Love Yourshelf

by Kelly

As the isolation of quarantine continues into 2021, many of us find ourselves reaching inward for love, care, and inspiration. I personally find my virtual bookshelf filling up with titles that provide me with an extra boost of strength and motivation. With Valentine’s Day looming on the horizon, we generally think of love stories written about couples, but this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to provide you with a list of titles for the number one love in your life – yourself.

The phrase self-care gets thrown around a lot these days, but what does it mean? It likely has a different meaning for everyone, but you can get started by examining two key factors: GOALS and GRATITUDE. These suggested books offer insight, and can provide a burst of daily inspiration, direct your thoughts toward a new perspective, and help you open up and unlock your untapped potential.

Let’s talk about goals. The first suggested title is Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis. This book will offer advice to achieving your goals and overcoming self-doubt. Hollis is the author of the bestseller Girl, Wash Your Face, so read this one, too, while you are at it!

Next on the list is Stop Self-Sabotage by Dr. Judy Ho, PHD. This book will keep you goal-focused by encouraging willpower and motivation. 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do by Amy Morin will help you channel your confidence and purpose, and The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks pushes us to see our own potential and to believe in it, in order to achieve our goals.

Gratitude incorporated into our daily routine can help bring peace to our busy and hectic lives. Wake Up Grateful by David Steindl-Rast and Gratitude Daily by Nataly Kogan will help us to experience more joy and less stress through gratitude. 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik inspires readers to a year-long challenge of practicing gratitude daily.  These books each offer lessons to help us incorporate positive daily habits into our routine.

There is no better time than now to put yourself at the top of your love list. These titles and more can be found on our library shelves or can be downloaded digitally through our eResource apps.

21 in 2021

by Kelly

Welcome to 2021. We want to help you have a new year as the same you, but better! What better way to improve yourself than to challenge your mind? And, boy! Do we have a challenge for you!

We invite you to join our newest reading challenge on the Beanstack app called “21 Classics in 2021”.  Yes, classics. Challenging, sure, but rewarding nonetheless.

The classics chosen for this challenge were selected to broaden your reading history, introduce you to alternative works from authors you already know, and to highlight many titles that were the pioneers of their genre, award recipients, and just overall excellent pieces of literature.

In order to complete this challenge, you must venture your way through ALL 21 titles on our list. If you’ve read one on the list already, read it again! OR, find a different format (Book on CD, DVD, Graphic Novel, etc) for an alternate, but equally awesome version of the story. We don’t mind.

21 classics in 12 months, equals about 2 books per month, so manage your time wisely. Are you up for the challenge? The titles for this challenge are as follows:

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, The Odyssey by Homer, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Robinson Crusoe by Robert Louis Stevenson, The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Trail by Franz Kafka, Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.

Find the challenge on our Beanstack tracker reading app, found through your app store. Register with your library card number and email to begin. We hope to see you there.

The Die Hard Debate

by Kelly

Every December when the holiday season rolls around, an ages-old debate is revived and rumbles around our family discussions and social media channels. Memes argue for and against it, people take their stand, but the question remains, is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

We at the library will step aside the debate for a minute to pose what we find to be an even more important question. Have you read Nothing Lasts Forever, the 1979 American action thriller written by Roderick Thorp that inspired the movie Die Hard?

Wait, what? There’s a book? Admittedly, it was about three hours ago when I learned that Bruce Willis’s action-packed, high-octane blockbuster 1988 film is based on a book. Who knew? And, according to reviews, Die Hard very closely follows the plot of the book, so fans of the film won’t be disappointed as they read.

The story begins the same, set in a high rise building during an office party on Christmas Eve where the action begins. Willis’s character, John McClane, is 25 years younger than his novel counter-part who is named Joe Leland in Thorp’s story, but many of the scenes, drama, and thrills are paralleled from book to film. Author Thorp got his inspiration for the story’s iconic high-rise setting from his own view from home, nestled high on a hilly overlook.  

Originally published over 40 years ago, this book was re-released in 2013 to coincide with the 25^th anniversary of the film, and was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as “a ferocious, bloody, raging book so single-mindedly brilliant in concept and execution it should be read at a single sitting”.

But, is the fact that this story takes place on Christmas Eve enough to qualify it as a Christmas movie? Should we take into consideration that this film was released in theaters as a summer blockbuster on July 15, 1988? What did a recent poll of Americans voting about this debate decide? We won’t spoil it for you, rather, leave it for you to decide.  

Whichever side of the Christmas Movie debate you are on, we can’t wait to get our hands on a copy of this thriller! Look for it soon to be added to our library collection, as well as A Die Hard Christmas: An Illustrated Holiday Classic by Doogie Horner.

