Chapter Chats is moving (HERE) to Howard County Library System’s newly designed website at hclibrary.org. As of today, November 19, this is the final post on chapterchats.org. We will still provide all the same great library news and reviews in our new home, but expanded to include even more information.
Thank you for supporting this blog since it started in April 2020! We have published 830 entries, for almost 100,000 visitors. We will continue to provide you the same great content, but we’re headed home to be part the library’s website.
We’re excited to introduce your redesigned HCLibrary.org — a fresh, modern site built around what you need. Designed with our community in mind, the new site brings everything you love about the library together in one easy-to-navigate digital home.
We listened closely to your feedback to reimagine how the website can best serve you. The result is a digital experience that mirrors the exceptional service you expect in our branches, helping you learn, grow, and connect wherever you are.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s new:
Recommendations: Find your next favorite book.
Digital Library: Read, watch, and learn anywhere.
Library of Things: Free tools, art, games, and more.
Centers & Spaces: Explore spaces to learn, grow, and connect.
News & Blog: Reviews, events, and updates from your Library.
For You: Discover what’s made for you by age, interest, or need.
Sun, Nov 23 | 2 –3 pm HCLS Miller Branch For adults. Register at bit.ly/Author-Adichie
Chimamanda Adichie, the bestselling and award-winning author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists— converses about her new novel, Dream Count. In this highly anticipated new release, Adichie tells the story of four women and their loves, longings, and desires.
The story’s main character, Chiamaka, is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until, broken-hearted, she must turn to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin who works as a financial powerhouse in Nigeria, begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, proudly raising a daughter in America, faces unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve.
In Dream Count, Adichie trains her fierce eye on these women in a sparkling, transcendent novel about the very nature of love itself. A reflection on the choices we make and those made for us, on daughters and mothers, on our interconnected world, Dream Count pulses with emotional urgency in language that soars with beauty and power.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Enugu, Nigeria in 1977. She grew up on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where her father was a professor and her mother was the first female registrar. She studied medicine for a year at Nsukka then left for the US at the age of 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in Communication and Political Science.
She has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Arts degree in African History from Yale University. Her first novel, Purple Hibiscus, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, won the Orange Prize. Her 2013 novel Americanah won the US National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of The New York Times Top Ten Best Books of 2013. Her latest book, Dream Count, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Our next chapter starts soon when the blog moves to the newly redesigned hclibrary.org. All the same great reviews and news, plus more library information!
Required Reading: Texts for Change Mon, Nov 10 | 7 – 8:30 pm online Reading: Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World by Scott Shigeoka For adults. Registration required. This quarterly book club of the HCLS Equity Resource Center & Collection is designed for people who are curious and committed to equity. The club explores three nonfiction books each year plus a summer fiction title. Together, we’ll engage with texts that challenge assumptions, introduce new frameworks, and spark deeper reflection about equity. This isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about reading with intention, sitting with complexity, and learning together in community.
On a road trip across the United States, Scott Shigeoka spent a year traveling to small towns, political rallies, and churches. He encountered people whose beliefs and backgrounds differed greatly from his own. He did so to practice curiosity.
Rather than leading with assumptions or judgment, he asked questions, listened to stories, and shared his own experiences. In a space where he seemed (at first) to have little in common with those around him, he discovered points of connection. That is the nature of curiosity: it has the power to bring people together, turn differences into bridges of understanding, and create moments of meaningful connection. An internationally recognized curiosity expert, Scott joins us for an evening dedicated to discovering how curiosity can transform the way we relate to each other—and ourselves. Speaking about his book Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, he shares stories from his travels, introduces practical, research-based strategies for deepening curiosity, and guides participants through exercises.
Scott Shigeoka is a Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. His work blends science, storytelling, and lived experience to help people strengthen relationships, foster understanding, and build well-being. His popular TED Talk received a standing ovation, and he has been featured on the Today Show, PBS, the Harvard Business Review, and The New York Times.
Our next chapter starts soon when the blog moves to the newly redesigned hclibrary.org. All the same great reviews and news, plus more library information!
Sun, Nov 9 | 2 – 3:30 pm HCLS Miller Branch For adults. Register here.
“Lucid and expansive, Richard Bell’s book presents vivid characters who reveal the global stage and stakes of a revolution that was American and much more.”—Alan Taylor, two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Revolutions: A Continental History
Dr. Richard Bell discusses his new book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, a fascinating and unfamiliar recasting of America’s war of independence as a transformative international event. The American Revolution was not only the colonies’ triumphant liberation from the rule of an overbearing England; it was also a cataclysm that pulled in participants from around the globe and threw the entire world order into chaos.
Repositioning the Revolution at the center of an international web, this narrative history ranges far afield. As our lens widens, the “War of Independence” manifests itself as a sprawling struggle that upended the lives of millions of people on every continent and fundamentally transformed the way the world works.
