All posts by Julie Iatron
Check Out Our #23for23 Display!
According to its website, “the 23for23 initiative amplifies and elevates marginalized voices in promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the works of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color dedicated to telling stories that center marginalized identities.” The #23for23 challenge was created by romance authors Nikki Payne, Nisha Sharma, and Adriana Herrera.
The mission for #23for23 is to elevate BIPOC authors writing BIPOC communities by reading 23 BIPOC-written romances about BIPOC characters in 2023. These authors hope that readers can be more intentional about the books they consume in an effort to diversify the publishing industry. Did you know that there hasn’t been a single Black romance author on the NYT list since 2021? According to Nikki Payne, there is a “crisis of invisibility on Instagram and TikTock and YouTube for BIPOC books.” Not only do these authors want you to read these books, they also want you to share about them—online, with your friends, at the library.
And while you might not be able to read 23 titles before the end of 2023—although romance readers are usually fast readers—you can explore our #23for23 display for some suggestions. We’ve expanded it a bit beyond romance novels for those who don’t read this genre, so come check out the display and diversify for your TBR pile. You can also see a list of titles featured in this display here:
Celebrate Spooky Season at the Chelmsford Library!
It’s October, which might mean that it’s time for a seasonal spooky read! Check out the display area for some suggestions that range from scary to haunting to sweet. There are lots of options for a wide variety of readers, including some Halloween-themed romance titles. One of my favorites up on the display is a book called “Into the Drowning Deep” by Mira Grant. If I were to describe this book in two words, I’d choose “mermaid horror.” Not convinced? Try this: a team of scientists embarks on an expedition to the Mariana Trench. They are searching for clues about another expedition that mysteriously vanished seven years before. For our main character, Victoria Stewart, this mission is personal: her sister was on the ship that disappeared. Things get weirder the closer the team gets to the Trench, and then one by one, people start to disappear from the boat. Where are they going? And who—or what—is taking them? This book is a campy delight from start to finish. If it’s already checked out, you can request it quickly from another MVLC library.
Looking for something a little lighter? Try “The Ex Hex” by Erin Stirling or “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” by Sangu Mandanna. “The Golden Spoon” by Jessa Maxwell is a good choice if you’re willing to read a murder mystery but not interested in a lot of gore. If you want a classic horror novel, try “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. And if you’re looking to read something by the King of Horror himself, Stephen King, I recommend starting with his first novel, “Carrie.” It’s a great introduction to the genre.
Don’t need a book recommendation? Why don’t you join us for our Intro to Tarot program? This workshop is designed for teens or adults and is a fun way to learn the art of Tarot. Tarot reading is a practice of divining guidance through a particular spread (or layout) of Tarot cards. Contrary to popular belief, Tarot cards do not tell you your fortune but are meant to help you tap into your own intuition. Our presenter, Laura Campagna, will lead us through a fun workshop designed to boost our confidence in reading for ourselves and our friends. This workshop will take place on Thursday, October 19th from 6:30-8 PM. Registration is required and can be found at:
https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11189219
We hope you can celebrate any aspect of spooky season with us! Feel free to reach out with questions or for more recommendations.
Fall Bingo Is Here!
Fall Bingo has arrived here at the Chelmsford Public Library!
If you’re looking for a way to challenge yourself to read a little more or to broaden your reading horizons, why not grab a Fall Bingo card and jump right in? Some of the boxes are easy: “Recommend a book to someone you know” or “Read a book outdoors or by a window.” Others are a little more challenging: “Read a cozy mystery by a non-white author” or “Read a book that features baking or includes a recipe.” For these more specific boxes, we’ve done the work for you! Check out our “Fall Bingo” display on the first floor where you will find books that meet the requirements. We’ve got #BookTok recommendations, books with “fall” in the title, and books written by Indigenous authors. You can check some of the boxes without doing any reading—sharing this bingo with someone you know checks a box, as does commenting or liking one of our social media posts. There’s even a free square if you have a library card OR sign up for one.
Once you’ve completed a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line or checked off each of the four corner squares, drop off your completed card at the Reader Services desk or snap a photo and send it to jiatron@chelmsfordlibrary.org. The deadline to complete your card is November 22nd, and we’ll be awarding prizes after that. Fall is a great time to make a new or renewed commitment to reading, and Fall Bingo is a fantastic way to freshen up that TBR pile. We can’t wait to help you with recommendations and receive your completed card!
If you want to print the card at home, here’s the link:
https://www.libraryaware.com/1291/Documents/CurrentThumbnail/5353175