShelfLife #FatChance #TheHackingOfTheAmericanMind #nonfiction #research #biology #science #neuroscience #amreading #readersofinstagram #librariesofinstagram

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 10, 2017 at 5:59am PDT

Young Adults Get Free Job Interview and Resume Help at Cumming Library

Young adults entering the workforce will get tips on preparing a well-written resume and learn how to present themselves during interviews at a free workshop with Arpana Satyu-Burge, local entrepreneur and co-owner of Dutch Monkey Doughnuts, and other human resources professionals at the Cumming Library on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m.

The workshop is part of Forsyth County Public Library’s Adulting 101 series to help young adults prepare for living independently. The series launched in January and helps young adults educate themselves about practical things like creating a monthly budget, shopping for car and health insurance, purchasing or renting a home, repairing seams or lost buttons to extend the life of their clothes, and even how to shop for the most nutritious yet least expensive groceries.

“Local universities and trade schools will award diplomas and certifications to students at the end of the semester next month, and those new graduates can apply what they’ve learned at this Adulting 101 workshop to begin their job search with confidence,” says Jennifer Forbes, Information Services Supervisor at the Cumming Library and the program’s organizer.

Arpana Satyu-Burge (left), co-owner of Dutch Monkey Doughnuts, will join Forsyth County Public Library’s Human Resources Manager Susan Thornton (center) and Human Resources Representative Elise Herbst (right) to share practical advice on writing a resume and interviewing successfully at the Adulting 101 workshop on November 1.

Leaders from the library’s own human resources department will also join the panel with Satyu-Burge to talk with participants about the qualities employers are looking for in a good resume. The panel will also speak about managing your online persona and how employers might consider anything posted online or on social media networks when deciding if an applicant is a good fit for a position.

“It helps to consider yourself ‘employed’ in job seeking. Make it your job to educate and train yourself on the things you can do to improve your chances of being noticed and being hired,” says Human Resources Manager Susan Thornton, who will speak on what new applicants can generally expect in the interview and hiring process.

Participants will also learn the most effective ways to prepare for in-person interviews.

“Local employers are looking for commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. Those seem to be the key traits of a productive, long-term team member,” says Satyu-Burge, who will speak about ways job seekers can demonstrate those traits during an interview.

For more information on the Adulting 101 series, including the upcoming meal planning workshop with UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Barbara Worley on December 6, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Staff Picks - New 2017 Thriller/Suspense (Part 1)

I hope you enjoy these Psychological Thriller/Suspense titles as much as I did!

The Master of Horror, Stephen King, calls Final Girls by Riley Sager the first great thriller of 2017, and if that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is! It's good old-fashioned horror-slasher film fun, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it come to the big screen at some point. You don't want to look, but you can't look away either. You find yourself screaming (or whispering so the killer can't hear you) at the characters to turn around, hide, and RUN because you KNOW they only have minutes to live. True horror fans will love this violently twisted, not quite believable tale, but it may be too much for readers looking for a tamer sort of read. Sam, Lisa, and now Quincy, our narrator, all belong to a club none wanted to join, the Final Girl. They don't know one another, but all are sole survivors of brutal killing sprees they should not have survived. Quincy, the last Final Girl, is struggling to move on from a night she can't remember, but only doing a superficial job of it. Word comes that Lisa, the first Final Girl, was found dead in her bathtub with her wrists slit. Sam, the second, suddenly shows up at Quincy's door. How did she find her? Can she be trusted? Will Quincy be able to finally remember the killer's identity, a man she only refers to as HIM? Riley Sager takes the reader back and forth from the present to the past, around blind curves, through dark tunnels, and finally just sends us "Wile E. Coyote-style" straight off a cliff!

Once again, Mary Kubica knocks it out of the ballpark! She has such an engaging style of writing that pulls you in and keeps you mesmerized. Every Last Lie is told in alternating points of view of the husband and wife. She is an exhausted new nursing mother with a newborn and young daughter, and he is a successful dentist who seemingly adores them. A pivotal incident occurs early on, and lies are uncovered, taking the reader on a roller-coaster ride to the climatic ending Kubica is known for. Like all her books, this is one you will not put down until you are done, and then you will anxiously count down the days until her next book is released. A superb read for psychological suspense fans!

