• 'The Doorman' by Chris Pavone
• 'Whistly' by Linwood Barclay
• 'Return to Sender' by Craig Johnson
• 'Nightshade' by Michael Connelly
• 'Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie' by James Lee Burke
• 'Never Flinch' by Stephen King

• 'Unfailing Love' by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan
• 'Storybook Ending' by Moira Macdonald
• 'Beach House Rules' by Kristy Woodson Harvey
• 'Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding' by Lian Dolan

• 'The Love Haters' by Katherine Center
• 'Dying to Meet You' by Sarina Bowen
• 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' by Jessica Guerrieri
• 'Going Home in the Dark' by Dean Koontz

• 'The Witch Collector' by Charissa Weaks
• 'City of Ruin' by Charissa Weaks
• 'The Wolf and the Witch' by Charissa Weaks
• 'Conditional Love' by L. A. Arbuckle
• 'The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America' by Larry Tye

• 'Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie' by Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty
• 'The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club' by Martha Hall Kelly
• 'Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding' by Lian Dolan

• 'Where the Rivers Merge' by Mary Alice Monroe
• 'Taking Midway: Naval Warfare, Secret Codes, and the Battle That Turned the Tide of World War II' by Martin Dugard

• 'The Emerald Tide' by Davis Bunn
• 'The Christmas Hummingbird' by Davis Bunn
• 'Shell Beach' by Davis Bunn
• 'A is for Amish' by Shelley Shepard Gray

'I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections' by Nora Ephron is a short, funny road trip through the mind of the screenwriter behind 'Sleepless in Seattle' and 'When Harry Met Sally.' While patiently waiting for a copy of 'Heartburn' to become available on the Libby App, I picked up this nonfiction collection of essays—and I’m so glad I did.

Ephron reflects on everything from her first job as a “mail girl” (back when women weren't hired as reporters) to her years-long letter exchange with an older female playwright she deeply admired. One essay even includes a recipe for her best friend's beloved Christmas bread pudding.

These are brief, punchy essays—perfect for fans of Ephron’s writing or anyone looking for sharp observations and bittersweet humor.

My favorite? The essay 'Pentimento,' which traces the timeline of a friendship that is not unlike a love story:

"...the story is always the same: the younger woman idolizes the older woman; she stalks her; the older woman takes her up; the younger women finds out the older woman is only human, the story ends.

If the younger woman is a writer, she eventually writes something about the older woman.

And then years pass.

And she herself gets older.

And there are moments when she would like to apologize---at least for the way it ended.” ~Nora Ephron

Happy reading, friends. ~Heather

Let's give a big library welcome to Elise Smith! Elise is joining our library team this summer as our Children’s Summer Reading Program Assistant! You’ll see Elise out and about this summer visiting local parks with our library’s bicycle-powered bookmobile! She’ll also help us out here at the library with children’s programs. Welcome to the team, Elise!!!

Stop into the library to check out our newest display, featuring award-winning artwork by local artist Victoria Humiston! Her piece entitled 'One Acre' just returned home after being featured in a year-long display at the U.S. Capital! Humiston is a 2024 graduate of Vinton Shellsburg High School and is the winner of the 2024 District II Congressional Art Competition.

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!

Join us for our monthly book club where you pick the book! This month you can choose any book you like--have fun with it! We will meet twice in June; pick the time that works best for you.

• Thursday, June 19th, 2025, at 11:30am
• Thursday, June 19th, 2025, at 6:00pm

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

Love our library? Consider serving on our board of trustees! We have two anticipated vacancies with terms beginning in July 2025. Apply today by visiting https://www.cityofvinton.org/applications-permits/boards-commissions-application. Turn in your completed application to City Hall.

Did you know that we redeem prizes anytime we're open?! That's right, whether it's the evening or the weekend, if our library is open, you can stop in to redeem your kids' Beanstack reading challenge prizes! Just one more way we're here for you at the Vinton Public Library!

We are so grateful for tremendous community support for our library! We were recently awarded funds from the Vinton Community Foundation to allow us to add sound garden elements to our library's landscape! Watch for more details on this project coming in the Fall of 2025!

Madison M. is one of the winners of 2 tickets to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines!!! Congratulations, Madison!!! Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program through the Beanstack App!!!

We love outreach!! Today our Children's Librarian, Kellie, is visiting Tilford Elementary to tell students all about our 2025 Children's Summer Reading Program! You can download our calendar of events, including information on our Beanstack reading challenges, by visiting https://www.vinton.lib.ia.us/.../Children_Summer_Program...!

We have L. A. Arbuckle's novel 'Conditional Love' at the Vinton Public Library! Did you know the author grew up in Iowa? Learn more at https://laarbuckle.com.

Download Beanstack and sign up for our library's summer reading challenges today! We have challenges for all ages!

Looking for your next book? Check out author Carl Hiaasen! VPL has his latest novel for adults, 'Fever Beach,' along with several popular juvenile fiction books available for checkout! Happy reading!

Chocolate was the winner of our last THIS or THAT challenge! Check out our latest: JET SKI or KAYAK??? Stop in & vote or comment below! #librarylovers #librarylife

Did you know you can see books that are on order at our library? Visit https://vintonplia.booksys.net/opac/vintonplia/ to view our card catalog, then click on ‘Coming Soon’! You can reserve books here as well!

We're excited to announce our community quilt is complete! Last Fall our library held a series of quilting sessions for beginner and experienced quilters alike. Over the past several months over a dozen individuals submitted quilt blocks, including several first-time quilters. We're holding a silent auction beginning Monday, June 2nd, here in our library. The quilt measures 80"w X 96"h. Stop in to view the quilt and to place your bid. Bidding ends July 16th, 2025. Bids will also be accepted via email at khenkle@vintonia.gov. All proceeds benefit adult programming here at our library. Thank you to all of the volunteers that made this project possible!

The benefits of journaling are widely understood to include improving memory, lowering stress levels, enhancing creativity and more. Interested in starting your own journaling practice? Join us at the library for Summer Guided Journaling for adults! We'll meet Thursdays at 9:30am, beginning June 12th. Half the fun is choosing the type of journal you want to use! Don't have a journal? We'll have some on hand. Why not try something new this summer at the library?!

Have you heard what Vinton's saying about the Libby app?! It's free to the residents of Vinton and rural Benton County. Sign up today using your library card; need help? Call us at 319-472-4208!

Another completed puzzle in the books! Stop in & help us work on our next community puzzle!

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