Library AF

Sacramento Public Library and the American River Parkway Foundation are delighted to extend their collaboration and bring more book-based programming to the parkway in 2026.

I learned about nature journaling at a recent library conference and was thrilled to see how accessible and low stakes the activities were. We will have a brief introduction to nature journaling, do some warm-up exercises, spend some time journaling independently, followed by a wrap-up as a whole group. All materials will be provided.

Parking info TBD

Other business:

• This program will take place outdoors. You are encouraged to wear clothing and footwear that provide some protection and bring what you need to feel comfortable (water, hat, sunscreen, etc.).
• Bring a chair or blanket if you have one! Some seating will be available onsite.

I picked up The Guncle before hearing author Steven Rowley speak at a library conference in Fall 2025. He was warm, kind, and funny (all qualities that he brought to his characters) which he then mixed with the very real feelings of grief, strained family relations, and self-discovery. I laughed and I cried... I can't wait to hear about your reading experience!

"Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human."

Synopsis from Goodreads.

Sacramento Public Library and the American River Parkway Foundation are delighted to extend their collaboration and bring more book-based programming to the parkway in 2026.

Our book discussion will feature Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, a previous selection of the Science Friday Book Club. This novel "weaves together three stories of human love within a larger tapestry of lives inhabiting the forested mountains and struggling small farms of southern Appalachia." (Synopsis from Goodreads.com).

Please register to attend. Parking passes will be available, and instructions will be emailed to registrants prior to the program date.

This came as a recommendation from the Adult Materials Selector when I asked for "a fiction title to discuss at book group in 2026." She steered me away from something that would have given us whiplash, so I'm excited to select Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli.

"Ever since she was a child, Anuri’s life was chronicled and monetized by her influencer stepmother. Now an adult, she’s finally broken free. But when her stepmother starts preying on her young half-sister, Anuri decides she must stop the cycle of abuse. Really Good, Actually meets City of Likes in a stunning page-turner about overcoming toxic family and reclaiming identity and, ultimately, hope."

Synopsis from Goodreads.com