Book clubs, book groups, book discussions, or whatever one may call the meeting conjure images of men and women with reading glasses perched on their noses holding a book with numerous Post-Its clinging to the page edges. The benefits of a book club may not be obvious with the primary benefit of reading a book and discussing it. But there are additional benefits that take the experience to a deeper meaning...

Names are important because they are one of the ways that we mark our place in the world. Choosing what to name your baby may be one of the hardest decisions ever. A name is one of the first gifts a parent gives to their child. The first symbols of our identity and one of the first things we lead with when we meet someone new. Baby names reflect family, current culture or trends, and the parents’ personality. Another source of meaningful names is literary connections...

Living in the South is quite different than any other place in the grand USA. There are slight nuances wherever you may visit. People in a coffee shop may start a conversation with you. Dining in a restaurant, you may have someone ask “how’s your dinner?” before ordering the same thing. ...

You have read the novel. Or, possibly you have read the entire series and are waiting on the next storyline of your favorite character. You know all this character’s idiosyncrasies, the car he or she drives, the reason he or she lives in a dumpy apartment, and even how he or she likes a cup of coffee. ...

Stumped on what to read next? This is a common comment heard in the library which usually leads to a conversation about the patron’s preferences. With so many books on the shelves and on ebooks through Libby, surely there is a title that will appeal to a stumped reader. ...

Receiving a text message a while back, it included “TLDR”. I had no idea of the meaning of these four letters in all capital letters. So, I Googled it! “TLDR” is an abbreviation for “too long didn’t read”! Almost offended, I reviewed my grammatically correct four sentence text message. ...

Walking to the front doors of Walmart the other night, the Jackson 5 version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” was playing on Walmart radio. Holding the warm hand of my favorite person, we approached the Salvation Army bell ringers while I continued to belt out with Michael, Jermaine, and Tito the chorus of this Christmas song. ...

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season can be stressful. The kind of stress varies from person to person from holiday parties, community and church commitments, gift buying, and more. The end result is the same: a need for escape...

Jolabokaflod is a unique and charming Iceland Christmas Eve tradition. Jolabokaflod translates into “Christmas Book Flood.” The tradition is to give or receive new books on Christmas Eve. It’s not just about the giving though. It’s also about the reading! Families gather to receive their books with hot cocoa and snacks. After the paper is picked up, everyone retreats to a warm corner to read...

December is here, and the holiday is spirit moving through Dunklin County. Curling up with a good book is a positive way to boost your festive mood. Whether you crave a little suspense, romance, history, or a heartwarming story, there is a book for you at the Dunklin County Library. A hot cup of tea or cocoa along with ginger snaps or peppermint fudge will enhance your reading pleasure...

Black Friday is an annual event that takes place on the day after Thanksgiving. It’s the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. The term ‘Black Friday” was first coined back in 1966, when US bosses began noticing an increase in the number of employees calling in sick. ...

A few months back shopping in Jonesboro by myself and not feeling well, I rushed into Chick-Fil-A and sat at a table to fan myself. I must have looked pretty bad, but a beautiful young lady on break from work asked, “May I help you? Or, get you something?” I told her that a cup of water would be great. ...

If self-sacrifice in the face of mortal danger is a guide for defining a hero, there are hundreds of thousands of heroes in our American military. In fact, just being in the US Army, the Marines, the Navy, or the Air Force would make one a hero. And, add those who serve in the Coast Guard as well. ...

Many of the finest and most read writers were born in November. Each November author has unique content and style, and each is great in his or her own way creating a living history of their time. These famous names gave the world classic and contemporary literature, spanning many genres...

If fairy tales do come true, then my family got to witness true enchantment this past weekend. Our older princess has been dating a true prince charming since high school. Their “once upon a time” began at the Renaissance feast in preschool seated beside each other with our girl gazing at the crowned hero eating a “dragon wing”! The magic happens when these two look in each other’s faces. ...

