CLINTON, Iowa — As we get into the peak of summer, it's a great time to stop by your local library and pick up a new book!
Twice a month on our 4 p.m. show, The Current, we bring you a book-club-style segment called "Current Reads." We chat with libraries all over our viewing area to hear what people are reading in their community. For this edition, we head north to the Clinton Public Library.
The library's community engagement specialist, Kate Struble, joined us to discuss the three most popular books among different generations in Clinton:
- "Disney/Pixar Elemental Unlikely Friends" by Meredith Rusu is all about a world where Fire, Water, Earth and Air Elements live and work together. One Fire Element, Ember Lumen, lives a perfectly content life in Firetown and is looking forward to taking over her family's shop one day. But all of that changes when an accident at the shop brings a Water Element, Wade Ripple, into her life. The two must navigate situations despite being opposites in every way.
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas is the #1 bestseller that's taking the world by storm! 19-year-old Feyre is a huntress that kills a wolf and is then dragged into a mysterious magical land by a creature seeking retribution. But Feyre soon realizes her captor is actually one of the faeries who used to rule her world. It's an enemies-to-lover story, set against the backdrop of an ancient evil, threatening to destroy the world of the faeries.
- "Must Love Flowers: A Novel" by Debbie Macomber is all about Joan Sample, a widow and empty-nester who spends most of her time alone. Eventually, she starts to put herself out into the world again, even renting out one of her rooms to a local college student, Maggie Herbert. Maggie's own story is intertwined with her abusive, alcoholic father. Both women find hope in each other's company. But Maggie's building attraction to one of her favorite customers at the coffee shop she works at threatens their new-found harmony. At the same time, Joan is fascinated with her mysterious landscaper. It's a story about grief, drawing strength from new friendships, and the idea of a "found family."
And this summer, you can help the Clinton library come out on top of all Clinton libraries across the country!
The library is taking part in the "Clinton Reading Challenge" this summer. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the library is trying to read more hours than four other Clinton libraries across the country. This includes Clintons in New York, Massachusets, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
As of the beginning of July, Iowa's Clinton is solidly in first place, with 4941 hours read. The Iowa branch has 82 people - and counting - participating, along with 12 library staff members.
If you live in Clinton and would like to get involved, you can fill out the online weekly challenge form, or print out and bring this physical copy to the library.
You can also check out the library's events calendar here. Be sure to check out the continuing 'Summer Family Movie Nights' at the Clinton Library. The next showing will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26.
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