<![CDATA[Avon Grove Library - Library Blog]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:58:37 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[How Working for a Library Helped Me Love Reading Again]]>Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:34:54 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/how-working-for-a-library-helped-me-love-reading-again
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This blog was originally posted in September of 2022 and has since been updated.
Want to know a secret?

For a long time, I didn't like to read.

It's shocking, I know. As someone who works for a library, just admitting that fact borders on blasphemy.

But it's true.

Here's the thing: I loved reading as a kid. I would tote piles of books with me around the house. I would walk around with my nose buried in the pages. I would compete with my fellow classmates to see who could achieve the highest reading level.

And then, something changed.

From the start of middle school through the end of college, I rarely read for pleasure. I started to dread reading. I would put off reading assignments until the last minute and then sob my way through five chapters the night before I was being quizzed on them.

So what changed? How did this budding young bookworm turn into someone who started proudly declaring the words "I'm just not a reader"?

In hindsight, there were a few different factors that contributed to the decline in my love of reading.​

One is that I didn't like being forced to read in school. Having to spend so much time reading books I wouldn't have chosen myself eventually gave me a chip on my shoulder.

As I got older, I developed some other issues that made the act of reading difficult for me. I started to avoid reading at all unless I absolutely had to for school, and even then it was a struggle just to get through one chapter.

Lastly, by the time I was in middle school, liking to read wasn't "cool" anymore.* I didn't want to be seen as a book-loving nerd by the kids in my class, so I tried to dampen my love of reading whenever I was around them. Eventually, I think I even convinced myself that it was true.

*Thanks to things like BookTok, however, this is not the case anymore!

Lastly, getting a smartphone contributed to my reading slump. Suddenly there were infinite distractions at my fingertips that required less mental effort than reading. To this day it still takes a lot of self-discipline for me to put my phone down and pick up a book instead.

By the time I was a freshman studying English in college (ironic considering how much reading English majors have to do), the activity I once loved, one that had always provided a sense of escape and comfort, was now a source of stress and anxiety.

So what changed? How did reading become a source of joy for me again, to the point that in the year 2022 I read almost 70 books for pleasure?

For one thing, after I graduated from college, no one was forcing me to read anymore. I had the freedom to read (or not read) any book I pleased, without worrying about being graded on my knowledge of the plot or my ability to write a ten-page essay on it. Reading became something I could do just for fun again.

​For another thing, I started working for a library.

It sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. Working for a library right after college — and for seven years after that — helped me fall in love with reading again.

Maybe it was seeing all the books coming in and out of our building and realizing just how many are out there. Every day I was exposed to titles and authors I'd never heard of before, ones that were way more interesting to me than the ones on my required reading lists in school.

Perhaps it was meeting other people who had no shame when it came to their love of reading. These are people whose eyes lit up when they saw the stack of books waiting for them on the holdshelf, people who would babble on about the book they'd stayed up all night to finish to anyone who would listen.

(Usually the person listening was me, and I loved it!)

It may have been the times I got to help a child in the library find something new to read, and seeing how excited they got when I handed them the book reminded me of a time when I felt the same way. Or it could have been all the beautifully illustrated picture books I got to read aloud during storytimes, books that reminded me of the magic of being a kid again.

Whatever it was, it worked, because I now love all things reading.

I love talking about reading.

I love getting recommendations from other people who love to read.

I love adding titles to my TBR (To Be Read) list on Goodreads, and I especially love adding titles to my Read (past tense) list on Goodreads. (The first list grows much faster than the second one, but that's okay.)

I love making Reels and TikToks that have to do with reading. My favorite thing is when fellow readers comment on a video and say "Me too!"

There's just something unique about the reading community as a whole. Even if the types of books we enjoy are completely different, we still understand each other in a special way. We can connect over the unique joy of losing yourself in a story, of both falling in love with and having our hearts broken by characters that someone else created.

So in conclusion, after spending too many years cringing at the sight of a book, I can happily say that I love reading again.

