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There is always a time to express gratitude in your life, but around this time of year is when people begin to think of it a lot. As we near the holidays and reflect on the many ways we are thankful, there are a lot of materials available at your local libraries that you can checkout about the subject. We have an array of books right now at our own library you can browse through, and a whole bookshelf dedicated to the theme of gratefulness. Others can be found around the libraries within the Treasure Valley - and your librarians can help you locate these items for you and your family. What is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack "What is given from the heart reaches the heart," Reverend Dennis announces during service one day. Encouraging the community to give back to a family that has lost everything in a fire, the Reverend's words help inspire a young boy - who has little to give - find the right gift for a family who is having a difficult time. I read through this book while I was preparing to write this blog at work, and a note to those who are easily moved, it will touch your heart. I may have shed a tear at the Reference Desk. I've Been Thinking by Maria Shriver I love reading and I really love listening to books, and when there is an opportunity to read some inspiring and thoughtful words without investing a lot of time, I am all for it. Maria Shriver's book I've Been Thinking, is a great read for those who are looking to have a few daily moments of reflection and she has such a wonderful way of looking at the experiences she has had and finding joy within those times. Thanks a Thousand by A.J. Jacobs Taking a different approach to appreciating others, A.J. Jacobs uses humor to thank all of those who have a hand in producing his fresh cup of coffee each day. The book is light and refreshing, and definitely had me wondering how many people there are out there that I could thank every single day for everything that I take for granted. Reflections on the Subject of Gratitude What things are you thankful for in your life? Are there more things than you realized that you can appreciate that you may have overlooked? Personally, today I am grateful for a wonderful and supportive library and community, one that is willing to work hard and support each other in big and small ways. Thank you, Caldwell, for always showing us what a wonderful community you are!

What is NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a worldwide event held every November to help encourage writers - and aspiring writers - to begin the daunting process of completing a novel. NaNoWriMo is also a non-profit organization which has spurred an amazing community of people that encourage each other to achieve their goals. The goal for each participant is to complete 50,000 words by the end of the month. While it may seem crazy to try to complete a novel in the span of one month, staying on track and writing every day is the main goal of this event. However, some determined writers have been able to complete their novels in this short amount of time. Novels Written Since it began in 1999, the NaNoWriMo movement has expanded to include hundreds of thousands of participants. Some successful writers have even produced published novels from the event, including the following books you can check out at our library. While I am only going to show off a few, many more books have been written during NaNoWriMo! You can find a brief list of NaNoWriMo titles here. What are your favorites? Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell This is Rainbow Rowell's third novel and is a contemporary young adult novel. Rowell talks about social anxiety, family, mental instability, romance, and being a fan-fiction writer. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Erin Morgenstern brings a fantastic magical journey to life in this beautifully written, circus-themed novel. There is also a movie in the works for this one! Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen One of the most popular books written during NaNoWriMo, Water for Elephants has been made into a movie and is a wonderful adventure featuring an array of subjects in a pivotal time period. Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress by Marissa Meyer These three books from the Lunar Chronicles series are Young Adult novels that were written during NaNoWrimo and are also very popular titles that you can check out at the library. The novels revolve around the character Cinder, who is a mechanic and a cyborg. Enjoy the thrilling adventures of this series with your library card! Community Involvement Begin by joining the NaNoWriMo online community and then connect with local writers to further help support your novel creating efforts! In the Treasure Valley, Boise Public Library is holding writing events every Sunday. On your own, explore the hashtags #NaNoWriMo or #NaNoWriMo2019 on your favorite social media hubs to see what everyone is working on and find information for those getting involved with the process. Are you interested in starting up a local group? Or, do you know of anyone who is already hosting a local group meeting in Caldwell? Let us know and we can help spread the word, or book our Idaho Room this month to have your own writer’s meetup! Library support Caldwell Public Library supports your writing and reading endeavors. Come in to check out books written during this event or begin your writing journey at our location! The library provides free Wi-Fi for your devices, so you can come in and work independently on your novel, without a library card. No device? You can use one of our laptops (in-house) and work wherever you want, or you can use one of our desktop computers. All you need is a library card to begin!

