How to pick your next book

We've all been there. You just finished a good book—a great book even—and you're eager for something new, but you don't know where to turn.

How do you pick that next book?

Fortunately, Mentor Public Library can help with that. We offer a database called Novelist that's free for you to use.



Novelist offers read-alikes for popular books or suggestions from every genre.

For example, say your favorite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Novelist would recommend similar books like The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric or The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin.

Or say you like classic romances, historical mysteries or sports writing, Novelist has suggestions for hundreds of fiction and nonfiction subgenres.

And you can get suggestions for all age groups, as well: picture books, young readers, YA and adult.

And you know who else is good for a book recommendation? Our librarians! Both our reference and children's librarians love to suggest a good book.

So check out Novelist at Mentor Library, and we'll help you check out your next book.

Tra-La-Laa! Captain Underpants at Mentor Library

Angelina soars through the air!

Tra-La-Laa!

We dedicated our final Marvelous Monday—our summer-long celebration of heroes—to Captain Underpants and his "creators" George Beard and Harold Hutchins.

Kids made capes with their own Professor Poopypants-endorsed monikers. (For example, I'm Chim-Chim Banana Brain.) They also used toilet-paper rolls to stop the nefarious Turbo-Toilet 2000 and completed a Captain Underpants-approved obstacle course.

Chase lofts a roll at the dreaded Turbo Toilet 2000.

This may have been the final Marvelous Monday, but everyone still has until Saturday, Aug. 1, to log their summer-reading hours and books. (On that note, please remember to log your hours if you're a kid or books if you're a teen or adult at any of our branches by this Saturday. We want to make sure you get credit for all the reading you did!)

And we still have fun programs coming up:

• If you're feeling crafty, you can make Comic Book Coasters featuring your favorite superheroes this Thursday, June 30, at our Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch.
• Celebrate science during our final Super Science Saturday of the Summer on Saturday, Aug. 1. We'll be making slime and elephant toothpaste!

Families can also join us for our End of Summer Reading party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at Mentor Public Library’s Read House. Kids can meet animal superhero Keith Gisser and the rescued reptiles of Herps Alive. There will also be games, crafts and kids can see if they won one of the prizes from Mentor Library’s summer reading program.

Ms. Amy gives Sierra her superhero cape.

For more photos from our Captain Underpants Marvelous Monday, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Folk duo Simple Gifts performing at MPL's Read House

Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon, also known as the folk duo Simple Gifts, will perform a free concert this Wednesday at MPL's Read House.

Sometimes, the simplest gifts are the sweetest.

Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshion—collectively known as Simple Gifts—play 12 instruments between the two of them, everything from pianos and fiddles to hammered dulcimers and tablas.

Simple Gifts also create their own arrangements of Irish jigs, American reels, Gypsy melodies, Balkan dance music and more.

On Wednesday, July 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., they will perform a free concert at Mentor Public Library's Read House. Fun for the whole family and no registration is necessary.

Get a taste of Simple Gifts by checking out the videos on their YouTube page, then come see them perform live this Wednesday.

BeachFest!

Christine and Olivia (on the right) try to decide what color they should top off their sand art with.

We want to thank everyone who made sand art at our tent or grabbed a book or two from our Pop-Up Library Saturday at BeachFest!

We hope you had as much fun as we did.

Allison and Brian smile as they add another layer to Allison's sand art.

We'll be having more Pop-Up Libraries in August, as well. You'll find it during the Mentor Rocks concerts, Matt Henk Benefit Softball Tournament, Concord Community Days, Mentor CityFest and more!

Christopher shows us his almost finished jar.

For more—seriously, a lot more—photos from BeachFest, check out Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Also, to the artist who sculpted an enormous Velveteen Rabbit, thanks for making us cry at the beach.

Learn how to save seeds & preserve herbs at Mentor Library

Did your garden grow more greenery than you know what to do with?

Learn how to preserve your herbs and save your seeds during a free presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at Mentor Library’s Main Branch.

Karen Kennedy from the local chapter of the Herb Society of America will explain how to preserve herbs for use at a later date, as well as how to dry seeds so they can be shared or planted later.

Mentor Public Library patrons can practice their seed-saving skills while using MPL’s seed library, which launched earlier this year.

With the seed library, gardeners can borrow heirloom and organic seeds from Mentor Library for free.

Here’s how it works: Anyone with a MPL card in good standing can check out seeds from the library for their own garden. The library’s collection includes more than 100 varieties of seed, including herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruit.

People can check out as many as 15 types of seed per year.

