NEW - Virtual 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group Starting in January

The Worcester Public Library is joining the Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group to support people fifty years or older who are looking for a new job, a new career direction,  or a "second act" career. These biweekly meetings are scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am, via Zoom with a repeat session offered in the evenings at 6pm to 8pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday. Statistics show that 85% of jobs are found through networking.

Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in an environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and hands-on workshop on topics relevant to career transition, with guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.

Each meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach. Deborah is a former Fortune 500 executive, investment banker and entrepreneur and transitioned to executive coaching over 12 years ago. She has coached with Harvard Business School Executive Education programs, the Mass. Conference for Women, and has been trained or certified in a variety of coaching models and assessment tools. Deborah has facilitated 50+ job seekers networking groups since 2016. 

 Attendance at each session is not necessary but highly recommended. Job seekers can join at anytime. 

Register for 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 9:30 am-11:30 am 

Register for 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

New Releases: January Edition

 

Check out these highly anticipated January releases featuring fiction and nonfiction titles. Click on the title to request a copy or get your name on the waitlist. Don’t forget to watch for more featured releases next month! 

Fiction

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful—until other women in the village start asking for her help getting rid of their own husbands—in this razor-sharp debut.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Your past and your family can haunt you like nothing else… A hilarious and terrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Girl Support Group. Every childhood home is haunted, and each of us are possessed by our parents. But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…

The Survivalist by Kashana Cauley

A single Black lawyer puts her career and personal moral code at risk when she moves in with her coffee entrepreneur boyfriend and his doomsday-prepping roommates in a novel that’s packed with tension, curiosity, humor, and wit from a writer with serious comedy credentials.

Nonfiction

Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People creaming on the Inside by Jessica Grose

In Rough Sleepers, Tracy Kidder shows how one person can make a difference, as he tells the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, a man who invented ways to create a community of care for a city’s unhoused population, including those who sleep on the streets—the “rough sleepers.”

Jellyfish Age Backwards: Nature's Secret to Longevity by Nicklas Brendborg

Mixing cutting-edge research and stories from habitats all around the world, Nicklas Brendborg explores extended life cycles in all its varieties. Along the way, we meet a man who fasted for over a year; a woman who edited her own DNA; redwoods that survive thousands of years; and in the soil of Easter Island, the key to eternal youth. Jellyfish Age Backwards is a love letter to the immense power of nature, and what the immortal lives of many of earth's animals and plants can teach us about the secrets to longevity.

Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World by Lauren Fleshman

Fueled by her years as an elite runner and advocate for women in sports, Lauren Fleshman offers her inspiring personal story and a rallying cry for reform of a sports landscape that is failing young female athletes

Adult Winter Reading Challenge

Welcome to the Adult Winter Reading Challenge! This winter we're offering readers two different prizes. 

Prize 1: Pirates 2023 Season Kickoff Package
In partnership with The Massachusetts Pirates, we are offering readers a chance
to win a pair of tickets for any regular 2023 season home game and Pirates swag!

Prize 2: Cozy Readers Dream Package
Win this package geared towards all readers! Includes a neck reading lamp,
page holder, library-themed socks, and WPL swag!

Click here to log into your Beanstack account to start logging your books and reviews. If you don't have an account, you can create one today!

Read these patron book reviews submitted by your fellow readers to get an idea of what to read next! And don't forget to log what you read, WPL events you attend, and your book reviews!

The Chosen by Jerry B. Jenkins

After watching the television series I was interested in reading the book. I am so glad I did because each chapter explained each episode in more depth. It made it easier to understand the characters in the show as well since it created more understanding as to why the characters acted the way they did. ~ Stephanie D. 

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

This novel is based on true horse racing history. -lots of twists and turns going between 2 centuries- the author is a Pulitzer Prize winner, too - but for another book...which I must read. (I finished this book in 3 days!) ~ Agnes W.

Hell's Half-Acre by Susan Jonusas 

Read this for WPL's True Crime Book Club. When I initially read the synopsis, it wasn't something I thought I'd enjoy. To my surprise, I found it to be a good and easy read. I'm looking forward to the discussion. In the 1800's, the Bender family setup a tavern and camp for unsuspecting travelers seeking respite on their journey. Their crimes were of a heinous nature, including burying a child alive! Thought to be dimwitted, they managed to out-run the law and disappear - never to be caught.               ~ Mary T. 

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

This book was absolutely amazing! And the twists had my jaw on the floor!!! Beautiful story throughout! I even found myself sobbing during some chapters. I really enjoyed this books so much. ~ Tiffany C. 

