It's very early to be talking about the winter holidays. But the supply chain stories you're seeing in the news will also affect bookstores this gift-giving season. Words to the wise: shop early. But also, don't sweat it: your library can help you zero in on just the right books for every reader on your shopping list. 

The 2021 Gift Guide is available online now or in print at the library beginning the first week of October. Check these pages for expert recommendations for the thrill seeker, the hopeless romantic, the doer, and all the other adult readers in your life. You'll also find top picks for teens and kids of all ages, including future readers.

The great book you're looking for might have been published last year or the year before! Browse the 2020 Gift Guide and the 2019 Gift Guide for more top picks.

The readers' pages on VAPLD.info round up suggestions from librarians (avid readers, all), what's popular with readers in local book clubs, and recent selections of book discussions hosted by the library. This is a great place to look for suggestions for adult readers.

Book Talk pages on VAPLD.info recommend reading for grades K–8. Youth librarians, who know a thing or two about great books for kids, frequently update these selections with top picks for students at each grade level.

NoveList Plus is a clever online tool that lets you look for fiction and nonfiction by category, subject, genre, mood, setting, grade level, and reading level. If you know of authors your gift recipient has particularly enjoyed, you can find "read-alikes" here, too. This is also a great source for finding award winners for all ages. Access this tool anytime with your Vernon Area Library card number.

Vernon Kids on Goodreads: Browse the shelves of books that Vernon Area youth librarians give 4 or 5 stars. You'll find picks here for pre-readers, independent readers, and young teens in a variety of categories including board books, bedtime stories, adventure fiction, humor, nature, and a lot more. No login or account required.

Get personalized reading recommendations: If you know a bit about your gift recipient's reading preferences, fill out a brief form to tell a librarian about them. Then one of the reading experts at your library will custom-curate a list geared to that reader. The list will be delivered pronto to your email inbox. 

And now you're ready to head to your favorite bookseller, local or online, to place your order. Then, sit back and wait for that gift-giving moment, knowing you've chosen thoughtfully.

Despite the similar covers and shared setting of 20th-century New York, these two reads head in different directions. The Godmothers by Camille Aubray is a sweeping saga about four women who must lead the less-than-legal family business after their husbands go off to war. [e-book | print | large type]

More leisurely-paced and character-driven, The Lost Family by Jenna Blum centers on Peter, a Holocaust survivor who has found success as a chef in 1960s Manhattan and the family he never intended to have. Told through the point of view of Peter, his wife, and his daughter over three decades, his survivor’s guilt and traumatic past slowly lead to more and more fractures within the family. [e-book | print | audiobook]​

​Almost creating a negative film effect of each other, these covers both feature a striking trio of figures, hinting at the journeys within, both literal and figurative. Three inseparable orphans navigate war-ravaged Laos with the help of a dedicated local doctor in Run Me to Earth by Paul Yoon. As the group is given the chance to evacuate, their lives take them in unimaginable directions over the years, making for a thoughtful but often heartbreaking tale. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Beautifully translated from Korean, Kim Ae-ran’s My Brilliant Life is a short and poignant look at how a teenager with a terminal illness tries to make the most of his time by writing the story of his beloved parents and filling his remaining days with empathy and wisdom. [e-book | print]

Take a whirlwind tour of highly acclaimed cinema from around the world. While the Oscars, Golden Globes, and other U.S.-based ceremonies give nods to international films in a few categories, lots of countries host their own annual awards. The honorees are worth checking out. We’ve picked several recent winners to add to your watch list, no passport required.

Visit the library to check out DVDs or Blu-rays, or place your selection/s on hold and pick up at the drive-up window.

The winner of multiple categories of the Japan Academy Film Prize and Mainichi Film Awards, Best Feature Film at the Asian Film Awards, and the Palme d'Or at Cannes, Shoplifters (DVD and Hoopla) met with resounding critical and commercial success. Understated and moving, this is a story of a found family trying to survive on the fringes of society. Director Hirokazu Koreeda excels at profiling the humanity of his characters, raising thought-provoking questions about what it means to be a family.

One of Australia's highest-grossing films of all time, Lion (DVD and Blu-ray) swept all twelve categories at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. Based on the autobiography A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley, Lion tells the story of an Indian boy who becomes separated from his family and is eventually adopted by an Australian couple. As an adult, he tries to find his origins and understand his identity. With compelling performances by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, this emotional journey remains true to its source.

