Books, Bytes & More Newsletter
December 2017
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NWRLS Library Locations

Headquarters:
Bay County Public Library
850-522-2100

Panama City Beach
850-233-5055

Parker
850-871-3092

Springfield
850-872-7510

Corinne Costin
Gibson Memorial Library
Port St. Joe
850-229-8879

Charles Whitehead
Public Library
Wewahitchka
850-639-2419

Harrell Memorial
Public Library
Bristol
850-643-2247

Jimmy Weaver
Memorial Library
Hosford
850-379-3300

Featured Items 
 
 
Artemis
by Andy Weir

Augmenting her limited income by smuggling contraband to survive on the Moon's wealthy city of Artemis, Jazz agrees to commit what seems to be a perfect, lucrative crime, only to find herself embroiled in a conspiracy for control of the city.
 
Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans
by Brian Kilmeade

The War of 1812 saw America threatened on every side. Encouraged by the British, Indian tribes attacked settlers in the West, while the Royal Navy terrorized the coasts. By mid-1814, President James Madison's generals had lost control of the war in the North, losing battles in Canada. Then British troops set the White House ablaze, and a feeling of hopelessness spread across the country.

Into this dire situation stepped Major General Andrew Jackson. He was glad America had finally decided to confront repeated British aggression. But he feared that President Madison's men were overlooking the most important target of all: New Orleans. If the British conquered New Orleans, they would control the mouth of the Mississippi River, cutting Americans off from that essential trade route and threatening the previous decade's Louisiana Purchase. The new nation's dreams of western expansion would be crushed before they really got off the ground.
   
Hardcore Twenty-Four
by Janet Evanovich
 
Reluctantly agreeing to babysit a professional grave robber's pet boa constrictor, Stephanie Plum is embroiled in a bizarre series of crimes that escalate from the violation of stolen corpses to the murder of a homeless man.
 

Leonardo Da Vinci
by Walter Isaacson
He was history's most creative genius. What secrets can he teach us? The author of the acclaimed bestsellers Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Benjamin Franklin brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography. Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo's astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson weaves a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo's genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy. He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But in his own mind, he was just as much a man of science and technology. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history's most creative genius. 
 

Sisters First
by Jenna & Barbara Bush
 

The fraternal twin daughters of the 43rd U.S. president share personal stories and reflections from their lives within a political dynasty, from their grandfather's presidency through their subsequent upbringing under the eyes of the Secret Service, public, and paparazzi.
   
The Rooster Bar
by John Grisham
Three students who have borrowed heavily to attend a third-rate law school realize they have been caught in a scam when they discover that the school's owner also owns a bank specializing in student loans, and plot to expose the scam.
   
We're Going to Need More Wine: Stories
by Gabrielle Union
 
A collection of biographical essays on gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood and the realities of modern women also shares the author's wrenching experiences as a survivor of sexual assault.
   
The Noel Diary
 by Richard Paul Evans
In this new holiday-themed novel, a man receives the best Christmas present he could ask for: the chance to re-write the past. Jason Chercher is not doing well in love or life. Just two weeks after his wife leaves him he receives a phone call that his estranged mother has passed away, days before Christmas--leaving her home and all her belongings to him. Frankly, he would like to see everything just burned. But curiosity about his past and anxiety about his future fuels him to make the drive from Salt Lake City to her home in Medford, Oregon. Maybe cleaning out her house will be slightly less depressing than spending the holidays alone. While going through her things he comes upon her diary and the record of his childhood. He learns that his mother suffered from severe depression and during that difficult time he was taken care of by a young, unwed mother who was living with his family. The only clue he has to the woman's identity is her name: Noel, which is an eerily fitting discovery on Christmas Eve. As Jason reads the diary he begins to uncover the source of his pain in relationships and understand that what he believed to be the truth of his past was actually a lie. That's when he begins a journey to find Noel, wondering if she might hold the truth he needs to bring him peace and love. 
   
