Folklore Fun! Nigeria
This post was updated in September 2026 to reflect WPPL’s current collection. I have a giant spreadsheet of books with folkloric influences. The main challenge I have with these blog…
Mammoth Math by David Macaulay, pp. 84-85
David Macaulay: When Art and Science Meet
There is no one like David Macaulay. His picture book Black and White won the Caldecott medal for it's unique split-screen storytelling (four narratives play out side-by-side, leaving the reader…
Cat’s Picks! Pride Month Comics
Comics have been a vital part of my life as long as I can remember, having been passed down my dad's collection of antique comic books at a young age.…
Medium Monday: Watercolor
What Is Watercolor? Watercolor paint usually comes as a solid cake or a tube of gel. Both substances are a highly concentrated pigment, meant to be diluted with water. The…
Find Your Next Read: Cozy Horror
What is cozy horror? Like its cousin cozy mysteries, blood, gore, and jump scares are kept at arm's length or are only alluded to.
Summer Scares: Horror Anthologies To Chill You To The Bone
I love to read scary stories in the summer. Not only are the days longer (so I'm "safe" for longer), but also, I like to read outside, which means there…
Folklore Fun! Oceania and the Philippines
This post was updated in August 2026 to reflect WPPL’s current collection. Ohio is not known for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. And since the Westlake Porter Library does…
An Illustration Celebration!
We all know the saying: picture is worth a thousand words. But do we really need to pit them against each other? Art and language have long been partners in…
Asadora!: A Historical Manga Mystery
Asa Asada's mother is going into labor, and poor, unnoticed, forgettable Asa is sent to track down a doctor. But, on her way home from the doctor's, two events happen…
I Can Hear Lies: Usotoki Rhetoric
If you're looking for a manga series with a really interesting "hook," then I can recommend about 12 of them just off the top of my head! But, today, we're…
Lore, and Lore, and Even More!
I was looking for something to read and decided to check my TBR list on Goodreads to see if I had read all of the Lore books. Which Lore books…
Black Biographies
Biographies bring its subject to life for the reader. Far from a day-to-day retelling of somebody's life a biography is a story told in such way to read much like…
Health Highlights: We’ve Got Your Back
Looking for ways to keep your back strong and healthy? Check out the list below for some ideas in books, DVDs, and eBooks. Have a question about the back or…
George Washington Carver, seated on steps, with staff
Discover Black Inventors during Black History Month
Every February we celebrate the history and achievements of Black Americans and every February I learn something new. This year is no exception. While I knew about several of these…
Fall in Love With These Black Romances!
February is Black History Month. it's also the month of Valentine's Day. So, let's bring the two together for this list of romantic books written by Black authors. I hope,…
Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe
It's a hill I'm willing to die on. Hirohiko Araki is a horror writer. I've had serious debates with friends who argue that his writing falls more under the umbrella…
We’re Not Really Dating…
There's something really fun about a fake dating romance. For those of you who aren't sure what I mean, these are books where two characters pretend to be dating (for…
The Classic of the Month: Of Mice and Men
I still remember the first time I read Of Mice and Men. I was in high school and had picked up a copy at random because it looked so small…
An Awesome Array of ABC Adventures
We all know the classics---Sandra Boynton's lovable board book and Dr. Seuss's wacky easy reader have been prominent for decades. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is another perennial favorite, and its…
Health Highlights: Inflammation Situation
I know - this might not be the best time of year to talk about healthy eating. But if you are looking for ways to improve your diet, you probably…
Folklore Fun! Winter Traditions
This post was updated in August 2026 to reflect WPPL’s current collection. Seasons Ohioans are no strangers to winter weather. December means low temperatures, big sweaters, and sometimes even snow!…
These Books Take the Cake!
I've always had a sweet-tooth. And sometimes, there's nothing that satisfies a sweet-tooth quite like a nice slice of cake. The book on this list may or may not be…
Please Don’t Eat Me! Stories of Friendship and Food
Oh no! Looks like someone's about to become lunch! In these silly stories, you'll find plenty of hungry predators looking for a bite to eat. But, when your favorite foods…
The Fiendish Faces of Film
I first got hooked on horror films in high school. This was after a childhood of growing up with Scooby-Doo and Abbott and Costello meet the various monsters. My tastes…