LET'S DISCUSS BOOKS!

Are you a member of a book club?  Are you thinking of starting a group? It's nice to meet with a group and share opinions about books.  There are all sorts of groups.  Some prefer light reading, and there are those who prefer to read something more serious.  Some groups choose controversial books that spark lively discussions.  Having people in a group who are willing to listen to other's opinions can enrich our experiences within a group. Socializing is also an important part of book clubs. Meetings can be held in homes, libraries or restaurants- there are no limits!
Here are two books that you might enjoy about reading:
 
THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe isn't really about a group of people discussing books, but about a terminally ill mother and her son who read books together and share ideas about life.

 

 

THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB by Karen Joy Fowler is a delightful book (there's also a movie) about a book club in California that focuses on the relationships of the members.



 

 

There are a number of ways to find books for your book club.  The Charleston County Library System offers book club kits.  These come in a plastic container with 15 copies plus discussions questions.  These kits must be reserved and are checked out to one person for a period of six weeks. There are over 20 titles to chose from.

 

We also have a great data base, Novelistplus, where you can find summaries and reviews of books.  Our databases can be found at our website under Resources, then Research Tools.

 

There are many resources online for finding book club recommendations.  Many of these websites include reviews and discussion questions. Here are some websites you might like to try:

www.litlovers.com

www.abebooks.com

www.auntiesbooks.com

www.bookclubgirl.com

www.bookmovement.com

www.goodreads.com

 

We're also happy to help you at our Reference/Information desk find the book that your book club would like.  If there are particular authors that you've enjoyed, we can help you find Read-alikes.

 

We'd like to invite you to the Mt. Pleasant Book Discussion Group.  It meets in the auditorium on the second Monday of the month at 10:30-11:30 a.m.  There is no sign-up- just come.  The next meeting will be August 12 and they'll be discussing My Reading Life by Pat Conroy.  The September 9th discussion will be The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.  We hope you'll join us for one of these. 

Tell us about your book group!

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 



 







WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY?

It's been busy so far this summer season at the Mt. Pleasant Regional Library with reading programs for all ages.  If you haven't been in yet, please check out these programs which encourage  reading. Visit our website for information about Summer Reading Programs.

If you'd like to know what's happening we have a new easy-to read calendar just for the Mt. Pleasant Branch.  We don't have copies to distribute, but it's available to view in the library, and you may sign up for monthly email notification.  Come in and fill out a form so you'll be able to make plans for the programs and our special events for the summer. We will not share your information.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your summer!

IT'S SUMMER AT THE LIBRARY!

Even though it's not officially summer yet, we're celebrating summer at the library.  June 1st
is the start of our Summer Reading Program.  We have a program for all ages.
For babies parents read to their babies and do different activities.  The prize is a board book.
This year for children up through the 6th grade there is a change.  Instead of keeping a record of time spent reading, children will read 10 books and turn in their forms for a medal and other prizes.  This qualifies them for an entry for the grand prize.
Young adults(Grades 6-12) fill out a form for each book read and turn it in for weekly prize drawings and a grand prize.
Don't forget the Adult Summer Reading Program.  Fill out a form for each book read and turn it in for a chance at great prizes.  Fiction or non-fiction books are acceptable!

Come in and get all of the details on Summer Reading Programs or enter online at our website.

Have a great Summer and thanks for reading.

ZINIO IS HERE!

What is Zinio?  It is a new downloadable free magazine subscription service for our patrons.  I think you'll really enjoy this.  Find out all about it by going to our website.  There is a link on the front of our homepage about CCPL adding downloadable magazines, or on the left hand side click "Downloadable Media." There you'll see instructions on how to get started. New users will need to create an account.

Browse and you will find a very good selection of magazine choices from several genres.  Choose from Lifestyle, Crafts, Pets and Animals, Food and Cooking, News, Travel, Gardening, Family and Parenting, Teens and more. There's something for everyone!  Once you've downloaded your chosen title, you'll be able to print any pages that you'd like to keep.  No more stacks of magazines around the house!

Here are just a few examples of available titles:
Country Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Beadwork, National Geographic, Road and Track, Woodworker's Journal, Seventeen, Elle, and Food Network Magazine.

Contact us if you have any questions at 843-849-6161.  Thanks for reading!

SUMMER VACATIONS

It won't be long until school is out for the summer, and it's time to plan for vacations.  Whether you're planning a grand European tour or staying close to home, there are plenty of travel books and DVDs to help make your vacation more enjoyable.  Some advance planning can make the difference between a wonderful, memorable vacation and a miserable time that you'd like to forget.

