By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Since I can remember, reading has been one of my most favorite pastimes. I look for any excuse to shut out the world and open a book. Rainy days and snow days are my favorite times to curl up on the couch with a mug of hot tea, a fuzzy blanket, and a book. Despite the recent rains, I have not been able to enjoy such a day for a long time. Adulting seems to interfere with my reading time.
So, I was scrolling through one of those “National Days Calendars” recently — you know, the ones that have all these odd days to celebrate. I’m thinking if we play our cards right, my fellow readers and I might be able to find a day that would work for a readathon before the flurry of holiday activity begins.
Nov. 19 happens to be National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day. Who knew such a celebratory day even existed? I am thinking that if I celebrate with gusto all day, I should be wired enough to stay up all night reading.
Nov. 22 is National Flossing Day. Did you know Nov. 23 is National Eat a Cranberry Day? Gee, who can eat just one? Nov. 26 is National Cake Day, which seems like a great day to celebrate but not with reading. There seems to be a day for everything but reading. Perhaps National Personal Space Day on Nov. 30 would be best celebrated by ignoring the world and reading all day.
If you are planning ahead for any of these days, be sure to stop by the library. We have so many new books to choose from. Nonfiction fans, we have a couple of new memoirs that might be of interest. Pope Francis shares his life story in a new book entitled “Life: My Story through History.” “Citizen: My Life after the White House” is former president Bill Clinton’s account of what he’s been working on since leaving the White House.
Janet Evanovich has just released “Now or Never,” book 31 in the popular Stephanie Plum series, while Craig Johnson’s “Tooth and Claw” is the latest in the Walt Longmire series. A quick but powerful read would be Sophie Kinsella’s book “What Does it Feel Like A Novel” about Eve, a successful writer who must learn to walk, talk and write again following surgery to remove a large brain tumor, a fictionalized account of Kinsella’s own battle with cancer.
This is just a small sample of the many great books that are waiting to be checked out. Stop in and grab some books so you are ready for the next rainy day or for National Personal Space Day.
Adult Groups
Remember that every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m., Cribbage players meet at the library while the Bridge Clubmeets on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. Card Making Class will meet on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 9-11 a.m. while Cookbook Club meets that same day at 6:30 p.m. to share slow cooker recipes from this month’s cookbook.Friends of the Library will meet on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6:15 p.m.
Story Hour
Friday, Nov. 22, the preschool story hour will begin at 10 a.m. and will be about Thanksgiving. There will be no story hour on Nov. 29 as the library will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Holiday Closure
Patrons are reminded that the MJB Library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Author Talk
Life-long Iowa resident and author of “Better, not Bitter,” Michelle Cowan, will be speaking at the library on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Cowan’s talk will focus on her journey and grief following the sudden death of her husband.
Festival of Trees
There’s still time to sign up to set up a tree for the library’s Festival of Trees. We remind participants that we would like trees to be up and decorated by Thanksgiving this year. We invite everyone to stop in during the holidays to enjoy the beauty of the decorations. This year’s theme is Christmas Stories.