Category Archives: Books
Join the OverDrive Big Library Read via TN READS
This Big Library Read novel, Wild New World by Dan Flores, is now available from May 9-23 via TN READS enabling Tennessee libraries to join more than 22,000 libraries around the world, approximately 90 percent of public libraries in North America, and hundreds of thousands of readers. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines and the creator of the Libby app.
Wild New World begins in 1908, near Folsom, New Mexico, where a cowboy discovered the remains of a herd of extinct giant bison. By examining flint points embedded in the bones, archeologists later determined that a band of humans had killed and butchered the animals 12,450 years ago. This discovery vastly expanded America’s known human history but also revealed the long-standing danger humans presented to the continent’s evolutionary richness.
Distinguished author Dan Flores’s ambitious history chronicles the epoch in which humans and animals have coexisted in the “wild new world” of North America—a place shaped both by its own grand evolutionary forces and by momentous arrivals from Asia, Africa, and Europe. With portraits of iconic creatures such as mammoths, horses, wolves, and bison, Flores describes the evolution and historical ecology of North America like never before.
Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects readers around the world with an ebook through public libraries. Readers can all borrow the title the same time without restriction. Wild New World is the 33rd selection of this program which began in 2013 and takes place three times a year.
Wild New World was published as an ebook by W. W. Norton & Company and an audiobook by HighBridge. The title can be read without waitlists or holds on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad® and Android™ phones and tablets. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
Download Libby, use Libby in your internet browser at http://libbyapp.com, visit https://reads.overdrive.com/reads-williamson/content , or stop by your local library branch to get started.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and other content. OverDrive empowers libraries and schools by expanding access for all through tireless industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com
BookPage Digital Available
Looking for book recommendations? For more than 30 years, BookPage has been a trusted source for book reviews, recommendations, and author interviews. We are pleased to be able to provide this monthly book review and recommendation guide to our patrons in both print and digital editions.
BookPage highlights intriguing new voices as well as anticipated bestsellers, pointing readers to the best new releases across all genres including historical fiction, literary fiction, popular fiction, mysteries & thrillers, nonfiction, biography & memoir, romance, cozies, audiobooks, lifestyles, children’s, young adult and more. Discover your next great book to read and borrow it from the library today!
Introducing hoopla Flex!
You can now borrow more from hoopla digital. Hoopla Flex is a supplement to our current hoopla digital offerings, hoopla Instant! This includes New York Times Bestselling titles. This is in addition to the hoopla instant borrows you receive each month. Now you have 5 Flex borrows and 5 Instant holds!
What is a hoopla Flex Borrow?
In addition to the 5 hoopla Instant borrows you receive each month with your Library card, you now have hoopla Flex borrows you can use on specially marked hoopla Flex eBooks and Audiobooks.
What is a hoopla Digital?
Read, watch, and listen to over 950,000 eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, or television titles that are available to stream or download from hoopla.
Sign up for hoopla digital with your Williamson County Public Library card by visiting our e-Library and downloading the hoopla digital app from your favorite app store.
Learn more: What is hoopla Flex versus hoopla Instant?
Need a Library Card?
If you don’t have a WCPLS library card, you can start the process online at wcpltn.org and then stop by one of our branches with your official photo ID and proof of residency for access.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library System’s Main Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue. Branches are located in Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, Nolensville, and Leiper’s Fork. For more information about library programs or services, call (615) 595-1243 or visit http://wcpltn.org. Sign up to receive library events and announcements at https://bit.ly/WCPLSe-news. The library can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, and Twitter via @wcpltn.
Author Talk with Rick Warwick
Williamson County Historian Rick Warwick will introduce his new book, Four Blocks on Franklin’s Main Street, on Tuesday, May 30, at 4 p.m.
Come enjoy a trip down Memory Lane with our long-term Franklinites and an interesting history lesson for newcomers. The talk is a virtual walking tour down Main Street using period photographs of our historic buildings and images of the people who kept the businesses open.
The views expressed in this program are of those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the Williamson County Public Library System.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue.
All library programs are free and open to the public. Learn more about this event or other library programs and services by calling 615-595-1243, extension 1, or by visiting the library’s website at http://wcpltn.org. The library e-newsletter provides library news about programs like this and more. Sign up to receive it via email.
Photos, screenshots, and videos may be taken at library events and activities for library use and publicity. Anyone not wanting to have their photo taken should notify library staff at the time of the event or activity.
Star Crossed Lovers: 10 Tragic Couples To Read (And Cry About)
Have you heard the phrase “star-crossed lovers” before? Have you ever wondered what it means, where it came from, or how did it become one of the most popular romance tropes in pop culture?
