Revenge of the Librarians by Tom Gauld [Graphic Novel]
view/request
This book will tickle the funny bone of readers and writers alike.
Staff Picks Reviewer: Lisa
Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge [Book]
view/request
I just finished Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge and loved it! It is historical fiction at its best — bringing the past to life through characters that are complex and relatable. The story begins in post-Civil War Brooklyn and is a coming of age story of a free black girl, Libertie, whose mother is a doctor. We follow Libertie through college and into her young married life which brings her to Haiti.
Tagged: Coming-of-age, Fiction, Historical fiction
How to be Antiracist [Book]
view/request
Dr. Kendi breaks down the difference between being “not a racist” and being “anti-racist”. This book is required reading.
Tagged: Non-fiction, Race, Racism
Nothing to See Here [Book]
view/request
There’s nothing to see here—or maybe there is? Keeping the secret of stepchildren who spontaneously combust is not easy especially when your father is a high profile politician. Magic realism at its finest with fascinatingly flawed characters.
Tagged: Fiction, Humor, Magical realism
Such a Fun Age [Book]
view/request
Race, class and parenting collide in this thought provoking tale centered around a special relationship between a lovable and precocious child and her amazing nanny.
Tagged: Coming-of-age, Fiction, Race
Valley Advocate Sessions [Online Resource]
view/request
The Valley Advocate Sessions is presented by the Valley Advocate, Signature Sounds, and Northampton Open Media and regularly features short concerts by local musicians both seasoned and new. A recent contributor was Henning Ohlenbusch, who has been featured in our staff picks before and was one of Forbes Library’s 2018 Musicians in Residence.
Tagged: Music, Northampton
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts by NPR Music [Online Resource]
view/request
I recently discovered this delightful corner of the internet and have treated myself to these eclectic short musical sets ever since. I’ve experienced some great new artists and some sets by beloved familiar ones. They are all recorded live at the desk of All Songs Considered by host Bob Boilen, except for the last few which are home editions. There is something for all musical tastes and will tide you over until you can get out to your next live performance.
Tagged: Music, Online Video
October Mourning: a song for Matthew Shepard by Lesléa Newman [Book]
view/request
Matthew Shepard was a gay college student who was lured out to the prairie by two young men who brutally beat him, tied him to a fence and left him to die. Using a variety of poetic forms and various perspectives including from the fence, the victim and the perpetrators, Newman has created a book of poetry that is powerful to read and works extremely well as a tool to discuss important issues surrounding Shepard’s tragic death. Excellent forward, epilogue and explanation of the poetic forms used adds to the reader’s understanding and makes this an especially valuable book to use with high school students.
Birth House by Ami McKay [Book]
view/request
This book made me think about the births of my children as well as family tales I’ve heard from my mother and grandmother about their very different birth experiences. The clash between midwifery and “modern” medical care is at the center of this engaging story. The author does a great job of weaving in historical events and of setting the story during the nineteen-teens in a remote Nova Scotia village.
Tagged: Fiction, Historical fiction, Women