We hope you enjoy the latest edition of our VPL newsletter! Remember, you can subscribe by emailing library@vintonia.gov!

In honor of our upcoming Red Carpet Party we will be giving away a set of VPL wine or beer glasses to one of our newsletter subscribers!! Email khenkle@vintonia.gov by Wednesday March 28th at Noon for your chance to win!

Join us for our Together We Read event through our Libby app! Between now and March 6th you can download 'One Summer in Savannah' by Terah Shelton Harris with no holds--Happy Reading! #LibraryLoversMonth

~"Birding to Change the World" by Trish O'Kane

~"Wandering Stars" by Tommy Orange

~"After Annie" by Anna Quindlen

~"The Unchartered Flight of Olivia West" by Sara Ackerman

~"The Darkest White" by Eric Blehm

~"Attack from Within" by Barbara McQuade

~"Why We Read" by Shannon Reed

~"A Step Past Darkness" by Vera Kurian

VPL Note: 'One Summer in Savannah' is available through the Libby app with no holds from now until March 6th, 2024, through the "Together We Read" Libby event.

Strangely enough, I stumbled onto two novels in a row with similar storylines and characters, but of the two, this was, in my opinion, a much better read! Beginning with a single mother named Sara and her eight-year-old daughter, Alana, who live in Maine, the two are called home to Savannah because of a sudden medical crisis.

This was one of those books that has two narrators, who take turns at telling the story from his or her own unique viewpoint. One chapter is written by Sara, the next by Jacob; I found it surprisingly easy to follow, however! Sara makes a very believable victim, and the circumstances didn't seem contrived. There is a plethora of poetry in this book, and one of the characters can only communicate by quoting poetry, having lost the ability to speak normally. I found it heart-warming and hard to put down and read it in a weekend. There are some emotional portions of the story, and again, I object to some of the details as "too much information," but altogether, a story I enjoyed.

Available at VPL, and also through Libby, I give this one a 9 out of 10! Happy reading!

~Connie

This weekend I read this nonfiction, true crime book called, "If You Tell" written by Gregg Olsen. If you are someone that watches, listens or reads true crime documentaries this book might be for you. This story is a true story about three young girls who live with their killer mother and do everything they can to survive. The house is full of evil, abuse, torture, terror and murder. Read about the sisters' story and how their bond is unbreakable. You can check this book out at the Vinton Public Library.

~Kellie

This week I found myself back on the Thriller Train (who ever really exits it?!?) and Nalini Singh's "There Should Have Been Eight" left me wide-eyed with its twist ending. It was a light, fast read that ticked off what I enjoy reading when I take a break from heavier subjects (and ignore the laundry piling up...)

Read if you fancy:

~remote estate mysteries at the back of beyond

~single POV fiction

~suspense amplified by a crumbling mansion and a secretive cast of characters

~twist endings

~Riley Sager's novels

Happy reading, friends!

~Heather Egan, Library Assistant

I was first introduced to author and writing instructor Natalie Goldberg while working in healthcare administration during the pandemic. Her methods were outlined during a webinar I attended on the practice of journaling as self-care. 'Writing Down the Bones' quickly became my dog-eared, underlined, oft-quoted source for writing inspiration. I'm currently reading 'Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir,' which was published in 2017. As in '...Bones', I feel as though I'm sitting down with Natalie herself, learning how to further trust my voice and my experience. She tells me to '(w)rite down who you were, who you are, and what you remember.' Thank you, Natalie.

~Kelly

VPL Note: 'Eragon' is the first book in a young adult series of five and is available in regular type. Fun fact--Paolini wrote 'Eragon' at the age of 15; find out more about this beloved author at https://www.paolini.net.

I loved this book! I adore books about dragons and this one was right up my alley. 15-year-old orphaned farm boy, Eragon, finds a strange rock while out hunting. He brings it home, where he lives with his uncle and cousin, and soon discovers it is a dragon egg. A baby dragon hatches from the egg and Eragon secretly raises her. However, on an expedition to find his dragon, named Saphira, his uncle's home and farm are destroyed by horrible monsters called Urgals. With his uncle gone, and monsters set out to find him and the dragon, Eragon flees his home with Brom the storyteller. Many adventures, battles, and sorrows follow the young traveler on his way to learn how to be a dragon rider. 10/10 would definitely recommend. I've been wanting to read this book since it was released in 2008.

~Micah

Congratulations to Dan LaGrange for winning our limo raffle! Dan has won a 2-hour limo ride prior to our Red Carpet Party on March 10th, thanks in part to our business sponsor Express Limousine of North Liberty! Thank you to everyone who participated in our limo raffle--make plans to attend the party on March 10th! #LibraryLoversMonth

These two library friends have read 100 books! Way to go!

We appreciate our volunteers! A big thank you to Amaia S. for volunteering at the library!

This li'l guy has read 100 books! #1000booksbeforekindergarten #beanstackapp

Happy Friday! Thank you, Kelli Michel, for making our Fridays fun!

Thrillers and suspense fiction are one of our library's most popular genres; looking for your next thriller? Be sure to check out these authors!! #LibraryLoversMonth

Wow! Thank you for these beautiful bookmarks for our patrons, Vinton Guild of Fine Arts! Stop in and pick one up today! #librarylife #librarylovers #bookmarks #vintonguildoffinearts

Look at this fun candy puzzle that patrons completed! Stop in for free coffee this morning and put together a new puzzle with a friend! #librarylife #librarylovers #puzzletime

Our library is pleased to have received a signed copy of Vinton native Sam Moen's book 'Milo Can't Be Trusted!'--check it out today!

Did you know you can print and copy documents at the Vinton Public Library? We're now open until 8pm on Thursday evenings in addition to our regular hours.

Writing is a wonderful way to express yourself creatively; not sure where to start? Try these simple prompts from Natalie Goldberg. #LibraryLoversMonth

Meet our February Kid Librarian! Stop in and check out her books!!

Tommy Orange is the author of 'There There' and 'Wandering Stars,' as well as a contributing author to 'Fourteen Days.' You can find all three books in regular type at the Vinton Public Library. #LibraryLoversMonth

We appreciate all of our staff and volunteers at the Vinton Public Library--Today we recognize Laura B. for providing edits and suggestions for our weekly newsletter! We appreciate you! #LibraryLoversMonth

I love getting book recommendations and one of my friends mentioned this book to me. I don't always check reviews on Goodreads or Amazon, but I did for this book and readers had so many positive things to say about it! This nonfiction, self-help, motivational, inspirational book is a quick read and I highly recommend it!

"In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best."

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/.../6596.The_Four_Agreements...

Our Beanstack reading challenge will be ending February 29th. Keep logging your books and minutes to complete the challenge. Once you have completed the challenge make sure to enter your tickets into the prize drawing! Happy reading! #beanstack #readingchallenge

Library Hours of Operation

Mondays: 9a-5p

Tuesdays: 9a-6p

Wednesdays: 9a-5p

Thursdays: 9a-8p

Fridays: 9a-4p

Saturdays: 9a-Noon

Copy services: $0.20/black & white, $0.25/color

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

Free wifi

Boardroom available by reservation

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