CrafterNoon Holiday Wrap Up!

Calling all crafters! You're invited to wrap up 2021 with a bevy of holiday-themed crafts. We will provide the supplies while you bring the imagination! You can create art using some of our example projects or make something entirely on your own, while enjoying the company and conversation of fellow crafters.

Register here to join us on Friday, December 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library. Happy Crafting!

Melissa
Information Specialist
Cumming Library

Staff Picks: Opal and the Great Steeplechase Race by Diane Head - Juvenile Fiction

 

Opal and the Great Steeplechase Race by Diane Head

Could a mule win a horserace? 

Opal and the Great Steeplechase Race transports young readers to a racetrack in Aiken, South Carolina in 1890 and introduces them to a determined young stable boy who dreams of completing in the steeplechase horse race on his mule Opal.  

This exciting story will appeal especially to young horse lovers and fans of historical fiction. The author Diane Head is a Forsyth County resident, former FCPL volunteer, and a member of the Sharon Forks Writers’ Group.  

Do you believe a mule could ever win a horse race?  Read Opal and the Great Steeplechase Race to find out if hard work and determination pay off at the steeplechase race.      

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks 

OverBOOKed to Read: The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith

The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith

Nordic Noir is a subgenre of the thriller, Scandinavian crime fiction marked by gritty writing with dark plots set in bleak landscapes, and it has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the last few years. You may have heard of authors like Jo Nesbø, Stieg Larsson, and Karin Fossum, who write about worn, flawed characters who are sometimes far from heroic.

And then there is Detective Inspector Ulf Varg. Ulf "the Wolf" Varg is keenly observant and possesses a philosophical turn of mind. Like any Nordic Noir detective, he has his share of personal problems that he must deal with as he uncovers clues to various crimes. He is unlucky in love and, distressingly, his dog Martin appears to be depressed. It could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but it is summer, so something else must be going on.

Obviously, this is not your usual Nordic Noir. Instead, Varg and his team in the Department of Sensitive Crimes investigate cases that are... well, complicated. For instance, there is the case of the former motorcycle mechanic who now sells cashmere and was stabbed in the back of the knee. Who could have committed such an attack and why? Next, a young woman's boyfriend suddenly goes missing. The investigation becomes more complex when it turns out that her boyfriend is imaginary. How does one locate an imaginary missing boyfriend?

It turns out that Ulf Varg and his associates possess an attention to detail and a high tolerance for rambling conversation that enables them to navigate the odd crimes and quirky characters that come to the Department of Sensitive Crimes. Readers will find it to be a delightful experience.

Check out the book now and join the overBOOKed book club on Thursday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cumming Library.

The eBook and eAudiobook versions of The Department of Sensitive Crimes are available through OverDrive. Anyone with a Forsyth County Library card can sign up for a free OverDrive account. Sign up for a free card today to start enjoying FCPL's digital catalog from wherever you are!

Melissa
Information Specialist
Cumming Library
#WeKnowBooks

Staff Picks: A Father's Sin by Ashley Baker - Adult Fiction

A Father's Sin by Ashley Baker

A clinical pathologist in North Carolina becomes an unlikely avenger when his daughter whispers the name of her rapist to him from her hospital bed. This dark and compelling psychological suspense novel is authored by Forsyth County psychologist Dr. Ashley Baker, PsyD a member of the Sharon Forks Writers’ Group.

Readers who enjoy well-written suspense stories about characters with warped moral compasses will appreciate the depth and insights in A Father's Sin. This impressive debut novel is set in Boone, North Carolina, and will remind readers of the stories of author Gillian Flynn. 

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

November is National Novel Writing Month

Write Your Novel in a Month by Jeff Gerke

Each November thousands of aspiring authors around the world challenge themselves to write 50,000 words of a novel as part of National Novel Writing Month. If you're one of them, check out Write Your Novel in a Month by Jeff Gerke for useful pointers on organization, revisions, and suggestions on what to do with your completed draft.    

National Novel Writing Month began in 1999 and in 2006 became a nonprofit organization that supports writing fluency and education. Bestselling books like The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Wool by Hugh Howey, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell all began as National Novel Writing Month projects.   

Good luck to all of Forsyth County’s 2021 NaNoWriMo participants! 

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

 

November 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read award winners or nominees. Try out one of these great titles or check out our Award Winners book lists at the bottom of our Book Lists for Teens page. 

