CHAPTER CHATS

A metal watering pail holds fall greenery and herbs, and three small gourds sit on the wooden table at its base.

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Kristen B. and Julie F. Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving! The past year and a half have brought trying times, which makes taking a moment to give thanks an exercise in hopefulness. Here’s to hoping we’re in an even better place by this time next year! If you wish to do … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving! →

by Kristen B. November 24, 2021

The cover shows a young Black woman looking to the left, dressed for the trail in a leather coat and a strap for a bag across her chest. She has a floral tattoo on the side of her neck.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis

by Kristen B. The Good Luck Girls is a flat-out running adventure of escape and escapade, complete with undead monsters, bank robberies, and a secret rebel base. In the country of Arketta, good luck girls are sold to “welcome houses” as children, basically into indentured servitude where they start as housemaids until they graduate to … Continue reading The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis →

by Kristen B. November 22, 2021

In a diamond inset, with a rural background image, the main character appears in a piked jump with blue robes flying and a conical hat with a tassel perched on her blonde hair.

Witch Hat Atelier

by Eliana, a teen volunteer at Savage Branch Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama boasts magnificent artwork, a lively world, and a complex cast of characters. It is classified as shounen (for teen boys) but is friendly for all demographics. The adult cast also actively works to protect and care for the child cast, something … Continue reading Witch Hat Atelier →

by Sarah C November 19, 2021November 20, 2021

Open two-lane road with double yellow line leading into the distance of snow-topped mountains. Bright sky with white clouds take up the top two thirds of photo.

Free Practice Driving Tests for Cars, Motorcycles & CDL

Driving-Tests.org, in partnership with Howard County Library System, offers free practice tests for those looking to obtain driving licenses or permits for cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles in Maryland. According to users, the practice test questions are very similar to the actual questions you may find on the MD MVA official exams. Essentially, if you’ve … Continue reading Free Practice Driving Tests for Cars, Motorcycles & CDL →

by jescapunk November 17, 2021

The book cover depicts a pale orange curtain falling waves, with dappled stripes of bright yellow sunlight across it. The title and author's name, with "winner of the Pulitzer Prize," are superimposed in white script.

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri

By Piyali C. In the simple, succinct, and gorgeous prose that is her trademark, Jhumpa Lahiri, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies: Stories, and other works, writes about the observations of a single, unnamed woman living alone in an unnamed city in Italy in Whereabouts. Each chapter in this book reads … Continue reading Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri →

by madammommy November 15, 2021

The book cover shows the title, "Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism," and the author's name, "Anne Applebaum," accompanied by "Winner of the Pulitzer Prize." The words are in white except for "Authoritarianism," which is in red. The background of the cover is in gradating shades of blue.

Twilight of Democracy (I hope not)

By Eric L. Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism is a great read for the current moment. The title of the book should give you a fairly good idea of what the book is about. Anne Applebaum’s area of analysis and expertise seems particularly relevant right now. Sadly, she and I agree that hate and the belief … Continue reading Twilight of Democracy (I hope not) →

by ericlblair November 12, 2021November 12, 2021

The cover depicts a soldier in fatigues, cap and boots with his duffel bag on the ground beside him, in what appears to be an airport or other waystation with a concrete floor and white tiled walls.

Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes

by Cherise T. When a novel is set in the reader’s hometown, appreciation for the story and characters extends beyond the book’s contents. When a novel is set somewhere new to the reader, that place is no longer foreign and unknowable. Literature expands memories, builds connections, creates new journeys, and fosters empathy. Books by veterans, … Continue reading Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes →

by chtasker November 10, 2021

Don’t Underestimate a Good Craft

By Peter N. First of all, a well-deserved welcome back to all of our customers! We have so enjoyed seeing your faces (or at least, half of them) in our branches once again, particularly for in-person classes and events like the one we’re sharing here. Were you one of the regular participants in Create by … Continue reading Don’t Underestimate a Good Craft →

by Peter N. November 8, 2021

Cover of We Are Water Protectors" featuring a Native American girl with long hair and four color earrings holding a feather, standing in a wave. Behind her is the moon and behind the moon are silhouettes of people holding hands.

Celebrate Native American Heritage

Join the celebration of Native American Culture and Resilience on Saturday, Nov 6 from 11 am to 3 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch. In an interview with Ani Begay Auld, member of the Navajo Nation and owner of Navabedine.com, she wants you to know, “We are still here. A lot of people put Native … Continue reading Celebrate Native American Heritage →

by Kristen B. November 5, 2021

The fall placemat depicted is of various geometric shapes and fall leaves in different colors, cut and pasted onto a blue background and then laminated.

Stress-Free Steam for Adults

By Holly L. Does the prospect of a second pandemic holiday season already have you on edge? Did you feel a pang of sadness when your kids aged out of the family craft classes? Would you like to unwind in a relaxed setting with some calming hands-on fun? Are these questions getting tedious? If you … Continue reading Stress-Free Steam for Adults →

by Holly November 3, 2021

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