 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!
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Q: 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 Teen Grab & Go - DIY Easter Basket 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 Add some spring flair to your home with this easy DIY Easter Egg Wreath!
Adult Easter Egg Wreath Instructions
We 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 |
 | The Unhoneymooners |
 | The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo |
 | People We Meet on Vacation |
 | The Summer Wives: A Novel |
 | Big Summer |
 | The Weekenders |
 | The Mother-In-Law |
 | Where'd You Go Bernadette? |
 | Queen Bee: A Novel |
 | The Guncle |
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!
May 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 |
 | A Tale for the Time Being |
 | The Downstairs Girl |
 | Displacement |
 | Marvel-verse: Shang-ChiA crossover anthology depicts Kung Fu Master Shang-Chi's high-action partnerships with other fan-favorite Marvel superheroes. |
 | Prairie Lotus |
 | City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm |
 | Eyes That Kiss in the Corners |
Is there an AAPI story you think should be included in this list? Share it with us in the comments!
Taking 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: |
 | The Year of Living Danishly |
 | Touching the Void |
 | On the Road |
 | Clanlands |
 | Less |
 | Eat Pray Love |
 | Under the Tuscan Sun |
 | Disappearing Earth |
 | Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious |
Is there a book about travel you don't see on this list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
March 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!
Need a library card? Find out how to get one here!
 | Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli |
 | She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein |
 | Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen |
 | Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten |
 | Mary Wears What She Wants |
 | Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills |
 | Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer |
 | Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller |
 | Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa |
 | Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos |
Do you have a favorite picture book about girl power that wasn't listed here? Share your recommendation below!
What 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.
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.
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
Craft: Make a yellow crocus craft
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
Craft: Write an acrostic valentine
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
Craft: Bake Valentine's Day cookies
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
Craft: Make and deliver valentines to neighbors and friends
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!
Want to get in touch with Shannon? Send her an email!
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