• Women’s History Month Picks
    Since March is Women’s History Month, we’re sharing some of the Historical Fiction books that were published in the last year by women, about women in history! Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray Frances Perkins arrived in New York in the early 1900s with the conviction that she could make… Book Reviews
  • Great Books to Read as a Family
    Parents and caregivers know the best way to help their child become a strong reader and successful at school is to read to them! But as kids get older, they may not embrace reading time as much as they did when they were younger. Reading to an older child/tween/teen can… Book Reviews
  • The Bandit Queens
    The Bandit Queens. Shroff, Parini. New York : Ballantine Books, [2023]. Content warnings: misogyny, classism, body shaming, rape and attempted rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, alcoholism, acid attacks, murder. Sometimes you pick up a book, expecting one thing, but get something else entirely. I picked up The Bandit Queens, expecting… Book Reviews
  • North Carolina Novels
    There’s some sort of thrill when you read a book that is set in a familiar place, either where you live now, or a place you used to live. Luckily, there are hundreds of books set in North Carolina for you to enjoy! Here are some of our favorites: Garden… Book Reviews
  • Lovingkindness Meditation
    Lovingkindness Meditation by Sharon Salzberg On this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to share a resource that has been proven to increase people’s sense of well-being called lovingkindness meditation.  On Hoopla*, you can find guided meditations and writings from the well-known meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg, who is credited with increasing awareness… Book Reviews
  • Super Bowl Picks
    Super Bowl Picks It’s Super Bowl week, so why not have feature some books where sports and their players play a main role? Tumble by Celia C. Pérez Addie Ramirez decides to search for her birth father, whom she doesn’t remember at all. In the process, she also finds her… Book Reviews
  • Romance Roundup
    In honor of Valentine’s Day, lets chat about romance novels. What are they and why do we like them? There are two requirements for a book to be considered a romance. One, the main plot centers on two individuals falling in love. The author can include as many subplots as… Book Reviews
  • Great Pairs in Children’s Literature
    This Wednesday, January 24, is National Peanut Butter Day, which made me think of peanut butter and jelly, which made me think of other great pairs, trios and groups in children’s literature. Kids love reading about friends who support each other, and there are some great books in the library… Book Reviews
  • In The Dark I See You
    In the dark I see you. Narayanan, Mallika. New York: Union Square & Co., 2023. A blind woman stumbles (literally) over a body in her neighbor’s condo, and becomes a suspect in this great psychological thriller. Audrey is blind, and lives in a lovely condo development in Sleepy Point, a… Book Reviews
  • ACPL Winter Reading Program
    January 16 – February 16 Reading is SNOW much fun! Our annual Winter Reading Program begins on Tuesday, January 16. We invite readers of all ages to participate in Book Bingo. Pick up your bingo card from any library location and complete a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line on the… Book Reviews
  • Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply
    Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply. Sofer, Oren Jay. Sounds True; 2022. During the height of COVID, I started studying communication with Oren Jay Sofer, a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication or NVC.  I recently discovered that one of his titles Speak Your Truth with Love and Listen Deeply… Book Reviews
  • The Princess of Thornwood Drive
    The princess of Thornwood Drive. Moreau, Khalia. New York: Forever, 2023. Content Warnings: death of parents, panic attacks, off-page sexual assault. I love books like The Princess of Thornwood Drive that straddle genres and make you think about what is real. This is a wonderful, touching story of two sisters.… Book Reviews
  • Women Are Some Kind of Magic Series
    Women Are Some Kind of Magic Series by Amanda Lovelace In Amanda Lovelace’s first collection of poetry she explores the hopes and struggles of her past and present by leaning into fairy tales and themes we all grew up with. She explores subjects of toxic relationships and self-love by setting… Book Reviews
  • The Wings of Fire Series
    The Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland Looking for holiday gifts for your late elementary/middle school children? We often get questions about different book series to purchase for kids, so this week, we’re featuring The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland. The Wings of Fire series is… Book Reviews
  • Shady Hollow Mysteries
    Looking for a new cozy-fantasy / cozy-mystery read but don’t know where to start? Try Juneau Black’s Shady Hollow Mysteries Series, where small town charm meets murder mystery but with a twist. All of our characters are animals, like Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit or Brian Jacques’ Redwall Series. The Herald’s… Book Reviews
  • New Christian Romance Fiction Picks
    We love to highlight all different genres of books, so this week, we’re featuring several new Christian Romance Fiction choices on our shelves. A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander This book is set in two different time periods – present day and the 1860s. Two women face marital breaking… Book Reviews
  • Native American Heritage Month Fiction Picks
    This week, we’re featuring Native American fiction for all ages! These books celebrate Native American tribes’ cultures and traditions, as well as sharing stories about past and current challenges Native Americans face(d). Picture Books Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson ACPL has this book in electronic format for a… Book Reviews
  • Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island
    Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island. Boyer, Susan M. Holland : Stella Maris Books, LLC, 2023. This is a big, juicy Southern mystery/romance where the setting (Charleston, S.C.) is almost a character of its own! The library has purchased this in electronic formats only; I recommend the audiobook (through Libby), because… Book Reviews
  • Little Thieves and Painted Devils
    Little Thieves. Owen, Margaret. New York, NY : Henry Holt and Company, 2021. Painted Devils. Owen, Margaret. New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2023. Content warnings: physical and emotional child abuse and abandonment, rape (off page), manipulation, bloody violence, the death of a horse (off-page). Sometimes a random choice… Book Reviews
  • Spooky Season Calls for Great YA Graphic Novels
    With spooky season upon us, we’re going to highlight five young adult graphic novels for Halloween to get you in the mood. These are good for teenagers and adults alike! Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell: Everything in this book is in-your-face fall! It follows two characters who work at a fall… Book Reviews