Adult Winter Reading Challenge

Welcome to WPL's adult winter reading challenge! This winter, WPL is offering two fun prizes. Learn how you can read to win!

Prize 1: Pirates 2023 Season Kickoff Package
In partnership with The Massachusetts Pirates, we are offering readers a chance
to win a pair of tickets for any regular 2023 season home game and Pirates swag!

Prize 2: Cozy Readers Dream Package
Win this package geared towards all readers! Includes a neck reading lamp,
page holder, library-themed socks, and WPL swag!

***How to Win***

If you don't have a Beanstack account, click here to create one. Beanstack is an online tool where you can track reading, post book reviews, discover good reads, win prizes, and stay connected with library-related programs and resources!

To win, readers need to log books, write reviews, and/or attend

virtual author talks to earn badges. With each badge, the reader will receive

a certain number of tickets to put towards the prize of their choice.

The more tickets earned, the more likely you are to win!

Drawings will be held shortly after February 28, 2023.

Winners will be contacted directly by staff. One winner per prize.

*Books read starting December 1, 2022 must be logged by February 28, 2023.

*Must be a Worcester resident to win prizes. Staff and members of their household are ineligible.

***WPL Programs and Resources***

Attend a WPL writing or poetry workshop to improve upon your writing skills.
Join one of our WPL virtual author events featuring bestselling authors. Be sure to log these in the activity badges to earn tickets!

Visit WPL’s Reader’s Corner for staff picks, new titles, book lists, and more.
Attend one of our several librarian-led WPL book clubs to discuss books and meet like-minded readers.

***How to Track Reading and Share Reviews***

Use the "Log Reading and Activities" and "Add a Review" buttons on the top of the page to
add to your log and share your reviews. Reviews are shared on Beanstack, and may also be
shared on WPL's Blog and Facebook page.

For mobile users, download the Beanstack Tracker app to get started.
For more information, call 508-799-1655 ext. 3 to speak to a librarian.

Poet's Place Enhancement: Poem of the Month

Our Poet's Place webpage now has a new feature: Poem of the Month! Each month we will showcase the work of a local poet.

Our inaugural poet, is Lee McPhillips Radlo, and we're delighted to bring to you her poem Two Days in August. This poem will grace our website from now until the end of December, 2022.

To view it, click the following link and select Poem of the Month from the Poetry menu on the left: https://tinyurl.com/WPLPoetsPlace

New Releases: December Edition

Check out these highly anticipated December releases featuring fiction and nonfiction titles. Click on the title to request a copy or get your name on the waitlist. Don’t forget to watch for more featured releases next month! 

Fiction

Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy

Told entirely through the transcripts of the narrator’s psychiatric sessions, this intimate portrait of grief and longing follows 20-year-old Alicia Western as she, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, contemplates the nature of madness, her hallucinations and her own existence in 1972 Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi

An unfulfilled college student hurtles through four parallel realities to explore the what-might've-been and the what-should-never-be in this Groundhog's Day-esque campus chronicle. 

No one Left to Come Looking for You by Sam Lipsyte 

In Manhattan’s East Village in 1993, a young New Jersey rock musician searches for his bandmate who made off with his prized bass to feed his drug habit and encounters a colorful cast of characters as he uncovers a series of crimes tied to local real estate barons looking to remake NYC.

Nonfiction

Screaming on the Inside by Jessica Grose

In this timely and necessary book, New York Times opinion writer Jessica Grose dismantles two hundred years of unrealistic parenting expectations and empowers today's mothers to make choices that actually serve themselves, their children, and their communities.

Beaverland: How one weird rodent made America by Leila Philip

Traces the beaver's profound influence on our nation's history, culture and environment, from the early days of western expansion, as well as profiling a colorful group of people who have devoted their lives to the wonderfully weird rodent.

The Tudors in Love by Sarah Gristwood

Offers a brilliant history of the Tudor dynasty, showing how the rules of romantic courtly love irrevocably shaped the politics and international diplomacy of the period. The dramas of courtly love have captivated centuries of readers and dreamers. Yet too often they're dismissed as something existing only in books and song-those old legends of King Arthur and chivalric fantasy. Not so. In this ground-breaking history, Sarah Gristwood reveals the way courtly love made and marred the Tudor dynasty.

WooReads Fall Reading Challenge For Adults: Patron Book Reviews

Welcome to the WooReads Fall Reading Challenge for adults! In partnership with The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, we are offering readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to A Christmas Carol, showing December 17 - 23, 2022 or Annie, showing February 23 - 26, 2023! 

