The Latest

The Cook Memorial Public Library District Local History reference collection includes nearly 350 books on the history of Libertyville, Lake County, other Chicago collar communities, and the state of Illinois. The majority of the works are only available in print in the lower-level of the Cook Park library. However, some of the books are accessible…

  In Rosarita, Booker Prize-shortlisted Anita Desai gives our heroine an uneven footing from the first, and the reader shares in the confusion (at least I sure did).  Bonita is a young woman accosted one afternoon by a theatrical older woman.  She is dropped into a situation that leaves both character and reader in the…

  Nothing better during these frosty winter months than snuggling down with a cup of something warm and a cozy read. I recently had the pleasure of curling up with Julie Leong’s debut novel, The Teller of Small Fortunes.  A fantasy tale of found family, adventure, and immigration (featuring a magical feline – I mean but…

Were your ancestors religious? Did they belong to a church, mosque, or temple? Yesterday, January 19, was World Religion Day. This is a great time to learn about the religious traditions of your ancestors. Besides giving you a fuller picture of their daily life and values, knowledge of a particular religious tradition, like its history…

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get organized? If so, don’t forget to include your genealogy! It is never too late to organize your research and develop a plan for going forward with your genealogy. Taking the time to plan now will save you a lot of time later! While organization is key…

'"You like her too much," Zamena says. Nobles are not like us. Never forget it." "She is different." "Why? Because she was born common? She isn't common now."' Costanza Casati, Babylonia, pg. 173 I'm always one to make sweeping predictions for what the new year will bring, literary-wise. Last year, I predicted that 2024 would…

  It might sound odd to close out 2024 with a deeply unsettling novel about a woman trying to solve the mystery of where she goes when she’s asleep, but I read this short novel in one sitting.  While Knutsdottir’s The Night Guest appears slight at first glance (some chapters are just a few words…

2025 is fast approaching, but we're not quite ready to turn the page on 2024! This year was filled with titles that made us laugh, cry, and gasp. We read stories that moved, challenged, and transported us. We're a community that loves to read -- and to share what we're reading -- which is why…

In the previous post, we explored holiday family traditions. This time, we are discussing ways to preserve those holiday family traditions. Whether they are in physical or oral form, there are ways to make sure that they are saved and documented for current and future generations. Your family will thank you for taking the time…

December's Database of the Month is Mango Languages. Mango is a personalized, adaptive language-learning experience that provides the tools and guidance you need to expand your language skills wherever and however you learn best. And, it's free with your Cook Memorial Public Library card! Our Favorite Features Over 70 World Languages and more than 20…