Friends of the Jones Library System News

The Friends think you might like to check out these mugs for your next cup of tea. Or coffee.  Or bourbon.

The Friends think these are super cool .

It's not often a book title is your hometown.  Perhaps we should all check this one out ? It's available at the Jones, North Amherst, and Munson branches.  Appropriately enough.

FEBRUARY 28 -- THIS Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Woodbury Room, Jones Library. The Valley's favorite sister act will perform songs from their new CD, XVII, which celebrates their 17th album and the community the Nields have created over their 24 year career.  Need a Nields fix right now?   Here's a taste ...

You are invited to join us for the first program in our "On the Same Page -- Amherst" series of events on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library.  We'll explore the impact of community on identity with fun & engaging activities, which will lead into sharing and discussing "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky."  You do not have to have read the book to participate in this time of sharing and discussion about the important issues of identity and community -- all are welcome to attend! We hope you can join us!  And? Refreshments will be served!

Feeling a little invisible? A little ho-hum? We've got 50 BOOKS GUARANTEED to make you more interesting! But for the record? We never thought you were ho-hum.

Check THIS out.

EVENT: Sonia Nieto, Why We Teach Now WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. WHERE: The Odyssey Bookshop Please join the Odyssey Bookshop in welcoming Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy, and Culture, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This sequel to Nieto's popular book, "Why We Teach," features powerful stories of classroom teachers from across the country as they give witness to their hopes and struggles to teach our nations children. "Why We Teach Now" offers us the voices of teachers like 42-year veteran Mary Ginley, who wonders, "Why would anyone with any brains and imagination ever want to be a teacher?" Sonia Nieto is Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy, and Culture, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The Odyssey Bookshop requests that attendees purchase a copy of Why We Teach Now from in order to join the book signing line. To reserve a seat for this event, pleas...

Is a half-read book a failure either on the part of the writer or the reader? Or do readers  still  get something out of their reading experience that they never would have if they'd only read the books they were most likely to finish? Here's what one writer has to say ...

The most endearing and charming letters from famous authors to their fans.

Need another reason to justify that tasty burrito in your hand? Not only does Chipotle serve responsibly raised meat , they're also making you look more intellectual  as you chow down on your messy taco.

The Jones Library's Wine and Canvas registration fee is  due no later than  Wednesday, February 18th.  Want more information?   Click here , you Van Gogh, you.

Emily Temple writes: Everyone knows that, statistically at least, girls read more than boys. But the classic, canonical growing-up books, at least in American culture, tend to represent the male experience — I’m thinking  On the Road ,  The Catcher in the Rye , everything ever written by Bret Easton Ellis or Michael Chabon — and while these are great books, suitable for boys or girls, the question remains: where are the books for girls to grow up on? Want to read more? Check out  all 50 she suggests .

Libraries are more than just buildings full of books. (But you knew that already!) Learn about one author's celebration of libraries in Letter to a Future Lover .