Off the Shelf: Mail Call!

" In forming the Post Office, the Founding Fathers had wanted a service that would bind together the scattered populous of the new United States. It was, in other words, a tool of nationalism. Over the course of two centuries, the agency would drive the expansion of roads and transit, strengthen the nation’s connections with its rural communities, and brave all conditions to bring packages to citizens’ front doors."

Via National Geographic: The tumultuous history of the U.S. Postal Service—and its constant fight for survival

With the post office being in the news lately, I can't help but reflect on how much the post office means to me, our community, the country at large, and the influence it's had on authors. I absolutely love getting letters in the mail., handwritten updates on the lives of old friends who've moved out of state, notes saying: "I was thinking of you..." Just the other day I received a package from my sister-in-law filled with miscellaneous goodies, such as a little sign that says "I love you more than books but don't make me prove it" and a whoopie cushion for the kids. For me, email is cold, a means to communicate brief inquiries, and nothing more. I take great pride in sending out way more Christmas cards than I know I will get back. I love stamps, especially those of pop culture reference, my Harry Potter stamps remain untouched but I love sharing Wonder Woman and Mr. Rogers with friends. I never cease to be amazed by the simple pleasures the post office can bring, even in nonfiction and fiction.

Post offices by Bassier, Emma

Vivid photographs and easy-to-read text introduce readers to the purpose, people, and layout of post offices. Young readers will get to dive into their community's oldest form of communication. Features include a table of contents, an infographic, fun facts, Making Connections questions, a glossary, and an index. QR Codes in the book give readers access to book-specific resources to further their learning. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Cody Koala is an imprint of Pop!, a division of ABDO.

Our postal system by Lucas, Eileen.

Explores the history of the United States Postal Service, discussing the processing of mail, postal employees, stamps, and letter writing.

The complete guide to stamps & stamp collecting: the ultimate illustrated reference to over 3000 of the world's best stamps, and a professional guide to starting and perfecting a spectacular collection by Mackay, James A.

A full-color directory of the world's greatest stamps, including photographs over 3000 stamps from more than 200 countries

Funny letters from famous people

In this humorous collection of celebrity wit, acclaimed broadcaster and humorist Charles Osgood offers witticisms penned by luminaries ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Andy Rooney.

A secret gift: how one man's kindness--and a trove of letters--revealed the hidden history of the Great Depression by Gup, Ted

A Christmas carol -- In consideration of the white-collar man -- The bread of tomorrow -- If I would accept charity -- Families: the crisis that brought them closer -- Families: the crisis that pulled them apart -- An opportunity to help -- A merry and joyful Christmas -- True circumstances.

Includes index.

Yours truly, Thomas by Fordham, Rachel

A young woman working at the Dead Letter Office in 1883 opens a series of heartbreaking love letters. She's determined to find their rightful owner and make things right. But a trip to Azure Springs, Iowa, may provide love and healing for more than just the letter writer.

The lost art of letter writing by Praag, Menna van

Clara knows better than most the power a letter can have to turn a person's life around, so when she discovers a cache of wartime love letters, she follows them on the start of on a profound journey of her own.

Going postal: a novel of Discworld by Pratchett, Terry

Arch-swindler Moist Van Lipwig never believed his confidence crimes were hanging offenses -- until he found himself with a noose tightly around his neck, dropping through a trapdoor, and falling into ... a government job?

By all rights, Moist should have met his maker. Instead, it's Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork, who promptly offers him a job as Postmaster. Since his only other option is a nonliving one, Moist accepts the position -- and the hulking golem watchdog who comes along with it, just in case Moist was considering abandoning his responsibilities prematurely.

Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be a near-impossible task, what with literal mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office building; and with only a few creaky old postmen and one rather unstable, pin-obsessed youth available to deliver it. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, money-hungry Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly, and its bloodthirsty piratical head, Mr. Reacher Gilt.

But it says on the building neither rain nor snow nor glo m of ni t ... Inspiring words (admittedly, some of the bronze letters have been stolen), and for once in his wretched life Moist is going to fight. And if the bold and impossible are what's called for, he'll do it -- in order to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every human being (not to mention troll, dwarf, and, yes, even golem) requires: hope.

Letters from Skye: a novel by Brockmole, Jessica

March 1912: Elspeth Dunn, a young poet on Scotland's Isle of Skye, receives her first fan letter from student David Graham in America. Their correspondence blossoms into love? until World War I engulfs Europe. June 1940: As World War II begins Elspeth's daughter, Margaret, falls for an RAF pilot. When a bomb rocks Elspeth's house, dislodging her hidden letters, Elspeth disappears. Only one letter remains to help Margaret find her mother . . .