Do you enjoy camping and hiking, or would you rather lie under palm trees on a tropical beach with a cool drink and a good book?  Maybe you enjoy sightseeing and visiting historical sights and museums.  Do you prefer big cities or quiet times in the country?

Is a trip to Walt Disney World in your future?  Please join us for a program given by Susan Sloate, "Maximum Magic at Walt Disney World."  Susan is a local author and has been to Walt Disney World numerous times and would like to share what she has learned about hotels, dining, best times to visit, and how to avoid long lines. She will give many special tips to help make your visit a trip to remember. The program will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, May 11, at 1:00 p.m.  Registration is not required, but if you have any questions, please contact us at 843-849-6161. 

Here are just a few of the travel books in our collection:

Guide to National Parks in the United States published by National Geographic Society is a very detailed book that has very useful information about camping, hiking, lodging, restaurants, wildlife, and just about anything else you could possibly imagine.  There are many maps and color photos.

If you dislike riding for hours on Interstate Highways, a book by Jamie Jensen is for you.  Road trip USA: Cross-country adventures on America's two-lane highways will show you multiple vacations choices while avoiding the Interstate.

       We have a wonderful series DK Eyewitness Travel.  This is one of the best series I've seen. It includes color photos, detailed maps, and information on sights, lodging, and dining.  Some of the titles in the series are Southwest USA and Las Vegas, New England, New Orleans, Singapore, Italy, Egypt and Back Roads Ireland. 




We also have Frommer's and Fodor's guides and books and DVDs by Rick Steves, the very popular PBS host. 

Don't forget to check our website to find travel books and DVDs for your vacation or call us at 843-849-6161.

Thanks for reading!

 

OUT OF WORK? NEED A JOB?

If you pick up any newspaper these days, you'll read about the unemployment rate.  If you've lost your job, or would like to find a better job, it can be discouraging to read these articles.

Have you been out of the workforce for some time?  Things have changed over the past ten years or so in the method of searching for a job.  Many businesses no longer accept paper resumes or applications.  Job hunters must submit everything online.

Many people are using public libraries as a free resource for job-hunting.  Our Internet computers are here for you to begin your job search.  If you have a laptop, you may access our wireless network.

There are many books in our library system to help you improve your job-searching skills, and right now we have a display with some of these books. Learn how to write a resume and cover letter that will get the attention of an employer.  Get ready for your interview by learning how to present yourself in a positive and confident way. Learn to be the best candidate for the job you want.

Do you need help finding websites that list jobs?  We have a list on our display of local and national job search websites.

If you would like to improve your computer skills, our Technology Learning Center at the Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston, offers free classes.  To register, please call 843-805-6885.  We have a schedule at the Reference desk at Mt. Pleasant.

Many employers require that applicants have an email address. We can help you get started in setting up an email address.  Unfortunately we do no have enough staff to sit with you, but the Otranto Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Rd., has a job search center. If you would like more information, please call 843-572-4094.

Please come in and check out our display to help you get started on your job search.

We are always glad to help with your questions at the Reference desk.

Thanks for reading.

CHECK OUT OUR MAGAZINES

Did you know that you may now check out back issues of our collection of magazines? 
Magazine subscriptions can be expensive, so why not come to the library to read current issues and take home back issues.  You may check out up to five magazines for a two-week checkout period.

We have a wide variety of titles for every interest. Here are some of our titles:

Business and Current Events                                      

• Time                                                                        
• The Economist
• The Nation
• Forbes
• Black Enterprise

Fashion and Women's Interests 

• Cosmopolitan
• Redbook
• Ladies Home Journal

Interior and Home Decorating

• Architectural Digest
• Better Homes and Gardens
• House Beautiful
• This Old House
• Southern Living

Cooking

• Every Day with Rachel Ray
• Cooking Light
• Vegetarian Times
• Bon Appetit
• Food and Wine

Travel

• Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel
• National Geographic

Crafts

• Crafts N' Things
• Knit N' Style

Outdoors and Fitness

• Runner's World
• Yoga Journal
• Field and Stream
• Salt Water Fishing
• South Carolina Wildlife

Men's Issues

• Men's Health
• GQ

This is certainly not all of our titles.  Come in and relax for awhile in our magazine section, and then check out the back issues of your favorites.

Please contact us at 843-849-6161 if you have any questions. 
Thanks for reading.