• 'Slow Burn Summer' by Josie Silver
• 'Flashlight' by Susan Choi
• 'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• 'With A Vengeance' by Riley Sager

• 'Steve Martin Writes the Written Word' by Steve Martin
• 'Never Say You Can't Survive' by Charlie Jane Anders
• 'Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers' by Caroline Fraser

• 'Submersed: Wonder, Obsession, and Murder in the World of Amateur Submarines' by Matthew Gavin Frank
• 'Raising Hare' by Chloe Dalton
• 'I'll Never Call Him Dad Again: Turning our Family Trauma of Sexual Assault and Chemical Submission into a Collective Fight' by Caroline Darian

• 'Summer Light on Nantucket' by Nancy Thayer
• 'Tough Luck' by Sandra Dallas
• 'The Shop Down the Lane' by Leslie Gould
• 'The Star of Camp Greene' by Joy Callaway
• 'Fortunate Harbor' by Davis Bunn

• 'The First Gentleman' by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
• 'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Imagine a telephone call at two a.m. from a hospital emergency room! George and Katrine are startled awake by the news that Katrine's 86-year-old mother has fallen, spraining her wrist. This occurs in the summer of 2006, and is the tiniest of peeks into the present as a precursor to the events of 1938 in Badensburg, Germany. I realize how backwards that sounds, but bear with me.

In the next chapter, the reader is thrown back in time sixty-eight years into the middle of a disagreement among four young people, who, in the midst of a double date picnic, have begun to argue heatedly. Their Jewish friends, who disappeared in the middle of the night six months ago, have not been heard from, and the girls are worried about their friends. Karin's fiancé, Fritz, is a member of the Hitler Youth Patrol, and is especially upset by the turn of conversation, having learned his attitude from the mandatory race education classes that the youth of Germany are taking.

Allina has lived with her beloved aunt and uncle since she was three months old and knows nothing of her parents except that they died; she has one picture of them, but no other information. In the last few chapters, the narrative returns to 2006, and the story ends in as satisfactory a way as possible.

This book is heart-rending and raw, telling the story of World War II in all its pain and grief. I came to know and love most of the characters, even while fervently despising others. A word of caution is warranted; there are several scenes of graphic violence, and some language that will not be suitable for some readers. At present, VPL has one large-print copy, and the title is also available on the Libby app. This is a very interesting and informative book, and well worth your time.

~Connie, Library Assistant

I just started reading 'The Bright Years' by Sarah Damoff and am quite taken with this debut novel.

"Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love, recently married, and now parents to a baby girl, Georgette. But Lillian has a son she hasn’t told Ryan about, and Ryan has an alcohol addiction he hasn’t told Lillian about, so Georgette comes of age watching their marriage rise and fall.

When a shocking blow scatters their fragile trio, Georgette tries to distance herself from reminders of her parents. Years later, Lillian’s son comes searching for his birth family, so Georgette must return to her roots, unearth her family’s history, and decide whether she can open up to love for them—or herself—while there’s still time.

Told from three intimate points of view, The Bright Years is a tender, true-to-life novel that explores the impact of each generation in a family torn apart by tragedy but, over time, restored by the power of grace and love." ~Goodreads.com (4.29 rating)

Happy reading, friends. ~Heather

Our library is holding a silent auction to raise funds for our adult programming. Thanks to the help of Cheryl and Donna, our quilt is now complete! Over a dozen local quilters submitted blocks and we are so pleased with the results. Stop in to take a look and place your bid!

Stop by the Expo tent at the Benton County Fair to open a library card, sign up for our summer reading program, and learn more about our library programs and services!

• Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, 9am-11am
• Thursday, June 26th, 2025, 1pm-3pm

Big thanks to Kim White for showing us just how incredible bats really are! From echolocation to adorable faces, we’re officially fans.

We also got to meet some of her cool reptile friends!

This lil' reader has read 400 books! Keep up the great work!

Our children's library is ready for today's visit from 'Incredible Bats!' - stop by for some family friendly fun today!!

VPL now carries 'Iowa Outdoors,' a quarterly publication of the Department of Natural Resources. We were delighted to see Project A.W.A.R.E. featured in the Summer 2025 issue! Randie Brodigan from Project A.W.A.R.E. visited our library earlier this year for an educational program for adults. Stop in today to check it out!!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: "Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, most recently Middle of the Night and The Only One Left. His novels have been published in over 35 countries, with more than 3 million copies sold worldwide. His latest book, With a Vengeance, is available now. A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey." ~www.rileysagerbooks.com

We have eight mystery titles by Riley Sager available for check-out at the library! Take one home today!

Our 3rd–12th graders are off to a flying start with the Summer Reading Challenge! Ready to join the fun? Download the Beanstack app, log your reading, and score awesome prizes along the way!

Our K–2nd grade readers have jumped into the Summer Reading Challenge with tons of energy! Don’t forget to swing by and claim your awesome prizes — you can pick them up at either the upstairs or downstairs circulation desk. Keep up the great reading!

Our Tummy Time friends are on a roll! This friend just completed 600 books. Way to go!

This library friend has read 400 books. Keep up the great work!

Don't forget to log your reading in the Beanstack app! Kids that complete our summer challenge earn 4 prizes this summer! Adults that complete the challenge get the chance to win 1 of 4 swag bags! Happy reading!

Who is excited the the 3rd and final season?!

Libraries are as fun as they are economical! Stop in today!

Did you know the popular streaming series 'The Better Sister' is based on a novel by Alafair Burke? Stop into VPL today to read it before you watch it!!

Don't forget to log your reading in the Beanstack app! Kids that complete our summer challenge earn 4 prizes this summer! Adults that complete the challenge get the chance to win 1 of 4 swag bags! Happy reading!

Mondays: 9a-5p

Tuesdays: 9a-8p

Wednesdays: 9a-5p

Thursdays: 9a-8p

Fridays: 7a-4p

Saturdays: 9a-Noon

Sundays: Closed

Copy services: $0.20 per black and white, $0.25 per color

Fax services: $1.00 for 1-2 pages, $2.00 for 3+ pages

Notary services: No charge, call 319-472-4208 for availability

Free Wifi

Boardroom available at no charge; reservations required

Email: library@vintonia.gov
Website: vinton.lib.ia.us
Location: 510 2nd Avenue, Vinton, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 472-4208
Facebook: facebook.com/heartofvinton