850-522-2100

850-233-5055

850-871-3092

Port St. Joe

850-229-8879

Wewahitchka

850-639-2419

Bristol

850-643-2247

Hosford

850-379-3300

by Nicholas Sparks

Colby Mills felt destined for a musical career, until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete, Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home. But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, making him rethink his responsibilities. Morgan has graduated from a prestigious college music program with the ambition to move to Nashville and become a star. Romantically and musically, she and Colby complete each other in a way that neither has ever known. Beverly is fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son. She is trying to piece together a life for them off the beaten track. Fate will draw all three people together forcing each to wonder whether the dream of a better life can survive the weight of the past.

by Michael Connelly

A year has passed since LAPD detective Renée Ballard quit the force. Yet, after the chief of police himself tells her she can write her ticket within the department, Ballard takes back her badge, leaving "the Late Show" to rebuild the cold case unit at the elite Robbery-Homicide Division. For years, Harry Bosch has been working a case that haunts him but that he hasn't been able to crack--the murder of an entire family by a psychopath who still walks free. Ballard makes Bosch an offer: come work with her as a volunteer investigator in the new Open-Unsolved Unit, and he can pursue his "white whale" with the resources of the LAPD behind him. The two must put aside old resentments to work together again.

by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee begins this magnificent story in the late 1600s, when a distinguished English polymath, Robert Hooke, and an eccentric Dutch cloth-merchant, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek looked down their handmade microscopes. What they saw introduced a radical concept that swept through biology and medicine. It was the fact that complex living organisms are assemblages of tiny, self-contained, self-regulating units. Hooke christened them "cells". The discovery of cells and the reframing of the human body as a cellular ecosystem announced the birth of a new kind of medicine based on the therapeutic manipulations of cells.

by Mike Pence

The autobiography of former Vice President Mike Pence. Loyalty is a Vice President's first duty; but there is a greater one to God and the Constitution. On the surface, the affable evangelical Christian from Indiana wouldn't seem to have much in common with a brash real estate mogul from New York. But the unlikely duo formed a tight bond. Pence was at Donald Trump's side until the relationship broke down after the 2020 election. On January 6, 2021, as the president pressured him to overturn the election, a mob erected a gallows on Capitol Hill and its members chanted "Hang Mike Pence!" as they rampaged through the halls of Congress. The vice president refused to leave the Capitol, and once the riot was quelled, he reconvened Congress to complete the work of a peaceful transfer of power.

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment--a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science. With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.

by Jon Meacham

Hated and hailed, excoriated and revered, Abraham Lincoln was at the pinnacle of American power when implacable secessionists gave no quarter in a clash of visions bound up with money, race, identity, and faith. This book tells the story of Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his leadership during the Civil War to his tragic assassination in 1865: his rise, his self-education, his loves, his bouts of depression, his political failures, his deepening faith, and his persistent conviction that slavery must end. In a nation shaped by the courage of the enslaved of the era and by the brave witness of Black Americans, Lincoln's story illustrates the ways and means of politics in a democracy, the roots and durability of racism, and the capacity of conscience to shape events.

Stacy Schiff

With high-minded ideals and bare-knuckle tactics, Adams led what could be called the greatest campaign of civil resistance in American history. Stacy Schiff returns Adams to his seat of glory, introducing us to the shrewd and eloquent man who supplied the moral backbone of the American Revolution. A singular figure at a singular moment, Adams amplified the Boston Massacre. He helped to mastermind the Boston Tea Party. He employed every tool available to rally a town, a colony, and eventually a band of colonies behind him, creating the cause that created a country. For his efforts he became the most wanted man in America: When Paul Revere rode to Lexington in 1775, it was to warn Samuel Adams that he was about to be arrested for treason. Arresting, original, and deliriously dramatic, this is a long-overdue chapter in the history of our nation.

