Blog posts by Jessi

A Few Thoughts on Gratitude

Jessi,

We are all going through a really rough time right now. Life is overwhelming and scary. Many of us won't get to celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones. Many of us have been directly affected by COVID-19. Many of us miss spending time with our friends and family, traveling, eating at a restaurant or cafe, and feeling safer. Nevertheless, we can still feel and express gratitude, or be thankful for what we DO have. I am grateful to have discovered and read these five books this year. They gave me hope and made me laugh, a lot.  Want to check them out? Click on the…

Enemies-to-Lovers: Swoon Over these Romance Novels

Jessi

Reading romance novels has helped bring me joy during this pandemic. I especially seek out those that fall under the popular trope, enemies-to-lovers. The six titles listed below are witty, fun, and sexy—and will hopefully give you a good laugh, too! Enjoy and stay safe! The Right Swipe: A Novel by Alisha Rai Rhiannon Hunter was ghosted by Samson Lima after letting herself fall for his charms after one amazing date. When he resurfaces, aligned with her biggest business rival and asking for a secomd chance, Rhiannon has to decide if her walls stay up, or if she should risk merging hearts!…

Graphic Novels to Read During Black History Month

Jessi

As you all know, February is Black History Month. Black History Month was proposed by Black professors and the Black United Students group at Kent State University in 1969, and was first celebrated a year later from January 2nd to February 28th. Not until 1976, was it finally celebrated nationwide.  One way to celebrate and honor Black history is by reading graphic novels. As many of us librarians and library workers know, graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular. Graphic novels can also be a helpful tool for struggling readers of all ages, and can improve one’s visual literacy…

As the World Churns: Ice Cream Heaven at Home

Jessi

July is a month of unbearable stickiness. The stifling heat and humidity brings one inescapable form, but there is also another with more delicious character resulting from July also being National Ice Cream Month. Like most people, I prefer the stickiness that comes at the end of a delicious cup or cone. Though I am sadly lactose intolerant, it does not stop me from stealing a spoonful from my friends every now and again. Brooklyn has many excellent options for a heat-beating scoop and Brooklyn Public Library has even more options for escaping the heat…

Quick Reads for Pride

Jessi

Mean by Myriam Gurba
Life can be messy and hectic! If you love to read but don't have much time or energy, I highly recommend checking out these four short, but mighty LGBTQ+titles during Pride month or any time of year. Mean by Myriam Gurba Gurba’s witty and powerful memoir is written in the form of spoken word poetry and packs quite a punch in 160 pages. Gurba shares her coming of age story as a queer, mixed-race Chicana in Southern California. She also shares migrant worker, Sophia Castro’s horrifying story, it’s haunting impact on her and…

Memoirs to Read During Pride Month (And All Year Round!)!

Jessi

Pride Month is here and there is much to celebrate and honor—LGBTQIA+history, politics, theater and film, culture, music, art, and especially literature. This blog post highlights four  recently published memoirs by LGBTQIA+writers. Take the time to read their beautiful and inspiring stories. Amateur: A True Story about What Makes a Man by Thomas Page McBee: McBee’s beautifully written and deeply personal memoir captures his experiences training to fight a charity boxing match at Madison Square Garden, all while struggling to define what it means to be a man both in and outside the…