I loved All the Missing Girls (2016) by Megan Miranda, so I was excited to get my hands on The Perfect Stranger. Miranda is an excellent storyteller, and her latest didn't disappoint. The main character, Leah, loses all credibility and, as a result, her job as a journalist in Boston. Then Emmy, an old friend she lived with for four months after college, reenters her life. Emmy is escaping a bad relationship and the two decide to move together to rural Pennsylvania for a fresh start. A woman who looks a lot like Leah soon winds up dead, and Emmy disappears three days later. Leah asks the police for help finding Emmy, but soon realizes she has no real proof that Emmy ever existed. The police think Leah is lying about Emmy's existence and they begin to suspect her of murder as well. Leah questions how well she really knew her friend. To get to the truth, Leah has to go way back and revisit old demons. An unreliable narrator, questionable co-workers, a creepy isolated house in the woods, and a brilliant ability to keep readers guessing makes this novel very satisfying.

From the get go, One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline starts with a whopper. Chris is applying for a job as a high school teacher and coach, but he's a fraud. Why is he lying his way into the school? Three baseball players on his team feature prominently in the story, all with their own unique problematic home lives. I've liked most of Lisa Scottoline's books I've read, but this was one of her best. She pulled the rug out from under me with a twist I didn't see coming, and I love that! One Perfect Lie gives readers a fresh and unique story line, high school baseball, Pennsylvania farm country, a bit of romance, and lies....lot of lies! Be sure and put this one on your reading list.

Beth Moore
Information Specialist

Library's "Great Gats-bees" Win Costume Contest at Literacy Forsyth's Spell Check Live! Event

On Tuesday, October 17, Literacy Forsyth held its 18th annual Spell Check Live! adult spelling bee fundraiser to help raise money for adults in Forsyth County with low literacy skills. FCPL’s own team, the Great Gats-Bees, made an impressive showing by coming in second place, defeated only in the final round by University of North Georgia’s Harry Potter-themed team, Luna and the Love-To-Spell-Goods.

However, the Great Gats-Bees’ stylish 1920s flapper dresses took the top prize in the costume contest! Congratulations to the Great Gats-Bees: Lisa Echols, Stephanie Hampson, Julie Boyd, and Cleo Joyce.

Also a big thank you to everyone on staff and their families who came out to support Literacy Forsyth by attending the Buzz Before the Bee, participating in the raffle drawings and silent auction, and cheering on our fabulous team. Your contributions will help ensure that underprivileged families in Forsyth County will have continued access to language and literacy education and free GED testing.

Thank you for your support!

Ross Gericke
Branch Manager
Hampton Park Library

National Friends of Libraries Week: October 15 – 21, 2017

During National Friends of Libraries Week Forsyth County Public Library extends thanks to the FCPL Friends & Advocates for all the support their volunteers provide for the library.

Through its Friends Bookstores at the Cumming and Post Road libraries (and the Sharon Forks Library, once renovation is complete), FCPL Friends & Advocates raise money that enables our library system to move from good to great -- providing the resources for additional programming, much needed equipment, support for children’s summer reading, and special events throughout the year.

The work of the FCPL Friends & Advocates highlights the fact that our library is a cornerstone of the community providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connect with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to the present.

FCPL Friends & Advocates volunteers share their time and commitment to the library and set an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community.

Forsyth County Public Library encourages everyone to join the FCPL Friends & Advocates (and like them on Facebook), shop at the Friends Bookstores, and thank the Friends volunteers for all they do to make our library and community and wonderful place to live, work, play, and read!

Libraries to Host Diwali and Star Wars Reads Celebrations this Sunday, October 15

Sunday, October 15 will be a busy day at two Forsyth County Public Library branches. The Post Road Library will host a Diwali Celebration from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Cumming Library will host Star Wars Reads Day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“This is the fourth year we’ve hosted a Diwali program and our patrons seem to really enjoy learning about Hindu culture and customs through dance demonstrations, sampling traditional cuisine, and creating artwork and crafts,” says Cleo Joyce, Youth Services Supervisor at the Sharon Forks Library and the program’s organizer.

This Diwali Celebration is part of the library’s One World Forsyth series that highlights geography, cultural traditions and celebrations from around the world. The series is sponsored by the FCPL Friends & Advocates.

Participants can expect to immerse themselves in the customs and traditions of Diwali at this year’s celebration, says Joyce.

