Calling all local authors! If you have a finished work of Adult fiction that’s not yet published, consider entering it in the 2021 Soon To Be Famous Illinois Manuscript Contest!

Sponsored by The Illinois Author Project, a collaboration between the the Illinois Library Association, the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and other contributors, the contest recognizes the best unpublished Adult Fiction written by an Illinois author.

Entries will be judged by Illinois librarians. The winner will receive editing from a professional line editor, who will help the author polish their manuscript, a professionally designed book cover, and self-publishing guidance from past winners of the Soon To Be Famous contest. In addition, the finished book will be automatically entered as a semi-finalist in the 2022 Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author Contest.

Manuscripts must meet formatting criteria, available on the contest website. Entries will be accepted through January 3, 2021, and are limited to one entry per author.

The Soon To Be Famous Illinois Manuscript contest is one of two contests offered by The Illinois Author Project. The Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author contest is for independently published authors residing in Illinois. That contest will open for entries in April, 2021.

The Illinois Author Project (IAP) is part of an ongoing, library-driven effort to support and promote Illinois authors, whether they are unpublished or self-published. Readers can access self-published fiction in many genres for free, open-ended check-outs, through the IAPs digital collection.

 

Staying safe at home means there’s plenty of time to delve into your list of favorite classic movies, or catch up on the movies you’ve always meant to watch, but haven’t gotten around to yet.

AAPLD has made it easier for patrons to locate our classic movies by adding a distinctive yellow sticker to the spine of the DVD cases. You’ll find our new Classics collection on the first shelf of the Adult Services DVD area, facing the front entrance to the main library.

We’ve also created a link so that you can browse our collection from home, place a hold and pick up at the Main Library’s drive-through, or at the Eastgate Branch, via curbside service.

Here’s a sample of some timeless favorites to enjoy on a chilly night at home:

The African Queen (1951)  Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn.  A scruffy riverboat captain and a prim missionary reluctantly join forces to torpedo a German gunboat, and find themselves falling in love.

Love Me Tender (1956)  Elvis Presley makes his film debut in this classic about three brothers returning home  to Texas after the Civil War. The joyous homecoming is upturned when they discover their youngest brother has married his older brother’s true love. Elvis performs four songs, including the title song.

Roman Holiday (1953) Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. A princess flees her staid royal life for an adventure in Rome, while an American journalist in search of an exclusive story pretends not to know her true identity.

Shane (1952) Alan Ladd A retired gunfighter comes to the aid of a family terrorized by a ruthless rancher and his hired gun. Directed by George Stevens, Shane is one of Hollywood’s quintessential Westerns.

If you prefer streaming films, you’ll find more choices available through our Hoopla and kanopy apps.

Grab the popcorn, kick back and enjoy.

 

 

It’s the most frightening time of the year! Halloween is almost here and it’s the perfect time to load up on scary movies and books.

AAPLD’s collection includes horror classics and soon-to-be classics. Our horror films are tagged with a special sticker and located on a special seasonal display for easy access.

Whatever you’re in the mood for…terrifying tales of ghosts and ghouls, or campy classics about ravenous blobs of alien goo, you’ll find it at the library! Here’s just a sample of the scary stuff you’ll find on our shelves. Click on the links to place a hold.

The Blob – Beware of the Blob! With a cheesy theme song, surprisingly sophisticated special effects, and a cast led by a young Steve McQueen, this low-budget 1958 drive-in movie classic offers plenty of scary fun.

Carrie- Based on Stephen King’s best-selling debut novel, this story of a misfit teen with telekinetic powers has been made into a film twice. The original 1976 version stars Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, the 2013 remake features Chloe Grace Moretz in the title role. Prefer to read the book? We have it too!

Dracula- It wouldn’t be Halloween without an appearance by everyone’s favorite Transylvanian count. Our collection of vampire films includes the 1931 version of Dracula, Dracula 2000 and Let Me In.  Our literary vampires include Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian, Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, and series by Anne Rice, J.R. Ward, Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton and many more.

The Exorcist- Whether you prefer the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, or the 1973 film starring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair, the story of a little girl possessed by the devil is a must for horror fans. Want more demonic kids? Check out Rosemary’s Baby. For an exorcism tale with a totally ’80s vibe, try My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix.

Slender Man– In this 2018 film, a group of small town teens attempt to summon an urban legend creature, The Slender Man. When one teen goes missing, her friends must band together to save themselves from a similar fate.

Us – Director Jordan Peele’s 2019 film tells the story of the Wilson family, whose beach vacation goes horribly wrong when uninvited guests arrive at the family’s vacation home— evil dopplegangers of the four Wilsons.