What is LiLI? Lili.org is one of the most beneficial and yet one of the most underutilized databases that everyone has access to. I am quoting straight from the flyer that we hand out to our patrons, “Lili.org provides all Idaho residents the opportunity to enrich their knowledge with free, easy to access and trusted information and resources.” What Does This Mean for me? What does this mean for the everyday lifelong learner? This means - instead of spending time researching online on confusing web browsers, paying for access to databases that require subscriptions, or trying to hunt down (or pay for!) expensive books that you need for higher education, vocational testing, or college prep - LiLI.org provides everyone in Idaho free access to a number of online databases. All you need to know is what we offer and where to find it. This is where your local librarians can help! Introducing: LiLI Since there are so many options available on LiLI, this will be a blog series specific to just what is available on LiLI. I will start with this introduction blog - explaining where you can find the database through our website, how to log in, and finish up with how to navigate through the carousel. I hope that it helps you find what you are looking for! Where to Find the Database The easiest way to access the LiLI database is to type lili.org into the URL bar in your web browser. Once you are in LiLI, you have a few options: you can scroll down the page and look at the most popular databases, or you can type what you're looking for into the "Find a Database" box near the top of the screen. Logging in LiLI is not just one database; it is a collection of databases, and there are many ways to organize the information. Once you have decided which area you want to explore, you will enter your zip code and city. This is all you need to access the information; you do not need to have a library card for LiLI! Don’t be Scared! Going into the vast world of databases will seem scary at first but remember, this is a collection of information that is trusted by librarians to help you find the most accurate and informative resources possible. If you get too lost or overwhelmed, visit or call your local library or schedule a tutoring appointment and get some extra help. Good luck information hunting, and look out for our next blog exploring one of the databases available in LiLI!

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CD's, audio-books, magazines, and DVDs. But are you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take the journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. Libby for Overdrive Probably our most commonly used e-resource is Libby for Overdrive. With the Libby app, you can use Overdrive to check out e-books and e-audio-books from our library! This app is one of my favorite to use, and I use it a lot. Electronic Audio-books I love audio-books, and I listen to them almost non-stop - especially once I am hooked on a good story! Audio-books are great for commuting, listening to during boring chores, or even as extra motivation to get going in the morning! One of my recent faves was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which I even listened to at the park when I was walking my dog. I just loved being caught up in that magical world again! Downloading an e-audio-book makes it really easy to take your favorite stories on the road, or out and about with you. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and mp3 players allow you to stream or download audio-books, and your reference librarians at Caldwell Public Library can help you install the app, guide you through the features, and help you place holds and check books in and out. Electronic Books Libby is used for e-books as well! If you have a tablet, phone, or laptop, it's a breeze to read an e-book. The files are very easy to download, and you can adjust the font and bookmark your page so you can pick up where you left off. Many library users love Libby for Overdrive! A hint for those of you who are looking for popular topics: most times, the wait lines for e-books are not as long as the wait lines for regular print books. This is because not everyone is brave enough to learn a new process, so the customer base is smaller. If you are looking for books on the latest health fad, popular topic, or a new release/popular book, I highly recommend learning how to use e-books! Devices, Helpful Hints, and Tutoring The Libby app is available for many devices, and you can sync your devices so that you are never without your favorite reads. The Overdrive website has a lot of helpful guides available so you can troubleshoot on your own, and the Libby app even has a section where you can get helpful hints as you learn how to navigate this cool new platform. If you get stuck along the way, or if the whole concept overwhelms you, don’t worry - you can always book an appointment with a tutor, drop in and see us, or give us a call, and we will do our best to guide you through the process! Note: Kindle users need to use the OverDrive website instead of the Libby app to access ebooks and audiobooks. Up next: Stay tuned for the next Easing into E-Resources blog, where we will highlight all the things that one of our most popular e-resource apps can do for you. Next up is RBDigital, another great app where you can grab e-audio-books, e-books and e-magazines! Don’t forget, it’s never too late to participate in lifelong learning opportunities, and if you need an extra hand, the library is available to help. Until next time, happy reading!