“We’ll have crafts, samples of Indian foods, and henna tattoos set up in the library. In the meeting room, we’ve planned dance performances from Atlanta Nritya Academy at 2:00 p.m., Darshini Natyalaya School of Indian Classical Dance at 3:00 p.m., and Maya Dance at 4:00 p.m.”

Admission to the program is free and all ages and cultures are welcome.

Later in the afternoon, Star Wars fans are invited to dress up as their favorite characters and meet members of the Georgia 501st Legion at Star Wars Reads Day at the Cumming Library.

“Star Wars Reads is a month-long celebration of epic stories and galactic adventures,” says Julie Boyd, Youth Services Supervisor at the Cumming Library.

Children, teens, and adults can get in on the fun by dressing in costume, joining in Star Wars-themed games, crafts, and Sphero droid races, checking out Star Wars books or graphic novels, and jumping into a photo with costumed characters from the Georgia 501st Legion.

“The 501st Legion is a group of volunteers who participate in public events dressed in amazingly realistic costumes. Their participation in this program is exciting for our patrons and we are so pleased to welcome them back to the library this year. This is the program you’re looking for!” adds Boyd.

Admission to Star Wars Reads Day is free and all ages are welcome to attend.

For more information on these or other upcoming events at Forsyth County Public Library, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Library Limelight: Gabi Santangelo, Information Specialist, 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!

Gabi Santangelo
Information Specialist
Cumming Library

Where is your hometown?

Berkeley Lake, GA

How long have you been at FCPL?

4 years

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

CSA (Collection Support Aide)

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I remember coming to the library almost every day when I was little and thought it would be wonderful to work here some day.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Can you help me print?

What is unique about your job?

I get to interact with so many different people on a daily basis.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I like that I get to incorporate my love of technology with my job. I also love getting to know our patrons so I can provide personalized service when they visit the library.

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

I haven’t gotten to travel much, but I love western North Carolina. Asheville is one of my favorite cities to visit. I am planning a trip to Las Vegas next summer.

What are your hobbies?

I love cooking and anything to do with the outdoors. I enjoy fishing and horseback riding. I also have a secret passion for motorcycles, dirt bikes, and fast cars.

What are you reading right now?

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

Paper books and eBooks.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am almost finished with my BS in Computer Science and I’m looking forward to getting my MBA with a specialization in Technology Management.

Staff Picks: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor - Teen High Fiction

Gods and heroes, magic and true love--this book is an epic fantasy. But the central problem, whether there can be truth and reconciliation after a long history of atrocities, is what kept me turning the pages. I wanted to know! I wanted to point to the pages and say, “See? Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” But then the book ended with a cliffhanger, albeit one with the hope of resolution. Needless to say, I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy.

Anonymous

#ShelfLife - October 6, 2017

Apparently everyone on Instagram had tacos on the brain this week!

We celebrated National Taco Day on Tuesday (naturally!) and we know one little girl who's been reading Henry Helps with Dinner on repeat all week long. Maybe her parents will bring her back to the library for National Brussel Sprouts Day or Eat Your Veggies Day and give our staff a challenge to find a book that she'll gobble up!

We're also in the prime season for scary stories and we shared a debut novel entitled In the Valley of the Sun, a scream-worthy tale of a cowboy who encounters the undead in the desert. Author Andy Davidson warns readers to enjoy his book by the light of day, just to be safe.

Looking ahead to next week, we've got two big announcements:

1. All FCPL branches will be closed on Monday, October 9 for staff training. We'll come back with new ways to help you connect with knowledge and imagination on Tuesday, but be sure to visit the eLibrary at www.forsythpl.org if you'd like to download a book or magazine.
2. We're hosting three book club discussions of Bless Me, Ultima, the official UNG Reads book selection next week. Learn more about the book, book clubs, and a screening of the film later this month on the library's website.

Finally, brace yourselves, readers. We may be in for some stormy weather next week, so head into the library this weekend and restock your to-be-read pile!

