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Thanksgiving isn’t all about pilgrims and turkey. Take a moment this holiday to acknowledge the experiences of Native Americans, in Indiana and beyond.

Special Collections
November 9, 2017
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War, it is said, tears families apart and brings strangers together. In this compelling WWII novel, two German widows of Nazi-resisters and a third woman, a refugee from the East, move in together, along with their children. They help each other with child-rearing and preparing meals, despite the privations of rationing. Most importantly, they give each other deep emotional support, as good families do.

The novel opens on a grand harvest party in a castle, ramshackle and falling apart, near a small town in Bavaria. Marianne, the main character, plays host for its ailing owner, Countess von Lingenfels, her husband Albrecht's aunt. Marianne brings to hosting the skills of someone who has an eye for beauty and taste—and particularly the complicated dynamics of relationships between people. She greets, cajoles, and introduces strangers with the flair and manners of a great lady.

Reviews , Relationships, Fiction
November 9, 2017
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On November 17, author Jamie Ford speaks at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington for the NEA Big Read and the library’s biennial Power of Words program.

As he often does, Jamie Ford writes about the clashing and melding of different cultures in his three historical novels: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Songs of Willow Frost, and Love and Other Consolation Prizes.  

Reviews , History, Coming of Age, Family, Fiction, Diversity
November 8, 2017
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Picture books are often children's first exposure to art. As galleries of artists' work—all within the pages of books—they reflect the vast variety of art mediums we find in museums. Some artists create with real-world materials like paint and pencils; others make collage or etchings. Some even work in virtual media like computer graphics, and, of course, some use a combination of tools and methods.

When my children were younger, I would check out piles of picture books to read with them—and for the pleasure of viewing the artwork. And even though my children have moved beyond picture books, I still enjoy opening these miniature exhibitions, browsing through old favorites or finding new artists.

In honor of National Picture Book Month this November, I recommend these resources:

Reviews, Think Library , Create, Picture Book
November 1, 2017
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With economy of language and a taut emotional underlying, Ayobami Adebayo tells the parallel tales of a young couple’s marriage, alongside Nigeria’s struggle for independence.

Told alternately by Yejide and her husband, Akin, the book opens late in the story to a woman packing her bags. She's done this many, many times before, but something—whether deep feelings or fear—has always stopped her from making the trip to her southwestern Nigerian hometown of Ilesa, once the site of a magical kingdom.

Reviews , Family, Fiction, Diversity
October 31, 2017

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Happy Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)! The celebration begins on October 31 and runs through November 2.

Kids , Holidays & Cultural Celebrations
October 31, 2017
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Books featuring characters who are immigrants or refugees, and nonfiction books about the immigrant experience throughout history.

Let's Talk About...
October 26, 2017

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Can you believe it’s been 40 years since Star Wars first made the jump into theaters? Since then it's been taking the world by force, igniting the imaginations of fans of all ages.

Every October, we celebrate this bounty of books with a special holiday—Star Wars Reads. Over the years, books have become a great way to expand on the stories set in the Star Wars galaxy.

Looking for a book to pique the interest of your young Star Wars fan? Try these fun Star Wars Reads!

Kids , Sci-Fi
October 26, 2017
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This memoir by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist will make you feel as though you have boarded a jet and begun a new life.

Jeffrey Gettleman, nineteen-year old college student, wanders his way into East Africa, does community service work, and falls in love with the landscapes, people, swirl of languages, and colorful clothing there. In fact, he eventually decides he must come back to live in the region, not just visit.

Reviews , Nonfiction
October 19, 2017
Picture Book Art
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Picture books are an entire art exhibition all the in the compact form of a book. Picture book artists use a variety of techniques to produce art and a story all together for an often critical but very loving audience—children. This list pulls together some interesting and unique picture book art and a few books about picture book art and the artists that create it. If you want to peruse some great art, check out some of these books or look into the vast collection of picture books in the Chi

Mixed Ages
October 19, 2017
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Leigh Bardugo returns to the Grishaverse with this collection of original fairy tales, whre she creates a mythical history that adds breadth and depth to her world.

Teens, Think Library , Adventure, Create, Fantasy, Folklore
October 19, 2017
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The 2017 Bloomington Open Studios Tour gives the public the chance to witness the artistic process firsthand. October 21 and October 22, enter the world of visual artists by watching them work in their studios as they create a diverse body of art. Add understanding and context to your Open Studios experience with these items in our collection. 

Compiled by Jane R.

Topical Guides
October 18, 2017

Long before humans created written records of life on Earth, the fossil record told its own fascinating story. The National Park Service celebrates those stories with

Think Library
October 11, 2017