Find Funding Faster with Foundation Directory—Only at Cumming Library!

Ask any leader of a local charitable organization and you’ll probably hear that fundraising is one of the most challenging tasks they face. Spreading awareness, seeking donors, and applying for grant funding is time-consuming. However, Forsyth County Public Library provides free access to Candid’s Foundation Directory at the Cumming Library to make it easier for local nonprofits to find and apply for funding opportunities.

Candid’s Foundation Directory has profiles for over 325,000 grantmakers and over 2 million recipients. The database is updated daily and new grants and requests for proposals (RFPs) are added weekly. Not all funders can be found online through a regular web search and RFPs can be especially hard to locate, making Foundation Directory an excellent resource for grantseekers. 

You can easily do a general search in Foundation Directory, but this resource also has a powerful advanced search feature that can help you pinpoint the data you may need. Your search results are broken down into Grantmakers, Grants, Recipients, and 990 Tax Forms. You can download or email lists and detailed profiles to review them later. 

Information Services Supervisor Arlene Melton using Candid's Foundation Directory database on a public access computer at the Cumming Library. Photo credit: Forsyth County Public Library.

"Candid’s Foundation Directory really simplifies the process for local nonprofits looking for funding and serves as a one-stop resource for researching and connecting with potential funders. Stop by the Cumming Library to check out this valuable resource and be sure to keep an eye on our Events page for an upcoming Foundation Directory class in April 2026," said Joan Dudzinski, Cumming Library Branch Manager. 

Foundation Directory is incredibly useful for prospecting and researching grants and grantmakers. Library patrons can access Foundation Directory by logging on to any public computer at the Cumming Library with their library card. Visitors can stop by the Ask Us desk to request a guest pass.

Jen Bell

Information Specialist

Cumming Library

Staff Picks Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This slim, thought-provoking book set in a Japanese coffee house is a refreshing read for fans of simple, well-crafted stories. At Funiculi Funicla Café in Tokyo, a freshly brewed cup of coffee delivered to a specific chair allows customers to travel back in time. There are several rules to this unique form of time travel.

1. You can’t leave the chair while time traveling.

2. You can only interact with people who have been in the shop before.

3. You need to return to the present before the coffee gets cold.  

4. Nothing you do in the past will impact the present. 

While some characters dismiss the urban legend or balk at the rules, a few are intrigued enough to try to revisit the past. Before the Coffee Gets Cold presents a tantalizing scenario that begs the question, What would you do if you could travel back in time?  

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
Sharon Forks Library
#WeKnowBooks

Need stress relief? You need the Big Library Read.

Living through a pandemic has definitely been challenging and we could all benefit from embracing humor to reduce stress together, right?

FCPL patrons can do just that by checking out psychologist and stand-up comedian Brian King’s The Art of Taking It Easy, with no holds and no waiting from the library's OverDrive eBook collection.

Read The Art of Taking It Easy

The Art of Taking It Easy is available through OverDrive's Big Library Read program, the world’s largest digital book club, and is available for immediate checkout to library cardholders through April 19, 2021.

Learn to Manage Stress with Dr. Brian King

Dr. Brian King got a degree in psychology before becoming a world-touring comic and the host of humor therapy seminars attended by more than ten thousand people each year. The Art of Taking It Easy explores what stress is, where it comes from, and what it does to our bodies and brains. He delves deep into how to address everyday stress—as well as anxiety, insecurities, repression, and negativity—and gives insight into resulting ailments such as anxiety disorders, depression, hypertension, obesity, substance abuse disorders, and more.

Dr. King's techniques are chemical and cost free, and embrace humor, resilience, relaxation, optimism, gratitude, and acceptance. Instead of a dry medical approach to dealing with stress, this unique volume is filled with life-changing tips and instructions presented with humor and a wealth of memorable, smile-inducing anecdotes.

Join the Conversation

To join the discussion about The Art of Taking It Easy, learn about past Big Library Read titles and download Libby, visit biglibraryread.com.

Alka Joshi, Author of The Henna Artist, Speaks on Novels and forthcoming TV Series

Alka Joshi, author of the New York Times best-selling novel The Henna Artist, will speak with local readers in an online event hosted by Forsyth County Public Library at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 25. Admission to the virtual event is free, but advance registration is required on the library’s website.

