The Sisson Library is proud to host New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman this weekend for four special events, one free and three set up as fundraisers by the library foundation for our campaign to renovate and expand your library. Anne is the author of multiple bestselling mysteries that continue the hugely popular Navajo detective series originated by her father, Tony Hillerman.
Friday, September 13 at 7pm is a movie event with the author at the library exclusively for Friends of the Library. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door and include wine or beer and light snacks. If you’re not a Friend yet, here’s a perfect excuse to join.
Saturday, September 14 from 9 – 11am is a writer’s workshop at the library. Cost is $25.
Also Saturday, from 12:30 – 1:15pm, is a free meet-and-greet with the author at the library.
Also Saturday, from 6 – 8:30pm is a fireside chat with the author at the PLPOA Clubhouse hosted by former NPR journalist Rick Holter with a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided by San Juan Gourmet. Tickets are $50 and $55 at the door.
Anne Hillerman lives in New Mexico. She has continued her father’s series of Joe Leaphorn-Jim Chee novels following his death, adding officer Bernadette Manuelito as a full partner in solving the crimes. All nine of her books are available at your library for your reading pleasure.
Tickets for the three fundraising events can be purchased at the library or online at pagosalibrary.org.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two more opportunities in September for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Wednesday, September 18 at noon Kate Klemp, PhD, co-author of “Start Here: Master the Lifelong Skill of Wellbeing,” will discuss ‘An Expansive Mind in a Distracted World.’
Fairy Tale Theatre tomorrow
All ages are invited to a free session to read fairy tales and act out your favorite characters on Friday, September 13 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, September 14 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, September 16 for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information contact Susan at 970-946-3396.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, September 17 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, September 18 from 11-11:45 a.m. you are invited to come to a free visit with a certified therapy dog. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This activity is for all ages.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5-6 p.m. for intermediate and 6-7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Clases de inglés
Clases gratis de inglés cada martes y jueves. Principiantes de 4-5 p.m., intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y advanzados de 6-7 p.m. Ayudenos a informar a todos quienes necesitan aprender inglés.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Pumpkin Spice Puppy” by Laurien Berenson is a Melanie Travis Canine mystery. “Backwater Justice” by Fern Michaels is a Sisterhood mystery. “Spirit Crossing” by William Kent Krueger is a Cork O’Connor mystery that follows the death of a young Ojibwe woman. “Shadow State” by M.P. Woodward features Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Jr. hero.
Other novels
“By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult is a story of two women centuries apart forced to write under men’s names. “Joy” by Danielle Steel features a woman dealing with a husband changed by the horrors of the Afghanistan war. “Beyond Ivy Walls” by Rachel Fordham tells of two people exiled by their family long ago. ”The Legacy” by Carol Ashby is book three in the Light in the Empire fantasy series. “Where Trees Touch the Sky” by Karen Barnett follows the life of a woman determined to save the California redwoods.
Nonfiction
“Becoming Little Shell: Returning Home to the Landless Indians of Montana” by Chris La Tray is a memoir of a Metis storyteller searching for his roots. “The Ink War: Romanticism versus Modernity in Chess” by chess international master Willy Hendriks explores the rivalry of two of the world’s strongest chess players in the late 19th century and their contributions to the game.
Quotable Quote
“I always tell my kids that challenges are the poetry of your life. You wouldn’t know hot if you didn’t know cold. You wouldn’t have appreciation for the good times without going through the hard times.” – Pamela Anderson, Canadian-American actress, model and media personality.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.