Self-Care Books

Taking the time to care for yourself is something many people. myself included, have trouble doing. Sure sometimes I take a bath or take it easy one night and just throw a pizza in the oven, but is that really self-care or just being lazy? 

Self-care involves taking action to do things for yourself that make your life easier and more enjoyable. I know for me, part of this is going to therapy. While I know many people do not have the resources to do this, I highly recommend it. I know I am a better person now than I was in the past because I take the time out of my schedule to make this a priority. The stigma behind therapy makes me so upset that I talk about how I go to therapy probably more often than is necessary. Hence the tangent here. 

But anywho, I'll shut up and move onto the good stuff. The free posters for you to use!

And HERE is the list of titles I used for this display! Take a look and then try to implement some self-care into your schedule!

-Megan

Dystopian Fantasy

What are your thoughts on dystopian fiction? Personally, I'm a fan of it. My favorite is A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and yes, I also like the tv show. However, when thinking of dystopian fiction, you usually don't think of fantasy. 

I think that most people separate dystopias and fantasies into different categories because they tend to be so different. But think about it. Both require a lot of world building and character development. They also both deal with a tragedy and a problem that needs to be solved. It makes sense that there needs to be dystopian fantasy books with these similarities. 

I'm not sure where I came up with this idea for a book display. Could be like last week when it came about when trying to come up with read-alikes for a book club pick. Not sure, but I think it's unique and pretty cool.

And HERE is the list of titles for the display. Hope you all have a great week!

-Megan 

Red Book Display

You know it's time for another puny book display.

When looking for books to put on a display, it's important to look at how appealing it is to the viewer. Books that look old or ratty just aren't going to circ, whether you put it on a display or not. I like to try and pick covers that are bright or eye catching. This display does that. When you see a large (or small) collection of things in all one color, your eyes are bound to be drawn to it.

This display can also be easy to refill because you can walk the stacks and look for red spines. However, you may come across one of my pet peeves which is when the spine doesn't match the cover! Such a pain when doing a display like this! However, I did the hard work of coming up with the titles so hopefully this doesn't happen to you!

I'm still not sure if the display sign should say these or this so you get both! HERE is the list of titles for you to use for this fun display.

-Megan

Currently Reading: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

Latin American Historical Fiction

 Happy August! Hard to believe how fast this year has been. It's still strange going out and not needing to wear a mask. I still do most of the time, but the fact that I don't have to is something I am grateful for.

Ok, now for the topic at hand. Historical Fiction! I created this display to go with the reading of the book Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. Whenever I have a book club book, I like to at least have a small display of read-alike books. For this one, I actually created two different display ideas and let the head of the book club pick which one to use. I can't remember if they chose this or the other one to be honest. I do remember that the other display topic was Dual Time Periods which I already have a post about. 

I think this display is a great way to showcase Latinx authors and the beautiful areas they are from. It also helps readers branch out of their usual historical fiction comfort zones. I know most historical fiction lately tends to focus on WWII and white histories. It's good to show our readers that there is history outside of this box!

So here is today's poster and the list of titles to use with it. I hope you'll find it as enlightening as I did. Have a wonderful week!

-Megan

Currently Reading: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Running Books

I'm not a very sporty person, anyone could tell you that with a quick glance at me. I've always been the musical person; singing, dancing, and acting my way through life. However, that doesn't stop me from picking up some more sporty titles. I will say I usually don't tend to gravitate to them, but if someone recommends it to me, I'll add it to my (ever growing) TBR.

These books all have someone running on the cover or are about running. It's a smaller list, but still a fun one for the runners out there.

HERE is the list of titles for you to share with your patrons! 

-Megan

True Crime Books

Does anyone else listen to a True Crime Podcast? It feels like everyone I know now either actively or once listened to one of the many true crime podcasts. Personally, I listen to My Favorite Murder. I don't know what it is about these horrifying incidents that are so interesting, but they are!

But before there were podcasts, there were true crime books. While Ann Rule rules (sorry I had to) this area of nonfiction, there are PLENTY of great titles out there for patrons and you to enjoy. This display is for all the murderinos out there! 

