October time for Halloween, fall and readingOctober 12, 2007
October. A month during the Fall season, full of cooler weather, leaves changing colors, and spooky Halloween festivities. An observance that you may not associate with October, however, is "National Book Month."
National Book Month, sponsored by the National Book Foundation, is part of a growing movement to raise the profile of reading in American culture. This annual event encourages all readers of every age to enjoy books and reading again. The observance was originally just celebrated during one week. Later it was expanded into a whole month long festivity, dedicated to reading.
This celebration is right up my alley. A whole month dedicated to reading…truly remarkable. To commemorate this National Book Month I thought it fitting to have some of my fellow librarians share their favorite books. Their interests range from children's fiction to adult non-fiction, from small town atmospheres to the far way country of Afghanistan. I hope that their much-loved books become your favorites too, and that throughout the month of October you allow yourself to dive into the world of reading.
1. Bev Whitsel: Her favorite children's book is "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, and her adult pick is "Angela’s Ashes" by Frank McCourt.
2. Sheila Nelson: Her favorite series right now is the Cork O'Connor mysteries by William Kent Krueger. If she had to choose an all-time favorite, however, it would definitely have to be the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George.
3. Mary Boyington: She recommended a non-fiction book, "Prairie lands, gardener's guide" by Cathy Wilkinson Barash. A great book for all who love to garden, it contains great ideas for plants that will grow here in Nebraska and the surrounding states, and is full of lavish illustrations.
4. Linda Gardner: Her suggestions were the "Cape Light" series by Thomas Kinkade and the "Mitford Years series" by Jan Karon. Both of these series are set in small, homey towns, where everyone knows everyone else. She says that after reading the books you really have a feel for the characters, and thus are really able to connect with them.
5. Sarah Jesse: One of her choices was a children’s picture book, "How to Be a Baby -- By Me, the Big Sister" by Sally Lloyd-Jones, which is a very cute story about siblings. Other books she loves are "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger, a great love story, and for all the fans of Western novels, "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, which she says is the best Western she has ever read.
Check out any of these staff recommendations at the Hastings Public Library.