Banned Books Week

Once again, it's Banned Books Week! The American Library Association states, "This year's Banned Books Week theme is Censorship is a Dead End. Find Your Freedom to Read. Censorship limits exploration and creates barriers to access information. The path toward the freedom to read starts at the library." 

As a public library we are all about celebrating our (and your) right to read. This is why we make a point to provide our patrons with access to materials and programs covering a wide variety of topics. As Jo Godwin said, "A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone."  Be a rebel reader and check out some of the books below to see what all of the hype was about. 

The Top 10 Most Challenged Books From 2019 

(And the top reason they were challenged)

 George by Alex Gino

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teen Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

- Challenged for featuring a gay marriage

I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

- Challenged for containing profanity

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

- Challenged for referring to magic and witchcraft

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

- Challenged for containing LGBTQIA+ content

Ahoy, Me Hearties!

Blimey! September 19th was National Talk Like a Pirate Day, but it's not too late to celebrate! One of arrr displays upstairs is featuring all kinds of pirate-y goodness for yer reading and watching pleasure. Don't be a scallywag! Scope out the treasures below.

Ye can place a hold on any of these by clicking on the links below and logging into yer SHARE account or by calling EFPL at 608-882-2260. Savvy?
 

Fer the Wee Lads & Lassies:

No Pirates Allowed! said Library Lou by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle

Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman

Fer the Young Adult Crew:

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Never Never by Brianna Shrum

These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Fer Adult Mateys:

Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson

Lost Boy by Christina Henry

A Pirate's Life for She by Laura Sook Duncombe

Tune it Out & Turn this Up!

Despite everything going on in the world, artists are still striving to create. No matter how you listen to it; by streaming, on CD or vinyl, or over the radio; music is always a great way to escape but feel connected to others at the same time. 

Here are some albums that have come out recently. Give them a listen. It might be just what you need.

You can place a hold on any of these CDs by clicking the links below and logging into your SHARE account or by calling EFPL. Most of them can also be download on HOOPLA. 

Smile by Katy Perry

Goldmine by Gabby Barrett

Honk by The Rolling Stones

Folklore by Taylor Swift

Born Here Live Here Die Here by Luke Bryan

Gaslighter by The Chicks

Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan

First Rose of Spring by Willie Nelson

Map of the Soul: 7 - The Journey by BTS

Brightest Blue by Ellie Goulding

"But I returned that the other day..."

One of the many safety precautions we have taken to help keep our staff and patrons safe is quarantining returned items. This is a necessary step because there just isn't really a way to completely disinfect a book or other library materials without damaging them. This new process has of course caused a little confusion here and there, which is totally understandable. One of the phone calls we frequently receive goes along the lines of, "I returned that the other day, but it's still showing up on my account." So here's an insider's look with details on your returned item's journey after you leave it in the outside bookdrop.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: RACHEL HARTMAN

Rachel Hartman is the author of three young adult novels: Seraphina, Shadow Scale, and Tess of the Road.  She was born in Kentucky and started out drawing comic books.  Hartman's debut novel, Seraphina, was the winner of the William C. Morris Award.  This award goes to a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. More information about her novels is listed below.

Seraphina takes place in a world where dragons and humans live together, and dragons can assume human form.  The title character, grows up without her mother as she died in childbirth.  As the story unfolds, Seraphina must come to terms with her own identity amid magical secrets, royal scandals, and growing unrest.

Shadow Scale is the sequel to Seraphina.  This novel picks up where the first book left off, with war breaking out between the dragons and humans.  Seraphina must travel to find others to aid Goredd in the war.

Tess of the Road returns to the world created in Hartman's previous books.  This time, the central character is a girl choosing her own path.  Tess frequently gets into trouble and eventually she goes too far.  Her family decides that she should enter a nunnery.  However, on the day she is supposed to join the nuns, Tess makes a decision to journey toward something else.

If you enjoyed Seraphina, you may also like these novels:

Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley

Picture from https://ent.sharelibraries.info/client/en_US/evansint/search/results?qu=Seraphina&te=&lm=SRCH_LMT-EVANSVILLE