Archives for January 2026

One of the biggest changes we have seen in the Library since the year has begun, is a return to physical media. Physical books, checking out movies and DVDs, and even perusing our extensive archives of older magazines and reference materials. Physical media tends to add a much more whimsical feel to our lives and, in order to ensure the upmost amount of whimsy to your day, here are some new books that focus on one of the most whimsical subjects: Mushrooms!

Fungi Decoded: Encounters with Thirty Fungi by Britt A. Bunyard is full of beautiful illustrations and great details. The book gives a broad overview of mushrooms, from spores and teeth, to why truffles use scent to attract mammals, even to the history of mycology itself. It even gives an extremely interesting look into the farming techniques of insects. While the beauty of mushrooms is highlighted, the book also delves into the dangers of mushrooms, listing the most common suspects for mushroom poisoning. Each of the thirty mushrooms highlighted are given ample room to show off their intriguing properties and the places where they are mainly located. The book even has a handy wheel on the cover to reference while on your travels. A great book for beginning or seasoned mushroom hunters!

While this next book is technically a part of the for dummies book series, it is a fascinating deep dive into the word of mushrooms: Fungi by René Fester Kratz. The book is heavily science-based, enlightening the reader that fungi are much closer to us by their DNA, their feeding techniques, and their reproduction than they are to plants. The work emphasizes the role of fungi in ecology, in that they act as decomposers allowing for much needed mineral resources to return to a usable state. The work shows how fungi play a role for us humans as well, whether that be medicinally, nutritionally, or recreationally. Diagrams throughout the book bolster the ideas introduced and further show the inner workings of a world we normally don’t get to see. A very technical book but one that brings mushroom lovers some great information.

How about the perspective of a forager and their relation to the world at large? Try Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me About Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival by Maria Pinto. While this book does do an amazing job looking at mushrooms and the world they inhabit, it is not it’s only focus. It also focuses on those that use mushrooms, how historically it was marginalized groups that sought out fungi whether it was as a food source or of a spiritual nature. Pinto looks at her own history and how her world was shaped by this seemingly innocuous but utterly life-changing organism. The work delves into the political nature of fungi and how it is politicized and policed.

Love mushrooms and crafting? Try out Crochet Snails and Mushroom Sprites by Megan Lapp. This adorable book shows how to crochet your own little mushroom friend. The book shows step-by-step photos to help ensure clear understanding during the process. It even includes a glossary as well as links to a YouTube channel showing all the techniques used. The work is set up to let you customize your new friend from, body type, positions, even the type of mushrooms (morels, fly agaric, or even inky cap!). And every mushroom needs a steed to ride on so make a cute snail too. Fun and a great way to add a cute companion on your mushrooming journey.

Enjoy these books and add a bit more whimsy to your reading lists!

-Ciara Lightner is a library specialist who is always down to hang out with a cool fungi!

AKSPL has a variety of book collections. One that is sometimes forgotten about is the Oversized Collection. Oversized materials are literally just that. To be cataloged into that specific collection it depends if the book will fit on the shelf according to its Dewey number and shelf space available. Titles in this collection can cover art, countries, travel, dinosaurs, and movies.

Oversized materials are thought of as conversation pieces. They are perfect to check out and put on one’s coffee table. They also can be used to decorate one’s living room or study. They are highly detailed and have beautiful photographs. Many times, teachers will use them for art or history lessons. Other times they are just fun items to read and look at the pictures.

Three titles that can be found in this collection are 85 Years of the Oscar: the Official History of the Academy Awards, The Prehistoric World of the Dinosaur, and Monet. They are reviewed below.

85 Years of the Oscar: the Official History of the Academy Awards by Robert Osborne is a gorgeous book with a year-by-year history of the Oscars. There are many photographs of stars along with a description of the Oscars for a specific year. It is a source of boundless information for movie lovers!

The Prehistoric World of the Dinosaur by Dr. David Norman is a descriptive and colorful book of the history of dinosaurs, and the fossils that have been discovered. It is a great book for anyone (young and old) interested in paleontology.

Monet by Frank Milner gives the life and art history of one of France’s greatest impressionists, Claude Monet. It gives a brief background on Monet and then references some of his most famous paintings and where they are located. This would be helpful for art lovers who would want to go to those museums to see that artwork.

All in all, the Oversized Collection is one that everyone should see–come in and we’ll be happy to show your where it lives!

Teens, winter has arrived at last…the perfect time to hunker down with a good book (or two). If you are in the market for a good book (or two) to read in your winter hunker hole, I have news for you: we’re kicking off our Teen Winter Book Club here at A.K. Smiley Public Library, and we’d love for you to join us. We’ve got two titles lined up, and we’re giving away free copies for you to keep forever! But before you emerge from hibernation to grab your free book(s), let me tell you about what we’re reading. As a friendly reminder, we always encourage you to talk to your parents about what titles may be a good fit for you.

Seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan is the star of the YA historical fiction novel “The Downstairs Girl” by Stacey Lee. When Jo, a resourceful Chinese American living in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1890, is unfairly fired from her job as a hat-maker’s assistant, she resolves to not go quietly. Jo is spicy! She speaks her mind! She’s smart, skilled, and creative! It should be easy for her to land on her feet.

Unfortunately for Jo, 1890s Atlanta is not a friendly place for a Chinese worker who likes to speak her mind. Or a woman who likes to speak her mind. Or any person of color who likes to speak their mind. Jo’s determination turns to desperation as she is forced into a job as a handmaid for a bratty debutante, and has to figure out if becoming invisible is her only option for survival.

Want to walk around 1890s Atlanta in Jo’s shoes and then talk about it with a teen book club in 2026 Redlands? Then register for the Teen Winter Book Club and pick up a free copy of this book from the Young Readers’ Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library while supplies last.

In Maya MacGregor’s YA thriller “The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester,” eighteen-year-old Sam moves to Astoria, Oregon aching for a new start. As if high school isn’t hard enough, Sam is autistic, nonbinary, and attempting to heal from the trauma of surviving a hate crime that almost killed them. But Sam’s first night in their new home does nothing to calm their anxiety…Sam feels the unmistakable presence of someone else.

When Sam discovers a teenager died in their new room under mysterious circumstances 30 years ago, Sam knows the presence they feel is not imagined. With the help of a new community of found family, Sam resolves to crack the case, but it is quickly apparent someone does not want this case to be cracked, putting Sam in perilous crosshairs once again. And with school bullying re-surfacing, will Sam ever feel safe existing as their true self?

Even though the plots, settings, time periods, and characters featured in these two books appear to have nothing in common, they are bound by themes of visibility and survival. Both titles ask a question: who is safe to be seen in society?

If 1) you are a teenager and 2) this is a question you’re curious to explore and/or 3) you just want to read one or both of these books, join our Teen Winter Book Club. You are welcome to read just one of the titles, or both. We will have back-to-back book club parties to the discuss the books, and again, you are absolutely invited to come to just one or both. Free books are available for pick-up from the Young Readers’ Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library while supplies last. Come pick one (or both) up if you’re interested and then resume hunkering!

For more information about the titles, including reviews, and to register for the Teen Winter Book Club Parties, visit www.akspl.org/teens.

Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

The 900s in the Dewey Decimal System is a diverse collection ranging from world civilizations to history to historical figures, and also travel. The 900s as a whole is a gigantic collection here at the library, but they offer a wealth of information for those who brave the stacks to find what they are looking for.

One of those areas that people are wanting information about is travel. Even though more and more travel information is online—there is still something about having an actual travel book on hand. Several countries that are always on travel lists are Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. The call number for travel books on these countries are the 940s—specifically 945.5, 946, and 949.4. These are three travel books that will be highlighted in this article.

Let’s start with sunny Spain. A good choice for a travel book is Fodor’s Travel: Essential Spain. It is small and compact and will fit nicely in a suitcase. It lists a variety of travel options for the budget-conscious traveler to the traveler where money is no object. There are maps of towns such as Granada and Toledo. There are also lists of sights to see such as the Alhambra, the Prado, and the Sagrada Familia basilica. It even includes a list of helpful Spanish phrases.

Moving from Spain to Italy (always a popular tourist spot) we have Rick Steves: Florence and Tuscany. Again, this is the perfect sized book to pack in a suitcase or backpack. Some of the highlights listed are the Palazzo Vecchio tour, sights to see while traveling with children, and the Duomo museum tour for art lovers. For Tuscany there is a chapter on Pisa (compete with the famous Leaning Tower) and the island of Elba known for its most famous resident, Napoleon Bonaparte. It is very easy to find things to do for every type of price range, and there are helpful tips on how to travel to and from the different areas. Again, there is a list of basic Italian words in the back of the book.

For Switzerland we again go to Fodor’s Travel: Essential Switzerland. This book would not take up much room in a suitcase. Zurich is one of the main highlights in the book. There are lists of festivals throughout the year. These would help someone plan what time of the year they would want to visit. There are also lists of hotels priced from high to low. Outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing are also highlighted. Included are lists of useful German, French, and Italian sayings. The Bernese Alps are also detailed. There are cable-car and train rides one can take to see the beauty of the mountains–all you need to plan a trip to the majestic Swiss Alps!

All in all, the 900s have a little bit of something for everyone. Come and check them out!

Allison Peyton is principal librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands, CA.