Whether you participate in one of the Atlantic County Library System’s Book Clubs or enjoy a private one with friends, it just got easier to pick a read for your group.  New books, chosen for their popularity and engaging content, have been added to ACLS’ Book Club in a Bag collection.

A sample of titles include:

• Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
• Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile
• Saving Sophie by Ronald H. Balson

All new bags come with 10 copies of the title and, in many cases, include a large print and/or audiobook as well. Peruse the Book Club in a Bag page for a full list of titles currently available and return often to find new ones as they are added.

The Atlantic County Library System presents ACLS Reads for 2016 - Pathways to History: Remembering Rescue & Resistance During World War II.  This event is designed to bring people together through literature by encouraging them to read a book centered on a theme and to participate in programs related to that theme. The featured book of this year’s read is the memoir, Once My Name Was Sara by Betty Grebenschikoff.

In 1939, steps ahead of her father’s arrest, nine year old Betty Grebenschikoff (née Kohn) and her family, fled from Nazi Germany to Shanghai.  Mrs. Grebenschikoff's memoir details her early childhood in Berlin and growing up in Shanghai’s Hongkew Ghetto during World War II among over 20,000 Jewish refugees. Eventually she immigrated to New Jersey where she raised a family, continues to live and shares her story.

The goal of our ACLS Reads’ choice is to educate and enlighten.  The Atlantic County Library System believes Once My Name Was Sara can help raise awareness of our collective history as well as promote discussion of religious and ethnic tolerance.  Copies are available within our Library System as well as other topical reading material for all ages.

To enhance the ACLS Read selection:

• Join one of our branches' scheduled book discussions or participate in branch programs from September through November.
• Attend the film series given in partnership with Stockton University’s Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center.
• Keep visiting our homepage and social media sites for ACLS Reads related content.