#WorthReading: Fantasy, Part 1

Readers, I have a confession to make: I love fantasy. Some people prefer logic and facts while others prefer spaceships and galaxies that are far far away. I, however, like magic and mythology. I love the creativity that comes with inventing your own world, the what ifs that go along with the spells and potions, and the “dude, that’s so cool” that comes with the supernatural. It’s not just the content of the books that I love so much, though. Fantasy as a genre has such a rich history, though there are those who write it off as complete drivel. I would remind…continue reading →

Pride Month: LGBT+ fiction for YA

Young adult fiction is often a reflection of the times, and as such, is always growing and changing as it morphs to accurately represent the population it features. It’s a voice for younger people who are discovering and developing their identities, has recently seen an overdue and welcome expansion of representation. Previously under-represented populations are being featured in books of their own, and such is the case with the LGBT+ community. Publishers Simon & Schuster and Alfred A. Knopf - who work heavily with YA books - say that while they don’t keep…continue reading →

Mental Health Monday: New Books on Mental Health & Self-Care

Check out these new books on mental health and good ol' regular self-care. Click the link & log in with your MyTyler information to request the title! Draw Stronger: Self-Care for Cartoonists & Visual Artists by Kriota Willberg " You're a cartoonist. You take care of yourself to prevent drawing injuries. You do your stretches, take regular breaks, and draw with perfect posture. What happens? You start experiencing pain when you draw anyway! A perfect example of bad things happening to good people. What should you do? Go to the doctor if it's…continue reading →

Banned Books Week: Finding Freedom to Read

Banned Books Week is almost upon us, and Tyler Libraries are gearing up to celebrate some of our favorite banned books: the ones people try to say are verboten and request that libraries remove from their collections. It may seem strange and unusual, but the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media all the time regarding attempts to challenge or ban books in communities across the country. Many different groups try to challenge or ban books, but according to the ALA, parents challenge books…continue reading →

#WorthReading – A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Tyler Libraries have more than just academic titles. Our Books Worth Reading series highlights some digital titles for fun and lifelong learning. A Dirty Job By Christopher Moore Recommended by Suzanne Sherry   From Overdrive: Charlie Asher is a beta male, one of the countless guys who survive in the gene pool by doggie paddling in the shallow end. He doesn't take risks and he seriously hates change. But Charlie's safe life is about to take a really weird detour. On the day his daughter, Sophie, is born, his wife dies of a…continue reading →