We’re all human, but sometimes it’s hard to remember. If you watch or read the news, or try to have a conversation about politics at the dinner table, you can feel the negativity surrounding our society. Part of our humanity is meeting people with different values and backgrounds; we are a diverse country. As advocates of life-long learning, library staff know it is important to have respectful conversations about difficult topics – especially if you disagree with someone. On Saturday, August 3 from 1 to 4 pm, the Caldwell Public Library will host Humans of Canyon County, a take-off from the Human Library™ - an international organization that challenges stigma and stereotypes with personal dialogue and respectful discussions. This event gathers members from the community and creates an opportunity for them to share their stories in one-on-one conversations. We call our volunteers “books” – and they’ve prepared important parts from their lives to share with others. What makes our books’ stories unique or worth telling? Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds – from abusive childhoods and addiction to immigration and military service – and they are all ready to share their stories for understanding, healing, and connection. It’s especially difficult when you feel like you might be judged or ridiculed, but everyone has a story, and our books are open. Have you ever wondered why someone stayed in an abusive situation? How they finally escaped? Perhaps you’ve wanted to learn more about the effects of incarceration or the struggles of going to school and not knowing the language? Humans of Canyon County provides a space for these conversations, while encouraging respectful dialogue. We hope that you learn something or gain new insights by attending. So how does the event work? To participate, we ask that you be at least 16 years old or come with a parent. We will have a welcome desk where you can browse the stories available and reserve a 30-minute time slot with one of our volunteer books. But don’t stop at one! We encourage our participants to speak to as many books as possible – who knows? Maybe you’ll start a new friendship. If you have questions about this event, or would like more information, please contact Marina or Ellie at 208-459-3242 or infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org.

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CDs, audiobooks, magazines, and DVDs. But were you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take the journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. What is an e-resource? An e-resource is anything available in electronic format. Caldwell Public Library has a lot of options for e-resources, such as books, audiobooks, music for streaming and download, magazines, online tutorials, and an array of databases that can help you with anything from practicing for a G.E.D. or S.A.T. test to writing your high school or college paper. What are the benefits of e-resources? There are many reasons that e-resources are an excellent choice for you. One, often a physical book or a title you are waiting for has a wait-list. Sometimes you will be researching a particular topic, and the best, most recent books are available in electronic format only. For instance, did you know that while you often have to wait for a book about the Ketogenic diet, there are often many of these books available in digital format, without a waiting list? Another great reason to try out e-resources is that you don’t have to come into the library to check them out, you can just download or stream them straight from your device, all you need is an internet connection! Some e-resources, such as databases, don’t even require a library card to get access to! You just have to know where to find them. Lastly, while our library no longer charges for overdue fines on any materials, with an e-resource/book, you never need to worry about lost or damaged fines. Once you are done, simply return the item through the app and it disappears. Forgot to return through the app? The book will return itself when you reach the due date. For those who use databases for more scholarly or extensive research, you don’t have to rely on school logins to research materials, just click on the resources link through our website and research whenever you need to. How can I learn how to use them? Many times, library users can be intimidated with the process of learning how to checkout online materials. Fortunately, there are many guides that come with downloading and using e-resources. In fact, the best guides come from the websites themselves. Some apps, like Libby for Overdrive, include a helpful virtual guide to ease you through the process of using the software. Make sure you have your library card number handy, and, if for some reason you get lost or stuck, don’t worry, we can help you out. What if I can’t figure it out? So you’re ready to download your favorite e-book, e-audiobook, and music streaming apps, but you can’t seem to get past a certain point. Don’t worry, there is help available at the library! Come in and stop by the Information desk, and we can help you figure out the problem. Usually it’s just a quick fix, such as making sure software is updated, connecting to WiFi, or updating library card information. Getting really stuck and think that it will take some extra time and commitment to figure it out? Schedule a tech tutor appointment with one of the librarians and learn all the tricks you need to get e-resources checked out. The best thing about tech tutor appointments is that they are free, and you get a full hour of one-on-one help. Up next: Libby for Overdrive Stay tuned for the next Easing into E-Resources blog, where we will highlight all the things that one of our most popular e-resource apps can do for you. Libby for Overdrive is a great e-resource for e-books and e-audiobooks; it’s available for many devices, and once you get going, it’s easy to use. Don’t forget, it’s never too late to participate in lifelong learning opportunities, and if you need an extra hand, the library is available to help. Until next time, happy reading!

