Category: Staff Book Reviews

Awesome Audiobooks

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 31 October 2022

by Public Service Associate Owen

Audiobooks are quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to ingest a good book. While nothing quite beats cozying up to your favorite hard cover or thumbing through a paperback, audiobooks really are a great alternative, especially for those who might not have the time to sit down and read. Audiobooks are a great option if you’re traveling, cleaning the house, or otherwise too occupied to read a physical book. Whether you’re planning for a road trip and need some in-car entertainment, or want to listen to a good story while you take a walk (as I am one to do), a good audiobook has you covered! And with Libby, it’s easier than ever to access and borrow thousands of titles right from your phone or other device! I’d like to highlight a few of my favorite audiobooks, as well as others that fellow BPL staff members have recommended, so that you have a good place to start from if you’re interested in getting into the audiobook scene. Happy listening!

Tags audiobooks, book review, Owen, recommendations

Programs Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Ohio Day Trips, or, There and Back Again

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 23 May 2022

A Journey Through ~~Middle Earth~~ the Buckeye State

by Programming Librarian Zach

The final school bell for the year has rung, longer days and warmer weather have arrived, and the official beginning of summer is right around the corner. Now, what to do with all of this extra time? Not to worry, the Bexley Public Library has you covered!

Tags BPL program, ohio, recommendations, travel, Zach

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Beguiling Biographies

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 4 April 2022

by Public Service Associate Owen

Biographies! Across the many realms of print and literature, there are many topics, subjects and styles that stand out. But none stand out quite like biographies, as this particular brand of non-fiction revolves around the lives of single persons. They cover the trials and tribulations of the lives of all sorts of famous people, from Julius Caesar to Cesar Chavez. Thus, biographies are an efficient, excellent way to live vicariously through some of the most famous and influential people to ever exist. There is so much to discover about the idols, villains, actors, innovators, leaders, stars, and extraordinary humans of our lives, and one of the best ways to do so is by getting your hands on a good biography. So, in this blog, I will be highlighting four intriguing biographies of four very different yet equally remarkable people. From Henrietta Lacks to Winston Churchill to Frida Kahlo, each biography tells a thrilling tale of some of life’s most colorful characters.

Tags Biographies, book review, Owen, recommendations

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Women Authors for Women’s History Month

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 21 March 2022

by Associate Librarian Debbie

In celebration of Women’s History Month I wanted to share some of my all time favorite female authors. There are so many wonderful authors but I pared it down to my top five. Keep reading to see some of the women authors that I cherish the most, along with insights into their unique works and writing styles.

Tags debbie, debbie book review, recommendations, Women Authors

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

All Roads Lead to Rome

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 14 March 2022

by Public Service Associate Autumn

Or maybe all roads just lead to Roman troubles. A large swath of problems facing the United States today, also faced the Romans at some point during their thousand years of civilization. Climate change made growing food and combating disease harder. People everywhere were divided on how to live and who to believe. Countries invaded their neighbors. Money swayed politics. Violence broke out in the streets. Swelling inequality made living harder and bred distrust in political systems. People scrabbled to reach the top or to just support themselves in an ever shifting world. So today, on the anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar and the change it ultimately sparked in Rome’s government, take a break from the turbulence of today and dive into the machinations and turmoil of Rome. Learn how the Romans handled, or ignored, their problems or just enjoy reading about problems that are already solved by checking out some of the following books.

Tags Ancient Rome, Autumn, book review, recommendations

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Spilling Open

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 28 February 2022

by Public Service Associate Juliana

My path to art journaling, like many of my life’s interests, was inspired by a library book. I’d just started high school, and my sister had a book report assignment on a self-help book of her choosing for her seventh grade English class. Naturally she went to the library, and I, library lover that I am, tagged along with her. Browsing the self-help section of the stacks, a single spine stood out to my sister, golden yellow with a title that looked like handwritten cursive. She pulled Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison from the shelf. After a quick flip through the pages, she looked up and said, “I think you’re going to like this one.” And wow, was she right. She’d found something special. This isn’t your typical self-help book or a how-to book on “how-to art journal”, Spilling Open is itself an art journal. I was absolutely enamored.

Tags art journal, creativity, decompress, juliana, manage stress, reduce anxiety

Booklists Staff Book Reviews

Columbus Reads

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 5 January 2022

by Public Service Associate Owen

Our humble capital city of Columbus is one of the nicest places to live in the state, and perhaps even the country! If you’re optimistic enough, that is. Often scoffed at by those who don’t reside here and often underappreciated by those that do, I am here to sing the praises of our state capital and to highlight some of the books that provide insight into what makes Columbus a special place to live. From the Statehouse to the Chill, here are four books about Columbus!

Tags book review, booklist, columbus, Owen

Booklists Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Books I’m Thankful For

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 22 November 2021

by Public Service Associate Owen

I find Thanksgiving to be a wonderful holiday, where friends and family can gather with purpose to be thankful for each other and for what has gone well in their lives. This is the time of year where I am most attentive to what good is around me and what has shaped me as a person. This is especially true with books, which have had such a profound effect on how I was raised and how I view the world today. In this blog post, I will briefly elaborate some of the literary works that have had a substantial impact on my life. In doing so, I hope to both open your eyes to some of these monumental works, as well as to encourage you to reflect on some of the authors and books that have affected your life in a positive way.

Tags book review, booklist, Owen, recommendations, Thanksgiving

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews

Indigenous Heritage Month

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 15 November 2021

by Public Service Associate Owen

November is National Indigenous Heritage Month, and as such it is an honor to use this space to feature some works of prolific indigenous authors. As Americans, it is of vital importance to recognize the peoples of this continent who were here prior to settlers and colonists. By highlighting some great works of indigenous authors, including the one book that brought indigenous literature into the mainstream, I hope to at least pay some respect to those whose voices were often silenced.

Tags book review, booklist, indigenous authors, Owen

Recommendations Staff Book Reviews Virtual Book Club

Bride of the Sea

Post author By BexBlog
Post date 15 August 2021

by Public Service Associate Nichole

During a snowy Cleveland February, newlywed university students Muneer and Saeedah are expecting their first child, and he is harboring a secret: the word divorce is whispering in his ear. Soon, their marriage will end, and Muneer will return to Saudi Arabia, while Saeedah remains in Cleveland with their daughter, Hanadi. Consumed by a growing fear of losing her daughter, Saeedah disappears with the little girl, leaving Muneer to desperately search for his daughter for years. The repercussions of the abduction ripple outward, not only changing the lives of Hanadi and her parents, but also their interwoven family and friends—those who must choose sides and hide their own deeply guarded secrets.
And when Hanadi comes of age, she finds herself at the center of this conflict, torn between the world she grew up in and a family across the ocean. How can she exist between parents, between countries?
penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/671244/bride-of-the-sea-by-eman-quotah/9781951142452

Tags book review, BPL book Review, female authors, nichole, virtual book club, virtual program