THOUGHTS FROM THE STACKS

Musings from the minds of librarians

24 March  Annotations, Chapbooks & Life Notes

Have you ever seen an annotated book?  Any book with a proliferation of multi-colored tabs sticking out the pages like rainbow raindrops?  Google ‘booktubers’, ‘booktok’, or ‘bookstagramer’ and you are bound to run across one of these inanimate bird-books.  I am fascinated by these books and the concept of idea organizing that it embodies.  I am sure as a book reviewer or a book editor, such annotation must come in handy, but as an individual who just enjoys to read and have an occasional conversation with another person that has or has not read the book I just finished, I find this to be a bit much.  Combined with the fact that I pretty much exclusively read books borrowed from the public library and that would be quite a lot of work to undo.

              I decided to dig a little to see what these “influencers” were actually annotating in the first place.  What does that color-coding system mean?  What are the colors categorizing?  Well, common topics in color-coding systems are those such as: relationships, dislikes, quotes (of course), plot, funny moments, character development, etc.  “Okay, cool,” I thought, “but what is the point of this when you are not publicly reviewing or professionally editing written work?”  I am in a book club, but I am not going that in-depth with my conversation.  Plus, I rarely, if ever purchase a book and keep it.  If I do purchase a book, I read it and pass it on.  Rarely in the past decade have I re-read a book, so revisiting my thoughts on my first read does not factor into my mind.  (However, I do have my Harry Potter moments – I have re-read the heck out of that series.)

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Programs for Adults

Beginner Yoga

Wednesdays, 9:45am - 10:45am

Interesting in starting a yoga practice?  Join us in our weekly Beginner Yoga Class where we focus on breathe and strength while working on balance and flexibility.  We flow through a simple vinyasa sequence that is accessible for those new to yoga.  Yoga supplies available to those without.  Registration is appreciated but not required.

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ESL Meetup (English as a Second Language)

Saturdays, 10:00am - Noon

Are you or someone you know looking to learn English?  Every Saturday, we host an ESL Meetup in the library.  Pair up individually, or with a group, to learn everyday English from native speakers.  All non-English speakers at any level are invited to attend!  Intended for those 18 years or older.  Registration is greatly appreciated, but not required.

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VITA Assisted Tax Filing

Tuesdays, Feb 7 - April 18.  BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Volunteers from the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be will be offering free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.  These qualifications include:

-People who generally make $50,000 or less;

-Persons with disabilities; and

-Persons 65 years or older.

Appointments must be made via phone or in person with our Reference Desk.  Call 229-225-5252 for more details.

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale

Every Tuesday, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Our Friends the the Library used book store is open every Tuesday, from 10am to 5pm.  Here, you will find hardbacks, paperbacks, DVDs, magazines, puzzles and more.  All softly used and in good condition.  Nothing over $5.00.  All proceeds are used to help fund library programs and materials.

Public Art Exhibits

Bloom In To Art: An Art Show

Feb 21 - March 31, Henry Flipper Meeting Room

The Pines & Palms Annual Member Exhibit has a new date!

Stop in and enjoy the original artwork from members of the Pines & Palms Artist Association. Free to view during open hours.  On display in the Henry Flipper Room, Feb 21 – March 31.  Artwork is available for purchase through PinesAndPalms.org

Programs for Youth

Story Time: Toddlers + Tykes

Thursdays, 10:30am

Join us every week in the Children's Department for an hour of stories and fun!  Enjoy a few great books, sing songs and recite rhymes designed to enhance the literacy of your child. Every Story Time is wrapped-up with a fun, simple art + craft project.  An excellent space to meet others in the community

LEGO Club

Thursdays, 4:00pm

Calling all kid LEGO masters and first-timers!  Our LEGO group meets every week to create and build whatever they can imagine.  A great place to meet and mingle with other children interested in 3D creation.  We also offer larger LEGO bricks for those who may find the smaller bricks tasty.  Intended for ages 4-11 years with their caregivers

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PROGRAMS AT OUR BRANCH LIBRARIES

Boston Library -

Quiddler Club

Every Tuesday, 2:00pm

Every Tuesday the Quiddler Club meets to socialize and enjoy a few rounds of the word-card game, Quiddler. The object of the game is to get points by combining the lettered cards in your hand and make words.

To join or have any questions answered, call Suzanne Moore at the Boston Library at 229-498-5101.

Ochlocknee Library -

Art for Teens & Tweens

March 27 - 30, Drop-In Activity

Activity this week: rainbow rain sticks.  Intended for ages 11 - 17.

Book recommendations

Joe Mungo Reed We Begin Our Ascent

We Begin our Ascent is an exceptional debut novel set during the Tour de France that brings you deep into the minds and hearts of the competitors.

Sol is a domestique – his role is to ride in the peloton and protect the most important cyclist on his team. His wife Liz is a research scientist, struggling with her ambitions after the birth of their first child and some disappointing lab results. It’s ostensibly the story of a bike race, and doping, and its consequences. But it’s actually about far more. It’s a fitting entry for a reading list to kick off the spring season.  The story of journey, a beginning, and an end of many things, including love.

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Peace Adzo Medie his only wife

It’s hard to believe that His Only Wife is a debut novel. The author’s voice is incredibly assured, authentic and irresistible. We’re in Ghana, seeing life through the eyes of twenty-something Afi Tekple, a dutiful daughter and aspiring fashion designer living in a small village hours from Accra. Her mother, a widow, presses her into an arranged marriage with a man she knows of but has never met in order to secure her financial and social status. The groom is wealthy, handsome and well-mannered – but it turns out that he is in no way the Mr. Darcy that one might imagine (or hope).

Elikem is not present at their wedding – it’s literally a marriage by proxy. Once installed in a luxury apartment in Accra, Afi does more than what’s reasonable to be a “good wife.” But in the end, in a heartbreaking and achingly real manner, she realizes that she’s on her own in the world – a fatherless woman in a patriarchal and punitive society – and that it will never be enough for her to play the role of a rich man’s trophy wife.

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