I have been having a love affair with Sarah Waters’s books, since even before I actually read any of her novels. As an undergrad, I worked in a little bookstore, and during my shifts I would drift around, waiting for customers, waiting for my next class, passing the time by trailing my fingers along the spines…
Akata Witch isn’t the “Nigerian Harry Potter.” Here’s why.
I am so excited about Nnedi Okorafor's visit to Lawrence this November! I'm a bit behind the times discovering the amazingness that is Ms. Okorafor. To catch up, I'm reading her critically-acclaimed work, beginning with Akata Witch, the first book of her beloved Akata series, which fans often refer to as "The Nigerian Harry Potter" according to a…
The Middle School Book That Made Me Love Reading: James Ramsey Ullman’s Banner in the Sky
It was a real pleasure to see the library had recently ordered a copy of James Ramsey Ullman's Banner in the Sky because, frankly, I don't know if I'd be working here if it wasn't for that book. Banner in the Sky is great for kids between 5th and 8th grade to read on their own (although…
An Interview with CS Luxem and Hypermortal – Sound + Vision Sessions
Sound+Vision Sessions #3 is 7-9 p.m. on Friday, September 28 and features the local artists CS Luxem and Hypermortal. If you have an ear even remotely close to the ground of the local music community, it is likely you have heard the name CS Luxem. Christopher Luxem is a veteran of the local scene—a talented…
The Heart of “Heartland”
Have you ever picked up a memoir and felt completely seen? Completely understood? Like someone had been taking notes on your life and caught things that even you missed? That’s how reading Sarah Smarsh’s Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth was for me—illuminating and emotional. While…
The Banned-est of the Banned (of 2017)
Banned Books Week is almost here! September 22nd-28th we’ll celebrate the freedom to read and freely access information. In 2017 challenges were on the upswing (416 books were challenged!). Preserving access to books that explore a full range of ideas and perspectives is more important than ever. The 2018 theme for…
Doc Discussions
Third Wednesdays. 7–9 PM. Doc Discussions is as easy as “book” clubs get. Step one: Come to the library's auditorium to watch one of the best documentaries around. Step two: Stick around to talk about it afterwards. Prefer to watch the documentary on your own time? Thanks to Kanopy you can. Kanopy is a wonderful…
Get on the “Banned” Wagon!
Ready to unite in the fight against censorship? Banned Books Week is September 23-29. Here are five quick and effective ways to get involved: 1) Check out and read a banned book. 2) Post a picture of your favorite banned book on Instagram or Twitter. 3) Write a letter to the editor of your school or…
5 things your friends might not know you can do with a library card
Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the couple sitting across from you at Ladybird Diner: September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you're reading this, it's likely you've already got a library card. Good on you. Now spread some library love and encourage everyone around you to get theirs too! To help you convince…
Lawrence Obscura
Collections development librarian Dan Coleman and I recently wrote a blog post about interesting Lawrence trees, but of course we all live amidst innumerable interesting and under-appreciated things…
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