Category: Books

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Posted on by Sue

It’s back! The Friends of the Falmouth Public Library will hold their Annual Summer Book Sale from Thursday,  July 4- Monday, July 8, 2024 on the lawn of the Main Library at 300 Main Street. It’s open every day from 10 AM-4 PM, except July 8; July 6 hours are 10 AM – Noon. Please note that we are closed on the 4th, but the Book Sale is still happening!

This beloved annual tradition is back at its usual time this year, and we’re so excited to see the book-lovers browsing for new reads! Books are very modestly priced, and every purchase goes to support the Falmouth Public Library.  The Friends support these library projects that benefit the whole community:

  • Joy of Learning academic classes covering a wide range of subjects
  • Museum Passes for Boston and local area museums
  • Generous funding for Children’s Programs at all three locations throughout the year
  • Contribute to new furniture for the Chill Zone, the Tween area, in the Children’s Room
  • A new Circulation Desk for the East Falmouth Library
  • Provide additional funds for eBooks
  • Support for area book clubs
  • Upgrades to library technology

The Friends are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Are you interested in becoming a member of the Friends of the Library, or making a direct financial donation? Information is available at their web page.

Please note that the Friends are no longer taking donations for this year’s book sale. Donations will resume at a later date, after the book sale is over.  Please call the Friends during Library hours at 508-457-2555 ext. 2918 with any questions.

June Movie Showings

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The library will be showing newly released movies in June! 

Scroll below to find out which movies will be playing, view the movie trailers and register to attend as seating is limited.   

All movie showings are free to the public and are supported by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.

Arthur the King
Friday, June 14th, 3pm-4:50pm . . . . . . REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, Arthur the King follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.” Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 1hr 47mins


 

Killers of the Flower Moon
Friday, June 28th, 1:30pm-5pm . . . . . . REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“In the 1920s, innocent members of the Osage Indigenous American tribe suffer from a series of unusual, inexplicable murders. Though relegated to the margins of society, the case captures the attention of the FBI, which launches a large-scale investigation under the guidance of J. Edgar Hoover.” Rated: R; Running Time: 3hrs 26mins

Registration is required.  This movie is 3 hours and 26 minutes long and is rated R for violence, some grisly images, and language.  Children under 17 require accompanying adult or adult guardian. 

Two Authors, Two New Books, and their Writing Group

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Join us at the Falmouth Public Library on Thursday, June 6th at 1pm in the Hermann Room as we present Two Authors, Two New Books, and their Writing Group!

Did you ever wonder about starting or joining a writing group? Barbara E. Struna and Iris G. Leigh have been writing together since 2008. Come hear how they progressed from first pages to published books, and how as a writing group they support each other through the writing and publishing process.  Barbara, the author of six books, including The Old Cape House and her newest, The Old Cape Map, will discuss her books. Iris will talk about her debut novel, Liza’s Secrets.  Copies of their books will be available for purchase at the event.

Barbara Eppich Struna, international best-selling author and storyteller at heart, bases her tales on the history, myth, and legends of Cape Cod and her own personal experiences. Barbara is President of Cape Cod Writers Center; a member of International Thriller Writers and a member of Sisters In Crime, National and New England.

With the support of a long-standing writing group, Cape Cod resident Iris G. Leigh wrote, and edited her stories, eventually leading to the publication of her debut novel, Liza’s Secrets by Black Rose Writing.  She is a member of the Cape Cod Writer’s Center and actively takes part in book groups, supporting other writers.

This event is free to the public and registration is required as seating is limited. Register online by clicking here or visit/call the adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Welcome Hiveclass to FPL’s Online Resources

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Hiveclass is an e-learning platform that features bite-sized, engaging videos that teach skills in various sports, physical activities and wellness exercises. The content is led and created by professionals and gives patrons access to practice in their own comfort zone.

Hiveclass is available via FPL’s online resources. Hiveclass provides fun, easy, and high-quality educational videos that walk patrons through improving their skills at field hockey, soccer, and other athletic activities. Along with physical education Hiveclass provides access to video walkthroughs on mindfulness and yoga.

The classes are available in both English and Spanish. It can be accessed on tablets, phones and computers! All you need is your library card number to start your adventure with Hiveclass!

 

 

Upcoming Falmouth Reads Together Events

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The Finest Hours Author Talk with Casey Sherman
Tuesday, May 14th
6:30pm-8pm
Hermann Meeting Room
……. Register Here

Join us for an author talk with Casey Sherman as he discusses our Falmouth Reads 2024 book pick The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman.
 