Future Home of the Living God: a Novel
by Louise Erdrich
 
A tale set in a world of reversing evolution and a growing police state follows pregnant thirty-two-year-old Cedar Hawk Songmaker, who investigates her biological family while awaiting the birth of a child who may emerge as a member of a primitive human species.
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance
by Ruth Emmie Lang
  

Orphaned, raised by wolves, and the proud owner of a horned pig named Merlin, Weylyn Grey knew he wasn't like other people. But when he single-handedly stopped that tornado on a stormy Christmas day in Oklahoma, he realized just how different he actually was.

That tornado was the first of many strange events that seem to follow Weylyn from town to town, although he doesn't like to take credit. As amazing as these powers may appear, they tend to manifest themselves at inopportune times and places. From freak storms to trees that appear to grow over night, Weylyn's unique abilities are a curiosity at best and at worst, a danger to himself and the woman he loves. But Mary doesn't care. Since Weylyn saved her from an angry wolf on her eleventh birthday, she's known that a relationship with him isn't without its risks, but as anyone who's met Weylyn will tell you, once he wanders into your life, you'll wish he'd never leave.

Endurance
by Scott Kelly
    
The veteran of four spaceflights and the American record holder for consecutive days spent in space, Scott Kelly has experienced things very few have. Now, he takes us inside a sphere utterly hostile to human life. He describes navigating the extreme challenge of long-term spaceflight, both life-threatening and mundane: the devastating effects on the body; the isolation from everyone he loves and the comforts of Earth; the catastrophic risks of colliding with space junk; and the still more haunting threat of being unable to help should tragedy strike at home--such as when his twin brother's wife, American Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot while he was in space.

Kelly's humanity, compassion, humor, and determination resonate throughout, as he recalls his rough-and-tumble New Jersey childhood and the youthful inspiration that sparked his astounding career, and as he makes clear his belief that Mars will be the next, ultimately challenging, step in spaceflight.


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NWRLS is a department
of
Bay County

Thank you for choosing to receive the library newsletter, where you will learn about upcoming programs and the many services provided in our libraries.
Youth Classes @ Your Library

Bay County Public Library

Book Babies (0 - 17 months with caregiver) 
Tuesdays @ 9:30 a.m.
*No program on December 19th and 26th.

Terrific Tots (18 - 36 months with caregiver) 
Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m.
*No program on December 19th and 26th.

Read Rock & Rhyme (3 - 5 year olds with caregiver) 
Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m.
*No program on December 21st and 28th.

Sunshine State Book Club (Elementary Students) 
Saturday, December 2nd  @ 2:00 p.m.
This month, we will discuss The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Willy Maykit in Space by Greg Trine!

Art from the Heart (Elementary Students) 
Tuesday, December 5th  @ 3:30 p.m.
Help create a community art masterpiece out bottle caps.  

Library Family Christmas 
Tuesday, December 12th  @ 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun, holiday filled evening with stories, carols, and craft activities with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Refreshments are provided by the Gulf Coast Woman's Club. Free books will be provided by Early Education and Care while supplies last. 

Time Travelers Homeschool History Club (Grades 3 +) 
Friday, December 15th  @ 10:30 - 12:00 p.m.
Learn about Christmas traditions around the world! For more information, call 850-522-2118.

 
Panama City Beach Public Library 

Book Babies (0 - 4 years with caregiver) 
Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m. 
*No program on December 19th and 26th.

Beach Kids (5 + years) 
Wednesdays @ 3:00 p.m. 
Join us each Wednesday for a fun S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and/or Mathematics) program. Registration required. Call 850-233-5055 to register. 
*No program on December 20th and 27th.

Storytime Saturdays (4 + years) 
December 2nd and 9th @ 10:00 a.m.  

Cookies with Mrs. Claus (4 + years) 
Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m.   
There will be a special visit from Mrs. Claus and an elf!  Call 850-233-5055 for more information.

Springfield Public Library
 
Christmas Afterschool Storytime  
Thursday, December 14th @ 3:00 p.m.
A holiday themed storytime for Elementary aged children and younger.  The festivities will include a holiday craft! 

