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Brush Up on Your Shakespeare

Start Quoting Him Now…

Or at least take his 450th birthday as a chance to learn more about his life, his work, and some of the many people he inspired – in good, bad and bloody ways.

book jacket: around America to win the vote

Voting is a powerful act, but it's easy to take for granted.

Reading these books about the women and men who worked to secure the right for all Americans to take part in our governance is a great way to remember how valuable that right is.

Obsessed with Wolf Hall?

We just can’t get enough stories about corruption in the halls of power…

Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy is the latest historic novel to jump to the small screen, in the form of a new series on PBS. “Wolf Hall” fictionalizes the life of Thomas Cromwell, crafty architect of Henry VIII’s annulment from Catherine of Aragon, the execution of Sir Thomas Moore, Henry’s schism with the Church of Rome, and the Reformation.

Keep busy between episodes with more shows featuring beautiful people, struggles for power, and political intrigue.

Scary Robots are Delightfully Scary

Even before Asimov’s “I Robot,” humans were fascinated by the idea of artificial intelligence.

And films like “Her,” “Chappie” and “Ex Machina” prove that we’re still fascinated by our love and fear of robots and drones. So check out more of our favorite books and films that explore the idea of humanity – in a world where the line between humans and robots gets closer all the time.

Classic Lit With a Modern Twist

Looking for something new yet familiar?

Try one of these contemporary novels – each author starts with a well known plot, and then updates or retells the story for a modern audience.

Talk Like a Pirate! Or at Least Read about Pirates…

Ahoy matey!

Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day by studying proper high seas grammar with Mango Languages, an online program available with your library card.

In between sessions on pirate vocabulary, these books and movies will help get you in the spirit.

Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Nimoy

RIP Leonard Nimoy, 1931 – 2015

Nimoy was best known for playing the pointy-eared Vulcan on the show that created a fictional universe.

But his career spanned decades, and ranged from acting and directing, to photography and poetry.

Books and Films In Honor of World Aids Day

Public concern over AIDS continues to fall, but the disease hasn’t stopped.

Held December 1 of each year, World Aids Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died.

Everything Ice Skating

‘Tis the Season for Frozen Ponds and Sharp Blades...

The weather outside is frightful, which makes this a perfect time to strap on your skates and hit the ice – or to curl up inside with these ice-skating books and films.

We’re in the Mood for Spring Training

Are You Cactus or Grapefruit League?

It may not yet feel like spring, but Major League Baseball’s spring training doesn’t wait for warm weather – even in Florida and Arizona.

So celebrate one of baseballs’ great traditions by flexing your baseball-fan muscles with these books and films.

Some of the Best – and Worst – Thanksgivings on Film

What’s your favorite film about Thanksgiving?

These are some of ours...

Create Something a Little Different…

Funky, Fun DIY Ideas

Do you love making stuff by hand, but are getting tired of the same old knitting and crochetting projects? These books will show you how to create something totally new

Weather Geeks Unite!

Curl up with a good book or film about just how crazy the weather can get, the people who get stuck out in it, and the people who chase it.

Survival Skills

Don’t know how to build a fire, read a compass or preserve food? Put these books on hold!

Make Like A Spy and Come in From the Cold…

…With a Good Book!

Okay, yes, that was a terrible joke.

But since you know they’re watching you, so you may as well read about them, right?

book jacket: down syndrome parenting 101

Learn More About Down Syndrome

This year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day is the right to happiness and well-being for people with Down syndrome.

Help create a culture of increased diversity and integration in society, school and work by learning more about what Down Syndrome is, and what everyday life is like for those who live with it:

Quilting American History

More than just Fabric and Thread

Have you seen the doll quilts donated to our American Girl Lending Program?

Check out the display at the Central Library, then learn more about the history of quilting in the United States, and women’s history as it is revealed through quilts…

book jacket: new yorker book of political cartoons

Political Cartoons, Religion, and Free Speech

After the horrible attack on the offices of French magazine Charlie Hebdo, everyone from journalists and political cartoonists to politicians and pundits continue to grapple with the boundaries of freedom of expression.

Check out these books to learn more about the history of political cartooning and free speech

Obsessed with “Game of Thrones”?

Check out more tales of alternate and sometimes magical history, full of power struggles, political intrigue, duty and thwarted love.

Whether epic or short, these books are all the first in a series.

Looking for a Good eAudio Series?