HERE is a list of some popular true crime novels to use for this display. But feel free to just browse the 364.1523 section!

-Megan

Book's That'll Make You Cry!

Sometimes we all need a good cry. I know that when I need to cry, I usually watch the movies Steel Magnolias or P.S. I Love You. They never fail to make me sob. However, sometimes, I want to turn to a book that does the same thing. This display is for those times!

Enjoy this list of sad books HERE. This is a shorter display, but still a good one. Make sure to put a box of Kleenex near it for the criers!

-Megan 

Baseball Books

Happy Baseball Season! Have you made it to the ballpark yet? I surprisingly haven't gone yet. It's a very popular activity in my city, mostly for the tailgating! That's really the only part I enjoy, but I'm always down for something to do with my friends during the summer. 

So this display is dedicated to my friends who always drag me into the ballpark when I'd rather just stay in the parking lot grilling and having a drink!

Today's list includes nonfiction, fiction, and even some movies! Make sure to check out both tabs on the bottom! HERE it is!

-Megan

Beach Reads & Summer Romance

 Once summer hits, it's always hard for me to want to read something deep and meaningful. Instead, I want something fluffy and light! I know I'm not the only one who wants something that just feels like a breath of fresh summer air. So I have a few different things for you today!

I have a list that's full of romances for all ages. I tried to put as many new adult one on the list as I could (they're kinda my favorite right now). The other list I'm giving you is full of summery reads. There may be some overlap between the lists, but that's because romances are perfect for the beach!

Lots of posters for you today!

So HERE is the list for a Summer Romance and HERE is a link for some Beach Reads!

Have a great week!

-Megan 

Currently Reading: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Best Books of the 2010s

When the 2010s were done, I created this book display to share all the "top hits" of the decade. However, this would be a great idea for a series of books. Each week (or month) choose a different decade and share the bestsellers on the display. Our circulation staff (who does the media displays) is currently doing this idea all summer for movies. This month, we're highlighting movies from the 70s! The display has been pretty popular so far. Can't wait for next month's 80s hit movies.

However you decide to use this display, it's a great way to get some older books circulated. As much as I enjoy weeding (which I do), it's always sad to see good books leave the shelf because they aren't circulating. 

HERE is the list of titles that I felt were the best of the 2010s. Which ones am I missing?

-Megan 

Hidden Gem Books

I disappeared for a bit. I wasn't in the mood to really blog, but I'm back at it!

For today's post, there won't be a list attached. Why? Because these are hidden gems that are in YOUR library. I've done this display two times, two different ways. You can do it as bottom shelf finds. (You know no-one likes to bend down for a book!) Or you can do it as books that haven't been checked out for a few years. It's a great way to increase the circulation of these maybe not-so-loved books.

And that's all for today! Hope you all had a wonderful June!

-Megan Redding

Currently Reading: Beach Read by Emily Henry

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem?

I love a witty display. I can't take the credit for this one, my coworker came up with it and I ran with it. So here it is, a display full of shirtless (mostly) men and bare feet!

This display is a great way to showcase your paperback collection. Between beach reads and romance novels, you should have plenty of books with covers that are shirtless and barefoot! I know sometimes your paperback collection can get a little damaged, so it is also a good way to peruse the collection for what needs to be discarded. A two-for-one deal!

Anyway, let's get to the good part!

And HERE is the list of titles you can use!

I hope everyone has a great June! Here's to good things happening this month!

-Megan

Currently still reading: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Paris Books

Eight years ago this week, I was strolling through the streets of Paris learning all about its beauty and culture. I miss traveling so much, but being able to read books that take place around the world makes me feel like I'm traveling again. When my heart aches for memories of my trip to Paris, I always pick up Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins which takes place almost exactly where I stayed when I was in Paris. Does anyone else have a book like this?

Reading about a place you've visited is such a fun and exciting adventure. Whether it's New York, Paris, New Orleans, or even your home town, these books offer a special kind of nostalgia that can't be found elsewhere. 