What more scary suggestions? Ask an Adult Services staff member!

Always dreamed of writing a book, but never found the time? This November could be your opportunity, and AAPLD is ready to help!

November is National Novel Writing Month, an annual event that challenges writers of all experience levels, ages and genres to craft a 50,000 word novel or non-fiction work in 30 days.

Since NaNoWriMo’s beginning in 1999, hundreds of thousands of writers have participated. Many books that began as NaNoWriMo projects have become best-sellers, including Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and WOOL by Hugh Howey. There’s no cost to enter, and signing up is easy. Just go to nanowrimo.org

The challenge officially begins at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 1 and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. Participants are urged to keep a regular writing schedule, adding about 1,660 words to their project each day, and tracking their progress on the National Novel Writing Month website.

To help keep local writers motivated, AAPLD is holding virtual write-ins each Tuesday night in November, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The write-ins will be hosted by Adult Services Library Associate Elizabeth Harmon, a NaNoWriMo veteran who has published several novels—including two that were NaNoWriMo projects. Registration is required so that we can email a link to the event, but you don’t have to be an AAPLD cardholder to join.

Click below to register:

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 24, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

NaNoWriMo advocates a “no plot, no problem” approach to writing, but many authors like to plan their projects ahead of time. AAPLD’s collection of writing books includes how-tos related to popular genres, and books that help you tap into your creativity and get into the writing mindset. You’ll find them in the non-fiction section, starting in the 800s. We offer a few examples below. Click on the title to learn more about the book and place a hold, or call the library for more suggestions.

Writing Down The Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

You’ve Got A Book In You: A Stress-free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams by Elizabeth Sims

Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer’s Block. Period by Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D

You Don’t Have To Be Famous: How To Write Your Life Story by Steve Zousmer

Creative Writing Demystified by Sheila Bender

Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies by Leslie Wainger

Writing Children’s Books for Dummies by Lisa Rojany-Buccieri

 

We’re making some changes to the Adult Services DVD Collection to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. If you enjoy documentaries, be sure to browse our new Documentary section, located between feature films and our TV series sections.

The collection includes films by top documentary filmmakers including Ken Burns, Michael Moore; programs from the History Channel, PBS and more. There are fascinating glimpses into the lives of historical figures, films that take you behind the scenes of pivotal moments such as the Apollo 11 moon landing and the death of Princess Diana.

Here’s a small sample of what’s on the Documentary shelf, and be sure to check out the special documentary display, located on the octagon table at the entrance to the Adult Services area:

Unforgettable people…

 John Lewis: Good Trouble– In 1957 Troy, Alabama teenager John Lewis wrote to Dr. Martin Luther King asking his help to integrate a segregated school in Lewis’ hometown. King responded with a bus ticket, and an invitation to meet. Lewis’ lifetime of making “good trouble” took him from front line protests to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for 33 years. A compelling tribute to the late Civil Rights legend.

 

Diana, 7 Days – This BBC documentary looks at the week following Princess Diana’s death in a car crash, and includes interviews with Prince William and Prince Harry, recalling their legendary mother’s impact on the world, and on their family.

Gotta be rock and roll music…

When You’re Strange – The Doors rose out of LA’s vibrant mid-1960s rock scene to captivate the world with their hypnotic sound, poetic lyrics and charismatic frontman, Jim Morrison. Johnny Depp narrates this fascinating account of the band’s history.

In the mood for something spooky?

Witches, Ghosts & Monsters – Chilling tales of creatures of the night have captivated us for centuries, but is there any truth to the stories? National Geographic explores the strange origins of zombies, vampires, witches, demons and Bigfoot.

 

Did you know that AAPLD’s Main Library on Harnish Drive is a McHenry County early voting site?

Beginning Oct. 19, our downstairs program room will be an early voting polling place for voters registered in McHenry County, regardless of their home precinct. Early voting polling place hours are:

• Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23: 8:30 am – 5 pm
• Saturday, October 24: 9 am – 2 pm
• Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30: 8:30 am – 5 pm
• Saturday, October 31: 9 am – 2 pm

Poll workers will follow Covid-19 safety precautions, including wearing masks and/or plastic face shields while they are on duty. Other available safety measures include:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Disposable Garbage Cans and Bags
• Gloves
• Disposable Privacy Shields
• Disposable ExpressVote “styluses”

Voters are also welcome to bring their own pen to sign in, and are asked to wear a mask at all times, including while they are waiting in line to vote. Voters will not be screened for COVID-19.