With the seed library, people check out the seeds from MPL’s collection, grow them into plants, save some of the seed and then, finally, return those seeds from the propagated plant.

For more information on either Kennedy’s talk or the seed library, call Mentor Library 440-255-8811 ext. 241.

Cowabunga! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Mentor Library

Angelina, Sofia, Olivia, Marko and Kristian strike a radical pose during our TMNT-themed Marvelous Monday.

No need to be shell-shocked. We just dedicated this Marvelous Monday to four adolescent, reptilian, martial-arts enthusiasts.

Yes, that's right. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Kids made their own shells, domino masks and balloon katana at the Read House on Monday and the results were—I have to say—radical!

Aven and Bryn look ready to knock out some Foot Clan lackeys.

They also demonstrated their ninja bonafides by completing an obstacle course and perfecting the art of tossing sewer lids.

When they were finished, they chowed down on—what else?—pizza.

Owen grabs a snack (with a little help from his mom.)

We've had a great summer of Marvelous Mondays, and there's still one left. Join us at 1 p.m. on July 27 at the Read House for games and crafts. This week's hero is none other than Captain Underpants.

No registration is required. Just come out and have a good time.

Violet and Roman try to decide which color mask they want.

And there’s still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for summer reading at Mentor Public Library.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Colton decorates his shell shield.

For more photos from Marvelous Mondays, visit Mentor Library’s Facebook page.

Comics scholar will discuss the women of 'Avengers' at Mentor Library

We've been talking about heroes all summer long, so it's no surprise that we have a program dedicated to the hottest heroes of the summer (give or take Ant-Man or Chris Pratt.)

Comics scholar Valentino Zullo will present on the history and impact of one of comics' most influential group of superheros, The Avengers, at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 23, at Mentor Library's Main Branch.

Zullo will pay special attention to the increased roles that superheroines now play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"As Marvel’s cinematic universe continues to expand, so does its sense of diversity," Zullo said. "In particular, the representation of women has become ever more prominent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe both on the big screen and on TV."

Zullo's discussion will trace a brief history of the superheroine in comics from early representations at the onset of World War II to our current era with Black Widow and Scarlet Witch on the big screen in Avengers: Age of Ultron, as well as Marvel’s embrace of a feminist worldview in their TV shows Agent Carter and Agents of Shield.

He will explore the ways that women in comics have been presented, from the complicated and often critiqued hypersexuality, to the current representation of more realistic, powerful women.

"Together we will discuss the evolving state of feminism in the Marvel cinematic universe and consider the changing comics world through the figure of the superheroine," Zullo said.

Zullo is a doctorate student in the English department at Kent State University. He also holds a Master of Arts in English and Women’s Studies from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

His talk is free and open to everyone. You can register for it on Mentor Library's website.

'Bark'-ing up the right tree with Paws to Read

Teah reads to our newest Paws to Read dog, Hattie.

Looking for a way to encourage your kid to read? If they like dogs, then Paws to Read at Mentor Library is the perfect program for them.

Paws to Read pairs young readers (between the ages of six and 12 years old) with therapy dogs, who listen to the children as they read.

The dogs make an ideal audience—supportive and adorable—and all they ask for in return is the occasional ear scratch.

Claire touches Kody's paw as she reads to her about Horrible Harry.

Registration for our next sessions start Aug. 5. There will be two 30-minute sessions on Aug. 19 at our Main Branch; one beginning at 6:30 p.m., the next at 7 p.m. We only have so many therapy dogs; so, unfortunately, there’s a limit on how many kids can participate each month.

Furthermore, those spots tend to fill up fast, so contact the children’s department at Mentor Public Library soon if you think you child would enjoy Paws to Read.

Diva listens as Braden reads to her about the president.

By the way, there’s still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for our summer reading program.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Ruckus and Taylor share a good book.

You can find more Paws to Read photos on Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Lifting off with Super Science Saturdays

Kids made hoop gliders during the most recent Super Science Saturday.

We took to the skies during the most recent Super Science Saturday at our Headlands Branch.

First, kids made hoop gliders that floated through the air. Then, they made rockets that exploded that were powered by a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide.

You can even make your own rocket by following these instructions:

We have another Super Science Saturday coming this summer at our Headlands Branch.

On Aug. 1, we’ll be making slime and “elephant toothpaste.” Kids (entering kindergarten through fifth grade) are free to join in the fun.

And while you’re at the library, you can sign up for summer reading. For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Getting ready to let it fly!

Teens have a Minute to Win It this Saturday at MPL

Teens can compete in a series of 60-second competitions during the Mentor Public Library’s version of Minute to Win It at 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Read House, which is next door to the library’s Main Branch at 8215 Mentor Ave.

