FVRL Blogs

Jane Austen is widely regarded as the writer whose works defined “novels of manners” due to her treatment of ordinary people in their day-to-day lives. This year marks the 250th anniversary of her birth, on December 16, 1775. She lived just forty-one years and wrote a total of six novels, but the legacy of these…

Christmas is coming! In the long tradition of this holiday season, gifts are exchanged with friends and family to share our generosity when we are able, and to

When I was young, we used to cut our own Christmas trees with some family friends every year. Since I grew up in Las Vegas, this was a full day event. On one of these excursions, I was introduced to instant ramen. Oh, what joy! It was warm, flavorful and salty. It was fast and…

One thing cozy mystery lovers can count on is a whole new crop of holiday mysteries being released in the fall. Holiday mystery books combine the festive cheer of the season with suspenseful storytelling. They often feature snow-covered settings, small-town gatherings, or holiday parties where secrets and surprises unfold. These stories balance warmth and tension…

I spent the weekend in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with my biological father and his wife. I was adopted as an infant, and he never knew of my existence. We found each other through the Ancestry website. I was interested in my ethnic makeup; I wasn’t really looking for relatives - but I…

From the late 1800s to the mid-1950s, inexpensive fiction magazines referred to as “pulp” magazines circulated in the United States. Made of low cost, untrimmed

Choosing the right gift for a loved one can be stressful, but luckily, FVRLibraries has plenty of fun (and inexpensive) ideas to get you started!

Looking to help neighbors this winter—or need a little support yourself? These local programs offer food, gifts, and community assistance.