When Boba Fett was introduced in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back (or rather The Star Wars Holiday Special two years prior, if you want to be technical about it), who knew that over 40 years later, a show following the exploits of a mysterious bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe would become such a pop culture phenomenon? I guess the moral of the story is to never bet against Star Wars. Regardless, with the return of new episodes of The Mandalorian to Disney+, now is a great time to toss on your helmet, fire up the Razor Crest, and dive into these pulse-pounding adventures from a galaxy far ..read more

February 2nd is Groundhog Day in North America, when we all hope the rodent doesn’t see his shadow and we might greet an early spring. If you are like me, you also immediately think of the film Groundhog Day and its infamous time loop. I’ve recommended 5 more time loop movies below, for when the genre calls your name, but you don’t want to watch the same thing over and over. Before I Fall Samantha Kingston wakes up on February 12 and goes about her day as any other. But when a horrible accident happens at the end of the night, she wakes up in the morning…again on February 12. Stuck in a ti ..read more

Around the World in 80 Days, a novel by Jules Verne, turns 150 years old this month.  Based on the premise that it was possible to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, the book has influenced not only real-life adventurers who have tried to accomplish the same trek as the main character but also works of literature, film, and television, including a recent series on PBS. The Other Log of Phileas Fogg: Cosmic Truth Behind Jules Verne’s Fiction Around the World in 80 Days Around the World in 80 Days Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the ..read more

Books can make great gifts for any occasion and can be very memorable for the recipient. Whether a mystery reader, a cookbook collector, or an armchair traveler, you can find something perfect for just about anyone in a bookstore. We’ve compiled some suggestions of the best books to give as gifts and broken them down for you by genre. Happy gifting! Romance Books: Do You Take This Man eBook   |   eAudiobook The Decoy Girlfriend First Time for Everything eAudiobook Set on You eBook   |   eAudiobook Kamila Knows Best eBook Before I Let Go eBook ..read more

Need a break of the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Consider joining one of the Library’s book groups. We have eight genre-specific online groups as well as branch groups that meet at ten of our locations county-wide. With so many options, there is a group for everyone! Need help locating a book or registering for a group? Visit one of our locations or call 419.259.5200. P.S. Not sure what to wear to book group? Check out our Library gear. BIG IDEA Book Group Proud by Ibtihaj Muhammad (T) Dec. 27 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. eBook Online Comic Book Group Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and Da ..read more

Jennifer Armentrout’s newest book, A Light in the Flame, is out this week. If you are looking for something to read while you wait for it, or to fill the void after you’ve finished it, try one of the recommendations below. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms eBook   |   eAudiobook A Promise of Fire eBook   |   hoopla eBook  |   hoopla eAudiobook The Poppy War eBook   |   eAudiobook   |   hoopla eBook  |   hoopla eAudiobook Kingdom of the Wicked eBook   |   eAudiobook The City of Brass eBook ..read more

Are you spending a more time indoors now that the weather is cooling down? Consider joining one of our many book groups. We have eight genre-specific online groups as well as branch groups that meet at ten of our locations county-wide. With so many options, there is a group for everyone! Need help locating a book or registering for a group? Visit one of our locations or call 419.259.5200. Here are the books we’re reading for November 2022, so get to reading and we’ll see you at book group! And side note, not sure what to wear to book group? Check out our Library gear. Birmingham Book Grou ..read more

Released during the same month as (and overshadowed by) Avengers: Endgame, the first Shazam! film tends to get lost in the shuffle of superhero movies—which is a shame. With a lot of heart and plenty of likable characters, Shazam! stands out among the typical dreariness of recent movies to feature the heroes of DC Comics. With a Black Adam spinoff film starring The Rock on the horizon, one of Shazam’s greatest adversaries will finally be seen on the big screen. Will Black Adam build on the momentum that DC achieved with The Batman or will it be compared to less favorably reviewed films like S ..read more

Has summer fun put your reading list on the backburner? Now is a great time to catch up, and joining one of our book clubs is the perfect way to dive back in. Below are the books that have us excited this month. Make sure to check out the complete list of our book clubs—there’s a group for everyone. For these great books and many others, be sure to browse the Hoopla and Libby apps, as well as your local Library branch. Birmingham Book Group: The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan eBook | eAudiobook | Large Print | Playaway Black Lives Matter Book Group: Wild Tongues Can’t be Tamed by Sara ..read more

Comic books have a long, storied history when it comes to censorship. Initially a disposable medium for children, comics would gain popularity with soldiers during World War II. A growing adult readership led to more mature, insidious content. However, it was not until 1954 that comics were truly put under the cultural microscope with the release of Fredric Wertham’s questionably researched book, Seduction of the Innocent, which argued that the medium promoted violence, drug use, sex, and other “criminal” behavior—particularly superhero and horror comics. In response to Seduction of the Innoc ..read more