Cozy mysteries are one of the most popular divisions of the vast Mystery/Thriller/Crime fiction genre. Falling under the heading of Mystery, they tend to be more light-hearted, with less gore, cursing, and sexual situations than their bolder cousins in the Thriller and Crime divisions. They also tend to have themes, such as being set in a bakery or a library, with a touch of romance flowing throughout. A lot of them offer recipes or craft tips at the end of the book. Some have a touch of the paranormal. Most have an animal or two that play fairly prominent roles in the series. As there are so many titles that fall into the cozy mystery category, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just a handful to talk about here, but here goes! The first series is one of my all-time favorites: the Magical Cats Mystery series by Sofie Kelly. In the first book, “Curiosity Thrilled the Cat,” protagonist Kathleen Paulson, the new librarian in Mayville Heights, Minnesota, comes under suspicion for murder. While trying to clear her name, she discovers that the two cats she rescued months before, Owen and Hercules, have magical powers. They use those powers to help Kathleen clear her name and put the real killer behind bars. With book number eleven set for release later this year, this series has managed to stay light-hearted and fun throughout, with several laugh-out-loud moments – usually involving one of the cats. The plot will keep you on your toes as you wade through the clues with Kathleen and her furry sidekicks to solve the crime! Next, I’d like to introduce you to Jenn McKinlay’s Hat Shop Mystery series. This series finds Scarlett Parker, in an effort to escape her starring role in a rather embarrassing viral video, moving to London to help her cousin Vivian Tremont run their late grandmother’s hat shop, Mim’s Whims. In the first book, “Cloche and Dagger,” Scarlett arrives in London to find her cousin mysteriously missing. Shortly after, Scarlett finds one of Vivian’s clients dead, wearing a special hat Viv made her and nothing else. Suspicion immediately falls on the missing Vivian. Scarlett and her childhood crush, Harrison Wentworth, set out to prove Vivian’s innocence, and send the real guilty party off to prison. Ms. McKinlay originally ended this series after book five in 2017, but recently announced a sixth book, which is due out in 2020. You will get much enjoyment out of these books, with a good mystery in each, a lot of humor, and a dash of romance to add to the fun. The Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis follows event planner and domestic diva, Sophie Winston, and her friends on their many adventures. In the first book, “The Diva Runs Out of Thyme,” Sophie is determined to best her long-time rival, and the woman who stole Sophie’s husband, Natasha Smith, in the Stupendous Stuffing Shakedown. Her search for the perfect ingredients takes an unexpected turn when she finds a dead body – and goes even further down the rabbit hole when her name and photo are found in the victim’s car. Sophie and her friends set out to prove her innocence, and stuff a killer in prison. Now in its twelfth book, this series never fails to delight with its delicious recipes and delectable plots. Finally, I’d like to mention Duffy Brown’s Consignment Shop Mystery Series. This series is set in Savannah, Georgia, and follows the adventures of Reagan Summerside and her Auntie KiKi. In the first book, “Iced Chiffon,” the recently divorced Reagan finds the body of the young blonde her ex-husband dumped her for in the trunk of his Lexus, which Reagan just happened to “borrow” for a few hours. Now her ex stands accused of murder, and Reagan is determined to beat his cunning lawyer, Walker Boone, to the identity of the killer – not because she still loves her ex, but because she desperately wants to best Boone, who helped her ex take her to the cleaners in her bitter divorce. With five books currently in the series, you will have hours of hilarity as you work your way to whodunit. Stayed tuned for future book recommendations. For more cozy mystery recommendations, email us at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org. Happy reading!