Serial Listening

Love listening to books in a series? Try these authors, all of whom can be found in our OverDrive collection:

Learn More About the First Americans

Did you know that there are at least 562 federally recognized tribal nations in the U.S.?

You can learn more about the lives and history of Native Americans with these books and films.

Celebrate the World Cup

Did you know that soccer is the most popular sport in the world?

Are We There Yet?

Fun Audiobooks for the Whole Family

Take along these audiobooks on your next family road trip and you’ll wish the ride lasted longer.

Warrior Stories

Stories to Remember Their Sacrifice

Powerful first-person accounts of war, in honor of all those who serve their country

Drawn from African American History

An Illustration is Worth a Thousand Words

Expand your reading of American history with these visually powerful graphic novel memoirs, biographies and historical fiction.

What Does it Feel Like to Live with Autism?

Raise Your Autism Awareness This Year

These stories – by people with autism, and by authors who write from the perspective of characters with autism – provide a window into the unique experience of living with autism

Adventurers, Role Models and Heroes

American history is full of tales of bravery, heroism and determination.

In honor of Black History Month, we invite you to discover these inspiring stories about Americans of African descent:

Exercise your Right to Privacy

Are You Being Watched?

Your financial transactions, communications, media consumption, social networking and GPS locations can all be tracked.

So what does privacy mean in the digital and post 9/11 era? And what can you do to increase yours?

I Love My Mummy

You mean Mother’s Day isn’t for expressing your love of all things Mummy?

Well, maybe it should be, because we love all of these

Everything Tastes Better on the Barbecue

“There are two types of people in the world: those who enjoy eating barbecued ribs and those who are turned off by gnawing on pig bones covered in goop.” – T.M. Goeglein

If you’re the first kind, these books (and one DVD) are for you. If you’re the second kind, the Vegan Barbecue is all yours.

Check out the Costumes, but Stay for the Story

High Drama and Romance, plus Literature and History

We recently noticed that the British actress Keira Knightly has made a lot of period costume films based on great books.

Follow the title links to find both the films and the books they’re based on:

book jacket: 21 the story of roberto clemente

Hispanic American Adventurers, Heroes and Role Models

American history is full of tales of bravery, heroism and determination.

In honor of Hispanic American Heritage Month, we invite you to discover some amazing Americans of Hispanic descent

Audiobook Narrators Who Make Time Fly

Taking a long trip? These talented narrators make the miles speed by.

These are just some of our favorites – who do you love to listen to?

Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers finally landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free – two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Today, June 19 is celebrated in Washington DC as Juneteenth, the day emancipation reached Texas, and is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery.

Grab a Great Vacation Read

Looking for a good book for your vacation? Try one or two (or all) of these fun books - they won’t make you pull your hair with their twists and turns, but their great writing, interesting characters or fascinating histories should provide the perfect amount of restful entertainment for the perfect long weekend or vacation trip.

Law Enforcement, Race, and Conflict in the United States

In light of recent episodes of devastating violence between American citizens and members of American law enforcement forces, we've collected these books and films as a starting point for anyone who wants to explore some of the history and issues that have lead us to this place of conflict - as well as ideas for how we can move forward from here.

book jacket: the avengers ultimate guide

Comic-Con 2016

What was the inspiration for that cool trailer that screened at Comic-Con? Chances are good we've got the original books, comic books, tv shows or movies in our collection:

Go for the Gold

What does it take to be an Olympian?

These books and films tell inspiring stories of the hard work, perseverance and sometimes even luck involved in reaching for the gold medal.

Plus Sized Heroes

Looking for a protagonist who doesn't fit the usual mold? Check out these inspiring YA Lit novels about teens who challenge stereotypes, expectations and their own insecurities.

2016 Losses

68 of the Authors, Performers, Activists, Scientists and Public Figures Who Changed Our World, and Left Us in 2016.

Editor's Notes:

The list is not comprehensive, because we don't have books/films/music on everyone who died this year.

The list is arranged alphabetically by the name of the book, DVD or music file that represents each person who died, with dates and a short bio under the title.

Biographies have been sourced primarily from Wikipedia; any errors are the responsibility of the editor.

Black History and Black Futures

"No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place." -- Maya Angelou

Learn more about the American experience through the lens of black lives, with these books and films spanning the earliest days of our country to the present day.

book jacket: the girl who drank the moon

2017 Youth Media Awards

Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the American Library Association's Youth Media awards encourage original and creative work. For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma .