Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Books to Read for Talk Like a Pirate Day

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Shiver me timbers and batten down the hatches! September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you're looking for some inspiration, the Library has some great books about our favorite scallywags and seadogs. No need to raid Davey Jones' locker. The best part: these books won't cost you a single doubloon! So, check out a book, sing your favorite sea chantey, and "yo ho ho" the whole day long!

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

The Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us! Between September 15 and October 15, we are highlighting books in our collection by and about people in the Hispanic and Latine/Latinx communities. 

Staff Picks Book Review - Divine Providence through a Child’s Drawing: On Fateful Meetings in Dan Santat’s Caldecott Winning Picture Book

Staff Picks Book Review book list graphic

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend wasn’t Dan Santat’s literary debut, but it was the book that made him a kid lit superstar. The New York Times bestselling author and illustrator received the Caldecott medal for Beekle at the 2015 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. Dedicated to his oldest son, Alek, Santat has described the book as a metaphor for awaiting the birth of his first child. As a matter of fact, Beekle’s name comes from the way Alek would pronounce the word “bicycle” as a toddler.

Junior Lit Chat: Meet Author and Illustrator Dan Santat at Jax Book Fest

Junior Lit chat with Dan Santat

Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of over a hundred books for young people including the New York Times–bestselling book After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). Though he's probably best known for The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, the magical story of a would-be imaginary friend who sets off on a journey looking for the child he's destined to befriend!

Lit Chat Interview with Horror Author Joe Hill at Jax Book Fest

Lit Chat Interview with Joe Hill

It's almost September, which means -- it's practically Halloween. We're also just weeks away from the return of Jax Book Fest at the Main Library! This year, our headliner is none other than Joe Hill! Many will know him from his many spine-tingling, bone-chilling horror novels like NOS4A2 (or the AMC series of the same name) or the big-screen adaptations of his work. Comic fans know him as the co-creator of the Eisner Award-winning series Locke & Key (now streaming on Netflix). Whatever you know him from... nothing beats getting to pick his brain, in person, at your local library!

Teen Lit Chat with Angeline Boulley - Author of Firekeeper's Daughter

Teen Lit Chat Interview with Angeline Boulley

You probably already know and love Firekeeper's Daughter - the "Indigenous Nancy Drew thriller" novel that set the world (and BookTok) ablaze. Not only was it a Reese's Book Club YA Pick and a TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time Selection... It's getting adapted for TV at Netflix! But did you know Angeline Boulley has a new, bestselling follow-up to her breakaway debut hit? Join us for a trhilling Teen Lit Chat interview with Angeline Boulley on Saturday, September 23 during Jax Book Fest!

Free Writing and Publishing Workshops at Jax Book Fest 2023

Jax Book Fest Writer's Day September 22

Are you an aspiring author? Have you ever wanted to see your own book on the library's shelves? Join us Friday, September 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Main Library for FREE writing and publishing workshops, networking with local authors, and more!

Meet Over 80 Local Authors September 23 at Jax Book Fest

Jax Book Fest Main Event September 23

Jax Book Fest is back at the Main Library and better than ever! Join us for the Main Event on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. for an awesome lineup of New York Times bestselling authors and DOZENS of local authors! See who's scheduled to appear!

Books Aplenty at the Friends of the Mandarin Library Used Book Sale

Graphic for Friends of the Mandarin Library Book Sale.  Find a great read while supporting the Mandarin Branch Library.  September 22 from 10 am to 4 pm and September 23 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Find your next great read at the Friends of the Mandarin Library's book sale! Both days of the sale are open to all, but membership is encouraged and appreciated.  You can join at the door for $10. Proceeds from sales and memberships are used to enhance programs and services at the Mandarin Library.

The sale will include gently used adult fiction, nonfiction, children and young adult titles, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and more.

Staff Picks Book Review - Revisiting Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box

Library Staff Picks graphic for a book review

Whenever I am in the mood for a creepy read, I pick up a copy Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box. This is my scary story comfort food. In this story, the reader is transported into the very unsettling world of Jude Coyne, an aging rock musician with a macabre collection that will make your skin crawl.

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