Lists

2018 Staff Picks: Mystery and Thriller

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Mysteries & Thrillers

2018 Staff Picks: Nonfiction

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Biography & Memoir
• Science & Technology

2018 Staff Picks: Teen

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Teens
• Staff Picks

2018 Staff Picks: Graphic Novels

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Comics & Graphic Novels

2018 Staff Picks: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

2018 Staff Picks: Music

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Music

2018 Staff Picks: Movies and TV

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV

Off-Beat Graphic Novels for Adults

These quirky, often irreverent graphic novels are a bit off the beaten path. Find something new, dark, weird, or interesting to match your personality.

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• Adults
• Comics & Graphic Novels

In Their Words

This list of funny, insightful, and inspirational audiobook memoirs deliver more impact when read by the actual authors.

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• Audiobooks
• Biography & Memoir

Visually Stunning Films

Give your eyeballs a treat with these ground-breaking, fascinating, and gorgeous films.

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• Movies & TV
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Wild Adventures

Dark Futures

From sci-fi to modern classics, these are worlds you wouldn't want to find yourself living in.

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• Adults
• Classics & Award Winners
• Wild Adventures

Spooky Movies for Family Fun Part 2

More ideas for October viewing; take look and enjoy. Age recommendations provided by commonsensemedia.org, when available.

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• Teens
• Kids
• Movies & TV
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Just Fun Stuff

Movies about Movies

Hollywood has been self-examining itself for years. Here are some of the best!

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Hitchcocktober

I cannot take credit for the creative merge of The Master of Suspense with the 10th month on the calendar. I saw it in a BBC America email and it spurred me on to recommend some spooky Hitchcockian tales.

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• Teens
• Movies & TV
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Notable Firsts and Promising Introductions

Enjoy this list of artistically significant movie debuts, starts, and firsts.

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• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners
• Global Perspectives

Classic Rom-Coms by Classic Directors

Romantic comedies are hardly a recent addition to American cinema. Here are some oldies but goodies that are just as good—if not better—than today's rom coms.

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• Adults
• Classics & Award Winners
• Romance

Differently Dead

American funerary practices are big business that have little to do with the naturalness of death. Author and non-profit undertaker Caitlin Doughty wrote, “Due to the corporatization and commercialization of deathcare, we have fallen behind the rest of the world when it comes to proximity, intimacy, and ritual around death.” But that is changing—with the green burial movement, in particular. These books and movies explore alternatives to current mainstream funerary and deathcare practices.

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• Adults
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

On the Basis of Sex: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Judge, exercise enthusiast, opera lover, advocate for equality, mentor to hundreds of female attorneys, role-model for many women—Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) strikes fear and wonder into the hearts of many. This list views her through a variety of different lenses.

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• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs

Stellar Courtroom Dramas

Looking for a little legal drama to spice up your life? Well, look no further than these great films set in the world of lawyers and courts.

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• Adults
• Classics & Award Winners
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Let's Go Back in Time! (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go back in time. The books on this list will help you travel back through time.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• For History Buffs

Let's Go Back in Time! (K-2nd Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go back in time. The books on this list will help you travel back through the pages of history.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• For History Buffs

Let's Go Back in Time! (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go back in time. The books on this list will help you get a blast from the past.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Historical Fiction
• Just Fun Stuff

Let's Go Back in Time! (picture books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go back in time. The books on this list will help you step back into the past.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Just Fun Stuff

Let's Go on a Quest! (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a quest. The books on this list will help you launch your next adventure.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Let's Go to the Cinema! (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the Cinema. The books on this list inspired great movies.

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• Kids
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections

Let's Go to the Cinema! (Picture Books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the Cinema! The books on this list were turned into fantastic films.

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• Kids
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections

Let's Go on a World Tour! (Picture Books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a World Tour! The books on this list will take you places you've only dreamed of visiting.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections

Let's Go on a Quest! (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a quest!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Let's Go to the Cinema! (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the Cinema! The books on this list inspired movie magic.

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• Kids
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections

Let's Go to a Studio! (Picture Books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the Studio! The books on this list will help inspire the imaginations of young artists.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• For Artistic Temperaments

Let's Go on a Picnic! (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a Picnic! The books on this list will get you excited about food this summer.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink

Let's Go on a Picnic! (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a Picnic! The books on this list will help you work up an appetite.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink

Let's Go on a Picnic! (K-2nd Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a Picnic! The books on this list will help you plan for your outdoor meal.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink

Let’s Go on a World Tour (Adult/Teen)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on a World Tour. Try these items and explore all parts of the planet.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Global Perspectives

Let’s Go to the Laboratory (Adult/Teen)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the laboratory. These works of science and science fiction provide a summer's worth of knowledge and entertainment.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science & Technology

Let's Go To the Cinema (Adult/Teen)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the cinema! The books on this list will help you become a Summer Reading movie star.

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• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir

Let's Go on a Picnic (picture books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an picnic! Take a bite. These books are delicious.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections

Let's Go to the Park (Adult/Teen)

Skokie has tons of public parks and summer is the perfect time to visit them! These books are all about games and sports perfect for playing at the park or perfect for just reading at the park.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Just Fun Stuff

Let's Go to the Studio (Adult/Teen)

The following books will help jumpstart your creativity and entertain you with stories of artists.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Just Fun Stuff

Movie Nights at Ravinia 2018

This summer Ravinia is bringing us a great selection of movies which will be broadcast on large screens throughout the park. The amazing part is that the music scores will be played by live orchestras! Plan to hear some of the best film music composed by Bernard Herrmann, John Williams, and John Corigliano played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Philharmonic.

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Let's Go To a Concert

Going to a concert can really transport the listener to another place—there is so much happening in and around the show. These books shed some light on the many factors that go into making it all happen!

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• Summer Selections
• Music

Let's Go to Skokie (Adult/Teen)

Summer is the perfect time for a staycation so let's explore Skokie and earn that Summer Reading badge in the process!

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs

Let's Go on a Picnic

It's summertime and the outdoors is a-callin'. Grab a basket and blanket and head to the park, or fire up the grill in your own backyard. From the simple to the exotic, these books offer suggestions for outdoor eating. And there are culinary fiction books to enjoy, as well.

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• Adults
• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink

Milos Forman and His Movies

The Czech director of two of my favorite films (Amadeus and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) passed away recently. And even though he did not direct many films, his impact on the filmmaking world is considered legendary.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners

Let's Go to the Moon! (picture books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the moon: 3, 2, 1, blast off!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• The Natural World

Let's Go to the Moon! (K-2nd Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the moon: 3, 2, 1, blast off!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Let's Go to the Moon! (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the moon: 3, 2, 1, blast off!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science & Technology

Let's Go to the Moon! (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the moon: 3, 2, 1, blast off!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Let’s Go to the Moon (Adult/Teen)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go to the Moon. These books can take you to space and different realms and worlds without you having to leave your home. Blast off!

