Spring 2016 Reading List & Featured Book

Featured Book

Mornings on Horseback
by David G. McCullough

Reviews:

Denver Post A fine account of Roosevelt's rise to manhood, well written and, like its subject, full of irrepressible vitality.

Detroit News This is a marvelous chronicle of manners and morals, love and duty, and as captivating as anything you will find between book covers in a long while.

John Leonard The New York Times We have no better social historian.

About the Author

David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include 1776, Brave Companions, The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, and The Wright Brothers. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Visit DavidMcCullough.com.

SOURCE: Copyright © Amazon.com. All rights reserved.

Spring 2016 Recommended Reading Selections

A MAN CALLED OVE, by Fredrik Backman

ALERT, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

AMERICAN GIRLS, by Nancy Jo Sales

BEING MORTAL, by Atul Gawande

BROOKLYN, by Colm Toibin

CLAWBACK, by J. A. Jance

DARK MONEY, by Jane Mayer

DARK PROMISES, by Christine Feehan

DEEP BLUE, by Randy Wayne White

EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES, by Lisa Scottoline

EVICTED, by Matthew Desmond

FIRE TOUCHED, by Patricia Briggs

GO SET A WATCHMAN, by Harper Lee

HAWKE, by Sawyer Bennett

IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, by Barbara Freethy

ME BEFORE YOU, by Jojo Moyes

MY BRILLIANT FRIEND, by Elena Ferrante

OFF THE GRID, by C. J. Box

ORIGINALS, by Adam Grant

PLAYING THE ODDS, by Nora Roberts

PRIVATE PARIS, by James Patterson 

PROPERTY OF A NOBLEWOMAN, by Danielle Steel

READY PLAYER ONE, by Ernest Cline

RIGHTFUL HERITAGE, by Douglas Brinkley

ROOM, by Emma Donoghue

SISI, by Allison Pataki

SMARTER FASTER BETTER, by Charles Duhigg

THE ALCHEMIST, by Paulo Coelho

THE GANGSTER, by Clive Cussler

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, by Paula Hawkins

THE IMMORTAL IRISHMAN, by Timothy Egan

THE LEGENDS CLUB, by John Feinstein

THE LIAR, by Nora Roberts

THE MARTIAN, by Andy Weir

THE NAME OF GOD IS MERCY, by Pope Francis

THE NIGHTINGALE, by Kristin Hannah

THE REVENANT, by Michael Punk

THE RUMOR, by Elin Hilderbrand

THE STEEL KISS, by Jeffery Deaver

THE STORY OF A NEW NAME, by Elena Ferrante

THE WEDDING DRESS, by Rachel Hauck

THE WIDOW, by Fiona Barto

THOSE WHO LEAVE AND THOSE WHO STAY, by Elena Ferrante

SOURCE: NY Times Bestseller Lists 3/27/16

New Books from "I Can Read" Series for Early Readers

The Friends of Smyrna Library underwrote the recent purchase of new additions to the Smyrna Public Library’s “I Can Read” series.  They are ready to be checked out!

Thank you for your donations to Friends of Smyrna Library that enable us to fund library purchases.   

First Sunday Lecture: Historical and Architectural Walking Tour of Smyrna's Williams Park Neighborhood

The Williams Park neighborhood of Smyrna (the streets lying east of Atlanta Road, opposite Market Village) contains the largest concentration of older structures in the city, many dating from the 1885 to 1925 period, a unique architectural ensemble that could well qualify as Smyrna's first National Register Historic District. 

The area also has a fascinating history. Casey Clavin, who has given much attention to the architectural history of this interesting neighborhood, and local historian Bill Marchione, co-narrated today’s walking tour of the city's oldest neighborhood, a tour that also featured visits to the interiors of some of Williams Park's most interesting residences.

The Williams Park walking tour was sponsored by the Friends of the Smyrna Library (FOSL) with assistance from the Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council (SACC), as one of the Smyrna Library's regular "First Sunday" programs.

PixelGraphs by Celia Durand Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The March/April art gallery exhibit for 2016 opened today - PixelGraphs by Celia Durand. Celia’s exhibit is on display until April 30. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Biography:

As a young adult, I moved to New York from my native country of Argentina. My previous studies and degree were in teaching and journalism but since childhood I dabbled in art and crafts.

During the early years, besides raising a family, I studied ceramics and sculpture and developed my own style. During that time I participated in several group showings and received several awards. I also taught myself the basics of early microprocessors and computers.

After moving to Washington D.C., I learned computer programming and wrote several programs, including "The Banner Machine" - which printed large-sized banners using a dot matrix printer - and a number of companion utilities for a retail point of sale software package.

Our move to Atlanta coincided with the advance in digital photography which opened for me a whole new field and gave me the capability of combining my artistic aspirations with my fascination with computers.

During the last several years I have participated in numerous art shows and received many awards. My website illustrates all aspects of my work and its evolution and my Facebook page keeps everybody abreast of my latest art related news.

Porcelain and Stoneware by Candy Casarella Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The March/April art gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Porcelain and Stoneware by Candy Casarella. Candy’s exhibit is on display until April 30. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

I was born and raised in Southern California. I first experienced working with clay at the University of California – Santa Barbara. I’m the mother of two grown children and three adorable grandchildren.

I lived in New Jersey for twenty years, participating in art shows and have sold pottery throughout the area. Then I moved to Atlanta in 1981 where I studied at Penland and Callenwolde.

I’ve had my work on display at Simpsonwood, Spruill Gallery, Framing Artistry, Red Space Gallery, Yellow Dog Gallery and have done art and craft events all over Georgia. Pottery is my therapy and my passion. It’s a great joy to create things that others use and enjoy.