Fiction

• “Florence Adler Swims Forever” by Rachel Beanland | Release date: July 7, 2020 | Three generations grapple with heartbreak, romance, and family secrets. Look out for Rachel’s next novel, “The House Is On Fire,” due in April.
• “Blue-Skinned Gods” by SJ Sindu | Release date: Nov. 2, 2021 | A boy born with blue skin in Tamil Nadu, India travels to New York City in this expansive, heartfelt novel.

For the family

• “Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away” by Meg Medina | Release date: Sept. 8, 2020 | A bittersweet story of friendship and change written by the Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author.
• “Malcolm and Me” by Robin Farmer | Release date: Nov. 17, 2020 | Roberta Forest learns about faith, family, and social activism.

Learn something new

• “The Devil’s Half Acre” by Kristen Green | Release date: April 12, 2022 | Read the history of how an enslaved woman liberated a slave jail and transformed it into a school — now known as Virginia Union University.
• “The Organ Thieves” by Chip Jones | Release date: Aug. 18, 2020 | This award-winning book delves into the history of the first heart transplant in the segregated South.

Personal stories

• “Tomorrow Ruined Today” by Ryan Kent and Brett Lloyd | Release date: Oct. 12, 2021 | The volume features short and long-form poetic works from two musicians.
• “She Lives Here” by Kristina Hamlett | Release date: March 15, 2021 | This debut collection of poetry and prose celebrates womanhood, Blackness, and finding joy.

• Lunch Break Science: “RVAir: Community Science Findings” | Wed., Oct. 19 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Devin Jefferson, the Community Science Catalyst at the Science Museum, will discuss the RVAir project + its findings.
• TWAIN | Wed., Oct. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $12.00 | The singer-songwriter will play with Henry Toland.

• “The Creative State of Our Union” | Thu., Oct. 20 | 6-7 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond | Free | Register to attend this Library of VA panel of regional writers + poets.
• Fireside Collective | Thu., Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $10.00 | The funk + jam band will play with Into the Fog.

• Movie in the Park: “Wallace & Gromit” | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road , Glen Allen | Free | Bring your lawn chairs + blankets to this outdoor, family-friendly screening.
• Test Pattern 05: Kinlaw | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | See the audio composer, choreographer, and artist perform in person or watch the stream on the ICA’s YouTube channel.

• “Coco” | Sat., Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W Cary St, Richmond | $5.00 - $8.00 | Journey to the Land of the Dead in this 2017 Pixar film.
• Hike for Kids | Sat., Oct. 22 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Virginia War Memorial, 621 S Belvidere St, Richmond | $15.00 - $40.00 | Join Blue Sky Fund in helping make the outdoors more accessible for youth of color in Richmond.

• 59º | Mostly sunny | 3% chance of rain

• A “clean energy park” is coming to the downtown site where Dominion Energy had planned to build another office tower. The company says the park — located at 701 E. Cary St. — will have 28 electric vehicle charging stations + green space for public use. 🔋 (Richmond BizSense)

• Kings Dominion will be open year-round starting in 2023. The theme park plans to add weekends in January, February + March to its calendar, with regular hours for the rest of the year. 🎢 (RVAHub)

• RPS has changed its COVID-19 masking policy. Masks are now optional for staff, students + visitors, indoors and outdoors. If the CDC community level returns to "high” for two consecutive weeks, masks will be required indoors.

• The Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference First Team for women’s basketball includes a Spider + a Ram. Junior forward Addie Budnik is UR WBB’s first first team pick since 2016. VCU’s Sarah Te-Biasu, a junior guard, was a third team selection last year. 🏀

• Explore the process of making transit equitable + modernized at the next Transit Talk from RVA Rapid Transit. The webinar will feature Daniel Sonenklar from the VA Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation. Register for free + tune in at noon on Thurs., Oct. 20. 🚌

• Auditions are open for Cadence Theatre’s upcoming season, which includes two world premiere productions. Know an interested actor? The first round of auditions is through online video submission. Contact casting with a 1-minute contemporary monologue, a headshot + a resume by Sun., Oct. 30. 🎭

• RPS students in grades 6-12 are welcome to join the Oakwood Arts Symphony Concert Club. The program is led by local musicians + participants get to attend a Richmond Symphony performance once a month for free. There’s an open house meeting on Sun., Oct. 23. 🎻

• The IRC in Richmond is looking for volunteers to help welcome newcomers to the River City. Help out as a bus orientation volunteer, English language tutor, family mentor, or internet setup volunteer. Submit an application.

• Local groups Historic Richmond + Storefront 4 Community Design are hosting the Golden Hammer Awards to recognize revitalization projects in the area. Join the celebration at Hardywood Richmond on Thurs., Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• Did you know? Chesapeake Wealth Management’s portfolio managers and trust officers are under one roof, which means all their investment + trust decisions are made in-house. Pro tip: Take advantage of the complimentary analysis of your current investment portfolio.*

• If you WFH like us, it’s nearly time to break out the space heater. Solve chilly mornings the energy efficient way with the Dr. Infrared Heater that warms objects, not the air. Hello, cozy legs. Bonus: Heat your patio with infrared, too. 🔥*