“A breathtaking story . . . defies the imagination.” – The Cape Cod Chronicle
 
“A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea.” – The Providence Journal
 
“Captures the wit, grit, and sacrifice of Coasties and their boats.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
Casey Sherman is an acclaimed journalist and author of ten books, including 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption, a New York Times bestseller and CBS Films’s Patriots Day. A graduate of Boston University, he is also a contributing writer for Esquire, Time, The Washington Post, and Boston Magazine.


Friday Films – The Finest Hours
Friday, May 31st 3pm-5pm
Hermann Meeting Room ……. Register Here

“In February of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast struck New England, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod and literally ripping it in half.  On a small lifeboat faced with frigid temperatures and 70-foot high waves, four members of the Coast Guard set out to rescue the more than 30 stranded sailors trapped aboard the rapidly-sinking vessel.”
Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 1hr 57mins

 


Historic Storms of Cape Cod with Don Wilding
Saturday, June 1st 3pm-4pm
Hermann Meeting Room ……. Register Here

Join us for an author talk with Don Wilding who will be discussing his latest book, Historic Storms of Cape Cod.

“Cape Cod has always been in the path of deadly hurricanes and ferocious storms. Unwelcome summer visitors include the “Long Island Express” Hurricane of 1938, the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, the twin Hurricanes Carol and Edna in 1954, and Hurricane Bob in 1991. These storms destroyed countless homes and left several coastal communities under several feet of water. Surging tides carried away houses with residents inside who didn’t survive. Fall and winter brought the infamous “Portland Gale,” the benchmark “Blizzard of 1978,” the nor’easter of January 1987, and the infamous “Perfect Storm” of October 1991 which delivered some of the highest tides ever seen on the Outer Cape. Join local author and Harwich Conservation Trust walk leader Don Wilding as he revisits the Cape’s most severe weather events and their devastating impact.”

Don Wilding is the author of five books on Cape Cod history, a Cape tour guide and a regular speaker on Cape Cod lore in Massachusetts and across New England. He was an award-winning newspaper editor, writer, and designer in Massachusetts for 36 years, including a recent stint as a contributing history columnist and photographer for Cape newspapers.

May Movie Showings

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The library will be showing both new and old movies in May! 

Scroll below to find out which movies will be playing, view the movie trailers and register to attend as seating is limited.   

All movie showings are free to the public and are supported by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.

 

Friday Films – Ordinary Angels (2024)

Friday, May 3rd, 3pm-5pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon Steves, a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt, a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.”
Rated: PG; Running Time: 1hr 56mins

 

Friday Films – Dune Part 2 (2024)

Friday, May 17th, 2:30pm-5:15pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“”Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 2hrs 45mins

 

 

Friday Films – The Finest Hours (2016)

Friday, May 31st, 3pm-5pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

This is a Falmouth Reads Together event for our 2024 book pick The Finest Hours!

“In February of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast struck New England, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod and literally ripping it in half.  On a small lifeboat faced with frigid temperatures and 70-foot high waves, four members of the Coast Guard set out to rescue the more than 30 stranded sailors trapped aboard the rapidly-sinking vessel.”
Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 1hr 57mins

 

 

Check out these great Zoom talks in May!

Posted on by Sue

We have some great Zoom talks in May, some from the Library Speakers Consortium (funded by the Library Support Fund)! Click the links after for details and registration. These are virtual only, and do not take place at the library.

Wednesday, May 1st at 3 pm: Genius, Power and Deception on the Eve of World War I. Join a chat with Douglas Brunt, author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I. This book reveals the hidden history of Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I. Click here for more details, and to register! 

Wednesday, May 8th at 7 pm-two different Zooms! (If you are interested in both, register-at least one of them will probably be recorded, and you can listen later)

Mother-Daughter Murder Night: You’re invited to join Nina Simon online as she chats about her lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths, Mother-Daughter Murder Night. Click here to register.

Romance Book Recs and Conversation: Welcome to Romance Book Recs and Conversation with Lorelai of Lorelai’s Lit Lair! If you know romance, you probably know Lorelei! Affectionately referred to as a passionate Romance Ambassador, Lorelei has been offering book recommendations, author spotlights, giveaways and connecting authors with readers through social media since 2010. Click here to register.

Tuesday, May 21st at 7 pm: Author of Yellowface, Rebecca F. Kuang! We welcome you to register for a thrilling conversation  as she chats with us about her New York Times bestselling novel. Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. Click here to register! 

