Sightlines from Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Summer 2019
A Special Goodbye Message from Beth Solka
This is the most difficult news that I have ever had to write. Although this has been the best job that I have ever had, I have retired as of July 1. For 15 years, you and I have talked together, laughed together, and sometimes cried together. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you. I hope you know I will miss you very much. As I go into this next phase of life I will cherish the memories of our talks together.  

Over the years, you have also been my teacher, even though I bet you didn’t know it. You have taught me how to face challenges with dignity and grace. Now I will take the gift of those qualities with me into retirement knowing that because of you, I am a better person.
The library has chosen a new and wonderful person to take my place. Babak Zarin will bring his varied library and technology experience as our new Access Services Librarian. Babak is widely read, personable, and has a great sense of humor. He started the first week of July and I encourage you to give Babak a call to introduce yourself so he can begin to understand how wonderful you are.

Beth
Meet Our New Access Services Librarian
Babak Zarin
540-372-1144 extension 7054
Toll Free: 1-800-628-4807
The Print-Disabled Child
On Wednesday, July 24, Donna Cox, the director of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Library and Resource Center, visited the Fredericksburg Branch and presented resources and guidance for teachers and parents of children who are not successfully developing the ability to read print. Donna has been advocate for print-disabled children throughout her career, and the conversation was lively.

For more resources, check out this booklist.
Talking Book Group 
Comments on The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Some customers called to ask for other Vietnam War book suggestions, so it appears Tim O’Brien’s book piqued interest in the Vietnam War era. Some customers said that they had already read the book, and one customer said that they preferred reading fiction because they want to escape reality when they choose a book. While The Things They Carried is fiction, it is heavily autobiographical.
Our summer pick is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Where the Crawdads Sing is at once a mystery, a coming of age story, and a lush look at the natural world. At its heart is young Kya Clark, abandoned by her family in the saltwater marshlands of coastal North Carolina. Home is a desolate shack where the 10-year-old must fend for herself in the face of heartbreaking loneliness.

Ridiculed as white trash by folks in the nearby town, Kya gives up on school and retreats to the shack, where she finds comfort in the flora and fauna of the marshes. As she matures, Kya educates herself and begins to record and sketch her observations of marsh life.

Romance enters the story, and Kya’s gifts as a naturalist and artist open up challenging possibilities. Then a murder trial complicates her simple life.

Author Delia Owens’ deft use of details and lyrical language make both the setting and the sensitive, convincing character of Kya come alive. An intriguing ending caps off this beautiful story of resilience and redemption.
Tech Talk 
BARD
by Chuck Gray

BARD is a free mobile app that provides an easy way to browse BARD and download audiobooks directly to your phone or tablet.

It logs in for you and enables you to search audiobooks by DB number, keyword, author, title, or series. Bard streamlines the process of downloading the books so that there are fewer steps to memorize. After using this in my personal life quite a lot, I can honestly say that it has grown on me, especially when hunting for a series or a collection of books by a particular author.

The BARD app can be found in the Apple App store for your iPhone or iPad, the Google Play Store for your Android phone or tablet, or the Amazon App Store for your Fire tablet. 
Best Sellers
Fiction Bestsellers
  • The Cornwalls Are Gone- James Patterson, DB 94666
  • The Lost Girls of Paris - Pam Jenoff, DB 94677
  • Run Away - Harlan Coben, DB 94574
  • Someone Knows - Lisa Scottoline, DB 94668
  • Turning Point - Danielle Steel, DB 94709

Nonfiction Bestsellers
  • Maybe You Should Talk To Someone - Lori Gottlieb, DB 94667
  • Save Me The Plums - Ruth Reichl, DB 94489
  • Salt In My Soul - Mallory Smith, DB 94620
  • Be Fearless - Jean Case, DB 94679
  • First: Sandra Day O’Connor - Evan Thomas, DB 94622

Adult List:

Youth List:
Contact Us
For book reservations, sharing a review, or information on Talking Books, contact:

540-372-1144 ext 7054
Toll Free: 1-800-628-4807
Inspiring lifelong learning for everyone in our community.
Serving Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland, Virginia.