Message from Library Director Pamela Monroe
Hi Friends,
Library staff love helping patrons find the perfect title all year long, but have you ever wondered which books bring them the most joy? It’s that time of year when we share the hidden gems our staff can’t stop talking about! Here’s the ultimate list, curated by our experts, to inspire your next read.
Fiction. Nonfiction. Graphic novels. Nonfiction graphic novels. Whatever you love, you’ll find something great here. And if you’re still undecided, we’re always here to help!
- The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (Staff: Ashley)
- James by Percival Everett (Staff: Sindhu)
- The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz (Staff: Rodney)
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Staff: Abigale)
- D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins (Staff: Shaundra)
- Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa (Staff: Serene)
- Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Staff: Katie)
- Dressing Barbie by Carol Spencer (Staff: Rebecca)
- The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Staff: Mallory)
- Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis (Staff: Pamela)
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (Staff: John)
- The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen (Staff: Harmony)
- A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall (Staff: Aleisha)
- Welcome to Dragon Talk by Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble (Staff: Sarah S.)
- Mr. Kitty Is Lost! by Greg Pizzoli (Staff: Lauren)
- Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik (Staff: Emily)
- Strangers to Ourselves by Rachel Aviv (Staff: Davey)
- Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (Staff: Maleah)
- Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish (Staff: Sarah D.)
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks (Staff: Christine)
- Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger (Staff: Florian)
- Mashle: Magic and Muscles by Hajime Komoto (Staff: Lane)
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Staff: Julian)
- Funny Story by Emily Henry (Staff: Kaycee)
Take a break from the holiday rush and enjoy a good book—or audiobook! And keep an eye out for our upcoming Beanstack challenges in the new year for even more ways to explore great reads and win prizes.
Amazing things are happening,
Pamela Monroe, Library Director
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Sweeten up your holiday season at the Sixth Annual Community Gingerbread House Competition! Join us on Saturday, December 7, from 1–3 p.m. at the Leon County Main Library for a festive, family-friendly event. With six competition divisions, there's a category for everyone. Judges will crown division winners, and attendees can cast their votes for the coveted People’s Choice award. Registration closes on Friday, December 6, at 1 p.m., so don’t wait to sign up!
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Experience the magic of Winter Wonders: Exploring Science! Join us for engaging and educational science activities and crafts centered around the enchanting winter season that encourage young minds to touch, explore, and create.
Available throughout December and January at all locations:
- Saturday, December 7, from 1-4 p.m. at the downtown Main Library.
- Saturday, December 21, from 12-3 p.m. at the Northeast Branch Library.
- Saturday, January 4, from 1-3 p.m. at the Eastside Branch Library.
- Saturday, January 11, from 1-3Â p.m. at the Woodville Branch Library.
- Friday, January 17, from 3-5Â p.m. at the Lake Jackson Branch Library.
- Saturday, January 18, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Fort Braden Branch Library.
- Saturday, January 25, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library.
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Time is ticking! You have until December 31 to complete the Bicentennial Challenge on Beanstack for your chance to win an exciting prize. Log your reading and activities today!
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Now through December 28, you can enjoy extended check-out at all Leon County Public Library locations! Most items that normally check out for three weeks (books, books on CD, and CDs) will check out for six weeks, so you have more time to enjoy them.
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All Leon County Public Library locations will observe the following holiday schedule:
- Christmas Eve: Closing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24
- Christmas Day: Closed Wednesday, December 25
- New Year's Eve: Closing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31
- New Year's Day: Closed Wednesday, January 1
Program Breaks:
Even when we're closed, our digital library is always open. Start exploring today!
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Enjoy engaging Virtual Author Talks with bestselling authors from a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Tune in for these live events with interactive Q&As, or watch the recording afterward.Â
Upcoming Virtual Author Talks include:
- Wednesday, December 4, at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Dr. Jeffrey Post, emeritus curator of the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection and author of The Smithsonian National Gem Collection Unearthed.
- Wednesday, December 11, at 2 p.m: Author Talk with Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Night We Lost Him.
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