Evening in the Stacks Goes Pop!

Black background filled with flashes reads: Get ready for the POP-arazzi. You're invited to Evening in the Stacks. In the corner, a glamorous woman with a silk scarf peers over her sunglasses.

by Kristen B.

It’s a great event! And I don’t say that only because I work for the library. I have often suspected that Evening in the Stacks is so much fun for two main reasons: 1. everyone has a little cabin fever by the end of February, and 2. there’s an element of breaking the rules by partying inside a library building. Even if, in reality, the library is rarely a hushed, quiet place.

This year, we’re celebrating all things pop culture – it’s gonna be iconic! DJ Kopec, the official DJ of the Baltimore Ravens, keeps the party going on the dance floor. You can choose to play some Pop Quiz Trivia to start the evening, testing your knowledge of what’s current. Food and beverages will be as tasty as always – with Taharka Brothers serving ice cream for dessert!

Tickets are on sale now for this annual fundraiser taking place on Saturday, February 25 from 7 – 11 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch. Proceeds benefit Battle of the Books, an academic competition for fifth graders happening again this year at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Consider joining us – for a great party and to do some good in the community. Hope to see you there!

Looking fly and having fun on the dance floor.
Evening in the Stacks: Across Africa, held at HCLS East Columbia Branch in 2022.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball in season (but not all at the same time).

Read it! Watch it!

by Emily B.

Book to film adaptations are some of the most beloved and memorable works of pop culture, and devoted fans are always excited to see their favorite novels made into movies or TV series. Whether the adaptation is completely faithful to the book or takes dramatic liberties to make the material fit the medium, reworking an author’s vision in a new format complements and enhances the reader’s understanding of the original work. Check out these awesome books, then see the stories come to life on screen! 

Paddington by Michael Bond (book and movie)
Follow the adventures of Paddington, the marmalade-loving bear from Peru, as he adjusts to life with a family of humans in London. The movie adaptations are the equivalent of a warm hug – wholesome and fun for all ages.
For all ages.

Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple (book, eBook, eAudiobook, and movie)
After planning a big trip to Antarctica, the family matriarch Bernadette disappears with no notice, and it’s up to her teenage daughter to figure out what happened. Cate Blanchett stars as the titular character in the film adaptation.
For adults.

You by Caroline Kepnes (book and TV series)
An eerie tale narrated by an obsessive stalker and master manipulator, Joe, who will stop at nothing to be with his dream girl. In the television series, Penn Badgley perfectly plays the role of the unassuming creep.
For adults.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (book, eBook, eAudiobook, and TV series)
The perfect twisty summer read, Moriarty’s novel features elementary school drama, female friendship, and mystery. Season 1 of the television show is a fairly faithful adaptation of the novel, and season two continues the story and expands on the aftermath of the book’s ending.
For adults.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (book, eBook, eAudiobook, and movie with subtitles)
The heartwarming tale of a curmudgeonly old man, Ove, whose world is turned topsy-turvy when a young family moves in next door. Will this new family be able to crack Ove’s tough exterior?
For adults.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (book and movie)
This autobiographical graphic novel tells the story of Marjane Satrapi’s tumultuous childhood growing up in Iran amidst the Islamic Revolution. The film adaptation was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2007 Academy Awards.
For ages 14+.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (book and most recent movie)
Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming-of-age tale of the four March sisters has been adapted many times. Most recently, Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation garnered six Academy Award nominations and took home the prize for Best Costume Design.
For ages 14+.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (book, eBook, eAudiobook, and movie)
The heart-wrenching story of Starr, a teen who witnesses her best friend’s murder at the hands of a police officer and has to deal with the emotional and political fallout that ensues.
For ages 14+.

Emily is a Customer Service Specialist at the Central Branch. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.