​And I have our little library to thank for that.
Kati Davis has been working for Avon Grove Library for seven years. Some of her favorite books are The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Kati loves cats, bubble tea, and graphic novels. One of her favorite parts of her job is running the library's social media accounts. She especially enjoys making Instagram Reels!
]]><![CDATA[March Grab & Go Craft Kit Instructions]]>Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:00:05 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/march-grab-go-craft-kit-instructionsQ: What do you do with a bunch of leftover Easter eggs?
A: You turn them into crafts!

Did you miss any of the library's March craft kits? No worries! Find all of this month's craft kit details and instructions below. Be sure to share photos of your creations and tag us on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #AGLCrafters!

Kid Grab & Go - Easter Egg Buddies

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Make a new friend (or two!) out of Easter eggs!

​Kid Easter Egg Animal Instructions

Teen Grab & Go - DIY Easter Basket

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Make your own adorable paper basket with just enough room for a few treat-filled eggs!

​Teen Easter Basket Instructions
Teen Easter Basket Cut-Outs

Adult Grab & Go - Easter Egg Wreath

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Add some spring flair to your home with this easy DIY Easter Egg Wreath!

Adult Easter Egg Wreath Instructions
]]><![CDATA[2022 Stocking Drive]]>Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:42:41 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/2022-stocking-drive
Avon Grove Library is once again partnering with a local church to collect filled stockings for their annual Christmas Basket program. Patrons can stop by the library's front desk any time during our open hours to pick up a stocking, then choose a gender and age range and fill the stocking with gifts for a child in need in our area. The stocking drive is an easy and fun way for families to give back to their community this holiday season.

Filled stockings must be returned to the library before 8 PM on December 14, 2022.
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Lovely handmade stockings donated by a local senior center
]]><![CDATA[Our Favorite Picture Books: Library Staff Edition]]>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:45:23 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/our-favorite-picture-books-library-staff-editionWe can all agree there's something magical about children's books. Just opening one can make you feel like a child again, curled up in your favorite armchair or snuggled against your parent or babysitter, and getting lost in the pages of your favorite story. 

In honor of September being Library Card Sign-Up Month, we asked the Avon Grove Library staff members to share their favorite picture books with us. Read their recommendations below, then come check out our children's book section to transport yourself back in time!

Winnie the Pooh
A.A. Milne

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I would recommend anything Winnie the Pooh. These were my favorites as a child and still are. Pooh is very wise.
​— ​
Sue, Library Board President
borrow this book

The House on East 88th Street
Bernard Waber

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I have fond memories of my mother reading this book aloud to me as a kid. She was the best at doing the sounds effects at the end. SWISH, SWASH, SPLASH, SWOOSH!
—​
Lisa, Interim Director
borrow this book

Pete the Cat (any of them!)
James Dean & Eric Litwin

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I love cats and Pete is one of myfavorites! Pete the Cat books take kids on a variety of adventures (a trip to the beach, a new pet, first day of school, cupcake party) and while they are very entertaining, they also teach a lesson that helps kids sort out feelings like facing challenges, being kind, and understanding others. I like to sing the book when I read it at her storytimes because just like Pete…never stop moving and grooving and singing a song “because it’s ALL GOOD!”
—​
Lisa, Youth Services Manager
BORROW THIS BOOK

Are You My Mother?
P.D. Eastman

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A sweet story about a baby bird on a quest to find his missing mother. This was a book I asked my parents to read over and over again, and they claim I could recite the whole thing by the time I was three. I especially liked saying the word "SNORT!"
—​
​Kati, Public Services Liaison
borrow this book

Animalia
Graeme Base

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A beautifully illustrated book that features each letter of the alphabet and hidden within each page are lots of items that begin with that particular letter.  Every time I go back & look at the pages, I find something new that I didn't see before.  It's my all-time favorite book.
—​
Rita, Circulation Assistant
borrow this book

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
Don Wood

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In this classic tale, Little Mouse will do anything it takes to protect his precious strawberry from the Big Hungry Bear. I remember reading my copy of this one over and over again! The bright colors and simple language make it a great read aloud choice for your little ones. 
—​
Mikayla, Circulation Assistant
borrow this book

