We hope you enjoy our latest VPL Newsletter; to subscribe, email library@vintonia.gov. See you at the library!

• 'The Briar Club' by Kate Quinn
• 'A Death in Cornwall' by Daniel Silva, #22 in the Gabriel Allon series
• 'The Body in the Backyard' by Lucy Score, #4 in the Riley Thorn series
• 'The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love' by India Holton

• 'Finding You' by Amy Clipston

• 'Sweet Home Alabama' DVD
• 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' DVD

I apologize in advance, but the plot thickened in 'The Plot' by Jean Hanff Korelitz! Jacob Finch Bonner is teaching in a lackluster MFA program after once being a young novelist with a future ahead of him but you're only as good as your next novel and his last novel was an utter flop. Enter: quiet desperation.

Bonner ultimately finds himself in a morally questionable position where he decides you can't "steal" a plot from another writer if they haven't actually written the story. Is an idea up for grabs if not claimed? The novel seems to darkly take aim at plagiarism: exploring the idea that every work of art is some form of plagiarism eventually. I've read a few books now where a story/plot/entire manuscript has been stolen but this novel took a new turn with this concept, and I thoroughly enjoyed the deadly twist ending Korelitz conjured up. I also will not be stealing anyone's ideas any time soon.

With a 3.82 on Goodreads.com, I recommend this mystery thriller. I'm also looking forward to the follow-up novel out this Fall titled 'The Sequel.' (hahaha!)

~Heather, Circulation Manager

I recently read 'Dark Matter' by Blake Crouch and I have mixed reviews. My husband was sitting at a dance class and the adults started discussing books; one of the parents informed him that she was reading 'Dark Matter.' He called me right away asking if I had heard about it and if it might need to be added to my TBR! I first read the reviews and saw "Science Fiction," "Thriller," "Mystery," and "Suspense." I am not a huge fan of Sci-fi but Goodreads has a 4.14 rating so I thought I would give it a shot.

Jason Dessen is a family man married to Daniela with a son named Charlie. He works as a college professor and has a typical Midwestern life. One night, he finds himself celebrating with a friend and the next minute being abducted and taken to an unknown place. The world he wakes up to is no longer his life. Was he ever married? Did he really have a son? This is when the Sci-Fi appears in the book using science terms that I am not interested in. However, what kept my interest was Jason's determination to get his life back. We can live in many different worlds; it just depends on your choices and what paths you take. If Sci-Fi thrillers are your jam, then this is a must read for you!

Sidenote: If you have Apple TV you can watch the series 'Dark Matter' based on the book.

~Kellie Roberts, Children's Librarian

VPL Note: We have "One For Sorrow" by Mary Downing Hahn available for checkout in our juvenile fiction section.

I started to read this book one evening and had to read rather late to finish. The book is labeled juvenile fiction but was rather creepy; use your own judgement!

Annie Browne is new to Pearce Academy and wants to make friends in this new environment, but she is shy and doesn't know how. However, on the first day of school, Annie is unexpectedly befriended by Elsie, the school bully. Of all the girls in the class, Annie most wanted to be accepted by Rosie, the red-haired, rough-and-tumble tomboy who leads the others: Eunice, Lucy, and Jane. Unfortunately, Elsie immediately latches onto poor Annie and will not let go!

This book takes place in the years surrounding the Influenza epidemic, and this takes a mental as well as physical toll on the entire town. This is truly a ghost story worthy of the name, especially after one of the girls dies and comes back to haunt those who have tormented her. Annie is the target, but when she tries to explain the things that are happening, she ends up in a mental hospital. Guess what?! Elsie comes to her there too! Of course, nobody believes that a dead girl is pranking her, so Annie continues to live there until she "tells the truth."

I loved this book and can't wait to read more of Hahn's chilling tales! It could be a little intense, so I recommend it to those who are ready for a challenge. Overall, I'd rate it as a 10/10.

~Connie, Library Assistant

Hiking Wainwright's famed Coast to Coast Walk across Great Britain forms the backdrop for the charming and funny romance 'You Are Here' by David Nicholls. Michael lives a rewarding life teaching high school geography and prefers the solitude of hiking during his free time. Marnie has left socializing behind as she lives a quiet life at home copy-editing. What happens when the two quiet, introverted (and single) adults cover miles and miles of trails together carrying everything they need on their backs? Read it and find out! I adored this story, I laughed out loud multiple times, and it left me wanting more!

Happy Reading!
~Kelly Henkle, Library Director

VPL Note: We have 'The House That Horror Built' by Christina Henry available in regular type.

Harry (Harriet) Adams is a huge horror movie fanatic. She lands a horror lover's dream job cleaning the house of one of the most famous horror directors, Javier Castillo. His huge 3 story house is full of posters and props from his movies, as well as some costumes and set pieces. Javier is a bit of a recluse due to a family tragedy and has kept to himself for several years. Harry does her best to just do her job, but strange and unexplainable things begin to happen at the horror estate. Harry swears she hears someone calling for help from the locked room on the 3rd floor. Does she jeopardize her job and mention the occurrence? 3/10 I wouldn't recommend. It just wasn't one of my favorites. I was hoping for something a little scarier.

~Micah, VPL Volunteer

Did you know our monthly Library Board Minutes can be found online on our website? Visit www.vinton.lib.ia.us, select the About tab, select Library Board, and you will find the past several months of minutes. These are also available at City Hall and in our library Archive Room.

Libby's next Big Library Read has been announced; beginning July 11th, 'Twilight Territory' by Andrew X. Pham is available with no holds. The Big Library Read event ends July 25th, 2024.

Thanks to our friends at the Iowa Department for the Blind, menus to many local restaurants are now available in Braille. Ask your server for a copy; we have copies here at the library as well!

It's annual report time here at the Vinton Public Library! We're experiencing tremendous growth in circulation; this chart shows the increase in circulation of our children's materials over the past 5 years! Keep up the reading, Vinton!!

We're growing our team! We're looking for a positive and upbeat team player with strong attention to detail to join us as a part-time evening and weekend library assistant. Applications are available at the library's main circulation desk, or by visiting https://cityofvinton.org. Please submit completed applications to Kelly Henkle at the library or via email at khenkle@vintonia.gov. The deadline to apply is July 26th, 2024.

In celebration of our upcoming ACT I of Benton County 'Rock of Ages' Meet the Cast Night, our latest display features all things Rock 'N Roll! Be sure to join us this Thursday, July 18th at 7pm for a Q&A session and performances from the cast! We'll draw a winner for 2 free show passes!

The latest community puzzle is complete at VPL!

Sophia entered into the "Pigeon Challenge" and won the drawing for 4 tickets to see 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus' Musical!

This friend has read 200 books! Way to go!

We had a great time with Magician Jonathon May! Thanks for all the laughs, the oooohs and the aaaaahs.

Our library planters are loving this July sunshine! Stop by the library and check out these beautiful blooms!

We are super proud of this library friend. He has read 700 books!

Hours of Operation:

Mondays: 9a-5p

Tuesdays: 9a-6p

Wednesdays: 9a-5p

Thursdays: 9a-8p

Fridays: 9a-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