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Have you made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more? Here are a couple of my favorites to keep me going back to the gym. An hour on the bike goes much faster listening to a good read. You can find this book in the Libby or Hoopla app. Image Credit: Aspen Card Catalog; Image Link …

A Pocketful of Happiness | Richard E. Grant Check it out in our online card catalog! Summary: Richard E. Grant emigrated from Swaziland to London in 1982, with dreams of making it as an actor. Unexpectedly, he met and fell in love with a renowned dialect coach Joan Washington. Their relationship and marriage, navigating the highs …

Two Audiobooks, enjoyed on Hoopla. When traveling, you can’t beat renting a book from Hoopla for helping the miles fly by. Two movies, one available from SPLD and one rented from the vast array of movies available in the system. One Native American Novel which was recommended during a panel discussion at the Chicago Public …

Lessons in Chemistry | Bonnie Garmus Summary: Set mostly in the 1960’s in a male dominated science institute. A brilliant female scientist is trying to make her work recognized and appreciated by any method she can. Constantly ignored, put down and cheated by her male counterparts, she proves that women do have brains along with …

The Elephant to Hollywood | Michael Caine Summary: There’s a generous helping of curses throughout this work so be wary around the kids/public. – Caine shares the spectacular story of his life, from his humble upbringing in London’s poverty-stricken Elephant and Castle to his military service and lively adventures to legendary meetings with fellow stars …

The Disasters | M. K. England Summary: Like many science fiction stories, this one has the main character facing an explosive crisis from which only his perspective tells the ‘truth’. Nax and his crew of survivors must get a message to those authorities who are not teaming up to sabotage the station themselves (for fun …

The links below the groupings direct you to various blog posts featuring the listed titles. Happy Reading! -Jenna Dauer, Smithton Public Library District Library Director Tween (5th grade and up) interests:  Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin – 2009 Inspired picture books: Thumpy Feet, by Betsy Lewin – 2013 This is Not …

Jenna shares her favorite reads from the last year (or so) [2021], including print and audio formats. These would make great gifts! Dirt | Mary Marantz Recommended in Audio format Summary: Mary Marantz shares her story for anyone who has ever walked into the world and felt like their scars were still on display, showing that you are …

Old Venus | by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois (eds.) Summary: This collection of short stories visits Venus when we thought it was swampy and jungle-thick with exotic life. Never mind that our scientific observations have eliminated this possibility – the various writers ignore the real acidic atmosphere and create a world both …

The titles shared are the author’s most recent works (link to the online card catalog shows all formats of that title). Jenna enjoys these podcasts on the regular. All opinions are Jenna’s own. Find these podcasts in your favorite podcast app!  Need help getting started listening to podcasts — call us ! (618-233-8057) We’re happy …

When No One Is Watching | Alyssa Cole Summary: Enamored with her hometown neighborhood, Sydney pays attention to the changes being introduced from outside forces. Not only are the businesses and buildings becoming more upscale, the tenants are moving away – sometimes suddenly. Is this area of Brooklyn getting gentrified or stolen piecemeal? Having her …

Believe Me | Eddie Izzard Summary: I anticipated comedy in choosing Izzard’s memoir. I had no idea what I was in for! Izzard’s use of ‘footnotes’ had me screaming with laughter. Other reviews confirm that the audio version is the BEST method of listening to the rambling unapologetic style used by Izzard, so familiar from …

Much Ado About You | Samantha Young Summary: Visit a quaint English village bookstore after life kicks you when you’re down! That’s what one Chicagoan does when too many disappointments pile up at once. She’s attempting to rediscover herself and that means avoiding tangled relationships like new love. But her stay becomes more than melodrama …

Atomic Habits | James Clear Narrator: James Clear Summary: Tiny Changes, Remarkable ResultsAtomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits—whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply …