By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

The 2019 Adult Summer Reading Program is in full swing. This year you can get a stunning, sporty and spacious new forest green library bag-extra-suitable for filling with library books, DVDs, music and a chance to win one of four prizes.

The prizes are a copy of Terry Goodkind’s new Shanara book, “The Scribbly Man” and a $75 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble; a large print copy of Lauriane Snelling’s novel “Half Finished” and a $75 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble; a copy of Whitney Gardner’s comedy graphic novel about vampires “Fake Blood” and a $75 gift certificate to Half-Price Books; or a copy of Kate Terry’s paper art “DIY, Paper Made” and a $75 gift certificate to Half-Price Books.

If you fear you can’t participate in the Adult Summer Reading Program because of fines, note the Clark County Public Library is waiving fines for adult card holders who want to sign up. No one should spend the summer without a library card. Reading is the best excuse for blowing off lawn work. Birds appreciate the weeds.

In the library’s reference section throughout June and July is an exhibit of maps from famous and unheard-of realms of fiction.

There’s a map of Edgar Rice Burrough’s well-known hollow-earth, Pellucidar, along with a map of a forgotten hollow earth realm called Skartaris. Most amazing is a map from a book called “Paradise Found, the Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole — a Study of the Primitive World” by William Fairfield Warren, 1885.

William Fairfield was the first president of Boston University. He placed Atlantis at the North Pole, as well as the Garden of Eden, Mount Meru, Avalon and Hyperborea. Warren believed all these mythical lands were folk memories of a former inhabited far northern seat where man was originally created. Fairfield wrote the book as serious anthropology. You can read the book itself at: https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/paradise-found-the-cradle-of-the-human-race-at-the-north-pole-1885/

Each map has an explanatory card and references to more information. You’ll have a grand time exploring these fantasy territories.

The basis and inspiration for this display is a book called “The Writers Map: An Atlas of Imaginary Lands” by Huw Lewis-Jones (call # 809.93372 Writ). It’s a gorgeous over-sized volume with maps of mysterious, ancient and imaginary literary realms. Essays by authors and illustrators let you understand how integral a map is to a plot. Highly recommended.

Tim Janes will be leading the third Sherlock Holmes Reading Group on Tuesday, July 9, at 6 p.m. The first two sessions were well attended, and the discussions were fun. The book under discussion in July is “The Valley of Fear.” Copies of that book are now available at the library circulation desk.

The edition of “The Valley of Fear” is a facsimile of the first edition. It uses the original typefaces and contains the original illustrations.

Other events this week?

— Monday at 11a.m., Pageturner’s Book Group, “The Only Woman in the Room” by Marie Benedict. She was beautiful. She was a genius. Could the world handle both? A powerful, illuminating novel about Hedy Lamarr. Books are available at the circulation desk.

— Tuesday at 6 p.m., Winchester Writer’s Group meets to read their short stories. After the story is read, it is discussed by the group. We welcome beginning writers or published authors. For information, contact president Betty Pace at bettypace3@aol.com.

— Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m., Yoga on the library lawn. Bring your own yoga mat. In case of rain, the class meets in the library community room.

— Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Outside the Lines Adult Coloring. Get your aura glowing at yoga and then express it on a coloring page.

Time to head into the library and stock up on summer reading.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.