Hello readers! This is the third and final installment of our "Top Books of 2019" series. We looked at a variety of collections from youth to adult to see what books were most popular based on the number of times they were checked out. If you haven't read our Kids' and Teens' blogs yet, you should check them out! This week we will be looking at the most popular books in our adult categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Graphic Novels. We hope you'll find a new book or series to explore! Fiction Where the Crawdads Sing has been all the rage since it’s release in August 2018 (it still has a waiting list!). This is author, Delia Owen’s first novel – she wrote several books of non-fiction detailing her adventures and work as a wildlife scientist. Where the Crawdads Sing takes place on the North Carolina coast and – although we own several copies – the copy with the most checkouts was taken out 25 times in 2019! Best-selling author, Danielle Steel, has been writing and publishing romance novels since 1978. Although not her latest release, Turning Point, was checked out the most in 2019. The novel follows four San Francisco trauma surgeons who have been chosen to work in a mass-casualty training session with colleagues in Paris. However, an extreme act of mass violence occurs while they’re in Paris and all four are faced with tremendously tough decisions. Just one of our copies of Turning Point was checked out 25 times in 2019. Who I Am With You is the first book in the Legacy of Faith trilogy by best-selling Christian romance author, Robin Lee Hatcher. The story takes place in the fictional town of Hope Springs, Idaho, where the lives of a man hiding from a political scandal and a woman recovering from the loss of her husband and daughter will be forever changed. This book was released in December 2018 and was checked out 25 times in 2019. Graphic Novels I probably shouldn’t have been surprised to see a Calvin & Hobbes collection top the list, but I thought a newer title would win out. It’s good to know that some things never get old. The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes is a large collection of some of the best Calvin & Hobbes comics and was checked out 17 times in 2019. Another classic made the list - Garfield! The Garfield comics are so popular that two of the graphic novel/comic collections made our list of most used adult graphic novels in 2019. Garfield: Older & Wider is the 41st collection of Garfield comics published in book format and was published in 2005. It was checked out 16 times in 2019. Garfield Brings Home the Bacon is the 53rd Garfield book, published in 2012. As Garfield might say, “Grab a fork and eat some pork!” Although everyone knows his favorite food is lasagna. I was surprised that Garfield’s later books weren’t as popular, but hey, it’s Garfield, so I won’t complain. This book was checked out 15 times in 2019. Non-fiction I covered Undo It! in my earlier blog on books for Healthy Living. If you didn’t catch that post, you can check it out here. This health book was published in 2019 by Dr. Dean Ornish and his wife, Anne. Its popularity is not surprising since the authors offer solutions to reversing chronic disease and slowing the aging process. What’s the secret? Lifestyle changes, of course! The book outlines Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle change plan to help readers live a healthier life. 27 people checked the book out in 2019, and it’s still a popular read. Staying Stylish was written by actress Candace Cameron-Bure ( better know as DJ Tanner from Full House). Although published in 2017, it has lasting popularity through 2019, with a total of 23 checkouts throughout the year! Cameron-Bure wrote this book to help women feel good both inside and out – she covers mind, body, and spirit, with beauty tips, fitness routines, and spiritual recommendations. If you liked Evicted or Nickel & Dimed, you won’t want to miss Maid by Stephanie Land. This memoir recounts Land’s time as a maid in upper-middle-class households and highlights the egregious gap between the middle class and the working poor. Land worked hard to raise herself and her daughter out of poverty while writing about the struggles of overworked and underpaid Americans. Our patrons checked this book out 22 times in 2019. Did you like this list? Tell us what we should write about next: infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org.

