The Bookmark: June Literary Events in Coweta County
By NANCY CAROL SANKER, Special to The Paper
Beginnings and endings – June is all about wrapping some things up and starting others. School ends just as Vacation Bible School plans are being finalized, the perfect swimming goggles are found and gulp, wedding bells ring to note the married life that is just beginning. First Father’s Days are celebrated and some of the attendees are – let’s be honest, TIRED, but the memories are forever.
Our literary community is ready to swing its summer doors wide open to fresh memories. Kids are poised to discover great series to get lost in and remember for the rest of their lives. Nancy Drew and the Anne of Green Gables series plotted my early bedtime-defying years. Read on to discover how the Coweta Public Library System, the Carnegie Library and dedicated authors are ready to provide books and events to launch you into a summer of magical beginnings.
Coweta Public Library System (CPLS)
Please note the new summer hours:
Central, Powell, and Senoia Branches
Monday-Friday – 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Grantville Branch*
Monday – Thursday- 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Limited Fridays – 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – June 18 & 25 and July 16 & 23
*Closed Saturdays
Visit the Coweta Public Library System at www.cowetapubliclibrary.org.
The 2021 Summer CPLS Reading Challenge is almost here. Tails and Tales will be available June 21 – July 30, but you can register now at https://coweta.beanstack.org/reader365. It’s a hybrid format which allows you to enjoy programs in your home, at the library or both. It’s easy to register the entire family or one person online. The next steps include logging what you are reading and completing activities to earn badges. And then … read, read, read. Of course, this program has one of my favorite words – FREE!
The Newnan Carnegie Library (NCL)
1 Lagrange Street (www.newnancarnegie.com) – 770-683-1347.
Register for events on Eventbrite.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon
Saturday, June 5 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – The Carnegie will participate in the city of Newnan Summer Block Party with book giveaways, a city trivia game, star weaving crafts for the kids, a recipe swap for adults, and comic book art for the teens. And there’s more – an ice cream truck will be on-site!
Wednesday, June 9 – 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. – Book club with Lola, the registered therapy dog – Lola and her handler, Ms. Pam, provide a free fifteen-minute, private reading experience for elementary and middle school aged students. Register via Eventbrite for your child to have this special opportunity with Lola via a virtual Zoom call.
Monday, June 14 – 6:30 p.m. – Hometown Novel Nights Writer’s Group on Google Meet. Virtual WIP readings and critiques will be hosted by Angie Lovell. If you have ever needed help beginning that written piece that’s bubbling inside you or effectively bringing it to a close, this event is for you!
Thursday, June 17 – 6:30 p.m. – Stories of Summer – This virtual get-together will be co-hosted by Newnan Carnegie Library with Mike Brown and Angie Gallion serving as moderators. Please join Barbara Barth, Ginger Eager and Cynthia Tolbert with a shout-out to special guest Debra Goldstein.
Saturday, June 19 – 11 a.m. – Hometown Novel Nights – Corner Arts Gallery, Studio & Gift Shop 30 S. Court Square – Join moderator T.M. (Mike) Brown and other local writers to discuss, share and communicate your publishing dreams. Writing prompts and interactive discussions included. Email [email protected] with your questions.
Peachtree City Public Library
201 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269
https://www.facebook.com/PeachtreeCityLibrary/
Wednesday, June 9 – 11a.m. -11:15 a.m.- Peachtree City Library – Join Obie, Newnan’s famous canine, in his usual second Wednesday time slot as he reads Pinocchio for children K-2nd grade. Obie, who is an expert at hide n’ seek, is well-loved by his owner, author Lee St. John. Our popular star currently has a whooping 164K views on Pinterest.
Other Events and Book Club News
LAGRANGE’S INDIE BOOKSTORE
Road trip! Pretty Good Books has moved into downtown LaGrange. Let’s support an indie bookstore that’s almost right next door. New Address – 1591 Mt. Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240.
BARNES & NOBLE
Barnes & Noble – new Discover Pick – Revival Season by Monica West – “An artfully crafted debut centered on Miriam, a fifteen-year-old wise beyond her years. Revival Season is a smart, sharp riveting tale of feminism, faith and family set in a Southern Evangelical community.”
BOOK CLUBS
Book clubs are about more than page-turning reads. They are the beginning of friendships and the discovery of new authors you may have skipped right over at the library.
SummerGrove’s Read Between the Vines, led by Arielle Doheny has selected The One by John Marrs. This thriller explores the world of online dating and the quest for the perfect match via a DNA swab.
Wine & Words member Kelly Stephens led our discussion of the latest book by Kristin Hannah, The Four Winds, last month. Some beginnings and endings are more fulfilling than others. Just sayin’. Pat Darrow selected The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner for June. We can’t wait to dive into this book where the worlds of 1791 and 2021 are intertwined in a magical tale about grief and discovery.
My Dad was a late-blooming reader, but when he discovered books written by Louis L’Amour his reading fire was set ablaze. He read before, during and after chemo. For two years we knew what his sure-to-please gift would be on Father’s Day. It’s fitting that his favorite author would provide us with this eloquent observation, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.”
Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
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Nancy Carol Sanker landed in Newnan via Ohio, Colorado and California. The constants in her life are her love of family, friends, fundraising and books. Nine years ago, she created Lights for Linda to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her sister. Now she looks forward to illuminating the literary opportunities and fundraisers our community offers readers of all ages. Nancy’s 11-year-old book club provides fresh, new titles while her two and eight-year-old grandchildren keep her aware of books for “littles.” Who knew a cow could type? Your contributions about book clubs, Little Free Libraries, events and fundraisers will lead The Bookmark to success! To reach Nancy, email: [email protected].
