Every creative act is, in some way, a reflection on our world. No matter how fantastic a piece of science fiction or dreamy a painting, everything we create says something about our lives, our experiences and our societies. The Teen Media Awards offers a panoramic view of the insightful ways that teenagers interpret this present age.

“Death and dying are radioactive topics.” So says Richard Haverlack, author of Paths of Heart—Writing Stories Told at Life’s End (DBC 16051). Haverlack, who personally recorded his book for the LBPH narration program, began his own journey into this realm following the death of his father and later his beloved Uncle Frank who struggled in a hospital setting in his last days, before being moved…

If you’re one of the 100,000 grandparents raising a child in Pennsylvania, you might be looking for some fun – and free – activities to do with your little one. The New York Times reported families spent an average of $958 on summer expenses in 2014. Grandparents or caregivers who want to make the most of their time spent with their most beloved family members…

Dear Reader/future reader/past readers/whoever wants to read this. It is just below an understatement how important books have been in my life. It isn’t just about the book itself but the memory I have attached to it. For instance, my very first journal entry was about my mom giving me Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I wrote a couple pages on how much I…

Neal Stephenson has long been one of my  favorite authors, and Reamde is another awesome book by him.  I think I've written on him before, here and here, but Reamde has been on mind because the sequel came out.  But we do not have it so I cannot write on it.  Yet.  Anyways I reread this book in preparation for the sequel and loved it…

Summer at the library means books books books!  The Summer reading program is not just for teens and kids, it’s also for all our avid adult readers! There is a great list of books this year that you will not want to miss. Here are a few just to get you interested. There, There by Tommy Orange (DB91321) There There is a relentlessly paced multigenerational…

I'm sure this will come as a shock to you, but library staff like to talk about books. I know, right?!? Who'd have thought?? But more importantly, library staff would like to talk to YOU about books. Did you just read something that you loved and want to tell someone about it? We're here with an ear to listen. We might have read it also…

If you’ve never participated in a book club, you’re really missing out!  Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is proud to offer an extensive array of book clubs to our community. In libraries throughout the city, you can find vibrant clusters of readers getting together to chat about books. The benefits of attending a book club are not just limited to finding new titles: book club participation…

Ever wondered what lead an author to write the book you just read for your book group? Or what the facts are behind that historic novel they selected? Struggling to come up with discussion questions when you host your next meeting? Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main’s got your back. Let us help you prepare for your next book discussion through Book Group Connections. We…