Friends of the Jones Library System News

Photographer Kerry Mansfield makes art out of library books and check-out cards. Read more here or visit her website here .  Sadly, "The Giant Golden Book of Dogs, Cats, and Horses" is not  available in our library system.

Here's a fun time-waster. Create a best-selling novel out of the images and choices here and this quiz will give you the name of your autobiography.  The Friends are quietly heartbroken to learn our novel should be entitled:  Apparently we're not as special as Mom said we were.

This publisher's rejection letter from 90 years ago is the most brutal thing you'll read today. We hope.

Not too sure how to pronounce Gal Gadot's name?  What about the real  way to say nuclear ?  The Friends are here to help you sound like a true smarty pants. You're welcome.

Some Friends got 9/10. Surely you can get 10/10 .

Friends! If you need political inspiration today as you head to the polls, perhaps you'd like to read about 11 literary characters who should run for president . And if you're still undecided about that town charter thing, go visit Amherst For All and Not This Charter . Then go hit your voting station and do your civic duty. Wear your I Voted  sticker proudly, Friends.

Did you get to see the ballet? Bang a drum with Cornell Coley ? Join in with Roger Tincknell silently ? Dress Aikendrum with the Nields?  Here's your last chance to catch the  2018 Children's Music Series at the Jones.  We've got a puppet show for you! (Click on image to enlarge.)

If you're trying to write and having a tough go of it, here are some friendly bits of wisdom from folks who know. Like F. Scott Fitzgerald: "It has become increasingly plain to me that the very excellent organization of a long book or the finest perceptions and judgment in time of revision do not go well with liquor."

One cartoonist's take on the archeology of bedside books . (Click on image to enlarge.)

Trying to write the next American best seller? You don't need to find some  fancy place where all the other authors have written their  books .  Nope. Just hit your local Hardee's . Cheaper and closer, Friends.

South Korea, Argentina, India... All of them have book towns .  And? There's one in NY state.  Not too far, Friends. Road trip?

There's going to be a new illustrated Sherlock Holmes and 450 artists applied to illustrate it. They narrowed it down to 24 lucky souls. Now? Now we wait to find out. Want to see their work? Check this out .

Silver lining: this gives you a little more time to finish  The Secret History of Wonder Woman ,  in case you haven't quite yet.

We think you'll laugh out loud . We did. (Click on image to enlarge.)

At the Jones! Free! (Click on image to enlarge.)

...Romeo and Juliet had an alternate ending ?

Author by day, crime-fighting super hero by night.  Lisa Yee will be at the Jones Thursday the 22nd. Feel free to bring your lasso of truth and wear your indestructible deflecting bracelets. No invisible jets may be landed on top of the Jones Library.

Have a martini (or three) where your favorite author did in  these noteworthy cafés, bars, and restaurants .

Think again ...

Friends, it's a snow day. So you know what that  means?  Hot cocoa, baby. Hot cocoa. Here are some real recipes based on fictional characters .  Let us know if any are tasty.

And loads of other folks in NYC when you read this article on a private library in existence since 1754.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

We love you so...

According to a recent Vanity Fair article , women were better represented in Hollywood in the 1930s than they are now. According to this essay from the Journal of Cultural Analytics,  female representation in fiction was better in the 1850s than 100 years later.  What gives, world??

This Saturday's Music Series group is... (Click on image to enlarge.) THE PIONEER VALLEY BRASS TRIO!!!! A trumpet! A horn! One of those sliding wah-wah thingies! Come one, come all to this free concert this  Saturday morning.

Take the test to see if you can name all these authors by sight .

You might just want to keep it after reading a few of these:  The 12 Worst Workplaces in Contemporary Literature .

Most of us have never heard of her. Those who have know that she was one of the first Englishwoman or man to become inoculated, or "variolated," against smallpox. This article about the British aristocrat, feminist, and writer famed for her letters home from abroad, points out that "without Montagu's advocacy, scholars say, variolation might never have caught on and smallpox would have been an even greater menace than it was." Want to learn more? The library system has books of her letters right here , waiting for you.

Join us in the Woodbury Room at the Jones for a FREE performance. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Maybe you're a fan of  Misty Copeland ? Bring your budding ballet fan to the Pioneer Valley Ballet! It's free, it's at the Jones, and it's THIS SATURDAY! (Click on image to enlarge.) See you there, Baryshnikov.