The phrase “star-crossed lovers” describes a couple whose relationship is often thwarted by external forces. The phrase was coined by Shakespeare in his 1595 play Romeo and Juliet:
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents’ strife
(5-8)
It is crucial to remember here that “star-crossed” does not equate to Disney’s “meant to be” or “happily ever after.” In fact, it is quite the opposite. Shakespeare’s “star-crossed” equates to “doomed to die” or “destined to fail”; representing a cautionary tale for those not to become or pursue for such a fate in romance. Of course, modern pop culture has referenced the star-crossed lovers archetype from songs such as Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and No Doubt’s “Gravity” to major cinema pictures including Jack and Rose from Titanic and Satine and Christian from Moulin Rouge.
The star-crossed archetype is found not only in music and movies but in literature as well. From classic to contemporary, here are 10 tragic literary couples we can’t help but to read and cry about.
- Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte
It’s all doom-and-gloom as Wuthering Heights is set in the gothic moors of England. Heathcliff, an orphaned gypsy raised by the Earnshaw family, falls in love with their daughter Catherine. Despite their seemingly romance, Catherine chooses to marry for status rather than for love; leaving Heathcliff in rage lashing out in vengeance and violence. A selfish and self-destructive love at it’s best.
- Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene
Romeo and Juliet are not the only star-crossed teenagers to have a tragic ending. When Hazel meets Augustus at a cancer patient support group, the two of them embark on a romantic journey together to Amsterdam in search of their favorite author. Despite their limited time together, Augustus and Hazel both learn that hurt in this world is unavoidable. The Fault in Our Stars does not end with dry eyes or an unbroken heart.
- Gatsby and Daisy from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Set in the roaring twenties, Gatsby and Daisy became one of the most doomed star-crossed lovers in modern literature. Gatsby and Daisy are in a delusional love affair as all odds are stacked against them including mysterious millionaires, selfish flappers and jealous, murderous husbands. Their tragic ending is so beautifully and symbolically written that we keep coming back to it decades after its initial publication in 1925.
- Winston and Julia from 1984 by George Orwell
Love cannot bloom in a totalitarian state, but that doesn’t stop Winston and Julia from trying. Winston and Julia secretly engage in a passionate affair, hiding their love from the government. These star-crossed lovers truly believe they can conspire to overthrow their dystopian dictatorship. However, the tortuous tyrannical Big Brother is ultimately stronger (and more powerful) than any emotional bond the lovers might share. To Big Brother, love is corruption. Still bleak and relevant.
- Tess and Angel from Tess of the D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Tess is unlucky from beginning to end. From the birth of her child by rape to her eventual demise in seeking revenge on her attacker, Tess’s tragedies remind her that she cannot (and never will be) with her true lover, Angel. Readers beware, Tess of the D’ubervilles is not for the faint of heart.
- Louisa and Will from Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
After Louisa loses her steady job at a cafe, she takes on a job as a caretaker for a quadriplegic man named Will Traynor. Will, despondent about his physical condition, wants to end his life in Switzerland. Louisia is distressed by what she hears, and tries to convince Will that there is a point to living by taking him on mini adventures; showing him how wonderful life can be. Get ready for the tissues.
- Cecilia and Robbie from Atonement by Ian McEwan
It’s all one big misunderstanding after another. Once Cecilia reveals her romantic feelings for the gardener, Robbie, things go quickly wrong from there. One night at a dinner party, Cecilia’s younger sister accuses Robbie of raping Cecilia’s cousin out of suspicion and fear. The wronged Robbie, who could have jumped the social gulf and lived happily ever after with Cecilia, instead goes to prison, then to the front lines in WWII, and…well, it doesn’t end happily for either of the lovers.
- Inman and Ada from Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Set during the Civil War, Cold Mountain is an odyssey of estranged lovers struggling to reunite with one another. Searching for the other, Inman and Ada fight for their survival (and for their love) by showing perseverance throughout their journey. In the end, Inman teaches us that losing something you already have is far worse than not getting what you want.
- Anna and Vronsky from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Noblewoman and socialite, Anna Karenina, has a scandalous love affair with a dashing military man named Count Vronsky. Vronsky is eager to marry Anna if she agrees to leave her powerful government official husband, Count Karenin. It all turns into a downward soap opera spiral, except it’s Tolstoy, which means it ends on a tragic note.