Reading and Writing

Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. Like peanut butter and jelly, birds of a feather, and peas in a pod, you can’t have one without the other. Without authors, there wouldn’t be books, and that’s why we here at the Alvah N. Belding Library encourage everyone to get out the pens and paper and get to work!

Writing is for all ages, and, is a task, talent, or hobby that you can carry with you through life.

If the thought of writing intimidates you, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Between grammar rules, spelling, and punctuation, there’s a lot to take in. Here are some no-fear tips for getting started in writing.

• Start small. Write a paragraph or two about something you love or love to do. Writing a small piece about something you are passionate about is a great way to get started.
• Journal it. Start a daily journal and write about the ins and outs of everyday life, your dream vacation, or where you see yourself in ten years.  Practicing your writing daily is a great way to form a lasting habit.
• Dear diary. Brush up on writing dialogue by talking in a diary. Pretend you are writing a conversation to yourself or a family member or friend. Make it as real or fictional as you choose to trick anyone who might snoop!
• Write first, then edit. Just go with the flow when you are writing and try not to think about punctuation, spelling, or grammar. That can come later during your editing process.
• Have fun. Writing should be fun, not a chore. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, put down your pencil and try again another time.

Want to try your hand at writing for a chance to win a prize? Youth in grades 3-12 can join our Fall Free-Write writing contest. Fiction entries may be written about any topic of your choice, and Non-fiction stories should be in the form of a personal narrative. Entries should be kept under 5,000 words. We will choose one winner from each division (Elementary, Middle, High School). Entries can be emailed to belys@llcoop.org and must be received by November 30, 2020.

Get Graphic

by Kelly

Graphic novels make great television. At least that’s what you would assume after one glance at my streaming history. For the most part of 2020, I have watched a lot of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime graphic-novel based movies and shows. Why? Because the stories, characters, and settings explode on the big screen as well as they jump off the pages of books in which they originate.

Here is a list of four graphic novel-turned television titles in the order in which I watched them. Want to know which one reigns as my favorite? Keep reading.

1. The Witcher, by Andrzej Sapkowski. This television series, aptly named for the title character is based around a solo monster hunter-for-hire and his life. Geralt of Rivia travels around the countryside putting down all sorts of mutated beasts and monsters. Geralt is a complex but kind and fair character who battles the demons of his own past, struggling to find his place in the complicated human/magic/fantasy world around him.
2. Extraction, based on Ciudad written by Anthony and Joe Russo. This graphic novel and Netflix series tells the story of Australian mercenary Tyler Rake who is on a mission to save a kidnapping victim. His tactical expertise and quick wits keep him going on his blood-infused fight for justice, which ultimately takes his life…or does it?
3. The Old Guard, by Greg Rucka. This story follows a group of immortal warriors who have been secretly protecting humanity for ages, a task that gets increasingly difficult as time goes on and technology advances. The story begins as this small group of undead learns that there is a new immortal in their midst. The team takes action find her and teach her of their ways, without getting caught in the process.
4. Wynonna Earp, by Beau Smith. This modern-western supernatural series is based around the title character and her sister, Waverly, descendants of the legendary Wyatt Earp, who (along with a secret government agent) fight to protect the people from demons knows as Revenants, without revealing anything to the public.

WOW! What a lineup. Each one of these fantastic graphic novel series struck a chord with me in their own way and deserve to be seen (or read) at least once. But which one is my favorite?

Extraction had WAY too much in-your-face violence for me to stomach, but I still am curious as to what happens next. The Witcher is a GREAT series: graphic novels, video game (where the story actually originated), and the show have great characters, setting, and plot, but isn’t at the top of my list. Wynonna Earp is delightful. The characters are likeable, the story is fun, not-so-gory, and the tie-in to the Wild West and its people are right up my alley…but, The Old Guard wins this battle for me. In spite of the violence, everything about this story comes together for me. The main characters have a protective and familial bond with each other, their fight to stay secretive in a high-tech world is challenging, and a surprising rivalry is formed as they exile a member of their own team and one long-lost partner returns. I can’t wait to see and read more from this series.

Do you have a favorite Graphic Novel? Check out our digital collection of graphic novels, or request them from our curbside service. We have a great collection of titles for youth, teen, and adult readers. Check out our Pinterest Board for some great suggestions!

Reading Rewards

by Kelly

I recently saw a social media post about a parent who paid their child one dollar for each chapter book they read in a year. The child read 180 books, and was flush with cash, thinking the reward was in the payment. But, as the parent and many of us already know, the reward is in the reading itself.

