Add a little holiday magic to your reading list this year with some festive contemporary fiction. Many readers chose to seek out holiday books during this season including everything from classic tales to Christmas romance novels. Reading a book set during December usually evokes a cozy mood, and it doesn’t hurt to play some classic Christmas songs to set the mood...

The big consumer Friday is over if you are reading this column. Yet, Saturday through Monday are still big shopping business with Small Business Saturday and Cyber-Monday. Some retailers have had seasonal sales going on weekly for a month. What an amazing sight in a store to see Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas or holiday decorations all at one time. This vision must be very confusing for children. It is for me!...

The Carter Family has a song that rings in my head many mornings, and my favorite lyrics are “Keep on the sunny side of life, it will help us every day, it will brighten all the way”. Each morning as I am getting ready for work, church, or some other activity, I review the blessings in my life. When I begin each morning with gratitude, having a grumpy start is difficult. So, I can keep on the sunny side of life...

Booklover’s Thanksgiving is nearing which means you have a few extra days to read this month! A few new titles at the Dunklin County Library may fill some hours with suspense, laughs, and drama. This stand-alone novel by Charles Martin, The Last Exchange, is suspenseful, contemporary, and emotional. ...

Now that the temperatures are dropping, Old Man Winter is settling in for a prolonged visit. Walks may be brisker and more rushed due to the cooler atmosphere. Oh, there may be a few days where the sun provides a special warm treat yet those days are rare. ...

Humans are storytelling animals, and writers have spent centuries using the power of words to scare readers senseless. What a person considers scary varies from person to person. Some people quiver in fear at the mere suggestion of a ghost. For others, it’s the hulking figure with a knife at the ready that makes them queasy. Ask readers what the scariest books of all time are, and you will get a different answer from every single one...

New books are released each week. With so many amazing books hitting the shelves every week, it can be easy to let a few go unnoticed. This list of under-the-radar books deserves a second look. A few are recent novels but others are some looked over hidden gems!...

Why isn’t reading spooky books a tradition for Halloween? What better time than fall to curly up with a book? And what better time to share a spooky story than during Halloween? Enjoy a bit of the Halloween spirit with a list of spooky books you can read every October...

Throughout history, individuals and groups have attempted to ban books and to suppress anything that conflicts with their own beliefs. Banned Books Week, which takes place October 1–7, 2023. This is an annual week that highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas...

“Almost heaven…..Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home to the place I belong.” These are lyrics from John Denver’s Take me Home, Country Roads. Every time I hear this song, the back roads of beautiful Dunklin County appear in my mind. ...

The Dunklin County Library, in cooperation with Missouri Humanities Council, continues its exploration of the evolving landscape of rural America as it hosts the local showing of “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” a Smithsonian traveling exhibition. “Crossroads” will be on view through October 25, 2023...

The anticipation of the Delta Fair Parade is a feeling of excitement and eagerness that builds as the parade gets closer. Our rural communities come together to celebrate the best of our local culture with the derby and tractor pull, exhibits, amazing food stands, arts and crafts, and agriculture. ...

The Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, asks questions of the attendees while walking through the panels. The rural theme is quite strong, and drops of information are provided to spur thinking and hopefully research. One of my favorite thought-provoking questions is “What does rural sound like?” In our beautiful Dunklin County, the fall and winter have different rural sounds...

The exhibit is here in the balcony area of the Dunklin County Library in the Kennett headquarters. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute Museum on Main Street Project and the Missouri Humanities Council, Crossroads: Change in Rural America is an interactive record of rural beginnings and adaptations. Considering literature to set the tone for viewing this exhibit, what books would capture rural life?...

Beach reads often involve sun, sand, and string-bikini-thin plots. Now, that summer is winding down and school has started, readers may find less time for their favorite activity. Labor Day is approaching so one last time to enjoy the pool or a long weekend get-away is possible. The question of “what shall I read?” is easily answered with several late summer publications...

While most people have information at their fingertips, some information cannot be found on a cell phone’s search engine. Local information, resources, and community services may be discovered at your local library. Libraries play a fundamental role in learning, where librarians and other resources and services help people to access information that they need. ...

So, it is August again! School supplies are on the shelves. Parents are trying to find the perfect backpack or all the items on the school list for their children’s grade level. Some parents with several children are probably seeking financing for the long list of school supplies. ...

While I am finishing this writing on Thursday morning, today is Tony Bennett’s birthday. He was born in 1926, and he recently passed away. I became familiar with his smooth, sincere voice after Moma bought a RCA console television from Welton Oaks. With that purchase, a boxed set of albums was included. ...

Having read the historical yet fictional novel, Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict, and several other historical newspapers and biographies, I am fascinated by Andrew Carnegie. My daughter recently wrote an essay on Carnegie for her college history class, and I learned even more about this interesting Scottish man. His family immigrated to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, as a result of his father’s work becoming obsolete with the invention of the power loom...

Readers are always looking for books worth reading. The ultimate find is a book that’s worth reading again or finding books that are sure to become life-long favorites. These are books on your shelf for the next time you need a comforting book to reread. If you’re an avid reader, you likely have a mental list of books you would recommend to almost anyone. Sometimes a book strikes just the right balance. It sticks with you, and you feel like you want to dive back in again even if it’s difficult...

Enjoying the summer months with your family and friends may take some planning and a little slow down. With practical ways to keep your kids busy and active, screen time may not be an issue. Make some memories and laughs to last through the summer and hopefully forever!...

July is National Ice Cream Month, and we all can thank Kentucky! In 1984, Senator Walter Dee Huddleston of Kentucky introduced a resolution to proclaim the month of July as National Ice Cream Month and the 15th of that month National Ice Cream Day. Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law the same year, and the rest is history!...