Children who are 12 and older will compete in several different challenges, depending on what time allows. The challenges include:

• Face the Cookie, in which people need to move a cookie from their foreheads to their mouths, using only the muscles in their faces.
• Dicey, in which teens will balance as many vertically stacked dice as they can on a popsicle stick. Not difficult enough? They will be holding the Popsicle stick in their mouth.
• the Cookie Unicorn, where teens will balance as many cookies as they can on their forehead without letting them fall.

And participants will only have 60 seconds to complete each challenge.

The competitors who win the most challenges will receive prizes.

You can sign up for the competition on Mentor Library's web site.

Try to balance as many cookies as you can on your forehead while competing in Cookie Unicorn.

While you’re at the library, you can sign up for summer reading too.

For every book you read or library program you attend between now and Aug. 1, you get a raffle ticket and a chance to win cool prizes like Captains Tickets or gift cards to Panera, Target, Amazon and more. You can even register online.

See you at the library.

Don't drop your dice or things can get... dicey.

Feeling patriotic at a Captain America-themed Marvelous Monday

If the theme of the party is "Captain America," you have to know the captain (who sometimes goes by Oliver) is going to show up.

We had another Marvelous Monday earlier this week at the Read House.

This time, our theme was Captain America. So kids tested their aim—have to be handy with a shield, after all—as well as their intelligence.

And there were some patriotically themed snacks too!

We have two more Marvelous Mondays left. The theme is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on July 20 and Captain Underpants on July 27.

The games, crafts and activities start at 1 p.m. at our Read House. No registration necessary. Just come over and have fun!

Maddie only needs a single shot to knock the villains out.

And there's still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for our summer reading program.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Colton grins while completing Captain America's intelligence test. Kids had to figure out what each box concealed.

For more photos from Marvelous Monday, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Get in the game with Clashing Controllers

Teens face off in the finals of our Mario Kart 8 tournament during our last Clashing Controllers session.

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to actually share the room with people I'm gaming with (or against.)

Don't get me wrong. Online gaming is incredible, but I like to see the look on someone's face when my Charizard burns their, well, face off.

If you're game, our next Clashing Controllers tournament is 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, July 15, at Mentor Library's Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch.

We’ll be playing Super Smash Bros Wii U and you’re invited.

There's no buy-in or anything like that. We bring the console, game and snacks. You just need to show up and play.

If you win, you get bragging rights and a Certificate of Awesomeness.

While you’re here, you can sign up for summer reading too.

For every book you read or library program you attend between now and Aug. 1, you get a raffle ticket and a chance to win cool prizes like Captains Tickets or gift cards to Panera, Target, Amazon and more. You can even register online.

So if you’re going to play video games, you might as well play with friends and possibly win something for playing.

See you at the library.

Ahh, to live in a world where Mega Man, Sonic and Mario can just fight it out over who's the best, as opposed to just arguing about it over the lunch table.

Travelin' Man Band performing free concert at MPL's Headlands Branch

The Travelin' Man Band will perform a free show Wednesday at Mentor Library's Headlands Branch.

Are you ready for a good time?

Travelin' Man Band will perform a free and family-friendly concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at Mentor Library's Headlands Branch.

They perform hits from the 1950's, 60's and 70's—from Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan, the Beatles to Chuck Berry. So if you're eager for some Eagles and ready for some Redding, they've got the tunes for you.

They also play the best from CCR and CCN.

Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for the outdoors concert. We'll bring the band. (By the way, we owe a special thank you to the Friends of the Mentor Public Library who are generously sponsoring the concert.)

And that's not our final free show of the summer.

On Wednesday, July 29, folk duo Simple Gifts will perform at our Read House. Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon play 12 different instruments between the two of them and perform everything from Irish jigs and American reels to Gypsy melodies and Balkan dance music.

So are you ready for that good time now?

Cassie kicks off her shoes during a free concert at Mentor Library's Headlands Branch.

Recycling Story Time at Mentor Library

Bonnie and Beth talk about recycling during their Community Hero Story Time on Thursday.

Our Local Hero Story Time series continued Thursday with Bonnie Rice from the city of Mentor and Beth Bollas from the Lake County Solid Waste District. (You may remember them from our Trashy Tuesdays.)

They talked to the kids about recycling and read them Michael Recycle and I Stink (which is about a garbage truck, not an odoriferous person.)

Then, the kids made necklaces using recycled wood and glass beads.

Kids pick which beads to put on their necklaces.

