From the Stacks
By Carol Ann Robb, PPL Reference Librarian
Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.
If you were in Girl Scouts, I’m sure you sang those lyrics as a round at many meetings (and will no doubt have it going through your head the rest of the day) . It may be a simple children’s tune but it certainly holds a grain of truth.
There are many kinds of friends; some are life-long, others are acquaintances from work, perhaps you bonded with someone over a shared experience (say a college class, a work-related conference, or book club), or the neighbor who moved in next door. Some are silver, some are gold.
Female friendships are the basis for many novels. If you come in and ask me to find one for you, I’m apt to head towards some of the tried and true favorites: “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” by Rebecca Wells, “Patty Jane’s House of Curl” by Lorna Landvik, or perhaps Fannie Flagg’s “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
If you’re fond of historical fiction, I’ll point you towards “Alice Network” by Kate Quinn, “Persian Pickle Club” by Sandra Dallas, or Jennifer Ryan’s “Kitchen Front.” Or if you prefer reading about group friendships, then I’d suggest Sally Goldenbaum’s Seaside Knitters cozy mystery series or The Elm Creek Quilters series by Jennifer Chiaverini. And those just are the tip of the iceberg.
To commemorate those kinds of female friendships, the library is holding a Galentine’s Party on Sunday, February 12, at 2:00 p.m, for ages 18 years and older. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the show “Parks and Recreation,” Galentine’s Day was the creation of Leslie Knope as a day—February 13—for ladies celebrating ladies.
And here at the library that means we’re planning an afternoon of fun: an easy craft (I don’t have a crafty bone in my body, but can do this one), followed by some tasty treats (I guarantee there will be chocolate), and then some fierce games of Book Title Bingo. Yes, I know it’s Super Bowl Sunday but this will be a female-only (sorry guys) pre-game party and you won’t have to fix the food or clean up afterwards.
Space is limited so please reserve your spot by calling the Reference Desk at 620-230-5560. If you’re fortunate enough to have a good friend, sister, cousin, mother, or daughter living nearby, ask them to join in the fun—you can make more than one reservation when you call. And if, like me, you don’t have the good fortunate to have those folks nearby, we still want you to come. What a great way to meet new people!
Whether they be silver or gold, new or old, come spend some time with your friends (again, that number to call is 620-230-5560).