Adults

Despite attracting just 21 participants in its first run, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short) has surged in popularity in recent years to become a worldwide event with over 200,000 participants.  Every November, free-form prose and involvement in the program’s active online community are strongly encouraged to help novice writers reach the 50,000 word mark, which is the minimum length of a novel.  The goal is not to have a finished product at the end of the month, but rather to see this challenging endeavor through to its end.  East Brunswick Public Library is here to help wi

While we all have our favorite genres, authors, and series, it’s often nice to take a break from our routine and try something outside the box.  These wonderfully offbeat books are here to help. 

Heist fantasies offer the magic, action and adventure that will keep you turning pages while they also feature characters on the margins of society, grifters and scrappy survivors whose struggles and high-stakes schemes and scrapes propel the narrative. While these fantasies offer characters you will root for, they present the thrill and danger of life lived on a knife’s edge. Here are some examples of standout heist fantasies from our collection: 

We here at the East Brunswick Public Library would like to offer a sample of our Halloween-themed posts that will be steadily released throughout the month.  Our hope is to cover a wide range of books, short stories, and graphic novels that convey an unsettling sense of terror and creepiness.  To get the series started off right, here are some of the best horror films in our collection from the year 2000 and beyond:
 

Imbolo Mbue’s thought-provoking and compassionate 2016 novel Behold the Dreamers follows the experiences of Jende and Neni Jonge, Cameroonian immigrants who are pursuing the American dream in New York City on the cusp of the 2008 financial crisis.  For other narratives that similarly shed a light on immigrants’ experiences in the United States, check out these novels and memoirs:

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The public library, given its mission to serve in an impartial capacity, is constantly under threat of censorship by a vocal minority that morally objects to certain materials.  It is precisely because of this threat that attention must be drawn to the importance of unpopular or marginalized perspectives.  Banned Books Week, starting on September 22, goes a step further than simply permitting the free expression of information and alternative opinions.  It emphasizes this position by spotlighting the materials most likely to draw complaints from the public.  Here are some of the most freque

Novellas have been a vibrant and popular form of storytelling especially in the speculative genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.  They’re an excellent way to get back into reading for fun since they’re long enough to give readers the detail and character development they crave without sacrificing a swift pace.  They capture our attention in a brief and impactful way, a true indication of excellent writing.

With back-to-school preparations well underway, the East Brunswick Public Library joins public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card.

Who said the horror genre can't also be fun?  Horror can combine elements of the gory and horrific with the sweet and reassuring. Don’t believe me? Here’s two to try:

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

This surprisingly delightful debut was fun, sweet, AND gross–frequently all at once!

Are you ready for dragons and birds and creatures that FLY?  Spread your wings and try something new!

Conversations with Birds by Priyanka Kumar – This is an eloquent and enchanting reflection on the meditative power of birding and the interconnectedness of nature. In a series of essays, rooted in transformative bird sightings, Kumar explores her past, shares her concerns about climate change, and her dreams for the future. Wild and evocative, this memoir is sure to delight and inspire.