November 29, 2018

10 Fascinating Facts About The Handmaid’s Tale


Disturbing. Thought-provoking. Acclaimed dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale has been made into multiple adaptations. Here are 10 things you perhaps didn't know about the most recent TV series.


November 28, 2018

Are You Obsessed With Books?


Silly question. 'Course you are. You wouldn't be staring at this particular thing on your screen if you weren't. You'd be watching this.

But since you're here, look at these photos and click how they make you feel. You'll find out how truly obsessed you really are.


November 26, 2018

Buying a novel in the digital age


Tom Gauld, a Scottish illustrator, nails it.

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Like it? His books are in the CW/MARS system.

If you're over 12


whatever you do, don't read these books. The article says specifically that you're supposed to read them before you you're 12. 


We're not quite sure what happens if you try them after 12. Maybe you can let us know?

November 25, 2018

10 animals who've broken into the library



Some of them are so adorably cute (four little baby raccoons in New Jersey). 
Some of them are utterly terrifying (we're looking at you, Georgetown library snake knot).

Yet.

14 Illustrations That’ll Make All Book Lovers Laugh


This illustrator really gets how it is to be a bookworm.


November 24, 2018

Here Be Dragons: A Creature Identification Quiz



You're an amateur cryptozoologist, setting out on an adventure to evaluate evidence of monsters around the world. On your plane ride to your first destination, we recommend you bone up on your monster lore here.

Good luck.

C. S. Lewis, W. H. Auden, & Edmund Wilson on "The Lord of the Rings"



We'll give you a hint. One of them said, "No fiction I have read in the last five years has given me more joy."

November 23, 2018

100 Notable Books of 2018


On these cold winter nights, snuggle up under a blanket in front of a fire and read, read, read!


Richard Russo’s Advice on Writing Through Self-Doubt



Be like Odysseus. Strap yourself to the mast of the ship as the siren songs of fear and doubt try to drown your hope and ability, and keep going.

The misuse of wealth to distort law


Book talk and signing.

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November 22, 2018

Thankful


Friends, as we sit down together to break bread and remember the good in our lives, we want to make sure you know how very much we appreciate you. The Friends of the Jones Library System literally could not survive without community support. You complete us.


This Thanksgiving, please know that the Friends are thankful for all of you.

Our Friends.

November 20, 2018

What a good guy


Stephen King has been selling rights to his short stories that aren't under contract to students. And some high schoolers in Wales just bought one for $1. But it's not only those kids who can buy Stephen King short story rights. You can, too.


Why kids say they love fairy tales



One big reason? They speak to universal themes of good versus evil and moral values like hard work and kindness. Here they are, in their own words.


November 19, 2018

Judge a book by its cover. Go for it.


Here's a little online quiz to test how well you know your book covers. 
Surely you can beat our 16/18. 



Respecting differences of political opinion


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November 18, 2018

Folk tales & traditional life snuck into Soviet kids’ books


Here are some Soviet children's books that broke the rules of propaganda. "The more you dig into Soviet children's literature the more you find outliers doing really interesting things..."


The 10 graphic novels everyone should read



Although it didn't win this year's Man Booker prize, for the first time ever, a graphic novel was short-listed for it. If you're not familiar with the genre, here are some recommendations to get you started.

November 17, 2018

Time to get comfy cozy.


Take this little time-waster to find out "what kind of 'smart' you are" based on the way you'd build your perfect reading nook. The Friends learned we "visualize the world in a way that no one else can, and that's what makes you special and unique."

Proving once again that Mom was right: we are special.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society


It's a great read (and it's available here!) but it sure is a mouthful to say. 
And that's just when you're saying it in English


Pick up a copy in Naples and you'll be reading Il Club del Libro e Della Torta di Bucce di Patata di Guernsey. Bop over to Krakow and you've got Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Literatury i Placka z Kartoflanych Obierek. The French opted to lop of half the title with their Le Cercle Littéraire de Guernesey. And our friends the Islanders? Well, we have no way to even write that one. See it for yourself.

November 16, 2018

Outlawing alphabet letters


"Restricting a minority language...is one way to oppress a minority." Find out why the letters Q, W, & X were illegal in Turkey. Until 2013.


Fictional characters we'd want to write love letters to...


Well of course Mr. Darcy's on the list. 
But you might be surprised who else makes the cut.


November 15, 2018

BOOK SALE, baby!


Friends! FRIENDS! 
Tomorrow night for us, Saturday for EVERYONE! 
Woo hoo! Yippee skippee!

