Author Archives: Laura Fletcher
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Fiction 101: Classics
Leave a CommentClassics of literature, with a twist
by Shelby D., Evening Supervisor
Hello and welcome back to Fiction 101, the place where we talk about all things fiction (and nonfiction). In the past we’ve covered cozy fantasy, folk horror, science fiction and fantasy, and more.
We recently launched our new Beanstack Book Club. Join us online to read books, take part in reading challenges, and collect badges. This month our theme is classics! Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read or choose one from our list.
To go along with our Beanstack Book Club’s January badge, this month we will talk about classics, but with a twist! Each book suggestion comes with a retelling or modern adaptation to go with it, with three pairs in total.
Defining a “Classic”
Classic novels are books that had an impact on literature. They help define genres. These long-lasting stories are still read decades after publishing. Even if you don’t know the whole story, you probably know the characters, the tropes, and maybe even famous quotes.
Recommended Books
Pair #1: Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones’s Diary
Jane Austen is so funny and her books are beautiful. All of her books are good, but Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. Her books feel like a snapshot in time, and her witty commentary on society is what makes me (and so many others) love them so. For a fun twist on this classic, check out this other iconic book that acts like a retelling: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding.Pair #2: Frankenstein: the original and a graphic novel adaptation
A cornerstone for science fiction, this gothic horror story is a must-read. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley writes such beautiful prose, and the story of Frankenstein is so eerie. Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus is a graphic novel retelling that you can check out.Pair #3: The Odyssey: a modern translation and a graphic novelization
It’d be hard to find a more classic classic. Homer’s The Odyssey is one of the oldest works of western literature. It’s been translated a lot, but I personally really like Emily Wilson’s translation. She keeps the cadence and rhythm but the clean prose gives it a contemporary feel. The library also has a graphic novelization by Gareth Hinds available for check out.I’m such a fan of the classics! Often they give us a glimpse into the past and the writing is so poetic. Check out Beanstack for more classic book suggestions from us, and log your reading to earn badges!
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Beanstack Book Club
Leave a CommentIntroducing a new online challenge!
Looking for new books to read, along with low-pressure encouragement? Try our new Beanstack Book Club, for ages 16 and up! Every month there is a new genre to read and a new badge to earn.
How does it work?
You sign up on the Morgantown Public Library System’s Beanstack. Each month has a different theme and reading recommendations cultivated by library staff. To earn a badge, read something from the month’s theme, like graphic novels or mystery, and log it on Beanstack. If you miss a month, don’t worry! There are more ways to earn badges, such as reading a recommendation from a friend, making an in-person visit to the library, or exploring library apps.
Beanstack Instructions
Beanstack is easy to use and available both online and as a mobile app. Get started by visiting our website at mympls.beanstack.org to create your account. You can also register through the app.
Have your library card ready and choose how you would like to register (as an individual) and then complete all required fields (marked with *). If you need a library card, visit your local branch to sign up today! Note: An email address is required—if you do not have one, you will need to create one first. Once registered, you can access your account online or in the app by signing in with your username and password.
To get the app: The free app is in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store under the name BeanstackTracker. Once downloaded, open the app and follow the simple step-by-step prompts to create an account for yourself, your child, or your family/group. If you’ve already created your account through the website, you can skip this step and just sign in. Note: When registering through the app, the first prompt in creating your account is selecting “Find Your School or Library.” Enter “Morgantown” in the search bar. Otherwise, the process is the same as registering on the website.
Troubleshooting: If at any time you need help with Beanstack, please visit their Help Center and type in your question. If you can’t find your answer there, our staff would be happy to assist you! You can reach them by calling 304-291-7425 or by emailing ask@mympls.org.
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10 Before the End
Leave a Comment…but instead of books, it’s free library activities!
The new social media/booktok trend is #10BeforeTheEnd, where you try to read 10 more books before the end of the year. That…seems daunting to most of us in late November. Instead, we recommend ticking off this list of library to-do’s, which are free and probably more achievable!