Click here to log into your Beanstack account to start logging your books and reviews. If you don't have an account, you can create one today!

Read these patron book reviews submitted by your fellow WooReaders to get an idea of what to read next! 

Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs

This was a good book!! I’ve been reading the series and she almost lost me a few books back but I was determined to finish! Now I’m back in the groove and the books are back to being enjoyable. Kind of dry at first but got better about half way through. ~ Julia J. 

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

Each girls’ story is heart wrenching and compelling. Ms. Johnson writes beautifully and effortlessly and brings the story full circle. I give this book a well-deserved 5 stars and I eagerly anticipate the next book by this author. ~ Lisa G. 

The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci

Interesting book. Intense read, keeps you turning the pages! ~ Debe B. 

A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries

This is a funny light reading with a great group of characters and a interesting story line. ~ Joan M. 

WooReads Fall Reading Challenge For Adults: Patron Book Reviews

 

Welcome to the WooReads Fall Reading Challenge for adults! In partnership with The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, we are offering readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to A Christmas Carol, showing December 17 - 23, 2022 or Annie, showing February 23 - 26, 2023! 

Click here to log into your Beanstack account to start logging your books and reviews. If you don't have an account, you can create one today!

Read these patron book reviews submitted by your fellow WooReaders to get an idea of what to read next! 

Murder Thy Neighbor by James Patterson

A great read for fans of James Patterson; the smoothness of his fiction writing is transferred over to his non fiction series. The story line is an easy read, not cluttered with jargon that makes other fiction somewhat boring or hard to read. The characters grip you from the first page. You want to keep reading. ~Debe B. 

Memphis by Tara N. Stringfellow

This book was a funny, interesting book. This is a story of strong women and community. ~Joan M. 

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

'I am my father's daughter', this is a beautiful book with a very personal description of the loss of a father. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes beautifully, and the story is extra special thanks to her descriptions of grief during covid times when travel and funerals were so much harder to organize.                    ~Heleen V. 

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

What an amazing book! I read this book through with students of mine and it absolutely held our combined attention! The way Paul navigates through the wide spectrum of characters is admirable and tying them all together is masterful! Great book! Highly recommended! ~Mario W. 

Big Library Read: A Snake Falls to Earth

From November 2-16 library users can participate in The Big Library Read featuring A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger. This e-book club connects readers with the same book at the same time without any waitlists or holds. Download the discussion guide to start a conversation with other readers. You can also visit the Overdrive discussion board to share your thoughts. 

The book follows Oli and Nina, two very different people in very different circumstances — Oli, a cottonmouth snake from the Reflecting World where animal people roam and Nina, a teenage Lipan Apache girl in our world. Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli’s best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven’t been in centuries.

Listen to the Big Library Read interview with Darcie Little Badger

To borrow the title, go to mywpl.org. Under Resources, select eBooks and Digital Media. Click on OverDrive to check out A Snake Falls to Earth from the catalog. 

To read this book on a handheld device, download the Overdrive app or Libby app. 

Readers  have a chance to win a tablet, a blanket or Libby swag if they use #biglibraryread on social media from November 2-16. 

WooReads Fall Reading Challenge For Adults: Patron Book Reviews

Welcome to the WooReads Fall Reading Challenge for adults! In partnership with The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, we are offering readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to A Christmas Carol, showing December 17 - 23, 2022 or Annie, showing February 23 - 26, 2023! 

Click here to log into your Beanstack account to start logging your books and reviews. If you don't have an account, you can create one today!

Read these patron book reviews submitted by your fellow WooReaders to get an idea of what to read next! 

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

I really enjoyed this book! It is funny and relatable to young adults. It has great queer representation and is a pretty classic rom-com. I would recommend it if you are looking a light, easy, romantic read! ~Emily M. 

Night of The Living Rez by Morgan Talty

This was a very well written book of stories about an indigenous American family living on a reservation in Maine. The book is told from the point of view of the son in the family, over the course of his childhood to adulthood. The day-to-day interactions and family challenges are realistically portrayed in a welcoming narration. I highly recommend this book. ~Linda J. 

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

A page turner right until the very end. Loved this! ~Mallory S. 

The Girl Next Door by Ruth Rendell

Slightly disappointed with this read. It's classified as a mystery. IMHO, it isn't a mystery at all. From the onset we know who the murderer is and their motive for killing. Not sure I'd pick up this author again.           ~Mary T.