Southeast
Neighborhood Library

Friday Five

Historical fiction with nonfiction characters

One of the most interesting things in historical fiction is that authors can insert real historical figures into a story. These real people can interact with the fictional characters and impact the events of the story to lend some realism to a novel. These five books feature, but are not about, characters that were real people as interesting counterpoints to the fictional characters in the books.

Your Friday Five

Thanksgiving Topics

The days are shorter, the leaves are falling, and there are already Christmas ads on TV. This can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is almost here. Soon we will be stuffing ourselves silly, ideally surrounded by those we love. For today’s Friday Five, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of books related to topics I think about when I think of Thanksgiving: food, family, gratitude, history and shopping.   Food

Chess Time

I don't remember when I first learned how to play chess, I just remember loving it--even if I wasn't very good.  My how times have changed!  Instead of receiving a new fancy chess board for Christmas so I can keep practicing, I now download the app and play several people at once, each game lasting a few weeks!   One thing has remained not changed though: I enjoy winning. There is nothing more thrilling than a swift flick of your opponent's King piece and announcing "C-H-E-C-K-M-A-T-E!" (but no yelling in the library). 

Spanish Conversation Circle

Practice your Spanish with fellow enthusiasts

We are developing a conversation circle for people who know Spanish but who don't have many opportunities to speak it. I get psyched about doing our monthly Spanish Story Time because it is one of very few opportunities I have to belt out some Spanish.   If you boast about being bilingual and even put it on your résumé but worry about becoming rusty, you should come by for some coffee and conversation -- en español!  Te esperamos!