If you are voting with a mail-in ballot, please note that we are NOT a ballot drop-off location! The closest McHenry County mail-in ballot drop box is inside the Lake In the Hills Village Hall, which is also open for early voting. The ballot drop box is available between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday- Friday, beginning October 19, and running through Monday, Nov. 2. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 31. Sunday hours will be offered Nov. 1 only, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kane County residents can find a complete list of early voting locations and hours here. Nearby Kane County early voting sites include Del Webb Sun City in Huntley, the West Dundee Village Hall, and at Kane County’s Vote Mobile, which will visit Jewel-Osco locations in Huntley (Oct. 22) and West Dundee (Oct. 27-28). Vote Mobile hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Visit the Kane County Clerk’s website for Mail-in Ballot drop box locations and other information.

Online Voter Information

Not sure if you’re registered to vote, or your polling place location? Use Illinois’ online voter information site to find out. If you’re not registered, you can do so online, through October 18, or register in person at your polling place on Election Day. Be sure to bring the documents you’ll need to register. Learn more here.

Tuesday November 3 is Election Day. The library functions as a polling location for Algonquin Precincts 63 and 68 only, and will be taking voters from 7 am – 7 pm.

Not sure where your polling place is? Click here.

Be prepared to stand in during early voting and on Election Day, and please follow all Covid-19 safety precautions.

Make your voice heard and VOTE!

 

 

 

If your reading habits lean toward fiction with compelling protagonists, get ready to discover a new genre. Biographies!

Biographies can satisfy your craving for larger-than-life characters who celebrate amazing triumphs, or suffer spectacular downfalls. They can deliver page-turning reads that are both entertaining and educational.

At AAPLD, Biographies have a special section all their own. You’ll find it on the last two shelves of the Main Library’s Adult fiction section, facing the Adult Services desk. Right now, there’s also a special display near New Non-Fiction.  Whether your interests run toward Classic Hollywood, Amazing Athletes, Rock Stars, Memoirs, Supreme Court, Royalty, or Presidents, you’re sure to discover a great story.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find in our biography section. Click the link to place a hold.

Behind the Glamour

Marilyn in Manhattan, Her Year of Joy – In the fall of 1954, desperate to escape a bad divorce and growing frustration with the Hollywood studio system, Marilyn Monroe fled to New York City.  Her year in Manhattan allowed Monroe to rediscover herself, both as an actor, and a woman determined to be seen as more than a glamour queen.

Growing Up Again, Life, Loves and Oh Yeah, Diabetes – The story of another iconic actress, this one from the small screen. Mary Tyler Moore shares career highlights, her life managing Type 1 diabetes, and her later work as an activist, raising awareness and helping others.

 

 

 

 

 

Great American Stories

 The Restless Wave: Good Times Just Causes, Great Fights and Other Appreciations – The late Senator John McCain, a war hero and presidential candidate, reflects on his life in public service and today’s polarized politics, offering a vision and hope for America’s healing.

Sonia Sotomayor: The True American Dream – Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s biography recounts her childhood as a Puerto Rican girl growing up in the South Bronx, whose drive and intellect took her to Ivy League universities, a successful career legal career, and humanitarian work, to become the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice.

 

 

 

 

 

Play Ball! 

Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages – Just in time for the MLB playoffs, relive the Cubs’ thrilling 2016 season, as told by former Cubs catcher David “Grandpa Rossy” Ross, a journeyman catcher who became a hero, and is now in his first season as the team’s manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives

 Morgue: A Life in Death – During his forty-year career, forensic scientist Dr. Vincent Di Maio worked on some of the some of the nation’s most compelling cases, from the exhumation of JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, to the murder of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. He shares stories, and insider details from his career in this fascinating, but little-known field of criminal investigation.

Her: a memoir – Identical twins Christa and Cara Parravani overcame poverty to attend college, and launch successful careers. But Cara’s downward spiral into heroin addiction, which ended in her death from overdose, caused Christa to unravel as well. Her fight back to mental and physical wholeness, and look at the mysterious bond that unites twins, makes for a compelling memoir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people.

The mid-month date is significant because it’s the independence day of five Latin American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Several other nations, including Mexico, mark their independence this month. The celebration runs through October 12, Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day in the U.S.)

The terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably. Though they have slightly different meanings, people self-identify with the term they prefer. “Hispanic” came into wide use in the 1960s and 1970s, and originally referred to native Spanish speakers, and those from Spanish-speaking nations, including Spain, Mexico, Central America and most of South America.

Later, “Latino” and its feminine form, “Latina,” became popular with those who trace their heritage to Latin America, which includes Mexico, Central America and Spanish-speaking South American countries. A gender neutral form, “Latinx” is most often used by younger members of the community.

