October is upon us, and the veil grows thin, which means it’s time to put aside our beach reads and turn towards some darker books. As a child, I loved being read to by my mom, and our go-to for a long time was Hauntings: Tales of the Supernatural, a collection of 19th and early-20th […]
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Fully Booked at DMPL: Tantalizing Time-Benders
The prequel to the TV show Outlander, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, premiered recently, so I must talk about time slip novels. In these novels, the characters accidentally stumble through time, without any knowledge of how they got there. Alone and desperate, they must navigate a world unknown. Will they find love? Will they meet […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Into the DC Comics-verse
James Gunn’s Superman, released in theaters this summer, reignited my interest in the DC universe. So I checked out what’s been going on in the comics. Anyone who’s familiar with comics knows that the stories go in cycles. There’s typically a big crossover event that features a bevy of characters, and then a “reset” that’s […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Reads for the whole family
We all have a unique relationship with our family. Some of us get along really well, others not so much. Whether a fictional family feels familiar or foreign to you, family dynamics make for compelling stories. Here are some reading suggestions that represent a variety of family dynamics. Worry by Alexandra Tanner is a newer […]
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Fully Booked at DMPL: Pageturners for any mood
I’ve just checked out the latest book by one of my favorite authors that I’ve been anticipating for months. I am excited, ready to dive into what is sure to be a new favorite. After reading a few paragraphs, I lose focus. Even if the writing and plot are brilliant, I just don’t feel like […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Books to keep kids reading over break
School’s out! To keep kids reading over the summer — especially reluctant readers — grab these high-interest, page-turning titles for your middle-graders (3rd-6th) to encourage recreational reading and bust boredom all summer long. Graphic novels are a great place to start. Those who love the format but are ready to move on to meatier stories […]
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Fully Booked at DMPL: Read to resist LGBTQ+ erasure
Legislators in the state of Iowa are actively trying to erase the stories of LGBTQ+ people by removing books from public schools and denying access to important, life-saving stories for youth. People that try to ban books know that books are powerful and are a danger to their hegemonic systems and strict societal norms, which […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Books that answer ‘what can I do?’
As a librarian who works with teens, I know the job isn’t just about recommending books. It’s about making information digestible to help them formulate their own solutions. Young people are apex community members, and they have many questions right now. They’re passionate, dedicated and hungry for ways to be impactful while trying to understand […]
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Fully Booked at DMPL: Great manga romances
There are few things I dislike more than finishing a manga volume and reaching over to pick up the next installment, only to realize I forgot to check it out. You needn’t fear a dangling cliffhanger when it comes to my first recommendation. DMPL has added ComicsPlus to our list of databases, making manga and […]
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Fully Booked at DMPL: Nonfiction for nature lovers
I have always loved learning about the natural world. As a kid, l adored Sylvia Earle and kept my backpack full of Ranger Rick magazines. Even now, when I see a good natural sciences book come through the library, I get just as excited as I used to when I was a kid. Environmental themes […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Children’s books to inspire spring adventures
We have some fabulous new children’s titles for you to check out at ICPL, including Your Island by Jon Klassen. The board book rounds out a beautiful trilogy by the Caldecott winner. Your Farm and Your Forest, published simultaneously, are equally lovely and follow a similar trajectory. Each opens with a sunrise and finishes after […]
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Fully Booked at ICPL: Two addictive 2024 video games
Video games encourage creativity, problem-solving, and are an immersive way to tell a story. In other words, they’re a perfect fit for libraries! These titles were a couple of my favorites from last year. You can check them out today at the Iowa City Public Library. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a first-person […]
