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Julia G, Young Adult Librarian, Robertson Branch Library, November 15, 2025

People don’t often think of mid-November as a month for spending lots of time outdoors. In many places, temperatures are falling, along with the first flurries of snow. The fall foliage might be dwindling, giving way to the skeletal branches of winter. We think of November as a time for curling up with a cozy blanket and a hot drink, not trekking into the nearest forest.

The truth is,...

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Film critic Odie Henderson and his book, Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema

Odie Henderson - Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras Interview

Christopher Taylor, Adult Librarian, Mark Twain Branch Library, Monday, September 30, 2024

Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic where he files multiple pieces a week, covering new releases, notable anniversaries, and commentary on topics as varied as MPAA ratings, Oscar predictions and what


Music producer Ian Brennan with Missing Music cover art

An Interview With Ian Brennan

Christopher Taylor, Adult Librarian, Mark Twain Branch Library, Friday, September 27, 2024

Ian Brennan is a music producer, writer, and educator from the Bay Area. Beginning in the late 2000s, he has produced a series of acclaimed albums recorded in situ all over the world, often from overlooked music communities and remote areas.


Author Lilliam Rivera and her latest novel, Tiny Threads

Interview With an Author: Lilliam Rivera

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, September 26, 2024

Lilliam Rivera is a MacDowell Fellow and an award-winning author of eight previous works of fiction: four young adult novels, three middle-grade books, and a graphic novel for DC Comics.


Author Dr. Elliot Cosgrove and his latest book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today

Interview With Author Dr. Elliot Cosgrove

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Elliot Cosgrove is a leading voice of American Jewry and a preeminent spiritual guide and thought leader. The rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue since 2008, he was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1999 and earned his PhD at the University of Chicago Divinity School.


Collage of books and films on history, mythology, and films

Deciphering the Sound of Heavy Metal Legends Iron Maiden

John Tommasino, Cybernaut, Van Nuys Branch Library, Monday, September 23, 2024

Since their debut album in 1980, British heavy metal rockers Iron Maiden have dazzled audiences throughout t


Author Scott Thomas and his latest novel, Midwestern Gothic

Interview With an Author: Scott Thomas

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, September 19, 2024

Scott Thomas is the Stoker-nominated author of Kill Creek, which was selected


a Latinx family reads aloud together on the couch

Great Read-alouds for Children / Excelentes libros juveniles para leer en voz alta

Sheridan Cazarez, Librarian, InfoNow, Monday, September 16, 2024

Besides being fun for you and your child, reading books aloud together provides many cognitive benefits. Reading aloud sharpens attention skills since children follow the inflections of your voice, take in the illustrations on the page, and decode the text.


Author Dan Kois and his latest novel, Hampton Heights

Interview With an Author: Dan Kois

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, September 12, 2024

Dan Kois is a writer, editor, and podcaster at Slate, where his work has been nominated for two National Magazine Awards and two Writers Guild Awards.


Films and their adapted books

Read It First! Movie Adaptations in Theaters This Month

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Friday, September 6, 2024

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times—the book was better! There's nothing like debating the differences between a favorite book and its translation to the screen.


Author Peng Shepherd and her latest novel, All This & More

Interview With an Author: Peng Shepherd

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, September 5, 2024

Peng Shepherd was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and has lived in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, London, New York, and Mexico City.


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