By Cassidy Randall Cassidy Randall draws on extensive archival research and original interviews to tell an engrossing, edge-of-the-seat adventure story about a forgotten group of climbers who had the audacity to believe that women could walk alone in extraordinary and treacherous heights. Grace Hoeman dreamed of standing on top of Denali. The tallest peak in North America, the fierce polar mountain loomed large in many climbers' imaginations, and Grace, a doctor in Alaska, had come close … [Read more...] about Thirty Below
Book Review: A Bird of Passage
Museum Community Engagement Manager Kristine Bretall recommends A Bird of Passage: The Story of my Life by Otto Lang. What a book! Otto Lang is renowned for two very different careers: that of ski instructor and creator of ski schools and for his work in the film industry as a director and producer. This “Ottobiography” (his words!) is compelling, comprehensive, honest, and eminently readable. I’ve been staying up way too late as I’ve gotten caught up in the best part of any story: “What’s … [Read more...] about Book Review: A Bird of Passage
Book Review: Here Beside the Rising Tide
Information Systems Manager Will Duke recommends Here Beside the Rising Tide by Emily Jane. At first glance it might seem trite that Emily Jane creates a heroine, Jenn, who is a wildly successful author of “action smut,” her term, not mine; flowing hair, deep kisses, and washboard abs do have cameos in this novel. There is also, of course, a pushy editor who loves Jenn, not romantically but in a “You go girl!” way. But do any of us want to read another book about an … [Read more...] about Book Review: Here Beside the Rising Tide
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
SVELS Book Discussion: Frankenstein Friday, January 2, 2:30-4 p.m. About the Discussion Start the new year by reading a book for pleasure! Delve into the classic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with your SVELS colleagues. We’ll revel in deep reading, and we’ll also make connections with Scarborough’s Rope, thinking about all of the strands that we are weaving, all of the reading skills we are applying, as we read and talk about this book. Jenny Emery Davidson will moderate the … [Read more...] about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
SVELS Alumni Events 2026
Keep learning, keep connecting with colleagues! SVELS Book Discussion: Frankenstein Friday, January 2, 2:30-4 p.m. Start the new year by reading a book for pleasure! Delve into the classic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with your SVELS colleagues. We’ll revel in deep reading, and we’ll also make connections with Scarborough’s Rope, thinking about all of the strands that we are weaving, all of the reading skills we are applying, as we read and talk about this book. … [Read more...] about SVELS Alumni Events 2026
The Community Library Book Club
Together we read! And we invite YOU to join our book club… Every other month, a different Community Library staff member will choose a book and host a book discussion. Our book club features a wide array of genres, including popular fiction, science fiction, narrative nonfiction, literary fiction … even graphic novels. There’s something for every reader, and participants can drop in for one session or attend them all! Book Clubs are intellectually stimulating and a great way … [Read more...] about The Community Library Book Club