“Ms. Joshi will talk about her debut novel The Henna Artist and its forthcoming sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. She will also talk about her writing process and adapting a novel for television,” says FCPL Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Joshi was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, and has lived in the U.S. since the age of nine. While The Henna Artist is her first novel, Joshi has always been a writer and spent thirty years of her career writing commercials and marketing copy for her own ad agency. Then, with her husband’s encouragement, she decided to try writing fiction and enrolled in a creative writing program at California College of the Arts.

Joshi says that her instructors were supportive and she began to feel like a semi-serious writer of fiction.

“It wasn’t until my literary agent notified me that MIRA Books, a division of Harper Collins, had sent a really good contract that I realized I’d become an author,” exclaims Joshi.

Joshi’s debut novel, The Henna Artist, tells the story of seventeen-year-old Lakshmi, who escapes an abusive arranged marriage in the 1950s and makes her way alone from her rural village to the vibrant pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the henna artist—and confidante—most in demand to the wealthy women of the upper class. Trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own, until she is confronted by her husband who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had.

The novel was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and was the May 2020 selection for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, among other honors. The Henna Artist is also in development for an episodic television series starring Freida Pinto.

A sequel entitled The Secret Keeper of Jaipur will be released June 22 and is set in 1969. Malik, Lashmi's young helper from the first novel, becomes an educated young man apprenticed at the Jaipur Palace and working on building the state-of-the-art public movie house when he becomes ensnared in a smuggling scheme that threatens all he aspires to, including the woman he loves. 

Joshi will give almost daily online appearances to talk with readers in the run up to the release of The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, while continuing to research and write the final book in the trilogy. She is also active on social media, particularly Instagram and YouTube, where she speaks on the process of writing, the books she loves, and the culture, fashions, and food found in her books.

“We’re so excited to have Alka Joshi joining us for this virtual presentation. So many of our patrons have enjoyed her debut novel and will enjoy this opportunity to talk with her and learn more about the culture and characters in this trilogy,” adds Walker.

Joshi’s talk will also include advice for aspiring writers about imagining storylines, writing when inspiration strikes, and the process of publishing. She’ll also have a bit of advice for aspiring screenwriters from her experiences adapting The Henna Artist for television.

An Evening with Alka Joshi will be hosted on GoToMeeting and admission is free. For more information, or to register, please visit www.forsythpl.org. 

Listen In and Sleep Well: Audiobook Recommendations for a Good Night's Sleep

Studies show that settling down with a book can contribute to a better night's sleep. Instead of holding a heavy tome or trying to find just the right amount of light without waking anyone else, try listening to an audiobook. Here is a short list of recommendations to help you drift off to dream land. Many of these titles can be downloaded from the Libby app, which has a convenient sleep function that you can set to automatically stop after a designated amount of time.

To Warm Your Heart

James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Pet Doctor. Read by Nicholas Ralph, star of the new PBS series of the same title. This heartwarming account of the veterinarian's adventures caring for animals in the idyllic English countryside paired with Ralph's lilting British accent make for a perfect combination.

It's Not All Downhill from Here, written and read by Terry McMillan. "Poignant, funny, and full of life, this is a balm for troubled times," according to People Magazine. Loretha leads a full and fulfilling life, but an unexpected loss turns everything upside down. She calls on her friends to help her summon the strength to keep pursuing the joy in life.



For Quiet Contemplation

Exhalation by Ted Chiang, read by an ensemble cast. This is a collection of nine provocative and thought-provoking stories that will make you look at the world from a different perspective.

Milk and Honey, written and read by Rupi Kaur. This poetry collection is only a little over an hour long, but the author reads with such a lulling, soft rhythm that you'll want to put this on repeat. In four chapters listeners are taken through a journey of the bitterest moments in life to find the sweetness in them.

Be Inspired

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Carlton Abrams, read by an ensemble cast. Two great spiritual masters share their wisdom about living with joy even in the face of adversity.

Stillness Is the Key written and read by Ryan Holiday. Bestselling author Holiday has made ancient wisdom popular with a new generation. Here, he draws on Stoic and Buddhist philosophy to show how leaders of today conquer tempers, avoid distractions, and gain greater insights through stillness.