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe
 
Tuesday Tales (0 - 3 years with caregiver) 
Tuesday mornings @ 10:30 a.m. 
*No program on December 26th.

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka 

Budding Bookworms (3 - 6 years)
Mondays @ 3:30 p.m. 
*No program on December 25th.

Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead (7 - 10 years)
Tuesday, December 12th @ 3:30 p.m. 
All things S.T.E.A.M. every 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library in Hosford

Storytimes
Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. 

Harrell Memorial Public Library in Bristol 

Toddler Tales! (0 - 4 years)
Mondays  @ 10:30 a.m. 

Holly Jolly Christmas at the Library!
Saturday, December 16th @ 10:00 a.m. 
Enjoy holiday stories and decorating Christmas cookies. All ages are welcome! No registration required.  
PeltaPeeps Game Tournament
Bay County Public Library
Monday, December 4th @ 3:30 p.m.

Learn how to play PeltaPeeps, a fun game created by local game designers. No registration or previous experience required. And there will be PRIZES!! Program held in the Youth Services department for Elementary - High School students. For more information, call 850-522-2118.
Elf on the Shelf

Panama City Beach Public Library
November 27th through Friday, December 15th  

Chippy - the Elf on the Shelf will be visiting the Panama City Beach Public Library to add to the holiday fun.  He will be hiding in a different location each week and you can try to find him!  Each child that finds Chippy's hiding spot will receive a small candy cane and a ticket for a chance to win The Elf on the Shelf book. The lucky winner will be notified on Monday, December 18th. Call 850-233-5055 for more information.
Science Seed Program

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Library in Port St. Joe (Ages: 4 - 12 years)
Tuesday, December 19th @ 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 30th @ 11:00 a.m.

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka (Ages: 3 - 6 years)
Monday, December 4th @ 4:00 p.m.

Classes are designed to engage children in experiential learning, to expose children to new concepts and vocabulary in science, to develop critical thinking skills, and to foster a love of learning. They also offer a a lot of hands-on fun! Port St. Joe's program has been funded by the Junior Service League. 
MakerSpace Workshop
Image from the Gulf County Extension Office

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe
Thursday, December 28th @ 3:30 p.m. EST

Come explore a variety of Maker options including 3D printing, sewing, and more. Program for all ages - fun for the whole family! For more information, call 850-229-8879. 
Hanging of the Hands 

Paper cut-outs of children's hands are hung in the Capitol Rotunda during Children's Week (January 21 - 26, 2018). Libraries are partnering with their local Early Learning Coalition to collect hand artwork. Bring your child's hand art (no larger than 11 x 14 inches) or make one at your library!  

For Additional Information: 
Classes and Programs @ Your Library

Panama City Beach Public Library

Sea Needles
December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th @ 10 a.m.
Bring your needlework crafts to work on at the library. Sea Needles meets every Friday at 10 a.m.

Bay County Public Library

Friday ColorFest
Friday, December 1st @ 9:00 - 11 a.m.
Adult Coloring supplies provided for a relaxing morning.  NEW addition to Friday ColorFest is that you can now bring your knitting or craft projects into the library to work on!

Ukulele Social Club
Saturday, December 2nd @ 1o:00 a.m.
The first part of the class is for beginner basics. The second part if for jammin'! We will have a few loaner instruments available but you are encouraged to bring your own. Ukulele Social Club will meet the first Saturday of the month from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Bonjour! Basic French Class
Monday, December 4th @ 6:00 p.m.
Learn basic conversational French!  No previous knowledge required. This class is Joyeux Noël themed. French macarons and meringues will be available to taste while supplies last. 

Beginning Dulcimer
Friday, December 8th @ 1:00 p.m.
Bring your mountain dulcimer for a beginner lesson! Not sure what a dulcimer is? You are welcome to sit in on the class. We will be practicing classic Holiday tunes.

Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library in Hosford

Community Christmas Party
Monday, December 18th @  5:00 p.m.
Refreshments, Christmas music and tons of fun!

Craft Day
Thursdays @ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Drop by anytime on Thursdays to share your craft and your company.

