TAG: fiction

Fantastic International Fiction: Read Beyond the Beaten Path & Expand Your World

Posted in Explore and Discover on August 2, 2022 at 6:00 am

Blog Feature image - man reading in city park under tree By Melissa Rhoades This summer’s reading challenge dares us to “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” Reading stories by international authors is a wonderful way to do that. International fiction—also called foreign fiction—allows us to not only imagine the sights, smells, and sounds of other landscapes but also gain exposure to diverse customs, […]

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An Unexpected Summer Reading List: Not Your Average Beach Reads

Posted in Explore and Discover on July 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Savannah Stewart When it comes to beach reads, mine usually fall into the “this isn’t what I expected” category. Ideally, beach reads are easy-going and don’t interfere with your summer vibe. I’ve found that the books I like to read can’t live up to this ideal. And mostly, I never end up reading very […]

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What Makes a Good Book? Here’s How Appeal Factors Result in Great Book Recommendations.

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 29, 2022 at 6:00 am

By Dana Mannino At least once a week, I have a variation on the following conversation. Library customer: Can you suggest a good book? Librarian: Sure! What do you like to read? Library customer: Anything, as long as it’s well written. We all want a good book. It’s universal. But often we don’t know how […]

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14 Feel-Good Fiction Reads for Hope & Encouragement

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 27, 2021 at 7:00 am

Lately, I’ve been in the mood for books that are happier, or at least mostly uplifting. My sense is I am not alone in this desire. While these books have sad moments and deal with life’s challenges, they will hopefully leave you feeling positive and encouraged when you turn that last page. […]

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Real & Magical: An Eclectic Pride Month Booklist for Teens & Adults

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 11, 2021 at 9:45 am

By Andrea Brumbaugh In honor of Pride Month, I’ve put together a list of reads from LGBTQ literature. The library has many titles to help you discover, learn about, and read about the worlds of LGBTQ fictional characters and real people. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed on where to start, I’m sharing a few of […]

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Yummy Reads and Recipes for National Doughnut Day

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 3, 2021 at 6:00 am

BY ALISON JOHNSON From black licorice doughnuts to the Cronut (doughnut made from croissant batter), everyone can find a favorite. Even savory doughnuts exist for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. Tomorrow is National Doughnut Day, the first Friday in June! You could celebrate by eating a doughnut, reading about doughnuts, and by doing […]

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Life, Love and Gimbap: Cookbooks, Music, Movies and Fantastic Reads

Posted in Explore and Discover on April 28, 2021 at 6:00 am

BY SUSAN GOERTZ I had never eaten gimbap before I was invited by a high school friend to her home to try one of her Korean mother’s specialties. I was very excited. Then, I was shocked to learn that this popular sushi-style rice dish included hotdogs. Aren’t hotdogs as “American” as apple pie?! This introduction […]

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LGBTQ Memoirs for 2020 Pride Month

Posted in Explore and Discover on June 19, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Caitlin Wheeler Right now, many of us are spending most of our time at home, continuing to social distance under Phase 2 of Washington state’s Safe Start plan. It can be isolating, this feeling of being stuck and apart from those you love for an indeterminate amount of time. As a balm, I offer […]

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Finding adventure in your own backyard

Posted in kids, Parents and Teachers on May 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs I live on a street with several young families, and during the governor’s Stay Home Stay Healthy order, I’ve really enjoyed walking my dogs along brightly chalked hopscotch games, seeing bubbles floating in the air, and marveling at the intricate fairy garden and pebble river one family made in their parking strip. […]

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Native American Heritage Month: A look at books by indigenous authors

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 6, 2019 at 6:00 am

Featured image for blog post BY CAITLIN WHEELER November is Native American Heritage Month and a great time to learn more about some of the many indigenous groups of North America. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian provides an introduction to indigenous peoples’ portrayals in media after colonialization in Americans, the interactive online exhibit that looks […]

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