A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne Brown
by Eliana, teen volunteer at HCLS Savage Branch In true Eliana fashion, I started to blitz through this title as an audiobook. I had to ask my librarian friend, Sarah, “Is it just me or are these characters just the most emotionally stunted dolts I have ever not actually come across?” I love them so … Continue reading A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne Brown
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
By Sahana C. TW: Parental abuse & abandonment, homophobia & homophobic slurs, bullying In Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun, Julián Luna is determined to make the most of his senior year of high school. He has plans on how he’ll make that happen: spending as much time as possible with his best friends, playing soccer, graduating, getting into UCLA, and, … Continue reading Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
A Conversation & Cooking Demo with Author Laila El-Haddad
by Kristen B. Author and Journalist Laila El-Haddad discusses the history of spices and cuisine from the Middle East and demonstrates some of her recipes in this special virtual event on January 20. Her book is extraordinary, clearly a labor of love. She talks about living and political conditions in Gaza, while also providing recipes … Continue reading A Conversation & Cooking Demo with Author Laila El-Haddad
New Year’s Resolutions, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Great Gatsby
By Eric L. Well, it’s the new year! The last two years have been a bit of a…(Fill in the blank with whatever you’d like here). Personally, I’ve spent the last two weeks at home since my spouse and kids have all had very mild cases of COVID, thankfully! That said, I like a new … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Great Gatsby
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
By Gabriela P. American Dirt’s story begins with Lydia’s family joyously gathering to celebrate her niece’s quinceanera. The day quickly becomes the beginning of a nightmare when the party is suddenly interrupted by a group of men with no regard for human life launching a violent attack. Lydia and her son, Luca, make it out … Continue reading American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Lawrence Lanahan and The Lines Between Us
By Holly L. Journalist Lawrence Lanahan’s 2019 book The Lines Between Us: Two Families and a Quest to Cross Baltimore’s Racial Divide opens with two epigraphs: It’s in the way their curtains open and close. “Respectable Street,” XTC I don’t even have to do nothing to you. “Big Brother,” Stevie Wonder The first line comes … Continue reading Lawrence Lanahan and The Lines Between Us
Get Cozy and Crafty with the DIY Collection at Elkridge
by Emily T. and Eric L., HCLS Elkridge Branch In this dark and chilly season, creative activities like making and baking can light us up from within. Tapping into creativity is a proven mood-booster, whether you complete a masterpiece or simply enjoy the process. With the DIY Collection at Elkridge, find a trove of inspiration … Continue reading Get Cozy and Crafty with the DIY Collection at Elkridge
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
by Kristen B. Oona Out of Order is a slightly different sort of time travel novel … Oona’s mind jumps randomly from year to year into her chronologically aging body, always on her birthday, which happens to be January 1. Imagine never being quite sure what year you’re in, although you’re always you. What would … Continue reading Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
Thank you for reading in 2021
Thanks for reading Chapter Chats through another year of pandemic and uncertainty. We now have more than 180 followers, who have viewed posts almost 40,000 times (maybe we’ll be influencers soon?). The library went through some big changes, from contactless pickup to having all six branches fully open again. We talked about all sorts of … Continue reading Thank you for reading in 2021
Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
By Sahana C. Half Sick of Shadows caught me with its premise. Billed as a feminist version of Arthurian legend, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. King Arthur, the Round Table, and all of the many stories of knights and chivalry are…really not known for their peak feminist content. In fact, the two major women within Arthurian legend, Guinevere and Morgana, both end up being villains and … Continue reading Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
CHAPTER CHATS 