Have you ever tried to Tango? Slipped into a Salsa? Felt the urge to Flamenco or been moved to Mambo? These are just a few of the many styles of Latin Dance popular throughout the world today. Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, is the perfect time to learn more about this lively and passionate dance tradition through a special performance from the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

Life would be completely different if we weren’t able to choose what we want to read. Banning and challenging books takes away that choice. Today is the start of Banned Books Week and we are celebrating our freedom to read at the library!

We are right in the middle of hurricane season and just one short year after a memorable tornado outbreak that moved through Central Virginia. Extreme weather can be fascinating for kids. It can also be a major source of anxiety. Being weather aware and prepared are great first steps in helping kids calm their weather nerves.

Just this week I noticed that I was starting my days in the dark… which means it is time to lighten up my audiobook choices! Here are some of the funniest books I've listened to recently that can help get you through the dark mornings and early commutes.

Ancient prophecies, brave heroes, otherworldly locales, and just a splash of magic! It is no doubt that fantasy is one of the most beloved literary genres of all time (it certainly holds a special place in my heart). So pick up one of these books and prepare for an adventure!

As August is flying by, the season of mysteries, thrillers, and horror novels is fast approaching, but it is still a bit too warm for the often cold, dark setting of haunted houses and who-done-its. True crime is a great genre to fill the need for a bit of darkness, while still being an excellent beach read!

What makes a book a “classic?” Does it have to be published before, say, 1900? Or maybe it has to be recognized as a “classic,” part of the canon of great literature? Perhaps some feel “classics” must be at least 500 pages, hard to summarize, and boring to most people. Not so! Classics are books that endure beyond the time of their creation and, usually, their creators.

While travel broadens the mind, our bank accounts can’t always support our wanderlust. Thankfully, there is great literature written by people from faraway places and different cultures, which is nearly if not as stimulating!

Great travel writing can help you plan a trip, teach you more about the world, or transport you for the afternoon. Browse HCPL’s travel guides to imagine destinations you might not otherwise consider or research an epic staycation, challenging yourself to see central Virginia with new eyes.