by Bono

As one of the music world's most iconic artists and the cofounder of the organizations ONE and (RED), Bono's career has been written about extensively. But in Surrender, it's Bono who picks up the pen, writing for the first time about his remarkable life and those he has shared it with. In his unique voice, Bono takes us from his early days growing up in Dublin, including the sudden loss of his mother when he was fourteen, to U2's unlikely journey to become one of the world's most influential rock bands, to his more than twenty years of activism dedicated to the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty. Writing with candor, self-reflection, and humor, Bono opens the aperture on his life, and the family, friends, and faith that have sustained, challenged, and shaped him.

by Patti Smith

In 2018, without any plan or agenda for what might happen next, Patti Smith posted her first Instagram photo: her hand with the simple message "Hello Everybody!" Known for shooting with her beloved Land Camera 250, Smith started posting images from her phone including portraits of her kids, her radiator, her boots, and her Abyssinian cat, Cairo. Followers felt an immediate affinity with these miniature windows into Smith's world. Original to this book are vintage photographs: anniversary pearls, a mother's keychain, and a husband's Mosrite guitar. Here, too, are photos from Smith's archives of life on and off the road, train stations, obscure cafés. In wide-ranging yet intimate daily notations, Smith shares dispatches from her travels around the world.

With over 365 photographs taking you through a single year, A Book of Days is a new way to experience the expansive mind of the visionary poet, writer, and performer.

Jerry Seinfeld

In his streaming show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld has engaged with some of the funniest people in history in classic cars, coffee shops, and diners. He has reminisced with Larry David; bantered with legends Steve Martin, Tina Fey, and Eddie Murphy; reunited with the cast of Seinfeld; and even paid a visit to President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. These and dozens of other guests talked about the intricacies of stand-up, the evolution of their careers and personal lives, and whatever else popped into their brilliant minds. Timed to the 10th anniversary of the show's debut and with an introduction from Jerry Seinfeld, this book isn't just a record of the show but instead an inventive tribute full of behind-the-scenes photos and anecdotes.

All Northwest Regional Library System Locations will be CLOSED:

Monday, January 2nd for New Year's Day

Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Join us for an interview with bestselling author, Lily Brooks-Dalton. We'll discuss her beautiful new novel, The Light Pirate. Unwind with Lily as she shares her writing and research process, love of storytelling, libraries and more! Both the eBook and eAudiobook can be placed on hold through Libby. The physical copies will be added in the collection soon!

Unstacked is a bi-monthly library podcast with author interviews. The titles can be placed on hold in the library collection as soon as they are available. Listen to Unstacked on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. CT starting January 10th

Early literacy fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories, and movement.

Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. CT

Enjoy books, songs, and activities while building early literacy skills.

Wednesday, January 4th at 4 p.m. CT

Learn the joy of storytelling and refine your writing skills with this young creative writers’ group. Registration required, and opens 3

weeks prior to each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Tuesday, January 17th at 4 p.m. CT

Assemble your party and venture forth on a short, fun adventure. Learn the basics and jump right into your first session of Dungeons &

Dragons, 5th Edition. No experience needed. Registration required, and opens 3 weeks prior to each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Wednesdays, January 11th and January 18th at 4 p.m. CT

Tackle unique LEGO engineering projects and challenges by putting basic STEM concepts into action. Registration required, and opens 3 weeks prior to each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register. Registered students will be informed of future club availability if placed on the

waiting list.

Wednesday, January 25th at 4 p.m. CT

Young fans of Japanese games, anime, and culture will enjoy this beginner class to learn Japanese words and phrases. Registration required, and opens 3 weeks prior to each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Saturday, January 28th from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. CT

Family Games include Mario Kart and a variety of board games. Parents must stay with their children. Registration is in 30-minute time blocks. Registration required. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Tuesdays at 10 - 10:30 a.m. CT *No class on January 3rd.

Come hear delightful stories, have fun with finger plays, move and groove to silly songs, and wave your scarf in the air like you just don't care!

