By Abigail Hardison

Rowan Public Library

All summer long and into the fall we here at Rowan Public Library are celebrating PBS’s “The Great American Read,” and encouraging everyone to come by and vote for their favorite book.

PBS has compiled a list of 100 books, included for their literary, commercial or educational impact on our culture, and one of those books will be considered “America’s Favorite” this fall after all the votes are tallied.

Besides the voting, the library will host several sessions for folks to come and record testimonials where they can explain why they love a book and why it should be chosen. These testimonials will be featured on the social media for Rowan Public Library and PBS Charlotte, and if they are really great, they might even make it into the national PBS special this fall.

In addition to The Great American Read titles, we also have lots of new fiction recently added to our collection. A standout for those who like multi-book series in the mystery genre, we have recently added the entire Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris, which currently has 13 books.

This Regency era sleuth uses his espionage skills gained on the battlefields against Napoleon to solve mysteries when he returns home to England. Take Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy, and then add a twist of James Bond and a splash of Sherlock Holmes and you’ve got a fascinating series to sink your teeth into.

Another interesting take on the mystery genre is “Cobra Clutch: A Hammerhead Jed Mystery” by A.J. Devlin. It’s the first in a planned series and is generating some buzz. Former pro wrestler and current bar bouncer Jed finds himself dealing with the Vancouver criminal underworld when he was just trying to help his friend get his kidnapped pet snake back. Fans of Jack Reacher and 1980s action movies will happily add Hammerhead Jed to their list of favorite heroes.

For the Western fans, we’ve got Thomas Clagett’s “Line of Glory: A Novel of the Alamo,” which delves into both sides of the famous battle from the perspectives of ordinary people who found themselves on the stage of history.

For the traditionalist, we’ve got the latest title from Western favorite William W. Johnstone. “The Stalking Death” is a classic tale of big-league Wyoming ranchers trying to squeeze out the small family farmers. Johnstone’s hero, Duff MacCallister, is “madder than a wet hen” and plans to show them the meaning of prairie justice.

Rounding out our newly arrived Westerns, we have Matthew Mayo’s “Timberline” that has a train robbery, a blizzard, a ghost town called Sapphire City, and a tough-as-nails hero ready to right the wrongs. Giddy up!

We’ve got lots more books newly arrived here this spring, and we can’t wait to show them to you. Swing by and take a look. We bet you’ll find a story that piques your interest.

Ramble Through Rowan: On Tuesday mornings at 10, an episode of the “Ramble Through Rowan” films will be shown at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S. in Salisbury. There will be exhibit and discussion time after each screening. Series ends June 19. Open to the public.

Closings: Headquarters, East and South Rowan Regional will be closed through Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. Regular hours resume May 29.

Rowan Arts and AG film: “Farmers for America,” June 5, 6:30 p.m., Headquarters. The documentary traces the extraordinary changes coming to America’s food system as more and more consumers flock to farmers’ markets and embrace farm-to-table lifestyles. With the average age of today’s farmer at 60, and rural America losing population as the cost of land and equipment soars, farms in America face a crisis. At the center of the film are the farmers, young and old, who provide the spirit and energy to bring urban and rural America together over what both share in common: food. This screening is part of the Rowan Arts & AG program.

Movie night: “Thor: Ragnarok,” Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., East. Enjoy the third movie in the Thor trilogy. This 2017 action-packed movie is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of 130 minutes. All ages are welcome; however, an adult must accompany children under 13. Light refreshments. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Book Bites Club: South, Tuesday, 6 p.m. Open to the public. A free book club where we discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments. “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” by Muriel Spark. Questions? Contact Jennifer at Jennifer.Hubbard@rowancountync.gov.

Special DVD sale: June 2 only, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., South. Stock up on donated DVDs. This Friends of the Library sale has special pricing: DVDs are $1 each or get 10 DVDs for $5 or 20 DVDs for $10. Contact Paul at Paul Birkhead or 704-216-7737 for more information.

Technology Club: June 5, 7 p.m., South. Each month, learn, discuss and experiment with technology. All ages and experience levels welcome. Light refreshments. Need more information? Call Paul at 704-216-7737.

Summer Reading kickoff at Pops at the Post: June 2, 3-7 p.m. Don’t miss RPL’s “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading Kickoff booth. This event offers opportunities for craft-making and fun-having. Staff will be on hand to register children, teens and adults for Summer Reading. Children will be able to make their own drum and guitar pick bookmark. For more information, please contact the HQ Children’s Department at 704-216-8234. Admission to Pops at the Post is free. The event will be in the parking lot across from RPL headquarters.

China Grove Community Block Party: June 2, 5-8 p.m. Stop by South Rowan Regional’s booth at 412 S. Myrtle Ave. and learn about upcoming programs and events. Summer Reading information will be available, and anyone can register for Summer Reading 2018, learn how to track reading hours and activities using READsquared, and enjoy some fun activities. Call 704-216-7730 for more information.

Displays: Headquarters, quilt display by Three Friends Quilting and PBS’s Great American Read by RPL; East,vintage lunchbox collection by Sharon Ross; South, student art exhibit by South Rowan High School Art Classes.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.