1. Earn a badge on Beanstack
This online adult reading challenge is low stakes but high reward! Sign up on the Morgantown Public Library System’s Beanstack. Each month has a different theme and reading recommendations cultivated by library staff. To earn a badge, read something from the month’s theme, like graphic novels or mystery, and log it on Beanstack. There are more ways to earn badges, such as reading a recommendation from a friend, making an in-person visit to the library, or exploring library apps.
2. Borrow a board game or video game
Both Morgantown Public Library and Clay Battelle Public Library have video games (Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PS5), and many of our branches also have board and card games to borrow!
3. Watch a movie on Kanopy
With your library card, Kanopy gives you instant access to thousands of critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and kid’s media. Receive 18 tickets each month to check out content, with unlimited video views on the Kanopy Kids channel.
4. Read a magazine from Libby
Libby is best known for ebooks and audiobooks, but they also have thousands of magazines. Plus, magazines are instantly available with no wait lists, loan limits, or due dates! Watch an intro video about Libby’s magazines.
5. Stream a Hoopla audiobook
Hoopla has instant access to lots of material, including audiobooks. If you haven’t tried listening to a book, now is the time!
6. Listen to an online author talk
Through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, we provide access to live events (or stream past ones) where authors and experts talk about their books and answer your questions. Check out the available talks.
7. Make a playlist on Freegal
Freegal has music from over 10,000 labels and more than 60 countries. With your library card, you can stream unlimited music, browse playlists by users and libraries, and make your own playlist! Plus you can download—and keep forever—up to three songs each week.
8. Borrow a citizen science kit
Flex your scientific muscles with citizen science kits, available at the Morgantown Public Library. The backpacks hold supplies and instructions to investigate biodiversity, clouds, water quality, and—our newest kit—snowflakes!
9. Take a friend to the library
Flex your scientific muscles with our four citizen science kits, available at the Morgantown Public Library. The backpacks hold supplies and instructions to investigate biodiversity, clouds, water quality, and—our newest kit—snowflakes!
10. Add up your savings!
Literally! You can use this handy online calculator to estimate the money you saved by getting your books, movies, music, and more materials and services from your local library.
If you need help with any of these resources, please ask a librarian! We can point you in the right direction. You can reach them by calling 304-291-7425 or by emailing ask@mympls.org.
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Fiction 101: Cozy Fantasy
Leave a CommentSnuggle up to a fantastic escape!
by Shelby D., Evening Supervisor
Hello and thank you for reading November’s Fiction 101! Fiction 101 is where we talk about all things Fiction (and sometimes non-fiction). Every month we discuss a different sub-genre or genre of fiction and give some book suggestions to go along with it.
Remember, we just launched our new Beanstack Book Club! Every month earn badges and complete challenges related to a theme. This month, earn a badge when you read anything in the Fantasy genre. To help you find something great to read, this month’s Fiction 101 will focus on a related subgenre: cozy fantasy.
Defining Cozy Fantasy
Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy. Basically, cozy fantasy is fantasy fiction with lower stakes. While fantasy often has action driven plots and large quests, cozy fantasy is often more character driven. A bigger focus is put on the relationships between characters. The world building and magic have a whimsical feeling. They are warm feel-good stories set in fantasy worlds. Perfect for a cup of hot chocolate or tea and a warm blanket on a cold day!
Here are some good stories to read as the weather gets chilly!
Recommended Books
The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton
I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance. I actually picked this one up because of a negative review. The review said something like “I love fantasy, but this is far too whimsical.” I was hooked, too much whimsy? No such thing! Instantly opened Libby to check it out. If you are looking for a whimsical fantasy romance this is perfect!The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
This is such a cozy story! There is nothing more delightful than a coffee shop run by cats. Personally, if I’m ever down on my luck, I can only hope a cat wearing an apron gives me coffee and life advice.Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee
Is there a quota on how many times I can call a book whimsical in this? I can’t think of a better word for a book about a department store that sells dreams. This book follows Penny when she takes a job at a store nestled in our collective consciousness where we go to buy dreams.The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This is a delightful book well worth the hype it gets. Linus Baker, a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, travels to an island inhabited by six dangerous children and their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. In this heartwarming story, Linus Baker finds a family.A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
The book’s dedication page reads, “For anybody who could use a break,” and I think that describes the book perfectly. It’s a charming novella about a monk and a robot who travel through a unique post-apocalyptic world spreading warmth and comfort.Cozy reads are the perfect choice for cold-weather days. Enjoy some of these suggestions! If you read any of them, be sure to log them in Beanstack for the Beanstack Book Club. Also, be sure to check out our science fiction and fantasy book club that meets the third Thursday of every month!