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka

Family Search
Explore your family's genealogy every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe

The Art of Meditation and Happiness
Thursday, December 7th and 21st @ 5:30 p.m. ET
Explore a simple meditation process. No background needed. 

Adult Art Class: Holiday Decorations
Saturday, December 16th @ 10:30 a.m. ET
Call 850-229-8879 to register for the Adult Art Class.

Get in the Game!
Thursdays @ 2:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Bring your favorite games and friends or play one of our games and make new friends! Come join in the fun!
Book & Film Clubs

BCPL Book Club
Bay County Public Library
Thursday, December 8th @ 10 a.m.
Honeydew  by Edith Pearlman

The BCPL Book Club meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. For more information, please call 850-522-2107.

History Book Club
Bay County Public Library
Wednesday, December 13th @ 5:30 p.m.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

History Book Club meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month. For more information, please call 850-522-2107.

Library Lions Teen Book Club
Bay County Public Library
Tuesday,December 19th @ 4 p.m.

No assigned book! Talk about what you're reading or a favorite book. Ages 13-19. For more information, please call 850-522-2114.  Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

Beyond the Lens: Book and Film Series
Bay County Public Library
Tuesday, December 19th  @ 5:30 p.m.
Film: The Lunchbox (No book for December)

The Beyond the Lens: Book and Film Series meets every 3rd Tuesday of each month.  For more information, please call 850-522-2120. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

Film Fan Club
Bay County Public Library
Wednesday, December 20th @ 5:30 p.m.
Film: Die Hard (1988) Rated R

Hang out and watch Cult classics. Movie night at the library every fourth Wednesday of the month. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

Beach Book Club
Panama City Beach Public Library
Wednesday, December 6th @ 10:30 a.m.  
Only in Naples: Lessons in Food and Famiglia from my Italian Mother-in-law by Katherine Wilson

The Beach Book Club meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. For more information, please call 850-233-5055.

Springfield Library Book Club
Springfield Public Library
Thursday, January 18th @ 1:00 p.m.
If I Run by Terri Blackstock
Springfield Public Library is starting a NEW book club! For more information please call 850-872-7510.

Library Book Club
Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library
Monday, December 18th @ 10:30 a.m.
Same Kind of Different as Me  by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

The Library Book Club meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. For more information, please call 850-229-8879.
Library Closures

All Northwest Regional Library System locations will be closed on the following dates:

December 24th - 26th                 Christmas Holidays
New E-books and Downloadable Audiobooks @ Your Library

We recently added new items to our digital collection, including: 

Homemade Holiday
by Sophie Pester and Catharina Bruns

Bring the magic of a handmade Christmas into your home with 40 projects for gifts, decorations, and homemade wrapping paper. Clear, step-by-step instructions guide readers to create fresh flower garlands, bake e dible gift tags, make homemade bath salts, and paint authentic tree ornaments. 
 
The Book of Dust
by Philip Pullman

Malcolm Polstead is the kind of boy who notices everything but is not much noticed himself. And so perhaps it was inevitable that he would become a spy....
Malcolm's parents run an inn on the banks of the river Thames, and all of Oxford passes through its doors. Malcolm and his daemon, Asta, routinely overhear news and gossip, but during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm catches wind of something new: intrigue. He finds a secret message inquiring about a dangerous substance called Dust-and the spy it was intended for finds him. When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he sees suspicious characters everywhere. All are asking about the same thing: a girl named Lyra. 
Lyra is the kind of person who draws people in like magnets. And Malcolm will brave any dan ger to bring her safely through the storm.

The Rules of Magic
by Alice Hoffman

For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man. Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people's thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk. From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Each begin a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.

You can check out e-books and downloadable audiobooks for free from your library. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Forgot your PIN? Just give us a call at 850-522-2100 or stop by your local branch and we'll set one up for you.

To access e-books and downloadable audiobooks, click here or:
Go to www.nwrls.com
Click on Books, Etc.
Click on eBooks & eAudio
Click on OverDrive  to find books  
Need assistance with e-books and downloadable audiobooks? Just call us at 850-522-2107 or stop by your local branch.