Story Tags

Cloud Atlas

Super Rooster

A Bracket of Past Winners of the Tournament of Books

Every year, I like to play along with The Morning News’ Tournament of Books.

Dino-Baseball

Baseball and Feeling Fit!

For preschool children and families

Here are some books and video story books about baseball and staying fit and healthy. These items are available in the library's digital collections and aimed at preschool-aged children and their families.

Parable of the Sower

Dystopian Pasts, Presents and Futures

The word is scary right now. But honestly, reading about other pandemics and disasters has made me feel a little bit better right now because it could be so even worse! I read The Hot Zone, a book about Ebola, in elementary school and was terrified but re-reading it recently I felt almost comforted that the world isn't completely aflame.

Girl Woman Other

Tournament of Books 2020

It's back!

I can't believe it's already March and the Tournament of Books is back! I like to read as many books in the tournament every year as I can, so that I've read at least some well-regarded adult fiction.

Act Like It

Contemporary Romance Novels

Real world romance with no historical or magical obstacles

Contemporary romance is one of the hardest genres to pull off. Readers know a "happily ever after" is coming, unlike in other genres where the ending isn't guaranteed, which makes believable plot machinations that aren't too predictable or too stupid hard. It can be hard to generate conflict between characters that's believable and keeps you rooting for the ending. With historical or fantastical romance, writers can generate obstacles but when a book takes place in a recognizable world, the author has to make the conflict truly believable for the reader to care.

Ready Set Baby

New Baby Books

introducing a sibling to a new baby

It can be hard to become a new sibling. You used to be the center of attention, but now there's this new loud crying tiny thing taking up your parents attention. Luckily, there are lots of books out there to help explain to new big siblings how to help and why that new baby isn't so bad after all. My colleague Abby made a list last year, but there are tons of books on this topic so I wanted to share some of my favorites as well!  

Tell the Wolves I'm Home

Literary Coming of Age Fiction

Literature often isn't about an event happening; often the best stories are about small events and how they change someone. One of my favorite types of story is one where the narrator grows up and into themselves. Adolescence is a time of so much growth, development, and change that is ripe with narrative power. Here are some of my favorite coming of age stories:  

So You've Been Publicly Shamed

"Right to Be Forgotten"

A reading list for the Arena Stage Production

What is “the right to be forgotten?"  Besides the name of the play coming to Arena Stage in October, it is also a legal right in much of Europe, which allows individuals to apply to media and internet companies to have links to past indiscretions like debts and small crimes erased from search results. Advocates claim utility for people like victims of revenge porn, while those opposed contend it can allow history to be re-written and violates free speech rights.

Milkman

Tournament of Books 2019

It's back!

I like to read all the books in The Morning News' Tournament of Books annually, so that I can ensure I've read at least some well-regarded adult fiction. This is my favorite way to do that, as the list is usually diverse in terms of genres, perspectives and styles. You can find my picks from last year's tournament here. I have to admit, this year's overall list was not my favorite - three of my top five picks are from the play in round!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Wintery Picture Books

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

I have a confession: I love snow. Okay, so I prefer to be inside while it's happening, but I love the way snow looks as it descends on the city. Here are some picture books that reflect and showcase the childlike joy snow can bring.   Walking in a Winter Wonderland illustrated by Tim Hopgood

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