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science & Technology

Outstanding Audiobooks, 2018

This is a select list of finalists for the annual Audie Awards which recognize outstanding audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. The awards were conferred in May. See if I picked the winners: https://www.audiopub.org/winners/2017-audies-1

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• Audiobooks
• Classics & Award Winners

33rd Chicago Gospel Festival June 1& 2, 2018

Before you start stomping your feet and clapping your hands at this year's Gospel Festival, take a look at this list of CDs and books that will enrich your experience of this world-class event.

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Let's Go on an Adventure (Adult/Teen)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an Adventure. These books can take you to faraway places without you having to leave your comfiest chair.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures

Let's Go on an Adventure (3rd-5th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an adventure! These books will take you on the ride of your life.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures

Let's Go on an Adventure (K-2nd Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an adventure! These books will take you on the ride of your life

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures

Let's Go on an Adventure (6th-8th Grade)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an adventure! These books will take you on the ride of your life.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures

Let's Go on an Adventure (picture books)

In celebration of Summer Reading, let's go on an adventure! These books will take you on the ride of your life.

Tags

• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures

Niles North High School 2018 Summer Reading List

Niles North High School 2018 Summer Reading List

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• Teens
• Summer Selections

Niles West High School 2018 Summer Reading List

Niles West High School 2018 Summer Reading List

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• Teens
• Summer Selections

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying

Some movies, despite our best efforts, make us cry. Tearjerkers, weepies, melodramas, and perhaps most pejoratively, the chick-flick, these films are often oppressively fine-tuned to elicit our sorrow. Here are some movies that earned my own recalcitrant tears.

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• Movies & TV
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Global Perspectives

Money Moves

This list features autobiographical books by famous black women who want to talk to you about money, relationships, discrimination and everything in between.

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Evanston Literary Festival 2018

Running May 12 through 20, 2018, the Evanston Literary Festival brings books to life. Guests include: Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water), Audrey Niffenegger, Eddie Campbell, Charles Johnson, Nadine Strossen, Angela Morales, Ricardo Rowan Phillips, Sofa Samatar, and others. Coordinated specifically to coincide and partner with the Northwestern Spring Writers' Festival in mid-May, the festival casts a spotlight on the fantastic selection of literati (including readers, writers, and publishers) in and around the Evanston area.

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• Classics & Award Winners
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Strong Women

Alaska!

As we celebrated longer hours of daylight this spring, I was reading a novel set in the interminable darkness of an Alaskan winter. Yet, despite the lack of daylight (just over 3 ½ hours on the shortest day in Fairbanks), Alaska inspires and fascinates many people who are looking for true wilderness and adventure, plus opportunities for quiet and solitude. Maybe you yourself don’t want to live there, but you can experience it vividly through these books.

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• Biography & Memoir
• Wild Adventures
• The Natural World

Armchair Travel

Want to take a staycation? Try these movies set in beautiful, scenic, breathtaking locales while staying in the comfort of your home.

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• Movies & TV
• Wild Adventures
• Global Perspectives

Hear Our Voice!

Movements like March for Our Lives have proven once again that anyone, regardless of age, can be civically engaged in a meaningful way. Whether that means organizing a protest or simply starting a conversation, this list is a new generation's guide to speaking up about injustice and creating change on a local and national level.

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• Teens
• Biography & Memoir
• Strong Women

Cool Summer Reads 2018

What's cooler than cool? These awesome summer reads for third through fifth graders!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections

Hot Summer Reads 2018

Attention junior high students: your summer reading list is here! Get them while they're hot and see how many great titles you can read from this awesome list

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• Teens
• Kids
• Summer Selections

Fairy Tales Retold

Your favorite timeless stories with a twist.

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• Strong Women
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Catch a Killer

Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to track down a serial killer? Close a cold case? Discover a murderer in your own midst? The characters in these books will take you down the cold, dark road to an answer. You might not like what you find out.

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• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Tchaikovsky at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater

Playwright, pianist, and actor Hershey Felder is known for bringing musical greats like Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, and Franz Liszt to life with his engaging and acclaimed solo shows. His latest subject is Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky—not only considered one of Russia's greatest composers, one of the greatest composers of all time. Check out these selections before or after the performance and enrich your experience.

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• Biography & Memoir
• Music

Leonard Bernstein at 100

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great American musician, conductor, composer, and music educator, Leonard Bernstein. With so many local organizations paying tribute to this phenomenally creative artist, it is appropriate to take a look at his vast catalog of contributions. Included in this list are CDs, DVDs, and books to round out our tour of all things Bernstein.

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• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners
• Music

Under the Radar 2.5

If you're looking for hidden gems, overlooked releases, or the slightly forgotten, check out the items on this list.

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• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners
• Strong Women

Get the Gardening Bug

For avid gardeners, floral dabblers, and armchair observers, here are some cinematic recommendations that have more blooms than weeds.

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• Summer Selections
• The Natural World

Business Narratives

Highly readable accounts of recent business scandals, investigations, meltdowns, plant closings, new product developments, and the occasional happy development.

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• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• Money Matters
• Business & Careers

Underwater Beauty: Shedd Aquarium's Special Exhibit

Oceans, lakes, and rivers are filled with unusual and stunning creatures. Many of us never get to see what beauty lies beneath the surface. Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is the best place to see these strange and bizarre creatures. But before you head to the museum, take a glance at the gems we have in our collection. It will enhance your visit.

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• Science & Technology
• The Natural World

Lagom: Culture of Enough

Last year I compiled a list on hygge, the Danish expression for cozy, warm, and homey. This season, I want to highlight a new trend which many Americans are embracing (including Oprah): lagom, which means "just the right amount."

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• Global Perspectives
• Just Fun Stuff
• Health & Wellness

Under the Radar Picks 2.0

If you're looking for hidden gems, overlooked releases, or the slightly forgotten, check out the items on this list.

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• Movies & TV
• Romance
• Global Perspectives

Quilts as Something Other Than a Cover-up

The Art Institute of Chicago's current exhibit, "Making Memories: Quilts As Souvenirs," inspired me to consider the role quilts play in Americana. Judy Chicago certainly has the right idea by expanding the meaning and importance of quilts and quilting. My recommendations reveal the ways we have come to accept that quilts transform our dreams, longings, and history.

