Staff Picks: Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession

 

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession

Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul is a thoughtful and amusing story about two thirty-something male friends navigating through a few of life’s major and minor turning points. Leonard is adjusting to living alone after his mother's passing while best friend Hungry Paul, the baby of a close knit family of four, is being lightly pressured by his engaged older sister to find a real career and move out of the family home. 

The novelty of the story is that differences of opinion are handled with respect and good will. If you’re used to reading fast-paced stories full of unsavory characters and lots of conflict, Leonard and Hungry Paul is a refreshing change of pace featuring relatable characters you'll enjoy getting to know. Bibliophiles will also appreciate Leonard's literary aspirations and Hungry Paul's attempt to win a writing contest. 

Rónán Hession is an Irish writer, musician, and social worker who has released three musical albums under the name Mumblin' Def Ro. Published in 2019. Leonard and Hungry Paul was chosen for the 2021 One Dublin, One Book festival and a finalist for both the Irish Book of the Year and the British Book of the Year awards. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Dublin
Image Credit: sfabisuk from Getty via Canva

Toon Talk: Third in a Series

With the advent of spring springing on, it’s only natural that all of Forsyth County is soon to be found under green trees and by riversides, indulging in America’s favorite pastime: reading comics. But — worry not. As teens and their older ilk flounder to find new material, the FCPL system is here to supply. Below are some of the best offerings your library has to offer for adults, curated by a cartoon-conscious teenager.

Black Hammer

I couldn’t write a library rec’ list without some Lemire. Really, my suggestion is just to run a search on the catalog that goes: “Lemire, Jeff.” I’ve yet to try something by him that hasn’t been a delight. But Black Hammer is a standout; it’s probably the best intro to Lemire’s bibliography that isn’t Essex County (try that, too!) His expertise is raw human emotion, rural horror, family drama, all with a heavy touch of cosmic weirdness. I tentatively recommend this series of adult graphic novels because I, myself, just started Black Hammer with the first trade (Volume One: Secret Origins) and now I’m going to have to compete with all of YOU to get the next book!

Peanuts

Here’s another reason why Fantagraphics is the best. They collected all of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts strips — dailies, Sundays, all of it — and packed them into a series of beautiful little books that you can read chronologically at your local library. Just search up “the complete Peanuts” on the catalog and take your pick over decades’ worth of cartoon masterminding. Don’t you remember Good Ol’ Charlie Brown? These soft bound books are found in the adult nonfiction section of the library. 

[Another recommended search on the catalog is to sort books by (PUB=”Fantagraphics”). It’s hard to go wrong there.]

Jade

Teen Advisory Board 

Inspiring Illustrated Biographies for Women's History Month

The month of March serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions made by women in the United States. Here are two inspiring biographies about amazing female athletes.  

Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics by Jean L.S. Patrick; Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Born in Marion, South Carolina in 1900, Lucile (Ludy) Godbold was one of  fifteen American athletes selected to compete in the first Women's Olympics in 1922.  Long-Armed Ludy is an interesting look at Olympic history and a gold metal athlete who made history.         .  

Picture Books About Women Serving in the United States Military

Women have been serving in the military since the inception of organized warfare, in both combat and non-combat roles. Over 200,000 women currently serve in the U.S. Armed Services. These picture books show what life is like for military families and mothers and daughters serving in the United States military. 

Missing Momma by Winsome Bingham; Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

This thoughtful picture book shows the real world-challenges of children in military families including when a parent is deployed far from home, lost time with family, and a mother's struggles with PTSD from a child’s perspective. The colorfully illustrated book also reveals the healing power of music and family. 

Author Winsome Bingham, a disabled army veteran, writes that Missing Momma is about a child who pays attention to her surroundings and the people in her life.   

Denmark Library Set to Open This Week!

CUMMING, Georgia (March 26, 2025) – Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) announces the opening of the Denmark Library on Thursday, March 27 at 9:00 a.m. Located at 530 Fowler Road in Alpharetta, the Denmark Library will serve the southwest area of the county and is the fifth library branch in the Forsyth County Public Library system.  

Designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and built by Albion General Contractors, Inc., the 22,504 square foot building features nature-inspired design elements to complement the panoramic views of the 9.5 acre lot. Special features include a drive-up window for retrieving reserved items, a partitionable 2,611 square foot meeting room, six study rooms, an intergenerational sitting area, an outdoor amphitheater, a story stroll, and an outdoor educational area for children.   

“I am absolutely thrilled to open the Denmark Library to the people of Forsyth County,” said Library Director Adrianne Junius. “Denmark will serve children, teens, and adults with literacy, community spaces, study areas, programs, and a place to explore their world. The drive-up holds pickup window is going to be a game-changer for so many people who have mobility issues or little ones asleep in the back of the car,” said Junius.  

Denmark Library currently houses roughly 49,000 items in a variety of languages tailored to the residents of Forsyth County. The collection also includes 21 new Chromebooks and 40 new Launchpads that were partially funded by a $117,932.78 Digital Connectivity Grant through Georgia Public Library Service from the Georgia Office of the Governor using American Rescue Plan Act funding. 

"I am proud to celebrate the opening of our newest library branch. This exciting addition will serve as a vital resource for our community, offering a place for learning, enrichment, and connection for people of all ages,” said FCPL Board Chair Christy Winters. “This project would not have been possible without the citizens of Forsyth County voting for the passage of SPLOST VIII and the support of current and former members of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the Forsyth State Delegation," Winters continued. 

