As August is flying by, the season of mysteries, thrillers, and horror novels is fast approaching, but it is still a bit too warm for the often cold, dark setting of haunted houses and who-done-its. True crime is a great genre to fill the need for a bit of darkness, while still being an excellent beach read!

What makes a book a “classic?” Does it have to be published before, say, 1900? Or maybe it has to be recognized as a “classic,” part of the canon of great literature? Perhaps some feel “classics” must be at least 500 pages, hard to summarize, and boring to most people. Not so! Classics are books that endure beyond the time of their creation and, usually, their creators.

While travel broadens the mind, our bank accounts can’t always support our wanderlust. Thankfully, there is great literature written by people from faraway places and different cultures, which is nearly if not as stimulating!

Great travel writing can help you plan a trip, teach you more about the world, or transport you for the afternoon. Browse HCPL’s travel guides to imagine destinations you might not otherwise consider or research an epic staycation, challenging yourself to see central Virginia with new eyes.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the impossible. They landed a spacecraft on the Moon and took a step that will be forever remembered. However, their monumental accomplishment would not have been possible without the collective efforts of many thousands of people.

Hobbies are exceptionally good for you. According to the National Institute on Aging, hobbies help to keep our brains working as we age and can help foster social connection Delving into something you enjoy fully can help re-focus our attention in ways that relieve stress and tension.

Celebrate Juneteenth with the library and this list of titles available at HCPL. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Based on the words “June” and “Nineteenth,” the celebration started to commemorate an order issued by a Union general that formally freed all enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.

Do you feel that listening to books instead of reading them is somehow cheating? Put that fear to rest. While no in-depth, far-reaching studies exist comparing reading books for pleasure to listening to them, the evidence thus far indicates that there is not much difference between the two in terms of retention of the story.

Kick off Summer Reading with us at our 4th Annual LibraryCon! This year it will be at Tuckahoe Library on Saturday, June 29 at 1:00 pm. The afternoon will be filled with workshops, cosplay, gaming, and prizes for the whole family. Pick up something good to read and enjoy nerding out with us!