The American Revolution and the Fate of the World conveys the impact of these developments at home and abroad by grounding its narrative in the gripping stories of individuals. The result is an unforgettable new perspective on America’s founding fight that shifts everything we thought we knew about our creation story.
Dr. Richard Bell received a BA from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D from Harvard University. He holds tenure as a full professor in the Department of History at the University of Maryland. He has published four books and more than a dozen articles and book chapters. His major research fellowships include Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress. Dr. Bell is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship.
Caretaking for elderly adults with limited mobility demands physical strength, mental flexibility, and proper education, as I have learned from personal experience. A caretaker is not there only as a nurse but also as financial and emotional support. When my octogenarian loved one was diagnosed with an incurable illness, her amazing medical team showed up for her in the hospital but left me on my own to figure out how to tend to her needs once she was discharged.
I received numerous messages from the close circle of my kindhearted friends who kept reminding me to make sure I was taking care of myself, too. As one put it: caregiving for an elderly adult is the hardest job in the world. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Those were the words of wisdom I wish I had taken to heart before caregiving started taking its toll on me. I experienced setbacks numerous times. One day I would be more hopeful for her, but the next day would push me back to the verge of despair.
While still at the hospital, her case manager found a rehab facility to keep my patient as long as she needed – but after visiting and seeing the sad reality of how the rehab center functioned, I realized that I would not be able to forgive myself if I made that choice. I told myself: lets see how much I can expend from myself in terms of taking some time off from work to manage my patient’s house as well as her medical needs to ultimately try to make her life as comfortable as possible.
For nutrition, I took from my experience of cooking from different recipes around the world. At Howard County Library System, a large selection of cookbooks for special diets with medical conditions not only made my personal daily goals more enjoyable, they helped me share the idea behind each meal with my patient, who could see these efforts help her feel better despite having a very small appetite. One I can recommend is The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson. A considerable number of self-help books about caretaking and related topics gave me a broader view of how to react in different situations (see list below).
During many sleepless nights while watching my patient, I found an opportunity to work on my delayed handmade projects. While working quietly on my crafts, e-audiobooks from Libby, cloud library, and Hoopla became my late-night companions. The handmade world was like a sweet scent of cinnamon and cardamom sprinkling over the world, as opposed to the unpleasant smell of medications, pain, sadness, and uncertainty. I learned that I had to fill my own cup first; you can’t pour from an empty cup. For me, I needed to work on my art and being creative, doing exercise, writing, singing – essentially any hobby that can keep the hands and mind occupied.
Hoopla with its various fitness channels also helped me to do my daily workout without being interrupted by unrelated advertisements on social media. I had limited time for myself every day and I had to keep my spirit and physical health in a better condition in order to help my patient. Technology became a useful tool to bring some discipline to my loved one’s daily recovery routine. I found workout videos online from the different universities for the public view to help a loved one practice healthy movement at home.
During this journey, I also learned about the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, who offer classes and group conversations for caregivers dealing with elderly adults with dementia, cancer, and other conditions. These events are free of charge and encourage caregivers to participate and take benefit from the services of this department. During my conversations with them, I learned how to reach a representative once I face questions that my patient’s medical team may not be available to answer.
I share my experiences for those who may be going through similar experiences. You are not alone. You have so many good resources through HCLS, along with other resources that life provides for you. We all gain a lot of experiences in life by trying different things for ourselves and for our families. We lose and we gain over and over – because it’s all about the patient that we spending our time with. It’s something that doesn’t happen to everyone but happens to many. I call it becoming more.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here are some of many resources available at the library that helped me in my mental health journey while caregiving:
Thu, Nov 6 | 4:30 – 6:30 pm t HCLS East Columbia Branch For ages 11- 18. Registration required at bit.ly/bauder2025
Celebrate the voices of young Black girls in literature at this year’s Bauder Book Talk. Ashley Woodfolk shares how the stories center joy, magic, and truth while creating space for Black teens to see themselves on the page.
Middle and high school students are invited to hear directly from the author and receive a free copy of Blackout.
Ashley Woodfolk is one of the many co-authors of Blackout, an acclaimed YA novel that follows thirteen teenagers in six interlinked stories. After a summer heatwave causes a citywide power outage in New York City, Black teens explore love, friendships, and hidden truths over the course of a single day. Woodfolk is the critically acclaimed author of The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything. Her work explores love, loss, friendship, and the complexities of finding one’s voice. A former publishing professional, Woodfolk is celebrated for her lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply with teens.
Bauder Book Talks is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Lillian Bauder, a community leader and Columbia resident. Howard County Library System presents this annual endowed author event, for under-served students in grades 6-8 attending public schools in Columbia with high percentages of African American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students. Authors and titles selected are high-interest and high-quality on topics of social issues, equity, and related matters. Student participants have the opportunity to hear from and engage the author and receive a copy of the author’s book. The event honors the memory of Don Bauder, late husband of Dr. Lillian Bauder and a champion of civil rights and social justice causes.
The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person’s right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information. Every year, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from confidential reports filed by library professionals and community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States.
Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represent only a snapshot of censorship attempts in libraries.
The 2024 data reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Parents only accounted for 16% of demands to censor books, while 5% of challenges were brought by individual library users. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites, which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.
The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.
Since 2021, ALA has tracked a sharp spike in censorship attempts in libraries. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990: ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023, when a record high 1,247 attempts were reported. ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles in 2024, which significantly exceeds the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020.
Looking for the most challenged books from previous years? Check out the Top 10 Most Challenged Books Archive for lists and data going back to 2001, as well as the 100 most challenged books of past decades.
Congratulations to the winners of our two art contests, for library cards and bookmarks. We receive thousands of entries every year, and we always enjoy seeing the talent in our community!
The library card contest ran from April through May, followed by the bookmark contest that ran June through July. Judging happened according to a rubric that, among other criteria, rated the submissions on originality, reproducibility, and overall excellence.
All the new cards and bookmarks are available in HCLS branches now.
The Longest Table returns outdoors with renewed purpose: to spark curiosity, foster empathy, and build bridges across different backgrounds and perspectives. Join us for an evening of food and meaningful dialogue, kicking off a year-round initiative that empowers community members to host their own gatherings using free HCLS conversation kits.
Together, we can build a more connected Howard County — one conversation at a time. Everyone is welcome.
Weather permitting, we will dine outdoors with seating on the lawn. Please wear appropriate footwear and dress for the season. Dinner is served family style. While we try to accommodate most dietary needs, if you have strict restrictions, you are welcome to provide your own meal.
Gold Sponsors: Columbia Association, Friends & Foundation of HCLS Silver Sponsors: AARP Maryland, Howard Hughes Corporation In-Kind Sponsor: Howard Community College Media Sponsors: Baltimore Banner, WMAR-TV
DONATIONS NEEDED: NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS FOR Vivian C. “Millie” and William Harrison Bailey Food Pantry
Canned vegetables (No/Low salt option, tomato products, mushrooms, olives) Grains (Instant oatmeal packets (lower sugar preferred) & cereal with under 11g of added sugar (whole grain as first ingredient preferred) Proteins (Low sodium beans, dried lentils) Mixed dishes (Ready made meals, lower sodium soups) Beverages (Shelf-stable dairy alternatives, tea, coffee) Healthy snacks (Plain dried fruits and nuts in small packages; popcorn, pretzels, and chips in small packages) Cooking needs (spices and seasonings, cooking oils, can openers) Gluten-free products Personal care (Bodywash, shampoo, and conditioner; lotion, thick maxi pads) Cleaning and laundry supplies
Author Works: The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb For adults. Register at bit.ly/Author-Slocumb Tue Sep 16 5:30 – 6:30 pm Book Signing 6:30 – 7:30 pm Author Event East Columbia 50+ Center 6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia (adjacent to library)
His cello made him famous. His father made him a target.
Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy, growing up in the Southeast DC projects with a drug dealer for a father. But through determination and talent, and the loving support of his father’s girlfriend, Larissa, Curtis claws his way out of his challenging circumstances and rises to unimagined heights in the classical music world — even soloing with the New York Philharmonic.
And then, suddenly, his life disintegrates. His father, Zippy, turns state evidence, implicating his old bosses to the FBI. Now the family, Curtis included, must enter the witness protection program if they want to survive. This means Curtis must give up the very thing he loves most: sharing his extraordinary musical talents with the world. When Zippy’s bosses prove too elusive for law enforcement to convict them, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa realize that their only chance of survival is to take on the cartel themselves. They must create new identities and draw on their unique talents, including Curtis’s musical ability, to go after the people who want them dead. But will it be enough to keep Curtis and his family alive?
A propulsive and moving story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit, The Dark Maestro is Slocumb at the height of his powers.
Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, NC, and holds a degree in music education (with concentrations in violin and viola) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For more than twenty years he has been a public and private school music educator and has performed with orchestras throughout northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. He is currently based in DC.
Author Works: The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel For adults. Register at bit.ly/Author-Finkel Wed Sep 17 7 – 8 pm online: register to receive a link
Stéphane Bréitwieser is the most prolific art thief of all time. He pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums in broad daylight. His girlfriend served as his accomplice, and his collection was worth an estimated $2 billion… but he never sold a piece, and instead displayed his stolen art in his attic bedroom.
He felt like a king. Until everything came to a shocking end.
The Art Thief, a spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, Michael Finkel gives us one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of our times, a riveting story of art, theft, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.
Bauder Adult Battle of the Books is a new Friends & Foundation of HCLS fundraiser event launching as part of the Library’s 85th birthday celebration. It’s an adults-only reading competition where teams of 3–5 people read six preselected books and compete in a trivia challenge held at local restaurants. Proceeds will support some of your favorite Friends’ sponsored initiatives, such as author events, summer reading, Project Literacy graduation, and the youth Battle of the Books.
CHAPTER CHATS 