Archives for March 2026

Teens, what are you reading these days? Oh, how I wish I could hear you! Tragically, my earshot is no match for the miles between us, so I will have to imagine your response. What? You want to hear about what I’m reading? Would you believe I just happen to have a stack of YA nonfiction sitting next to me right now that I’ve been dying to tell you about? You asked for it…

Gail Jarrow’s “White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups” will have you clutching your red, white, and blue pearls. Did you know eight United States presidents have died while in office? Did you know more than a third were gravely ill at some point during their presidencies? Through no fault of your own, you probably didn’t, as many of these health crises were kept hidden from the American people. But this book pulls back the curtain.

With chapter titles like “Doomed by Dirty Fingers,” “The Hidden Diagnosis,” “The Vanishing President,” “An Image Manipulated,” and more, Jarrow takes us to the concealed bedsides of these ailing leaders. Here’s a tiny taste: President James Garfield was shot by a would-be assassin, but science says it wasn’t actually the bullet that killed him. So, what did? I’m not going to tell you (but this book will)! If you like blood, guts, and uncovering a cover-up as much as I do, you may want to check this one out.

“A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out” by Nicholas Day is a book about history’s deadliest volcanic eruption. It’s also a book about Mary Shelley and the birth of her novel “Frankenstein.” Don’t see the connection? “A World Without Summer” will show you.

The year was 1815, and in a burst of pyroclastic flow, Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted, triggering a disruption of the world’s climate that would last for years to come. Against the backdrop of an invisible veil of global atmospheric shock, the brilliant Mary Shelley would experience a summer like no one had ever seen. A summer where rain and thunder seemed never-ending. She would be challenged in a contest to write a horror story…

Agh! I wouldn’t have guessed a book about weather would be impossible to put down, but this one is. You will walk away with a better understanding of the far-reaching and enduring effects of climate shock, and an incredible story to tell at the dinner table.

Fame is a bee.

It has a song—

It has a sting—

Ah, too, it has a wing.

Emily Dickinson

Thus begins Barb Rosenstock’s “American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad That Haunted a Nation.” In Spring of 1848, young sisters Maggie and Kate Fox discover they can communicate with the dead. What follows is a meteoric rise to fame and fortune as the sisters seem to activate a nation-wide obsession with the occult. So-called “mediums” pop up around the country, séances become commonplace, and young women, many of whom had been pushed to the edges of society, suddenly find themselves elevated to positions of power and influence.

But were these “spiritual” encounters a hoax? Were the Fox sisters really able to transcend the boundaries between life and death? Answers will be provided, but of course, not in this article. I am being told by the twin ghosts of Albert and Alfred Smiley that you will have to read this book to find out.

Teens, I hope these nonfiction books, which feature a mix of horror, spirits, and science, will be ones you read and then want to talk about. I promise my ears work much better in person.

Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library who loves reading books about fascinating historical things that she can use to sound clever around the dinner table (but will probably forget in a week). She is happy to now have an article to refer back to!

One of my favorite literary genres is the exposé genre. It often uses interviews and in-depth research to expose hidden truths, and injustices, on social issues and other matters. Animal research and the treatment of animals are topics at the forefront of this genre. Reading exposés can create feelings of sadness, shock, and empathy, but at times it can also offer hope.

The following books highlight some of the current realities of fish, beagles, and lions—they also serve as a call to action by providing guidance on what we can do to promote a better world for animals.

Dive into the world of fish with Rose George’s book, “Every last fish: a deep dive into everything they do for us and we do to them.” George goes into an underwater exploration to understand the fish’s journey from ocean to dinner table. She travels to different places such as Alaska and Scotland, to understand how practices, illegal and otherwise, in the fishing industry affect our fish consumption during a time when consumption is increasing, and fish populations are decreasing, and oceans are warming. Readers will also be introduced to fishermen, marine biologists, and other individuals who are at the forefront of the fishing industry and working towards better fishing practices.

Next we have “Lab Dog: a beagle and his human investigate the surprising world of animal research” by Melanie D.G. Kaplan. Kaplan’s curiosity into the animal research industry began when she adopted her beagle, Hammy—previously a research lab dog for four years. Part of her investigative work is to find answers to some of the most common animal testing questions such as: why are beagles the most common type of lab dog, where do they come from, and can we live in a world where animal testing is nonexistent? Kaplan also brings forth supporting and opposing viewpoints for animal testing from the perspectives of lawmakers, activists, researchers, and other individuals.

“The Last Lions”, edited by Don Pinnock and Colin Bell, is an eye-catching photography coffee table book showcasing lions in their natural habitat in the regions of Africa and India. The captivating photographs give us wildlife glimpses into the everyday moments of lions, from hunting, lounging on trees, eating, to caring for their cubs. The photographs also capture the sad realities that lions experience, including poaching, habitat loss, and illegal trade. The photographs are dispersed through several chapters that support the anecdotes of scientists and conservationists who advocate for the protection of lions. Other topics touched upon in the book are the behaviors, biology, and intricate lives of lions.