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• For History Buffs
• Nerd Pride
• Strong Women

Nor'Easters

Recent storms on the East Coast got me thinking about books and movies that either describe blizzards or are something you would want if you were seeking shelter from a storm. So cuddle up with your favorite blanket, stoke the fire, put the kettle on to brew up a "cuppa,", and browse these recommendations.

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• Biography & Memoir
• Wild Adventures
• Mysteries & Thrillers
• The Natural World

Live Music From Your Couch

Have you ever had the itch to see a live band but weren't in the mood to leave the house? Both world famous and small performances come together to make this your go-to list for a listener's night in.

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• Adults
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Music

Best Hitchcock Films Not Directed by Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock was the Master of Suspense, but there are several films out there that even Hitchcock would like to take credit for directing. Here are some films incorrectly attributed to Hitchcock.

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• Movies & TV
• Mysteries & Thrillers

To Earth With Good Intentions

Sometimes, when they say "We come in peace," they mean it.

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• Science Fiction & Fantasy

What is This Language We Speak?

English, what a strange beast! Besides the homonyms, idioms, spellings that seem to have no relationship to pronunciation, irregular verb conjugations, and a vocabulary borrowed from dozens of other languages, it is an alive and constantly changing thing. If you're a native speaker, you may never have fully appreciated the strangeness and complexity of your language.

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• Nerd Pride
• Just Fun Stuff

2017 Award Winning Mysteries

Here is a list of some of last year's award winning mysteries you may have missed. Catch up on your reading so you are ready for the 2018 winners.

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2017 National Film Registry Picks

Each year, the Library of Congress honors films that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically” significant. This year’s pool of films is as varied as ever, including historical classics, modern blockbusters, and riveting documentaries.

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More Hidden Gems N-Z

If you're craving even more unsung movies, here's more you can try.

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More Hidden Gems A-M

If you're craving even more unsung movies, here's a few you can try.

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Building Your Baby's Library

There are many books for babies out there, so how do you know which ones are worth checking out? Here's a list of time-tested, baby-approved picture books that you and your little one will read over and over again. You also get my librarian's guarantee: these books will wear out before you get tired of them!

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• Kids
• Just Fun Stuff

Teen Thrillers

Looking for a book that will get your heart racing and keep the pages turning? Look no further. These books are guaranteed to keep you on a the edge of your seat from the first page!

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In the Style of Agatha Christie

A mystery-loving friend of mine insists that no one today writes detective stories like Agatha Christie. While she is mostly right, every once in while a modern writer captures a little of the Christie magic, often with a deliberate tip of the hat to the master. As the following books make clear, authors across the globe sometimes take on Dame Agatha at her own game with surprisingly successful results.

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African-American Biography in Picture Books

Here's a list of new African-American biographies that kids and adults will love. Some are folks you know of, others you may be meeting for the first time. All are just wonderful!

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Learning History Through Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are great entertainment, of course, but the titles on this list teach us about history as well.

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• Biography & Memoir
• Comics & Graphic Novels
• For History Buffs

2017 Staff Picks: Books for Emerging Readers

Our favorite books for Kindergarten through Third Graders.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

2017 Staff Picks: Books for Middle Grade Readers

Our favorite books for 4th-6th graders.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

2017 Staff Picks: Books for our Youngest Readers

Our favorite books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

2017 Staff Picks: Teens

Our expert readers advisory staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Teens
• Staff Picks

2017 Staff Picks: Movies & TV

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV

2017 Staff Picks: Music

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Music

2017 Staff Picks: Graphic Novels

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

Tags

• Staff Picks
• Biography & Memoir
• Comics & Graphic Novels

2017 Staff Picks: Fiction

Our expert readers advisory staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Well-Crafted Writing

2017 Staff Picks: Nonfiction

Our expert readers advisory staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Staff Picks
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs

2017 Staff Picks: Mystery and Suspense

Our readers advisory staff recommend some of their favorite mysteries that they've read in the past year. You'll find them on the first floor, separate from the general fiction, on the specially-labeled shelves.

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• Staff Picks
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Mysteries & Thrillers

2017 Staff Picks: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

Our readers advisory staff recommend some of their favorite sci-fi, fantasy, and horror titles that they've read in the past year. You'll find them on the first floor, separate from the general fiction, on the specially-labeled shelves for their genre.

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• Staff Picks
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Out of this World Movies

Whether they are set in space or about the space race, these films are sure to get you ready for "take off." Since there are so many, I'm not including any alien-driven movies on this list. Or any series movies (Star Wars, Star Trek, etc.)

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• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Thanksgiving Delights

Want to make your 2017 Thanksgiving memorable? Carve out some time for relaxation. This list includes fiction and non-fiction books, movies, cooking, and music CDs that will inspire and uplift you—and maybe even earn you the title of true entertaining whiz. Enjoy!

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Food & Drink
• Music

Spooky Movies for Family Fun

For a cinematic treat, sit back and enjoy a not-too-scary movie. Age recommendations provided by commonsensemedia.org.

Tags

• Kids
• Movies & TV

Book Report Due? No Time to Read? Try One of These!

Believe it or not, some of the best books I've ever read have been written in verse! I don't know how they do it, but there are some amazing authors out there who can pack the power of a novel into just a few well-chosen words. If you have a book report due and are short on time, try one of the titles on my list. They're short on word count, but long on great plots, beautiful characters, and stunning themes.

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• Teens
• Kids
• Well-Crafted Writing

Explore Space: Youth & Teens

How are planetary systems, asteroids, and comets formed? What are solar storms and how do they affect Earth? What are we learning about Mars? Are there habitable worlds out there? These questions, and more, are topics of a national traveling exhibit we are hosting October 25 through December 29. Check out our staff's favorite youth and teen space titles and then visit the exhibit in the library’s central lobby to learn more about our universe. Skokie Public Library is one of only 14 sites throughout the country selected to host this exhibit. It shows the universe, and our place in it, in a way that is easy to understand and inspirational.

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• Teens
• Science & Technology

Explore Space

How are planetary systems, asteroids, and comets formed? What are solar storms and how do they affect Earth? What are we learning about Mars? Are there habitable worlds out there? These questions, and more, are topics of a national traveling exhibit we are hosting October 25 through December 29.

Check out our staff's favorite space titles and then visit the exhibit in the library’s central lobby to learn more about our universe. Skokie Public Library is one of only 14 sites throughout the country selected to host this exhibit. It shows the universe, and our place in it, in a way that is easy to understand and inspirational.

