• 'George Washington Carver: An American Biography' by Rackham Holt
• 'The One Ship Fleet: The USS Boise (CL-47), 1938-45' by Phillip T. Parkerson

• 'Lawbreaker' by Diana Palmer
• 'Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy' by Sharon Malone, M.D.

I just finished reading what could be the shortest adult book I have ever read! In a large font, and only 120 pages; it can be read in just over an hour. "What Does It Feel Like" by Sophia Kinsella is a real keeper! Goodreads gives it a 4.32/5 but I'd rate it a bit higher; it was difficult to think of any ways that it could be improved.

Eve Monroe is an acclaimed author, working on her 7th novel, but her well of inspiration has run dry. On a walk to clear her head, Eve comes upon a dress that shall hereafter be known as "THE DRESS." As she chats with the shopkeeper, she has a sudden epiphany! She will take her own oft-repeated advice and 'write what she knows and do it convincingly.' Eve 'immediately opens a document on her phone and starts to type rapidly.'

This book was somewhat autobiographical, but some details have been changed. It starts funny and easy-going, then morphs into unbelievable trauma, sadness and depression. On one level, it is a heartbreaker, but Eve's sense of courage and hope make it uplifting, especially if your winter blues need lightening. Jodi Picoult says, 'The bravest book you'll read all year.' I loved this book, and I think you will too!

Available at VPL and on the Libby app.

~Connie

I recently read a young adult murder mystery by Kara Thomas titled 'The Cheerleaders.' It was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction in 2018. With controversial topics for young adult, the plot had me guessing the whole way through. Five years ago, five cheerleaders died in 3 different tragic accidents, and the High School wants to hold a memorial. Monica, one of the younger sisters of a cheerleader, is asked to be a part of the memorial, but something does not sit right with her. She has a hard time believing that all five cheerleaders died around the same time with varying situations. Could they all be linked? Was there a hit list? Grieving has been difficult, and Monica cannot let go of her sister until she knows the truth.

~Kellie

A fan of ballet? Check out the current book I am reading by Juhea Kim titled 'City of Night Birds.'

"Painting a vivid portrait of the Russian ballet world, where cutthroat ambition, ever-shifting politics, and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds unveils the making of a dancer with both profound intimacy and breathtaking scope. Mysterious and alluring, passionate and virtuosic, Juhea Kim’s second novel is an affecting meditation on love, forgiveness, and the making of an artist in a turbulent world." ~Goodreads (3.58 rating)

~Heather

To encourage a sense of community and creativity, our library is holding a community quilt project. The blocks will be assembled into a finished quilt that will be auctioned off in the Spring/Summer of 2025. The proceeds from the auction will benefit future programming at the Vinton Public Library. We hope the project appeals to beginning quilters, experienced quilters, and everyone in between. Thank you for supporting our library!

• Submit a 9 1/2" X 9 1/2" unfinished quilt block
• Fabric available at the library
• Email library@vintonia.gov with any questions
• Team of quilters helping with the project

National Puzzle Day is January 29th, 2025, and we're celebrating with a puzzle swap! Between January 10th and January 22nd, drop off your puzzle and pick up one in exchange! Puzzles must be clean, in like-new condition, with all pieces included. Puzzles for all ages and difficulty levels welcome!

Join us for our monthly book club where you pick the book! This month’s theme is ‘Beginning Anew’; this could be a book with ‘Begin’ or ‘New in the title, or a story about a fresh start. Get creative and have fun with it!

• Thursday, January 16th at Noon
• Thursday, January 16th at 6pm

Pick the time that works best for you!

Our Children's Librarian Kellie is already planning our 2025 Children's Summer Reading Program! We have lots of reading, special events, and prizes in store for kids that participate!! A huge thanks to these local businesses for helping support our reading program!! If you would like to donate, please send your contribution to the Vinton Public Library, 510 2nd Avenue, Vinton Iowa, 52349. #librarylife

I'm applying for a grant for the 2025 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read and I need your help! The NEA Big Read encourages communities to read a book together and have meaningful conversations and programming events relating to the chosen book. Our library will be partnering with the Vinton Palace Theatre, Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics, Vinton Guild of Fine Arts and Benton County Conservation on this exciting and creative opportunity.

Help me choose the book by emailing your choice to library@vintonia.gov! I've narrowed the list of 22 books down to 5; you can find information on the books by visiting https://artsmidwest.org/.../10/NEA-Big-Read-25-26-Titles.pdf, and for information on the 2025 Big Read visit https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/nea-big-read/about-big-read today! Thank you in advance for your vote!

~Kelly Henkle, Library Director

#nationalendowmentforthearts #NEABigRead

This friend was one of the winners of our annual Gingerbread House Contest!

In-Store shopping won our latest THIS or THAT challenge! Check out our new challenge: SLEDDING or SKIING? Stop in and vote at the library or comment below! #thisorthatchallenge #librarylife #librarylovers

This friend just completed the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Challenge! Congratulations!

Artist Spotlight: Rebecca King

2024 Book Cover – Variation by Rebecca Yarros

"Rebecca King is a fine art photographer from New Zealand. Her vision is to create a collection of sensitive silent moments, inspired by symbolism and folklore, capturing stories of nature, some full of whimsical intrigue, others more painterly botanical, always attempting to make something beautiful.

Her creative path began with paints and a brush, but she moved on to her greater love, photography, in 2018. Still wishing to use this medium in an artistic way, she picked up a camera and started experimenting. “This has become a new way of painting; all though instead of painting with pigments I paint with light.”

Rebecca believes as artists we can turn our dreams into reality. She feels her recent works come from a place of layering, intuition, and experimentation and exist somewhere in between painting and photography." ~via rebeccakingphoto.com

This friend has read 700 books. Keep up the great work!

This family is reading together to reach their goal!

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