News

Zero Discrimination Day

Jennifer Robinson

On March 1, the United Nations recognizes Zero Discrimination Day, promoting equality before the law. The UN encourages citizens to speak out so that everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their dreams. This year the theme coincides with discrimination faced by women and girls in all their diversity.

 

Children’s Books

Pandemic Picks for Families

Patricia Richard

Picture book authors and illustrators amaze me -- in very few pages and with minimal words they are able to address subjects that are real, are powerful and often the messages contained in them are so helpful for parents, caregivers and teachers trying to help their children understand. As this pandemic sets in to its second year I am thrilled that there are some picture books that capture the way the world is for us today.

What I've Been Reading

Catherine

Since I spend a lot of time reading, I often come across books that I would like to talk about in this column, but for whatever reason the opportunity just doesn't present itself. With that being said, the following are ten mini reviews for ten completely random books. There are some hits, and some misses, and hopefully one or two will pique your interest.

Black History Month

Jennifer Robinson

This month we are celebrating the many achievements and contributions made by Black Canadians who have helped shape Canada into the culturally diverse and compassionate place it is today. Often overlooked is the fact the Black Canadians were enslaved here too. Black History Month is an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.  

 

Try a flashback!

Coleen McFarlane

Admittedly missing my dose of apocalyptic zombie-based television shows, I have delved into books of the same genre. I tried a ‘flashback’ novel from 2010 called Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry, a young adult novel in a four-book series.

Read in the Bathtub Day

Julie Wendland

Rub a dub, dub, James Bond in a tub. February 9th is Read in the Tub Day and what better way to celebrate it than by looking into some books relating to a tub theme!

Make Thrillers Fresh Again

Catherine

During the latter half of 2020, there was a stretch of time where I just wasn't interested in reading psychological thrillers. Ever since Gone Girl was released almost ten years ago, they have been churned out non-stop and I was beginning to find that only in rare cases did they still have the ability to surprise me. I know that I'm not alone in this.

Family Literacy Day

Kate Wilson

The Covid-19 Pandemic had squashed a lot of plans this year, especially when it comes to travel.  Good thing we still have books to take us to all the places we want to go!  This year’s Family Literacy Day theme is all about traveling the world together through books!  Check out these great picks below to start your family adventure around the world from the safety of your own home!

 

Books into Movies 2021

Catherine

When it comes to books and their movie adaptations, the latter usually falls short. That said, even with disappointment looming, I am always excited when I learn that a book I have enjoyed will be released on the big screen (or maybe small screen this year). Here is a not even close to exhaustive list of books turned movies that you may want to look out for in 2021.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Movie release date: TBA)

Most Popular Reads of 2020

Catherine

Curious what your neighbours were reading in 2020? The following are the titles that had the most borrows last year.

 

Print (physical copies)

1. A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci

2. Blue Moon by Lee Child

3. A Better Man by Louise Penny

4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5. Becoming by Michelle Obama

6. Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

7. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

8. The Guardians by John Grisham

9. Criss Cross by James Patterson