It's finally here: Shorewood Reads 2015. We hope you've all read Shotgun Lovesongs and are planning to join in as we discuss it - and meet Nickolas Butler, too. Don't forget to come celebrate the book and our community at the Shorewood Lovesongs concert on Saturday from 6:30-9.

Full listing of events:

SHOREWOOD LOVESONGS

Featuring local art & music inspired by Shotgun Lovesongs.

Three Lions Pub - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Doors open to a musical interlude by SHS jazz combo at 6:30 p.m.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Discuss Shotgun Lovesongs with Hayley and Emily from Shorewood Public Library.

Colectivo on Oakland - April 13, 10:00 a.m.

Camp Bar - April 14, 7:00 p.m.

NICKOLAS BUTLER VISIT

Shotgun Lovesongs author Nickolas Butler visits Shorewood on Thursday, April 16th.

Writing & Publishing Discussion - 10:00 a.m.
An intimate gathering with Butler, for aspiring writers and those curious about the publishing process. Co-sponsored by Red Oak Writing.

An Evening with Nickolas Butler - 7:00 p.m.
Butler will read from, answer questions about, and sign copies of Shotgun Lovesongs. Books for sale from Boswell Book Company.
Seating may be limited.

Click here for more on Shorewood Reads:

SHOREWOOD READS WEBSITE

SPRING IS FOR P.L.A.Y-ING & MORE!

Community P.L.A.Y. Day

Our first ever Community P.L.A.Y (Play, Literacy & Learning Activities for You & Your Young Children) day will be on Sat., Apr. 25. Discover the many ways children learn through play! Make some fun and easy learning toys, learn about healthy kid-friendly food, explore ways to enjoy nature. We're partnering with the North Shore Health Department, Outpost Natural Foods, and others to help parents and caregivers make the most of those early years.

Telling Your Family Story

What do you know about your family's past - and why does it matter? On Tues., May 5, writer Kathy Mangold joins us for an interactive program on researching and writing family histories. Mangold has researched her great-grandmother's journey as an Orphan Train rider, unearthing discoveries about her family & heritage along the way. She will share her story and guide writing activities to get you started telling yours! Bring writing materials and a small family photo or memento and get ready to dig into the past.

Co-sponsored with the Shorewood Historical Society.

Conservation Fair

Stop by and see us at the Conservation Fair Sat., May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Atwater School parking lot! We will be happy to show you library resources related to conservation and sustainability as well as our digital collection so you can go paperless. We will also have some cute craft ideas made from recycled materials so you can take the fun home with you. Other Village departments and environmental groups will be on hand offering workshops, and materials collection will be available.

(If it rains, the Conservation Fair will be held indoors.)

FROM THE FRIENDS

A monthly update from the Friends of Shorewood Public Library

Celebrate Shorewood Reads and National Library Week With Us!

When the Friends of the Shorewood Library began planning Shorewood Reads with the Shorewood Public Library staff, we thought there was no better time than during National Library Week which takes place each April.

A national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country, National Library Week celebrates the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and promotes library use and support. This year's theme is "Unlimited possibilities @ Your Library."

The Friends and staff selected Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler because it tells a story about life-long friends, music and the impact both can have on your life. In addition, the author's love of Wisconsin comes through in the novel.

It was important to choose an author who would interact with the people of Shorewood and we found that in Nickolas Butler. His visit will help us expand our library's possibilities in the community.

Shorewood Reads is made possible through support from the Shorewood Foundation, Boswell Books, Shorewood High School, and Red Oak Writing, along with the work of many volunteers and library staff.

Join us in celebrating libraries everywhere by getting involved in Shorewood Reads 2015.

To find out more about the Friends, including how you can participate, email shwd.libraryfriends@gmail.com or visit the Friends' web page.

WINTER READING WRAP UP

It's time to wrap up winter with some good reads! This month's picks are patron reviews from our first adult winter reading program. To see what everyone read, check out our fiction and non-fiction booklists.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

Love Anthony is a beautiful book about friendship and family. Anthony is a non-verbal boy with autism, and his life and death teaches valuable lessons about what it means to love unconditionally. Genova's prose is marvelous - her best book yet.

Recommended by Christy S.

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

The Zookeeper's Wife is the story of Antonina and Jan Zabinski, caretakers of the Warsaw Zoo during WWII. They used the zoo as a cover to hide and help Jews escape during Nazi occupation. It's one of the best books I've ever read. The author switches back and forth between the Zabinski's personal stories and the horrific treatment of the Jews. The Zabinski's bravery was awe inspiring.

Recommended by Nicole A.

Memory Well: Stories by Anthony Doerr

A collection of six short stories - each one entirely different; each unique and excellent. Sometimes I find I feel short stories end abruptly, and I feel cheated, but these stories are complete within themselves. I will read more of this author's work. He has written three other books.

Recommended by Betty L.