Tags

• Adults
• Science & Technology

Working for the Weekend

Workers of the world, unite! Okay, maybe radical revolution might be going a bit too far. Instead of taking to the streets, how about sitting back on your couch (after a hard day's work, of course) with a loved one (pet or human) or alone (what do I care?) and taking pleasure in watching other people pick up the slack. What I'm trying to say is—watch these movies about working life.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Just Fun Stuff

Natural Disasters

If the disasters that always seem to be happening somewhere on the planet leave you wanting to know more, these documentaries and feature films can provide some insight. Some of them address the possible or known impact of human activity on various extreme weather events.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Science & Technology
• The Natural World

Classic Unsung Movies

We've all seen, or at least heard of, Casablanca, right? And Gone with the Wind? And Citizen Kane? Well, here are some movies that should be considered classics even though you may not have seen them yet.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Classics & Award Winners

Girl Power

Here are some movies with knockout female leads that are sure to inspire your inner hero.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Strong Women

Stand-Out On-Screen Artists

There are many movies made about real-life creative visionaries, be they writers, musicians, or visual artists. Not all feature tour de force performances, however. Here are some films based on the lives of artists made special by tremendous performances.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• For Artistic Temperaments

Make Some Time for Stories in Rhyme!

Want to make reading together even more fun? Add some rhyming picture books to the mix! Well-written rhymes are easy to read, hear, and remember and offer lots of giggles when you and your little one say them together. Here are some of the very best.

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• Kids
• Just Fun Stuff

Arthouse Horror

Big budget Hollywood horror films can certainly be scary, but an artistically done film can be just as frightening. Enjoy these selections!

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The Girls With the Gifts

From being able to see into the future to communing with the dead, meet these teen girls with extraordinary powers.

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Laugh Until You Die

Horror and comedy mix well in these cheeky horror films. You'll be laughing one minute and scared the next.

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Girl Power

Here are some movies with knockout female leads that are sure to inspire your inner hero.

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• Movies & TV
• Strong Women
• Global Perspectives

Under the Radar Picks

For those looking for something off the mainstream track, this list is for you.

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• Movies & TV
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Global Perspectives

Natural Disasters

If the disasters that always seem to be happening somewhere on the planet leave you wanting to know more, these documentaries and feature films can provide some insight. Some of them address the possible or known impact of human activity on various extreme weather events.

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• Movies & TV
• The Natural World

Vietnam War Remembered

This week Ken Burns and Lynn Novick launched a ten-part PBS film documentary series, The Vietnam War. For those of us who lived through this turbulent time, we look forward to seeing Ken Burn's take on a conflict which deeply divided the country. This list compiles fiction and nonfiction titles which deal with a range of issues relating to the war.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Movies & TV
• For History Buffs
• Historical Fiction

Building Bridges to World Peace

If you’ve been wondering what books you can share with the youngest people in your life (and perhaps the oldest too!) about building bridges to world peace, I highly recommend these books as a place to start.

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• Kids
• Global Perspectives

Ancient Civilizations

Just how different from us were the men and women who lived in ancient times? Their technology was very different, of course, but how were they different from us in what inspired them, what they believed in, and how they lived their lives? Much more than facts and figures, well-written histories seek to answer these questions as well as add color and context to our interpretations of the past. Check out the books, films, and television series on this list to learn more about ancient civilizations.

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• Adults
• For History Buffs
• Historical Fiction

Teen Volunteers 2017: Books You Can't Put Down

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Teen Volunteers 2017: Strong Female Protagonists

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• Teens

Teen Volunteers 2017: Best Historical Fiction

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• Teens
• For History Buffs

Conflict and Harmony in the Middle East through Graphic Novels

A rich and complex area of the world that is often in the global spotlight, there is a movement of artists who want to tell the story of their real experiences growing up and traveling throughout the Middle East. Here are some selections that seek to explore the diversity of those experiences.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Biography & Memoir
• Comics & Graphic Novels
• Global Perspectives

Many Kinds of Mango

I enjoy a variety of fruit and consider myself a budding connoisseur. I like to try new varieties when I have the opportunity, however, the mango has somehow escaped my notice until recently. I am unusually hesitant to try it, so to gain a better understanding, I looked at the following books and was delighted to find that there is much to learn from a mango. Also, in children’s books a mango is not always a fruit!

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• Kids
• Just Fun Stuff

Teen Volunteers 2017: Favorite Childhood Reads

We all have those books that we read, or were read to us as kids, that stay with us well into adulthood. This is a list of favorite childhood reads put together by our Teen Volunteers.

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Teen Volunteers 2017: Best Dystopian Fiction

Dystopia, dystopia! Why is young adult fiction filled with novels set in dystopian futures? Because they're engaging and fun to read? Probably. Here are a few favorites in a list put together by our Summer Teen Volunteers.

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• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist/Art Institute of Chicago

When most people think of Paul Gauguin they think of exotic locations like Tahti and beautiful, sensuous women. But Paul Gauguin was so much more! The Art Institute of Chicago's exhibit which runs June 25 through September 10, 2017, allows viewers to experience the full breadth of Gauguin's creativity. My list embellishes the viewer's understanding of Gauguin, his life, his contributions, and his place in art history.

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• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Global Perspectives

Teen Volunteer 2017: Teen Romance Novels

Romance is the theme with the books on this list put together by Teen Volunteer Jana, age 12.

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• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Romance
• Families & Relationships

Teen Volunteer 2017: Summer Fun

Scary and adventurous, funny and hilarious, these are the themes of this list of great movies (and a book) compiled by Teen Volunteer Mateo, age 13.

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• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures
• Mysteries & Thrillers
• Just Fun Stuff

Farm Fiction

Symbolic of an older, respected way of life immersed in the rhythms of nature, there are also secrets and tragedies that seem to go along with life on a farm. Think of those long family histories, creaky old buildings, and the hiding places that fields and woods provide! To seal the idea that the two go hand-in-hand, there are plenty of secrets and dark events in these books.

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• Well-Crafted Writing
• Families & Relationships
• The Natural World

Be a Librarian

Ever wonder what librarians do all day? From recommending great books to teaching people how to search to saving ancient relics, librarians do it all!

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• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs
• Nerd Pride
• Wild Adventures
• Mysteries & Thrillers
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Be a Builder

Skyscrapers, houses, bridges, tunnels—no matter the size or purpose of the building or the scope of the project, these structures require the work of architects, designers, engineers, and workers to build them. The books and documentary film on this list show how and why they do it.