- Noah and Allie from The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Set in pre- and post- World War II, Noah and Allie fall in love at the wrong place and time. Separated due to their socio-economic status, Noah continues to write letters to Allie, confessing his love for her, and the letter goes unanswered. Time passes, and Noah and Allie are finally able to reconnect but at a higher cost.
10. Romeo and Juliet from Romeo and Juliet
Last, and tragically not least, the star-crossed superstars themselves — Romeo and Juliet! Although the two love birds weren’t historically the first star-crossed lovers (nor the last), Romeo and Juliet set the bar high for tragic romance. Their tragic fate has become the blueprint staple for star-crossed lovers as we have seen here in multiple examples.
No matter what the external forces are (war, family, status, bad luck, etc.) there is a reoccurring theme with star-crossed lovers — and that is, no one ends up happily with the other. What are some of your favorite star-crossed couples?
Further Reading and Sources:
Star Crossed Lovers of China’s and Japan’s Literary Traditions https://scroll.in/article/891308/photos-the-star-crossed-lovers-of-china-and-japans-literary-traditions
Star Crossed Lovers https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/star-crossed-lovers
Star Crossed Lovers Not Written by Shakespeare https://www.toptenz.net/top-10-tales-star-crossed-lovers-written-shakespeare.php
8 Epically Doomed Relationship in Literature https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/02/8-epically-doomed-relationships-in-literature.html
Love against All Odds in Books, A Valentine’s Day Special https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/feb/12/love-against-the-odds-in-books-valentines-day
Winter Reading Challenge 2022-2023
If you are new to the reading challenges –
The beanstack homepage will show you the available reading programs at the library. You may choose from the Children’s program, the Teen program, or the Adult program.
The Account Creator is the person whose log in information will be used to access all accounts registered. Multiple readers can be added to the same account, even if they are registered for different programs.
*Example* A parent may sign up for the Adult program as the Account Creator and add children as Readers, or vice versa. Both the Account Creator and Reader will use the same sign-in information.
Following the prompts, register both the Account Creator and Readers, if any. A green band at the bottom of the screen will alert you that you are successfully registered.
Now you’re ready start exploring beanstack!
Logging Books/Minutes:
At the top of each Reader’s account, there is a green “Add to the Log” button.
- Click on the button when you are ready to log reading or activities. A window will open to allow you to log.
- If an account has more than one Reader, the first question will ask which account you wish to log under. Choose the appropriate Reader’s account. Then choose whether you are logging reading or an activity.
- Write the title and author of the book and decide if you want to write a review.
- Click the green “Log” button and watch for the green band at the bottom of the screen for successful logging. If you are unsure whether it logged successfully, close the window and click on “The Log” button at the top of the screen, under your name.
You will be notified by email when you earn a prize, what the prize is, and how to redeem that prize.
If you have any questions, please contact the library and we will be happy to assist you!
Native American Heritage Month
Mesa Verde, Colorado (Pixabay)
Presidential recognition of the week of November 23-30 in 1986 celebrated the Native American culture. In 1995, November was established as Native American Heritage Month with an official presidential proclamation to celebrate the cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Indigenous Americans and Alaska Natives. The Friday after Thanksgiving each year is designated Native American Heritage Day, which falls on November 25 this year.
The Federal Register recognizes 573 separate tribal entities living in the United States today. The more populous tribes include Cherokee (729,000+), Navajo (298,000+), and Choctaw (158,000+), with the Ute (10,000+), Yakama (10,000+), and Cree (7,700+).
There were approximately 7 tribes in colonial Tennessee: the Muscogee (Creek), Yuchi, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee, Shawnee, and Seneca. In fact, the name Tennessee derives from that of the Cherokee village Tanasi. To learn more about Indigenous culture in Tennessee, you can visit the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at https://ebci.com/ or the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee at https://naiatn.org/.
We have two displays devoted to Native American culture and accomplishments on the second floor at our Main location. The following titles, plus many others, are available for borrowing:
Carry by Toni Jensen 978.400497 JEN (Second Floor Display)
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko F SILKO
The Girl in the Photograph by Byron L. Dorgan 970.1 DOR (Second Floor Display)
The Gods of Indian Country: Religion and the Struggle for the American West by Jennifer Graber 978.00497 GRA (Second Floor Display)
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann 976.6004 GRA (Second Floor Display)
Our History is the Future by Nick Estes 323.1197 EST (Second Floor Display)
There There by Tommy Orange F ORANGE
When the Light of the World was Subdued, our Songs Came Through edited by Joy Harjo 811.008897 WHE (Second Floor Display)
Please ask for assistance at the Reference desk in finding these and additional titles.
