Grayslake Library Blog

  For over the past century, the world has gathered every four years to compete in the Olympic Games. This spectacle traces its origins back to 776 BCE, when the ancient Greeks competed to honor Zeus. Similar to today’s competitors representing various nations from around the globe, the original participants represented the city-states of Greece. The first modern games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece, to honor the Games’ origins. The revival of the Games can be attributed to Pierre de Coubertin from Paris, co-founder and second president of the International Olympic Committee. Pierre wholeheartedly believed in the positive impact of sport, be it physical or mental, individual or collective. He saw the Olympics as a way to bring the world together, much like how the Ancient Games brought Greece together. The symbol of the Olympics is iconic and instantly recognizable, but did you know the meaning behind the choice of colors? The five colored rings (blue, black, red, yellow, gre...

  Pride Month, observed every June in the United States, is a time to celebrate every color of the LGBTQIA2S+ rainbow. Listed below is a selection of books from each of the letters commonly included in the community’s name. L is for Lesbian Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel G is for Gay The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir by RuPaul Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter B is for Bisexual The Rules Do Not Apply: A Memoir by Ariel Levy Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming T is for Trans Pageboy by Elliot Page Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock Q is for Queer and Questioning Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H I is for Intersex Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria A is for Asexual I am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life by Cody Daigle-Orians 2S is for Two-Spirit NDN Coping M...

  Do you read so much that you find it hard to keep track of it all? Maybe you’ve picked up a book only to realize you’ve already read it, TWICE? Or maybe you just want to get personalized suggestions for books based on what you enjoy? These are all problems that can be solved with an online reading tracker! And with the Summer Reading Challenge just around the corner (sign up here to be notified when registration goes live June 1st!) now is the perfect time to start! In this post, we will be taking a look at three of the leading online trackers, comparing the pros and cons of each, and providing quotes from real users! The trackers we will be looking at today are StoryGraph , LibraryThing , and Goodreads . Let’s start with some similarities between these three. At their core, each of these trackers are designed for users to keep track of what they have read, what they are reading currently, and what they want to read. They also allow users to rate and review books they’ve read, s...

  May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Originating in 1978, the first ten days of May were celebrated as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. This time was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of two events: on May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant, Nakahama Manjirō, arrived in the US; and on May 10, 1869 the first transcontinental railroad was completed, which was constructed with Chinese labor. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush declared the month of May Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and in 2021 under President Joe Biden it was declared Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Listed below is a small collection of books celebrating the voices of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, which can be checked out with your Grayslake Library Card. Adult Memoir and Biography I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Se-hŭi Paek Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsu Messy Roots: A Gra...

  On April 22, we honor our planet with the celebration of Earth Day. This is a day to be conscious about our environmental impact on Earth, and make necessary changes to improve the quality of life on the planet. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, when US Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed it as a day to educate the people at large about environmentalism. In the decades since, it has been adopted by nearly 200 countries. Each year, there is a theme for Earth Day. In 2024, the theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” and the goal is to reduce plastic production by 60% by the year 2040. There are many ways to show you care about our Earth. You can be more conscious about what you recycle versus what you throw in the waste bin, upcycle instead of throwing items away, plant a tree, or start composting. To learn more about composting, you might be interested in attending the program “Urban Composting 101 with Hood to Table” on Saturday, April 27th, which you can register for here . Listed bel...

  As we observe Autism Awareness Month this April, we understand that it is crucial to foster acceptance, understanding, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that manifests in many different ways, varying from person to person, resulting in a wide range of unique perspectives and experiences. This month serves as an opportunity to celebrate the stories of people with autism around the world. Let’s join together in raising awareness and nurturing an inclusive community. Below is a number of selections of books for various ages that can be used to educate and entertain, with an emphasis on characters and authors who are neurodiverse. Youth Picture Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Youth Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Youth Books on the Topic of the Autism Spectrum/Neurodivergence Youth Books by Authors Who Are Neurodiverse Teen Books with Characters Who Are Neurodiverse Teen Books by Authors Who Are Neurod...

  As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the world prepares to don shades of green, celebrating the spirit of Ireland and its patron saint. Here at the Grayslake Library, we are preparing by showcasing books with festive green covers for adults, teens, and kids! The cover is often the first thing you notice about a book, and these verdant images are sure to spark your imagination and curiosity. Adult: Youth: Like this blog post? Consider clicking the Kudos button below!