Author: Lou Wassel

Are you ready to rule like an Egyptian Pharaoh or Roman Emperor without spending like one?  Then the Friends of the Troy Public Library Book Shop is the place to be this weekend! 👑 Our Center Table spotlights Ancient Civilizations with stunning Coffee Table books about Egypt, including the mighty Tutankhamun 🐍 (Before he became a mummy’s boy! lol).  There are also classics featuring powerful Roman Emperors ⚔️, fierce Vikings 🛶, noble Samurai 🗡️, along with the magnificent Aztecs, Mayas and Incas! These lavishly illustrated volumes bring ancient worlds to life and make perfect gifts for history buffs or an eye-catching addition to your own coffee table! ☕️🏺   ⛄️And just in time for the season, we’re adding more Winter and Holiday reads for the little ones 👉🏻 From frosty outdoor adventures to heartwarming stories that…

We have something exciting brewing this weekend at the Friends of Troy Public Library Book Shop!  With Veterans Day approaching next Monday November 11, our Center Table display features stunning coffee table books about WWII and Vietnam.  Each page honors the brave men and women who served – not just during these conflicts – but throughout ALL eras.  Thank you, Veterans for … everything. 🇺🇸 Meanwhile, our Native American Heritage Month collection continues to shine on the other side of the Center Table, now with a few new additions. 🌞 Plus, catch the last remaining treasures from our special History collection that debuted last weekend. They won’t last long! ⏳ And look what just rolled out 👉🏻 Our first carts of Winter and Holiday books and puzzles for the little ones!  Because…

Get ready to explore some fascinating reads this weekend at the Friends of the Troy Public Library Book Shop! 🌟  The front-side of our Center Table is filled with insightful and provocative books about recent Presidential elections and their candidates.  Perfect for political junkies of any party! 🗳️  Flip the table around, ↩️ and you’ll find a celebration of November as Native American Heritage Month, featuring books that honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of American Indians. 🪶📖 And get this 👉🏻 Thanks to a massive donation from a retired college professor, we have several carts overflowing with history books. These texts cover both U.S. and World History, stretching back to Medieval times. 🏰🌎   Bring your curiosity because you’ll want to spend extra time with these scholarly treasures! 🧐⏱📖 Remember, our Book Shop isn’t just about…

🎃 Halloween is creeping up next Thursday October 31, so this weekend the Friends of the Troy Public Library are all about Books & Boos (This kind→👻.  Not this kind→🥃🍸🍷).   Our Center Table is crawling with creepy treasures – from “Classic Ghost Stories” to “The Halloween Handbook” (complete with everything from eerie crafts to ghoulish recipes!).  If blood-curdling tales are your thing, we’ve got plenty of scary storybooks and terrifying novels to keep you up all night. 📖💀🕷🕸️ For our little ghouls and goblins, we have shelves of Spooktacular children’s books!  From the award-winning “A Newbery Halloween” to adorably scary picture books, there’s something to delight every young monster. 👻📚 And don’t forget our Halloween DVD collection—featuring family favorites and hair-raising classics like “Poltergeist” that will have you…

From October 20-26, 2024, we’re celebrating National Friends of Libraries Week, a time to recognize and honor the amazing contributions of Friends groups across the country.  This special week shines a spotlight on the crucial role organizations – like ours – play in enhancing local libraries while spreading the love of books and literacy. 📚❤️ As an all-volunteer nonprofit, the Friends of the Troy Public Library work tirelessly to support and promote the Troy Public Library’s special programs and initiatives.  Not a penny earned from membership dues, Book Shop sales, or donations goes into our pockets … because … well … our pockets are already stuffed with Hershey Kisses, Snickers, Reese’s, and other treats from Lynda and Mary Lynn’s candy jar! 🤣🍫🍭 This week, we’re giving a…

