For many, books have been an integral part of our lives since youth.
As children, we were extended our first line of credit—the library card—and given the freedom to explore the vastness of our local public libraries. For readers young and old, public libraries and independent bookstores offer a plethora of opportunities to discover new authors and genres and make new friends through social programs, author signings and book groups. These opportunities bring book lovers of all ages and backgrounds together in the enjoyment of reading.
Supporting Local Authors
Jane Blue, library director at Northumberland Public Library, says the readers she serves have carried the hobby from youth into adulthood. Patrons visiting the library can check out books and meet local authors within the community at an event called Books Alive.
“Four times a year…local authors bring in their books and we showcase them on a Friday night. For two hours, we serve wine, we have hors d’oeuvres, people can talk to the author and the author usually presents their work,” Blue says.
Building a Community of Readers
It was once perceived that book clubs were for older residents and retirees. That myth has been debunked with the popularity of youth, teens and younger adult book clubs.
Melissa Simpson, the Williamsburg Regional Library adult services director, says their library system is home to six book groups encompassing a wide array of reading interests. She adds that the Library Consortium also hosts two to three live-streaming events featuring bestselling authors. Simpson says book groups create a sense of community.
“Book groups take the solitary activity of reading and make it social—getting together to talk about a common book or common theme builds community! Book groups can challenge you to read outside your comfort zone and introduce you to new authors/themes/characters or they can provide opportunities to discuss favorite authors/themes/characters,” Simpson says.
Bringing People Together for Fun
Diane Rebertus, the director of the Gloucester Public Library, uses events as a means to bring entire families into the library’s orbit with the aim of kindling—or rekindling—a love of reading for all involved.
“In October for Halloween we have what’s called Spooktacular. It’s in partnership with Gloucester Main Street. The businesses have trick or treat out on the sidewalk and [families] can come trick or treat in the perimeter of the library. We also have an annual holiday open house. There’s always something going on here in the library to entice and attract people in the community,” Rebertus says.
The Intimacy of Independent Bookstores
For readers who prefer to purchase books and support local businesses, independent bookstores bring a flair all their own to the market. These spaces are a treasure trove of new and used books, popular and eclectic reads and a home for people looking for the small-town charm of bookstores.
Ralph Tedeschi opened Turn the Page Bookshop—located in Williamsburg—in August. The store shelves new and used books. He says independent bookstores are vital to the reading public.
“Independent bookstores…offer an alternative to the big-box store or ordering online,” Tedeschi says.
Turn the Page plans to host book clubs and author signings in the future to draw readers and support local authors.
“It is very important for local authors to have a place to showcase their work and get their name out there,” Tedeschi says.
Lisa McLaughlin opened The Bookshelf in November 2022. Her shop operates out of The Local, a coffee shop in Irvington. Her aim is to build a community around a love of books and experiences related to books.
“I think that bookstores contribute a lot to our communities, besides having books available to buy. I think they are safe spaces; I think they are places to meet people and build community,” McLaughlin says.
The Bookshelf keeps books in rotation by varying authors throughout the year that go beyond the mainstream and that force readers to discover new authors or noodle new ideas and concepts. She also hosts a reading group and facilitates speaking events for authors.
“I’m running [the book club] about every other month right now. So, if I have an author event, I won’t do a book club that month because they kind of take each other’s place. But we’ve done a variety of books. We started in March of this year, and we’ve read books from authors in England, [had] an Australian author up, and our August book club was by a Canadian author. I try to mix up the genres quite a bit,” McLaughlin says.
Fall & Holiday Reads
Here are a few book recommendations to cozy up to this fall and throughout the holiday season.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: This book retells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor, black tobacco farmer from Clover, Virginia, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1951. She underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where doctors took a sample of her tumor cells without her consent to create the HeLa cell line, one of the most important cell lines in medical history.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of Damon Fields, a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer. Damon is a bright and talented child, but he also has a difficult childhood. He is abandoned by his mother, abused by his foster parents and addicted to opioids. Despite the challenges, he never quits and finds love, friendship and support in the people around him who help him to find his own strength.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: Set in the 1950s and 1960s, this book tells the story of brilliant chemist Elizabeth Zott, a strong and independent woman who refuses to be limited by the expectations of her time. While pregnant, Elizabeth is forced to leave her job at a prestigious research lab to take a job as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six, which becomes a surprise hit. Through her show, Elizabeth uses her knowledge of chemistry to explain the science behind cooking, which makes her show both entertaining and educational.
Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese: This is a story about three generations of a family in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, that suffers a peculiar affliction: at least one person dies by drowning in each generation. The story begins in 1900 with the marriage of Mariamma, a 12-year-old child bride, to a 40-year-old widower. She eventually discovers her husband’s family secret: they are all cursed to die by drowning. Mariamma tries to keep the curse a secret from her children, but it eventually comes to pass. The Covenant of Water is a story about family, love and loss and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
Holiday Books
The Christmas Guest by Daisy Bell: This heartwarming tale follows the life of a lonely and isolated young woman named Emily who finds a stray puppy on Christmas Eve and decides to take him home for the holidays.
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans: This is the story of Richard, a workaholic who learns important lessons about the meaning of Christmas and the importance of family after discovering the letters on an elderly widow to her daughter. As he makes these discoveries Richard realizes he’s overly focused on work and has neglected his family. He makes changes and begins to write letters for his own daughter, which help him to understand love, family and forgiveness.