Thursday, January 12th at 9:30 a.m. CT - Bears

Thursday, January 19th at 9:30 a.m. CT - Snowy Weather

Thursday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m. CT - Monsters

Saturday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. CT - Winter Animals

Join us for a storytime, rhymes and more!

Available while supplies last.

Thursday, January 19th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Come learn and play at the library!

Mondays at 3:30 p.m. ET

Learn new strategies, improve problem solving skills, meet new people, and have fun playing the game of Kings and Queens! All levels are welcome. Chess boards and instruction provided. Made possible in part by a grant from the Battelle Foundation and the Junior Service League of Port St. Joe.

Thursdays at 4 p.m. ET

Join us for weekly LEGO challenges, or just come show off your engineering skills with over 10,000 LEGOs! Made possible in part by a grant from the Battelle Foundation and the Junior Service League of Port St. Joe.

Monday, January 23rd at 4 p.m. ET

STEAMroom monthly challenges are designed to inspire curiosity and build creative confidence, problem solving skills and collaboration. Made possible in part by a grant from the Battelle Foundation and the Junior Service League of Port St. Joe.

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. CT

Stories, songs, finger plays & crafts to instill a love of literacy! All little ones welcome with a caregiver.

Monday, January 9th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Day with the library at this fun afterschool event. Enjoy stories, meet local police officers and have fun!

Saturday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. CT

Tuesday, January 24th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Chess is a great way to improve your critical thinking skills, and is a game that parents and children alike may enjoy together. All abilities are invited!

Saturday, January 14 at 10 a.m. CT

WHS teacher, Stuart Vines, will teach students how to create foam printmaking art. Registration required. Space Limited. Please call the library at (850) 639-2419. Sponsored by the Friends of the Wewahitchka Library.

Thursday, January 19th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Children will explore a variety of monthly challenges and experiments through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

Thursday, January 12th at 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Join us for early literacy fun as we have stories, songs, playtime and crafts.

Thursday, January 26th at 3 p.m. ET

Children will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Math through monthly challenges, experiments and creativity fostering a love of learning through play!

Tuesday, January 10th at 11 a.m. ET

Join us for early literacy fun as we have stories, songs, playtime and crafts.

Tuesday, January 24th at 3 p.m. ET

Children will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Math through monthly challenges, experiments and creativity fostering a love of learning through play!

Tuesday, January 10th at 4 p.m. CT

Want to have a say at your library, all while earning volunteer hours, making crafts, playing games, and eating snacks? Join TAB! Registration required. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Wednesday, January 11th at 2 p.m. CT

The Year of the Rabbit begins on January 22. Celebrate by learning to fold two different rabbit designs. This will be released on the library’s Northwest Regional Library System FL YouTube channel and Facebook.

Saturday, January 21th from 2 - 4 p.m. CT

Join a motley crew of adventurers and set out on a short, fun, fantasy adventure of Dungeons and Dragons, Fifth Edition geared for teens. No experience needed. Registration required, and opens 3 weeks prior to each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Tuesday, January 24th at 4 p.m. CT

Talk about anime/manga with fellow fans, participate in fun activities, and learn about Japanese culture! Registration required. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Wednesday, January 25th at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT

Games will be tournament style. Registration required. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Tuesday, January 31st at 4 p.m. CT

Make cool snow slime to celebrate the winter season. Registration is required. Please call 850-522-2118 to register.

Every other Thursday at 4:30 p.m. ET

Assemble your party and venture forth! D&D is a board game set in a fantasy world designed by the players. In play, you experience focus, problem-solving, leadership and risk assessment. Beginners welcome - we've got a starter set and character sheets to help you get started. Snacks and drinks provided, thanks to the Friends of the Gulf County Library at PSJ. Contact the library at 850-229- 8879 for more information.

Mondays at 3:30 p.m. ET

Learn new strategies, improve problem solving skills, meet new people, and have fun playing the game of Kings and Queens! All levels are welcome. Chess boards and instruction provided. Made possible in part by a grant from the Battelle Foundation and the Junior Service League of Port St. Joe.

