If the thought of a long, dark winter is getting you down, we have a new book in our collection that offers some excellent practical advice to help you not only cope but also have a more positive winter attitude.
“How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark or Difficult Days” was written by health psychologist Kari Leibowitz, who lived and did research in Norway and other far-north countries to understand why many people actually enjoy winter. This book is the result of her research and the latest in psychological and behavioral science.
The author suggests three overall strategies. First, let winter be a time for slowing down. Second, revel in coziness and create rituals that take advantage of activities and feelings unique to this time of year. Third, get outside, taking advantage of how your community celebrates the season.
As well, each chapter ends with a list of specific activities to not only improve your winter mental well-being but also have some fun.
Some are simple, like lighting the fireplace or candles and making an outside bonfire to add warmth and light to winter days.
Others may be so enjoyable for you and your family that they become unique beloved rituals each winter. An example is declaring a snooze day when everyone stays in their pajamas and piles up pillows and blankets in the living room. Call it a daytime slumber party and watch a movie together while snuggling in your makeshift beds.
We hope the author’s pioneering research on wintertime mindsets gives you some ideas to help embrace the darkest season.
Library closure
Your library will be closed Monday, January 20 for the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday.
Special Ancestral Puebloans talk
Join us next Tuesday, January 21 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for a free event featuring Jon Ghahate, Laguna/Zuni Pubelos cultural educator. He will discuss the evolution and development of the contemporary Southwest Pueblos from their Ancestral Puebloan roots in the realms of science, community, languages and culture. This special event is sponsored by the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association.
Science fun for kids
Youngsters aged six-10 are invited to Steam Engines, a free science fun session tomorrow, January 17, from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon and are aged six-11, this fun free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, January 18 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who love this game too. No experience required.
Zentangle for adults
Next Tuesday, January 21 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. adults are invited to a Zentangle session to enjoy a fun and creative way to create art.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, January 21 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Live and online author talks
Next Thursday, January 23 from 1-2 p.m. we will host local author Patty Latham at a free session where she will discuss her three popular published books, all set in Pagosa, that feature veterinarian Josie Tate. Preceding that live talk is a free online author talk at noon in our New York Times bestselling authors series showcasing Amanda Montell, author of “The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality.” For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Thursday, January 23 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens, tweens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
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, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No appointment necessary. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
Collections
“The Essential Edgar Allen Poe Collection” compiles his best-loved tales and complete poems in one volume. We also have two new large print collections: “Under Heaven’s Own Blue” by John B. Nesbitt is a collection of four short stories about the American West. “Lucy Burdette’s Kitchen” by Lucy Burdette contains all the recipes featured in the Key West Food Critic mystery series.
More large print
“Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property” by Mike Lupica is a Spenser mystery. “Lazarus Man” by Richard Price follows the survivors of a Harlem tenement collapse. “Bellevue” by Robin Cook is a medical mystery. “Stuart Woods’ Golden Hour” by Brett Battles is a Teddy Fay mystery. “The Courting of Bristol Keats” by Mary E. Pearson is book one of a new fantasy romance series. “Christmas in Bethel” by Richard Paul Evans is an inspirational book about an EMT.
DVDs
“Conclave” is the inside story of the election of a new pope. “The Apprentice” tells of Donald Trump’s relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is the true story based on Loretta Lynn’s autobiography. “Transformers One” is the origin story of former friends who Cybertron forever.”Gonzilla-Kong The Neli Empire” is an action movie. “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a love story. “God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness” is part of the Christian drama series. “Challengers” features a woman coaching her tennis playing husband who is on a losing streak.
Novels
“The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo follows the intersecting lives of two seniors who meet at Columbia University. “Of Night Birds” by Juhea Kim tells of a once-famous Russian ballerina facing life choices. “This Motherless Land” by Nikki May focuses on a young Nigerian woman sent to England after a tragedy. “Fire Exit” by Morgan Talty is set in Maine’s Penobscot Reservation. “Where the Creek Bends” by Linda Lael Miller is about a woman who moves back to her family home.
Books on CD
“Trial by Fire” by Danielle Steel features a Parisian woman trapped by Napa Valley wildfires. “Know Your Newlywed” by Elena Armas is a rom-com about two game show fans. “Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property” by Mike Lupica is a Spenser mystery. “The Wide Wide Sea” by Hamton Sides looks at Captain James Cook’s final voyage. “The Hanging Party” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is the first book in a new Texas Lightning western series. “Billy the Kid” by Ryan C. Coleman tells how he went from orphan to outlaw. “North is the Night” by Emily Rath is a fantasy set in Finland.
Donation guidelines
When we are open, high-quality used book donations are gratefully accepted at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. Donation guidelines: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books – all in excellent condition, please. No need for CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes, textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell at Friends of the Library sales. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints, please.
Quotable Quote
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard, American author of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and essays, and 1975 Pulitzer Prize winner for nonfiction.
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