The Bookmark: Plenty of reading to do this summer

By Nancy Carol Sanker, The Bookmark

Summer is poised to do a double back-flip with our schedules!  Items on your to-do list might include planning visits to the library for fun programs, keeping young minds reading-sharp and deciding what books to haul to the beach or in my case, a cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Let’s see if I can make your literary life as deliciously slick as that Slip n’ Slide in the backyard.

Newnan Carnegie Library – 1 LaGrange Street– Hometown Novel Night comes to Newnan!  Thursday, June 13, 6:30-8 p.m.

The premier of novel night in Newnan will include published authors, Doug Vinson, Sharon Harrington Howard and Angie Gallion Lovell, who will share information about themselves and their books.  Who is invited? “Book enthusiasts, aspiring authors and the curious of all ages.” There will be a social time before and after the discussion. Join the informative fun which started in Hogansville and promises to be a valuable addition to our local literary activities.

Coweta County Library System – Summer Reading Theme – A Universe of Stories

Register for the Summer Reading Challenge starting May 20 at any library. All ages (yes, even adults) are invited! And then … join the celebration at the Central Library on Saturday, July 20.

Central Branch – 85 Literary Lane – Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 – Page Turners Book Club –- “Eleanor Oliphant is Just Fine” (one of my personal favorites) will be discussed.

Powell Branch –-25 Hospital Road – Saturday, May 18 at 10:30-11:30 a.m. – CAREing Paws – Reading is a stellar experience when you’re reading to a 4-legged buddy!

Grantville Branch – 100 Park Drive – June 4 and July 2 at 3:00 – Mommy and Me Baking (ages 1-4) Introduce your toddler to the world of baking – there’s a job for every set of hands. Participants will be decorating and eating out of this world goodies! Registration is required at 770-683-0535.

Senoia Branch – 148 Pylant Street – June 10 and July 8 at 4:30 p.m. – Blast off with The Social Club (ages 11-14) – Join the fun gathering for pre-teens and teens to socialize and get creative as they beam up some cool crafts for the summer. Enjoy dessert, too!

Big libraries, little libraries – it’s all about the joy of reading!  Little Free Libraries might introduce you to an author or genre of books and zoom…. there you are at one of our great Coweta County libraries to continue your book journey.

The SummerGrove Little Free Library opened on April 23 with an appearance and contributions from visiting authors Jennifer Swanson (Brain Games, a National Geographic Book for Kids, and American Girl, Pearl Harbor) and Jacqueline Leigh (The Spill and Time for Bed with Ford and Red).  For information on starting a Little Free Library in your neighborhood visit www.littlefreelibrary.org.

Books on Blankets

In between swimming pools, floats and noodles, there must be time for books, even if a library visit isn’t possible. Research shows that students who don’t read during the summer lose some of their skills.

Congratulations to Atkinson Elementary School’s librarian, Jessica Pope and fellow collaborators Mary Dean of Jefferson Parkway Elementary, Jo Nase of Moreland Elementary and Shannon Ewing of Elm Street Elementary for being awarded a $2,000 grant to fund two Saturday events on June 1 and July 6 at 10 a.m. Elementary students are invited to First Avenue Park to hear read-alouds from community leaders, enjoy free ice cream and free books. Questions? Write to [email protected].

We are proud of Ms. Pope and her peers for developing a creative way to meet the literacy needs of our community!

Off to see the Wizard….

Sometimes a favorite childhood tale floats to the surface. Auditions for The Wizard of Oz will be at the Nixon Centre – May 19 from 1-4 p.m. More info at www.nixoncentre.net.

One of the many books tucked in my bag headed for the Northwoods of Wisconsin will be Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts. This book tells the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the book that inspired the iconic film through the eyes of L. Frank Baum’s wife, Maud.  OK, I’m still scared of those flying monkeys in the movie, but I think this will be a great summer read!

What are your family summer reading plans? Share your best reading memories, too! Did the bookmobile come to your neighborhood?

(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 will illuminate 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 The Bookmark to success! [email protected].)