Melanie Thornton's blog

Blast Off Book Festival returns to the Madison Public Library on March 7

The author of Lunch Lady, Jedi Academy series Jarrett Krosoczka is guest author

MADISON, Ala. (March 5, 2020) - The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is pleased to host the second annual Blast Off Book Festival on Saturday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd. Jarrett Krosoczka will be the guest speaker at this free event aimed for children of all ages.

It is Monday morning at the Triana Public Library. It is quiet inside of the building, but soon, as children of all ages start to trickle in, the library’s small meeting area will transform into an art studio and sounds of excitement will be heard throughout. It is time for Art in Flamingo Park, the moniker for the library’s art appreciation class, funded by the Huntsville Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library Triana.

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Release Date: March 10, 2020

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In Oak Knoll, a verdant, tight-knit North Carolina neighborhood, professor of forestry and ecology Valerie Alston-Holt is raising her bright and talented biracial son. Xavier is headed to college in the fall, and after years of single parenting, Valerie is facing the prospect of an empty nest. All is well until the Whitmans move in next door―an apparently traditional family with new money, ambition, and a secretly troubled teenaged daughter.

You are going to want to add our February Librarian Book Club pick to your "must read" list. 

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Release Date: February 18, 2020

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Elizabeth Burton interned at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, while receiving her Masters in Library and Information Studies at the University of Alabama. 

New year means new book picks! We are really excited about the first pick of the year- American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.

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Read reviews on Goodreads.

Already being hailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic," American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.

When Marquez McClinton was in third grade, he discovered his interest in poetry could possibly be something more than just a way to get a girl’s attention. His teacher noticed it too and encouraged him to keep writing. It was the same year that he also performed his first spoken word poem.

Today (and over 100 poems later), he has a new band with bassist Michael Cummings called the SPINSHIPS. They recently performed their first TEDx program in Huntsville last year and produced their first music video (see below).

He is a performer on the rise as well as a part of our library family- Marquez can usually be seen greeting and assisting patrons at the Madison Public Library as a Library Clerk.

 Lawyers in the Library: Free legal aid clinic comes to Downtown

Starting in December, the Downtown Huntsville Library, through a partnership with the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program (MCVLP) will offer regular legal aid clinics to the public called “Lawyers in the Library.”  The clinic will be held on the third Thursday of the month, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in meeting rooms C and D on the second floor.

 We love debut novels that get a lot of buzz before publication, which is why we are so excited about "Such a Fun Age," by Kiley Reid. You will have to wait all month before it is released, but place your hold now.

We promise, it will be worth it.

Release Date: December 31, 2019

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From Goodreads:

The holiday season is a fun time to visit your local library. We have many amazing programs and events happening throughout December that will not stretch your wallet! Check them out below (and click on the link for more information). Please note that some events require registration and may fill up.

Monday, December 2, 6:30 p.m.

Crafterwork- Embroidered Ornaments

Madison Public Library Makerspace

Thursday, December 5, 4:30 p.m.

DIY Ornament Making

Tillman D. Hill Public Library of Hazel Green