Sing, Sophie!
Dayle Ann Dodds

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I loved reading this book aloud to my triplets when they were little. It's one of those books where you have to let yourself be silly to really enjoy it. Yippee-ky-yee! Yippee-ky-yo!
—​
​Barb, Circulation Assistant​
borrow this book

Good Night, Little Kitten
Nancy Christensen

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I read this book to my kids at night time. It helps the child to accept it is time to go to sleep, not time to play. Sleep takes over Little Kitten as she is reading a book.
—​
Ellen, Circulation Assistant
Unfortunately this book isn't available in our collection, but you can search our catalog for other bedtime stories for your little one below!
browse catalog

You and Me, Little Bear
Martin Waddell

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This book is beautifully illustrated. Its endearing story relates so well to the daily life of a parent and child. Litte Bear wants to play, but Big Bear has work to do. This story offers a sweet reminder to parents to make time to play. I read this book with my kids when they were little, and it was always a gentle reminder for me to include them in the work around the house, allow them to learn to play alone, and make special time to play with them even if I was exhausted. I love the ending and still read it with my youngest sometimes. 
—​
Trisha, Youth Program Coordinator
borrow this book

Milk and Cookies
Frank Asch

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This is a book I read in my childhood and still like as an adult. Plus, who doesn't like cookies?
—​
​Rochelle, Library Page
borrow this book

Bonus

Check out this fun throwback photo of our staff member Ellen in her favorite place to read as a child!
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What was your favorite book to read (or have read to you) as a child? Share it in the comments below!
]]><![CDATA[5 Reasons to Get a Library Card in 2022]]>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:10:31 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/5-reasons-to-get-a-library-card-in-2022I recently had a conversation with a stranger I met while on vacation. At some point he asked what I do for a living. When I told him I work for a library, he responded with this question:

"Do people still use those?"

I can't tell you how many times I've heard some variation of this question. And I totally get it. After all, it's 2022. When so many of us have access to all the information we could possibly want at our fingertips, what use is there for a building full of old books?*

Well friend, I'm glad you asked.

Here are my top 5 reasons to get a library card.
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#1 - Library books are FREE!

This seems like a given, but seriously, books are SO expensive these days. Unless it's a book that you love and know you'll read again and again, why spend money on it when you can get it for zero dollars from your local library?
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(And if you really want a book to keep, you can always check out the free shelf in our lobby!)

#2 - Libraries offer community connection.

Libraries are one of the few places where people can stay all day without having to pay a dime. (And many of them offer Wi-Fi!) As a result, patrons of all demographics come in and out of our doors. We also offer free programming for people of all ages and interests, including but not limited to:
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  • storytimes
  • STEAM workshops
  • grab & go crafts
  • book clubs
  • volunteer programs
  • outdoor movies

If you're looking for something fun and free to do, are interested in getting to know your neighbors, or just need a (mostly) quiet space to hang out for a couple of hours, visit your local library!

#3 - Libraries provide resources you can't find anywhere else.

It's a common misconception that libraries "only" offer books. Here are a few of the other physical items available for borrowing from Avon Grove Library:
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Other libraries in our system offer video games, museum passes, and even cake pans! Plus, there are a ton of free online databases and other electronic resources available 24/7 via our library's website. Whether you're looking to learn a new language, change careers, do research for a school project, learn more about your ancestry, or browse digital magazines, the library is the place to go. (And you can access most of them from home!)

#4 - Libraries have eBooks, too!

Have you heard about Libby? It's a free app that gives you access to your library's eBook collection. Many people don't realize that libraries have kept up with the times and started offering eBooks and eAudiobooks to their patrons. Some libraries (like ours) even have their own app that lets you carry a digital library card in case you forget yours!

And the best part about eBooks from the library? Just like print books, they're completely FREE to borrow. Libby even has automatic returns, so you never have to worry about late fees!

Move over, Audible: there's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Libby.

#5 - Library staff are awesome.

Maybe I'm a little biased here, but I happen to think people who work for libraries are pretty great. For one thing, they usually enjoy reading, and their jobs often require them to be in-the-know about the latest books and reading trends. Both of these qualities make library staff a great resource for when you need a book recommendation or just want someone to talk books with. They are also more than happy to assist patrons with things like finding community resources or gathering materials for research.

