It’s November (wait, what?) and we are already careening toward another holiday season and another new year. Maybe you want to take a deep breath, pause for a moment and enjoy the last of the beautiful fall scenery as it fades away before diving into the hustle and bustle of the next few months. Maybe you would like to bring some nature inside so you can enjoy it throughout the upcoming winter months. If so, our staff member Stephanie has the perfect recommendation for you to boost and multiply the scope and variety of your houseplant collection: “Making More Plants: The Science, Art and Joy of Propagation” by Kenneth Druse (635.91 Dru). No matter what the weather is like outside, you can keep growing and gardening your way into spring.
Or perhaps you are done with 2021 and are eagerly looking forward to 2022 — in that case, why not get a jump on your New Year’s resolutions? Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month? Do you have an idea for a story, or one that you’ve started but never finished? Make this the month you commit to making progress on that dream. I recommend checking out any issue of The Writer Magazine (PER WRI) for inspiration, guidance, and practical knowledge of how to navigate the writing and publishing world. Novel writing not really your thing? Try your hand at poetry with Dawn’s recommendation, “How To Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope” (811 How). This nifty book contains prompts not only for poetry writing, but also how to grow and cultivate your sense of gratitude for all the good things around you.
Speaking of gratitude, Nov. 11 is of course a day we pause to honor and express thanks to the current and former members of our armed services. Mary recommends “Our Service Stories” by Ronald P. May (940.54 May), where 36 Hoosier veterans reflect on their experiences during World War II. “Fortunate Son” by Lewis B. Puller (921 Puller, L.) is an autobiography that recounts one man’s physical and mental healing after his service in Viet Nam.
November is also Native American Heritage Month, and our staff have lots of recommendations to improve your knowledge and appreciation of Native peoples, their viewpoints and their culture. Emma recommends “The Round House” by Native American author Louise Erdrich (FIC Erd). This fictional story is “a mystery, a coming-of-age story, [and] a novel about family.” “The Spirit Keeper” by K.B. Laugheed (FIC Lau) is a fantasy story about a young Irish immigrant who finds a new identity with a Native American family. Brenda says it is a “beautiful story of two different cultures and how they are connected through love, loss and loyalty.”
No matter how you feel about November, the coming winter, and 2022, we’ve got plenty of titles to inspire, enrich and uplift you. You can find these and other recommendations in our staff picks display on the first floor. Don’t forget to browse our other November displays on the second floor for more titles from Native American Heritage Month. You can also travel to other worlds through our collection of science fiction Hugo Award winners, as well as find new recipes and stories to keep you warm in our Good Soup collection. Bundle up and see what you can find this month at the library.
Amanda Grossman is the assistant manager of Reference and Local History at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
