June is Pride Month, so what better time to celebrate LGBTQ+ love? Here are some recent adult romance novels featuring LGBTQ+ characters. No matter what kind of romance novels you prefer--historical, contemporary, fake dating, royalty...this list has something for everyone.
Artist of the Month: June 2023 – Don Hammontree
“When it comes to my artwork, there are three personal traits of mine that are usually reflected in it, though not necessarily all at once. Firstly, I’ve got a vivid imagination. As an example, I’m fascinated by older cars and how their front and rear-end designs almost mirror human expressions – the headlights resemble eyes; a bumper may reflect a smile. There’s also a sense of deep curiosity — I’ll often seek out buildings in a new city that have unique (though not necessarily pretty) architectural details for inspiration, or I’ll search street-view sites online for interesting scenes of places I’ve never been. And lastly, I have a strong memory — if so moved, I’ll try to re-create scenes from my past that I find special or inspiring with as many details as I can recall.
June 2023 Book of the Month
Called "a laugh out-loud heart warmer" by Oprah Daily and named an NPR Book of the Year, The Guncle by Steven Rowley is June's Book of the Month.
June 2023 Puzzle: It’s all happening at the zoo
June is a great time to go to a zoo! We have passes that give you reduced admission to the Franklin Park Zoo, the Stoneham Zoo, the New England Aquarium and other neat places. Visit https://mhl.org/museum-passes for more information and to make reservations!
Fantasy and Science Fiction for Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Looking for something outside of Euro-centric fantasy and science fiction? Try out some Asian-inspired works of speculative fiction! Whether you're looking for a wuxia-inspired tale, a dragon fantasy, or a mecha science fiction set in the future, there's something here for you.
Get Grilling on Memorial Day
MHL will be closed on Monday, 5/29 in observance of Memorial Day. However we will be open our regular hours on Saturday and Sunday, so stop by to pick up these great cookbooks to prepare for your next cookout! (Or borrow a bocce ball or cornhole set from our Library of Things!)
Open House honoring Children’s Librarian Kate Dugan
All are welcome to stop by on June 1st to wish Miss Kate a Happy Retirement. Kate Dugan joined the staff at Memorial Hall Library in 1984 so she has read to and recommended books to children and families for almost 40 years! Stop by between 10am-12pm or 4-6pm to say goodbye for now!
Books for Fans of American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang's classic graphic novel American Born Chinese has recently been adapted into a series for Disney+. (If you don't have access to Disney+ and want to watch the show, you can request the library's Roku with Disney+ access.) If you're a fan of the book and/or the show, you might also like these graphic novels that explore different cultural identities.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Check out the winners of this year's Sydney Taylor Book Awards, which are presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are some engaging memoirs written by authors who live with different mental illnesses. If you or a loved one are in need of mental health assistance, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has resources available online. You can also call or text 833-773-2445 for mental health assistance 24/7.