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Breaking Out of Reading Ruts… Try a new genre!

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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. 

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Teen Summer Reading Explained

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How to complete the Teen Summer Reading Challenge!

This year’s theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library and we are embracing that theme by launching a brand new TEEN Summer Reading Program for ages 12-18! Unlike children’s and adult’s summer reading, this is NOT a bingo challenge. 

To complete the Teen Summer Reading Challenge you need to:

  1. Read books
  2. Learn new skills/ visit new places
  3. Attend Summer Reading Program events

OR!  Mix & match so that you have completed a total of 5 from any of the categories. 

The first and third categories are pretty self explanatory, but number 2 might not be – so here are some examples of skills you could acquire this summer! 

  • Take a CPR or babysitting class
  • Learn how to fish
  • Try a new kind of art
  • Participate in a new sport
  • Learn how to use a new tool
  • Do the laundry (from hamper to dresser)
  • Make a new kind of food
  • Take a summer class
  • Make a resume
  • Advocate for yourself

This is not a complete list, but we hope it serves as inspiration for how you can use the Teen Summer Reading Challenge to make the most of your summer!

Stop by the library on June 17th or later to pick up your log and take home a free book!

When you complete the challenge, turn in your log to get a t-shirt, a frisbee, your choice of stickers and fidget toys, and a RAFFLE TICKET!

Remember – for each book review you send to mmlyouth@yarmouthlibrary.org you get another raffle ticket.

Feel free to email the youth services staff with any additional questions at mmlyouth@yarmouthlibrary.org!

 

 

Afrofuturism: A Brief Exploration…

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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…

Wellness Series Launch

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Introduction to the Series

Happy New Year (albeit half a month into 2024 at the time of writing this post) from your friendly librarians at MML!

This year we are partnering with Community Services (CS) and Aging in Place (AIP) to launch a year-long Wellness Series of programs geared towards our community elders while appealing to adults of all ages. In addition to programs hosted by the library and/or CS, the library will be providing bimonthly bibliographies and displays pertaining to:

  • Physical Wellness in JANUARY/FEBRUARY
  • Spiritual Wellness in MARCH/APRIL
  • Emotional Wellness in MAY/JUN
  • Social/Communal Wellness in JULY/AUGUST
  • Financial, Occupational & Intellectual Wellness in SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
  • Tying up loose ends & finding an all-encompassing *Sense of Purpose* in NOVEMBER/DECEMBE

First up, if you are looking for some specific recommendations for books, audiobooks, and movies (documentaries, exercise videos, etc.) pertaining to the topic of physical wellness, I’ve compiled this interactive spreadsheet with suggested titles on numerous topics inside the broader discussion of physical wellness. Read More…

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