Happy Friday! I was off work this week so I got to spend plenty of time reading and making EBB plans. Out of all my “5 on a Friday” posts, this is one of my favorites! So, grab your coffee or beverage of choice and settle in, there’s so much I want to share with you.
Friends of the Danville Library Book Sale
Last Saturday, I found myself with a wide open schedule which left me free to visit the library book sale in Danville. I got there within the first hour so there was still a great selection.
After browsing for a while, I picked up State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I loved The Dutch House and Tom Lake, so I know I’m in good hands. Ann Patchett is also the owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee; I’ve visited several times and highly recommend! My son and I attended a book signing for her children’s book, Lambslide!
I always find something good at this book sale. Below is a snapshot of the paperback fiction section. They also have hard cover fiction and new(ish) releases, children’s books, middle grade, cooking, business, travel books, and more!
The next book sale is on Saturday April, 26th. If you are looking to get even more involved, you can join Friends of the Danville Library. Benefits of being a member include (from the website):
- Free book coupon with each membership–a $4 value!
- Our “Book Wanted” request service where we find books for YOU
- Discount on the Friends’ book bag
- The Friends’ online quarterly newsletter
- Email notices on all upcoming special offers, sales, and events
Check out the membership options:
- Individual $20
- Family $30
- Enthusiast $50+
- Seniors (60+) & Teachers $10
Little Free Libraries: Book Ban Map
You may be familiar with Little Free Libraries, but did you know they offer a book ban map? Here’s how it works, from the website:
We developed this map in collaboration with PEN America and the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. Use this interactive map to find book-ban hotspots and discover the Little Free Libraries in those areas. Then use our mobile app to get directions, visit those libraries, and share banned books! Learn more about our stance on book censorship and how you can get involved in protecting the freedom to read.
Review: The Art Thief
The book I’m reviewing today is The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. I read the paperback for book club at Rakestraw Books, and I have to admit that I don’t think I would have picked it up without the nudge. It’s a true crime story about one of the most prolific art thieves to ever exist. The setting takes place across Europe from 1991 to about 2005. As others have said, this story is “stranger than fiction!” I brought it everywhere with me this week and had to force myself not to google how it all ended.
The author does a fantastic job with structure – short chapters and sentences – and the length of the book was perfect. The paperback was just over 200 pages. I can tell that every single word was carefully crafted. Finkel also takes care of the reader by reminding us of what we have already learned in earlier chapters. (When the main character is constantly stealing art, it can be confusing to keep track of the museums and cities from which he stole.)
There are three main characters that were so well developed that I started to understand why they did what they did. While reading, you may find yourself asking the question, “who does art actually belong to?” I loved the ending, definitely worth the read. Don’t forget to read the section at the end called “A Note on the Reporting” to get even more out of the experience.
This is a great book for fans of The Art Forger by BA Paris and the show, White Collar (below). If you know of similar books, let me know in the comments!
I finished the book while eating lunch at Prologue Coffee located in the Walnut Creek Library!
An Afternoon at the Library
I took my son to the Walnut Creek Library one afternoon this week and we browsed the children’s section, completed the scavenger hunt together, and then he played at Civic Park.
Lattes for Literacy
And finally, the reason I’m extra excited for today’s newsletter. I hope you have stuck with me this far. Over the last several weeks, I’ve been thinking, “what can I do to support to my local library system?” Our family already borrows books and we attend library events, but I want to do something more to donate my actual dollars and encourage other people to do the same in their communities – wherever and however that may be in dollar amounts that make sense within their budget. I think we all feel pressure that we need to have hundreds or even thousands of dollars to make a difference, but we need to remember that every single dollar counts.
Last week, on a walk to my favorite coffee shop, I came up with the idea for Lattes for Literacy. My ultimate goal through this project is encouraging other people to reflect on how they can modify daily habits and better their communities at the same time.
I launched this week on Monday, March 31st and have already set aside $7.75 just by changing my daily coffee order. The dollars really do add up! Check out my page, Lattes for Literacy, for more details and stay tuned for donation updates!
That’s it for this week! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and the weather is warming up in your area enough to get outside for some reading time!
Questions for your weekend:
- Does your area have library book sales?
- Have you ever considered being a “Friend of the Library?”
- In what ways do you or your community support your local library system?
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