Why Color?

In recent years coloring has emerged as an adult activity to relax and lower stress. Most of us remember our childhood and coloring in our coloring books - first with those huge crayons and if we were lucky, eventually a huge box of Crayolas with that built-in sharpener in the back. Remember how fun that was? Today, there are numerous companies producing coloring books for adults. In addition, we are not limited to crayons anymore; today we have gel pens, markers, Sharpies, and colored pencils as choices.

Coloring can provide more than relaxation and stress reduction. When we participate in this activity in a group setting, it provides us with another activity that seems to be in short supply today in this electronic world in which we live - conversation. Live socializing with real people. While engaging your hands, you're free to talk with your neighbor across the table. Talk about your children (or grandchildren), reminisce, share the ups and downs of caring for a parent or spouse. The possibilities are endless.

CMRLS libraries have numerous coloring programs planned, and we would like to invite you to find a location near you and participate in one of these enjoyable events. Click on the link and enter "color" or "coloring" into the search field to see our upcoming programs.

CMRLS Calendar of Events

Book Clubs...A Great Opportunity to Connect

When I was a little girl, I remember living in a neighborhood where we knew a lot of the families. My sisters and I played with the neighborhood children, and my mother was friends with the mothers of those children. About once a week, all the mothers would get together for coffee and conversation. I was not privy to most of those conversations but I feel certain they revolved around the ups and downs of marriage and motherhood. In the rush, rush of life today in this digital age in which we live, we often don’t take the time or find the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful pastime. If you are interested in adding this activity to your schedule, might I suggest joining a book club.

We started an adult book club at the Pelahatchie branch over five years ago. In that time, we have read and discussed over 60 books in many genres, but the most important thing that has happened for this group is they have connected personally with each other. During a typical meeting, the ladies will discuss the book they have read but also chat about the highs and lows of caring for an ill husband, the frustrations of growing older, the differences in their grandchildren’s generation and theirs, and, yes, occasionally politics. At one time or another, each of the ladies has spoken to me about their connection with this group and how important the time spent together is to them. Outside of the library, these ladies rarely see each other, but when they are here, they know they are among friends.

So if you’re looking to connect on a closer level, consider attending one of the book clubs in our system and check it out for yourself. The dynamics of groups are different so you might consider trying more than one until you find the right place for yourself. Click on the link to locate the book club meetings available in May. I counted 16 within our library system.

CMRLS Events

In the Keyword field, type in Book Club and click on Search to illuminate all book club meetings available in May.

A Fan of Psychological Thrillers? Some 1st Novels Worth Checking Out.

If you like psychological thrillers and need some new suggestions, we have recently read these first novels that are highly recommended by a number of Pelahatchie Public Library staff and patrons.

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

"It isn't paranoia if it's really happening... Anna Fox lives alone -- a recluse in her New York City home, drinking too much wine, watching old movies... and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move next door: a father, a mother, their teenaged son. The perfect family. But when Anna sees something she shouldn't, her world begins to crumble -- and its shocking secrets are laid bare. What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this gripping Hitchcockian thriller, no one and nothing are what they seem."-- Provided by publisher.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

The divorce has just become final, and Richard is already engaged to someone. One woman is determined to change that situation-- no matter what it takes. Soon a tangle of lies binds her life with those of Richard and his new fiancée. A tangle of lies-- that hide some dangerous truths.

Hendricks/Pekkanen have a second novel recently released, An Anonymous Girl.

Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris

The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie? Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn't work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows.

B. A. Paris has two additional novels published, both are unique from this novel's premise.  The Breakdown and Bring Me Back are good reads as well.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

"Some women get everything. Some women get everything they deserve. Amber Patterson is fed up. She's tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more--a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted. To everyone in the exclusive town of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne--a socialite and philanthropist--and her real-estate mogul husband, Jackson, are a couple straight out of a fairy tale. Amber's envy could eat her alive...if she didn't have a plan. Amber uses Daphne's compassion and caring to insinuate herself into the family's life--the first step in a meticulous scheme to undermine her. Before long, Amber is Daphne's closest confidante, traveling to Europe with the Parrishes and their lovely young daughters, and growing closer to Jackson. But a skeleton from her past may undermine everything that Amber has worked towards, and if it is discovered, her well-laid plan may fall to pieces. With shocking turns and dark secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Last Mrs. Parrish is a fresh, juicy, and utterly addictive thriller from a diabolically imaginative talent."--provided by publisher.

Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber

"Serial meets Ruth Ware's In A Dark, Dark Wood in this inventive and twisty psychological thriller about a mega-hit podcast that reopens a long-closed murder case--and threatens to unravel the carefully constructed life of the victim's daughter"-- Provided by publisher

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January Events at Pelahatchie Public Library

The Pelahatchie Public Library has several events scheduled for the remainder of this month.  One is the adult book club that meets Wednesday, January 16, at 9:30 a.m.  Our book club is in its sixth year and we have read almost 100 titles during that time.  This month's book for discussion is Jodi Picoult's novel, The Storyteller, a story set in present day with flashbacks to World War II.  As always, Ms. Picoult's story of a Nazi soldier living under an assumed name in the United States tugs at issues of morality; and if you're familiar with her novels, it has that little twist at the end that you may or may not have seen coming. 

The other upcoming program is Ladies Movie Night.  Back by popular demand, on Thursday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m., we will show Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, rated PG-13.  The movie runs 114 minutes and was produced by Universal Studios.  There will be popcorn and drinks served for all who attend.

Quit rushing around; stop and get lost in a fairy tale.

This month our book club is reading Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen and what a great story to get lost in during the rush, rush of the season. I don’t know any other way to describe the book but as a fairy tale for adults. 

Take one man that loses his beloved wife in a freak accident (for which he blames himself), add a little girl that loses her dad unexpectedly and thinks he’s come back as a forest creature. Stir in a fortune the man receives for the accident that cost him his wife and an odd brother named Wolf that is intent upon taking the money for himself. Fold in a librarian’s story about a grum and his gold. Add in a grieving wife trying to move on, a forest, a cast of unique characters from a small town, a treehouse in the forest, a falling-down library, and $4 million in gold. Beat together a man and a little girl on an adventure that helps them reconcile their great loss, and you truly have the makings of a fairy tale.

All in the book club have wonderful things to say about this book. Charming! Enchanting! A true modern-day fairy tale! I have personally read this book twice and enjoyed it as much the second time as the first. Take our advice and read this delightful title. If you’re truly too busy now, it would be a great pastime for those cold January days.

CMRLS Catalog to Request your Copy

Traveling for the Holidays?

Every trip I take requires plenty of reading material to carry along. After all, you never know when you might get a chance to read and you certainly don’t want to be stuck reading labels, assembly instructions, and so forth. I like to take at least several books, an audio or two, and several magazines. Sometimes I need an extra bag just to tote all this necessary stuff. See?

With the advent of eBooks, eAudios, and eMagazines, I have to confess that I still prefer to put my hands on the book or the magazine. There’s just something about the experience of holding the book in your hands and turning the pages (sometimes quickly) that electronic devices just do not equal. A year or so ago, though, I had an “AHA” moment. I was traveling light and decided to try the CMRLS Axis 360 and Flipster apps for my reading/listening needs. I downloaded an audio and a book from the Magic Wall, then I went to Flipster and found a magazine to download. The great thing about this download was I could get all three items where I could read/listen while offline. Who knew you could have access without an Internet connection? Well, you can! The other great thing was IT WAS FREE.  Using my library card, there was no cost to borrow all these items.

So off I went on my trip with just my iPad as my reading buddy and guess what? I found happiness and joy reading on an electronic device plus my load was much lighter. Did my discovery cause me to abandon my old friend, the book? No. Never. But I have found a balance to the book vs. eBook question because sometimes it is just more convenient to have the electronic version of my current read. I’ve been known to have the book checked out and the eBook as well and trade back and forth. 

The holidays are coming up and many of us will be traveling to visit family and/or friends. If you haven’t tried any of our free electronic books, audios, or magazines, experiment on your next trip. Download an item or two and give them a whirl. You might find, like me, that it’s a wonderful complement to your reading pleasure. To access these items, all you need is your library card. Go to our website, www.cmrls.lib.ms.us and click on the “Digital Library” tab. You will see the link to the Magic Wall for eBooks and downloadable audios and Flipster for downloadable magazines.  Give it a try this holiday season…then let us know what you think. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Pelahatchie Public Library

We’re not sure if this has ever happened before - perhaps it did many years ago – but Santa Claus will be visiting the Pelahatchie Public Library at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 29.  It is just a short visit (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) so make sure you mark your calendar. 

Santa Claus will start visiting with boys and girls starting at 5:30 p.m. Photographs of your little one with Santa are allowed.  If you would like us to take a picture, we will be happy to do so.  We will follow up by emailing you a digital copy of the photo, so please be prepared to provide us with your email address.

In addition to Santa, there will be cookies and hot chocolate for refreshments (Ooh, wouldn’t that taste good today!).  So make plans to stop by Thursday, November 29, at 5:30 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

CMRLS Libraries Celebrate Teen Read Week

Teen Read Week is an annual event held in October during the week that includes Columbus Day.  This event offers an opportunity to encourage teens to read for the fun of it.  This year’s theme, It’s Written in the Stars…Read, “encourages teens to think and read outside the box, as well as seek out fantasy, science fiction, and other out-of-this-world reads.”

The libraries within CMRLS will celebrate with exciting and unique programs throughout the week.  To see the programming available for teens this week, go to our website at cmrls.lib.ms.us

Click on Events and type Teen Read Week in the search box.

If interested in a particular program, click on the program and additional information will be shown.

Happy reading!