The dog days of summer may be upon us, but shake off that I’ll-just-lie-on-the-couch attitude and head out to your neighborhood library to find a good book ... then you can lie on the couch to read it! We regret to say that we don’t have any new titles about dogs on our August list, but we do have a good selection of titles… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
By written by Paul A. July 31, 2018 2
We're into round 3 of our Summer Madness blockbuster reads online bracket game! With only two weeks left, the Great Eight has arrived with devils and dolls, fly girls and tigers, hitchikers and immigrants, romantic rendezvouses both new and old—all ready to book battle! Let's break down the matchups even further with some quick… continue reading The Great Eight Takes Shape a.k.a. Round 3 of Summer Madness is Under Way!
By written by Administrator July 27, 2018
The 2018 Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Awards took place on July 20 in San Diego at the yearly Comic-Con. The awards, now in their 30th year, honor creative achievement in comic books from around the world. Basically, they are the comics industry's equivalent of the Oscar Awards. The awards are named in honor of pioneering writer and… continue reading This Year's Eisner Award-Winning Comic Book Titles and Creators Are...
By written by Peter SM July 25, 2018
We've gone a bit crazy from the heat over here at the Free Library. You might even say, we've got... SUMMER MADNESS ! This online bracket-style tournament matches blockbuster, best-selling books from a variety of genres in one-on-one games, until much like The Highlander , there can be only one... winner, that is! And from taking a look… continue reading We're Turning Up the Heat with... Summer Madness!
By written by Administrator July 20, 2018
Unless you've turned off all avenues of media and have been hiding under a proverbial rock (and really, no judgement here!), you may have noticed Russia has been in the news a bit recently... Instead of being overwhelmed by the information overload and fake news , now might be a great time to catch up on the country's rich history. From… continue reading Conspiracy? Intrigue? Collusion? Read Some Russian History and Fantasy!
By written by Rachel F. July 18, 2018 3
Board books are an all-time favorite—ideal for babies and toddlers, just right for little hands (and mouths)—the perfect treat to share with little ones. Here are three brand new board books that you and the children in your life will not want to miss! Who?: A Celebration of Babies written by Robie H. Harris ; illustrated by… continue reading New Board Books Round-Up (and Booklist!)
By written by Monica C. July 16, 2018 2
Today, July 13, is the second of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2018. The first one arrived exactly 13 weeks earlier on April 13! I penned a post full of screamingly scary streaming selections back in April and now I've returned to shock and surprise you with 13 more! Scope out these 13 fright flicks with accompanying 13-word… continue reading 13 MORE Screamingly Scary Movies to Stream This Friday the 13th!
By written by Peter SM July 13, 2018
Have you ever read a book and thought that the universe the author created felt real? Or really wished that it was? I’m looking at you, Hogwarts… Well, what if I told you that some of our favorite series have folk and fairy tale collections that are told "in-universe", i.e. as if these worlds were real? Well,… continue reading In-Universe Folk and Fairy Tales
By written by Rachel F. July 10, 2018 1
Pressure to conform can be difficult to resist. It is hard to defy expectations, to be true to oneself, when one is facing peer pressure. It takes courage (and sometimes a friend) to find comfort in being who we are, even when everyone says that is not the way to be. Which bring us to How to Be a Lion by author/illustrator Ed Vere —our… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | How to Be a Lion
By written by Monica C. July 9, 2018
Ah yes, it's Beach Reads season once again. But really, what does it even mean to call a book a ‘beach read’? Are they books with wintery themes, or set in chilly locations, to help you keep cool as you’re sweating it out in the heat? Are they books with immersive, transportive plots that let you while away your summer… continue reading Beach Reads | Adult Fiction Edition
By written by Kim B. July 5, 2018
When the calendar page turns to July, we know that summer cannot be denied. Escape is on most of our minds – escape from the heat and from the usual routines. Whether you take off to other locales or you escape in your mind while staying put, take these new titles along as a summer treat. All are available in July at a neighborhood… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in July!
By written by Paul A. July 2, 2018
Every Saturday morning, as the New York Times lands with a thwack on my porch, I race toward the front door in such a hurry you’d think the neighborhood squirrels were notorious for filching the Old Gray Lady. But no, I am less anxious about Theft by Rodent than I am to tear into the weekly Book Review, discarding all manner of world… continue reading The Type of Reader I Wish I Was...
By written by Alix G. July 2, 2018
Some of the most fun manga produced and imported in the past few years have featured LGBTQIA+ characters and storylines. Here are some of the most popular (and most checked out) titles available at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Wandering Son by Takako Shimura The fifth grade, the threshold to puberty, and the beginning of… continue reading LGBTQIA+ Manga: Read with Pride!
By written by Rachel F. June 27, 2018
You know how they say that there is no one specific LGBTQ+ story? In the world of comics and graphic novels with LGBTQ+ characters and storylines, are "they" ever right! Its been a banner decade for mainstream comics to embrace what the indie comics world already knew—there are some amazing stories out there to be told. From… continue reading LGBTQ+ Comics: Read with Pride!
By written by Rachel F. June 20, 2018 1
Did you know that the United Nations has declared June 20 to be World Refugee Day ? There are all kinds of reasons that someone might leave their country – new job opportunities, warfare in their home country, maybe even natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricane damage. It can’t be easy to leave a place you know and come… continue reading Books to Inspire Empathy on World Refugee Day
By written by Rachel F. June 14, 2018
Lamb — yes, lamb! That’s the start of the popular 19th century nursery rhyme about a girl named Mary and her faithful little lamb... It’s a rhyme, it’s a song (by Paul McCartney !), and it has also been used as inspiration for picture books. After singing along the classic nursery rhyme, why not explore these wonderful… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Mary Had a Little...
By written by Monica C. June 11, 2018
Nonconforming picture books challenge stereotypes: in these books, boys and girls act and behave in a way that feels right to them rather than by conforming to expectations or conventional standards. These picture books encourage empathy and exploration, fostering an understanding that it’s okay for kids to be different, for kids to be… continue reading Free Library of Pride | Gender Nonconforming Picture Books
By written by Monica C. June 4, 2018
June’s selections are an eclectic mix of kids and pet problems, a Muslim Arab-American teenager navigating cultural and personal relationships, a family attempting to survive a home invasion during an apocalypse, an entertaining look at hormones, and a funny first love and coming out tale. We hope you enjoy our recommendations, all… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in June!
By written by Paul A. May 31, 2018
We’ve all been there... Days when something goes wrong and we feel down in the dumps or maybe it someone else is having a hard time. When someone we care for is having a bad day, how can we be there for them? That’s where The Rabbit Listened , written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld , comes in. It’s a brand new book and our… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | The Rabbit Listened
By written by Monica C. May 21, 2018
Games? We love games! Board games , video games , card games , fantasy role playing games —we'll probably play hundreds of different games throughout our lifetime, but what about the people behind the creation of these games? I mean, whose idea was it to have a plumber save Princess Peach ? And who thought up wizards, dragons,… continue reading Get Your Game On with These Video Game-influenced Graphic Novels!
By written by Rachel F. May 9, 2018 1