Saturday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. CT

Tuesday, January 24th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Chess is a great way to improve your critical thinking skills, and is a game that parents and children alike may enjoy together. All abilities are invited!

Friday, January 20th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Join us for a snack, game, and to discuss future teen program ideas.

Tuesday, January 3rd at 5:30 p.m. CT

This New Year, what makes a well rounded character? Come and join the discussion! Contact Ariel at asmith@nwrls.com for more information.

Saturday, January 7th at 10 a.m. CT

First part of the class is beginner basics. The second part is for jammin'! We will have a few loaner instruments available but you are encouraged to bring your own.

Tuesday, January 10th at 2 p.m. CT

Analysis of the use of Wrath and Greed in Shakespeare's works presented by Shakespearean Scholar, Robert Lamphear.

Thursday, January 12th at 11:30 a.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. ET

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Email rfillingame@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Bay County Public Library Meeting Room.

Thursday, January 12th at 6 p.m. CT

Afterhours library concert sponsored by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries. Michael R. J. Roth has been called "a cool dark troubadour" with songs known for intriguing imagery and "deep, profound truth." He is a three-time lyric winner of the The Great American Song Contest, and lyric winner of the NSAI Song Contest, the Dallas Songwriters Association, the Austin Songwriters Group and the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.

Saturday, January 14th at 2 p.m. CT

Film: Big (PG)

Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

Friday, January 20th at 2 p.m. CT

45-minute beginner lesson, then mountain dulcimer practice. Email sburris@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet in the Youth Services Program Room.

Tuesday, January 24th at 2 p.m. CT

Learn simple steps to boost your immunity this winter presented by Christopher Cardinal from Humana. Refreshments provided.

Panama City Beach Public Library 

Fridays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Bring your knitting, crochet, or quilt projects and join other crafters for an enjoyable time. Newcomers welcome!

Wednesday, January 4th at 10:30 a.m. CT

Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

Email shill@nwrls.com for Zoom invitation or meet at the library! New members are always welcome.

Monday, January 9th at 9 a.m. CT

Learn simple steps to boost your immunity this winter presented by Christopher Cardinal from Humana. Refreshments provided.

Wednesday, January 11th at 10 a.m. CT

Come listen to the sweet songs of the mountain dulcimer, an instrument that originated in the Appalachian Mountains during the mid-1800s.

Stop by the library to find out the monthly adult craft. Bring a friend for crafting fun! Available while supplies last.

Tuesday, January 10th at 2 p.m. ET

North Florida has been blessed with an almost overwhelming ecological diversity in hidden enclaves of the northern Gulf coastal plain. Filmmaker and composer Sammy Tedder draws inspiration from nature. Join us to

see this remarkable hour-long nature film, with original score performed live by multi-talented Sammy Tedder.

Thursday, January 12th at 4 p.m. ET

Program presented by John B. Spohrer, Jr., photographer, naturalist and author of Seasons of Apalachicola and Florida's Forgotten Coast.

Tuesday, January 17th at 2 p.m. ET

Writer, photographer and naturalist Doug Alderson prefers a kayak to a desk so that he can observe wildlife in their natural environment. Most of his 15 published books focus on the dynamic and quirky nature of his home state of Florida including his latest title, Nostalgic Florida: Iconic Vintage Art of the Sunshine State.

Monday, January 23rd at 10:30 a.m. ET

January's Book: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Join us for coffee & conversation with avid readers.

Tuesday, January 24th at 2 p.m. ET

The Battle of Marianna was a small but significant engagement in the Florida Panhandle in September 1864. Join us for an account of the brutal fighting between "The Homeguard" - old men and boys too young to enlist - against the Maine Cavalry, the Vermont Volunteers and US Colored Troops, culminating in a fiery battle.

Thursday, January 26th at 2 p.m. ET

Join us for a presentation on Polynesian dance with hula instructor Denise Hatch.  Denise will share what she has learned about hula as a form of cultural performance, uniting body, mind and spirit. She will also share her collection of hula costumes from a variety of cultures, and teach us a few moves!

