Vinton Public Library

06/23/2026

For our Summer Staff Book Club Bingo challenge, one of the squares is to read a book recommended by a friend or co-worker. I chose a book my son loved: 'Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story)' by Daniel Nayeri.

I struggled with this book at first, but then I fell head over heels in love with it. Nayeri tells the story of an Iranian refugee boy coming to terms with his new life in Oklahoma, his mother's unwavering courage in converting to Christianity, and the loss of his beloved home, extended family, and even his father through divorce.

Blending Persian folklore with his own experiences, Nayeri creates a story that feels both heartbreaking and magical. At times, I found myself wishing he really did have a magic carpet to carry him away from so much sorrow.

This book not only captured my heart—it also made me appreciate my son even more for loving and recommending it.

Happy reading, friends!

~Heather

06/23/2026

As part of our "Plant a Seed, Read" theme, we thought it would be fun to add some themed arts and crafts to our summer activities! 🌱📚🎨

Today, everyone was full of beans as they created colorful Bean Mosaics! 🫘✨ From unique patterns to creative designs, our artists put their imaginations to work and had a great time crafting.

What a fun way to combine creativity and our summer reading theme! 🌻😊

06/23/2026

By logging your reading, you can win prizes! We have Beanstack challenges for all ages; log in the app or on paper reading logs. Happy reading!

06/23/2026

This reading rockstar has read 800 books! Keep up the good work!

06/23/2026

Dear readers,
Is your summer schedule a bit more relaxed? Are you looking for ways to enrich your relationships, ignite your creativity, or even unwind after a long day? Let our team here at the library help you find your next book!
Happy Reading,
Kelly Henkle

Vinton Public Library Newsletter

06/22/2026

The Vinton Public Library Silent Book Club recently packed up our books and visited downtown Vinton's Red Cedar Wines Bar located in The Niche. Thank you to Dan and Maureen for the top-notch hospitality!

Our Silent Book Club meets Tuesday evenings at 6pm in the Vinton Public Library reading room. Adults gather to read a book of their own choosing while quietly enjoying the company of others. Silent Book Clubs meet worldwide in coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, bars, bookstores, and more, and are a wonderful way to engage with other readers. Considering giving it a try? Stop by our library on Tuesday evenings!

06/22/2026

✨📚 New in Adult Non-Fiction:
~'An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, And Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln'
by Lois Romano
~'The Summer of Death: The Great Heat Wave Of 1936 and the Making of Modern-Day America' by Geoff Williams
~'What To Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative' by
Jim Collins
~'Sourdough Everything: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Beautiful Breads and Other Bakes' by Rachel Pardoe

06/22/2026

Review of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

This is one of the ‘oldie but goody’ books that I go back to again and again. Our Summer Staff Reading Challenge includes reading a book that has been banned or challenged; this is currently ‘one of the most frequently challenged or restricted books in American schools and libraries’ according to my research.
If you’ve never read this book, I would strongly urge you to do so, not because it is controversial, but because it is such a wonderful picture of a slice of life in this country in the 1930s. I first read this book when I was ten years old, and I identified strongly with Scout, a nine- old tomboy with a brother that was my best friend because there was nobody else to choose from.
I was impressed at that time at the extent of damage small-town opinions and biases can have and how different our assumptions sometimes are from reality. Reading it again from the vantage point of my advanced years, I gained more from the reading!
Scout’s family, the Finches, have a Black maid, Calpurnia, who has a great deal to do with the raising of Scout and her brother Jem. Their father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is busy and a bit distracted from his motherless children. When a new boy appears next door to spend the summer with his aunt, the Finch children are off to a summer of enlightenment! Throw in a boarded-up house down the street which is home to a mysterious recluse and the accused r**e of a white woman by a Black man who is represented by Attorney Atticus Finch, and you have the makings of a book that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. Whether or not you’ve read the book previously, I recommend reading this classic. Goodreads gives it an impressive 4.26 out of 5; but I give it a 100% bullseye for a great book! Relax and read! ~ Connie, Library Assistant

06/22/2026

Plenty of fun opportunities await kids at the library this week!

From Storyime and crafts to STEAM activities and special events, there's something for every young learner and creator to enjoy. Whether you're looking to explore, create, read, or play, we've got you covered!

Stop by and join the fun—we can't wait to see you at the library this week!