By Abigail Hardison

Rowan Public Library

Finally, after such a dry summer and early fall, the rain returned, and we are reminded of the joy of spending a gray, blustery day safe and dry, tucked into our favorite armchairs.

Whether the shorter days and longer nights inspire a chilly thriller, or a cozy heartwarmer, the library has lots of new gems on the shelf that you might not have seen on the bestseller list, but are worth your attention, nonetheless.

Librarians have heard all the reasons why people read. To learn, to laugh, to go on a fascinating adventure without ever leaving home, and finding out the why is often the best way to recommend what they’ll love next.

Historical fiction is a favorite among our patrons here at Rowan Public Library, and the combination of learning about a specific time in history and living through it in the eyes of a character is a special treat for so many readers.

A notable addition to our collection this fall is “Beyond the Horizon” by Ella Carey. This World War II tale tells the story of WASP pilots (Women’s Air Service Patrol) and their training, taking them to Camp Davis here in North Carolina. It is a portrait of bravery, patriotism and friendship in one of the darkest times in our history.

If lighthearted excitement is more your thing, then let us introduce you to Annie Hogsett’s “Somebody’s Bound to Wind Up Dead” series. We have three installments all arriving this fall! The first one, “Too Lucky to Live,” starts out with our heroine, Allie Harper, rescuing Tom, a blind college professor, from a crosswalk accident.

Later that night, Tom wins the lottery, making himself and his fellow winner a target for kidnappers and thieves. Allie and Tom are forced to go on the run, with romance and mayhem ensuing.

The second installment is “Murder to the Metal” and finds Allie and Tom using the windfall of the last book’s lottery win to start their own detective agency. The third in the series, “The Devil’s Own Game,” was just released on Oct. 15. It pits Allie and Tom against a motivated villain who is out to get them. This series is a must-read for the humor, action and romance it adds to its mystery, perfect for Janet Evanovich fans.

For those of you who love to read to get into the spirit of the season, this year’s holiday titles are already hitting the shelves. New releases include Lili Hayward’s “The Cat of Yule Cottage,” Anita Hughes’ “Christmas in Vermont,” “Coming Home For Christmas,” by RaeAnne Thayne, and perennial holiday favorite Richard Paul Evans comes out with “Noel Street.”

These cozies are ready and waiting to keep you entertained while you sip some cocoa and snuggle up with a blanket. Who knows? You might even be inspired to dig out and put up your decorations, and maybe get your shopping done early this year. No promises, though.

These are just a few of the new titles we have coming in this fall, and no matter what your fancy is — westerns, romance, humor, thriller or mystery — we have a little something for every reader. If you’re not sure what to choose, then ask our staff. We can find you lots of options based on your taste.

And if you find yourself traveling to visit family this season, come by and let us show you how to download free ebooks and audiobooks on your smart phone or device. It’s easy and you never have to worry about late fees or about leaving your library book in a hotel room, airplane or your great aunt’s guest room.

Cards for a Cause: Through Dec. 18, headquarters, East and South. Create holiday cards that will be delivered to active service members in the U.S. armed forces and to veterans at the Hefner VAMC in Salisbury. Patrons can specify  their card(s) be delivered to a certain branch or to the VA. Cards submitted for a branch of the armed forces have a Nov. 6 deadline for cards distributed internationally,; Dec. 6 for cards distributed stateside. Cards submitted Dec. 7-18 will only be delivered to the VA. For more information, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Mega Color: Nov. 4, 4 p.m., South; Nov. 5, 4 p.m., headquarters; Nov. 7, 4 p.m., East. Come relax and help decorate the teen spaces with giant zentangle-inspired coloring posters. Markers, crayons and colored pencils will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. This teen program is designed for rising sixth- through 12th-graders. For more information, call Sydney at 704-216-8229.

Wednesday Writers Club: Nov. 6, 6 p.m., East. Join the East branch for a time of solo writing, group sharing and peer-to-peer reviews. Encouragement, coffee and snacks will be provided. This program is designed for teens and adults. Call 704-216-7840 for more information.

Big Library Read: Nov. 4-18, headquarters, East and South. Big Library Read (BLR), facilitated by OverDrive, is a free, global e-Book Club. The global event provides instant access to one book for two weeks without wait lists or holds, connecting readers around the world in the largest digital library book club in the world. To participate, all you need is your library card. Ask RPL staff for assistance. Visit biglibraryread.com for full details, including the November selection.

Scavenger Hunt: Nov. 1-30, Turkey Hunt, headquarters, South. Can you find all the turkeys hidden throughout the children’s room?  Complete the challenge and get a prize! For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Scavenger Hunt: Nov. 1-30, Eye-Bomb Contest, East. It’s always fun to photobomb. Have you ever eye-bombed, though? Try to make funny pictures with googly eyes during our Scavenger Hunt. You will be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. For more information, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

2019 Bookmark Contest: Through Nov. 9. Children 4 to 11 may design a themed bookmark and win a cash prize. The contest, sponsored by Friends of Rowan Public library, will award first, second and third-place prizes in three, age-based categories: 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 11. Full submission guidelines, rules and entry forms available online or at any RPL location. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Chapter Chats: Sensory storytime, East, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. Designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges; coordinated in collaboration with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness (SOAR) program and Rowan County’s Therapeutic Recreation Division. The last Wednesday of each month is an interactive Sensory Storytime that involves books, songs and movement. To learn more about how to participate in this program series, call Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Sensory Storytime: Friday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m., headquarters. Attendees will experience storytime through tactile stimulation as they touch, see, smell and hear different interactive elements. This 30-minute storytime involves books, songs and movement and is designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges. All ages and those of all abilities are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For questions or to make accessibility arrangements, call 704-216-8234.

STEAM into Adventure: No-cook playdough, Nov. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m., South. Make playdough from simple wet and dry ingredients. This Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics program is geared for ages 6 to 11. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more details, call 704-216-7729.

Char’s Stars: Kaleidoscopes, Nov. 2, 11 a.m., headquarters. Children 12 and under may design and make their own kaleidoscopes. Light refreshments will be served. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more details, call 704-216-8234.

Songbird Storytime: Nov. 9, 11 a.m., headquarters. This is an interactive program of music, reading and learning for ages 7 and under. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany participants. For more information, contact Chelsea at 704-216-8269.

Reader’s Theater: Nov. 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m., South. Be an actor without the pressure of memorizing a script. This theater style conveys the story through vocal and facial expressions. This program is designed for ages 8 to 13. Questions? Call 704-216-7729.

Photowalk: Catawba College Campus, Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Take a walk on the campus of Catawba College. Bring your digital camera/phone to take photos together. The group will meet on campus; location TBA. Questions? Contact Paul at 704-216-7737 or Paul.Birkhead@rowancountync.gov.

Gardening Party Saturdays: Nov. 2 11 a.m., South. Meet monthly with plant, garden and pollinator enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. This month, learn about Sustainable Principles for Gardening and Farming. Light refreshments will be provided. For more details, call 704-216-7731. Garden Party Saturdays will be on hiatus until Jan. 4, 2020.

Displays: Headquarters, Rustic Edge Soap by Rachel Mowery and Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1083 display; East, veterans by Glenn Hinson; South, original artwork by Kristen Trahan.

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.