Every weekday morning on Channel 6 from Paducah, Kentucky, I hear the Pledge of Allegiance by different people in this region. Sponsored by a local business, this devotion to our country and the respect displayed by the individuals’ recitation some mornings make me weepy. ...

Summer reading programs began in the 1890s as a way to encourage school children, particularly those in urban areas and not needed for farm work, to read during their summer vacation, use the library and develop the habit of reading. As a kid growing up in Senath, Mrs. ...

We might not always want it, yet we always seem to get advice from our parents.. The same seems to hold true in literature. Parental wisdom gleaned from characters both real and fictional often challenge readers to reconsider their thoughts and opinions. With Father’s Day, these quotes of fatherly wisdom hold true today, no matter how long ago they were written...

Warm weather is here. Kids and teachers are entering the last weeks of school or are in summer school. Pools are open, and people plan vacations from work. Many of these individuals view summer with a slower pace in mind creating some reading time. Whether you’re seeking a romance, thriller, or just a good story, there’s a title for all readers...

Much like peanut butter and jelly or chips and dip, dynamic duos in literature exist. These characters are interesting and engaging on their own but paired together, sparks fly, conversations dazzle, and relationships bubble. Not all of these winning two-somes are romantic couples because best friends or partners in crime may entertain readers just the same!...

Finishing a whole book in a day is so satisfying. It’s exciting to get lost in the pages of a fascinating memoir, a heartfelt romance, or a gripping thriller that simply won’t let our attention go until the true killer is revealed. These quick reads are either short books or fast-paced, and each can usually be read within a day or even a single sitting. These titles would also be great for a day-long road trip listening or a long hike...

From a stunning first sentence to a perfect string of dialogue, there are certain parts of books that feel particularly memorable. Whether they make us laugh, cry, or simply reflect, a good first line builds expectations for style, tone, character, location, era, and season. That opening pulls a reader into the plot. We embark on a journey with questions to be answered...

I do not recall when this wonderful lady entered my life. I just thought that she had always been there. Moma worked as a telephone operator at the Kennett office, and she often worked odd shifts. Daddy was a farmer, and he was usually not far from the house. The cooking, washing, kid-watching, and more still had to get done whatever shift Moma connected phone calls. I never thought of Ollie Holley as being our babysitter. I just thought of her as family...

Admittingly, most of my conversations revolve around books. When greeting library patrons, we share books we have read. We speak of what we liked or disliked. And, those books propel us into conversation about many other things. These conversations do not include character analysis or other plot devices. Simply sharing a great title, memorable lines, or fascinating characters are sufficient for someone to put that book on a reading list...

Back in the fall, I purchased a journal to record stories for my children. Each page has a prompt or a question, which I like; however, some days a memory of riding bikes all over Senath with my friends, of playing kickball until dark, or of pranks Moma would play on us drives me to write a detailed story. ...

This semester for my daughter’s college English Composition class, she has been challenged to write several different types of exercises.  One of the first exercises was outlining her literacy journey.  She defined literacy and detailed influential people on her road becoming literate. She used the National Literacy Trust’s definition of literacy: “the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world”. ...

Spring is the season of rebirth, fresh starts, and a reprieve from cold weather. These best books for spring are bound to make you feel renewed. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is the beloved children’s classic book on the Gilmore Girls reading list that sings springtime. From the whimsical garden to the White Rabbit, tea party, and so much more...

When I was a kid, my mama worked so hard to make that day significant! There were no excuses for missing Easter services (actually she did not tolerate any excuses on any given Sunday)! Mama would find just the right dresses for us girls, and the suit in a coordinating color for my brother. ...

Recently, my husband and I returned from a wonderful trip to Boston. Enjoying the history, the food, the crowded culture, and the new experiences, the best part of this trip was spending concentrated time with our son. Our son’s independence and ability to live and maneuver on his own in this extra-large city boggles my mind yet makes my heart sing. Our round-trip flights from Memphis to Boston provided much down time for which I thought “Reading time”!...

Everyone is unique, and everyone has a story to tell. Memoirs and biographies remind readers that everyone is flawed and complicated and is doing the best he can; and no one is free from suffering. These books are brave as personal vulnerabilities are revealed and the author shares a journey of choices that led to lessons learned, personal growth, and authenticity. ...

Walking in Barnes & Noble one day after a doctor’s appointment, a huge poster in red, black, and white greeted me as I stepped into the children’s book corner. I had already decided on our fourth child’s name and I knew we were having a girl. Seeing this poster and the recently released book, Olivia, confirmed what a perfect name. ...

Ever since the beginning of film, filmmakers and writers have looked to their favorite books and authors to create content. Some of the most classic films in movie history have been inspired by books and literature, making the book-to-movie pipeline a lucrative one when it comes to cementing an author’s legacy differently. ...

March was designated as National Reading Month to celebrate Dr. Suess. He was born on March 2, 1904. Interestingly enough, Dr. Suess was not a doctor at all, he was a writer and an illustrator of very popular children’s books including “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. ...

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. On June 22, 1921, Frederic G. Melcher proposed the award to the American Library Association meeting of the Children’s Librarians’ Section and suggested that it be named for the eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery. ...

When our children were young, Gaylon and I established a bedtime routine. After all the preparedness for sleep, we would get a few books and read to our four little ones. Sometimes, he would read holding one child, and I would cuddle with three others. ...

In the 1970s, Kim Casali created a comic strip with a sweet faced couple and simple “love is...” sayings. This romantic look at love covered everything from tie selection to illnesses but the couple was still naked! I laugh now yet I blushed back then. ...

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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