Organizing One of the most popular topics right now is organizing. What can we do to organize our house better? How can we de-clutter and make this new year a more productive and efficient year by making the home an area that we can relax and revamp ourselves to carry out the tasks or projects we want to accomplish? I started to do some digging for information and this is what I was able to find at our library here in Caldwell. There are plenty of other books around Treasure Valley that you can also look up, so definitely do some researching of your own! Organizing The Home How do we decide what gets to stay and what has to go when it comes to making serious changes to our house and our stuff? Often, making these choices has more to do with the emotions tied to the items than it does to how easy it is to physically remove them from our houses. Marni Jameson shares her stories as well as the expertise of appraisers, organizers, and psychologists she has worked with and combined it into a straight forward and empathetic book called Downsizing The Family Home. What about a more clean cut and systematic way of delving into the world of organization? Welcome to the KonMari Method of tidying, brought to you by Marie Kondo in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Offering to approach tidying and organizing as a lifestyle change that begins with discarding items, I found this book to be very logical. I especially enjoyed the tip of not approaching each room as a separate entity. The reasoning behind this organization process makes so much sense, that this book has sold at least 2 million copies. The best part, it's not a very large book! When it is time to admit ultimate defeat and accept the fact that your entire life is in disarray, then you are ready for Mess, written by Barry Yourgrau. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic, as I enjoyed browsing through it and I am only about half defeated with organizing at this point. Towing the line between collector and hoarder, Yourgrau begins a journey to clean up the messes in his life, both in his physical space as well as his mental space. He does research on other famous "collectors" and talks to many interesting people along the way. This book is humorous, intelligent, and honest! Organizing The Mind The relationship between our minds and how we feel about our space is strong. The Organized Mind, by Daniel J. Levitin, is about the way that we have adapted to the constant flow of information that bombards us everyday. Coming straight from the mind of a professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience, The Organized Mind is not a light read, but instead a studious journey into the world of modern information and how each of us adapt to its constant pull. Taken straight from the book jacket, "Levitin presents recent advances in brain science as he reveals the key to how leaders in the information age excel-and how any reader can use their methods to regain a sense of mastery over the way we organize our homes, workplaces, and lives." Are you up for the challenge? Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin is a quick read on making sense of all the habits that we have that just...well...don't really make sense. Subjects such as over-buying, under-buying, over-indulging, or keeping unfinished projects around are covered, and then re-assessed with insightful ways on understanding why these habits are not helping us out in the long run. This book is small and fun to read, with each tip only taking a page or two to get it's point across to the reader. Check it out for some great advice on how to stay orderly and calm! Spark Joy, the companion book to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo, talks more about how to discern which items to keep and which items to discard for based on if the item brings you happiness. This concept is brought up in the original book, but explored in more detail here. Giving an entire section to the art of folding, this book includes handy illustrations and diagrams. Probably my favorite chapter is Chapter 8, which is on Tidying Sentimental Items. The subheading reads: Tidying sentimental items means putting the past in order, and I thought that was a beautiful way to say that yes, your memories do matter, and yes, you can make them look amazing in order to ensure the greatest amount of joy from them. Your Journey As always, don't forget to reach out to your local librarians if you need help locating any of these items or other items you may want for professional, personal, or academic research. Or maybe you just want to read a good story or check out a movie...whatever you're interested in, we are here to help! Drop in, call, ask our website, or email us any of your questions! Happy reading and good luck organizing all of your stuff!

If you didn't read the first installment in our "Top Books of 2019"check it out here. This week our list is a little bit shorter as we explore the teen/young adult books that got the most use in 2019. So without further ado, here are the top 6 teen books of 2019. Fiction Fantasy fiction has long been popular among young adult readers and 2019 was no exception. Slayer follows Nina, a teen training to become a guide for the supernatural slayers, who have been gifted with the ability to fight forces of darkness. Nina, however, is reluctant to embrace the violence of this lifestyle – preferring her ability with healing. But things change forever for Nina when she is chosen as the final Slayer. This 2019 release was checked out 23 times last year! Archenemies, book 2 in Marissa Meyer’s Renegade series was released in late 2018 but was still the second most popular young adult novel at our library. This book, like Slayer, falls into the science fiction/fantasy genre. It was a 2019 nominee for the Dragon Award (best in middle grade/young adult fiction) and was checked out 19 times last year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the third book in this category is also a fantasy novel. 9 from the Nine Worlds is a collection of short stories that take place in Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. It was released in late 2018 and was checked out 18 times in 2019. Graphic Novels Comic books have always had a following, and graphic novels are no exception. In the world of The Witch Boy, all boys are raised to be shapeshifters and girls are raised to be witches. But Aster is drawn to the life of a witch, and he hasn’t shifted yet. This book discusses gender roles and defying expectations. It was the most popular young adult graphic novel last year and was checked out 20 times in 2019! Black Butler currently has 29 volumes, but Volume 1 – translated to English in 2010 – was still high on the list of the library’s checkouts. It left the library 17 times in 2019! This series takes place in Victorian-era London. Sebastian, the main character, sells his soul to a demon in order to exact revenge on his enemies. He works as the demon's butler throughout the series. The Prince and the Dressmaker came out in early 2018, but it remains popular among our readers. In modern-day France, Prince Sebastian’s parents are arranging a marriage for him. But Sebastian is uninterested in marriage – he has a secret, one that only one other person, a local dressmaker named Frances, knows. Both Sebastian and Frances struggle to achieve their dreams while staying true to themselves. This book was checked out 17 times last year. Did you like this list? Stay tuned for the next installment on February 25: Adult Books!

