What's on my Nightstand?

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

I have a nontraditional “nightstand” where I keep my TBR (to be read) pile. It is a bag that shifts around my house, so I don’t have to deal with the shame of not reading what’s in it. This helps me pretend that it doesn’t really exist and leaves room for other nightstand stuff, like sleep masks, some change, and several bookmarks. Okay, the bookmarks might be several receipts, a sticker that I keep forgetting to stick anywhere, and one Cards Against Humanity card. Once I officially start a book, it goes on the nightstand. Here are three titles that I am currently hiding from myself that will one day (hopefully) make it to the nightstand: 

The City of Good Death by Priyanka Champaneri

I was drawn to this book because I love a good ghost-y, magical realism story. It also has a really pretty cover, which I am a sucker for. The story also talks about beliefs and rituals surrounding death in India, and I choose to learn about new things through fiction. Nonfiction book about something I want to learn about? Ew, no. Fiction book that includes something I don’t know about and there’s a ghost (I think)?! Yes, please!

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

The main reason I want to read this book is because of the cover. And it’s about an exorcism, which intrigues me. But it’s mostly the cover: it looks like a classic 80s horror book, complete with terrible photoshop and great hair. I’ve read a couple of other books by Hendrix and they are lighthearted enough to balance out the scariness and gore, which I handle terribly. I am still afraid of the Goosebumps cat from the cinematic opus Call of the Cat that I watched in fourth grade.

A House Called Awful End by Philip Ardagh

Even though I've read this book before, I’m still counting it. I remember it being one of my favorite books from when I was a kid and I have been on a kick of rereading books that I used to love. This one is about a young boy named Eddie who comes to live with his aunt and uncle. They have odd rules and keep the company of a stuffed stoat. One of their rules is that children should not be seen or heard, only smelled, and Eddie must wear an onion around his neck. That might be made up, as it has been approximately 10 years since I read it the first time. I remember it being hilarious and filled with misadventures, so I’m excited to see whether it has held up. How could it not?

Those are just a few of the books in the official nightstand-avoidance bag. The contents change as I give up and return books that never draw my attention once they are no longer in the flattering library or bookstore lighting. Maybe one day I will be stronger than the bag and just read all the stuff I bring home, but that would mean there were no new books! And that is, frankly, not a world I want to live in.

Congratulations, Friends!

Lacy Ellinwood

Lead Library Consultant

The Friends of Mississippi Libraries Inc. is pleased to announce the 2022 Margaret Murray Grant recipients. There were 12 applications this year and very competitive for the reviewers. The Friends of Mississippi Libraries, Inc. would like to thank everyone that applied. The next Margaret Murray grant cycle will open in October 2022. Please join us in congratulating these local Friends groups. 

 

Friends of the Greenwood-Leflore Public Library System:

The funds acquired through the Margaret Murray Grant will be used in the library’s efforts to create and maintain a collection and programming for the Spanish-speaking community of Greenwood, Mississippi. The bulk of the money will go towards buying bilingual and Spanish-language materials with the remainder used to acquire necessary materials for programs specific to the Spanish-language community, such as a Bilingual Storytime. The library noted an increase in Spanish-speaking patrons at the library, highlighting the lack of resources for non-English speakers, and amplified the importance of providing services for them through the library. 

 

Friends of the Lexington Public Library, Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System:

Funds will be used to purchase a combination of 1st grade reading level books and Wonderbooks. Wonderbooks are printed books with a ready-to-play audiobook inside and include a Learning Mode to keep talking about the book children just read. Wonderbooks give children an edge with vocabulary development, phonics, and comprehension, and encourage deeper engagement with every book. Holmes County children age birth to 5 are at a poverty rate of 61.3% and are considered "high risk" in their Kindergarten Assessment scores. 

