books
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Kick Off Your Summer Reading Challenge with the Friends of the Library
Summer at Your Library is back at Orange County Library System! We’re ready for an exciting summer, jam-packed with fun, free, entertaining, air-conditioned programming! But most importantly, we’re cheering you on as you take on our Summer Reading Challenge. This year we’re encouraging EVERYONE to read for 30 days this summer – and giving kids (ages 0-18) a free book. Visit a library location near you to
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From the Director, June 2026
Welcome to Summer at Your Library School is out and Orange County Library System is ready to help you make this your best summer ever with Summer at Your Library, June 1 to July 26. Stop into any OCLS location and pick up your free reading challenge booklet. These booklets are full of games, reading
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Q&A with Author Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved authors, and we are honored to welcome him as our next Lillian Louise Pharr Signature Author Series featured author. Sparks’ books, including titles such as The Notebook, A Walk to Remember and Nights in Rodanthe, have sold over 105 million copies in more than 50 languages worldwide. His…
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Mindfulness: More than a Buzzword
Mindfulness plays a valuable role in my well-being. I find it all too easy to settle into a daily routine that, while comforting in its consistency, can also be draining. Through simple mindful practices, I can take stock of my feelings and recalibrate. Mindfulness is defined as a type of meditation that focuses on being
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The Sound of Heritage: Hebrew and Yiddish in Jewish American Culture
Working at OCLS gives me the joy of meeting people from all walks of life, each carrying their own unique history. Not long ago, I had a wonderful conversation with a customer eager to share theirs. They spoke about their family’s Jewish roots and the rich worlds of Hebrew and Yiddish. Their stories stayed with
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Book Recommendations: Botanical Horror
Climate change may be scary… but these horror stories are even more daunting! In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) this month, I’ve compiled a list of botanical horror novels that will surely have you question the power of nature. Don’t Let The Forest In by CG Drews High school student Andrew Perrault finds refuge
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Book Recommendations: Poetry That Celebrates Nature
This month, we are celebrating National Poetry Month (April 1st to April 31st) and Earth Day (April 22nd). To highlight both, I thought, why not recommend poetry books that use the natural world as either the subject or core imagery of the book? The following list includes both classic and contemporary poets. The Lost Words:
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How Ancient Epic Poetry Shaped Modern Fantasy
Poetry is often overlooked, yet its influence on storytelling is profound. I have always been captivated by the rich history of poetry, which holds a special place in my heart. The oldest form of it, epic poetry, has shaped literature for centuries, inspiring everything from novels to films. These grand narratives explore heroism, fate, and
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My Tuesday with Billy
While Florida has housed its fair share of renowned poets over the years, few have reached the heights of mainstream popularity as former United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins. Billy has called Winter Park his home since 2008. From 2008 to 2015, he was the senior distinguished fellow of the Winter Park Institute, which hosts
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Children’s Book Recommendations: Growing Families
Siblings Day is celebrated on April 10. This year, staff member Ethan shares his family’s book recommendations that help parents and children prepare for a new family member. Is your family growing and you want to prepare the little one(s) in your life for the new addition? Do you want to help them navigate these
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