This year's collaborative summer library program theme is "Adventure Begins at the Library". These themes focus on personal growth, heroism, action, adventure, and the hero's journey. We've asked various MLC Staff to give a quick overview of a book that fits the theme. Want to hear our staff's recommendations? Then stay tuned! Books mentioned: Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas Fear is the Mind Killer by Kaja Sadowski The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas The Hob ..read more

Join Alex, Elisabeth, and Charlie as they discuss some of their favorite young adult novels and how to define a novel as a young adult novel in contrast to an adult novel. Enjoy! Books Mentioned: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Divergent by Veronica Roth Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson The Companion by Katie Alender The Charlotte Holmes Series by Brittany Cavallaro Cinder by Marissa Meyer Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Sheine Lende by Darcie ..read more

Join Shellie, Riley, and Charlie as they discuss what exactly makes a book a good beach read. Is it the themes or locations of the book? Is it the genre of the book? Or, is it something else entirely? Tune in to find out! Books mentioned: Thirsty Mermaids by Kat Leyh The Humans by Matt Haig One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware Piglet by Lottie Hazel The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis The Ruins by Scott Smith ..read more

Join Charlie and Tracy as they discuss the ins and outs of special collections and just what makes them so special. Listen as they talk about the various collections and kits that can be borrowed by patrons and libraries, including board games, costumes, hand puppets, story walks, and more! For more information regarding our special collections and kits, you can contact Charlie Simpkins at (601) 432-4498 ..read more

Join Tracy and Shellie on this episode of Shelf Absorbed as they discuss what they've been reading and watching lately.   Books mentioned: The Impossible Life of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer Less by Andrew Sean Greer Foe by Iain Reed I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reed Stoner by John Williams Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera How Strange a Season by Megan Mayhew Bergman Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman The Boys of My Youth by Jo Ann Beard Domestic Work by Natasha Tretheway The Teacher by Freida McFadden ..read more

Join Alex, Elisabeth, and Charlie as they discuss Novels in Verse. Listen in while they talk about novels in verse as well as their favorite poems and verse novels!   Books and Poems mentioned: The Crossover – Kwame Alexander Milk and Honey – Rupi Kaur The Night Library of Sternendach – Jessica Levai Dreaming of You – Melissa Lozada-Oliva Bull – David Elliot We Are All So Good at Smiling – Amber McBride Ain’t Burned All the Bright – Jason Reynolds Chlorine Sky – Mahogany Browne Sharp Teeth – Toby Barlow ..read more

Join Tracy and Shellie as they talk about their favorite short stories! What makes a good short story? What makes them memorable? Learn all that and more on this episode!   Stories mentioned include: "Dear Sister" by Deesha Philyaw "The Field of Blue Children" by Tennessee Williams "The Man Who Loved Flowers" by Stephen King "Parker's Back" by Flannery O'Connor "Portrait of a Girl in Glass" by Tennessee Williams "Up in Michigan" by Ernest Hemingway Victory Over Japan by Ellen Ghilchrest ..read more

Join Katie, Shellie, and Tracy as they discuss bookish podcast other than your favorite, Stacks and Stories. Listen as they talk about what makes a good podcast, how the length of a podcast episode affects the best time to listen, and more, so stay tuned. Podcasts Mentioned Celebrity Memoir Book Club If Books Could Kill Maintenance Phase Overdue Read with Jenna Reading Through Life Shonen Flop What Should I Read Next ..read more

This episode is all about Pride and Prejudice and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Join Tracy and Russell as they dive into regency romance and comedy horror, examining their own prides and prejudices along the way.   Books discussed: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith ..read more

Join Charlie and Elisabeth as they talk about their favorites in this year's crop of Magnolia Book Award nominations! Books discussed in this episode include: Alone written by Megan E. Freeman Four for the Road written by K.J. Reilly Fox and Chick: Up and Down and Other Stories written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier I Must Betray You written by Ruta Sepetys Listen to the Language of the Trees written by Tera Kelley, illustrated by Marie Hermansson The Lucky Ones written by Linda Williams Jackson The Most Magnificent Idea written and illustrated by Ashley Spires Stella Keeps the Sun Up writ ..read more