Librarying

January 2025

"New year -

a new chapter,

new verse, or just the

same old story?

Ultimately we write it.

The choice is ours."

- Alex Morritt

Upcoming Events

New Book Spotlight

It's 1913 when Mina, the young and carefree daughter of a Jewish merchant, roams into a forest on the edge of the Baltic Sea looking for mushrooms. Instead, she encounters a gang of unruly, charismatic Bolsheviks--an adventure that will become the stuff of familial lore for generations to come. Intending to save her from further corruption, and in an act that forever changes the trajectory of their family's life, Mina and her eldest brother, Jossel, board a ship to England.

There the threat of a different war looms large. When WWI hits, Jossel is sent to the front, where he keeps a severely wounded soldier in his unit alive 'til morning by telling him tales--including that his sister Mina will marry him if he survives. The soldier lives and asks for Mina's hand, their marriage uniting two growing trade dynasties. But over time Mina and Jossel will learn that not everyone in their family has survived the wars and pogroms, even as they and their offspring struggle to build new lives in Liverpool in the midst of ever-shifting discriminations.

Based on the author's own family history and legends, The Story of the Forest is a remarkable record of family lore; a meditation on the power of stories to ground us, particularly in the face of life's inevitable losses, told with a keen wit and a sharp eye to the charms and the foibles of family by masterful British novelist Linda Grant.

Explore Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crochet, with 30 unique and darling crochet patterns

Whether a novice or an experienced crocheter, this amigurumi crochet book allows anyone to pick up a needle and complete these cuddly creations, making it one of the best crochet books for beginners.

Author and amigurumi guru Lauren Espy inspires crocheters with easy crochet patterns for beginners, including pictures and helpful instructions. Lauren always takes the crochet patterns one step at a time to ensure that your finished product is as cute as the creation on the page!

In Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns, amigurumi is explored through 30 playful, easy-to-follow patterns in a variety of themes, including:

• In the Garden

• At the Aquarium

• Down on the Farm

• At the Bakery

About the author, Lauren Espy is the owner and designer behind A Menagerie of Stitches, a shop dedicated to creating crocheted amigurumi. Her love for amigurumi (and yarn!) all started after her grandma gifted her a set of crochet hooks and a book about amigurumi one Christmas.

The Obama’s Higher Ground Productions company is currently working with author Angeline Boulley to develop the series for Netflix.

Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team.

Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source.

Now, as the deceptions—and deaths—keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

Remember to check Hoopla's changing list of Bonus Borrows

available during the last 7 days of each month!

"And don't think the garden loses its ectasy in winter.

It's quiet down there. But the roots are rioutous." - Rumi

**Save the date for our next program with Stacia Libby!

IMBOLC intention jar class Wednesday, February 12th**

Contact Elizabeth Bartlett at 860-767-1252

for additional information about upcoming programs!

Book Clubs

January 21

3:30 pm

All the Beauty in the World

by Patrick Bringley

January 17

4:00pm

The Villa

by Rachel Hawkins

Book List of the Month

NPR: Books We Love

From Furnace Room to Community Room

We’re excited to announce our renovation project turning the old furnace room into a new community room! To make this vision a reality, we need your support. Your generous donations will directly contribute to enhancing our facilities and enriching the experiences of all who visit. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal.

Together, we can breathe new life into our space and continue to serve our community with excellence. Please consider donating today and be a part of the transformation. Your kindness will leave a lasting impact for years to come.

Click this link to be taken to our Community Room donation page

“She wasn’t interested in telling other people’s futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.” – The Raven Boys, Maggie Stiefvater