Arnold Library Branch Update, St. Louis County Library Releases Top Picks for 2012

Starting out 2012, the Jefferson County Library Arnold Branch manager, Meredith McCarthy, said The Help is still very popular.

Also, Janet Evanovich's series of mystery books are big, since the movie, One for the Money, came out. John Grisham still holds, she said.

The branch has a good collection of history books.

"In our library there's a strong interest in World War II non-fiction," McCarthy said.

She said they have 400 visitors on a slow day. The beginning of the week is busy, especially Monday and Tuesday mornings, for story time, at 10:00. Tuesday evenings at 6:00 is another story time.

Amy Held, the children's librarian, said Ronald McDonald comes once a year, in the summer. That visit is one of three or four performers throughout the year.

The library will hold its Dr. Seuss Read-A-Rama, on March 3 at 10:30 a.m., which will celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday with books and Seuss crafts. The branch is also currently holding a poetry contest.

Find more information on the Arnold branch's website.

St. Louis County Library has announced 2012 picks for the annual Read St. Louis initiative. Not only are the six books great reads, but the library is developing programs, discussions and activities around each one.

First up is the library's pick for memoir, Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son by Anne Lamott. If this new book is anything like Lamott's writings on being a Christian, storytelling or raising her son, it'll be a must-read. Lamott's lyrical, intimate writing style makes readers feel she is reaching through her book and holding their hand, guiding them through her struggles with alcoholism and drugs to find happiness in her work, her religion and her family.

In Some Assembly Required, Lamott partners with her son, who became a father at 19, to tell the story of her new grandchild.

Lamott and her son, Sam, will be in the area discussing her memoir at 7 p.m. on March 24 at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

Here are the rest of the 2012 Read St. Louis picks:

Teen Fiction: Antony John, Thou Shalt Not Road Trip
Non-Fiction: Isabel Wilkerson, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration
Children’s Non-Fiction: Deborah Hopkinson, A Boy Called Dickens
Fiction/New Voices: Teddy Wayne, Kapitoil
Distinguished Literary Achievement: Daniel Woodrell, The Outlaw Album

The library will develop programs, like the discussion with author Lamott, for each book as part of the Read St. Louis initiative.

"At the core of the program is a belief that making reading fun, exciting and occasionally educational, will stimulate a passion for lifelong learning in all of us," the library said.