Reading aloud to my kids brings me much joy and thankfully they both enjoy it almost as much as I do. Over the last year or so my eight-year-old and I have found some great book series to enjoy reading together.
I've been geocaching for over ten years now, and have travelled throughout North America seeking those little containers hidden in some truly awesome spots.
I found my first ever geocache right here in Napanee on January 12, 2009. It was called “Paper House” and it was located at N 44° 15.577 W076° 58.257, or for you non-geocachers, near Walmart. Being new to Napanee and not knowing much of the area, I thought it would be a good idea to use geocaching as a way to tour my new home town, and that is just what I did.
This summer has been filled with activities for those who love history, science, arts, music, whimsy, nature and those who love to learn! It is no wonder this summer is flying by, we have been a busy spot here at the Macpherson House & Museum. From theatre programs and live concerts with Juno award winning musicians to pottery making and fairy gardens, we have seen lots of excited faces through our doors. We also had a special afternoon tea for the residents of the JMPC, with Barry Lovegrove performing in the gardens.
Reading aloud to children is a great way to create a sense of connection. Research shows that not only do both kids and parents enjoy read-aloud time, it also does wonderful things for a child’s development and literacy skills. Parents of children ages 0-8 recognize that children reap great benefits from the experience of being read aloud to on a regular basis. However, a recent survey by ReadAloud.org found that just 34 percent of respondents read aloud to their children for a minimum of 15 minutes each day.
Kristin Maloney recently enjoyed Things My Son Needs to Know about the World by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, a book of humourous yet poignant essays filled with fatherhood insight and advice. Here is her review:
Marg Wood of the Napanee Branch recently enjoyed Ellie and the Harpmaker, a charming debut novel by author Hazel Prior. Here is her review:
True Crime is not for everyone and that is understandable. Naysayers, however, should consider that the genre has been elevated in recent years. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, for example, was one of the most popular and talked-about books of last year. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann was huge in 2017. These books are true crime, but a new breed of true crime; one that is read by a more general audience (not just serial killer buffs), critically acclaimed, and are said to have some literary merit.
Our library book supplier is saying that Fall 2019 is going to be one of the best publishing cycles in years. That is to say, there are a lot of must-read books being released right around the corner. I’ve rounded up some adult fiction highlights that I am personally keeping an eye out for.
Akin by Emma Donoghue
Shelby, a student page at the Napanee Branch Library, recently enjoying the terrifying thriller The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. Here is her review:
Thanks to the many television network adaptations available through cable or streaming services, it's easier than ever these days to experience your favourite books in a visual format. From The Handmaid’s Tale and American Gods to Outlander and Call the Midwife, it seems as through TV producers immediately turn to the literary world when coming up with ideas – half of what’s out there originated as a book!