It’s that time of year again – new year, new me, right? You know what I’m talking about. Every year we tell ourselves we’re going to lose weight and live better. So, we jump on a diet bandwagon and by summer we’ve already fallen off. No judgment here, I’ve done the same thing - many times. So, what can we do to get real, lasting results? I think the best place to start is to educate ourselves on what healthy living ACTUALLY looks like – mentally and physically. And my advice? Introduce one change to your lifestyle at a time – master it and then add another change. Before long, you’ll be living and loving your healthy life! But that’s big broad advice – what small changes can you implement over the next year? Check out the following books for some tips. Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating by Christy Harrison According to Christy Harrison, 68% of Americans have dieted at some point in their lives, but the vast majority of those folks gain weight within the following five years. These numbers emphasize how vastly inefficient dieting is - yet, dieting remains a popular craze. Harrison argues that diet culture has created a toxic idea of what it means to be healthy. In this book, she attacks diet culture, exposing the untruths behind it. She offers a radical alternative to diet culture - backed by scientific research and personal experience. This alternative will help you reclaim your life and your health so you can focus on what really matters. From Suffering to Peace: The True Promise of Mindfulness by Mark Coleman Mindfulness has become a buzz word in recent years, but what does it really mean? Mark Coleman sets out to explain the meaning of mindfulness and how it can be used to heal pain and suffering both emotionally and physically. Coleman focuses on three specific areas: the heart, the body, and the brain. He then breaks these areas into chapter themes and provides instructions for a new practice at the end of each chapter - a perfect way to implement change one thing at a time! Undo It! How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases by Dr. Dean and Anne Ornish The premise of Dr. Ornish's book is that lifestyle changes have an exponentially more positive effect on our health than medication. He even claims that the lifestyle changes he presents can reverse the aging process. This book presents the Ornish's theory for why this system of lifestyle changes produces results. There are four basic steps to healthier living: eat well, move more, stress less, love more. Throughout the course of the book, the Ornishes include 70 recipes, exercise and stress-reduction advice, as well as patient stories of loving deeply and well. Reading this book is a great way to get started on being a healthier you! Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal Can you count the number of times you are distracted during the day? Maybe your phone keeps going off, your co-worker has an endless stream of questions, or you just can't seem to focus. In this book behavioral design expert, Nir Eyal reveals the hidden psychology behind what drives us to distraction and how you can become indistractable. Eyal focuses specifically on technology and how we can utilize it best without it consuming us. He presents a four-step model with practical tips for regaining control of your time and your life. Do What Feels Good: Recipes, Remedies, and Routines to Treat Your Body Right by Hannah Bronfman After years of struggling with conventional standards of beauty and watching a family member struggle with an eating disorder, Hannah Bronfman made a decision. Her decision to live a full, healthy life is summed up by her motto: "Healthy is beautiful. And healthy should feel good." Throughout "Do What Feels Good, Bronfman offers advice about getting in tune with your body. She shares that every body is different and what is right for one may not be right for another. Bronfman provides 50 "healthy hedonist" recipes throughout the book and stands firmly by her belief that self-care should not be self-punishing. Get ready to love yourself and love your body to the fullest after reading this. Did you like this list? Want more book recommendations? Let us know at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org

If you've been reading our blog this year, we want to say thank you! The Library's blog project was new this year, and although we hit a few bumps along the way, we've had a great time exploring new topics and sharing information with our users. To end the year, I'd like to reflect on some of the new programs we brought to the library in 2019 and give you a sneak peek into the exciting things happening in 2020. Without further ado, let's review! HAM Radio Class: One of our many volunteers offered to teach an 8-week course on the basics of using a HAM radio. The class ran May through early July and met once a week on Monday nights. It was a small class, but the participants learned a lot! Humans of Canyon County: Caldwell Library hosted a Human Library in August 2018, but the staff decided to go in a different direction for 2019. Humans of Canyon County was held in Serenity Park in early August and offered several