Thursday, May 23rd at 5:30 pm: Avoiding Election Misinformation. Join this virtual Cape-wide community discussion with the News Literacy Project and WCAI’s The Point host Mindy Todd to learn how to access trustworthy news and avoid election misinformation traps. Learn tried and true news literacy techniques that anyone can learn to find credible information about candidates, issues, and electoral processes. Click here to register.

Thursday, May 23rd at 7 pm: The Environmental and Health Benefits of a Plant-based Diet.

With Sara Sezun,Chair of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Plant-based Planet Team. Animal food production, which encompasses raising livestock for meat, dairy products and eggs, as well as commercial fishing, has serious environmental impacts. You will learn how animal food production results in greenhouse gases and pollution, while using lots of land and water. Eating a healthy plant-based diet can lower your environmental footprint, while improving your health.  Click here to register. 

 

 

 

 

World Language Materials in the Young Adult Room

Posted on by Clint Johnson

A diverse library for a diverse community.

Falmouth is a much more diverse area than meets the eye. Different economic situations, learning and mental differences, ethnic differences, and much more are often overlooked. Unfortunately, many of the overlooked persons of the community are the ones that also face economic problems. Some of these groups do not know what services the library brings to the community and providing a welcoming and safe environment

Literature and other activities bring people together. Places like the library strives to provide ALL their patrons with the materials they need. In the Young Adult room we have begun to expand a world language collection. These additions can improve mental health, social acceptance, quality of education, and communication.

So far we have books in Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Ukrainian. This collection will expand as our community expands! We will be purchasing more materials in the languages we have already begun to touch on and more like Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Japanese, and French. Some will include both English and the world language for immediate and reviewed translations (like the Shakespeare plenty of us read to make sense of his use of the English language!)

Spanish

Now two people who seem so different have read the same book and a connection is made. Also, literature is not the only way to bridge the gap. Video games, table top games, watching anime with subtitles, and arts and crafts.

The similarities start to trump the differences and show the kiddos how beautiful they each are. The library is an excellent safe place for these connections to begin and grow. We very much look forward to our growing collection and reaching every patron we can in the community.

 

Some titles just in:

-Harry Potter in both Brazilian Portuguese and Ukrainian

-I Survived Series (both graphic and text)

-Dogman Series

-The Alchemist

 

 

 

New Narrative Nonfiction Book Club Books!

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Spring – Summer 2024 Book Picks

Check out the Falmouth Public Library’s new Narrative Nonfiction Book Club picks for the Spring and Summer ’24 session!  Come pick up a copy and join us to share your thoughts as we read across the genres of nonfiction, from history to adventure, memoir/biography, and beyond with books that read like a novel.

We meet on the 1st Thursday of every month from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The group will meet in the Hermann meeting room and for those who wish to join us from home, you can join us via Zoom.  Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

To register, click on the date you wish to attend and fill out the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact the Adult Services department at 508-457-2555 x 7 or info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org.

May 2, 2024
The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II by Buzz Bissinger

“This extraordinary, never-before-told story of WWII follows two U.S. Marine Corps regiments, comprised of some of the greatest football talent, as they played each other in a football game in the dirt and coral of Guadalcanal known as “The Mosquito Bowl” before they faced the darkest and deadliest days at Okinawa.”

 

 

June 6, 2024
Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond

“Drawing on history, research and original reporting, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Evicted  reimagines the debate on poverty, revealing there is so much poverty in America not in spite of our wealth but because of it, and builds a startingly original case for eliminating poverty in our country.”

 

 

 

July 11, 2024
The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit, and Peril at the Beach by Sarah Stodola

“Weaving together firsthand travel notes with her exacting journalism in an enthralling report on the past, present and future of coastal culture, which has become central to our globalized world, while at the same time grappling with the darker realities of resort culture.”

 

 

 

August 1, 2024
Fly Girl: A Memoir by Ann Hood

“The best-selling novelist shares funny, moving and sometimes shocking stories of life as a TWA flight attendant during the 1970s and 1980s as the airline industry underwent a huge transformation.”

 

 

 

September 5, 2024
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

“In this tale of shipwreck, survival and savagery, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Killers of the Flower Moon recounts the events on His Majesty’s Ship The Wager, a British vessel that left England in 1740 on a secret mission, resulting in a court martial that revealed a shocking truth.”

 

 

April Movie Showing

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The library will be showing a new movie in April!  Scroll below to find out which movie will be playing, view the movie trailer and register to attend as seating is limited.   

All movie showings are free to the public and are supported by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.

 

 

Friday Films – The Boys in the Boat
Friday, April 19th, 3pm-5:05pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama based on the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction book written by Daniel James Brown. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world.”
Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 2hrs 3mins