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2025 Local Author Fair
Leave a CommentSaturday, November 15 from 12-3 p.m.
Picture this: You’re sitting at your elementary school desk, watching the clock tick. Finally, the loudspeaker hums to life: “Third grade may now proceed to the gym.” You leap up and walk as fast as you can down the hall—it’s book fair day!
Join us for an engaging afternoon at our 2025 Local Author Fair! Come out to the Morgantown Public Library on Saturday, November 15 from 12-3 p.m. to meet with local authors and creators. Books and art will be available for purchase, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to shop local for the holidays.
We will also have retro book fair giveaways—like slap bracelets, scratch-and-sniff pencils, and fun erasers (while supplies last)! Grab a drink and snack while you browse, and stick around to make your own custom bookmark at our craft station.
Featured Authors and Guests
Our featured authors:
- S.L. Baron – urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and historical fantasy
- Angie Candell – children’s nonfiction and artwork
- Mary Lucille DeBerry – poetry
- Linda Gribko – cross-genre fiction and digital photo collage
- Madalyn Leigh – young adult fantasy
- Rose Miller – children’s poetry
- The Morgantown Writers Group – hub for writers in north central West Virginia
- Cindy O’Brien – early childhood books and mixed media paintings
- Rena Perozich – memoir, self-help, and psychology
- Psiocratic Press – tabletop roleplaying zine
- Dr. MJ Ramirez – leadership and self-development
- K.L. Ramsey – all types of romance
- Dr. Jessica Thompson – murder mystery and suspense
Our artists and special guests:
- The Bards of Yellow Wood – custom poetry on the spot
- ckdelano Designs – paintings and stickers
- Mindful Roots – mindful art and emotional wellness for families and kids
- The Silent Book Club of Morgantown – reading in silence, together
- Spring Fox Studios – illustrations, stickers, art prints, and zines
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12 Days of Halloween
Leave a CommentWatch spine-tingling films on Kanopy!
Ready to celebrate spooky season with some scary movies? Look no further than Kanopy, a collection of streaming videos focusing on popular films, documentary, and independent films available instantly, with automatic returns and no late fees. You get free access with your library card, and you can stream on your browser, devices, or smart TV.
Count down to Halloween with these 12 creepy films, from frightening classics to new releases.
- Night of the Living Dead (1968) – zombie classic
- The Wicker Man (1973) – folk horror
- Possession (1981) – psychological horror
- Evil Dead 2 (1987) – horror comedy
- The Exorcist III (1990) – supernatural horror
- Scream (1996) – slasher comedy
- Donnie Darko (2001) – cult sci-fi thriller
- The Ring (2002) – psychological horror
- The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) – post-apocalyptic sci-fi
- Annihilation (2018) – sci-fi thriller
- Longlegs (2024) – horror thriller
- Your Monster (2024) – horror comedy
To start using Kanopy: Visit kanopy.com and click the Get Started button. Search for and select “Morgantown Public Library,” then enter your library card number. After this, enter your email address and create a password. Now you’re ready to stream! You can also download the Kanopy app to watch on mobile devices and most smart TVs.
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Fiction 101: Folk Horror
Leave a CommentA folk tale twist on scary stories
by Shelby D., Evening Supervisor
Hello and thank you for reading October’s Fiction 101! Fiction 101 is where we talk about all things Fiction (and sometimes non-fiction). Every month we discuss a different sub-genre or genre of fiction and give some book suggestions to go along with it.
