Meet Shannan Wade, FCPL’s April Library Limelight!

Shannan began her journey with FCPL as a CSA. As a lifelong lover of books, she found it natural to apply for a job at the library shelving, taking care of the collection, and being surrounded by the very things that brought her so much joy and comfort as a child. After working in that position for about nine months, she made the jump to Youth Services. 

Staff Picks: Cold People by Tom Rob Smith

 

Cold People by Tom Rob Smith

British novelist Tom Rob Smith is best known for writing fast-paced spy thrillers set in Stalin's Russia like Child 44, The Secret Speech, Agent 6, and the psychological suspense novel, The Farm set in rural Sweden. Smith makes a departure from realistic fiction with his latest novel, Cold People, a thought-provoking, post-apocalyptic story of human survival set on the most inhospitable place on Earth. 

Cold People begins with an alarming premise. Advanced alien invaders give humanity a grim ultimatum–relocate to Antarctica within thirty days or perish. 

It’s interesting to see how various countries decide who to transport to the barren continent and the unusual survival techniques they invent in order to build communities in the frozen land. Basic existence changes drastically as the displaced people of Earth adopt new diets, habitats, and even family structures.    

While some colonists prioritize freedom or community, others–recognizing the danger of extinction–take drastic measures to speed up human evolution before the colonies die out. But their ground-breaking scientific advances in genetics have disturbing origins and dangerous outcomes. 

Novels in Verse for Teens

Telling stories through poetry is an ancient art. From the Sumerian poems written in cuneiform to the Greek epics of the Iliad and the Odyssey, storytelling and poetry have gone hand in hand for thousands of years. Today poets write entire novels in verse. 

Why choose poetry instead of prose? Gwendolyn Brooks described poetry as “life distilled,” and John Wain compared poetry to dancing. There is a magic in poetry–in its sounds, in its rhythms, in its meaning. It can capture the vitality of the human experience. Like dancing, poetry moves and grooves. It reflects life and is perfect for storytelling.

In honor of National Poetry Month, we have curated this list of young adult novels in verse. These stories capture the beauty of being a teen and the myriad of experiences one can have. 

Spring for these Cozy Mysteries

Do you need a book with low stakes, an engaging plot, and kooky characters? Look no further. Cozy Mysteries are fun, often delightful books with low stakes plots and interesting characters. Think Murder She Wrote, Midsomer Murders, or, when at their zaniest, Pushing Daisies. Even if you’ve never read one, you’ve probably seen their wonderfully pun-filled titles. From food to crafts to animals, cozy mysteries cover a variety of topics and themes. They are silly enough to make you laugh out loud and serious enough that you want to find out the ending. Sound like the kind of books for you? Check out this list of popular titles. 

National Humor Month Staff Picks: Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

In a creative burst of inspiration, two teenage misfits craft a cryptic phrase about gold seekers and fugitives and plaster it all over town, exciting residents of Coalfield, Tennessee and beyond. The Coalfield Panic of 1996, as it comes to be called, sparks rumors of a Satanic cult and kidnapping, as well as a real life tragedy that has lasting consequences for the creative duo.  

Readers who remember summer months before viral videos and 24 hour news channels will appreciate this nostalgic coming-of-age story about an artistic creation that spins wildly out of control.  

The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers.  We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.   

Kevin Wilson

Now is Not the Time to Panic