Despite Iranian courts banning him from filmmaking for twenty years and preventing him from leaving the country, director Jafar Panahi has continued to create internationally acclaimed films. His docufiction Taxi (DVD, Kanopy) won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. This portrait of modern-day Tehran blurs the lines between fact and fiction, making social commentary possible under the guise of what might be scripted dialogue. As Panahi navigates the streets of Tehran as a taxi driver, he captures conversations on religion, politics, and life, as his passengers come and go. From the mundane to the profound, the entire cinematic world is limited to his taxi, but speaks to the trials and tribulations of everyday Iranians across the country.

Chaitanya Tamhane’s directorial debut Court (DVD and Kanopy) is notable for using non-professional actors and first-time crew members. The filmmaker's choices to work outside the confines of conventional filmmaking came together to create a compelling movie and win India’s National Film Award. The timely drama follows the trial of a social activist who is accused of inciting a local worker’s suicide through his protest songs. Long, uncut scenes and minimal camera movements add to the film's sense of authenticity.

After premiering to acclaim at Cannes, the Mauritanian-French drama Timbuktu (DVD and Kanopy) went on to win five categories at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. When extremists occupy the city of Timbuktu in Mali, their brutal restrictions and laws are at odds with the lively West African culture and the local sect of Islam. Soon a cattleman and his family are caught in the crosshairs. Equal parts terror and beauty, and woven through with outrage and wit, this thoughtful film is much more than a political statement.

Both of director Benedikt Erlingsson’s feature films have won the Nordic Council Film Prize, including his 2018 comedy-drama Woman at War (DVD). In this offbeat and sharp movie, eco-activist Halla plots increasingly serious acts of sabotage on an industrial plant in Iceland. When a long-forgotten adoption application resurfaces, she has to reevaluate what she’s willing to risk in her fight for the environment. The quirky treatment of a serious topic and the building tension make for an unforgettable viewing experience.

For even more hours of viewing from around the globe, check out an International Roku: watch the latest Korean dramas, Nigeria’s Nollywood movies, anime on Crunchyroll, telenovelas on Univision, and lots more.

The headlines about our climate can be overwhelming. Your library is here to help you sort through the news and zero in on useful information on a topic that matters to you — sustainability.

Though large-scale changes are needed to halt and reverse the effects of industrialization on our planet, individuals can make a difference. There are things each of us can do right now to make our day more Earth-friendly. You'll find them in the Sustainable Living guide, a succinct reference that includes

• actionable tips,
• local waste disposal info,
• recommended reading, and
• reliable resources for learning and doing more. 

The top tip may surprise you: eating a plant-based diet (even part of the time) is the best thing you can do to combat climate change. It's also a lot better for you!

​Another top tip is to skip bottled water whenever you can: Not only is tap water purer (no micro-plastics! quality controlled!) and easier on the Earth, but it saves a whole lot of money. 

Look to the Sustainable Living guide when you have questions about how and what to recycle and where to responsibly dispose of household waste. You'll even find tips for toxin-free cleaning and making your holidays more eco-friendly.

The guide will be updated as new information becomes available. View the guide now.

Students in grades 7–12: You can help others without leaving home and earn volunteer hours, too! The library has rounded up online service projects that you do right where you are, anytime between now and December 10.

The program is completely flexible:

• no library card required;
• no application or training;
• volunteer when it fits your schedule;
• no minimum or maximum hours.

Do what you can, when you can! And you'll make a positive difference in the world. Browse the available projects and do what interests you. This season's activities include:

• By the People, a transcription program of the Library of Congress
• Free Rice Game, a UN initiative that raises awareness of global hunger; the more you play and learn, the more donations are made to alleviate hunger
• SciStarter Citizen Science Campaign: your activities contribute to a globally acclaimed, online science hub
• Zooniverse, providing research opportunities in a variety of topics including the sciences and humanities

An online form makes it easy to submit your completed activities to the library's teen volunteer coordinator. When the online program wraps up in December, you'll receive a certificate recognizing you for your good works. Verification of service hours is available in December as well.

Learn more and get started at VAPLD.info/TeenVolunteers.

​It’s human nature to be drawn to stories of the unusual and unexpected. These days there’s no shortage of marathon-worthy media to quench our thirst: true crime podcasts, nearly unbelievable nature shows, and docuseries taking us behind the scenes of cults and corruption. Something about the combination of being stunned and learning something new keeps us coming back for more. If you're a curious-minded reader, check out these page-turners.

