CFLoquence: News From Your Library

Dystopian Fiction

            In just a few short weeks, Chasing Fire, the second in The Hunger Games trilogy, hits the theaters! Can you tell I’m just a little bit exited? While I thought The Hunger Games book was better than the film, Jennifer Lawrence is perfect as Katniss. I can’t wait to see the second part of this dystopian story come to life on screen.

            To celebrate the movie release of Catching Fire, we’re holding a writing contest for teens ages 11-19. We’re asking you to write an alternate ending to any or all of the books in The Hunger Games trilogy. Submissions will be judged on creativity and quality of writing. The grand prize will be a Kindle Fire. Submissions must be typed and no more than four pages in length at no less than 11 point font. The deadline for this contest is 4pm on Friday, November 15th. May the odds be ever in your favor!

            In the past few years, dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games has become increasingly popular. One of our highest circulating dystopian novels is Lauren Oliver’s Delirium. In this novel, a teen named Lena prepares for a procedure to prevent her from contracting amor deliria nervosa, “the deadliest of all deadly things,” a condition we recognize as being in love. Lena looks forward to undergoing the procedure, mainly because she believes this “disease” led to her mother’s death. Then Lena meets a boy named Alex and begins to question her life plan as well as the society she belongs to. Lauren Oliver’s eloquent prose makes this novel absolutely captivating.

            Another great dystopian author is Margaret Atwood. Best known for her 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood has been writing dystopian fiction long before it became trendy.  More recently Atwood has published The MaddAddam trilogy, a post-apocalyptic story of genetic engineering gone wrong. In these novels, humankind is destroyed with the exception of a small group of survivors. The dystopia Atwood creates is eerie, a dark possible future that makes us look closer at contemporary society. MaddAddam, the final book in the trilogy, is currently available in our new book section.

            We have many more dystopian novels available. Just stop by the Patron Services desk for more titles or email us at canlib@ncls.org.

Preschool Storytime

            The theme for this week’s storytime is Itsy Bitsy Spiders. Area 3-5 year olds and their caregivers are encouraged to join Miss Val on Wednesday at 10:30am for stories, songs, movements, finger puppets, and a craft, all about these 8-legged creatures. 

Kids Only! Book Sale

            The CFL will hold its annual Kids Only! Book Sale on Saturday, November 16th from 10am-2pm. Children are welcome to shop, either alone or with a grownup during the hours of the sale. Adults can come without children only from 1pm-2pm. $1 a bag sale from 1-2pm! Children may also trade books they bring in for those in the sale. Only books in excellent condition please. Call the library at 386-3712 ext.4 for more information.            

Branch Events

            Come game with us! On November 16th from 11am-2pm, the Morley Library is hosting an event for International Gaming Day. Bring your games or try out the library’s games. All ages welcome.

            The Morley Library Association, Inc. Rummage Sale takes place on Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th at the local church. For more information, email Agnes at morlib@ncls.org

            The Dazzling Divas book group has decorated the front of Morley Library for the autumn season. Drive by and check it out!

            At Rensselaer Falls Library, the Hammer and Nails group is meeting on Tuesday, November 18th from 6-7pm to build monster trucks. Children in grades 4-6 are invited to this event. Supplies are limited, so please register by calling Agnes at 344-7406 or emailing reflib@ncls.org.

            For our hours of service and a list of recent additions to our collection, visit www.cantonfreelibrary.org and “like” us on Facebook.