1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Hello readers! Today I want you to think back to your childhood.  Do you remember listening to books at bedtime? What was your favorite story? I begged to hear Madeline over and over. I laughed at the sight of Miss Clavell dashing to prevent a disaster, and wished I could live in an “old house in …

Titanic

 Hello, readers! This year, April 15th marks the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. It is hard to believe it has been that long since the largest ship of its day struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic and sank, taking with her over 1500 lives.  The story of that …

New Year, Old Books

Hello, readers! Happy New Year, and welcome to 2022. How are you at making New Year’s resolutions? Perhaps the better question is how are you at keeping New Year’s resolutions? There seems to be only one resolution I am sure to keep: this year, I will read more books! Actually, I have to confess, reading more …

It’s Tea Time!

Hello, readers! C.S. Lewis once said, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” I admit I am in complete agreement with him! One of my favorite pastimes - actually more of a daily necessity - is to have a steaming cup of tea while …

Book Publishing in 2020

Hello, everyone! McKenna from the Macon County Public Library here, to talk to you all about a subject that may concern you, as a reader, greatly. Today I want to tell you all about the 2020 publishing industry. Now, as some of you have probably noticed, just because the world seems to be closing off …

Most Popular Recent Books

If you looking for a book to read, consider trying those listed below! These books were all published in 2018. Since being added to the collections of public libraries in North Carolina (those belonging to the NC Cardinal consortium of libraries), each of these books has been checked out 600 to 1000 times (not counting …

The Greatest Book Ever Written?

Benjamin Baruch Woody Every year I have the same thought. "Is Umberto Eco's novel Foucault's Pendulum the greatest novel ever written?" I guess I sort of know that this is preposterous. As a former English major I have been conditioned to know that the Canon is set. The greatest works are the usual suspects: War …

Short and Sweet

We all get busy, but sometimes you still need to scratch that reading itch -- without having a big book hanging over your head. If you're looking for some "short but mighty books", check out The Short List, a compilation of 24 books under 200 pages recommended by TED speakers. Here are some more short …

Voting In America, The Past

November 6th, better known as Midterm Election Day 2018, is right around the corner. I would like to take a moment to look at where we, as a nation, have come from in regards to voting rights, so that we can look at our own voting behavior today. Who gets to vote, and why? Elections …

FRL – looking back, looking forward

As I get ready to retire next month, I find myself looking back at nearly 25 years of working for the Fontana Regional Library System.  There have been a lot of changes.  Walking into the Macon County Public Library on Wayah Street, for my first day on the job, the first thing I found myself …