This month we launched our new Beanstack Book Club! Every month earn badges and complete challenges related to a theme. In honor of October and spooky season, our first genre is folk horror. To go along with our new book club, this month’s Fiction 101 will focus on folk horror.
Defining Folk Horror
Folk horror is a specific subgenre of horror that uses folklore aspects to tell a scary story. It usually takes place in modern eras, but the horrors draw from older stories. A lot of them take place in rural settings. Folk horror tends to be the stories where average people find themselves in the middle of nowhere, being stalked by something out of local tales about old horrors haunting the area.
Recommended Books
Here are some folk horror titles to get you started:
Road of Bones by Christopher Golden
This book takes place along Siberia’s Kolyma Highway: a road with a chilling past in frigid Siberian woods. An American documentary producer, Felix “Teig” Teigland, travels the road in order to gather information for a new documentary. Get ready for a terrifying story Stephen King describes as “tightly wound, atmospheric, and creepy as hell.”The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
“Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.”Never Whistle at Night
“These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce listeners to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.”Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
“In this gripping debut tinged with supernatural horror, a young Cree woman’s dreams lead her on a perilous journey of self-discovery that ultimately forces her to confront the toll of a legacy of violence on her family, her community and the land they call home.”Slewfoot by Brom
“Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.”The Hollow Places by T Kingfisher
“A young woman discovers a strange portal in her uncle’s house, leading to madness and terror in this gripping new novel.”Let us know what haunting folk horror books you’ve been reading! And log them on Beanstack to win badges and complete challenges.
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October Dial-a-Story
Leave a CommentFresh books are on call through our October 2025 Dial-a-Story! Call 304-826-BOOK (2665) to listen to 10 stories read aloud by our librarians. Get ready for some not-so-spooky tales featuring friendly ghosts, festive pumpkins, kindly witches, and more. You’re in for a real treat (no tricks)!
When you call, you’ll hear a list of all the books by number. Here are the shortcuts for each title. Any time you’d like to hear the main menu, dial #.
Dial 1: Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Dial 2: It’s Fall! by Renée Kurilla
Dial 3: Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman
Dial 4: A Halloween Scare in West Virginia by Eric James
Dial 5: Kit and Caboodle by Anna Pignataro
Dial 6: The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason
Dial 7: Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin
Dial 8: Mr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party by Erin Barker
Dial 9: Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Dial 10: The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry -
New Hoopla Policies
Leave a CommentUpdates to Hoopla Borrowing Limits
Due to rising costs, we are adding limits to Hoopla starting in September. Hoopla is a digital and streaming service, mainly for books and audiobooks, and the library pays a fee for each checkout.
New Policies
We will have a daily budget that, once maxed out, will prevent anyone from borrowing more items that day. It will show an error message and then reset at midnight. There is also a lower individual limit: 4 items per person per month, instead of 6.
Why We Made Changes
Why is this happening? Like many other libraries across the country, the Morgantown Public Library System has to put financial limits on Hoopla in order to manage our budget responsibly and serve as many people as possible. Over the last three years Hoopla costs have increased 86% and show no signs of slowing down.
We know this is going to be frustrating. We have additional digital collections, such as Libby by OverDrive and Freegal, and our librarians are always here to help you find something amazing.
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September Dial-a-Story
Leave a CommentIt’s time to call in to our September 2025 Dial-a-Story! Call 304-826-BOOK (2665) to listen to 10 stories read aloud by our librarians. We have cozy tales about overcoming worries, exploring new things, and being a kind friend and neighbor!
When you call, you’ll hear a list of all the books by number. Here are the shortcuts for each title. Any time you’d like to hear the main menu, dial #.
Dial 1: Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch
Dial 2: Beatrix Butterfly Wings It For Once by Karina Argow and Maren Morris
Dial 3: Forts by Katie Venit
Dial 4: Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle
Dial 5: Once Upon a Dragon’s Fire by Beatrice Blue
Dial 6: Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic
Dial 7: We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang
Dial 8: Willow and the Wildflowers by Matthew Schufman
Dial 9: Wonder Why by Lisa Varchol Perron
Dial 10: The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright