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The Book Cellar is kicking off May with a special display for Star Wars Day and themed displays during the month to honor Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. The Book Cellar will likely be reorganizing and moving some sections in the store in the next few months. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Book Cellar news, sale information and more. The Book Cellar, located in the lower level of the John Barton Payne Bldg., Warrenton, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Check out the featured writers coming to Meet the Author in May. Britt Hawthorne, Raising Anti-Racist Children Wednesday, May 3 |  1-2 p.m. Are you committed to building an antiracist family environment for your children? Raising antiracist children is a noble goal for any parent, caregiver, or educator, but it can be hard to know where to start. Let Britt Hawthorne—a nationally recognized teacher, advocate and author of Raising Antiracist Children—be your guide. Raising Antiracist Children is a must-have, practical guide essential for parents and caregivers everywhere. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity for growth! Jena Friedman, Not Funny: Essays on Life, Comedy, Culture, Et Cetera Wednesday, May 10 | 8-9 p.m. Jena Friedman has worked on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Show with David Letterman, and her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, ARTNET, and The Guardian. Friedman’s debut collection, Not Funny, takes on the third rails of modern life in Jena’s bold and subversive style, with essays that explore cancel culture, sexism, work and celebrity worship. Join us for what is absolutely sure to be the most entertaining hour of the day! Courtney Summers, I’m The Girl Saturday, May 20  |  2-3 p.m. Please join us for an exhilarating Saturday as we chat with New York Times bestselling YA Author Courtney Summers about her newest book I’m the Girl. Summers is critically acclaimed author of several novels for young adults, including Cracked Up to Be, All the Rage and Sadie. Her work has been released to multiple starred reviews, received numerous awards and honors–including the Edgar Award, John Spray Mystery Award, Cybils Award, Odyssey Award, and International Thriller Award. Her newest novel, I’m the Girl asks the readers: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it? All Meet the Author programs are free but registration is required. Meet the Author is sponsored by Friends of the Fauquier Library and made possible through the Library Speaker’s Consortium. Two to three programs are offered each month. Register for these author talks and check out other Meet the Author events online. All programs will also be available for on-demand viewing following the event.

Money Smart Week is all about empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to make better-informed personal financial decisions. Whether you are contemplating buying a new house, planning for long-term care or just need some tips on how to cope with rising prices, Fauquier Public Library has a wide range of resources to get you started. [Showcase no longer available] Being financially literate is a lifelong journey. Children from kindergarten to grade 5 can start the journey now! Stop by any of our locations this week and pick up kid-friendly materials on financial literacy, featuring the Money Monsters provided by the Consumer Financial Proection Bureau.

In January, the New York Library announced it had acquired Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne’s joint personal archives.  The acquisition included a trove of letters, photographs, manuscripts and family records that traces the work of one of America’s most productive literary couples. Here’s the part I like best about the announcement. The collection will be open without restriction to scholars, biographers and anyone else with a library card! Wow! While the Fauquier Public Library may not have Didion’s letters, each month we add about 700 books to our 190,000 print collection and over 2,000 e-books/e-audiobooks.  We subscribe to 200 print magazines as well as over 3,000 e-Magazines.  There are more than 40 online databases and other electronic services – including streaming video, online games and recipes – available at fauquierlibrary.org.  We offer Wi-Fi, computers and mobile hotspots. And, it’s all free with your library card. In April, we celebrate National Library Week which invites a shout out to our public library.  Each day we welcome hundreds of people, young and old who come read to a therapy dog, improve their English-speaking skills, receive help with homework, apply for a new job, attend a STEAM program, research a family tree or study for their GED. A recently published essay*, “Love Letter to Libraries, Long Overdue”, solicited 770 responses from readers about their experience with and appreciation for libraries.  One reader wrote, “What other single institution can do so much good?” The Love Letter piece concluded with “libraries are the beating hearts of their communities.  What we borrow from them pales in comparison to what we get to keep.” The Fauquier Public Library staff swells with pride to be associated with such a fine institution.  We know you, our beloved patrons, feel the same way, too. Maria Del Rosso Director, Fauquier Public Library *Access the New York Times free with your library card.

This month, join us as we spring into more amazing virtual author talks from a New York Times bestselling author and award winning cartoonist! Each talk features the opportunity to participate in author Q&A or pre-submit questions during registration! Read on for details on how to register for these and other upcoming talks. Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands Tuesday, April 4th | 7 – 8 p.m. Register Join us for an enlightening hour online with highly-acclaimed Kate Beaton, the New York Times bestselling author of Hark! A Vagrant! and Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands. Her first full-length graphic narrative follows Beaton after university as she heads out west to take advantage of Alberta’s oil rush, part of the long tradition of East Coasters who seek gainful employment elsewhere when they can’t find it in the homeland they love so much. Arriving in Fort McMurray, Beaton finds work in the lucrative camps owned and operated by the world’s largest oil companies. Being one of the few women among thousands of men, the culture shock is palpable. She encounters the harsh reality of life in the oil sands where trauma is an everyday occurrence yet never discussed. Her wounds may never heal. Beaton’s natural cartooning prowess is on full display as she draws colossal machinery and mammoth vehicles set against a sublime Albertan backdrop of wildlife, Northern Lights, and Rocky Mountains. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands is more than a memoir, it’s also an untold story of Canada, a country that prides itself on its egalitarian ethos and natural beauty while simultaneously exploiting both the riches of its land and the humanity of its people. William Kent Krueger, Fox Creek Thursday, April 27th | 8 – 9 p.m. Register Get ready for a riveting hour online with New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger and a discussion of his newest book in the Cork O’Connor series Fox Creek and his numerous other works! Fox Creek follows Cork O’Connor in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries. The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking a woman named Dolores Morriseau, a stranger who had come to the healer for shelter and the gift of his wisdom. Meloux guides this stranger and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, to safety deep into the Boundary Waters, his home for more than a century. Meanwhile, in Aurora, Cork works feverishly to identify the hunters and the reason for their relentless pursuit, but he has little to go on. He knows only too well that with each passing hour time is running out. We look forward to you joining us for exciting author talks this month!

Spring is finally here, and the Book Cellar is celebrating several special events this month! Look for these special displays: Easter (Sunday, April 9) Gardening books featured during Virginia’s Historic Garden Week (April 15-22), featuring gardening books Books on the environment to mark Earth Day (Saturday, April 22) Poetry and plays recognizing National Poetry Month (April 1 – 30) And we’ll wrap up the month with a celebration of “There’s More to the Story” – National Library Week! The Book Cellar will likely be reorganizing and moving some sections in the store in the next few months; follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the changes and all of the latest Book Cellar news! The Book Cellar, located in the lower level of the John Barton Payne Bldg., Warrenton, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Register for an exciting trip through time when we welcome New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Pam Jenoff for a discussion about her newest book, Code Name Sapphire. Tuesday, March 28th  |  7 p.m.Via digital live-stream Register Follow Hannah Martel as she races to rescue her cousin’s family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riviting tale, inspired by true stories of courage and sacrifice. Code Name Sapphire is the latest in a long line of romance and historical fiction works by Jenoff, including The Orphan’s Tale and The Lost Girls of Paris. This program is free but registration is required. Meet the Author is sponsored by Friends of the Fauquier Library and made possible through the Library Speaker’s Consortium. Two to three programs are offered each month. Register for this author talk and check out other Meet the Author events online. All programs will also be available for on-demand viewing following the event.

Read. Shop. Buy smart. Is it time to replace your old car?  The April issue of Consumer Reports is totally devoted to finding the right vehicle.  Starting with “10 Top Picks,” navigate through 15 articles full of guidance and ratings.  For example, in “Will and Electric Car Save You Money” learn that electric vehicles (EV) may cut repair expenses by 50%.  EV technology is new, and glitches are to be expected.  This is especially true for vehicles from automakers who are just bringing out their first EVs.  A better choice may be a brand that has been on the market for a while. “Fuel” savings with an EV depend upon how the cost and convenience of electricity compares to the cost and convenience of gas in your area.  There are tax credits for qualified buyers in some states, but the credit can depend upon the price of the car and where it was assembled.  See “Gas vs. Electric Savings Showdown” to find out more about these credits. Today’s car market contains a bewildering variety of cars produced by 32 major automakers. Before visiting the showroom, read through “Brands That Make the Best Cars,” “The Best & Worst Lists 2023” and  the “New Car Ratings,” (along with the associated 32 pages of reviews).  These reviews and rankings take into consideration road test scores, reliability, owner satisfaction, safety and clean emissions.  They also rank vehicles for gas mileage and comfort.  Speaking of comfort, check out which makes and models come with driving assistance technology.  “Easy Driving! Why You’ll Love These Features” explains what these systems can do. After selecting a new car, it’s time to go through the process of actually buying it.  As CR explains,  this is where things can get tricky.  Dealerships make money on the extras and insurance they sell with car purchases, including parts warranties, extended warranties and embellishments.  Are these extras really necessary? Check out “Just Say No To These Dealership Extras” to save some cash. Other topics in this issue include: “Best Used Cars” and “Used Cars to Avoid” “Most and Least Reliable Cars” “What’s New, What’s Next” “How Far Can That EV Go?” Consumer Reports magazine is available free in print and online to Fauquier Public Library card holders, providing access to articles, reviews and ratings on over 8,000 products and services. The library has copies of Consumer Reports dating back to 2019.

Join celebrity chef and cookbook author Jernard Wells Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. for a chat about his newest cookbook Southern Inspired: More Than 100 Delicious Dishes from My American Table to Yours. After growing up in Mississippi, Jernard Wells brought the familiar dishes and bold flavors of the South on his culinary journey to become a chef, restaurateur, and TV host. With Southern Inspired, Jernard continues his journey—retracing the steps of generations of African American cooks whose creations have contributed to global kitchen tables since slavery. This cookbook shares 100 recipes that are approachable for both beginners and more experienced cooks. This program is free but registration is required. Meet the Author is sponsored by Friends of the Fauquier Library and made possible through the Library Speaker’s Consortium. Two to three programs are offered each month. Register for this author talk and check out other Meet the Author events online. All programs will also be available for on-demand viewing following the event.

The book lending kiosk and book return at the Vint Hill Community Center will be unavailable March 9 – April 2, 2023 while the gymnasium floor is being replaced. Materials checked out from the kiosk can be returned to any Fauquier Public Library location. Questions? Call 54.422.8500 ext. 1.

Meet the Author in March features amazing new virtual author talks from New York Times best selling and award winning authors, thought leaders, and a celebrity chef! Each talk features the opportunity to participate in author Q&A or pre-submit questions during registration! Read on for details on how to register for these and other upcoming talks. David Epstein, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World Monday, March 13th | 1 – 2 p.m. Register What’s the most effective path to success in any domain? It’s not what you think. You’re invited to find out during a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein as he chats about his most recent book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule. Epstein examined the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters, and scientists. He discovered that generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel in most fields—especially those that are complex and unpredictable. Generalists often find their path late, juggling many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see. Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Chef Jernard A. Wells, Southern Inspired: More Than 100 Delicious Dishes from My American Table to Yours Tuesday, March 21st  |  4 – 5 p.m. Register A talk that will leave you starving for more! Join us as we chat with celebrity chef Jernard Wells about his newest cookbook Southern Inspired: More Than 100 Delicious Dishes from My American Table to Yours. Southern Inspired is full of delicious and inventive recipes that remix the traditional flavors and classic dishes of Southern food and celebrate African-American culinary contributions to tables worldwide. After growing up in Mississippi, the host of CLEO TV’s New Soul Kitchen, Chef Jernard Wells, brought the familiar dishes and bold flavors of the South along with his culinary journey to become a chef, restaurateur, and TV host. With Southern Inspired, Jernard continues his journey—retracing the steps of generations of African American cooks whose creations have contributed to global kitchen tables since slavery. Southern food defines American food at large, and Chef Jernard takes it to a new level while still honoring its roots. Chef Jernard also brings in flavors from the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Europe, always with his signature Southern flair. This cookbook shares 100 recipes that are approachable for both beginners and more experienced cooks. Pam Jenoff, Code Name Sapphire Tuesday, March 28th  |  7 p.m. Register Join us for an exciting trip through time as we chat with New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Pam Jenoff about her newest book, Code Name Sapphire! Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire follows Hannah Martel as she races to rescue her cousin’s family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riveting tale of bravery and resistance. It’s 1942, and Hannah has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at the port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Mateo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves? We look forward to you joining us for exciting author talks this month! Meet the Author is sponsored by Friends of the Fauquier Library and made possible through the Library Speaker’s Consortium. Two to three programs are offered each month. Register to receive log-on details. All programs are available for on-demand viewing following the event.

I walked out the door the other day and realized I wasn’t hunching my shoulders against the cold.  Why should I? The temperature was a balmy 78!  All around, teenagers in shorts and T-shirts and adults in khakis and wind breakers made the most of the unusual weather. But like a rubber band, the next day snapped back to 40 degrees and revelers sobered up to face several weeks before coats could be shucked for good. That’s ok, though.  A tantalizing glimpse of what lies ahead is a good prompt for warm weather plans. Perhaps you dream of walking out your door to pick tomatoes and green beans for your dinner.  A backyard garden is what you need. Try something from this list – organic gardening, beneficial bugs and how to plant in tiny places are covered. If your winter weary self longs for “Travel, change, interest, excitement!”  Then follow Toad’s advice and take to the “open road…Camps, villages, towns, cities!”  We’ve got you covered with this excellent collection of regional road trips. When the weather finally breaks, spend the day outdoors with a nature kit.  From looking at rocks to digging around in the dirt, each pack has the essentials to explore our wild, wonderful world.  And, for fledging bird watchers, there are binoculars, field guides and a nifty bird call identifier. Now, it’s got nothing to do with homegrown vegetables, day trips or magnifying glasses but is still something to look forward to.  March 14 is Pi Day, a chance to bake in the name of science.  We happen to be pi(e) lovers at the library.  So, bottom, top, or two-crust, there’s plenty to choose from our shelves. Or, venture further afield and check out 62 pie recipes at New York Times Cooking, free from the library’s website. Either way, get to baking.  Your friends and family will thank you. Maria Del Rosso Director, Fauquier Public Library