Teen Middle (Grades 6-8)

Everything Sad is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri

At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much. But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment his family fled Iran in the middle of the night with the secret police moments behind them, back to the sad, cement refugee camps of Italy.and further back to the fields near the river Aras, where rain-soaked flowers bled red like the yolk of sunset burst over everything, and further back still to the Jasmine-scented city of Isfahan.

(Michael L. Printz Award - 2021)

Redwood and Ponytail

by K.A. Holt

Told in verse in two voices, with a chorus of fellow students, this is a story of two girls, opposites in many ways, who are drawn to each other; Kate appears to be a stereotypical cheerleader with a sleek ponytail and a perfectly polished persona, Tam is tall, athletic and frequently mistaken for a boy, but their deepening friendship inevitably changes and reveals them in ways they did not anticipate.

(Odyssey Award Honor - 2020)

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

(Newbery Medal Winner - 2010)

Teen High (Grades 9-12)

If These Wings Could Fly

Kyrie McCauley

In Auburn, Pennsylvania, a farming community overrun with crows, high school senior Leighton struggles to keep herself and her sisters safe from their abusive father even as she starts a relationship.

(William C. Morris Debut Award - 2021)

Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people... In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance -- and Papi's secrets -- the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

(YALSA Top 10 Best Fiction - 2021)

Deeplight

by Frances Hardinge

The gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. When 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists, and a secret fanatical cult so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to his friend when he's becoming a monster and what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him?

(USBBY Outstanding International Books - 2021)

If you need help selecting a book for any of our Reading Challenges, you can Contact a Librarian or visit the Ask Us desk of any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

Stephani Lindsey

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

#WeKnowBooks

November 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read award winners or nominees. Try out one of these great titles or check out our Award Winners book lists at the bottom of our Book Lists for Kids page. 

Beginning Chapter Books (Grades 1-3)

Bink & Gollie

by Kate DiCamillo

Two roller-skating best friends--one tiny, one tall--share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.

(Theodor Seuss Geisel Award - 2011)

Juana & Lucas

by Juana Medina

A spunky young girl from Colombia loves playing with her canine best friend and resists boring school activities, especially learning English, until her family tells her that a special trip is planned to an English-speaking place.

(American Library Association Notable Children's Book - 2017)

Chapter Books (Grades 3-5)

Dictionary for a Better World

by Irene Latham

Organized as a dictionary, entries in this book for middle-grade readers present words related to creating a better, more inclusive world. Each word is explored via a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, and a short personal anecdote from one of the co-authors, a prompt for how to translate the word into action, and an illustration.

(Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels - 2021)

The Teachers March!

by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace

Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he recognized that his colleagues were viewed with great respect in the city. Could he convince them to risk their jobs--and perhaps their lives--by organizing a teachers-only march to the county courthouse to demand their right to vote? On January 22, 1965, the Black teachers left their classrooms and did just that, with Reverend Reese leading the way. Noted nonfiction authors Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace conducted the last interviews with Reverend Reese before his death in 2018 and interviewed several teachers and their family members in order to tell this story, which is especially important today.

(Orbis Pictus Honor Book - 2021)

Rival Magic

by Deva Fagan

Antonia may not be the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen, but she's worked hard to win her place as apprentice to renowned sorcerer Master Betrys. Unfortunately, even her best dancing turnip charm might not be enough when Moppe the scullery maid turns out to be a magical prodigy. Now that Betrys has taken Moppe on as a second apprentice, Antonia's path to wizarding just got a bit more complicated. But when Betrys is accused of treason, Antonia and Moppe are forced to go on the run. To prove their master's innocence--and their own--the rivals must become allies. As their island province teeters on the brink of rebellion, they'll face ancient spells, vengeful mermaids, enchanted vegetables, voice-stealing forests, and one insatiable sea monster.

(Cybils Awards- Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Winner - 2020)

If you need help selecting a book for any of our Reading Challenges, you can Contact a Librarian or visit the Ask Us desk of any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

Stephani Lindsey

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

#WeKnowBooks

November 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read award winners or nominees. Try out one of these great titles or check out our Award Winners book lists at the bottom of our Book Lists for Kids page. 

Picture Books

I Talk Like a River

by Jordan Scott

When a child has a "bad speech day" at school, his father gives him a new perspective on his stuttering.

(Schneider Family Book Award - 2021)

Paper Son

by Julie Leung

An inspiring picture-book biography of animator Tyrus Wong, the Chinese American immigrant responsible for bringing Disney's Bambi to life. Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. Not papers for drawing--which he loved to do--but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime--and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of Bambi.

(Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - 2021)

Home in the Woods

by Eliza Wheeler

During the Great Depression six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mother find a tar-paper shack in the woods and, over the course of a year, turn it into a home. Based on the author's grandmother's childhood; includes historical notes.

(Georgia Children's Books Awards Finalist - 2022)

Early Readers

See the Cat

by David LaRochelle

What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat-- Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces the excitable Max, who lets the book know in irresistibly emphatic dialogue that the text is not to his liking. Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka hilariously depicts the pup's reactions to the narrator and to the wacky cast of characters who upend Max's-- and readers' --expectations as the three stories build to an immensely satisfying conclusion.

(Theodor Seuss Geisel Award - 2021)

Don't Throw It to Mo!

by David Adler

Mo Jackson loves football. But nobody will throw him the ball! How can he help his team win?

(Theodor Seuss Geisel Award - 2016)

Charlie & Mouse

by Laurel Snyder

Charlie and Mouse, two young brothers, enjoy a day out together, attending an imaginary party and collecting rocks.

(American Library Association Notable Children's Book - 2018)

If you need help selecting a book for any of our Reading Challenges, you can Contact a Librarian or visit the Ask Us desk of any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

Stephani Lindsey

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

#WeKnowBooks

A Visit with Georgia Author Janisse Ray

 

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit an author talk given by Janisse Ray and hosted by Eagle Eye Books in Decatur. If you’ve never heard of Janisse Ray, I highly recommend reading any one of her eight books, most notably her newest release, Wild Spectacle: Seeking Wonders in a World beyond Humans. You’ve probably heard of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, which made the New York Times Bestsellers list and Drifting into Darien.

 A little about Janisse: she is not only a writer but a naturalist and an activist as well. She is the author of seven nonfiction books and a collection of eco-poetry. Ray grew up in South Georgia and writes about her experiences growing up in the region. She works with various environmental organizations to help educate the public about the conservation and protection of nature, from trees to fish to butterflies. Ray has won an American Book Award, Pushcart Prize, Southern Bookseller Awards, Southern Environmental Law Center Writing Awards, Nautilus Award, and Eisenberg Award, among others; and has been inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.

During her talk at Eagle Eye Books, Ray discussed the importance of preserving nature and how she is working with Trees Atlanta to plant 800 trees in the metro-Atlanta area so the city can maintain its “City in a Forest” title. She compared humans' attachment to the Earth to a child attaching to its parents; if a child is loved and around their parents from birth, they have a natural attachment to their parents. “The same is for humans and nature,” said Janisse. “Those who grew up in urban environments do not have that natural attachment to the Earth.” However, that can be fixed. Janisse urges everyone, no matter where you grew up, to become more environmentally conscious and to do more to help protect the Earth. One easy and fun way to do this is by participating in our Citizen Science program this month. Or you can reach out to local nonprofits, such as Keep Forsyth Beautiful or Trees Atlanta, and volunteer. Below is a list of other local organizations that you can volunteer with. Now is the time to get active and to help save our home.

Rivers Alive: Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that targets all waterways in the state, including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. Rivers Alive is held annually each fall and is a program of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Outreach Program.

Georgia Conservancy: Their mission is to protect Georgia through ecological and economic solutions for stewardship, conservation, and sustainable use of the land and its resources.

Chattahoochee River Keepers: Their mission is to educate, advocate and secure the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, including its lakes, tributaries, and watershed, in order to restore and conserve their ecological health for the people and wildlife that depend on the river system and in recognition of the important ecosystem functions provided throughout the region and planet.

Georgia ForestWatch: Georgia ForestWatch sees a future where people can enjoy forests that have reached their full majesty, where intact natural processes support healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity, and clean streams supply water to millions of Georgians. Their mission is to enhance the health of Georgia’s 867,000 acres of National Forest by protecting our forests and streams, advocating for natural processes, and identifying opportunities to improve Forest management.

Jessica Doss

Information Specialist - MLIS

#WeKnowBooks

Library Limelight: Amy Szvetecz, Youth Services Supervisor, Post Road Library

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

Amy Szvetecz

Youth Services Supervisor 
Post Road Library

Where is your hometown?

I grew up outside of Philadelphia.

How long have you been at FCPL?

I just had my 5 year anniversary!