Yes, reading is a reward. Whether we are consciously aware or ignorantly blissful as we turn the pages, reading provides each of us with something of value on the inside. Reading can serve as a validation for our beliefs, an outlet for our daily stresses, or as an inspiration for the direction of our lives. We can identify with characters who provide us with wisdom and guidance for our future endeavors. We can gain information and inspiration from our exposure to books that pushes us further in our relationships and careers, whether we realize it, or not.

Reading to our children (or anyone) is a rewarding task that develops our bonds with them and strengthens their minds, as well as our own. Seeing our children read independently is just as rewarding, if not more so. Passing along a book to a friend, family member or colleague, and sharing the story with each other is a great way for us to connect, to feel heard, and to be validated and appreciated.

Reading is a great way for us to spark a new interest or idea, and learn, and grow. Books are full of new vocabulary, history lessons, inter-personal relationship skills, and emotion. The more emotion that a book is able to evoke in us, the better the lesson, and the bigger the reward. Disliking a book, and disagreeing with an author’s viewpoint is just as important as enjoying what we read. Having our thoughts and beliefs challenged is a great way to discover ourselves and can have a lasting impact on our life.

What are the rewards of reading to you? What drives the choices you make about the books you read? Escape, growth, knowledge, camaraderie? Whatever reading is to you, and whatever the reward, we at the library appreciate the effort you put into your love for reading. We are here to serve your interests and would love to hear your recommendations for books we may not have heard of. Connect with us to let us know how we can help. Your reading is our reward.

Reading Independence

by Kelly

July brings about thoughts of freedom, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate your own reading independence! It’s the time of year to celebrate the freedom we have to choose books we want to read and when to read them, based on our likes, interests, and whatever else motivates us to dive into a great book.

Not all readers are alike. Some people read quickly. Some take their time. Some people don’t read much, and some people read everything under the sun. And do you know what? We at the library don’t care! We aren’t here to pass judgement, criticize, or shame your reading style. We simply love that you read, and we are here to put your next great read in your hands.

To help us do that, you need to know what types of books appeal to you. You are the founder of your reading independence. Maybe you like realistic fiction, a not-so-gruesome mystery, or far-imagined tales of outer space? Perhaps you like learning about real events from a specific time in history, or want to understand more about real people and places and things. Or, you might desire to learn a new craft or hobby, or art form. No matter what your reading style, choice, or taste is, we can help find the perfect book for you.

Each of us library staffers have our own set of individual reading likes (check out our Pinterest boards and Goodreads shelves), from history to mystery and true life stories to true crime, we run the gamut on reading niches. On our website, you can find our new “Ask A Librarian” link where you can ask us anything, including suggestions on what to read next.

Here is a list of things to consider when deciding your personal reading style. These are called the “Four Doors to Reading”, created by well-known librarian, Nancy Pearl. Choose which of these doorways matter most to you on your reading adventure.

1. Story— Plot. Action. The sequence of events (real or fictional) that the character(s) go through to reach the end.
2. Character— People. Protagonists. Villains. Heroes. The cast of characters who embark on the story (real or fictional).
3. Setting— Worldbuilding. This is what makes you feel like you’re in another place or time.
4. Language— Words. Grammar. Style. These books make you want to savor every word.

Many factors can make up your reading choices. It’s up to you to choose the direction in which you wish to read and we will put a book in your path. Visit our website at www.alvahnbeldinglibrary.org to submit your “Ask a Librarian” request.

Take a Reading Leap

by Kelly

Variety is the spice of life. Change is good. Think outside of the box. Get out of your comfort zone. These are all great motivational messages that can apply to many areas of your life, including the way you read.

If you are like me (and millions of other people in the world), you know what you like and you stick to it. I like this type of movie, I like that type of ice cream, and I like my reading comfort zone.

What exactly is a reading comfort zone? It is whatever you like about a book that keeps pushing you to choose the same type of book over and over again. For some it’s a great fast-paced story line. For others, a big cast of complex characters is required. For me, I need a story that grabs my attention from page one. Choosing what we like about a book is a great way to read, but what if we are limiting ourselves by doing so?

The Alvah N. Belding Library summer reading challenges begin on June 6, and a reading challenge is a great place to kick the comfort zone habit and try something new. This is a time to think outside of your reading box and try a new author, a new genre, or a new format for reading. If you always read thrillers, try reading an equally thrilling fast-paced space drama. If you like a modern romance, try a historical love story instead. Many genres of books contain the same elements of the books you love, but offer you a new perspective on reading.

What do you have to lose by leaving your reading comfort zone? Trying something new will help you grow as a reader, and you just may be surprised to find that you enjoy reading something that you never thought you would!

