By Brittany Schaaf, St. Charles City-County Library
Do you love exploring new books? Are you trying to read more in 2024? You’re invited to check out the Ultimate Genre Challenge going on now at the St. Charles City-County Library. This ongoing Beanstack challenge encourages readers to explore the Library’s collection and push themselves outside their comfort zone by discovering new genres. Only the most dedicated readers will obtain all 40 badges, spanning various genres and book types. Think you can read them all? Register for the challenge at www.stchlibrary.org/events or on the Beanstack app today!
I’ve reached out to some Library staff to gather book recommendations for many of the genres highlighted. Check them out below, and then head to stchlibrary.org to reserve your copies today!
Want to read a TRUE-CRIME book? Heather from the Middendorf-Kredell Branch recommends THE STRANGER BESIDE ME by Ann Rule. “From the perspective of the former policewoman, crime writer, and unknowing personal friend, read the story of Ted Bundy, a brilliant law student executed for killing three women, who confessed to killing thirty-five others.” (Novelist)
BIOGRAPHY Books for Beginners! Madison at Central Services recommends WE WERE DREAMERS: AN IMMIGRANT SUPERHERO ORIGIN STORY by Simu Liu, the star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Madison says, “It is one of the only books this year where I actually laughed out loud while reading it.”
A recipe for a great book? Check out a COOKBOOK! Kristin from the Kathryn Linnemann Branch suggests picking up EATING OUT LOUD: BOLD MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVORS FOR EVERY DAY by Eden Grinshpan. Kristin says, “One of the best meals that I made from this was the Sesame Schnitzel Sandwich with harissa honey and tartar slaw. It was amazing!”
Pick up some POETRY! Jen from the Kathryn Linnemann Branch recommends I AM THE RAGE by Martina McGowan. This poetry collection explores racial injustice from the raw, unfiltered viewpoint of a Black woman in America. At 95 pages, “It is a great quick read for your badge,” Jen says.
HORROR isn’t just for Halloween! Brittany from the Marketing team (that’s me!) recommends THE HONEYS by Ryan La Sala. After his twin sister Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars takes her place at the elite Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy, where he finds himself haunted by something toying with his mind that leads him to the Honeys, a group of beautiful--and terrifying--girls. This book had me SCREAMING with its folk horror vibes, suspenseful summer camp setting, and its WILD ending.
Discover more book recommendations for every genre on the Library’s website, stchlibrary.org/next-read or ask any staff member for a book recommendation - it is our favorite question! Register for the Ultimate Genre Challenge today at mylibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 to stretch your reading comfort zone, discover amazing new books, and prove that you are the ultimate reader!
Crafting Connections - Make-It-Monday* - Mon., Nov. 4: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Grab a friend, come to the Augusta Branch, and work on your unfinished projects! Spend all day or just a little while.
Crafting Connections: Sip & Stitch* - Mon., Nov. 4: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Boone’s Trail Branch - adults and teens. Bring your current work-in-progress and join other yarn artists as we sip, stitch, and talk about our projects.
Discover Crafting: Fall Leaf Painting* - Mon., Nov. 4: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tues., Nov. 5: 10 to 11 a.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults. Join us as we turn beautiful fall leaves into works of art using acrylic paint pens and your creativity. This is a repeated class; please register for only one session.
Crafting Connections - I Love Quilts!* - Tues., Nov. 5: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. What will you create? Meet other quilt lovers at this monthly event.
Canasta - Hand & Foot* - Tues., Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26: 1 to 3:30 p.m.; Thurs, Nov. 7, 14, 21: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults. Need to get out of the house? Learn to play Hand & Foot Canasta!
Coffee and Conversation - Thurs., Nov. 7, 14, 21: 9 to 10 a.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and conversation with others in the community.
Crafting Connections - Yarn Arts - Thurs., Nov. 7, 14, 21: 2 to 4 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults and teens. Other yarn enthusiasts will keep you company while you work on your knit, crochet, or embroidery project.
Star Party* - Thursday, Nov. 7: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Augusta Branch - all ages. Bring the whole family and join the experts from the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri to view the night skies through a number of telescopes operated by ASEM members!
Grow Your Reader: Story Time - Tues., Nov. 12: 3 to 3:30 p.m. Augusta Branch - children. Grow Your Reader with stories, songs, and activities that enhance early literacy skills.
Winter Trees Decor* - Thurs., Nov. 14: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 16: 10 to 11:30 a.m., Mon., Nov. 18: 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Tues., Nov. 19: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Boone’s Trail Branch - adults. Make a colorful winter tree scene for your winter decor! This fun wooden sign measures just over 5” tall and 6” wide. This is a repeated class; please register for only one session.
"Read to a Dog" - Tail Waggers - Love on a Leash* - Thurs., Nov. 14: 5 to 6 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - children. Kids can practice reading aloud to an attentive, adorable dog.
Book Discussion - LADY ALMINA AND THE REAL DOWNTON ABBEY by The Countess of Carnarvon* - Mon., Nov. 18: 2 to 3 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. This book tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes’s Emmy Award-winning PBS show, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon.
Crafting Connections - English Paper Piecing* - Tues., Nov. 19: 2 to 4 p.m. Augusta Branch - adults. Learn how to English Paper Piece, a fun method of sewing fabric pieces together.
Book Discussion - WALK THE BLUE LINE by Chris Mooney* - Thurs., Nov. 21: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Boone's Trail Branch - adults. America’s cops are our eyes, our ears, and our protectors. They serve their country, even risking their lives. Hear patrol officers, K9 handlers, sheriffs, and detectives reveal what it’s really like to wear the uniform and to carry the weight of the responsibility they’ve been given.
*Register at stchlibrary.org/join-class-or-event or call Boone’s Trail at 636-398-6200 or Augusta at 636-228-4855 for more information about classes.
The Boone’s Trail and Augusta branches are open Mon., Tues., and Thurs. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m. to noon. All St. Charles City-County Library branches will be closed on Mon., Nov. 11, for Veterans’ Day and also Thurs., Nov. 28 and Fri., Nov. 29, for Thanksgiving.