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• Teens
• Kids
• Summer Selections
• Just Fun Stuff

Be a Movie Star

We all dream of being famous movie stars, right? Well, here are some resources that show the pros and cons of a career in show business.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Just Fun Stuff

Highlights of Ravinia Pop Concerts, 2017

Ravinia is the oldest outdoor music festival in the country. And, it's right here in our backyard, so take advantage of this great resource. Before you pack your picnic basket, be sure and check out this list to enhance your enjoyment of this summer's popular music lineup. With so many great artists performing in a relaxed, idyllic setting, you will find this the perfect summer retreat. Enjoy!

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• Adults
• Summer Selections
• Classics & Award Winners
• For Artistic Temperaments
• Music

Be an Artist

Art is for everyone! You don't need to be a genius to reap the benefits of creativity. Scientists are beginning to discover that engaging in a creative hobby at any age can improve your mood and your brain health. So, if you are in need of inspiration or just curious about the world of art, take a look at the titles below.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV
• Biography & Memoir
• For Artistic Temperaments

Be a Vet

To be a vet, you must love all creatures great and small, which is a common thread throughout this list.

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• Summer Selections
• Business & Careers

Who Done It?

Do you like the suspense created by a good mystery? Better yet, what about the shiver that runs down your spine when you realize the mystery is unsolved? The books on this list offer fictitious, as well as true, tales of truly horrifying mysteries and crimes. Look here if you want to add some darkness and tension to your summer!

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• Teens
• Kids
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Get Out Of The Sunken Place

Calling all fans of the recent film Get Out directed by Jordan Peele. It’s time to get out of the sunken place! With racial tensions increasing across the U.S. and social inequalities sparking conversations in our communities, it’s time to get active and educated. For those seeking an increased understanding of systemic racism, inequality, and self-identity based reflection, these reads are just for you.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Audiobooks
• Biography & Memoir

100th Anniversary of the Birth of JFK

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has announced a year-long celebration to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy. To commemorate his centennial year, I've put together this list to inspire others to find meaning and inspiration in the enduring values that formed the heart of the Kennedy presidency.

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• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs
• Global Perspectives

Be a Gamer

Chess, Tetris, Monopoly, video games and virtual reality—explore the entire world of how we play games, why we create them, and what they teach us about being human.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science & Technology

Be an Athlete

Becoming a top athlete requires skill, dedication, drive, and a whole lot of talent. With plenty of practice, and the knowledge gained by hitting the books (and a movie) on this list, you will have an edge on the competition.

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• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir

Diversity and Inclusion of the Disabled

In a recent interview, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin reminds us that while diversity is a "beautiful, wonderful thing," people with disabilities are often not considered part of the diversity mandate. The titles on this list examine the various portrayals of deaf, blind, and mute individuals.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Strong Women
• Global Perspectives
• Coming Together

Be a Scientist

Science can be fun, complex, confusing, mysterious, fascinating, or all of the above. Before conducting any scientific experiments of your own, read or watch the titles on this list.

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• Adults
• Summer Selections
• Science & Technology

Be an Adventurer

What does it mean to be an adventurer? It can mean spending years in the wild studying primates, climbing Mount Everest, flying solo across the ocean, or trying to find your way back home despite all odds and obstacles. The books on this list will inspire the adventurer in you.

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• Summer Selections
• Wild Adventures
• Just Fun Stuff

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Summer of Love

In 1967, thousands of free-spirited dreamers (hippies) congregated in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco near Golden Gate Park to initiate a cultural revolution. That revolution would create some of the era's most memorable music, art, fashion, and literature. Stroll down memory lane and relive, or discover for the first time, the Summer of Love. Be sure to wear flowers in your hair!

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• Adults
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir
• Just Fun Stuff
• Music

Sweet Home Chicago

The city is as much a part of the story as any of the characters. Whether in the background or center stage, Chicago is intricately woven into these titles.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Classics & Award Winners
• For History Buffs
• Just Fun Stuff

AI - Artificial Intelligence

Robots, androids, replicants—"smart" machines with emotional intelligence, capable of empathy and human understanding—serve as the backdrop for many movies, books, and TV shows. Here's a selection of some of the classics as well as new interpretations of this same theme.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Movies & TV
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

2017 Niles West Summer Reading

From the March graphic novels to The Hate U Give, we've got copies of all the books on your summer reading list. Use it to see what's currently available at the library and put holds on titles you'd like to get.

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• Teens
• Summer Selections

Be a Musician

There's more to being a musician than fame, fortune, and adulation from adoring fans, as the books and movies on this list reveal.

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• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir
• Music

The Greens of Summer

Summer is a time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. This means picnics, cookouts, camping, and hitting the beach. It's also a time to exercise that green thumb of yours. So get out into the garden and grow some stuff.

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• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink
• Just Fun Stuff

Summer Beach Reads 2017

If you hear summer reading and immediately think beach reading then we have a list for you. Grab your beach chair, some SPF sunscreen, and one of these books then turn off your brain for a couple of hours.

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• Adults
• Summer Selections
• Just Fun Stuff

Be a Hero

The world is full of admirable heroes and it's very possible that you are one yourself or could be. These books and film documentaries are all true stories about people from around the world who've acted heroically, no matter how young or outnumbered, nor how insurmountable the situation may seem. Be inspired!

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• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs
• Strong Women
• Global Perspectives

Be a Chef

To cook is to be human. In Michael Pollan's book listed below, you'll learn that our big brains may be the result of eating cooked food. So feed that big brain of yours and start cooking. In this list you'll find plenty of advice on how to cook and why; inspiration and entertaining tales from some of the world's top chefs; and most important of all, the pleasure of cooking in a great selection of movies and novels that will whet your appetite and warm your soul.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Food & Drink

Be an Author

Do you have a passion for the written word? Do you want to write? Try these books and DVDs by and about authors and become one yourself.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Just Fun Stuff

Be a Friend

Friendships can be simple or complex. This list features books and films that explore the unique relationship shared between friends.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV
• Summer Selections

Summer Road Trip Listens

Here is a list of 2017 Audiobook of the Year Audie Award Finalists and New York Times Audio Book Best Sellers for listening on a long summer road trip.

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• Summer Selections
• Audiobooks
• Just Fun Stuff

Get Your Zen Back This Summer!

Sit still and breath, lower your blood pressure and reduce stress. These books should help you get your zen back.

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• Summer Selections
• Health & Wellness

Traveling through Time

Time travel has long been a figment of the human imagination. Below is a list of books by authors who have really captivated me with their visions of time travel.

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Life Is A Canvas: Teen Artists in YA Literature

In each of the following YA novels, teen artists find solace, courage, hope, escape, understanding, even windows into a town's ghastly past through the creation of art. This list includes historical fiction, realistic fiction, and several deeply inventive books that, like great art, hammer many forms and influences into one dazzling, colorful whole that excavate the minds and souls of their subjects.

