An "Awesome" Book

I have an awesome book suggestion for those of you who are too busy, too tired, and too stressed making all that holiday cheer. I know what you're thinking: "Perch Librarian, I have no time to sleep let alone read a book now of all times!" Well, the book I have in mind can be easily read in short snippets (even during a bathroom break) and put you in the spirit of the season now and year-round--The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha.

The genesis of the book is a blog Pasricha started in 2008 during a dark time in his life when his marriage fell apart and his best friend took his own life. "1000 Awesome Things" began as a form of therapy for the author in which he looked for an awesome thing to write about every weekday for a thousand weekdays. The blog went viral and, as they say, the rest is history.

I love this book, especially around holiday time, because it makes you stop and think about all the wonderful little things in life, the everyday things we often take for granted. Think of the smell and sound of a campfire, your favorite comfy T-shirt, hearing someone's smile over the phone, or popping bubble wrap (I love doing that!). Pasricha reminds us that many things we consider ordinary are actually extraordinary and make life worth living.

You can read this book from front to back like any other book or you can just open it to a random page and start reading. Some of the entries are several pages long while others are several lines, so no matter how much time you have, there's always room to squeeze in a few minutes of Awesome reading.

If you ask me, there just aren't enough books for adults that make you smile. Give yourself the gift of reading The Book of Awesome and find all the awesome that's around you.

Wishing you a holiday season full of awesome from the perch.

Lovely Love Actually

The movie, Love Actually, which surprisingly over the years has become a modern holiday classic, is celebrating its 20th anniversary (even though it was released 19 years ago in November 2003). I remember seeing it for the first time in a Beavercreek, Ohio cinema and loved it from the start.

Firstly, you have a dream cast of British actors. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martin Freeman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, just to name a few. And if you've seen these actors before in classic or serious roles, you're in for a shock. In Love Actually, they all let their hair down, so-to-speak, and dish up great comedy either with a stiff upper lip or in uncharacteristic ways. You'll see Hugh Grant doing a happy dance as the Prime Minister to "Jump," sung by The Pointer Sisters, and Colin Firth jumping up and down in frustration after gallantly offering his cab to an elderly woman at an airport.

Secondly, the characters of Love Actually are in different stages of love. Liam Neeson is grieving the loss of his wife, while his young stepson is experiencing his first big school crush. Martin Freeman is going through the awkwardness of new love; Emma Thompson is facing the heartbreak of love's betrayal. There's also unrequited love, love that transcends language, love between friends, love between siblings, and love (or is it lust?) on demand. Practically everyone can relate to one type of love or another.

Most of all, Love Actually is a comedy that actually is a comedy, not a comedy that resembles a drama. You'll laugh, you'll have fun, and you'll feel good at the end. Happily, you can borrow the DVD and other holiday movies from our library to enjoy at your leisure. Just one caveat--Love Actually is R-rated as there are some mature scenes and language. 

Wishing you happy holiday viewing from the perch.

Celebrate the Holidays...With Books!

We survived the October and November holidays, and now the big December holidays are upon us. Not a big fan of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and all the promotional emails from stores? Want to enjoy the holiday season doing something that's less commercial and more meaningful? Celebrate with books!

I realize I'm biased as a perch librarian, but reading is the gift that will never go out of style no matter the age of the recipient. Books not only offer countless hours of (unplugged) entertainment, but also relaxation and learning. Here are some ideas to incorporate books into your holidays:

• Books as gifts.  This one is pretty obvious--give books to your friends and loved ones as holiday gifts. You can give them books you think they will like, or give them a book that you enjoyed and was significant to you.
• A book Advent calendar.  If you count the days before Christmas with your children, instead of chocolates or candy, wrap a book to be opened on each of the 24 days before Christmas (it's lower in calories). Your children will have a new book to look forward to reading every day.
• 8 (or 6) nights of books. Depending on whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, give the gift of a book on each day of the holiday. This is something that both children and adults will enjoy receiving.
• Jolabokaflod. Get inspired by Iceland's tradition of gifting and reading books on Christmas Eve (while drinking hot chocolate!). Once everyone has their book, they can relax and read quietly to themselves or one person can read a book aloud to others. 

Whatever you decide, you'll have fun and make memories that are sure to last a lifetime. And if you're a little short on cash to buy books, come to our library and help yourself to the books on our Free Shelf. We have plenty of books for readers of all ages, from infants to adults, fiction to non-fiction.

Wishing you Season's Readings from the perch!