Today is National Taco Day, friends! We're celebrating by drooling over books about tacos and planning to pick up tasty taco treats for dinner tonight. If you're hungry for tacos...and a good book...check out the titles pictured here: THE FOOD TRUCK COOKBOOK by @johntedge (Chapter 7: Tacopalooza is our favorite!), HENRY HELPS WITH DINNER by Beth Bracken, and STEF SOTO, TACO QUEEN by @jennanntorres. #ShelfLife #NationalTacoDay #TacoTuesday #streetfood #foodtruck #tacotruck #bookstagram #amreading #ameating #taco #thefoodtruckcookbook #henryhelpswithdinner #henryhelps #stefsototacoqueen #librariesofinstagram #ForsythReads #ForsythEats

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 4, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

Author @theandydavidson told @guestparking to read IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN only in the daylight and we suggest you take his advice. We won’t even make fun of you if you scream a little while you read…but seriously, read it in the light of day. About the book: Travis Stillwell spends his nights searching out women in West Texas honky-tonks. What he does with them doesn’t make him proud, just quiets the demons for a little while. But his nights soon take a terrifying turn in a desert cantina, where Travis crosses paths with a mysterious pale-skinned girl in red boots. Come the morning, he wakes weak and bloodied in his cabover camper, no sign of a girl, no memory of the night before. Reserve your copy at catalog.forsythpl.org. #ShelfLife #amreading #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #GeorgiaLibraries #debutnovel #horror #suspense #thriller #vampires #Texas #inthevalleyofthesun #andydavidson @skyhorsepub

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 4, 2017 at 5:09am PDT

Bring out your silly side because today is National Mad Hatter Day! The Mad Hatter appeared in Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, so take a cue from him (or any of Carroll’s characters, really) and do something absurd today. Go play croquet with a pink plastic flamingo or go crazy with the glow-in-the-dark facepaint like these teens did at the Post Road Library last year. If you’re in need of inspiration, just head over to catalog.forsythpl.org and type “Alice in Wonderland” in the search bar. You’ll find more than 70 results for books, music, sheet music, art books, and DVDs to inspire you to new heights of fantasy and hilarity. #NationalMadHatterDay #ForsythReads #FCPLstories #FridayReads #AliceInWonderland #LewisCarroll #amreading

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 6, 2017 at 9:17am PDT

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will collaborate with local libraries, youth organizations, nonprofit groups, and businesses to promote a love of reading in our community with the launch of UNG Reads from September 30 through November 4. This year’s book selection is BLESS ME, ULTIMA by Rudolfo Anaya. The book is set in rural New Mexico in the 1940s and tells the story of a Mexican-American boy, Anthony, who learns to navigate the changing American landscape during World War II. He gets help from Ultima, a curandera (female faith healer) who guides him through the cultural, religious, and moral conflicts he faces in his community. Forsyth County Public Library will host three book club discussions and a screening of the film adaptation of the novel. Patrons are also invited to share a bit of their own wisdom or words of encouragement on Tree of Wisdom displays at the Cumming, Hampton Park, and Post Road Libraries during the month of October. #ShelfLife #UNGReads #BlessMeUltima #RudolfoAnaya #nationalhispanicheritagemonth #MexicanAmerican #WWII #historicalfiction #filmadaptation #bookstomovies #communityreads #FCPLstories #ForsythReads @georgialibraries @ung_news

A post shared by Forsyth County Public Library (@forsythpubliclibrary) on Oct 2, 2017 at 10:45am PDT

Scarecrow Festival and Fall Storywalk at Cumming Library

The Fourth Annual Scarecrow Festival and Fall Storywalk is now open and ready for patrons to visit in The Secret Garden, located behind the Cumming Library.

A Storywalk allows garden visitors to read a children’s book page-by-page as they stroll through the garden and look at each mounted page staggered throughout the space. Storywalks encourage literacy and outdoor family time.

The current featured book is Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky. The book depicts a harvest hayride at pumpkin farm, where a family finds circles, squares, ovals, and other shapes all around. The story promotes interactive counting and searching for the different shapes within each illustration.

The FCPL Friends and Advocates have once again contributed an adorable scarecrow scene and the Forsyth Master Gardeners participate each year by beautifully decorating The Secret Garden for fall with pumpkins, corn, and mums. The Master Gardeners also build a scarecrow to join those designed and constructed by the Youth Services team.

Stop by and visit our lovely garden with its spirit of autumn displays!

Staff Picks - Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout (Adult Fiction)

I loved My Name is Lucy Barton, so I couldn't wait to read Anything is Possible, which expounds on Lucy's story. The book takes us back to Amgash, Illinois with interconnected stories that focus on people who were a part of Lucy's life growing up. Characters are flawed, relationships are strained, and daily life sometimes unbearable. But there is always hope at the end of the day. Elizabeth Strout's books are a warm blanket, a cup of tea, and a few tissues for your tears. 

Beth Moore
Information Specialist