Do you have a particular animal or topic you are interested in reading? These and other new reads are available for check-out at A.K. Smiley Public Library. Let us know what you are in the mood for reading and we may just have a book for you—exposé or not.

Celina Lozano is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library and would love to adopt a dog one day.

March is Women’s History Month and what better way to celebrate women and how amazing we are than by reading novels and poetry written by women. Here are a few new titles that are available for check out at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

My first suggestion is the poet Rupi Kaur’s newest book of poetry, Love Poems, a compilation of love poems from her previous collections. The poems in this book are heartfelt and filled with yearning. Kaur’s drawings also dance upon the pages of this collection, each drawing reflecting the words of her poems, giving them a unique feeling.

My second selection is Simone St. James’ latest novel, A Box Full of Darkness. The Esmie siblings have been asked to come back home to Fell, New York, by their little brother Ben, but the only thing is, Ben has been missing for two decades. The siblings are ready for closure and answers about what happened to Ben, but being home has conjured something much more sinister. Come and check out this book to see what happens to the Esmie siblings.

My third selection is Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey. Dandelion and Jake are dating and things between them are getting pretty serious. The only problem is that Jake thinks the woman he is dating is named Dandelion, but Dandelion is dead; he has actually been dating Poppy, Dandelion’s sister. Come and check out this novel to see if Poppy will tell Jake that she isn’t really the person he thought she was.

Shannon Harris is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Hear Ye, all that will listen! Having never been ones to listen to allegedly clairvoyant groundhogs, the rabbits of spring have decided to welcome the season early here at A.K. Smiley Public Library. Our new Spring Display is up and ready for the spring bloom; the question is, are you? Drop in and make an origami rabbit to join the rabbit army slowly taking over our display. Or stop by the Seed Market, the rabbit merchants have taken up a stand as part of the display. They are offering a variety of seeds for the shockingly low price of zero silver coins.

Beyond some seeds and rabbits, why not begin the season by trying something new this spring? There’s plenty an exciting hobby to find, but if you need some inspiration look no further than the Library’s vast array of new material, fresh and ready to help you try or retry something new!

If you’re looking to get into gardening this spring, then can I start you off with two suggestions I have found helpful in my own gardening journey?

“Gardenista, the Low Impact Garden” by Kendra Wilson revels in the growing natural and sustainable garden movement, making clear their indifference for crisp clean lawns. The book invites readers to cherish nature’s imperfections–the marks left by pollinators and insect friends that tell you they made a stop at your garden, that they too treasure its beauty. It offers a framework of eight rules to work with to create your own sustainable wonderland. I found this particularly helpful with the front garden of our home where we have many native plants. Wilson prompts readers to reconsider the perspective of bugs and insects as pests, and more as visitors to our gardens, even offering advice on how to be considerate and build a garden not just for yourself but for your whole ecosystem. All the while, she showcases some of the beautiful gardens found around the world and the lessons their gardeners learned. The example gardens have given me plenty of ideas on how to accommodate my own visitors (lots of pigeons, crows, small birds, and one or two neighborhood cats). Balanced, thoughtful, and plenty graceful in what sustainability looks like, this is a highly recommended read for anyone of a gardening heart but a sustainable mind.

If you’re looking for a different style of gardening, our veggie garden has taken to some of the helpful tips in Scott Wilson’s “Gardener Scott’s Guide to Raised Bed Gardening.” Wilson makes the case for raised bed gardening; whether curious, a sceptic or a believer, he assures the reader there is something for everyone. Raised beds come in all shapes and sizes, in all economies and materials. He highlights the benefits of the raised bed, but is clear that a raised bed is not ideal for every garden out there. Wilson offers solid advice on how to plan your raised bed; consider the placements, the plants, the material, and season, and how to problem solve. There is excitement in the air as I eagerly await my radishes’ arrival. One can close this book feeling significantly more confident in their ability to plant and maintain a raised bed garden and leave with all the tools necessary!

If you’d prefer a less involved spring activity than perhaps you could consider expanding your knowledge as a way to grow along with the season. Why not try to learn all about flower language. A quick, simple but informative read with beautiful illustrations to boot, Sarah Cray’s “The Language of Flowers” offers a simple and straight forward look into what different flowers symbolize, what they say and why they say it. It’s a delightful read and aesthetically pleasing. You could also try reading, “Faeries: A History in Art, Verse, and Lore” by Nikki Van de Car. It offers a thorough look into how faeries have presented themselves in different art forms and the different categories they fall into–an interesting read for any faerie enthusiasts!

Consider checking out these and many other spring-inspired books at A.K. Smiley Library!

Still looking for something to do this spring? Why not join us for our junk journaling event on March 25?

Ruth Aguilar is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library who often finds themself at the mercy of new hobbies! This month? It’s origami!