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, Jan. 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday.
Special Ancestral Puebloans talk
Join us next Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a free event featuring Jon Ghahate, Laguna/Zuni Pueblos 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 6 to 10 are invited to Steam Engines, a free science fun session tomorrow, Jan. 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6 to 11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon and are aged 6 to 11, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who love this game too. No experience is required.
Tangle drawing for adults
Next Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. adults are invited to a session to enjoy a fun and creative way to create art.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Live and online author talks
Next Thursday, Jan. 23, from 1 to 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 .
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages 6 to 11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us share the word about these classes.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you 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.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No appointment is necessary.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
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 four-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Collections
“The Essential Edgar Allan 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. “The Mirror” by Nora Roberts is book two in the Lost Bride trilogy. “Bandit Heaven” by Tom Clavin explores the hideouts of the Hole in the Wall Gang.
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 change Cybertron forever. “Godzilla x Kong: The New 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.
Material donations
Thanks to George Neill, Nancy Cole, and Joanne and Victor Lucariello for their generous monetary donations.
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not down the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
Guidelines for donations: 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 to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
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 the 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.
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