Busy semester at South Arkansas Community College library
Black History Month, Women’s History Month and SouthArk’s own Arts in April have all been celebrated here at the library with a variety of different programs and events. We’ve joined our colleagues around town in exploring the new tourism industry’s being created locally and after hearing the Master Gardeners and Union County Extension agent Robin Williams talk about butterflies, bees and spring gardening, our spring fever kicked into high gear as well! It’s hard to believe that spring is giving way to summer, and with the new season, a host of new activities, exciting plans and busy schedules.
Collection development was one activity that kept us busy this spring, and so this month we’d like to feature a number of the new titles that we received just in time for summer reading! From two new adventure series for kids, resources that will help you feed your family in a healthier way and inspirational true stories, we’ve got a book for you!
Don’t forget Hoopla Digital. You are able to access a wide variety of digital content for free with your library card, including audiobooks by Collen Coble, Dan Brown, David Baldacci, Harper Lee, Brad Thor and more of your favorite authors!
First up, “Behind
Her Eyes” by Sarah Pinborough. No spoilers here, but imagine the embarrassment of divorced mom Louise, who has a romantic encounter with a stranger named David. Oddly enough, he shows up at work the next day—he’s her new boss! If that’s not enough drama, her clingy new acquaintance Adele seems to have a lot of secrets. Who to trust? Read it and see what the buzz about the ending is about!
After that you may need a break, so check in at “Heartbreak Hotel: An Alex Delaware Novel” by Jonathan Kellerman. Child psychologist Alex Delaware’s newest patient, Thalia Mars, is nearly a hundred years old—but she’s got a wealth of information about the Aventura, the shady hotel where she lives. However, before Alex can question her in detail, she’s found dead in her room. Homicide detective Milo Sturgis is summoned, and they begin to unravel the story of Thalia’s life and death, including a history of dark secrets and violence.
Dark secrets—the kid version—is available with two new adventure series beginning with “I, Q” by Roland Smith. Q and Angela are stepkids whose parents have a rock band. Sounds great, but those two always are getting into major-league trouble! The first book is “Independence Hall.” And if vacation is here and your kids haven’t discovered the Alex Rider series, they’ll have a summer full of teenage spy adventures to enjoy. Start with “Stormbreaker”—and there are 10 other sequels, all by Anthony Horowitz and loaded with James Bondstyle adventures for the young reader.
Also inspiring for the young and young-at-heart is the autobiography of Simone Biles, who you may remember was the sensation of last summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Her book “Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance” tells the story of how she began to learn gymnastics at an early age and pursued her goal through the trauma of foster care and other challenges.
Reading about teenage spies and gymnasts will build up an appetite, so now is a good time to try “Plant-Powered Families: Over 100 Kid-Tested, Whole-Foods Vegan Recipes” by cookbook author Dreena Burton. Summer is a perfect time to test-drive new recipes on your family, especially Cinnamon French Toast and Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. Remember, they’re all plant-based but designed to please even picky eaters.
So now that everyone’s eating better, how about fixing up the home? Chip and Joanna Gaines have lots of tips! If you’ve ever watched their TV show “Fixer-Upper,” you already know that—but their book “The Magnolia Story” is the story of how this husband-and-wife team got their start. From Firestone commercials to flipping houses, you can find out how the Gaines couple—and their four children—juggle their lives as realtors, renovators and as a family.
Pick up one of these titles and your summer is already off to a good start, and don’t forget to take advantage of exciting activities going on this summer!
As your summer begins keep us in mind for any of your information needs. SouthArk Library staff can be reached by phone at (870) 864-7115 or by email at librarystaff@southark.edu<mailto:librarystaff@ southark.edu>. Be sure to check out our website at www.southark.libguides.com<http://www.southark. libguides.com/> and like our Facebook page for updates and details. We’ll see you in the library!