Friends of the Library Book Sale November 18-20
Friday, 9 – 10 a.m. – Members Only Preview sale
Memberships, new or renewal, are available at the door.
Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ~ Book Sale opens to the public
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m. ~ Bag Sale:
Fill one or more bags* with books, media. $10 per bag
*bags provided at the door
📝Writing Tips for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and Beyond
By Chelsea Bennett, Reference Department
Have you started your novel yet? November is National Novel Writing Month, so it’s the perfect time! If you want to commit to writing 50,000 words this month (about the length of The Great Gatsby), visit nanowrimo.org to sign up.
The NaNoWriMo website provides fun and practical resources. You can track your word count, join writing groups (both in person and virtually), and connect with friends. There are badges to win, writing groups to join, and pep talks from established authors to keep you motivated. You’ll even find a “course outline” (especially helpful for writers who are new to this challenge) and discounts on writing tools.
Of course, November isn’t the only time you’re allowed to write your book, and nanowrimo.org isn’t the only place to go for writing help. Yet again, your local library is here to support you! In addition to books by your favorite authors (because the best writers are avid readers), we have tomes full of advice for plotting, writing, editing, and publishing.
If the Williamson County Public Library is your main library, head upstairs to the nonfiction department. Read the list below for a sampling for what’s available, or come browse around in 428 (English Language) and 808 (“Rhetoric,” which includes specific kinds of writing, plus writing composition, theory, and technique) for starters. There are many other specialized titles, too, for screenwriters, poets, nonfiction writers, children’s authors, etc.
Writer’s Market 051 WRI
Get a Literary Agent (Sambuchino) 070.52 SAM
How to Self Publish Your Book (Yager) 070.593 YAG
How to Tell Fate from Destiny: and Other Skillful Word Distinctions (Elster) 428.1 ELS
The Art of Styling Sentences (Longknife) 428.2 LON
25 Great Sentences: and How They Got That Way (Woods) 808 WOO
How to Write like a Writer (Foster) 808.02 FOS
How to Write Fiction Like a Pro (Peck) 808.02 PEC
The Everything Creative Writing Book 808.0420 WHI
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: a Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma (Ackerman)
808.3 ACK
Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (Bell) 808.3 BAT
Write Great Fiction: Revision & Self-Editing (Bell) 808.3 BAT
Elements of Fiction (Mosley) 808.3 MOS
This Year You Write Your Novel (Mosley) 808.3 MOS
Now Write!: Fiction Writing Exercises from Today’s Best Writers & Teachers (Ellis, ed.)
808.3872 NOW
How to Talk About Places You’ve Never Been (Bayard) 809 BAY
Don’t forget, you can browse the shelves of the library catalogue at wcpltn.org. After logging in to your library account, and clicking on one of the titles above, you can choose BROWSE SHELF in the call number column of that title. Now that you have logged into your library account you can then place a title on hold. The library staff can also help you make an Inter-Library Loan request for books we might not have in our collection.
Good luck writing! Maybe we’ll see one of your books on our library shelves someday. For more information on National Novel Writing Month, and more writing advice, check out our previous NaNoWriMo blog posts below.
Resources:
https://nanowrimo.org/
https://www.wcpltn.org/
https://wcpltn.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/binge-writers-unite-nanowrimo-2015-is-here/
https://wcpltn.wordpress.com/2017/10/27/the-writing-process-nanowrimo/
https://wcpltn.wordpress.com/2019/11/01/writing-tips-and-resources-for-nanowrimo/
Photographs:
Typewriter by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash
Browsing Books by Guzel Maksutova on Unsplash
The First Franklin Christmas Tree Reading and Book Signing
The First Franklin Christmas Tree
Join local author Professor Thadamouse for a special reading of his book, The First Franklin Christmas Tree, at the Main Library on Saturday, November 12 at 2 p.m.
This holiday reading is recommended for families with elementary-aged children. Professor Thadamouse will be available for a limited time after the reading for book purchases and signings.
WCPLtn: Discover Learn Succeed
The Williamson County Public Library is located in downtown Franklin at 1314 Columbia Avenue.
All library programs are free and open to the public. Learn more about this event or other library programs and services by calling 615-595-1243, extension 1, or visiting the library’s website at http://wcpltn.org.
The library e-newsletter provides library news about programs like this and more. Sign up to receive it via email.
Photos, screenshots, and videos may be taken at library events and activities for library use and publicity. Anyone not wanting to have their photo taken should notify library staff at the time of the event or activity.
The views expressed in this program are of those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of the Williamson County Public Library System.
wcpltn.wordpress.com 