Kris
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

RBdigital eMagazines move to OverDrive February 4

Forsyth County Public Library will move its collection of RBdigital eMagazines to its OverDrive collection on Thursday, February 4, 2021. 

This change comes as a result of OverDrive acquiring RBmedia’s library business, RBdigital, in North America, UK, and Australia in 2020. eMagazines in the RBdigital collection will be transferred to OverDrive and patrons will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy even more eMagazines in OverDrive’s Libby app.

Transition from RBdigital

FCPL patrons may access RBdigital eMagazines, along with hundreds of new eMagazines, in the library’s OverDrive website or in the Libby app beginning February 4, 2021. 

Access to RBdigital eMagazines in the RBdigital app will end on March 31, 2021.

Getting Started with Libby

Forsyth County Public Library is proud to offer patrons access to over 3,000 eMagazines anytime, anywhere through Libby, the one-tap reading app. Libby also includes access to the library’s collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need to get started is your Forsyth County Public Library card and PIN number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes.

Libby is available for Apple and Android devices.

Patrons can find in-app support, visit the Libby Help site or Libby Academy within the app, or contact Forsyth County Public Library at 770-781-9840 for assistance.

Access eMagazines 24/7

In just a few taps, patrons can start reading eMagazines instantly on a phone or tablet. Libby is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free with your Forsyth County Public Library card.

Patrons who need help with eMagazines or the transition from RBdigital to OverDrive should visit the Ask Us desk inside any Forsyth County Public Library branch, call us at 770-781-9840, or Email a Librarian.

FCPL Simplifies Search for eBooks and eAudiobooks with SimplyE App

Beginning today, Forsyth County Public Library patrons can download the SimplyE app for Apple iOS or Android devices and simplify how they search, browse, and check out materials from the library's OverDrive and eRead Kids collections.

What is SimplyE?

SimplyE was created by a partnership of libraries and library consortia across the country, with The New York Public Library currently serving as lead partner. 

SimplyE makes it easy to browse, borrow, and read eBooks and eAudiobooks from FCPL's OverDrive and eRead Kids collections on your mobile device.

How do I set up a SimplyE account with my library card?

Follow these steps to begin using SimplyE:

1. Download and open the SimplyE app for Apple iOS or Android devices.
2. Select "Forsyth County Public Library"
3. Enter your library card account information.
4. Search, borrow, and begin reading!

What if I need help?

If you need assistance with your library card account or using the SimplyE app to access materials from Forsyth County Public Library's collections, please visit the Ask Us desk at any FCPL branch, call 770-781-9840, or Email a Librarian.

overBOOKed to Read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to watch the same couple eating breakfast on their deck. She's even started to feel like she knows them. "Jess and Jason," she calls them. Their life -- as she sees it -- is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Join the overBOOKed book club for a virtual discussion of this title on Thursday, November 19, at 10:00 am. OverBOOKed meets virtually at 10:00 am every third Thursday of the month. Register here to receive your GoToMeeting link to join the discussion!

The eBook and eAudiobook versions of The Girl on the Train 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 and start enjoying FCPL's digital catalog from wherever you are!

Melissa
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

overBOOKed to Read Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Ashley Cordova, the mysterious, gifted daughter of the reclusive film director Stanislas Cordova, is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Her death is ruled a suicide, but veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects otherwise. What happened to Ashley? As McGrath tries to uncover the truth, he is drawn into a spellbinding quest in the underworld of the Cordova family's life. With breakneck pacing and dazzling inventiveness, Night Film will hold you in suspense until you turn the final

page.

OverBOOKed typically meets at 10:00 a.m. every third Thursday of the month, but the time has changed for the October meeting only. Join the overBOOKed book club for a virtual discussion of this title on October 15 at the temporary time change of 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register here to receive your GoToMeeting link to join the discussion!

The eBook and eAudiobook versions of Night Film 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 wherever you are!

Christina

Information Specialist

#WeKnowBooks

FCPL joins national Libraries Transform Book Pick event in September

Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) joins other libraries across the country in offering access to the same eBook for a two-week period through the Libraries Transform Book Pick program.

The eBook selection is Lauren Francis-Sharma’s epic saga Book of the Little Axe published by Atlantic Monthly Press, an imprint of Grove Atlantic.