 

Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System: 

The funds will be used to bolster inclusive offerings of graphic novels and manga to library patrons. This includes manga and graphic novels by and about BIPOC individuals and those with disabilities. By diversifying the collection, it will appeal to a broader audience and benefit current program offerings to promote cultural competency development, including manga drawing practice, sampling food from various cultures represented in the collection during the Anime and Manga club, and more. The Anime and Manga Club contributed to circulation in this collection with statistics showing a 100% increase from 2020 to 2021. Graphic novels and manga have increased in popularity for their benefits to neurodivergent readers and individuals who value visuals with texts. 

Congratulations to these friends groups on the great work they're doing in Mississippi libraries. It's always a good time to join your local library friends organization, so give your library a call today and ask how to participate!

Hear Ye, Here Ye! Audiobook Picks from Mary Rodgers

Mary Rodgers Beal

Talking Book Services Director

Over the past few years, I’ve discovered how much I prefer audiobooks over standard print books. Not only are audiobooks beneficial for people who are blind or print disabled, they’re convenient for busy people. Listening to audiobooks still counts as reading; in fact, sometimes it’s better. Here are some examples of audiobooks I believe are better than the print version.

 

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book is about a fictional (although I could believe it was real) band who goes through the ups and downs of fame. It’s told in an interview format which really helps the reader to get immersed in the story. Daisy Jones and the Six is narrated by multiple actors and I feel like this brings a level of storytelling that you just wouldn’t get while reading a standard print book. Each narrator brings the characters to life by making the character their own. Hearing the narrators reading their parts still allows a reader to imagine what the character looks like and how the actions are played. I loved this book in audio and tell everyone who wants a book recommendation that they have to read this as an audiobook, not a print book.

Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir by Natasha Trethewey

I’ll be honest and put out there that I’m already a big Natasha Trethewey fan. I had to read her poetry for a class in college and I was hooked. This Mississippi native is very talented. Her memoir about growing up and losing her mother at a young age is remarkable. I love a memoir that is narrated by the author and this one does not disappoint.

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

This book is also narrated by the author. Even though these are short stories and not a memoir, I’m still a fan because that way it’s even more of an immersive experience into what the author wanted to portray in their book. And who doesn’t enjoy Tom Hanks? He brings his imagination into his writing as well as his narration.

Here at MLC, hoopla or Talking Book Service’s BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) program are great resources to find the audiobook that is right for your interests! If you know of anyone who is eligible for Talking Book Services, contact us at 1-800-446-0892 or talkingbooks@mlc.lib.ms.us. If you have an MLC library card, you are eligible to sign up for hoopla. Give us a call at 1-877-594-5733 if you need help logging in. Many of our Mississippi public libraries also offer hoopla and other audio services like Libby, so check them out!

Meet MLC Monday: Amy LaFleur

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Amy LaFleur, Reference and Archives Librarian at the Mississippi Library Commission! Amy assists patrons with reference questions, whether by phone, text, mail, or in-person. She has also taken on the task of organizing MLC's archives collections. Amy holds a bachelor's degree in English from the Mississippi University for Women, a master's degree in English from Mississippi State University, and a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Amy began working here in January of 2022. She says that so far, her favorite part of working at MLC is the atmosphere. "Everyone is friendly and works together." When asked about the positive things that libraries accomplish, Amy replied, "I love libraries because they allow patrons access to materials and programs they might otherwise miss. Also, libraries provide an excellent atmosphere for research and learning." 

Amy loves to read, but claims to be a picky reader. She says, "I typically like a good thriller or horror novel that moves quickly, but I will ready anything that holds my interest." Some of her favorite authors are Grady Hendrix, Edgar Allan Poe, Ian McEwan, Kealan Patrick Burke, Kate Morton, and Marisha Pessl. (We had to stop her from listing more, so we're pretty sure we can go to her for great book recommendations from now on.) When she's not whipping us into shape at MLC or relaxing with a good book, you can find Amy in her kitchen. She loves baking and learning new recipes, especially hunting down elusive gluten-free recipes that actually taste good.

Canada, Mexico, Russia, Oh My!

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

It has been extremely difficult to travel for the past year and some change, and if you’re like me, you’re getting tired of seeing the same walls. Why aren’t you a beach, walls?!