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• Teens
• For Artistic Temperaments

Super Single Moms

I've always admired single parents. They have to juggle all the challenges of parenting and work, with maybe even a heroic attempt at a personal life. Whether single mothers succeed brilliantly or flounder, they're all supermoms to me.

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• Movies & TV
• Biography & Memoir
• Strong Women
• Families & Relationships

Women Exploring Space

Hidden Figures, the story of three brilliant women who helped launch John Glenn into orbit, was a hit on the page and screen. This list outlines even more major contributions women have made in our exploration of the stars.

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• Adults
• Nerd Pride
• Science & Technology

Adventure at Sea

In a three month period of time, I was asked for sea adventure stories from several of our male patrons. They would say that X, Y, and Z were their favorite authors writing sea stories and would appreciate recommendations for similar writers. Lucky for me, their favorite authors were not all the same so I was able to come up with a list for armchair sailors looking for the next good read.

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• Adults
• Wild Adventures
• Mysteries & Thrillers
• Historical Fiction

2017 Niles North Summer Reading

From Bone Gap to Scythe, we've got copies of all the books on your summer reading list. Use it to see what's currently available at the library and put holds on titles you'd like to get.

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• Teens
• Summer Selections

Money Smart Week

Are you money smart? Are you a saver? A savvy investor? No matter what your age, income, or future earning power, educating yourself about personal finances will help your money go further. Use the list below to supplement the activities we have planned for Money Smart Week this year. Included are books to help with investing and devising strategies for living, budgeting, and retiring. You'll find helpful books for kids and teens too.

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• Adults
• Kids
• Money Matters

Hot Summer Reads 2017 (6th-8th grade)

Attention all junior high students: your summer reading list is here! Get them while they're hot and see how many great titles you can read from this awesome list.

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• Teens
• Kids
• Summer Selections

Cool Summer Reads 2017 (3rd-5th grade)

What's a great way to chill out during the summer? Pick a book from this cool list of summer reads!

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• Kids
• Summer Selections

Bedtime is Canceled

Is bedtime in your house met with great reluctance? Enjoy this list of picture books as you discuss with your little one why the much resisted bedtime is actually quite important.

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• Kids
• Just Fun Stuff

My Own Personal Tormentor

The books on this list feature characters tormented by bullies. Bullies can manifest in various forms: they can be siblings, peers, parents, even (or maybe especially) other teens who are themselves victims of bullies. In each of these raw, funny, sometimes terrifying books, our hero turns the experience of being bullied on its head and changes his or her life for the better—but sometimes for the worse.

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• Teens
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Canceled Too Soon

Television is a numbers game. Some shows are allowed time to grow their audiences and become successful while some, like the awesome TV shows on this list, are canceled after the first season. Some of these shows were canceled during their first season and never even aired all their episodes.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV

Self-Care for Teens

For five days in March Skokie teens had the opportunity to visit the library for a series of after-school self-care programs. Whether you were able to attend and want more information, or you weren't able to attend and want to get started, this list of books helps teens learn how to care for body, mind, and soul through meditation, yoga, healthy eating, and stress management.

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Great Reads for a Classroom Visit

When you're invited to read a book to a classroom of early elementary school children the pressure is on to choose a great read-aloud story. Any of the titles on this list are sure to be a success during your next classroom visit.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks
• Just Fun Stuff

Comics at the Movies

Super heroes may get all the attention when it comes to comic book movie adaptations, but there are a few comics artists whose lives and work have been depicted in film as well. From documentaries to fictionalized accounts of real life events, these movies show comics artists to be observant, introverted, talented, and fascinating subjects. Here are a few of my favorites.

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• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Comics & Graphic Novels

Hygge: Get Cozy the Danish Way

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is Danish for cozy, warm or homey. It is also a national pastime in Denmark, one that is expressed in homespun pleasures involving candlelight, knitted socks, coffee, cake, family, and friends. It's a good way to cope with long, dark winters too. Read the books on this list and soon you'll be hyggling in your hyggekrog (cozy nook).

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• Adults
• Global Perspectives
• Food & Drink
• Holiday
• Health & Wellness

Persistent Girls in YA

Katniss might be the most famous strong female YA character but she has a lot of competition. The girls featured in this list may not be as skilled with a bow and arrow but I think you will find them to be her biggest rivals for the title.

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• Teens
• Strong Women

Bird Watching

This list of all things ornithological was inspired by my bird watching hobby. We are fortunate we live in an area that has such an abundance of birding locations, as well as the bird watching courses offered at the Botanical Gardens, community colleges, and through municipal ecology centers. I encourage anyone interested in this subject to investigate these sources, but this list will get you started.

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• Adults
• Wild Adventures
• Science & Technology
• The Natural World

Gut Problems

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are between 2.4 and 3.5 million annual physician visits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in the United States alone. This list provides resources which I have found especially helpful for dealing with these types of autoimmune ailments. I am not a physician but I can tell you that I have found comfort and relief by incorporating practices and advice from these books.

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• Adults
• Science & Technology
• Health & Wellness

Who Runs the World? Girls

I love so many things about the books on this list. Most of all, I like how these YA novels star super cool teenage girls who are realistic, even if their worlds or situations aren't. They are the protagonists, the lady bosses, the heroines—call them what you will. Personally, I'd like to call them my best friends. (Fictional characters can totally be your best friends. It's fine. Really. I promise.)

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• Teens
• Nerd Pride
• Strong Women

Life's a Beach

There are a million reasons to read, but believe me when I say that every single one of the books collected here was chosen for the purpose of escapism. This list was compiled in winter so naturally all I wanted to do was escape to a warm, sunny beach. Even though I'll be cracking the spines from under a pile of blankets by the heater, I hope you'll love these books in any season.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• Strong Women

Book Adventures

Mysterious fantastical bookstores, book pirates, travel to alternate universes, espionage involving rare books, and an entire city built upon a labyrinth of living books—these are novels where the books themselves are central characters.

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• Adults
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Books My Book Club Loved

My book club has been meeting for several years. Not every book we've read has been a winner but some of them have been terrific. I thought I'd share a list of the titles that almost all of us loved. You can use it as a personal reading list or for your own book club. It includes a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Staff Picks
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Strong Women

Disappearing Acts

In each of these sharply written, psychological YA mystery thrillers (plus one comedy) someone important to our hero goes missing, often under disturbing circumstances. Each entry also has that "something more" that will leave you thinking, imagining, and caring about the characters while your heart races out of your chest. Now, go get lost in these books.