During the lending period, September 14 - 28, eBook copies of Book of the Little Axe will be available without waitlists or holds through U.S. public libraries using OverDrive. Readers only need a valid library card to borrow and read the eBook.

About Book of the Little Axe

Ambitious and masterfully wrought, Book of the Little Axe is an incredible journey, spanning decades and oceans from Trinidad to the American West during the tumultuous days of warring colonial powers and westward expansion.

In a starred review, Booklist said Francis-Sharma “offers fascinating characters across the broad sweep of the American continent at a time of great tumult, warring colonial powers, the spread of slavery, and expansion West” and described the story as a “compelling saga of family bonds, ambitions, and desires, all subject to the vagaries of powerful historical forces.”

About Libraries Transform Book Pick

The Libraries Transform Book Pick program is a collaboration between Booklist, the book review magazine of the American Library Association (ALA); Libraries Transform, the American Library Association’s public awareness initiative; and OverDrive, ALA Library Champion and lead sponsor of Libraries Transform.

The selection of Book of the Little Axe for the Libraries Transform Book Pick was made in consultation with experts at Booklist. Atlantic Monthly Press is providing this title to public libraries for simultaneous use for two weeks at no cost.

How to Participate

FCPL patrons who wish to read the Libraries Transform Book Pick can place a hold on the eBook version of Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma in OverDrive or the Libby app now and it will be automatically delivered on September 14. Or, patrons can simply log into OverDrive or the Libby app anytime between September 14 and 28 to immediately check out and download Book of the Little Axe with no holds or waiting.

Sponsors of this special reading event will lead online discussions regarding the book on Facebook and Twitter. Patrons who wish to join the discussion are encouraged to use the hashtag #LTBookPick on social media.

If you need assistance downloading the eBook version of Book of the Little Axe, please contact Forsyth County Public Library or visit the Ask Us desk inside any FCPL branch.

RBdigital eAudiobooks move to OverDrive August 12

Forsyth County Public Library will move its collection of eAudiobooks from RBdigital to the Libby app as part of the OverDrive collection on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. 

This change comes as a result of OverDrive acquiring RBmedia’s library business, RBdigital, in North America, UK, and Australia earlier this year. Titles in the RBdigital collection will be transferred to OverDrive and patrons will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy all the same great books from the RBdigital app, now available in Libby.

Transition from RBdigital

Patrons who currently have an eAudiobook checked out in the RBdigital app should be advised that those books will be available through the remainder of the lending period, so patrons can finish the book without disruption.

Holds will not be moved, but patrons may export their Transaction History from the Profiles section of the RBdigital app, then place new holds on those titles in Libby.

Only eAudiobooks are moving to the OverDrive collection at this time, so patrons can continue to access RBdigital eMagazines, ArtistWorks, The Great Courses, and Hoonuit on the RBdigital platform.

Getting Started with Libby

Forsyth County Public Library is proud to continue to offer patrons a wide selection of digital titles to access anytime, anywhere through Libby, the one-tap reading app.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need to get started is your Forsyth County Public Library card and PIN number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes.

 

Patrons can find in-app support, or visit the Help site or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.

Access the eLibrary 24/7

In just a few taps, patrons can start reading or listening instantly on a phone or tablet. Libby is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free with your Forsyth County Public Library card.

 

Patrons who need help with eBooks, eAudiobooks, or the transition from RBdigital to OverDrive should visit the Ask Us desk inside any Forsyth County Public Library branch, call us at 770-781-9840, or Ask a Librarian.

FCPL Joins Libraries Worldwide to Investigate Conspiracies in Largest Digital Book Club

Forsyth County Public Library patrons can join millions of other readers around the globe by reading a historical fiction thriller eBook and eAudiobook during Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club.

 

From August 3 to August 17, readers can borrow and read Tim Mason’s “intellectually stimulating and viscerally exciting” The Darwin Affair from FCPL's OverDrive service (or OverDrive's Libby app for Apple and Android devices) with no holds and no waiting. Readers can then discuss the book online at https://discuss.biglibraryread.com. 

About The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason

Historical fiction novel The Darwin Affair takes place in London during June 1860. When an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria, and a petty thief is gruesomely murdered moments later, Detective Inspector Charles Field quickly surmises that these crimes are connected to an even more sinister plot. 

