What's New

Let me ask you all a question: what is your favorite mythical creature? If you said a vampire, then this article was written just for you. If you said anything else besides a vampire, then you may not want to continue reading this article. So, my fellow vampire fiends – I mean friends – let me invite you to A.K. Smiley Public Library to check out some new (and not so new) fiction titles that you can really sink your teeth into.

Vampire Weekend, by Mike Chen – A music-loving vampire who just wants to be left alone until her teenage cousin finds her and asks her to commit the ultimate deed.

House of Hunger, by Alexis Henderson – A young woman finds herself in the thralls of a rich, bloodsucking family.

Vamps: Fresh Blood, by Nicole Arend – A supernatural school that caters to teenage vampires.

Court of the Vampire Queen, by Katee Robert – A STEAMY vampire romp that would make Fifty Shades of Grey blush.

Other novels in the Library featuring creatures of the night:

The Vampire Chronicles (Interview with a Vampire, The Vampire Lestat), by Anne Rice

The Sookie Stackhouse Series (aka True Blood), by Charlaine Harris

Bloodsucking Fiends; You Suck; and Bite Me, by Christopher Moore

Dead Collections, by Isaac Fellman

‘Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

And last but certainly not least, The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer

I hope these titles will quench any reader’s thirst for novels featuring our favorite fanged friends.

-Shannon Harris is a library specialist at A. K. Smiley Public Library who enjoys reading about vampires and watching shows about vampires.

While Smiley Library has outstanding graphic novels in the children’s, young adult, and literacy collections, our adult circulating collection has amazing additions, as well. Encompassing both fiction and nonfiction titles, graphic novels have a lot to offer for all ages. You can learn history expressed through engaging storylines, revisit old classics told in a unique way, escape through fantasy, or laugh at comedy. These books are an appealing way to explore important topics too, and their focus on character development along with striking drawings make them a joy to read. Here are some of our latest.

“Hakim’s Odyssey” by Fabien Toulme is based on the true story of Hakim, a young Syrian gardener and nursery owner, whose future was looking bright until civil war encroached upon him, his family, and country. In 2011, as growing protests for more freedom arise in the streets, President Assad reacts with extreme violence and lethal force. Hakim is falsely imprisoned as one of the rioters and thrown in jail. Beatings ensue and when finally released, Hakim finds out his nursery has been seized by the army and turned into a barracks. Amidst the loss of his income, the growing chaos of war, and his brother’s mysterious disappearance, Hakim is forced to flee his home and family. This engaging story of war, struggle, survival, and hope is told in a series of three books: Book 1: From Syria to Turkey, Book 2: From Turkey to Greece, and Book 3: From Macedonia to France.

“The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere.” is James Spooner’s coming-of-age memoir of his time living in Apple Valley in the late 80s and early 90s. As a Black teen struggling to fit in to a predominately white community, Spooner feels like an outsider. He looks for a place where he can be himself, forge some friendships, and maybe even find a girlfriend. Unfortunately, what he finds is bullying, racism, and unacceptance. Eventually, he meets others who are into punk music and skating and discovers a new form of self-expression, identity, and a feeling of belonging. Spooner takes a personal look at the Afro-Punk subculture, being raised by a single white mom, prejudice, drugs, and school dynamics. He tells his story with authenticity, reflection, and insight.

If you find yourself laughing at the movies Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Roxanne, and The Jerk, you’ll appreciate Steve Martin’s new book, “Number One is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions.” Martin has made over 40 films and the first half of his book highlights anecdotes and escapades from some of the most popular, along with comic illustrations by Harry Bliss. Meet familiar names like John Candy and Diane Keaton. Bliss’s dog, Penny, has a lot of features along the way, too. The second half of the book is filled with single panel comics from Bliss. A short, fun book for fans of Martin and Bliss.

Here are a few other new titles to consider. “Lore Olympus” by Rachel Smythe is a contemporary and satirical take on the story of Persephone and Hades, “Invisible Wounds” by Jess Ruliffson examines the effects of war on veterans, and “Always Never” by Jordi Lafebre is a love story that starts at the end and works towards the beginning.

By Ann Leonard and Martha Kennedy, Adult Literacy Advisory Committee Members

Adults who ask for help with reading and writing have enormous courage. The Redlands Adult Literacy Program provides a safe place for adults to work one-on-one with compassionate volunteer tutors to improve their literacy. There are many reasons why adults want to improve their literacy. In some instances, their education was interrupted by family circumstances, others found that current job demands require them to improve their literacy levels, and others want to help their children with schoolwork and enhance communication with their children’s teachers. Every adult who enters the adult literacy program has goals that they want to achieve.

Zaida Maytorena is a custodian for a local school district where, thanks to her hard work with her tutor, she is now able to read and write emails for work. She joined the literacy program two years ago when higher literacy skills became essential at her job. She works with her tutor weekly and has read several books, published three stories in the adult literacy anthologies, and improved her confidence. She is on the road to achieving her dream of becoming a certified nursing assistant. Zaida shares, “I’m so happy to stay here, learning with my teacher. I hope others come to join this program. Before coming here, I had problems understanding what I read. I also learned to write reports for my work, and I felt proud when I impressed the vice principal because I could write!”

An estimated 20% of adults in California lack proficiency in reading and writing. In 1992 the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) was established to “help reduce the high level of illiteracy in California and connect more Californians to their libraries.” The Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library, who recognized that adult literacy is a critical predictor of employment, health, and civic participation, supported and encouraged the work of volunteers Katherine Gifford and Trudy Waldron to re-establish the Redlands Adult Literacy Program in 2010. In 2014, the Redlands City Council confirmed their support of adult literacy by funding a literacy coordinator. Diane Shimota, the current adult literacy coordinator, has been essential in making the program sustainable and expanding it to include computer literacy, family literacy, book clubs, anthologies, remote learning, and writing programs.

Diane connects a myriad of statewide and local efforts. She actively participates in CLLS network conversations with literacy coordinators throughout the state to share strategies for programming that enable adult learners to achieve their goals. In addition, she connects with local organizations like the YMCA and Redlands Community Center to provide additional tutoring locations and support to adult learners. She coordinates with the Adult School and Crafton Hills College to ensure that the adult literacy services augment the opportunities at other educational institutions. Thanks to Diane’s efforts of talking to service groups about the value of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program and bringing learners with her to share their stories, service groups like Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library, Redlands Area Interfaith Council, American Association of University Women, Redlands Charitable Resources Coalition, Redlands Community Foundation, and others have supported the program with generous contributions.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program depends on four key components: volunteer tutors, local donors, library trustees, and Diane’s dedicated leadership. From its inception, volunteers have stepped forward to help adults improve their reading and writing. Many of these volunteers later say that they have received the gift of working with and learning from adult learners. Local donations provide a vital match to CLLS funding and, more importantly, are a statement of local support, allowing the Redlands Adult Literacy Program to provide a full range of services and materials. The library trustees commit space, staff resources, and vision to ensure that the adult literacy services are available today and in the future. Diane commits countless hours to ensure adult literacy services are available to the entire community and has developed a robust, compassionate, and innovative program that is responsive to the challenges adult learners face in these rapidly changing times. The city of Redlands and its residents are fortunate to have such a capable and dedicated leader.

The demand for tutors is increasing and the Redlands Adult Literacy Program is seeking more volunteers. Would you like to help someone learn to read and write? Consider attending and encouraging someone you know to come to the next volunteer tutor orientation scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Assembly Room. If you have questions or plan to attend the tutor orientation, please call Diane Shimota at (909) 798-7565 ext. 4138, or email literacy@akspl.org. If you know of individuals who need help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting Diane Shimota. All literacy services are free and confidential.

What’s New this week at Smiley? How about the newly-appointed Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners?! I’ll share the winners with you for 2023, and then backtrack a few years just to make sure you’re up to date on all of these fabulous stories.

Congratulations to Newbery medal-winner Amina Luqman-Dawson who wrote Freewater. Get your name on the reserve list quickly, as it is getting checked out quickly! This story takes a look at slavery in the south with 12-year-old Homer, who makes some grown-up decisions that will change his family’s life forever. An adventurous story of survival, friendship, and so much more. You can find this book on the new book shelf.

The Last Cuentista, written by Donna Barba Higuera, won the Newbery Medal last year. This story has science fiction, Mexican heritage, family, and story-telling mixed into an amazing story…no wonder it won the best book for 2022! Check it out today from the fiction section!

The newly-appointed Caldecott Medal winner for 2023 is Hot Dog, written by Doug Salati. A wonderfully illustrated, simple story, you’ll fall in love with this small, adorable, hot, dog! What a treat for us to read this book about the hot days of summer!

“Watercress,” written by Andrea Wang, and illustrated by Jason Chin, won the Caldecott Medal last year. A beautiful autobiographical story of Chinese heritage, a child of immigrants learned about her family history while out on a family drive. Check out this wonderfully illustrated story today and maybe share with your children the story of your family’s journey.

Come by the Young Readers’ Room to check out these award-winners and more! Be sure to ask the Youth Services Crew for recommendations–we’re happy to help!

While our weather is cold and rainy, it is a great time to turn on the oven and bake up a storm! For some fresh ideas and new recipes, come to Smiley Library and sample our latest baking books.

If you are at all familiar with the show, “The Great British Bake Off!,” then you may recognize one of its judges, Paul Hollywood. “Bake: My Best Ever Recipes for the Classics” is Paul’s hand-picked collection of ultimate favorite recipes. Home bakers of all skill levels will find new savory and sweet recipes to try. Every recipe is accompanied by one or more full-page color photos. Many of his choices hail from Great Britain, such as Victoria Sandwich, Barm Cakes, Bin Lids, and Iced Finger Buns, which are baked doughnuts filled with whipped cream and strawberry jam, then covered in a thin layer of icing. Paul includes a surprise dessert that is not destined for the oven. See if you can find this one unbaked treat. It will be worth the search.

Calling all dessert lovers, this next book is definitely for you! Claire Saffitz agrees that a meal isn’t complete without a little something sweet. Her latest book, “What’s for Dessert,” seeks to satisfy our sweet tooth with 100 approachable recipes. Morning Glorious Loaf Cake is a delicious cross between a Morning Glory Muffin and a carrot cake. It is covered and filled with a maple cream cheese frosting. This might be served at brunch or as a snack with coffee or hot tea. Frozen phyllo dough gives Phyllo Cardamom Pinwheels and Honeyed Nut and Phyllo Pie their crispy, flaky texture, yet it also soaks up the butter, sugar, and honey. Nuts, popcorn, and caramel come together in a one-pan anytime treat Claire calls Caramel Peanut Popcorn Bars. Lastly, Blood Orange Pudding Cake is a creamy citrus dessert that needs no frosting and separates into two layers while it bakes. Serve with fresh sliced blood oranges on top.

When you hear the phrase ‘comfort food,’ what comes to mind? For some, it might be a warm frosted cinnamon roll, chocolate chip cookies, or a bowl of peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. For others, it may be a fondly-remembered childhood meal, such as baked macaroni and cheese, chicken tamale pie, or a hearty beef stew with sour cream and onion biscuits. You can find recipes for all of the above and many more mouthwatering dishes in “Comfort Baking” by Stephanie Wise.

King Arthur Baking Company invites home bakers of all skill levels to join their next class. The company has a school campus located in Norwich, VT, and a second one in Skagit, WA. If you are unable to attend in person, then you’ll want to check out their new book, “Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker.” A lesson in creating a sourdough culture will help you create Deli Rye Bread and Crispy Sourdough Crackers. The secrets to making a flaky pie crust, fluffy biscuits, rich moist cakes with creamy frostings, and buttery croissants that melt in your mouth are waiting for you within the pages of this book.