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Cover to Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Challenge Accepted: Read Harder 2017

Challenge #17: Read a classic by an author of color

2017 is here and a new year means new year resolutions and challenges. One reading challenge that I love to do is Book Riot’s Read Harder challenge. Instead of having people focus on a specific number of books, Read Harder challenges people to read different genres or authors that they may overlook. This year, there are 24 prompts for readers. Today we will address the 17th challenge, to read a classic by an author of color.

Salt

Prose By Any Other Name...

YA Books Written In Verse

In my conversations with library customers, I've noticed folks feel pretty strongly about poetry - both positively and negatively. There are quite a few who believe "poetry's just not for me".   I love proving people wrong!   Done well, poetry can convey ideas in a new and fresh way. Done amazingly well, those ideas can be connected into an entire story. Just in time for National Poetry Month, here are some amazing books written in verse.

open mic

Open Mic Night

Celebration of National Poetry Month

We are having an Open Mic available to ALL POETS, SINGERS, and RAPPERS! You will get 3 minutes to show off your talent! Open Mic: Thursdays, 5 - 6:30 p.m.​ April 6, 2017 April 13, 2017 April 20, 2017 For more information, visit the event listing.  

Adams Vs. Jefferson cover

Know Your Inaugurals

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Some of the most stirring presidential quotes in this country's 240-year history come from inaugural addresses. Our library has some great books that are just devoted to the speeches and the events that surrounded them. Check one out and relive some of the best speeches in American history.   All I'm saying is that the next president has a lot to live up to come January 20.  

A Broken Hallelujah

Honoring the late Leonard Cohen

In Writing, Film, and Song

Two of the greatest experiences of my life involved seeing Leonard Cohen, the late great Canadian singer and poet, perform live. While his body has left us, his spirit lives on through his decades of writing and song. Here are some recommendations of books and films by and about him to help understand and commemorate his legacy.  

PKL Youth Advisory Now Forming

Earn Community Service Hours as a Library Youth Advisor

Teens!  Are you a respectful, responsible young adult aged 13-19 and interested in sharing your ideas about how the Parklands-Turner Library can meet your needs and the needs of other young people in our community? Visit the library today or phone 202-645-4532 and ask to speak with Ms. Auset for more information on how you can be a part of this exciting new group.

kick in the head

Pictured Poetry

Illustrated Books of Poems

Whether new to poetry or a devoted reader/writer of verse an illustrated poem can make for an afternoon well spent.  Take a glance through the compilations and biographies or read them endpaper to endpaper.  Read a poem as a picture book, too.  Fun awaits! Compilations

Japanese textile

Annual Haiku Contest

Submission deadline April 25

Join the annual Cleveland Park Library haiku contest, and let your creativity blossom!  Write your own original poem, and share it with the community.   We welcome people of all ages to participate, and we will display your entry for everyone to enjoy.  Japanese in origin, haiku is a three-line poem of five syllables, then seven syllables, then five.  It may be serious or lighthearted , and may portray a scene in nature, or a feeling, or the essence of a moment.  Traditionally, a haiku contains an unexpected turn of phrase or thought.

Roberta Beary - Poet

Poetry Reading - Haiku By Roberta Beary

Award-winning DC poet Roberta Beary will read from her published works.  Roberta  studied haiku in Japan.  Her individual poems, an unconventional hybrid of haiku and senryu, have been honored throughout North America, Europe and Asia for their innovative style. Her book of short poems, The Unworn Necklace(Snapshot Press, 2007), was a finalist  for the William Carlos Williams Book Award (Poetry Society of America) and was named a Haiku Society of America Merit Book Award prize winner.  

Alessandra Gelmi - Poet, Playwright, Author

Poetry Workshop by Alessandra Gelmi

Meet and work with the award-winning author

Professor Alessandra Gelmi is a journalist, playwright, and seven-time national award-winning author of the novel Who’s Afraid of Red and the poetry collection Ring of Fire. On Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m., she will offer a workshop on tips and tricks to make a poem sing.  Please bring a short poem to be workshopped in this class.    Workshop is limited to 25.  Registration Required.  

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