Join us for more Community Hero Story Times. Each week, we’ll be joined by a different local hero:

• Policewoman Marilyn, July 16
• Naturalist Leslie, July 23
• Yoga instructor, July 30

If you can’t join us Thursday evening, we also offer several other story times at all three of our branches.

Annabelle threads the recycled beads onto her necklace.

And there's still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for our summer reading program at Mentor Public Library.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Preston shows off his finished necklace.

For more photos from our Community Heroes Story Time, check out our Facebook page.

Meet the Minions at Mentor Library

Claire makes a minion while dressed as a minion during our Minions program at Mentor Library. (It's a motif.)

If you have a child or grandchild younger than 12, there's a good chance that you already know about the upcoming Minions movie.

We're even getting caught up in the Minions-mania at Mentor Library.

Minions-in-training descended Wednesday upon our Read House to practice their mischief-making. If they completed six not-so-evil tasks, evil mastermind Gru would accept them in his employ.

The tasks included bowling...

Teagan tries to bowl the minions over...

Singing the Banana Song...

The kids accompanied themselves with some party horns...

Making minions of their own...

Lillian and Ross show off their finished minions...

...and more.

If the completed all six tasks, they received a Certificate of Achievement as well as the sweet spoils of minion-hood.

Trenton shows off the aforementioned sweet spoils.

By the way, there’s still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for summer reading at Mentor Public Library.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Annaliesse celebrates after completing all six tasks.

For more photos from our Minions program, check out Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Mentor native visited Mike Fekete discussed and demonstrated American Folk Guitar music Monday evening at Mentor Library.

He talked about his influences—from John Fahey to Leo Kottke—and how he was able to work on some of the same Imagionational Anthem compilations as his heroes.

He also explained the differences between the subgenres of folk guitar like American Rural Guitar, American Primitive Guitar and Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar. (In short, American Primitive, which is Fekete's style, blends the reach of contemporary classical with the roots of country blues.)

Most importantly, he brought his guitar so he could play the music he loved. He performed 15 songs including genre classics like Fahey's Poor Boy, spirituals like "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" and original compositions. (To hear Fekete play, watch our video from his program.)

If you love music, Mentor Library is hosting a pair of concerts in July. On Wednesday, July 15, the Travelin' Man Band will perform a free show at our Headlands Branch.

Then, on Wednesday, July 29, folk duo Simple Gifts will perform at our Read House. Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon play 12 different instruments between the two of them and perform everything from Irish jigs and American reels to Gypsy melodies and Balkan dance music.

Both shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on Fekete and his music, visit his Facebook page.

More Marvelous Mondays at Mentor Library

Jamison soaks villains during Marvelous Monday at Mentor Library.

It's hard to believe, but these sweet summer days are already waning.

There are only three Marvelous Mondays left! Then again, to phrase it more positively, there are three more weeks of Marvelous Mondays coming.

And you're invited to all of them. No registration is necessary. Just come to our Read House from 1 to 2 p.m. and have fun!

Each week has a different theme with different games, crafts and activities:

• July 13, Captain America
• July 20, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• July 27, Captain Underpants

Rowan shows off the Batman paper puppet she made.

And there's still time to join the more than 1,400 kids who have signed up for summer reading at Mentor Public Library.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

Vincent (with some help from Maria) plays a matching game, trying to pair heroes with their archnemeses.

For more photos from Marvelous Mondays, visit Mentor Library’s Facebook page.

Become a Library Champion this summer

Become a Super Reader like Kyle during our summer reading program, Every Hero Has a Story.

You probably noticed our Library Champion signs popping up in yards in and around Mentor this summer. And when you saw them, you may have thought, “That’s a snazzy sign. How can I become a Library Champion?”

The bad news is that these signs aren’t for grownups. However, the good news is that, if you’re a kid, you already possess the innate potential to be a Library Champion.

Every child that signs up for our Summer Reading Program and reads (or is read to) for 15 hours gets a Library Champion yard sign.

And that's just one of the prizes you can get for participating in our summer reading program, Every Hero Has a Story.

For every hour a child reads or is read to, they receive a raffle ticket that can help them win one of dozens of cool prizes—from telescopes and microscopes to Lego sets and Superhero Barbie. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

If a child reads 20 hours by Aug. 1, they will be entered into a special raffle to win one of two $50 gift certificates from Toys ‘R Us.

Mentor Library also has a summer reading program (and prizes) for teens and adults, as well. For more information about summer reading, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

And when you get your awesome Library Champion sign, take a photo of yourself looking heroic with it and share it with us.