(And speaking of libraries staying relevant, some library workers even make fun TikToks ;) )
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Image Source
So there you have it: five reasons to sign up for a library card in 2022. Can you think of any others? Comment them below, then go pay a visit to your local library!
*P.S. The idea that libraries only have old books is a common misconception. Most libraries keep their collections as up-to-date as possible so their patrons have access to the latest reads! If it's a brand new book or super popular, however, you just may have to patiently wait your turn :) 
Kati Davis has been working for Avon Grove Library for over five years. Some of her favorite books are The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (who she had the opportunity to meet in college!) Kati loves cats, bubble tea, and graphic novels. One of her favorite parts of her job is running the library's social media accounts. She especially enjoys making TikToks and Instagram Reels for the library!
]]><![CDATA[10 Beach Reads for Your Summer Vacation]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:27:36 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/10-beach-reads-for-your-summer-vacation
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Question: What's better than having your toes in the sand and a book in your hands?

Answer: NOTHING!

We can't deny that the beach is one of the best places to read. Whether you're looking for a summer romance, a pulse-pounding mystery, or something else entirely, there's a book on our shelves just waiting for you to get lost in during your next vacation to the shore. Check out 10 of our recommended beach reads below!

P.S. Just take care not to get your library book too close to the ocean!

The Unhoneymooners
by Christina Lauren

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren't affected are Olive and Ethan.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds, Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.

People We Meet on Vacation
by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She's a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart-she's in New York City, and he's in their small hometown-but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.   Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since.   Poppy has everything she should want, but she's stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together-lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.   Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

The Summer Wives: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams

In the summer of 1951, eighteen-year-old Miranda Schuyler arrives on elite, secretive Winthrop Island in Long Island Sound. Uneasy among her stepsister's privileged friends, Miranda finds herself drawn to Joseph, who helps his father on a lobster boat. But Joseph has a catastrophe that will shatter Winthrop's tranquility and banish Miranda from the Island for nearly two decades. Now, in the summer of 1969, Miranda returns at last.

Big Summer
by Jennifer Weiner

Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask.

The Weekenders
by Mary Kay Andrews

When Riley Griggs is waiting for her husband to arrive at the ferry one Friday afternoon, she is instead served with papers informing her that her island home is being foreclosed. To make matters worse, her husband is nowhere to be found. She turns to her island friends for help and support, but each of them has their own secrets and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens

The Mother-In-Law
by Sally Hepworth

From the moment Lucy met her husband's mother, Diana, she was kept at arm's length. Diana was exquisitely polte, and properly friendly, but Lucy knew that she was not what Diana envisioned. But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country. Diana was happily married to Tom, and lived in wedded bliss for decades. Lucy wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law. That was five years ago.

Where'd You Go Bernadette?
by Maria Semple

When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled, and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage Bee begins a trip that takes her to the ends of the Earth to find her.

Queen Bee: A Novel
by Dorothea Benton Frank

Beekeeper Holly McNee Kensen quietly lives in a world of her own on Sullivan's Island, tending her hives and working at the local island library. Holly calls her mother The Queen Bee because she's a demanding hulk of a woman. Her mother, a devoted hypochondriac, might be unaware that she's quite ill, but that doesn't stop her from tormenting Holly. To escape the drama, Holly's sister Leslie married and moved away, wanting little to do with island life. Holly's escape is to submerge herself in the lives of the two young boys next door and their widowed father, Archie. Her world is upended when the more flamboyant Leslie returns and both sisters, opposites, fixate on what's happening in their neighbor's home. Is Archie really in love with that awful ice queen of a woman? If Archie marries her, what will become of his little boys?

The Guncle
by Steven Rowley

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.
Mikayla Stillman has been working at the AGL circulation desk for almost five years. Her favorite genres include science fiction, thrillers, and graphic novels. With a 5-month old daughter at home, she has been increasing her children's book repertoire as well (Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boyton has quickly become a family favorite!) Mikayla spends her free time drinking coffee, binging Netflix, and learning how to speak baby -- one of the most difficult languages!
]]><![CDATA[8 Library Books to Read During AAPI Heritage Month]]>Fri, 13 May 2022 20:13:51 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/8-library-books-to-read-during-aapi-heritage-monthMay is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so we're highlighting books that were written by AAPI authors or that feature AAPI characters (or, in many cases, both!) There are so many wonderful books that it was hard to narrow them down, but here are eight highly recommended reads for a variety of ages.

Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood - and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.

A Tale for the Time Being
​by Ruth Ozeki

In Tokyo, sixteen-year-old Nao has decided there's only one escape from her aching loneliness and her classmates' bullying. But before she ends it all, Nao first plans to document the life of her great grandmother, a Buddhist nun who's lived more than a century. A diary is Nao's only solace--and will touch lives in ways she can scarcely imagine. Across the Pacific, we meet Ruth, a novelist living on a remote island who discovers a collection of artifacts washed ashore in a Hello Kitty lunchbox--possibly debris from the devastating 2011 tsunami. As the mystery of its contents unfolds, Ruth is pulled into the past, into Nao's drama and her unknown fate, and forward into her own future.

The Downstairs Girl
by Stacey Lee

By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender. While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light.

Displacement
by Kiku Hughes

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II. These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself stuck back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and suffered greatly, but managed to cultivate community and commit acts of resistance in order to survive.

Marvel-verse: Shang-Chi

A crossover anthology depicts Kung Fu Master Shang-Chi's high-action partnerships with other fan-favorite Marvel superheroes.

Prairie Lotus
by Linda Sue Park

In Dakota Territory in the 1880s, half-Chinese Hanna and her white father face racism and resistance to change as they try to make a home for themselves.

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm
by Jaimal Yogis

Grace and her friends must protect a newly hatched dragon from mysterious evildoers. When Grace moves to Hong Kong with her mom and new stepdad, her biggest concern is making friends at her fancy new boarding school. But when a mysterious old woman gifts her a dragon egg during a field trip, Grace discovers that the wonderful stories of dragons she heard when she was a young girl might actually be real—especially when the egg hatches overnight. The dragon has immense powers that Grace has yet to understand. And that puts them both in danger from mysterious forces intent on abusing the dragon's power. And now it's up to Grace and her school friends to uncover the sinister plot threatening the entire city!

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
by Joanna Ho

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future. Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.
Is there an AAPI story you think should be included in this list? Share it with us in the comments!
]]><![CDATA[10 Library Books That Let You Travel the World from Your Couch]]>Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:04:58 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/10-library-books-that-let-you-travel-the-world-from-your-couchTaking a trip requires time, money, and effort that you may or may not have, but you don't need a passport or a thousand dollars to explore a book! Check out these 10 Armchair Travel Reads that let you explore the world from the comfort of your home.

Walking the Amazon:
​860 Days, One Step at a Time
by Ed Stafford

​"Describes the author's quest to walk the entire length of the Amazon River, offering details on the effects of deforestation and his encounters with both vicious animals and tribal members with machetes."

The Year of Living Danishly
by Helen Russell

"From childcare, education, food, and interior design to SAD, taxes, sexism and an unfortunate predilection for burning witches, The Year of Living Danishly is a record of a journey that shows us where the Danes get it right, where they get it wrong, and how we might just benefit from living a little more Danishly ourselves."

Touching the Void
by Joe Simpson

"Touching the Void is the heart-stopping account of Joe Simpson's terrifying adventure in the Peruvian Andes. He and his climbing partner, Simon, reached the summit of the remote Siula Grande in June 1985. A few days later, Simon staggered into Base Camp, exhausted and frost-bitten, with news that that Joe was dead.

What happened to Joe, and how the pair dealt with the psychological traumas that resulted when Simon was forced into the appalling decision to cut the rope, makes not only an epic of survival but a compelling testament of friendship."

On the Road
by Jack Kerouac

"A penniless writer named Sal Paradise becomes inspired to hitchhike across America, taking the listener on a freewheeling journey through the 1950s youth counterculture. Joining up with other fellow vagabonds who are in love with life and open to adventure, they explore jazz, sex, drugs, and mysticism on the fringes of society."