Anyways, with my trip to Paris so fresh on my mind, I decided it was time to share my Paris booklist with you all. This display works well anytime of the year, but I like to put it up around Bastille Day (July 14) as my city hosts a festival to celebrate it. I'm sad they won't be having it this year again, but I understand it's for everyone's safety. I guess I can wait until 2022!

And HERE is the book list for you. A nice mix of nonfiction and fiction titles for you all!

-Megan

Currently Reading: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

LGBTQ Pride Month

It's (almost) that time of year again...Pride Month! With that in mind, I decided it was a great time to share some amazing LGBTQ books out there. 

I created this display 2 years ago when it was the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This event is often, if not always, omitted from history books which is so disheartening. To change this narrative, you'll see that quite a few of the books on the list today are nonfiction titles. This was done purposely. I am tired of queer history being erased from textbooks. I know I never learned any of it in school and had to educate myself once I was in college.

So here's to the queers everywhere in the world. Use this display to show them that they are seen, accepted, and loved at your library!

And HERE is the list of titles to use for your display. Just a reminder that this list was made in 2019 and there have been SOOOO many more good books that have come out that would fit on this display. Make sure to look for those too! (Like Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas!)

Sending lots of love to you all!

-Megan

Currently Reading: The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

Big Books Display

I like big books and I cannot lie! You other reader's can't deny!

Long books, short books, in-between books, I love them all. While longer books can be a little intimidating to people, it's a great way to get great story-building and character development without it being a series. Although some series have some pretty big books! *cough* *cough* Sarah J. Maas.

So HERE's the list of nice big books for your display! Have a great end to your week!

-Megan

Mythology Book Display

So my friend on has a bookstagram (@boocwurm) and decided to start a reading challenge called Mythology May. For this challenge, you read mythology retellings or original myths from different cultures.

I was inspired by this to create a book display of myths and different retellings. I tried to make sure to include more than just Greek mythology, but it was hard to find some of them at my library. I will say, I did not include anything that is currently new because our new books have their own display. I've noticed there is a bit of a trend in mythology retellings, so this list may expand over time!

HERE is a list of titles to use for this display, or to read for #MythologyMay.

Have a great weekend!

-Megan 

Mystery Book Display

There are so many mysteries out there you could make a display for each different little theme. Sherlock retellings, private investigators, CSI investigations, female sleuths, and so many more options!

For this display, I brought them all together for one big display. I would love to one day do each of those separate displays, but for today, let's stick with this!

 HERE is a list of titles for this large mystery display.

-Megan

Mother's Day Book Display

Let's give it up for the greatest people in our lives, OUR MOMS! With Mother's Day around the corner, this is a great way to show our love for Moms and also showcase some great moms in literature. 

This was a somewhat difficult display to make because it's hard to keyword search for this. When you look for "Mother's Day Books", you get a lot about flowers and gardening, but that's not what I was looking for. So this is a bit of a shorter list of titles.

HERE's the list of titles!

Happy Mother's Day (a little early) to all the Mom's out there!

-Megan

Currently Reading: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner 

Gardening Display

I dropped off the face of the Earth for a little bit, sorry about that. It's been a rough week for me and was trying to get through that without having to worry about this. 

So let's get down to business. It's gardening season, so it's important to make these books easily accessible for patrons to find. We did this display a few weeks ago and the books flew off the display. 

 Here's the list of titles. Have a great week ya'll!

-Megan

Currently Reading: Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

Grill Out & Barbecue Book Display

As the weather gets warmer, certain hobbies start to come out of hiding. This week, I'm posting display ideas that are perfect for warmer weather. This week: grilling!

My family loves to grill and my parents have no problem with grilling in the dead of winter. They usually shovel a path to the grill just to make sure they have access to it! Grilling is such an American past-time and I know some of my greatest summer memories are ones where I'm with friends eating food off the grill.

With this in mind, here are two great options for a poster to use for this display.

And HERE's the list of titles to use for the display! 

Happy eating friends!

-Megan

Currently reading: I'll Give You the Sun  by Jandy Nelson