Discover an overlooked and unbelievable tale from World War I in The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox. This is the larger-than-life story of two British officers and their outlandish escape from a Turkish prisoner of war camp, an escape that involved a Ouija board, seances, and buried treasure. Fox draws on the memoirs of the officers to create a fascinating, fast-paced read that goes beyond the prison break to examine the era’s zeal for spiritualism and the powers of persuasion. [e-book | print]

Deep in the mountains, there’s a community with no cell phones or Wi-Fi, where even the use of a microwave can put a person on the government’s radar. Though it sounds ripped from the pages of a dystopian novel, Stephen Kurczy's The Quiet Zone uncovers the realities of life in Green Bank, West Virginia. The town is situated in the National Radio Quiet Zone, where radio transmissions are legally restricted to facilitate scientific research and military intelligence. Award-winning journalist Kurczy separates fact from fiction, giving readers a peek into the impact of the restrictions and other unusual influences on local culture. [e-book | print]

The Organ Thieves by Chip Jones mixes true crime, science writing, and social history to shed light on the medical injustices inflicted on Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. Jones tells the moving and tragic story of Bruce Tucker, a Black laborer who entered a hospital with a head injury in 1968 and had his heart transplanted into a local businessman. Tucker's family was never notified and the case led to a major lawsuit and legal questions about the concept of brain-death. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is a look at the intersection of ethics, consent, and racism, shining light on one more name in a long history of unethical medical treatment. [e-book | print]

In The Woman They Could Not Silence, bestselling author Kate Moore (The Radium Girls) delves into the 19th-century practice of sending unwanted wives to asylums. In the summer of 1860, when Elizabeth Packard's controlling husband could no longer tolerate her intelligent and independent nature, he had her committed to the Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. Packard witnessed the institution's horrors, including that she was not the only sane woman confined there. Moore meticulously details Packard's fight for freedom and her campaigns to expand for women’s rights and asylum conditions. Narrated by the author, the award-winning audiobook conveys Moore's and Packard's passion for equal rights. [e-book | print | audiobook]

In Secondhand, Adam Minter pulls back the curtain on the curiously lucrative secondhand industry. From the local Goodwill to flea markets across the globe, Minter offers an engaging look at the people who profit from our unwanted items and the consequences of a consumer market built around fast-fashion and disposable goods. Try the energetic audiobook to keep you company during your next closet cleanout and you might walk away with some sustainable shopping strategies. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Brandy Schillace’s Mr. Humble & Dr. Butcher is possibly the most curious of the titles on this list, introducing readers to the controversial and ambitious Dr. Robert White. After transplanting a monkey’s head to the body of another in 1970, White was adamant that head and brain transplants for humans would be the next medical breakthrough. Grappling with the ethics of his research and his own deep Catholic faith, and despite his run-ins with animal rights activists and skeptics, the eccentric White continued his quest and even hoped to find a way to prolong the life of the soul beyond death. This is an eye-opening look at the scientific fervor of the Cold War period and the costs of medical innovation. [e-book | print]

Because virus levels are high in Lake County and indoor gatherings are discouraged, seating is unavailable in the library building. But that doesn't mean there's no space to sit, read, or work on your laptop. Try one of the new outdoor spaces for studying, meetings, or tutoring sessions:

• Library Garden Study Space: Tables, chairs, and shade for your individual or group use. Available most weekday afternoons and weekends.
• Outdoor Study Rooms: Two-person study spaces are open during library hours and are lit after dark.

Both options are open air, offer high-speed Wi-Fi access, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please limit your use to 2 hours to make room for other visitors. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

To access either space, park in the main lot and follow the walkway toward the back of the library building. From inside the library, exit through the Youth Program Room. View a map.

To learn more, view the info page, stop by any public service desk at the library, or call 224-543-1485.

The weather is decidedly summery, but with schools back in session and the calendar about to turn to September, autumn isn't far away. 

The fall edition of the Vernon Area Library magazine is arriving in local mailboxes, to get you geared up for good reading and great events in the months ahead.

