Vinton Public Library Newsletter

New in Adult Fiction:

~'Fallen for France' by Elizabeth Letts

~'Big Little Truths' by Liane Moriarty

~'Paper Ghosts' by Sarah Addison Allen

~'Not a Word' by Linwood Barclay

~'How Can My Manager Be So Stupid?' by Kazumasa Hayami

~'The Shadow Friends' by Tess Gerritsen (Martini Club, book 3)

~'Mother Daughter Sister Stranger' by Hank Phillippi Ryan

~'The Most Dangerous Games' by MrBeast and James Patterson

~'They Say a Girl Died Here' by Sarah Pinborough

New in Large Type Fiction:

~'My Sister is Going to Kill Me' by Nina Simon

~'The Broken Hearts Bakery' by Carla Laureano

~'The Most Dangerous Games' by James Patterson and MrBeast

~'Meet Me in Paris' by Kristin Harmel

~'Delusional' by James Patterson and James O. Born

New in Adult Non-Fiction:

~'The Cedar Valley Honor Flight Story: A Photographic Journey' by Michael Whittlesey

~'Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era' by James McPherson

~'The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State' by Jill Lepore

~'House Hushing: The Simple Method to Declutter and Decorate for a More Peaceful Home' by Myquillyn Smith

~'The Look' by Michelle Obama

Review of 'The Midnight Train' by Connie Bennett

I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did, but what an enjoyable read it was! Our story begins with a happy honeymooning couple in Venice, where the young groom feels a couple of oddities. One is a tiny, voice-like whisper - or was it a buzzing insect or perhaps a breeze? The other is when, looking up to an overhead bridge, he sees a man who looks just like him, down to the clothes and haircut! Brushing off both events, Wilber and Maggie continue their new life together.

Surprisingly, the next chapter takes place 54 years later and focuses on the latter part of the life of Wilbur Budd, millionaire owner of a string of successful bookstores world-wide. Wilber, long divorced from his beloved Maggie, has just finished a piano lesson and takes a phone call from - of all people - Maggie! Following their conversation, Wilber has a sudden fatal heart attack on his front lawn. The phrase 'my life flashed before my eyes' comes to mind, but in Wilber's case, his past life moves along as a journey on the mysterious Midnight Train on which we are observers. His guide on this trip is Agnes, an elderly bookshop owner who first encouraged his love of reading. Wilbur can see his life as it passes, and makes numerous stops at important incidents, although he cannot be seen nor intervene in the events.

We follow as Wilber relives the death of his brother, the overshadowing presence of his mother, the painful but not entirely unexpected break with Maggie, and the decisions that led to his rise to fame and fortune. This begs the question: if you had your life to live over, would you? This is a thoughtful book, driven by this concept in a gentle, almost eerie, way. I would heartily recommend this book to fans of Matt Haig, as well as lovers of this genre. 'The Midnight Train' is available at VPL in both regular and large types, as well as on eBook and audio through the Libby App.

Relax and read!

~Connie, Library Assistant

Join us during the month of September to view Jenny Bledsoe's Heart Art, displayed in our upper level.

Join us as at the library for an informational presentation from Wilson-Hite Insurance.

• Thursday, September 17th, 2026, 10am: Flood and Disaster Coverage

Join our team! Applications are available at the library or by visiting https://cityofvinton.org under Applications and Permits, City Employment Application.

Look at this lil' reader go.....600 books! Keep up the great work!

Mondays just got a whole lot more fun in the Children's Library!

Thanks to the incredible Friends of the Vinton Public Library, we've been able to add new STEM-focused toddler toys for children 18 months and older!

Just like our regular STEAM days, we're now offering Toddler STEM on Mondays from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Little ones can explore, build, experiment, and discover through hands-on play!

Come let your little scientist learn through play while making new friends along the way. We can't wait to see what they create and discover!

A huge thank you to our Friends of the Library for helping us make hands-on learning accessible to our littlest library visitors!

Join us as we shine the spotlight on VPL Library Assistant Connie Bennett! Connie plays an integral role in leading many of the programs here at our library, including our Lutheran Home Book Club, Next Chapter Book Club, Adventures in Bookclubbing, and Comics and Cookies Book Club for kids! She also builds our popular 'Storytime in a Bag' kits for preschoolers, is an avid reader, is quick to share a book recommendation with readers of all ages, and performs many tasks at our circulation desks. Thank you, Connie, for all that you do here at the Vinton Public Library!

Mondays: 9a-5p

Tuesdays: 9a-8p

Wednesdays: 9a-5p

Thursdays: 9a-8p

Fridays: 8a-4p

Saturdays: 9a-Noon

Sundays: Closed

Copy services: $0.20 per black and white, $0.25 per color

Fax services: $1.00 for 1-2 pages, $2.00 for 3+ pages

Notary services: No charge, call 319-472-4208 for availability

Free Wifi

Boardroom available at no charge; reservations required

Email: library@vintonia.gov
Website: vinton.lib.ia.us
Location: 510 2nd Avenue, Vinton, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 472-4208
Facebook: facebook.com/heartofvinton