Three Spooky Mysteries for Halloween
Halloween is the perfect time to delve into a spooky mystery. These books are 100% mysteries, but have supernatural or horror elements to them to make them more than a…
Environmental Wellness
.Environmental wellness is a term established by the Center for Environmental Health in 1980. Having been established approximately 40 years ago, it is a relatively new concept. Environmental wellness refers…
Resources to Help Kids Deal with Anxiety in an Ever-Changing World
School is back in session, and the routine of day-to-day is back in swing. After a tumultuous 2020 school year, this one promises to be much smoother...or maybe not. With…
Tea and Wellness
Tea and wellness go hand in hand. We were very fortunate to visit Carlos at The Tea Lab in Lakewood, Ohio. Carlos shares both the benefits of how tea relates…
Crafting for Mental Health – Finding a Balance
When I started looking for scientific/medical resources espousing the mental health benefits of crafting, I found primarily anecdotal evidence. This anecdotal evidence was mostly about knitting and crocheting and some…
The Creepy, Crazy World of Cults
What is it about cults that we find so fascinating? Perhaps it's that we're fascinated by the darker side of human nature. We want to hear all the grisly details,…
Five New Horror Novels for Halloween 2021
Looking for something scary to read? Then check out these five new horror novels. All of these chilling tales of terror, which range from unsettling to deeply horrifying were published…
31 Scary Short Stories for Halloween Month
I love a good scary short story! And even though I don't need an excuse to read them year-round, October (or, Halloween Month) is always a great opportunity to sit…
Scary Movies to View in the Dark
Horror is a rich genre with a flick for every mood and every time of the year. You want a flick about gothic manors, ghosts, and spooky atmosphere? We got…
Health Highlights: Health Literacy
October is Health Literacy Month and highlights the importance of easy-to-understand reliable health information. Your library is an excellent resource for health information and can help you to take control…
Porter Public Library Remembers September 11, 2001
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington,…
Health Highlights: National Preparedness Month
When I was 13, I was at a softball game in late May playing out in left field. Suddenly, the game stopped and everyone looked towards the sky. Across the…
More Happiness Hints from Around the World
In a previous post, we looked at various approaches to happiness from around the world, including hygge, niksen, and kalsarikänni. But, we're not done yet! Today, we'll be exploring even…
Library Space Planning Process
Westlake Porter Public Library is engaging in a new space planning process. One of the goals of WPPL’s most recent strategic plan is to form a long-term space plan, which…
Happiness Hints from Around the World
What is the secret of happiness? Everyone claims to have their own reasoning behind it, whether the secret is helping others, or exercising, or learning, or religion. But, today, we're…
Health Highlights: Start With Your Heart
If you are looking for ways to become healthier, you can always start with your heart. Don't wait until January to make New Year's resolutions, or February when hearts are…
Lost at Sea: Classic Tales of Shipwrecks and Survival
When I was a kid, the thought of being stranded on a desert island was kind of exciting. There would be jungles and caves to explore, maybe even buried treasure!…
STEAM Week: Whale, Whale, Whale!
Celebrate STEAM Week with us by taking a look at some of the coolest animals in the ocean: whales. Your library has a ton of interesting books on whales for…
STEAM Week: Birding
My three-year-old niece calls them "chirpers." When she sees one bouncing about the yard, she insists on trying to get closer by lowering her voice and walking on tip toe.…
STEAM WEEK: Bread Pets
“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.”American Chef James Beard (1903-1985) What's is a Bread Pet? You've heard of…
You’ve Never Read Anything Like This!
Sometimes, you read a book that makes you sit back and go "whoa!". The story is excellent, of course, but it's the writing style that really captures your attention. You…
Even More Lesser Known Works by Classic Authors
If you liked The Scarlet Pimpernel, then try The Old Man in the Corner by Emmuska Orczy I've mentioned The Scarlet Pimpernel in a few of my previous posts (you can…
Great Listens for the Road
Planning a road trip? Looking for a good downloadable audiobook to pass the time and make you laugh? The following make great choices for adult listeners. All of these titles…
Growing Up in the 80s
Fire up the DeLorean. Here are two titles that you might enjoy with a side of nostalgia. I will confess that Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe pulled me in…