As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, we wanted to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and offer observations from a wide variety of people with thoughts that range from inspirational to comedic:
“You know it’s a good Thanksgiving when your heart is as full as your stomach.” — Richard Paul Evans, American author.
“I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased.” — Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, TV producer, actress and author.
“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi, 13th century Persian poet, scholar and theologian.
“I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” — Erma Bombeck, newspaper columnist and author who used humor to describe American suburban life in her writing.
“I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” — Marcus Samuelsson, Ethiopian-born Swedish-American celebrity chef, TV personality and owner of multiple restaurants from BBQ joints to bars and elegant establishments.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust, French novelist, literary critic and essayist.
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens, English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic.
“[Our mother] never made it about what we didn’t have. She made it about what we did have. And how to celebrate that.” — Whoopi Goldberg, actor, comedian, author and TV personality.
“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about?” — Nora Ephron, journalist, writer and filmmaker, especially romantic comedies.
Library closure
Your library will be closed Nov. 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving.
Nondenominational talk
Next Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 3:15 p.m., Larry G. Allen will speak on adversity and loss, sharing short stories and offering personal tips based on his faith in Jesus about how to live your legacy with prayer. This is a nondenominational talk.
High school math tutoring
High school math tutors will continue to be available for ages 14 and up Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 16 for free tutoring, except for Dec. 9, when it ends at 5 p.m. because of our regular monthly staff meeting. Registration is required.
Free math tutoring will resume in the spring, depending on demand and tutor availability.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two opportunities in December 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, Dec. 4, at noon, Jeff Post will take us behind the scenes with surprising stories about the Smithsonian national gem collection.
Wednesday, Dec. 11, at noon will showcase Laura Dave, author of “The Night We Lost Him,” a combination suspense and family drama.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Dec. 2, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. All supplies will be provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, for amateur musicians of all abilities and expertise to jam and sing with others.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages 6-11 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.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Teen/tween activity
Join us in the teen area every Wednesday after school from 4 to 4:30 p.m. this month for a fun craft or challenge. Activities will range from taste tests to art challenges to minute-to-win-it-style games.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Dec. 5, 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.
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.
Christmas-themed novels
“Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kay Andrews features a small-town North Carolina girl who comes to New York City to help her brother sell Christmas trees.
We also have three large print Christmas books: “Evergreen Christmas” by Janet Dailey is a holiday romance. “One Big Happy Family” by Susan Mallery begins when adult children want to celebrate Christmas at the family cabin. “Santa’s Secret” by Fern Michaels is book three of the Santa’s Crew series. “A Christmas Duet” by Debbie Macomber is a holiday story with humor, romance, mystery and faith.
Books on CD
“The More the Terrier” by David Rosenfelt is a murder mystery with doggy humor and courtroom drama. “In Too Deep” by Lee and Andrew Child is a Jack Reacher thriller. “The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny is an Armand Gamache mystery.
Large print
“The Stars are Dying” by Chloe C. Penaranda is book one of a new dark romantic fantasy Nytefall trilogy. “A Song to Drown Rivers” by Ann Liang is an epic historical fantasy. “The Sequel” by Jean Hanff Kurelitz is book two in the Book series featuring a literary widow. “The Boyfriend” by Freida McFadden is a murder mystery set in New York. “The Last One at the Wedding” by Jason Rekulak features a father invited to his daughter’s wedding after three years of no contact. “Targeted: Beirut” by Jack Carr and James M. Scott is a behind-the-scenes look at the 1983 Marine barracks bombing.
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney follows two brothers in Dublin dealing with their father’s death. “Killing Time” by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green is an Agatha Raisin mystery. “Syndicate” by Felix Francis is a Dick Francis race horsing mystery. “You’ll Never Find Me” by Allison Brennan is book one of an Anglehart Investigations book on white collar crime. “Just Water: My Swimming Life” by Katie Ledecky is a memoir by the woman who has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. “The Daybreakers” by Louis L’Amour is a Sackett Lost Treasures adventure.
Nonfiction
“The Weight of Nature” by neuroscientist Clayton Page Aldern looks at the effects of climate change on our brains and behavior. “The 12-Hour Film Expert” by Noah and James Charney offers readers a guide to film history, how films are made and how to watch them in a more thoughtful way. “Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth” is a Lonely Plant guide to global grieving customs to help you live (and die) well.
“How to Winter” by psychologist Dr. Kari Leibowitz provides a blend of scientific tools, original research and cultural insights to help you cultivate a positive winter mindset. “Bones of the Master” by George Crane is a memoir about a Ch’an master’s return pilgrimage to remote Inner Mongolia after 40 years of exile.
Novels
“Katherine, the Wright Sister” by Tracey Emerson Wood looks at the vital role their sister played in Wilbur and Orville’s aviation success. “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk follows the lives of young men involved with secret boxing matches in the basements of bars.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Johanna and Arnold Brooks for their generous monetary donation, and to our anonymous donors for their materials 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
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the U.S. and the youngest man ever elected president in this country.
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.
