Recommendations

Today launches the newest endeavor to bring you library life at home – our podcast, Two Librarians Walk into a Shelf!

Each episode will bring you a selection of media, both new and old, from our library’s collections, recommended by library staff members.

Your hosts, Michelle Brightwell and Rob Freese, both from the Madison Public Library, will bring recommendations, information about the library, and entertainment, right to your ears!

Go Ahead and Bookmark This Page, It Has So Many Links You Will Need This Year!

As the Covid-19 situation drags on I find myself increasingly wishing to escape the confines of my house and do… something, anything!  But maintaining social distance at the usual places is nearly impossible.  Instead here is some road trip and camping inspiration.  Books that can lead you to a six foot apart adventure!

Our Newest Downtown Grab Bags: True Crimes

If you haven’t been keeping up with Unsolved Mysteries, the newest TV series reboot on Netflix, you are missing some thrills. Just the introduction music sends chills up my spine within seconds. While some involve theft and deception, it is the ones that cast doubt on reason of death that keep popping back up in my memories days later. Why do I do this to myself? What is this need to terrify myself before bedtime? And how do I get more?

Not sure if I am just speaking for myself here, but a nice getaway would be wonderful right now. But, since that will not be happening anytime soon, I'll just have to imagine being away. I mean, like on the level of "Calgon, take me away..." Do y'all remember that slogan? Yes, I took it wayyyy back!

So, I figure a book can provide me with the escape I need for now. Even when I am finally able to go somewhere, then I could STILL bring a couple of these books with me.

Here are 10 books to try out:  

• They are not good at it. They find it difficult so they do not want to.
• "Reading is boringggggg...."
• They are not motivated.
• The book does not have enough pictures. Too many words.

The American Library Association has named June "Rainbow Book Month," - a month to highlight the authors and books that reflect the lives and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. This book list includes not only fiction, but memoirs, essay collections, history of LGBTQIA+ and more- all recommended by our librarians. Click on the cover of each book to access the catalog.

 Nonfiction Collection (Juvenile, Young Adult, and Adult):

The year 2020 has presented a lot to us. Between Netflix's documentary hit Tiger King, a pandemic, quarantining due to the pandemic, talk of murder hornets, postponement of the Olympics, racial justice movements (please and thank you), sky-rocketed unemployment, AHHHHH! we have endured and still dealing with quite a bit. However, I am a glass half full kind of person, so I believe we will get through this and be stronger because of it.

In the meantime, I have to read to help me cope. So, I'm sharing my list of "next reads" and recommended reads. Hope you enjoy!

By the way, my taste is all over the place-- so don't judge me :-)

I’m Bored!  Family Board games for School Age and Up

Board Games

In response to the ongoing events, our librarians curated a list of anti-racism books that are available in our system.