You might also be in need of a little romance in your life. No need to turn to real-life humans for that, though, they’ll only let you down. You can travel all over the world and meet a total dreamboat, all from the comfort of your couch!

MLC’s collection has a variety of romance books that can take you to just about any corner of the globe. The map below gives a sampling of where some of our romance books take place. Looking to “travel” anywhere in particular? Just let us know! We can hook you up with the right place to mix up quarantine or a weekend in.

Not sure where you want to go, but want to mix up your reading list? Try out our Bookmatch service and get connected with your new literary love. You can fill out the form at bit.ly/mlcbookmatch. and we'll send you a list of books to read, custom-tailored to match your mood. (Let us know if you want that Icelandic or Argentinian romance. We'll include it in your Bookmatch recommendations!)

Have a lovely book-cation!

Lusia Harris, Mississippi Basketball Queen

Elisabeth Scott

Social Media and Reference Librarian

Lusia Harris
Delta State University, The Broom, 1977

 

Mississippi's queen of basketball, the one and only Luisa Harris, passed away earlier this week. She was a world-class pioneer of the sport, an Olympic medalist, and an NBA draft pick. She helped redefine how people view basketball, especially basketball played by women, and doubly so by Black women. I've always found her story inspirational: she was a force on the court and gave back to her community as a coach. She had grace under fire and she rose above the barbs people slung her way, concentrating only on basketball and her education. There aren't any biographies solely about her yet, but there are some great books about girls on the court out there that I think you should know about. Check them out at your local Mississippi public library!

 

Allie's Basketball Dream

Barbara E. Barber, author

Darryl Ligasan, illustrator

This 1996 picture book is perfect for girls who dream of playing basketball, but are either intimidated by boys who play or told they can't play because they're girls. You'll cheer for Allie when she makes her first shot. I bet Lusia would have loved this book!

Pippa Park Raises Her Game

Erin Yun, author

Imagine Great Expectations, only Pip is a Korean-American girl who loves to play basketball. That's right! Grace Yun has updated Dickens's classic in this 2020 middle grade book that is no whining--I'm looking at you, Pip--and all heart (and basketball!)

Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball

Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford, authors

As this 2005 young adult book will tell you, women have been playing basketball practically since the sport was invented in 1891. If you want to explore girls playing ball, this is the book for you. Lusia Harris and her Delta State team are prominently featured in the chapter "The Fight for Title IX".

 

Full-Court Quest: The Girls from Fort Shaw Indian School Basketball Champions of the World

Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith

Did you know that a team of Native women playing basketball was one of the main attractions of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis? While this book lacks something in the way these women and other Indigenous peoples were treated as a whole, it is a fascinating look at women playing basketball and beating the pants off men. I think Lusia Harris would approve.

Inspired to learn more about Lusia herself? Don't miss Inaugural Ballers, coming this fall. (Yes, that's Harris with her Olympic medal, fourth from the left.):

The story of the first US women's Olympic basketball team, set in the context of Title IX and the women's rights movement of the early 70s, is the subject of my next book, INAUGURAL BALLERS, coming in fall 2022 from @VikingBooks. #NBCOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/Pt30BsJhir

— Andrew Maraniss (@trublu24) August 8, 2021

Meet MLC Monday: Evan Theilman

 Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

 

Meet Evan Theilman, Patron Services Librarian and Readers Advisor in the Talking Book Services Department at the Mississippi Library Commission. Evan helps patrons select digital books, as well as responding to any concerns or questions they may have. He also assists in downloading books to cartridges for patrons. Evan holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Mississippi. 

Evan began working at MLC December 1 and says he enjoys working for an organization that's motivated by helping people rather than being purely profit-driven. When asked why he thinks libraries are important, Evan responds, "Libraries provide everyone with access to information that used to be the domain of the wealthy. They're a great tool you can use to better yourself for free."

Evan spends a fair amount of his free time reading, especially science fiction and fantasy novels. Even though it falls into neither category, his favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. When he's not reading, you can find him building models, cooking, and playing video games and RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.