Clanlands
by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

"From their faithful camper van to boats, kayaks, bicycles, and motorbikes, join stars of Outlander Sam and Graham on a road trip with a difference, as two Scotsmen explore a land of raw beauty, poetry, feuding, music, history, and warfare. Unlikely friends Sam and Graham begin their journey in the heart of Scotland at Glencoe - the site of a great massacre and major clan feud - and travel from there all the way to Inverness and Culloden battlefield, where along the way they experience adventure and a cast of highland characters. In this story of friendship, finding themselves, and whisky, they discover the complexity, rich history and culture of their native country."

Less
by Andrew Sean Greer

"PROBLEM:
You are a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the mail: your boyfriend of the past nine years now engaged to someone else. You can’t say yes--it would all be too awkward--and you can’t say no--it would look like defeat. On your desk are a series of half-baked literary invitations you’ve received from around the world.

QUESTION: How do you arrange to skip town?

ANSWER: You accept them all.

If you are Arthur Less."

Eat Pray Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert

"A happily married woman who is trying to get pregnant realizes that her life needs to go in a new direction. After a very painful divorce, she risks everything and embarks on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery."

Under the Tuscan Sun
​by Frances Mayes

​"Frances Mayes entered a wondrous new world when she began restoring an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. There were unexpected treasures at every turn: faded frescos beneath the whitewash in her dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles in the garden, and, in the nearby hill towns, vibrant markets and delightful people. In Under the Tuscan Sun, she brings the lyrical voice of a poet, the eye of a seasoned traveler, and the discerning palate of a cook and food writer to invite readers to explore the pleasures of Italian life and to feast at her table."

Disappearing Earth
by Julia Phillips

​"One August afternoon, two sisters—Sophia, eight, and Alyona, eleven—go missing from a beach on the far-flung Kamchatka Peninsula in northeastern Russia. Taking us through the year that follows, Disappearing Earth enters the lives of women and girls in this tightly knit community who are connected by the crime: a witness, a neighbor, a detective, a mother. We are transported to vistas of rugged beauty—open expanses of tundra, soaring volcanoes, dense forests, the glassy seas that border Japan and Alaska—and into a region as complex as it is alluring, where social and ethnic tensions have long simmered, and where outsiders are often the first to be accused. In a story as propulsive as it is emotionally engaging, Julia Phillips's powerful novel brings us to a new understanding of the intricate bonds of family and community, in a Russia unlike any we have seen before."

Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious
by Seth Kugel

​"In a book with widespread cultural reverberations, Kugel takes the modern travel industry to task, determined to reignite humanity’s age-old sense of adventure that has virtually been vanquished by the spontaneity-obliterating likes of Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and Starwood points. Woven throughout with vivid tales of his perfectly imperfect adventures, Rediscovering Travel explains―often hilariously―how to make the most of new digital technologies without being shackled to them. For the tight-belted tourist and the first-class flyer, the eager student and the comfort-seeking retiree, Kugel shows how we too can rediscover the joy of discovery."
Is there a book about travel you don't see on this list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
]]><![CDATA[10 Picture Books to Borrow from the Library During Women's History Month]]>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 19:37:56 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/10-picture-books-to-borrow-from-the-library-during-womens-history-monthMarch 8 is International Women's Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than by snuggling up with your daughters (and sons!) and reading some beautifully illustrated children's books about the true stories of smart, talented, brave, and influential women. Here are ten picture books about girls who made history that are available to borrow with your Avon Grove Library card.

​Need a library card? Find out how to get one here!

Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
by Kyo Maclear

By the 1930s Elsa Schiaparelli had captivated the fashion world in Paris, but before that, she was a little girl in Rome who didn't feel pretty at all. Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli is the enchanting story for young readers of how a young girl used her imagination and emerged from plain to extraordinary.

She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
by Lynn Fulton

On a stormy night two hundred years ago, a young woman sat in a dark house and dreamed of her life as a writer...as she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a man that was not a man. He was a monster.

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
by Deborah Hopkinson

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers. But before that, she was just an ordinary girl.

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
by Laura Veirs

Elizabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasn't hers (it was her big brother's), and it wasn't strung right for her (she was left-handed). But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By age eleven, she'd written "Freight Train," one of the most famous folk songs of the twentieth century. And by the end of her life, people everywhere from the sunny beaches of California to the rolling hills of England knew her music.