• Read an interview with acclaimed local author Ronald H. Balson, whose newest book, Defending Britta Stein, releases September 7.
• Check out more of the season's most anticipated new releases.
• Get the inside story about how the library supports English language learners in our community.
• Find out ​how, despite the pandemic, Vernon Area librarians have continued to connect with school children to encourage them to read for fun.
• Browse a sampling of library events, happening online and outdoors, including a full roster of storytimes for ages 0 to 5.
• Catch up on useful resources like Ancestry, Morningstar, Mango, and Libby...all free, and accessible right where you are, with your Vernon Area Library card.

Look for your copy of the magazine in your mail. Or read it online now. Comments or questions? Send an email to LQ@VAPLD.info.

It’s human nature to be drawn to stories about the unusual and unexpected. These days there’s no shortage of marathon-worthy media to quench our thirst to know why the world wags and what wags it: true crime podcasts, nearly unbelievable nature shows, and docuseries taking us behind the scenes of cults and corruption. Something about the combination of being stunned and learning something new keeps us coming back for more. If you're a curious-minded reader, check out these page-turners.

Discover an overlooked and unbelievable tale from World War I in The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox. This is the larger-than-life story of two British officers and their outlandish escape from a Turkish prisoner of war camp, an escape that involved a Ouija board, seances, and buried treasure. Fox draws on the memoirs of the officers to create a fascinating, fast-paced read that goes beyond the prison break to examine the era’s zeal for spiritualism and the powers of persuasion. [e-book | print]

Deep in the mountains, there’s a community with no cell phones or Wi-Fi, where even the use of a microwave can put a person on the government’s radar. Though it sounds ripped from the pages of a dystopian novel, Stephen Kurczy's The Quiet Zone uncovers the realities of life in Green Bank, West Virginia. The town is situated in the National Radio Quiet Zone, where radio transmissions are legally restricted to facilitate scientific research and military intelligence. Award-winning journalist Kurczy separates fact from fiction, giving readers a peek into the impact of the restrictions and other unusual influences on local culture. [e-book | print]

The Organ Thieves by Chip Jones mixes true crime, science writing, and social history to shed light on the medical injustices inflicted on Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. Jones tells the moving and tragic story of Bruce Tucker, a Black laborer who entered a hospital with a head injury in 1968 and had his heart transplanted into a local businessman. Tucker's family was never notified and the case led to a major lawsuit and legal questions about the concept of brain-death. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is a look at the intersection of ethics, consent, and racism, shining light on one more name in a long history of unethical medical treatment. [e-book | print]

In The Woman They Could Not Silence, bestselling author Kate Moore (The Radium Girls) delves into the 19th-century practice of sending unwanted wives to asylums. In the summer of 1860, when Elizabeth Packard's controlling husband could no longer tolerate her intelligent and independent nature, he had her committed to the Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. Packard witnessed the institution's horrors, including that she was not the only sane woman confined there. Moore meticulously details Packard's fight for freedom and her campaigns to expand for women’s rights and asylum conditions. Narrated by the author, the award-winning audiobook conveys Moore's and Packard's passion for equal rights. [e-book | print | audiobook]

In Secondhand, Adam Minter pulls back the curtain on the curiously lucrative secondhand industry. From the local Goodwill to flea markets across the globe, Minter offers an engaging look at the people who profit from our unwanted items and the consequences of a consumer market built around fast-fashion and disposable goods. Try the energetic audiobook to keep you company during your next closet cleanout and you might walk away with some sustainable shopping strategies. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Brandy Schillace’s Mr. Humble & Dr. Butcher is possibly the most curious of the titles on this list, introducing readers to the controversial and ambitious Dr. Robert White. After transplanting a monkey’s head to the body of another in 1970, White was adamant that head and brain transplants for humans would be the next medical breakthrough. Grappling with the ethics of his research and his own deep Catholic faith, and despite his run-ins with animal rights activists and skeptics, the eccentric White continued his quest and even hoped to find a way to prolong the life of the soul beyond death. This is an eye-opening look at the scientific fervor of the Cold War period and the costs of medical innovation. [e-book | print]

For more top picks from your library, visit the Readers' Guide.

If you'd like a list of book recommendations just for you, complete this brief form and a Book Genius will select thoughtful picks based on your reading preferences.

Work on the exterior book return has been completed and the return slot is now open. The new access point is the same height as the pre-renovation, standalone book return bin. The new position allows a better turning radius to the exit lane. 

Regardless of your vehicle, it will be easier to return books, DVDs, and other standard library materials in the slot. Pavement striping, to help guide your approach, is being added soon.

Thanks for your patience while the improvements were made!