At this point in my life, I am totally library-obsessed. In librarian jargon, a patron who utilizes the full force of library resources and services is the “Library Power User.” Power users are the lifeblood of a library, helping the library thrive by utilizing each available resource, talking up the library whenever possible, and engaging with the library as an active participant in library events and programming. ...

Driving to work and listening to the 80s station on Sirius, I was treated to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. I sang along with the lyrics and reminisced of all the college socials with “Thriller” line dances. In my theatrical makeup class, one classmate created a thriller-esque design for an assignment. ...

Scary or suspense novels are welcome any time of the year. But fall is here and Halloween is approaching. And you know what that means? It’s time for scary fiction to totally take over your To-Be-Read pile. Thankfully, the Dunklin County Library has a killer selection (yes, I went there) for horror novels. ...

Boo! Kids of all ages love scary children’s books that explore the spooky side of life. Creepy stories for kids can help young ones learn new skills and cope with fear and anxiety. While supernatural tales help children expand their imagination, other stories about misfit monsters can help kids accept those who are “different.” All these colorfully fun children’s books are available at the Dunklin County Library. Start October by reading with a child!...

Premiering next weekend is a new version of Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire. Viewers will sink their teeth into an interview with journalist Daniel Molloy about how he met Lestat in 1910, became a vampire, and all that followed. The highly visible trailer for this new series shows all sides of the relationship between Louis and Lestat to include the “daughter” Claudia. ...

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, you may wish to deepen your knowledge of the longest-running female monarch in world history. There’s a wealth of books out there to delve into. From exhaustive biographies, to illustrated coffee table books, to dishy accounts from former palace staffers, here are a few that are available at the Dunklin County Library and on the free ebook service, Libby...

Sending pictures each day while on vacation with some family friends, my daughter became smitten with a tiny black and brown Chiweenie named Khloe. The more pictures she sent with the message “I love her!” my mother’s heart told her to bring the puppy home. ...

It’s the perfect time for a list of books you can’t put down. Soon, sundown will be earlier and an engrossing book is a wonderful companion. According to NBC News, getting lost in a book this way is actually good for you. Reading fiction teaches empathy and actually pushes growth and change. Furthermore, reading fiction increases one’s sense of belonging, while boosting social skills. There is even research to suggest that reading voraciously can help you live longer...

Most successful people credit reading, in some capacity, as a factor in their success. In a recent “Insider” magazine article, Warren Buffet stated he spends five to six hours a day reading five different newspapers. “That’s how knowledge works,” he recently told an investment class at Columbia University. “It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”...

Is there anything better than a book series that has you immediately reaching for the next book and feeling devastated when it’s over? The best book series of all time deliver. Following these characters over the course of several novels, sometimes for generations, can make readers feel like they are part of the family. Adventure stories take you along on an invisible participant in the group’s quest...

My heart is quite heavy this Wednesday afternoon. This morning as I dressed, the Today Show announced the death of history writer, David McCullough. Pulling up one of my favorite book websites, I see that Stuart Woods dies in late July. And, Olivia Newton John and her gorgeous smile left earth this week, too. ...

In 1985, the American Library Association (ALA) created “READ” posters featuring a celebrity posing with their favorite book or books. The celebrities were chosen because of their popularity, appeal, and visibility to a general audience; and the ALA concentrated on a range of diverse talent who would be great spokesmodels for reading to both adults and children. ...

Reading is not only part of my occupation but reading is my main hobby. I like all kinds of books, and lately, I have read some excellent books and a few stinkers (I will not spend too much time on those titles). The Ennis Book Discussion Group selects a book each month, and I usually read it. ...

With countless new books released each month, it can be hard for a book lover to keep up with all that is shiny and new in fiction. But, I love scouring the upcoming book releases lists, searching for those special gems, whether exciting new novels from bestselling authors or the next breakout debuts – whatever is likely to make a book-loving heart sing...

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