The Pew Research Center estimates that more 60 million Hispanics and Latinos live in the United States, and make up about 18 percent of the population.

The community’s cultural traditions and experiences, as well as strong family ties, are reflected in the work of Hispanic/Latino authors.  The following list includes books by authors living in the United States, and also translated works by authors living in Spanish-speaking countries.

Click the links to learn more about each title. Books followed by H or OL are part of our digital collections and available through Hoopla or Overdrive/Libby. Those with a P are available in print (though many of the digital titles can also be located in print or audio formats). Spanish-language translations may also be available. Please contact the Adult Services desk for more information.

Fiction

Love In the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (OL)

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez (H)

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (OL)

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras (OL)

Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (P)

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia (OL)

Suncatcher by Jose Pimienta (P)

The Black Jersey by Jorge Zepada Patterson (P)

It Is Wood, It Is Stone by Gabriella Burnham (P)

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende (OL)

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez (OL)

Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher (P)

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin (OL)

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin (P)

The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante (P)

Letters From Cuba by Ruth Behar (OL)

Lost City Radio by Daniel Alarcon (OL)

City of Clowns by Daniel Alarcon and Sheila Alvarado (P)

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez (OL)

The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez (OL)

Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat (H)

Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena (OL)

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Ocscar Hijuelos (H)

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli (OL)

Drown by Junot Diaz (P)

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (P)

Sudden Death by Alvardo Enrique (P)

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (P)

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (P)

The Shape of the Ruins by Juan Gabriel Vasquez (P)

 

Non-Fiction/Poetry/Memoir

Dear America, Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas (OL)

The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (P)

The Book of Emma Reyes by Emma Reyes (P)

Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas (P)

Undocumented by Dan-el Padilla Peralta (P)

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (P)

American Poison by Eduardo Porter (P)

Short on time to read? Stuck at home, and avoiding public places? Don’t want to lug around heavy hardcovers? Need an easy-on-the-eyes night reading background? Give ebooks a try!

Today is Read An Ebook Day, and it’s a great opportunity to check out these tiny wonders for the first time, or get reacquainted with the joy of digital reading.

User-friendly, convenient and super-portable, ebooks let you take your favorite reads wherever you go. Not only that, but you can customize your reading experience by selecting large fonts, dyslexic fonts, sepia or night mode backgrounds. eAudiobooks can be downloaded directly to your digital device for easy, hands-free listening anywhere.

AAPLD ‘s digital collections can be accessed through computers, tablets and smartphones. Overdrive and Libby connects AAPLD cardholders to the North Suburban Digital Consortium, where you can access thousands of ebooks,  and eAudiobooks.  Check out and download up to 15 titles at a time. Titles circulate for 14 days and may be renewed if no one is waiting. If the book you want is already checked out, place a hold, and you will be notified when it is available to checkout.

Hoopla allows you to check out ebooks and aAudiobooks immediately with no holds. The collection changes periodically, but includes today’s top authors, bestsellers and classics. Hoopla also has a wide selection of comics, trade paperbacks, and graphic novels from well known publishers such as Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse. Additionally, several all-ages friendly titles are available including Big Nate, Garfield, and Minecraft.

Our library also offers digital reading experiences for kids, through our Bookflix and Tumble Book Library services.

AAPLD cardholders can download apps for all of our digital collections. Find more information here.

Once you’re set up for digital reading, consider being part of the fall Libraries Transform nationwide read, sponsored by The American Library Association.  The program connects readers across the United States through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. Digital copies of the book are made available for immediate check-out through Overdrive and Libby for patrons of participating libraries, including AAPLD.

The fall Libraries Transform Book Pick is Book of the Little Axe, by Lauren Francis-Sharma.

This sweeping historical novel is set in Trinidad and the Crow Nation of the Great Plains, between 1796 and 1830. The protagonist, Rosa Rendon, fights against gender and racial constraints, in her quest to run her family’s farm, and later, in her marriage to a Crow chief. When her son comes of age, she takes him on a journey that retraces her life, and reveals long-kept secrets.

Booklist reviewer Vanessa Bush calls Book of the Little Axe, “a compelling saga of family bonds, ambitions, and desires, all subject to the vagaries of powerful historical forces.” Click here to read an interview with author Lauren Francis-Sharma.

Book of Little Axe is available for immediate download from September 14 through 28. (Patrons who download the book at the end of the open period will have the normal check-out time to read it.) If you’re a book club member, consider this book for your next read, and download group discussion questions here.

If you’re reading on your own, share your thoughts on social media using #LTBookPick hashtag. Share what you love about ebooks with the #EBOOKLOVE hashtag.

Have fun and happy reading!