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

I was a Youth Specialist for 3 years at Post Road

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I have always loved books and reading, but once I had kids, I became even more passionate about them and especially children’s literacy. Much of my 20 year span as a school volunteer centered around reading – as a reading parent at Montessori Preschool, chairing the elementary school’s Accelerated Reader program, coordinating Media Center volunteers, and just coming in as a Mystery Reader every month. When I was ready to return to the work force, finding a job that allowed me to work with children in a library setting was the perfect fit.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Problem-solving, managing, creating, mentoring, and being flexible.

What is unique about your job?

Every day is different. I get to work on behind the scenes tasks such as budgeting, scheduling, and planning, then spend time out on the floor interacting with patrons. New questions and challenges are the norm. It’s rewarding coming up with creative ways to handle the unexpected!

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love every part of my job! From sorting carts, to working with my staff, to chatting with regular patrons, just being in the library brings a smile to my face.

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

I was fortunate enough to live in Singapore for four years right after I got married. That was a great launching pad for trips to Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bali. I got to experience so much culture, religion, history, and cuisine. Oh the cuisine!

What are your hobbies?

Hiking, kayaking, playing with our 2 golden retrievers, and hanging out with my family. 

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Bossypants by Tina Fey and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw and listening to Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

All of them! eAudiobooks for my daily commute, eBooks when I travel, and good old fashioned paper when I’m reading at home. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I love my job and am so fortunate to have found the perfect second career here at FCPL!

Collection Highlight: Depression and Mental Illness Resources at FCPL, Part 2

Back in August, I posted several new titles that FCPL had recently acquired about depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend an excellent presentation on mental health wellness, and it reminded me that it was time to share more of FCPL’s mental health resources with our patrons and staff. 

Thanks to FCPL’s Materials department, patrons have a wide array of current books to choose from to learn more about mental illness for themselves or to help a friend or loved one. 

I have shared a few more new titles below, and I plan to add more titles in the coming months. Please see library staff if you need help finding more resources about depression and mental health.

A Cure for Darkness: The Story of Depression and How We Treat It by Alex Riley

What is depression? Is it a persistent low mood or a complex range of symptoms? Is it a single diagnosis or a diversity of mental disorders requiring different treatments? In A Cure for Darkness, science writer Alex Riley explores these questions, digging into the long history of depression and chronicling the lives of psychiatrists and scientists who sought cures for their patients.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Recognize and Overcome Behaviors for a Healthier, Happier You by Jayme Albin and Eileen Bailey

Are you struggling with destructive thoughts and self-defeating patterns? This book will help you discover powerful tools to identify and overcome anxiety, OCD, anger, panic, stress, and other mood-related conditions by applying the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy to your daily life, which will help you change how you think. Whatever anxiety disorder you are suffering from, or if you are simply unhappy with the results you're getting in life, you have the power to change the outcomes.

Depression by Laura L. Smith, PhD. and Carter H. Elliot PhD. 

In this friendly, cheerful, no-nonsense guide that is part of the “For Dummies” series, leading clinical psychologists Laura L. Smith and Charles H. Elliot demystify common types of depression, explain its physical effects, and help identify the kind you have. Armed in this way, you can take firmer steps toward the lifestyle changes - as well as therapy or medication - that will put you back in control.

Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don't Want to Talk About by Ryan Casey Waller

A pastor and licensed psychotherapist who suffers from depression and anxiety discusses the relationship between mental health and faith while addressing the role of self-care, compassion, and restoration.

Check the August 6, 2021 Bookmarked Blog post to see the first list of new titles focusing on mental health. Library staff are more than happy to help you find more books and other resources about mental health wellness. 

Jeanne McMahan

Information Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

#WeKnowBooks

FCPL Reading Challenge - November 2021

November Reading Challenge

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read award winners or nominees.

You can find more award winning and nominated titles on the Award Winners lists on the Adult Recommended Reads page on our website.

We'd love to hear about the books you chose! Still catching up on previous challenges? We want to hear about those books too! 

Leave a comment on this blog post, join our conversation on Facebook, or @ us on Twitter!

#WeKnowBooks

If you need help selecting a book for any Reading Challenge in 2021, please Email a Librarian, or visit the Ask Us desk of any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

October Reading Recap

We challenged our staff and our patrons to read books featured in an FCPL Book Club or NextReads Newsletter.

Here are a few of the books we read:

• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
• The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
• Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart

We're so glad to have you reading along with us and crushing your reading goals for 2021. There are a few months left to take on the challenge. You're doing great!