Library News: February 1st, 2024
This week, the library is highlighting two fiction works with strong female characters that will soon be available to patrons. Interested readers can search for these books in the library's online catalog at marcellus.biblionix.com and place them on reserve. Once the books are in the library, those placing reserves will be notified of each book's availability in the order that the reservations have been placed.
The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah. When twenty-year old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath hears the words "women can be heroes," it is a revelation. Frankie was raised sheltered by her conservative parents in sunny, idyllic Southern California and has always prided herself in doing the right thing. In 1965 though, the world is changing, and she imagines a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, Frankie joins the Army Nurse Corp and follows his path. She is as green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight and quickly becomes overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day there is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal. Friendships run deep but can be shattered in an instant. In Vietnam, Frankie becomes one of the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost, and she soon realizes when she arrives home that the war is just beginning for her and her Veteran friends. The war has divided and changed America. They are greeted by angry protestors and a country that wants to forget about Vietnam. Hannah's book is the story of one woman who goes to war, but it also shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. This is a novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism.
After Annie: A Novel by Anna Quindlen. Annie Brown centered the lives of husband, their four young children, and her closest friend-and then Annie suddenly dies. Following her death, Bill, Annie's husband, is quickly overwhelmed. Annie's best friend Annemarie is lost, picking up old bad habits without Annie's support. Ali, Annie and Bill's oldest daughter, is forced to try to care for her younger brothers and even her father. Ali manages to maintain some semblance of their former lives for all of them while she confronts the complicated truths of adulthood. Over the course of the next year, Annie looms large in all of their memories, and Bill, Annemarie, and Ali are able to grow, to change, and even to become stronger and more sure of themselves. The enduring power Annie gave to those who loved her is the power to love, and to go on without her.
Upcoming Events:
Yoga with Dave Sivley, Mondays, January 15-March 4th at 6:30 PM. Bring a yoga mat, water, towel & $5 payable to Dave per session.
College Readiness 2.0: Determining the Best Fit for You, Monday, February 5th at 3:30 PM. Registration is required. Workshops for high school students to explore their options and plan for their college career, led by Gloria Jurado-Long, who was an academic mentor for the Van Buren Middle College Program for over 10 years.
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, Tuesday, February 13th at 9:00 AM, the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB), Tuesday, February 20th from 3:00 PM to 5 PM. Drop in anytime between 3-5 to enjoy snacks and share your thoughts! Assist the librarians with creating and developing programs and resources that will fulfill the needs, wants, and interests of teens. TAB looks great to college admissions boards, you get to help out your library, and the hours you help count as volunteer hours!
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, February 28th, the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. We'll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome!
First Thursday Book Club 2023, February 1st, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others.
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome & donations of gently-used Legos will be greatly appreciated!
Tech Time @ the Library, Saturday, February 3rd, 10th and 17th from 10 AM to 1 PM. Are you struggling with your phone? Do you have trouble navigating the internet? Do you need help with mel.org, the Libby App or the Marcellus Library Catalog? Drop in the library to ask Justin your IT related questions and learn to navigate your device or our computers!