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

• 'The Sequel' by Jean Hanff Korelitz
• 'Guide Me Home' by Attica Locke
• 'The Night We Lost Him' by Laura Dave
• 'Triangle' by Danielle Steel

New Adult Fiction Titles:

*'We Solve Murders' by Richard Osman

*'The Forest of Lost Souls' by Dean Koontz

*'Fatal Gambit' by David Lagerkrantz

*'Code Name Sapphire' by Pam Jenoff

New Adult Nonfiction:

*'Haunted Lighthouses: Phantom Keepers, Ghostly Shipwrecks, and Sinister Calls From the Deep' by Ray Jones

*'Spooky Great Lakes: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore' Retold by S. E. Schlosser

*'Hauntings of the Underground Railroad' by Jane Ammeson

*'The Lost City of Z' by David Grann

Review of 'Glass' by Kathryn Lasky

Although this book has "A Cinderella Tale" printed on the cover, it really didn't have that much in common with the classic. There was, of course, the ubiquitous glass slipper, but not exactly as it appeared the first time. Bess does have a father, and instead of the wicked stepmother and wicked stepsisters, we have "Grannie Craft," a wand and a witch!

Beautiful young Bess is a member of a family of glassblowers, renowned for their exquisite work. She lives in a large house made of glass which is extremely beautiful, catching the rainbow lights reflected by the sun; everyone in the house except Bess wears sunglasses to protect their eyes from the piercing, bright rays. The gardens, grass, bushes and flowers are all formed of glass, and although they are very pretty, they are dangerously sharp and have no fragrance at all. Bess is saddened by this, but she has her woodland creatures to talk to.

When Bess' sinister uncle allows her to plant an actual garden of flowers and vegetables, she is overjoyed to have a source of sustenance for her friends and the birds, bunnies and squirrels. This, however, evolves into the worst kind of horror for poor Bess!

This book may be a little hard for the youngest readers, with its number of characters and locations, but is a true fairytale and I heartily recommend it. Goodreads gave it a 3.75; I give it 9/10. Happy reading!

~Connie

I'm a big fan of the thriller/suspense genre and when I found out Blake Likely will be starring in this page to screen adaptation on Netflix of 'We Used To Live Here' by Marcus Kliewer, it was the icing on the cake! Eve and Charlie are house flippers and recently purchased a house away from the cities. While Eve was working on the house, she got an unexpected knock on the door from the previous owners who wanted to give his family a quick tour. Against Eve's judgement she allowed them in. What was supposed to be a quick tour, turned into a lengthy stay. The rest of the story is like a horror film when you are telling the main character to escape but they continue to run up or down the stairs. Eerie things keep happening to the house and Eve. There were moments when I had to set the book down and think happy thoughts. I definitely couldn't read this at night home alone. Is Eve delusional or is something wrong with the family and house? Check this out and lets chat!

~Kellie

We are pleased to welcome Cheryl as a library volunteer! Cheryl is an avid reader and quilter and is helping lead our library's Community Quilt Project this Fall. Here is her review of the second book in the 'Boys of Tommen' series by Chloe Walsh titled "Keeping 13."

Every girl should have a guy who is so devoted to her. I could believe the harsh storyline as I've known families like the Lynches. It's sad and the author colored their world into reality. What's going to happen next who knows... Here I come Book 3.

~Cheryl

Virginia Holsten recently shared a couple of book recommendations with us; enjoy!

The Friends of the Vinton Public Library are pleased to partner with Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics Gifts of Hope for the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run Challenge! Register by clicking the link below; there is no charge to register. You can make an optional donation to Gifts of Hope and the Friends of the Vinton Public Library. Thank you for your support!

Gifts of Hope October Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run Challenge (runsignup.com)

VPL Note: We have fiction thrillers 'The Dragon Keeper,' 'Leave No Trace,' 'To Catch a Storm,' and 'A World of Hurt' available in regular type.

Mindy Mejia was born and raised in a small-town-turned-suburb in the Twin Cities area. She received a BA from the University of Minnesota and an MFA from Hamline University. Other than brief interludes in Iowa City and Galway, she's lived and worked in Minnesota her entire life.

Mindy generally focuses her fiction writing on the novel, though she also writes short stories, which have appeared in rock, paper, scissors; Things Japanese: An Anthology of Short Stories; and THIS Literary Magazine.

Source: Back cover of 'The Dragon Keeper', Ashland Creek Press

Photo credit: mindymejia.com/about/

Join us at Vinton's Celebration Park for lunch with the library staff! Bring a sack lunch and join us in the gazebo for a casual conversation about books; we’ll have a limited number of adult fiction titles available for checkout. We'll meet every Monday in September and October, beginning September 9th, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome. Scheduling subject to staff availability and the weather.

• Monday, September 30th
• Monday, October 7th
• Monday, October 14th
• Monday, October 21st
• Monday, October 28th

Test your puzzle-solving skills this October at our library's escape room! Teams of 2-6 people, ages 8 and up, spend an hour trying to 'escape' by looking for clues and solving puzzles. Call 319-472-4208 to reserve your spot today!

VS Homecoming fun continues as Wednesdays we wear PINK! Go Vikes! #librarylife

Our library is pleased to display Laurie Ortner's winning photograph from the Iowa Cattlemen's Association 'I Am an Iowa Cattleman' photography contest. Stop in today!

It's been a fun VS Homecoming week! Good luck at the game tonight Vikings!!

Last evening our library was pleased to host author and speaker George Khal. Khal is the author of 'The First Night of the Crescent Moon: My Journey from Palestine to Iowa' which is available for checkout at our library.

This friend just hit '200 Book Club.' Keep up the good work!

Kellie and Kelly had fun today dressing up as VSCO and Disco for VS Homecoming week! Go Vikes!!!

Kellie and Kelly caught the Homecoming Spirit today and dressed up for Athlete vs. Mathlete Day! Go Vikes!

Check out our latest "THIS or THAT" challenge!!! Are you an Early Bird or a Night Owl? Stop in and vote

Hours of Operation:

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