Soon, Field’s investigation exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin’s controversial On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a madman named the Chorister. As he edges closer to the Chorister, Field uncovers dark secrets that were meant to remain forever hidden. 

Tim Mason has created a rousing page-turner that both Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would relish and envy.

About Big Library Read

Big Library Read is available in over 22,000 libraries around the world, which has resulted in extensive online conversations during past programs. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines. 

How to Participate

To read The Darwin Affair, use your Forsyth County Public Library card to check out the eBook or eAudiobook version from our OverDrive collection between August 3 and August 17.

The Darwin Affair was published by Algonquin Books and can be read on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™ without waitlists or holds. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [US libraries only]. 

The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.

If you'd like to participate in the global online discussion of the book, please visit https://discuss.biglibraryread.com. 

#WeKnowBooks

If you enjoyed The Darwin Affair and would like to read more thrilling historical fiction, we can help! You can look for novels with similar themes on NoveList Plus or request Personalized Reading Suggestions from our staff.

To learn more about the services and materials available to Forsyth County Public Library cardholders, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Books and eResources for Handling a Creative Slump

Is the COVID-19 crisis putting you in a creative slump?  Revive your creative spirit with one of these titles.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

I enjoy all of Anne Lamott's work but Bird by Bird, her book on creative writing is my favorite. It's been so phenomenally since publication in 1994 that a 25th Anniversary Edition was released in 2019.

Available as an eBook and eAudiobook

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic offers creative insights from the author of Eat, Pray, Love.

Cultivating Your Creative Life by Alena Hennessy

Creativity and wonder mingle in this multifaced book!

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

A fun book that offers a creative approach to business pursuits.

Art on the Rocks by F. Sehnaz Bac

Interested in meditative art? Find a smooth stone, grab some paint, and create a mandala you can hold in your hand.

Garden Made by Stephanie Whitney
Get creative outdoors by making unique garden art!

The Drawing Lesson by Mark Crilley

This Teen Graphic Novel offers drawing techniques.  A great title for young aspiring artists!

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

Organize creatively using the bullet journal method. Use a bullet journal or a free online template to print bullet paper.  Use your imagination to design your own calendar or keep track of books to be read, story ideas, films to watch, or healthy habits.

The Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori

Ancient Buddist techniques to inspire creativity.


FCPL patrons can also access free eResouces from home.

Universal Classes includes seventeen different writing classes like Creative Writing Workshop, Creative Writing 101, Novel Writing 101, and more!  

ArtistWorks has video-based art and music lessons. Learn about art, music theory, scratch, vocal techniques, or how to plan an instrument from a professional.  Sign up for free piano, guitar, ukulele, mandoline, or even harmonica lessons. ArtistWorks also offers instruction on drums and band instruments. These are great resources for students! 

And FCPL's Great Courses offers downloadable audiobooks like Becoming a Great Essayist, Understanding the Fundamentals of Music, The Art of Reading, and many more. 

Explore our eResources or catalog to see what appeals to you. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

#WeKnowBooks 

    

Reading Recommendations: Books about Race in America

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative illustrates the harsh realities and inequalities of the justice system and focuses on the redeeming potential of mercy.  (Watch the powerful 2019 film adaptation for free on digital platforms in the US this month.)  

Check out the original (available as an eBook and eAudiobook) or Young Adult edition. 

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds 

This young adult adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning: the Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America challenges narratives that have been accepted by generations of American students and adults. It’s a quick read (in part because it’s hard to put down) that will leave you thinking about what you read long after you close the book.  Also available as an Audiobook on RBDigital.

Martin Luther King, Jr. by Marshall Freddy

Journalist Marshall Freddy offers a first-hand account of marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s. This biography focuses on King's relationships with other Civil Rights leaders, J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, and Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.   

We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

A black father living in dystopian near-future United States goes to great lengths to protect his mixed-race son in this darkly comic futuristic story.  Fans of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man and Margaret Atwood's stories of gender dystopias will enjoy this satirical cautionary tale. Available as an eBook and eAudiobook.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Written in 1952, this classic novel illustrates dark decades of racial injustice in America and was honored at the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction in 1953. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

#WeKnowBooks

Reading Recommendations: Books for Confusing Times

One of the many things that the COVID-19 crisis has changed is that library staff and patrons can’t talk face to face about our favorite reads. We’re still happy to offer recommendations though. Here are some titles that may address the emotions some of us are experiencing right now.

