Archives for August 2026

Books and movies make a good team! It is always fun to read a book and then view and compare the movie version of it. Here are three literary masterpieces that came alive on the big screen recently.

The most well-known film of the summer is the “Odyssey” by filmmaker Christopher Nolan. If one does not remember the story of the Odyssey from junior high/middle school days — AKSPL has copies of it (both in print and e-material). The epic poem by Homer shares the trials and tribulations of Odysseus as he and his crew make their way home after the Trojan War. The library has seen a resurgence of interest in reading the Odyssey since the film came out.

For fans of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz—“Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good,” were two huge films that were on everyone’s list to see. Wicked (the book) by Gregory Maguire tells the backstory of both witches from L. Frank Baum’s original novel. AKSPL has Wicked along with the other books in the series that carry on the legacy of the magical land of OZ.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a literary work that has had several film adaptations over the years. It was also on many reading lists for high school literature classes. The tortured romance of Cathy and Heathcliff is one that is timeless. The BBC/PBS 2009 adaptation of Wuthering Heights on DVD is available here at the library. The 2026 film version by Emerald Fennell also offers a new take on this classic work of literature. AKSPL will have that on DVD soon. With both film adaptions it is interesting to see what highlights of the plot are covered and how the costumes are interpreted.

In reading a book and then comparing it to the film there are key questions one can ask. First, does the film follow the original plot of the book or has Hollywood taken a little dramatic license? Second, how are the actors? Do they resemble the characters in the story or not? Can they convince an audience they are these characters on-screen? Third, how are the period details in the movie? Is it set in the correct time period and location or has that changed? Lastly, was the book better or was the movie version better? That is always a spirited debate here with fellow librarians.

AKSPL has all three of the books listed above and two of the films. (Hopefully the “Odyssey” will be released on DVD in the near future). But there are lots of other books and movies to read, watch, and compare!

Teens, I’m aware that many of you will be heading back to school in the very near future. I’m excited for you! But, I’m also sad. I will miss seeing you at the library when your busy back-to-school lives take over. My first instinct is to encourage you to quit school, reject all of your extracurricular obligations, and free up your schedule for more library visits. Unfortunately, such a suggestion is slightly out of alignment with my professional conscience, so that is NOT my advice to you today. Go to school, everybody!

Before I get to my real (unsolicited) advice for you, allow me a moment to reminisce about this summer. So many of you participated in our 2026 “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading Program and it was so much fun. You made stuff in our Teen Makers’ Labs, read in our Teen Summer Book Club, played in our Smiley Gamers’ Society Video Game Tournament, created in our Teen Summer Reading Challenge, wrote in our Teen Writers’ Club, earned community service with our Teen Volunteer Summer Squad, and more. We’ve loved having you around!

Here’s my advice: you should keep coming to the library. The library is open year-round! The library is a wonderful place to study! Nothing will get you in the zone better than these 128-year-old walls. Think of all the scholars who have sat at these tables! Brain vapors abound.

We have air conditioning!

We offer free things all the time: books, video games, eBooks, magazines, and more for checkout, access to reliable databases for homework, events, activities, and clubs to get your creative juices flowing, and more. Our goal in life is to support you in meaningful ways that honor your individuality and show off your importance to our library community. We hope that every time you enter, you feel simultaneously energized and valued and inspired.

Is this asking too much from 128-year-old walls? We don’t think so. So, keep coming to the library (AFTER school…no need to quit school, let me reiterate). Check the teens’ page of our website for all of our upcoming events (www.akspl.org/teens) or follow us on Instagram at akspl_teens.

And what is an (unsolicited) advice column from a librarian without a book recommendation? Here goes…

My latest favorite is a Young Adult title that may already be on your radar: “Better Than the Movies,” by Lynn Painter. The book was published in 2021, but it’s consistently checked out so I’m just finally getting my hands on it. If you love rom-coms (like the protagonist of this book), you will fall head over heels for this book. Liz (the aforementioned protagonist) loves love stories. It’s something she inherited from her mom, the biggest rom-com fan of all time. After her mom dies, it’s the one thing that keeps Liz feeling connected—watching all of her mom’s favorite movies feels like a hug…and kind of becomes Liz’s personality.

So imagine twelfth-grade Liz’s excitement when her real life starts morphing into one of the movies she’s so obsessed with. Her fifth-grade crush moves back to town and she’s convinced this is her shot at a happy ending. But she’ll need help from her insufferable neighbor to get the romance rolling. Liz can scheme with the best of them, but will she become the leading lady in the love story she’s always dreamed of?

Of course, I can’t tell you. One, because I haven’t finished the book. And two, because I want you to have yet another reason to come to the library. See you here (after school, of course)!

Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library, where she genuinely enjoys being around her patrons.

Summer’s longer days offer an opportunity to make time for activities we often set aside. For me, the extra daylight is an opportunity for one of my favorite hobbies, reading books about art. My interests range from my newest fascination–the subject of color–to learning how to analyze art, and exploring the history of images. Whether you enjoy books on art or simply want to discover some of the newest titles at A.K. Smiley Public Library, I hope these selections encourage you to pick up a book on a topic you love.

Kory Stamper’s True Color: The Strange and Spectacular Quest to Define Color – from Azure to Zinc Pink, explores how the color definitions in Webster’s Third New International Dictionary came to be. Stamper introduces scientist I.H. Godlove who helped revise the dictionary, and with the assistance of his wife Margaret, developed its distinctive color entries. Along the way, Stamper combines humor and engaging storytelling with the history of color science, psychology, and manufacturing in the twentieth century. Readers will also discover fascinating historical tidbits, such as the National Bureau of Standards’ Colorimetry Station, which began developing color-based grading standards for products–including butter and margarine–in 1912. True Color will appeal to readers who enjoy history, language, and the stories behind everyday objects.

From color, we move to the art of looking. In How to Art, Kate Bryan brings comfort to readers who may feel that art appreciation is for experts or for those who studied art. Bryan encourages readers to approach art on their own terms. While there is no correct way to experience, discuss, or enjoy art, Bryan provides practical guidance for anyone unsure where to begin. Apart from viewing art, she also explores a range of topics including how artwork is priced, the different types of museums and galleries, caring for an art collection, and how to write an artist statement. Readers looking for an accessible and engaging introduction to the art world will enjoy How to Art.

Finally, Illustration: A Concise History by Andrew Hall, traces the evolution of illustration from the Industrial Revolution to the post-digital age. Filled with vibrant examples, chapters are organized chronologically and feature the work of influential artists such as French painter and sculptor Honoré Daumier, and Iraqi-British architect and artist Zaha Hadid. Hall also examines 11 commercial genres–including editorial, scientific and medical, and children’s literature illustration. Each feature on the commercial genre provides a brief history, career advice, and profiles of notable illustrators. Those interested in the history of illustration and its current practice will find this well-researched reference work to be an informative and accessible introduction to the field.

Take advantage of the longer days in summer and check out a new book at A.K. Smiley Public Library!

Celina Lozano is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library.