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• Teens
• Mysteries & Thrillers

Parties Gone Bad

We all love a good party. Many of us also love watching a good party go bad with sometimes dire, oftentimes hilarious consequences.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Families & Relationships

A Night in Venice

The canals, the music, the food—Venice is a one-of-a-kind city that has served as the backdrop for many movies, TV shows, and books. Here's a small gondola full of our favorites.

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• Adults
• Global Perspectives
• Food & Drink

I Could Never Get the Hang of Thursdays

Dark and gritty dystopias and apocalypse scenarios are all the rage right now. That's fine, but let's revisit the lighter side of multiverses and space travel and have a much needed laugh with some humorous sci-fi.

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• Adults
• Nerd Pride
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Chinese & Chinese-American YA

The theme of the 2017 Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township program is Celebrating Chinese Culture. With that in mind, I have put together a list of titles for young adults. These novels feature Chinese and Chinese-American characters, authors, and themes. There's something here for readers of every genre; from historical fiction to dystopian, realistic fiction to folklore. The titles are ordered from youngest intended audience (early middle school) to oldest (late high school).

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• Teens
• Kids
• Global Perspectives

Black History Month Recommended Reads for Adults & Teens

In honor of Black History Month, here are some excellent titles by black authors and featuring black characters that are perfect for adult and teen readers.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Staff Picks
• Classics & Award Winners
• Well-Crafted Writing
• Biography & Memoir

Black History Month Recommended Reads for Youth & Families

In honor of Black History Month, here are some books by black authors and featuring black characters that are perfect for youth and families.

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• Teens
• Kids
• Staff Picks
• Classics & Award Winners
• Biography & Memoir
• For History Buffs

Experimenting with Science

Would you like to perform a science experiment? After checking out these kid- and family-friendly books, my hypothesis is you and your family will have a great time learning about science together.

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• Adults
• Kids
• Nerd Pride
• Science & Technology

Science is Full of Characters

The stereotype that scientists are all old dudes in lab coats sporting crazy hairdos couldn't be farther from the truth! Science is full of characters of all kinds. Library books help correct our misconceptions about who scientists are and what they look like. These kid- and family-friendly reads will introduce you to some of my favorites.

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• Kids
• Nerd Pride
• Science & Technology

2016 Staff Picks: Fiction

Our expert readers advisory staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks

2016 Staff Picks: Mystery and Suspense

Our readers advisory staff recommend some of their favorite mysteries that they've read in the past year. You'll find them on the first floor, separate from the general fiction, on the specially-labeled shelves.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Mysteries & Thrillers

2016 Staff Picks: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

Our readers advisory staff recommend some of their favorite sci-fi, fantasy, and horror titles that they've read in the past year. You'll find them on the first floor, separate from the general fiction, on the specially-labeled shelves for their genre.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

2016 Staff Picks: Nonfiction

Our expert readers advisory staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Biography & Memoir

2016 Staff Picks: Movies

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV

2016 Staff Picks: TV Shows and Documentaries

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and recommend their favorite titles. You'll find all of these selection in the alcove of our AV Department.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Movies & TV

2016 Staff Picks: Music

Our expert staff take a look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

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• Adults
• Staff Picks
• Music

2016 Staff Picks: 4th & 5th Grade

Youth Services staff staff picks for 4th-5th grades.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

2016 Staff Picks: K-3rd Grade

Our favorite 2016 books for K-3rd graders.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

2016 Staff Picks: Younger Readers

Staff favorite picture books and early readers for preschoolers.

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• Kids
• Staff Picks

Speaking from Inside

Who knew there were so many stories where the narrator speaks from an enclosed, interior space! (Ok, I might be taking some liberties with "interior" but you'll see what I mean.) If you're claustrophobic, this might not be the list for you.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Well-Crafted Writing

Fantastic Films and Where to Find Them

Have you finished re-watching the Harry Potter films in preparation for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? Here's a list of film favorites that also have magical qualities, sure to get you ready for the next Wizarding World installment.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Kids
• Movies & TV

Medical Memoirs

This list is for those interested in medical careers, or who've wondered what life is like for the people on the front lines of medical care in this country. Whether you've imagined yourself a veterinarian or want to know exactly what paramedics and midwives do, these titles should satisfy your curiosity.

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• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• Business & Careers
• Health & Wellness

Short and Strange

Get a quick escape from this reality with a short story to take you far from what you know. Surreal visions, horrifying ghost stories, alien planets, and monsters that will seem hauntingly familiar await you in these collections.

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• Adults
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Classic Job Search Books

These books have been around a long time for a reason. Take a look if you you're looking for a job.

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• Adults
• Business & Careers

Forks Over Knives

This whole-food diet is centered on whole, unrefined, or minimally refined plants. It embraces fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, and legumes; and it excludes or minimizes meat (including chicken and fish), dairy products, and eggs, as well as highly refined foods like bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil. The movement started with a documentary film which explored the possibility that people changing their diets from animal-based to plant-based can help eliminate or control diseases like cancer and diabetes. A proliferation of books on the subject ensued. Here's my personal best for you to peruse!

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• Adults
• Food & Drink
• Health & Wellness

25 Years of Beauty with Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown has been in business for 25 years. The Chicago-area native grew up in Wilmette, graduated from New Trier High School, and went on to establish an international makeup empire. For many of us, she is the woman to turn to for advice on skin care, makeup tips, and just plain healthy living. She embodies a brand that represents candor and lack of artifice.

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• Adults
• Teens
• Health & Wellness

Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice

A list of both fiction and nonfiction selections reflecting the culture, climate, history, and beauty of this Scandinavian country. Of all the Nordic countries I've visited (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland), Iceland holds the strongest draw for me due to its raw, rugged beauty and landscape; its solitude (unless you're living in Reykjavik); its healthy, active lifestyle; and its sheep, horse, goat, and chicken populations--all intrinsic to the country life and lore. Not to mention the great Sagas, the Viking history, trolls, troll-houses, and the abundant, relaxing geothermal watering holes. These titles will give you the idea, but they're only the proverbial "tip of the iceberg."

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Global Perspectives
• The Natural World

Hack the Planet

What's the clacking sound? It's furious typing on an outdated keyboard! With improbable graphics and interfaces, ridiculous raver fashions, and a whole lot of Jolt cola, these movies invite you to jack into a slick, sometimes silly world of ones and zeros. Thanks to my cool colleague Sharon for her contributions to this list. You're elite!