The ANBL summer reading challenges begin June 6, and are offered for all ages. This summer’s challenges will be paper-free, a safe option for promoting good community health. Get ready for summer reading by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app. If you need a library card, visit our website at www.alvahnbeldinglibrary.org to apply.

Dear Reluctant Reader…

by Kelly

I am a librarian, and I am a reluctant reader. That’s probably not a statement you would expect when you think about librarians, but in my case, it’s true. It’s not that I don’t like books. I love them! I just have a really hard time making myself sit down and read, and I am great at coming up with excuses why I can’t—“Reading makes me tired.” “I have to get X, Y, Z done first.” And my favorite, “I don’t have the time.”

Now that I am home due to the current world-wide pandemic, I assure you, I have the time. So, here is what I am learning about being a reluctant reader. First, it’s ok. Some people naturally love to jump into a book and some people don’t. I think what is most important about reading anything is simply to try. 

This is just one reason libraries are awesome. They supply the books at no cost to you, and you get to choose what to try and what to put back. Even now, when we can’t physically enter the library, we have access to digital books to read or listen to, or to simply give a try. No pressure, right?

I take home (and download) a lot of books that I want to read, sometimes read a little of, and sometimes never even open. And that’s ok. My reading journey will look different than yours As long as authors keep writing, I will keep trying, because finding one book I love is worth the struggle. 

Here are my reading suggestions for reluctant readers to help keep them going!

• Pick out a variety of books to choose from. Having more options gives you the freedom to change your mind. 
• Read into a book as many pages as you are old. If the book doesn’t hold your interest by that page, put it down and try a different one!
• Set aside a block of time just for reading. Start a timer for 20 (or more or less) minutes. When the time is up put the book down—or keep reading. It’s your choice!
• Stop comparing your reading habits to others. Whether you read 1 or 100 books a year doesn’t matter. What matters is opening yourself up to the opportunity of a good book!

Visit the digital resources tab of our website at www.alvahnbeldinglibrary.org to learn about where you can download eBooks and eAudiobooks with your library card. Need a book suggestion? Visit our Pinterest Page for lots of great book ideas!

Staying Sharp in Quarantine

by Zach

Staying focused and motivated can be a tricky endeavor even in the best of conditions, so it stands to reason that something as crippling and stressful as a global pandemic can easily grind our productivity to a halt.

But that doesn’t have to be the case.

This year I set a resolution on January 3^rd  (my first resolution fell apart completely on day two) that would, in theory, push myself to learn something new every day. The criteria for my resolution was fairly loose, (I didn’t need to learn multivariate calculus one day, then memorize the Talmud the next) I just needed to learn something new. Anything. The rules have fluctuated some since then, but the essence of my resolution has stayed the same.

Reading a dense nonfiction tome about Lyndon Johnson is an easy way (for me, because I’m a history nerd) to hit my daily quota, but I didn’t feel like I was being challenged day to day, which missed the point of my resolution. Once I maintained some consistency, I decided that I needed to go outside of my comfort zone and set challenges for myself. I started getting into web development; I learned some math; I read a lengthy article about giant mouse lemurs for some reason.

Like with anything challenging, mildly or otherwise, my motivation and willpower has stalled occasionally and there have been days where I just wanted to sit on the sofa and binge-watch Parks and Recreation reruns, but now it’s time for a little more consistency, and what better time to work on self-improvement than the beginning of our second month of quarantine?

If you’re bored or stressed and feel like learning something new, the websites below are some of the best out there for people who want to learn just about anything. They’ve certainly helped me stay focused and motivated this year.

khanacademy.org  – Outstanding website that teaches every level of math (from counting all the way through calculus), computer science, history, and even teaches economics!

duolingo.com – Teach yourself a new language

ted.com  – Lectures by really, really smart people

codecademy.com  – Teach yourself coding through interactive lessons

cookingforengineers.com  – One of the best cooking blogs out there

edx.org  – Free university courses from Harvard, MIT, Berkeley and several more

mentalfloss.com – Articles meant to expose you to inspiring new information

investopedia.com – Learn all about the world of finance, from basic terminology to in depth analysis of various areas of investing.

careerbuilder.com – A job hunting site meant to help you find a career.

justinguitar.com – Hundreds of guitar tutorials from complete beginner to music theory

This list barely scratches the surface of what the internet has to offer because the internet is massive, intimidating, and occasionally terrifying, but it’s also one of the greatest resources for information we have available to us. The great thing about it is that if we’re wanting to learn something specific we can simply plug it into a search engine and see where that takes us, but if you’re like me and sometimes your desire to learn can be a little more abstract, this list is a good jumping off point.