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Poetry reading for FREE!


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Wuthering Heights told in charts


This will appeal to the PowerPoint geek in all of us.


November 14, 2018

5 Good Writing Habits You Need to Learn Now


With the Two-Minute Rule, the Friends think this might actually be possible!


Quotes from modern African poetry


"The following bits of poetry contain perspectives which may have eluded readers in the United States, where African culture remains chronically unknown and undervalued. Spare a moment for these poets..."

You must be from my country
I see it by the tick
of your soul around the eyelashes
and besides you dance when you are sad
you must be from my country.

November 13, 2018

A human book conveyor belt



A shop in England asked for 100 volunteers to 
help "lift and shift" their books down the street. 


"Crazy Rich Asians" Fun Facts


Adored the book? Loved the movie? Here are a few more tidbits about the film that you might not have known. And if you want to watch it all over again, the movie's in the CWMARS system.


You're welcome.

November 12, 2018

Public school winter clothing drive


This year the Jones Library is serving as a collection point for the Amherst Regional Public Schools winter clothing drive. There's a box in the Kids' Room to collection donations and a school volunteer will be coming weekly to pick up donations. 

The Jones will serve as a collection location from Nov. 7th through Nov. 28th. The three town elementary schools will be the distribution places for donated items.

We need winter coats, jackets, and other outdoor winter clothing for both ARPS students and community families.

ALL SIZES ARE NEEDED (infant to XL)

coats  *  jackets  *  snow pants  *  snow boots
hats  *  mittens  *  gloves
scarves  *  snowsuits

Donations should be clean and in good condition.

The Slave Master of Trinidad

(Just after the Friends book sale ends!)

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Almost here!


The Friends annual book sale is coming right up. 
Friends Only "Browse & Buy" Friday, Nov. 16 6:30pm-8:00pm.
Not a Friend? Not a problem!

Then, open to the general public Saturday, Nov. 17, 9:00am-3:00pm.


See you at the Jones!

November 10, 2018

"Eyes on the Prize" film & discussion TUESDAY!


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Can you spell these 15 tricky spelling words?


It's a time-waster, sure, but it's a fun one. And? It's quick. Try the Merriam-Webster Difficult Spelling Words quiz. It's got 14 of the most difficult common English words and one difficult word that's ... less common.

Good luck.

November 9, 2018

The Barbarian’s Cookbook


A newly translated 17th century cookbook from Japan features delicacies from Portugal. Want to make some konpeitō candy (pictured below)? Read more here... 


November 7, 2018

The best books about history’s forgotten women


"From lesbian lovers in Dickensian England to the British female doctor who lived as a man...journalist and broadcaster Jenni Murray celebrates history's lesser-known women."


November 6, 2018

We want to hear from YOU!


Collect your thoughts! 
Mark your calendars! 
Bring your buddies!

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November 5, 2018

Why Every Writer Should Have a Dog


Actually? 
The Friends would argue that everyone needs a dog. 
But we'll settle for encouraging writers for now...


November 4, 2018

It's okay to walk away.


Here's an article giving you various authors' takes on giving up. "A man's only got so many yeses inside him before he uses them all up."

November 3, 2018

BLIMEY!


Britishisms are great. 
Here are a few fun ones to incorporate into your conversations today. 


Pip-pip, Friends!

November 2, 2018

Harry Potter at 20


NPR delved into the ever-expanding wizarding world with this look at the New York Historical Society's exhibit on Harry Potter at 20.  Arthur Levine is the editor responsible for bringing Harry Potter to American shores. He says, "Even though I was not an orphan and I'm not English...what I could relate to so strongly was this idea that maybe there's something inside of you that nobody else can see."


Harry Potter's appeal in a nutshell.

Got space?


An Amherst public school librarian and a parent volunteer are trying to launch a summer bookmobile! Can you help them store their books until they can get them to students this summer?

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Fall clean-up day rescheduled.


For when it's NOT raining cats and dogs.

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How to possibly fit reading into an overcrowded schedule?



"Say, 'Now is our reading time. 
We can read together or each read our own books.'" 
Here are a few more ideas for fostering a love of reading.

November 1, 2018

Author reading at The Emily Dickinson Museum TONIGHT!

Go get your culture on, Friends!

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The literary life of Jimmy Fallon



Jimmy Fallon's late night musings can be surprisingly literary. 
Here are all the best bookish moments for you to enjoy!