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Movies & TV
• Nerd Pride

Antidotes to the Election

No matter who you're voting for, we can all agree that this election is a bit...tense. I recently started re-watching The West Wing for the 13th time as my own antidote to this election and I asked my colleagues to help me compile this list of other election alternatives.

Tags

• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Just Fun Stuff

Vampire Varieties

When you're yearning for a good vampire movie but you've seen every version of Dracula half a dozen times, try these off-the-beaten path selections.

Tags

• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

Shred the Gnar

Snow will soon be falling (we hope) and now is the time to get ready for the fun with simple exercises to help tone and refine the muscles you'll need for the season ahead. And to get you into the mood, I've included some fiction titles so you can think about the adventures ahead at the lodge, on the trails, and in the woods.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Wild Adventures
• Health & Wellness

Skin Care Blues

Many of us suffer from skin issues, whether it's acne, psoriasis, sun-damage, eczema, rosacea, and the inevitable wrinkles. Several excellent manuals written by board-certified dermatologists are available to assist sufferers. Don't be discouraged. Many new breakthroughs--from lasers, to peals and injections--can help with the physical and psychological concerns you may have from dealing with these issues. Kim Kardashian, recently diagnosed with psoriasis, can benefit from my list and so can you.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Health & Wellness

Cast Your Vote!

This is a list of books to get young readers up to Junior High ready for the presidential election. The following books explain the concept and history of the voting process.

Tags

• Kids
• For History Buffs

Fun In the Multiverse

Not a big fan of how things are going in this particular universe? Jump to another one! Just be careful where you step, or you could end up in a strange place where bread is considered unhealthy and evil clowns dominate the news cycle.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Nerd Pride
• Science Fiction & Fantasy

Tale of Two Portlands

Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine: opposite ends of the country & opposite ends of the spectrum. Portland, Oregon is the stuff of Portlandia--youthful, funky, creative, outlandish, home to craft beer, outdoor adventures, renegade art, and little free libraries. Then there's Portland, Maine--coastal community, New England sensibilities, established institutions (like outdoor outfitter L. L. Bean and the finance industry), charming, friendly, and quaint. Having been to both many times, I drew up this list to document the similarities and differences of the communities. Could these stories have been told in the other Portland, or are they so steeped in regional qualities, and characteristics that they could only take place in their Portland?

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Just Fun Stuff

Freaky Fiction

Get your chills and thrills from this list of supernatural stories. (recommended for 5th grade and up)

Tags

• Teens
• Kids
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

Feel Your Best At Any Age

Trying to look good no matter what your age is a constant struggle for many of us. Wardrobe and makeup know-how, as well as exercise and nutrition can make dramatic differences. This list can get you started looking and feeling better, no matter your age!

Tags

• Adults
• Health & Wellness

Nordic Noir

Here are some TV series that tell the dark side of life in Scandinavia--specifically Denmark and Sweden. Always intriguing, full of colorful, eccentric characters, with a good helping of local color and history; a blend of police procedural as well as political intrigue. Yes, you will be reading subtitles but the series are thought-provoking, and extremely well-scripted and acted. Warning: you will get hooked and yes, they are so much better than Criminal Minds, CSI, and Elementary. BBC quality throughout.

Tags

• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Global Perspectives

Reproductive Justice

The materials on this list offer people of all ages opportunities to dig deeper into the topic of reproductive justice--the concept that control of one's body and reproduction is a human right.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Kids

Climate Change

The materials on this list offer people of all ages opportunities to dig deeper into the topic of climate change--with fiction and nonfiction, from the effects on the natural world around us to the impact on our economy and livelihoods.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Kids

LGBTQQI

The materials on this list offer people of all ages opportunities to dig deeper into the topic of LGBTQQI identities and issues. LGBTQQI is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Kids

Income Inequality

The materials on this list offer people of all ages opportunities to dig deeper into the topic of inequality. These fiction and nonfiction accounts explore the landscape of finance and wealth in the United States, the income gap, and the impact upon families and communities.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Kids

Immigration

The materials on this list offer people of all ages opportunities to dig deeper into the topic of immigration--through fiction and nonfiction--with accounts of historical and contemporary immigration to the United States.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Kids

Explore the Past

Essential history books from the Summer Reading History Camp!

Tags

• Adults
• Summer Selections
• For History Buffs

Great Scott! Time Travel Films

Have you ever thought of going back in time to fix that one big mistake you made? How about going forward to miss an unpleasant experience? These films look at time travel in different and unique ways, and are sure to twist your mind around as you contemplate the consequences!

Tags

• Adults
• Movies & TV
• Nerd Pride
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science & Technology

Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Young Adults

As the Black Lives Matter movement grows in the wake of ongoing racial injustice and police brutality against black Americans, it can be difficult to understand current events. The books on this list offer a starting place for exploring racism, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in a manner accessible to teens and young adults.

Tags

• Teens
• For History Buffs
• Global Perspectives

Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Adults

As the Black Lives Matter movement grows in the wake of ongoing racial injustice and police brutality against black Americans, it can be difficult to understand current events. The books on this list offer a starting place for exploring racism, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in both fiction and non fiction.

Tags

• Adults
• For History Buffs
• Global Perspectives

Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Children & Families

As the Black Lives Matter movement grows in the wake of ongoing racial injustice and police brutality against black Americans, it can be difficult to explain current events to children. The books on this list offer a starting place for exploring racism, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in a manner accessible to youth.

Tags

• Kids
• For History Buffs
• Global Perspectives

Broadway!

Heading to New York to a Broadway show this summer? No? No matter! We've got cast recordings, films of live shows, feature films about life under the bright lights, and books about the creators and performers. We've got all things Broadway for adults, and kids, too.

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Summer Selections
• For Artistic Temperaments

The Lives of Others

Have you ever wondered what life is like for people who don't work the usual 9-5 office job? People like smokejumpers (firefighters who jump out of airplanes to put out fires), morticians, FBI criminal profilers, or safari guides? How about prison librarians and 911 operators? What's the life of a Chicago cab driver or an English teacher in North Korea like? If you're as curious as I am, check out this list of work related memoirs. You might find a new profession, or at the least, get to imagine yourself in a different line of work. Walter Mitty anyone?

Tags

• Adults
• Biography & Memoir
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

Ghosts, Goblins, and Gods

Time to snuggle up in a blanket with a cup of hot tea--with all the lights on--because these creepy selections will leave you shivering. By Emily Compton-Dzak

Tags

• Adults
• Offbeat (and a Little Dark)

A Little Something for Everyone

A look at the books that have recently won awards--mysteries, fiction, horror, science fiction, even an audiobook. A little something for everyone!

Tags

• Adults
• Teens
• Classics & Award Winners