Denmark Library will begin offering a robust lineup of events for all ages beginning March 31 just in time for spring break in Forsyth County. Scheduled events include a Great Robot Wilderness Adventure for elementary-aged children, live performances for all ages by Lee Bryan That Puppet Guy, a Star Wars-themed escape room for teens, and sakura texture painting for adults among other events. See the Library's website for details at ForsythPL.org. 

Special opening day hours at Denmark Library on Thursday, March 27 are 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Regular FCPL operating hours of 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 1:30–5:30 p.m. on Sundays, and 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays begin on Friday, March 28. 

“We are so excited to finally be able to share this beautiful library with the community. Staff have been working very hard to get the building ready. It's a beautiful time of year to enjoy our unique outdoor spaces. Sitting in our comfortable Adirondack chairs overlooking lovely pastures will soon become a favorite of Denmark patrons,” said Denmark Library Youth Services Supervisor Amy Szvetecz.  

Library staff are in the process of planning an official dedication ceremony for later this spring. “I would like to thank the staff, the FCPL Board of Trustees, Forsyth County Government, our State Legislative Delegation, Georgia Public Library Service, and last but not least, the citizens of Forsyth County who all made this library come to life,” said Junius.  

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Inspiring Illustrated Biographies for Women's History Month

The month of March serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions made by women throughout the history of the United States. These biographies teach young readers about American women who are recognized for their unique contributions and groundbreaking achievements. 

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome; Illustrated by John Parra  

           

Young Ethel L. Payne had an ear for stories and courage to ask tough questions, earning her the distinction of being the first Black woman invited into the White House briefing room and the nickname, The First Lady of the Black Press. This inspiring picture book chronicles the joys and hardships of Payne’s early life and her professional achievements including reporting from across the globe and drawing attention to critical civil rights issues.

I’ve had a box seat on history and that’s a rare thing. 

Ethel L. Payne      

           

Toon Talk: Second in a Series

With the advent of spring springing on, it’s only natural that all of Forsyth County is soon to be found under green trees and by riversides, indulging in America’s favorite pastime: reading comics. But — worry not. As teens and their older ilk flounder to find new material, the FCPL system is here to supply. Below are some of the best offerings your library has to offer, curated by a cartoon-conscious teenager.

Superman by Joshua Williamson

Joshua Williamson is the current writer of DC Comics’ monthly Superman magazine. FCPL patrons may know him from his run on the Rebirth Flash title, but he’s really been strutting his stuff on the gig he’s got going with the Man of Steel. If you find yourself confined to the past or unsure where to jump in with modern comics, here’s a guaranteed good starting point. In reading order, FCPL has copies of Superman Vol. 1: Supercorp, Superman Vol. 2: The Chained, Superman: House of Brainiac, and Superman Vol. 3: The Dark Path (yes, Vol. 3 comes AFTER House of Brainiac! I’m here to help you!) Can you tell I’m a little Last-Son-of-Krypton crazy? Find the series in FCPL's Teen Graphic Novel section.

Inspiring Illustrated Biographies for Women's History Month

The month of March serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions made by women throughout the history of the United States. Forsyth County Public Library has many biographical picture books about the lives of women who made unique contributions to society. 

Here are a few of the books in our collection for young readers. 

Good Books for Bad Children: the Genius of Ursula Nordstrom by Beth Kephart; Illustrated by Chloe Bristol

Book lovers of any age will enjoy this biography of Ursula Nordstrom, the groundbreaking book editor whose keen eye for talent and high expectations brought many classic children’s books to publication. 

If you enjoyed Crocket Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, and Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, you have Ursula Nordstrom to thank for their publication. As a book nerd, I loved learning the backstory on several beloved children's books. 

Toon Talk: First in a Series

With the advent of spring springing on, it’s only natural that all of Forsyth County is soon to be found under green trees and by riversides, indulging in America’s favorite pastime: reading comics. But — worry not. As teens and their older ilk flounder to find new material, the library is here to supply. 

Below are some of the best offerings FCPL has to offer, curated by a cartoon-conscious teenager.

Superman: Lost by Christopher Priest

Here’s a recent gem from one of my personal favorite writers, Christopher Priest. The quick sell is that it’s great for anyone who loves deep space isolation, temporal freak-outs, mature relationships (“mature” is the word best fit for Lost; that doesn’t imply anything crass or gory, but rather just a refreshing maturity from the central married couple and their depicted life), great Lex Luthor characterization, atmospheric art, and that perfect balance ‘tween humor, drama, and existentialism. Find the series in the adult graphic novel section. 

Picture Books for International Women's Day

While the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines celebrate women's history with an entire month, many countries around the globe observe International Women's Day on March 8. 

These picture books focus on women from different parts of the world who became advocates for environmental issues.  

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Bridget George

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior is the illustrated biography of two groundbreaking water warriors, Josephine Henrietta Mandamin, known as Grandma Josephine, and her great-niece Autumn. Both advocated for clean water. Grandma Josephine walked the circumference of Lake Superior carrying a ceremonial copper pail filled with lake water and conducted twelve other tribal water walks to raise awareness for the protection of water flowing through the Great Lakes.