The Book Corner: This month’s picks from the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library

The Book Corner is a new monthly column for anyone who enjoys a good book or has been thinking about devoting more time to reading. Each month we’ll focus on a particular theme and highlight new releases and include top picks from Ruth Keeler Memorial Library director Cathleen Sulli, along with upcoming library events.

February is a special month when love is in the air and we celebrate Valentine's Day. February is also Black History Month, a dedicated time to recognize the achievements and contributions of African Americans.

Valentine's Day

“If a Poem Could Live and Breathe” by Yonkers-based Mary Calvi, who anchors WCBS-TV and Inside Edition, and in her spare time, writes historical fiction: Fact-based romance about Teddy Roosevelt's first love, Alice Lee, based on unearthed love letters.

“A Guide to Being Just Friends” by Sophie Sulivan: A playful and emotional romantic comedy; “The Second You’re Single” by Cara Tanamachi: Cheerfully irreverent, bitingly funny, and filled with romantic charm about navigating the most romantic month of the year and how love arrives when you least expect it; and “Take the Lead” by Alexis Daria: A sexy romance set against a reality dance show.

Cathleen’s picks:

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldan: New York Times bestselling time travel romance novel finds Claire transported to the 1700s who deals with intrigue and is torn between her husband and a Scottish warrior.

“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier: Gothic novel features a dark mansion on the Cornish coast, a young second wife, and a mysterious husband. What secrets are hidden from the young bride? What does the housekeeper know? What happened to the first wife?

“The Time Traveller's Wife” by Audrey Niffengger: Henry, a time traveler and librarian, and Claire, an artist, keep meeting. Can their love survive the unpredictability of Henry's presence?

Happening at the Library: Free Valentine concert - Emily Bindiger and Robbie Kondor

Dubbed “the hip Captain & Tennille,” the duo will perform their favorite songs of life and love. (February 5, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.)

Black History Month

“Revolutionary Women” by Ann Shen: Amazing stories of 50 women of color who pushed boundaries, rewrote the rules, and inspired women to follow in their footsteps.

“The Education of Kendrick Perkins”: Intimate memoir about race, fatherhood, and basketball from former NBA player and outspoken cultural critic, Kendrick "Perk" Perkins.

Cathleen’s picks:

“Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead: Cora and Caesar escape from the heart-wrenching terrors and horrors of slavery aboard the Underground Railroad.

“The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates: Born enslaved, Hiram Walker develops a mysterious power and works with the underground to bring others to freedom.

“The Sweetness of Water” by Nathan Harris: Set just after the Civil War, two brothers find refuge on the Walker farm and plan to reunite with their mother in the North but violent events prove they're still not free.

The Library recently hosted an Author Talk with Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling author of “The Personal Librarian,” a remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, a Black American woman forced to hide her true identity to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.

February happenings at the Library:

Book Discussion Group featuring books written by African born authors

Meets monthly on the first Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-noon.

Open to anyone. Copies of books available at the library.

Children’s Storytimes & Crafts

Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout month of February; 4:00 pm

Children will listen to stories about influential African Americans, learn about their accomplishments, and create a related craft.