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Many adults who join the Redlands Adult Literacy Program want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can get better jobs, further their own education, and advocate for their children. Through hard work and perseverance adult learners can change their own and their family’s lives for the better.

Rosa Le recently joined the literacy program and meets with her tutor weekly at the YMCA, a library partner that provides meeting space for literacy teams. Rosa joined the program to improve her reading and writing skills and to increase her vocabulary. Improving her literacy is the first step that she is taking to further her education. Her dream is to go to college and eventually become a decorator. Rosa’s daughter is a good example for her mom; she has completed her college education and wants Rosa to know that she can do it too.

The literacy program has helped Rosa gain confidence “to know that I can learn to read.” It has helped her to educate herself and to do things to help others. Rosa thinks that improving her reading and writing is important because “I have a business that I want to grow and I want to live a better life.” She says, “Everybody can learn to read and write and have a chance to get a better future.”

Rosa would like the Redlands community to know about the free tutoring available at the library. She shares, “Reading and writing is very important. I had no idea the library had this program; now I tell my friends that they have the opportunity to come and learn, and I tell them that they can do it.”

Crystal Moreno is a life-long learner who graduated from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program several years ago. Crystal joined the adult literacy program when she was a student at a local community college. Her learning disability made college-level English courses a challenge for her. Crystal was driven to complete her goal of being the first in her family to graduate from college and become a math teacher, specializing in helping children with learning challenges. Through her hard work and the help of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, Crystal completed her Associate of the Arts degree, and recently celebrated her graduation from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Showing her own determination to excel, Crystal is already enrolled in CSUSB’s teacher education program.

When asked about the adult literacy program, Crystal shared, “Participating in adult literacy helped me feel more confident when writing essays for school, scholarships, and professional emails…it helped me reach my goal to finish my education by receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and continuing my education.”

Crystal also shared that she would “tell someone hesitant about starting the adult literacy program that it would be a fantastic experience because you will get to know your strength that you never thought you had. Also, you will get to meet other people that will inspire you and develop excellent relationships with the literacy program. Finally, it will help you boost your confidence and develop leadership skills.”

Stories like Rosa’s and Crystal’s would not be possible without the support of the local community. The Redlands Community Foundation recently granted $800 to the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. These monies will be used to purchase audio books that are available to adult learners and the Redlands community. Every donation is appreciated.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program seeks additional volunteers who can help motivated adults improve their reading and writing. If you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. The program provides the opportunity for free, one-on-one tutoring and literacy classes such as the writing workshops. If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at 909-798-7565, ext. 4138 or email: literacy@akspl.org. To learn more about the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please visit the adult literacy website: akspl.org/literacy.

Teens, I’m wildly excited to be writing to you at the start of Black History Month! But before we get into the recommendations, I have to confess I feel conflicted about squeezing the celebration, seeing, and learning into a single puny month. Real steps toward equality require daily attention and action, and thus let it be officially proclaimed that the following YA books can absolutely be enjoyed year-round.

While “The Awakening of Malcolm X” by Ilyasah Shabazz (Malcolm X’s actual daughter) and Tiffany D. Jackson is a historical fiction account of Malcolm’s early adulthood, specifically the time he spent in prison before his emergence as a national leader, it doesn’t feel glossy or oversimplified the way some historical fiction can. The authors immerse readers in this period in Malcolm’s story with grit and nuance, avoiding a reductive hero/villain edit that sometimes happens with big historical personalities.

The book is a rowdy ride of vulnerability and rage, swagger and self-doubt, despair and determination, and even though you may already be familiar with the outline of Malcolm X’s life, there are plenty of unexpected opportunities to connect with his in-between experiences, experiences that defined how he related to the world when he eventually, in the author’s words, woke up. “The Awakening of Malcolm X” offers an intimate look into the “origin” story of a fraught public figure, humanizing Malcolm in a way a Wikipedia article can’t.

Teens, I went through public schools, college, AND a graduate degree and despite all that decrepitness, only relatively recently became aware of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Why? Brandy Colbert’s “Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre” considers that question. The book describes the context of the massacre and the experiences of the people who endured it, and equally troubling, examines the near erasure of the event from public consciousness. What starts with a history lesson on how the state of Oklahoma came to be, evolves into an unflinching look at what it meant to be Black in America in the early twentieth century. If you’re trying to fill your own historical gaps on the subject, “Black Birds in the Sky” is a useful place to start.

Twenty-three-year poet and activist Amanda Gorman knows how to deliver goosebumps. If you haven’t already heard or seen her perform her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” you’re in luck, we have both the physical book and eBook incarnation at your disposal. Gorman’s poem plants its feet in the real world while still glimmering with hope for a better one, and Gorman herself shines as an artist and a leader.

If, like me, you’re obsessed with looking for trustworthy biographical info on intriguing people like SZA, bell hooks, Steph Curry, Frank Ocean, Patrick Mahomes and more, you definitely don’t want to miss the Gale Biography in Context Database, one of the Library’s eResources available from the Teens page of the A.K. Smiley Public Library website (www.akspl.org/teens). It’s like the scholarly version of Extra! From Stacey Abrams to Zendaya, this database offers reliable details about over 500 notable African Americans (and counting) from history and today.

Other YA titles you may want to check out:

“Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People” by Kekla Magoon

“The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” by Jeanne Theoharis

“When They Call You a Terrorist: A Story of Black Lives Matter and the Power to Change the World” by Patrice Khan-Cullors

“Paul Robeson: No one Can Silence Me” by Martin B. Doberman

These books may fall under the wide and impressive umbrella of Black History, but they are also about leaders, traumas, resilience, courage, and joy. If you’re interested, they may expand/reinforce/challenge/change/reflect your perspectives in meaningful ways. And of course, you have all year to read them.

Attention armchair adventurers, history buffs, and geography enthusiasts—the New Book Section at A.K. Smiley Public Library is calling out to you! Here are just a few selections from our bookshelves.

Brian Castner’s “Stampede: Gold Fever and Disaster in the Klondike” brings the Klondike gold rush of 1897-1898 into detailed focus. More than 100,000 people headed north in search of gold and wealth during an intense economic depression. Very few of them succeeded in their quest and many of them tragically perished due to being completely unprepared for the harsh realities they encountered. Individual experiences and tragedies are intimately chronicled, along with photographs, through the author’s meticulous research of memoirs, oral histories, and other historical sources. Stories of familiar names like Jack London, Skookum Jim, and the nefarious Soapy Smith are included, along with many others.

Another optimistic adventure in 1897 that also turned ill-fated is detailed in Julian Sancton’s “Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night.” This narrative of Belgium’s first polar expedition details the journey south that eventually became a story of survival as the ship became engulfed in ice for an entire year. The author shares the relationships of the scientists and sailors as they endured the long polar night, illness, isolation, and madness. The inclusion of photographs brings more vividness to the saga. A young Roald Amundsen and Dr. Frederick Cook, unknown to history at that time, were part of the crew.

Jack London and Dr. Frederick Cook also appear in Patrick Dean’s “A Window to Heaven: The Daring First Ascent of Denali, America’s Wildest Peak.” In 1913 Episcopal priest Hudson Stuck, wilderness guide Harry Karstens, Alaskan native Walter Harper, and divinity student Robert Tatum all kept journals of their trek on the first successful ascent of Denali. While this narrative chronicles their arduous journey, it also delves into the life of Englishman Hudson Stuck and his experiences before the historic climb. He advocated for ending child labor in Texas, was an Archdeacon of the Yukon and Arctic where he established hospitals, libraries, schools and missions, and was an advocate for the environment and indigenous Alaskans.

Here are a few more selections for your consideration: “Every Day the River Changes: Four Weeks Down the Magdalena,” by Jordan Salama; “To the Greatest Heights: Facing Danger, Finding Humility, and Climbing a Mountain of Truth,” by Vanessa O’Brien; “In Search of a Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British Empire,” by Laurence Bergreen; and “Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall,” by Helena Merriman.