Mary Wears What She Wants
by Keith Negley

Once upon a time (but not too long ago), girls only wore dresses. And only boys wore pants. Until one day, a young girl named Mary had a bold idea: She would wear whatever she wanted. And she wanted to wear pants! Inspired by the true story of Mary Edwards Walker, a trailblazing doctor who was arrested many times for wearing pants, this fresh, charming picture book encourages readers to think for themselves while gently challenging gender and societal norms.

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
by Renee Watson

A tribute to lesser-known Harlem Renaissance performer Florence Mills includes coverage of her youth as a child of former slaves, her singing and dancing performances that inspired songs and entire plays, and the struggles with racism that prompted her advocacy of all-black theater and musicals.

Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer
by Diane Stanley

​"A fascinating look at Ada Lovelace, the pioneering computer programmer and the daughter of the poet Lord Byron." -- Provided by publisher

Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Doreen Rappaport

An introduction to the life and legacy of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
​by Jeanette Winter

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something-and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . . This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman's passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
​by Monica Brown

Chronicles Frida Kahlo's life-- from her childhood to her rise as one of the world's most influential painters-- capturing the beauty and strength of Frida's creative spirit, which carried her through tragedy and triumph, and the animals that inspired her along the way.
Do you have a favorite picture book about girl power that wasn't listed here? Share your recommendation below!
]]><![CDATA[My Favorite Picture Books to Read in February]]>Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:21:09 GMThttps://www.avongrovelibrary.org/library-blog/my-favorite-picture-books-for-februaryWhat are your feelings about the month of February? In my experience, people usually fall into one of two categories. They are either counting the days until Valentine’s Day or desperately waiting for spring. It’s like Groundhog Day. There are those that see their shadow and are tired of the cold weather, and there are those who are too busy eating conversation hearts to notice their shadow.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’m eating the conversation hearts. February is one of my favorite months of the year. I got married in February, I enjoy the cold weather, and I’m going to say it…I adore Valentine’s day. 

“But Shannon, it’s a fake holiday.” 

To which I reply, “To who?” Just because Hallmark is cashing in on it, doesn’t make it less of a holiday. Valentine’s Day was established way back in 496 A.D. to honor Saint Valentine, who had died on February 14th in 269. It’s a day that should remind us to love those around us. Not just our significant others, but our children, family, friends, and neighbors.

You don’t need to buy a $10 card or a box of chocolates to show someone you care. Make brunch, tell them what makes them special in a handwritten note, or share one of your favorite books. I think it is so important to share that with our little ones. We don’t need more chocolate (that was hard to type), but we do need more love. Let’s teach our kids that the warmth of love exists even in those dark, cold months.

Here are a few books that are perfect to read to your children during the month of love. I've also included suggestions for crafts that go along with each book. 
Picture

Saint Valentine
by Robert Sabuda

Recounts an incident in the life of St. Valentine, a physician who lived some 200 years after Christ, in which he treated a small child for blindness.
Craft: Make a yellow crocus craft
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Picture

The Story of Valentine's Day
by Clyde Robert Bulla

Relates the history and describes the customs of this holiday from its beginning in Roman times to the present. Includes directions for making a paper valentine and sugar cookies.
Craft: Write an acrostic valentine
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Picture

The Ballad of Valentine
by Alison Jackson

An ardent suitor tries various means of communication, from smoke signals to Morse code to skywriting, in order to get his message to his Valentine.
​Craft: Bake Valentine's Day cookies
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Picture

The Day It Rained Hearts
by Felicia Bond

"One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. Each heart is special in its own way. Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to."
Craft: Make and deliver valentines to neighbors and friends
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Shannon Hargreaves is a self-proclaimed Avon Grove Yoga Instructor Librarian. Preschoolers and their caregivers can join her on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month for Stories and Stretching at Penn Township Park! If stretching isn't your thing, you can check out Shannon's book reviews and hilarious videos at @the_reel_bookery on Instagram.

Want to get in touch with Shannon? Send her an email!
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