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Staff Picks

Track Your Reading with The StoryGraph

posted on - January 2, 2025

Want to keep track of your reading like a librarian? Start using The StoryGraph! The StoryGraph is a personal reading tracker that can be used on your computer or by downloading their app. 

In 2020 I started reading more and, therefore, started forgetting what I read more… Enter The StoryGraph! Not only does The StoryGraph keep a list of your reads, it uses that data to give you a breakdown of the “moods” and genres you like to read, your most read authors, the number of pages read or hours listened to, etc. All in graph format! 

The StoryGraph knows that they are an underdog compared to the Amazon-owned giant, Goodreads, but they make the switch really easy with an option to import your Goodreads data. People who are loyal to Goodreads might like to hear that on The StoryGraph you can give the books you review a half and even QUARTER STAR RATING! The StoryGraph is quickly becoming a social reading app as well with options to follow your friends and participate in buddy reads.

If you need any more persuading, I’d love to tell you about my favorite feature. Gone are the days of taking pictures of covers or writing down titles you are interested in on a post-it (that will inevitably be washed in your pocket) because The StoryGraph has… a BARCODE SCANNER! Now when I see a new book that I want to read (but I know I already have too many books checked out) all I have to do is open The StoryGraph and scan the ISBN barcode to add it to my To-Read Pile. The StoryGraph will even give you highly personalized book recommendations (just like your local librarians)! 

If tracking your reading is a New Year’s resolution of yours, I highly recommend you download The StoryGraph today!

-Ivy

Lunch & Learn Series 2024-2025: A Deep Dive into Nature

posted on - November 8, 2024

Eager to embark on a life-long learning adventure at MML? From October 2024 (already happened) to May/June 2025 (final program details pending), we will be sponsoring a pilot “Lunch & Learn” series, generally on Tuesday from either 11 am-noon or noon-1pm, depending on speaker availability. 

The topic of this academic year, if you will, is “A Deep Dive into Nature,” covering a wide range of topics: from ethical seaweed harvesting to foraging for fungi and forest bathing, among others.

The first program we hosted was in October. Past presenter, Nick Lund from the Maine Audubon Society based in Falmouth, came last month to speak about the state of native Maine birds. Don’t worry if you missed it. We will almost certainly have him back next year. 

[Read more…] about Lunch & Learn Series 2024-2025: A Deep Dive into Nature

Breaking Out of Reading Ruts… Try a new genre!

posted on - July 3, 2024

Have you read and re-read the same books and authors too many times? Are you looking for something new to break yourself out of a reading rut? Try a new genre!

See below a snapshot view of the following 10 genres (and sub-genres). Please use them as a gateway/portal to a new reading realm. 🙂 Just as an FYI, they aren’t in any particular order, though I’ve tried to place genres that are related close to one another on the list (i.e.: Fantasy, Magical Realism, and Science Fiction, etc.) Also, note that there is often a lot of overlap between genres so if you’d categorize a title or author in a different genre than I have, we are BOTH probably right. Finally, the suggested authors listed for each genre are in no way comprehensive. They are just a starting point. 

If you have any questions or would like more suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Courtney at ckleftis@yarmouthlibrary.org. 

  • Literary Fiction 
  • Domestic Fiction 
  • Romance 
  • Historical Fiction
  • Suspense/Thriller & Psychological Thriller
  • Horror
  • Mystery & Cozy Mystery 
  • Fantasy & Mythology Retellings 
  • Magical Realism 
  • Science Fiction (SciFi)

[Read more…] about Breaking Out of Reading Ruts… Try a new genre!

Adult Summer Reading 2024

posted on - June 14, 2024

Summer Reading Adult BINGO Challenge (June-Sept. 2024)

Get ready for this summer’s adult BINGO challenge!!! 🙂 The theme of Summer Reading this year is “Adventure Begins At Your Library,” so many of the activity-oriented (vs. reading) squares involve an adventure of some kind. For the squares that involve reading, Courtney has provided 10 title recommendations per category. Read on!

[Read more…] about Adult Summer Reading 2024

Afrofuturism: A Brief Exploration…

posted on - February 14, 2024

What is Afrofuturism? 

Think literature, art, and film with a strong drive toward social justice and Black liberation through the lens of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and/or Magical Realism (all different sub-genres of Speculative Fiction). If you’re curious to learn more about any of those literary trends in particular, stay tuned for a future blog series coming this Spring. Your friendly Adult Services Librarian is currently developing a long-term plan for this new blog series. 

Afrofuturist literature is highly innovative, politically-charged, and takes all the elements of the fantastical that could be dismissed as mere escapist “fantasies” to a much more grounded level. (Not that I have anything against fantasy that lacks a political charge or a commitment to social justice for marginalized communities. Escapism is totally valid. We live in a chaotic world from which we often want nothing more than to escape, even if the escape is only temporary and in our collective imaginations). Pardon my rant… 🙂 [Read more…] about Afrofuturism: A Brief Exploration…

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215 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine 04096

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