Just in case you decide to pursue your own adventure, you might want to first read the tenth anniversary edition of “The Natural Navigator: The Rediscovered Art of Letting Nature Be Your Guide: Find Your Way with Trees, Looming Clouds, Hidden Spiderwebs, and More Clues,” by Tristan Gooley.

 

 

The beginning of the New Year is usually filled with resolutions of diets and exercise, but here at A.K. Smiley Public Library the only resolution we made is to make sure that our shelves are filled with the latest and greatest titles. Here are some buzz-worthy new titles whose authors are making their fictional debut.

Fiona and Jane is Jean Chen Ho’s debut novel, and it has already been named one of the most anticipated books for 2022. Fiona and Jane is about the experiences of two young Taiwanese American women and the power of their friendship that transcends distance and time. This novel is a reminder of what it feels like to be young and alive.

Frida Liu thought she was a good mother to her only daughter, Harriet, until one day, she wasn’t. The School for Good Mothers is Jessamine Chan’s unsettling debut novel where Frida is at risk of having her daughter taken away from her. She now has to prove to the government that she is indeed a good mother by attending a government-run school where mothers like her will learn to be ‘good.’

How High We Go in the Dark is Sequoia Nagamatsu’s breathtaking debut novel about an ancient deadly virus that has swept Earth and the survivors left behind in its wake. The chapters are told from the perspective of characters that are trying to find beauty, hope, and love even when the world seems like it is at its bleakest.

A.K. Smiley Public Library is closed for in-person services until January 31, so make sure to use our Books-to-Go program to check out these titles and more.

Laughter has been shown to have health benefits such as releasing serotonin and endorphins, decreasing stress and boosting the immune system. A hearty laugh can make us feel more positive and resilient. The act of laughing can even burn a few calories, although personally, I would have to be in a constant state of hysterics in order to attain the desired results.

Importantly, humor helps us cope during tough times. With that in mind, take a look at the following books and DVDs. I hope they offer a bright spot in your day.

Comedian, actress, and best-selling author Phoebe Robinson is back with her third book “Please Don’t Sit On My Bed in Your Outside Clothes.” Her personal essays encompass a wide array of subjects including race, her decision to be child-free, and her seriously comedic interactions with her British boyfriend. Written in a conversational style, her book covers important topics with a comic wit.

Known for her popular Instagram series, “The Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date,” Quinta Brunson has gone on to produce and act in BuzzFeed videos and work on “A Black Lady Sketch Show.” In her first book, “She Memes Well,” she shares her early years in Philadelphia, her love of comedy, and her move to Los Angeles. Enjoy her personal stories, the role social media plays in her life, and her rise to celebrity in the comedy world.

Many people became acquainted with the accomplished playwright and actor, Leslie Jordan, from his recurring role on the sitcom, “Will and Grace.” In his new book, “How Y’all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived,” he reflects on life growing up in a southern Baptist family in Tennessee, shares encounters with celebrities like Lady Gaga and Debbie Reynolds, and expresses his surprise at going viral on Instagram at 64. A fun, sweet, and short collection of stories.

Other book titles to consider:

“All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business” by Mel Brooks; “Broken (in the best possible way)” by Jenny Lawson; “Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo” by Jo Koy; “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside” by Nick Offerman; “The Wreckage of My Presence: Essays” by Casey Wilson, and “Yearbook” by Seth Rogen.

We also have an extensive collection of funny movies on DVD available for checkout like “Forrest Gump,” “Young Frankenstein,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Office Space,” “Duck Soup,” and “Airplane.” I’m certain you’ll find more than one that will put a smile on your face.

Editor’s note: The Library has temporarily suspended in-person services beginning January 18th. All of these great books–and more–can be checked out through our Books-to-Go program by calling, emailing, or using your on-line account. There is no cost to place a book hold.