activities, including a book sale, bounce house, craft activities, and the chance to talk to someone who had overcome significant adversity in their life. Some of the volunteers we had included a cancer survivor, a blind mother, and a mother of twins with downs syndrome. There were many more wonderful volunteers - we love this event! Bad Art This sounds like a weird program, but I can assure you the participants had a ton of fun! Library staff provided a variety of craft materials and asked the participants to make the ugliest piece of art they could imagine. At the end of the program, we had a contest to see who had the worst art! Every participant was able to vote and the winner took home a neat book bag! Conversation Club Starting late this year, we began a Conversation Club at our library. So far, the club has been meeting once a month. We work on activities, share ideas, and enjoy conversation with each other. While the primary languages that are being shared at this program are Spanish and English, other languages are welcome. Starting in January 2020, we will be hosting the Conversation Club once a week – rotating between morning and evening meetings. Make It! We started this monthly craft series in October. Each month we teach the basics of a new craft - in October we had knit/crochet, November was cross-stitch, and December was recycled book wreaths. The class is open to anyone 10 and older, and materials are always provided. Makerspace @ the Library Every third Wednesday at the library we are showing off our Mobile Makerspace. This tiny house is for the whole community to enjoy! We have a 3D printer, virtual reality headsets, and fun hands-on activities that include circuits, conductors, and more. We also have books and other items that you can check out. Please stop by and visit us or catch us while we make our way around town in 2020! Bob Ross Paint Night Our Bob Ross-style Paint Night was probably my favorite program of 2019. My co-worker and I picked Bob Ross' "Frosty Winter Morn" painting and provided materials for 25 people to paint along to Bob Ross' tutorial. It was a fun and messy evening that we'd love to do again! Caturday Caturday was a huge success! We partnered with West Valley Humane Society and they brought in 4 kitties that were available for adoption. We had over 100 people come through during the time they were here. Kids made cat toys and cat castles. West Valley gave information about feral cats, cat care, the spay and neuter promotions they have for feral cats, how to keep cats warm during the winter, and general cat information. We hope to partner with them again for future events. Teen After Hours Twenty-three teens participated in the first Teen After-hours Party at the library. Teens investigated a zombie outbreak by deciphering clues with their teammates and had an hour to solve the puzzle. All are looking forward to a party next year! MarioKart Tournament Twenty-four teens participated in the first MarioKart tournament held in March. Four teens made it to the final round, and Oren took home the trophy! The 2nd Annual MarioKart tournament will be held in March 2020. Super Smash Tournament Over 70 people attended the first Super Smash Bros. Tournament and 24 tweens were able to compete for the top four spots. With all participants getting to play in 5 rounds, it was a full day of Super Smash! Parents, siblings, friends, and family cheered on the participants all the way to the finish. The 2nd Annual Super Smash tournament will be held in October 2020. Stuffed Animal Slumber Party Kids of all ages came to the library with their favorite stuffed critters for a slumber party! Storytime, activities, healthy snacks, and a scavenger hunt preceded kids tucking their furry friend under a blanket and leaving them at the library overnight. All of the animals had a ton of fun playing in the stacks, using the self-check, and sitting in the Director’s chair. The 2nd Annual Stuffed Animal Slumber Party will take place on April 4th, 2020. Did you miss a program and want us to host again? Let us know! Finally, let's take a sneak peek into 2020... Crafting with Beeswax Local libraries work together to select a book for the entire Treasure Valley to read each spring. These libraries offer programs throughout March to accompany the book. The 2020 Treasure Valley Reads selection is The Honey Bus by Meredith May (get on the waiting list now!). D&B Supply instructor Melinda Jean Stafford will teach a class on making crafts using beeswax on Thursday, March 12th at 6:30 pm - all ages welcome! Silent Book Club In 2020, we will offer our first-ever Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge! This year-long program is open to teens and adults (ages 13+) and will run from January 5 to December 19. As part of the year-long program, library staff will host quarterly silent book clubs - participants will have access to hot cocoa, tea, and quiet time for reading! Dates are March 31, June 30, September 29, and December 8. All ages are welcome to join but remember, shhh. We hope to see you at our 2020 events - check out our calendar for the entire list! Happy New Year from all of us at Caldwell Public Library!