All Hallows’ Eve is but a fortnight hence, and we’re brewing up something special at the Friends of the Troy Public Library Book Shop! 🧙‍♀️  This weekend, stop by to explore our frightfully fun Halloween-themed books, especially in the Children’s Section.  Plus, we’ve got some charming Halloween decorations to help set the spooky mood! 👻🎃 Meanwhile, our Center Table is showcasing brand-new, deluxe editions of recent Fantasy novels—signed by the authors.  Collectors will appreciate these unique finds, and they’re priced lower than what you’ll see online. (Check out the photos for a closer look! 📖✨) If you’re looking for everyday favorites, we have a wide selection of gently-used fiction, non-fiction, magazines, CDs, DVDs, games, and jigsaw puzzles—all at prices you’ll feel great about—most items are just $1 or less.…

This weekend, we’re cranking up the volume to 11 with a Center Table theme that is sure to wrap your mind in waves of classic tunes: Rock Bands and Rock Stars! 🎤🎼💥   Swing by and find books featuring legendary groups like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Van Halen and KI⚡️⚡️ (or 💋 if you’re really feeling bold).  Read about rockers like Michael Jackson, Bob Seger and Kurt Cobain.  Some even come with autographs, special cover art, and slip cases!  Then hit the high note and look for actual music by these featured stars on our CD shelf (See links below for inspiration). 🎶💿 Don’t forget 👉🏻 Our Book Shop carries a wide inventory of gently-used fiction and nonfiction books of all genres, plus magazines, CDs, DVDs, games, and jigsaw puzzles.  Most treasures…

Last night, October 7, 2024, the Friends of the Troy Public Library gathered in the Library Meeting Room to honor our volunteers—the true lifeblood of our organization. 💖 From staffing Book Shop operations to leading Outreach efforts, your tireless work has supported and promoted the Library in ways that have spread literacy and the love of reading far and wide! As an all-volunteer nonprofit, let’s be honest—without you, nothing would happen.  And by “nothing,” we mean ABSOLUTELY nothing!  No books sorted, no shelves stocked, no books sold.  We’d be playing hide-and-seek in the basement just to pass the time. 😂 Seriously, your dedication keeps everything running smoothly, and we couldn’t be more grateful!🙌 2024 had its challenges—like the Lower Level Book Shop taking a “siesta” for some much-needed repairs—but…

Meet our Dynamic Duo:  Scarecrows representing Friends of the Troy Public Library and Troy Public Library!  They’ve teamed up to spread the love of reading and raise funds for the Troy Historic Village, as part of the annual Scarecrow Row event. 👻 📸 Photo Op! Drop by the Village on Wattles just west of Livernois to snap a selfie with these two spirited crusaders for literacy and knowledge.  Nothing to fear.  They didn’t bite Mary Lynn Bowen, and they won’t sink a molar into you either. 🦷 😜 ✓ Vote for Us! Help us out by visiting the Troy Historic Village website and voting for our scarecrows.  After all, we don’t want our two Gallybaggers to weather the elements for an entire month only to finish in second place. 😼 📚 Yes, the Book Shop is Open this Weekend! Stop by on the Lower Level of the Library on Saturday from 10AM-1PM and Sunday 1PM-PM. 🐅⚾️ Go Tigers!

🚚🍳 Guess what just rolled into the Troy Public Library, hot on the wheels of the new Bookmobile? Say hello to the ‘Charlie Cart’—a culinary classroom on wheels, courtesy of a generous grant from the Friends of the Troy Public Library! 💰 This shiny new kitchen-on-the-go is here to kick things up a notch for the Library’s cooking demonstration programs (which are also underwritten by the Friends). Who knows?  We could be nurturing the next generation of Food Network stars right here at the Library! 📺🧑🏼‍🍳🍳  So, don’t be surprised if you hear someone enthusiastically shouting “Bam!” like Emeril Lagasse or catching a glimpse of a budding chef channeling the late Julia Child with, “A party without cake is just a meeting.” 🧄🍰 Keep an eye on the Library’s…