LIBRARY NOTES

Our Collaborative Summer Reading Programs are officially over until next year.

We had the privilege of hosting a variety of locals for the programs. Our local apiarist, Jon Shipp, started us off with a program about collecting honey from bees.

Jeromy Rutledge from Spur Hardware brought his chuck wagon, the Revvie Lee, the next week to the delight of children and adults alike.

Briana Sturgis from Argo Blockchain gave a fascinating program about digital currency and the role of a blockchain in digital currency.

Publisher Kay Ellington and editor Barbara Brannon of the Texas Spur newspaper ended up the programming with a hands-on presentation of “Your Newspaper and How It’s Made.” The youngsters got to make newspaper hats and make their very own newspapers.

Thank you all so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to support the children of our community!

New books this past week at the library include New York Times bestselling author and acknowledged master of the legal thriller John Grisham’s first collection of novellas with “Sparring Partners.” In each of the three novellas law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.

We also received the most anticipated memoir of 2022, “James Patterson: The Stories of My Life” by James Patterson. This is what Ron Howard has to say about it: “The book was damn near addictive. I loved it. Patterson recounts turning points and life-shaping lessons in short, riveting bursts that inform, entertain, and satisfy—then propel you into the next story. That Patterson guy can write!” James Patterson is the world's bestselling author. The creator of Alex Cross, he has produced more enduring fictional heroes than any other novelist alive.

In large print we received “Perilous Frontier: A Quartet of Crime in the Old West.” These short stories were authored by John D. Nesbitt, Larry D. Sweazy, Jim Jones and Phil Mills Jr.

If you are having trouble getting your children to do something besides play video games, you might get them to read about their video games. We have four of the first official chapter books in a series based on Minecraft by Nick Eliopulos. The first one, “Into the Game!” is about five young Minecraft players in the real world that find themselves transported inside the game they love. But now it's not a game--and they will have to use everything they know to explore, build, and survive! This illustrated hardcover series will thrill and engage fans of Minecraft and actionpacked fantasy stories alike.

The adventures continue in the Minecraft Chapter Book series with “The Night of the Bats.” When zombie hordes attack them in the game, and bats invade their school in the real world, Ash, Morgan, and their friends realize that it's going to take all their talents to get to the bottom of these monstrous migrations.

In number three, “Deep Dive,” Ash, Morgan, and three of their fellow Minecraft players, who can actually enter the game, take a deep dive into the Aquatic biome, where they find a world filled with beauty and wonder. A treasure map promises adventure and the opportunity to explore—but it could also be a trap set by the mysterious Evoker King. With air running low, will they survive to find out?

In number four, “Ghast in the Machine,” Jodi, Ash, Morgan and their fellow Minecraft players go out into the real world to find clues to the identity of the mysterious and sinister Evoker King. Not only do they need to find out who— or what—he is, but they need to know if it's really possible for him to escape the game! Because if he can, that could spell big trouble both in the game and out!

Check it out at the library.

Donnice Carruth is director of the Dickens County-Spur Library, in Spur.