Feeling confused?  It’s a confusing time. Try one of these stories about characters searching for clarity.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy puts his mind to solving a case close to home in this endearing novel for adult or young adult readers.

Available as an eBook from our digital catalog.

Who Are You, Calvin Bledsoe? by Brock Clarke

A fifty-year-old internet blogger is kidnapped by a woman claiming to be his aunt and taken on a European adventure in this dark and comic coming of age story.

The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin

Gentle, obsessive-compulsive Daniel embarks on a road trip to claim a prize for Most Average American and discovers that anyone can be a hero. Funnyman Steve Martin creates characters you won't soon forget in this sweet, slim story.   

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo

A beloved China bunny is lost and found, lost and found, and lost and found in this delightful story that readers of all ages will enjoy. 

Available as an eBook from our digital catalog.


Place holds for items you want to pick up using our contact-free curbside service or utilize our digital catalog to enjoy books from wherever you are.

Don't forget to register for FPCL's Summer Reading Program to win prizes!

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

Virtual Browsing - Reading Recommendations for Dealing with Anxiety

The FCPL staff misses seeing patrons browsing our branches. Until the library reopens to the public, please enjoy virtually browsing online. Today we're highlighting titles that may address emotions brought on by the COVID-19 crises.

Feeling anxious? These books may help you manage that anxiety

10% Happier by Dan Harris

ABC News anchor Dan Harris writes about his own struggles with calming the voice in his head in 10% Happier.  He also shares his own approach to handling anxiety in Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics. 

Gmorning, Gnight by Lin-Manuel Miranda

These inspiring poems offer reassuring words and charming illustrations. Download the eAudiobook to hear them read by Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. Or check out the eBook or print edition to appreciate Jonny Sun's thoughtful illustrations.

First We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson

Long before COVID-19 existed, people were dealing with anxiety.  Sarah Wilson describes her journey coming to terms with it in this beautiful, hardbound book.

Simple Comforts: 50 Heartwarming Recipes

Download this aptly titled book of recipes to your smartphone to create delicious old-fashioned recipes like classic chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, and apple pie.  Yum!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Browse our whole collection of Chicken Soup books. With books tailored for teens, golfers, parents, basketball fans, and cat lovers there's bound to be a book just for you.

One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula

Zentangles offer meditation through drawing. Grab a pencil and paper and check out one of our zentangles books to try it out. No artistic skills needed to enjoy! 

Kyoto Gardens by Judith Clancy

Gorgeous photos from Japanese gardens offer instant relaxation. Browse our travel photography or gardening design books to discover your happy place.

Requested items can be picked up using our contact-free curbside checkout. Our digital collection is always available. Keep reading!

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks

Virtual Browsing - Books with a Nostalgic Feel

Longing for the pre-COVID-19 days? How about a time before smartphones and twenty-four-hour news?  These novels share a nostalgic feel.

A Painted House by John Grisham

Seven-year-old Luke learns all about harvesting cotton and some grim facts of life in this historical novel set in 1952 Arkansas.

Available as an eBook and eAudiobook

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

This evocative coming-of-age story takes place in Minnesota over a fateful summer in 1961.

Available as an eBook and eAudiobook.

A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson

A laugh-out-loud funny book set in Neely, North Carolina back in the "good ole days" of door-to-door dictionary sales and evening newspaper deliveries.

The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay

This is a great book for booklovers! It's set in a bookshop in 1970s New York and filled with memorable characters.

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Going way back, electric lawnmowers are a novelty for the residents of Green Town, Illinois in this classic novel set in 1928. It's one of my favorite books to reread and always evokes images of Summer. I can literally smell the fresh-cut grass when I'm reading it!

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

I'll never outgrow this classic children's story set in Treegap, New Hampshire in the 1880s that presents a fascinating "what-would-you-do" scenario. Readers of all ages will enjoy this timeless tale.

Available as an eBook and on DVD.

Keep reading! It's the perfect hobby for social distancing.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
#WeKnowBooks