Tuesday, January 31st at 2 p.m. ET

Native Floridian, Kermit Brown, traces his Florida roots to the 1700s. Join us to hear delightful and nostalgic personal stories about his childhood growing up wild on Indian Pass and Apalachicola in the 1940s and 50s.

Mondays at 3:30 p.m. ET

Learn new strategies, improve problem solving skills, meet new people, and have fun playing the game of Kings and Queens! All levels are welcome. Chess boards and instruction provided. Made possible in part by a grant from the Battelle Foundation and the Junior Service League of Port St. Joe.

Fridays at 10:30 a.m. ET

Find inspiration, share a sense of accountability and meet other writers at this informal discussion-based writing group.

Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

We offer a warm, seaside welcome to anyone who is interested in needle arts. Bring your latest project and join us as we knit together a more vibrant community!

Mondays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. CT

Appointments Required. Visit the library or www.bit.ly/RealSenseTaxes to register or you may call 904-632-0600, select option 5 for Gulf County. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax filing help to residents who earn a moderate income, to people who are over 65, disabled or do not speak English well. IRS certified volunteers provide basic income tax prep with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Thursday, January 12th at 9:30 a.m. CT

Meetings are open to all members. If you are not yet a member, but are interested in supporting the Library through advocacy, volunteer work and fundraising, we invite you to join us!

Saturday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. CT

Tuesday, January 24th at 3:30 p.m. CT

Chess is a great way to improve your critical thinking skills, and is a game that parents and children alike may enjoy together. All abilities are invited!

Monday, January 23rd at 2 p.m. CT

January's Book: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

New members join our in-person discussion or join our Facebook group for questions and written commentary!

Tuesday, January 10th from 1 - 3 p.m. ET

Crafters are invited to bring your own craft and socialize with other crafters. Not currently working on a project? We have crafting supplies, adult coloring and more!

Wednesday, January 4th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Join us for the coffee, friends, and playing card games like Phase 10, Uno, Rook and more!

Thursday, January 12th from 1 - 3 p.m. ET

Crafters are invited to bring your own craft and socialize with other crafters. Not currently working on a project? We have crafting supplies, adult coloring and more!

by Lily Brooks-Dalton

As devastating weather patterns and rising sea levels wreak havoc on the state’s infrastructure, a hurricane approaches a small town on the southeastern Florida coast. Kirby Lowe, an electrical line worker, his pregnant wife, Frida, and their two sons, Flip and Lucas, prepare for the worst. When the boys go missing just before the hurricane hits, Kirby heads out in search of his children. Left alone, Frida goes into labor giving birth to an unusual child, Wanda. As Florida continues to unravel, Wanda grows adapting not only to the changing landscape, but also to the people who stayed behind in a place abandoned by civilization.

by Alexander McCall Smith

In this latest installment in the beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Grace Makutsi encounters a pair of quandaries that will require all of her and Mma Ramotswe's cleverness and generosity to resolve. Grace Makutsi’s husband, Phuti Radiphuti, is in a bind. An international firm is attempting to undercut his prices in the office furniture market. To make matters worse, they have a slick new advertising campaign that seems hard to beat. Meanwhile, Grace is approached by an old friend who has a troubled son.

by Colleen Hoover

Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date. But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter's life.

With the Libby app, you can check out five e-books and audiobooks at a time for free for 21 days. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Forgot your PIN? Just give us a call at 850-522-2100 and we'll set one up for you. And you can return items early!

To access e-books and downloadable audiobooks, click here or:

Go to www.nwrls.com

Click on Books & Research

Click on eBooks & eAudiobooks

Click on Libby to find eBooks, audiobooks and magazines

Download the Libby App to your device.

Sign in by selecting Panhandle Library Access Network.

Select Northwest Regional Library System as your library,

and login with library card number and PIN.