Name Your Game

The library has board games? Yes, we do! When was the last time you played a "retro game," one that doesn't require a computer, a TV, a game console, or even electric? You know, games you may have played while growing up, like Checkers, Chess, Monopoly, Life, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Battleship, Yahtzee, Sorry, etc. Am I ringing any bells? Maybe some of us have good childhood memories playing those games with our siblings or the whole family together.

Sure, video games (which can also be checked out from the library) are fun and popular today among kids and kids at heart, but there are a lot of good things about board games:

• Unplugging.  Take a break from your phone and other electronic devices. The only thing that should be plugged in is a lamp.
• Togetherness.  Board games require a minimum of 2 people to play, unlike many video games which only need 1 player. Board games give us a good excuse to spend time with friends and family.
• Socializing.  Being together allows us to talk, something that's especially good for kids who can boost their language skills in a non-academic, informal setting.
• Focusing.  The Internet is great for so many things, but lengthening our attention span isn't one of them. Board games force us to focus and think.
• Soothing.  When we're focusing on the game, we forget about work, school, and other things. We relax and feel less anxious.
• Losing.  No one likes losing, but board games teach all of us how to be good losers. We all lose and are disappointed at one time or another, but we also relish working towards a win and succeeding.
• Fun!  Board games are just plain fun, and so many of us get caught up in the stresses of life that we often forget how to just let go. Playtime is important not just for kids, but for teens and adults as well.

So come on over to the library, and besides checking out books, DVDs, and whatnot, check out a board game! We got the classic games you know and newer ones you may not. Perhaps start a game night once a week with your family, or give yourself and your friends something to do on the weekends as the weather gets cooler. And did I mention that board games, as everything else in our library, check out for free??

Wishing you happy board gaming from the perch.

The Book First? Or the Movie?

I recently saw the film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing, and I confess that I didn't read the book before watching the movie. Yes, I know it's a popular book, and the reason why I didn't rush to read it is I'm not a big fan of courtroom dramas. So when the movie came out, I thought I'd get an idea of what all the fuss over the book was about.

I admit that even as a librarian, I'll occasionally watch the movie before I read the book. Sometimes the movie will sell me on a book that doesn't immediately grab me. That was the case with The Light Between Oceans, a bestselling book when it was first published. Watching the movie made me want to read the book and get more details of the story. I believe film adaptations have the power to create interest in reading the books on which they were based.

Similarly, books have the power to draw readers to film adaptations. Which fan of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings didn't want to see Peter Jackson's movies when they first came out in the cinema? I remember sitting in a packed theater on opening weekend with other moviegoers who were also there because they wanted to see Middle Earth and its characters brought to life on the screen. Many readers want to re-live their favorite literary experiences through film and compare their vision to that of others.

Let's face it--books sell their film adaptations, and film adaptations sell books. It's a cycle that's been going on for decades, and I'm sure you've probably watched a movie because of a book or read a book because of a movie. As for myself, I just may read Delia Owens' bestseller because of its intriguing film adaptation. Which movies have sold you on a book and vice versa? Share with us!

Wishing you good reads and good movie-watching from the perch.

Favorite Reading Days

Do you have a favorite day for reading? Maybe it's the day of the week? A rainy day? A sunny day? A fall, winter, spring, or summer day?

In the fall, I love reading on rainy days. There's no better feeling than snuggling into the sofa with a good book, savoring a good cup of tea, and listening to the rain beating against the window. If the wind is howling, even better. Sometimes, I may swap out my tea with spiced cider to go along with my read.

Winter is great for reading indoors during those snowy days and cold nights. I like wrapping myself in a throw blanket in front of the fireplace, staying warm and cozy with a book, and having a cup of tea (or a hot chocolate) as the snow is falling. Many of my winter evenings are spent in bed reading my Kindle on dark mode.

Like fall, spring with its rain is ideal for reading. I while away a number of spring mornings at my kitchen table with a book and (you guessed it) a cup of tea, looking out the window periodically at the leaves sprouting on the trees. As the season progresses, I'll open the sliding door onto my back porch to let in some fresh air as I read.

Summer is the time of year when I take my reading outdoors. I'm often on my back porch in the shade with a book and my feet up on an opposite chair. If it's exceptionally hot, I'll sip on an iced tea as I read. On really lazy summer weekends, I'll read outside in a hammock and enjoy the warm, gentle breezes along with my book.

I suppose for me, no matter the season, every day is a good day for reading, especially when it's accompanied by a good cup of tea or other agreeable beverage. What about you? Tell us about your favorite day(s) for reading!

Wishing you numerous days of good reading from the perch.

Strike Up the Banned

Banned Books Week (September 18-24) is here, the week libraries around the U.S. bring attention to books that have been banned or challenged. Occasionally we hear on the news about communities displeased that their local library houses certain books that may address subjects such as religion, sexuality, profanity, violence, or other hot button topics. Some people even go as far as asking that books they deem offensive be removed or "banned" from the library so no one can obtain them.

There is a saying that every good library has something to offend everyone (including librarians). As a reader, I may not like or agree with the perspectives presented in every book in the library, but as a librarian, it is my job to help library patrons find the books or information they are seeking. It is not my place to judge what you are looking for or to keep information from you.

The U.S. is built on the key principle of freedom. That includes the freedom to access information and read whatever you like. You also have the freedom NOT to read something you don't like. When we go down the dangerous road of banning books from libraries, we enter the realm of censorship, which is a restriction of freedom. Sadly, there are libraries in other parts of the world that do censor information because of national laws and politics.

We have reason to be grateful for living in a nation where libraries are free to offer all kinds of information and lend books to everyone. We don't need to fear torture or imprisonment for reading something. What we do need to fear is any threat to our freedom of accessing reading materials. A free and healthy society is one in which its people are respectful and tolerant of various views expressed in literature, even though some of those views may be contrary to their own.

Helpfully and respectfully yours from the perch.

Reading Year-Round!

Reading doesn't have to end just because the summer is ending! So many of you--kids, teens, and adults--have been enjoying the Summer Reading Program, getting prizes, and breaking our all-time record for minutes spent reading (over 501,000!). But having fun reading can continue throughout the year for those of all ages.

How do we do that? Here are some of my suggestions:

• Make reading part of your everyday routine.  You don't have to read for a long time--even 10 to 20 minutes at the start of your day or the end of it is good. You work eating, sleeping, exercising into your schedule; work in some reading as well.

• Read what you like.  Don't force yourself to read things you think you should be reading. Read whatever tickles your fancy. Who cares if it's graphic novels, romances, or paranormal teen books. Choose things you look forward to reading.

• Be a reading model.  I'm not talking about posing for photos. If you want your kids to read more, have them see you reading. Kids are notorious for copying adults, and they won't pick up the reading habit if they can't copy it from you.

• Make reading family time.  Whether you have younger kids or older kids, why not set a time once a week when the family comes together for reading? Have one person read aloud to everyone, or have everyone read silently to themselves in the same room. Reading loves company!

• Join or make your own book club.  Discuss a book with a friend over tea. Participate in an online or in-person book club. Small group or large, informal or formal, talking about what you read with others can further your enjoyment of reading.

For me, reading is like breathing. I can't imagine a day going by when I don't read at least a few pages. I don't consider myself a morning person, but each day I get up earlier than I need to have at least 20 minutes for reading with a cup of tea to put myself in a good mood. I often read for a few minutes while I have my lunch. And in the evening, I read for at least a half hour in bed to quiet my brain away from screens before sleeping. I read books that coincide with my mood and current interests. The bottom line--reading makes me feel whole and gives me different things to think about at any time and any season. Hopefully, reading does similar things for you.

Wishing you a wonderful year of reading from the perch.

Library, Sweet Library

Library lovers--do you gravitate to the mother ship when you travel? You know what I'm talking about. You're away on vacation, you're taking in the surroundings, and you're drawn to...the local library. It's a bit of the familiar in an otherwise unfamiliar place. The building may look different, but the smell of books and the sight of friendly, welcoming faces ready to help makes you think of your home library, doesn't it?

I recently visited Forks, Washington (yes, THAT Forks, the one featured in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series)--leave it to a perch librarian to visit a literary place on her time off from work! In my defense, it's difficult to avoid the library in Forks since it's right on the main street going through town along with the Native to Twilight store, the Thriftway, and Bella's truck. Even so, I couldn't help shouting out (and freaking my husband) when I saw the same Summer Reading Program banner outside a library over 400 miles away from my own.

I couldn't help thinking how great it is that readers across the state, even across the country, are in a sense connected through summer reading programs at their libraries. They're all reading, logging minutes, and collecting prizes. They're participating in related activities, enjoying summer reading parties, and having fun! What can be better?

Feel empowered knowing that you are part of a widespread summer reading community! What happens at one library often happens at other libraries. Keep reading, whether you're at home or on the road. And in case you were wondering--I was reading New Moon during a new moon in Forks.

Wishing you good literary travels (physical or mental) from the perch.

The Library Dragons!

They're protectors of the knight. They're celebrities with the kids. They're...The Library Dragons! WooHOO! There are two dragons (and one dinosaur): Duncan and Donut (and Munchkin). They all love books and learning, but they have distinct personalities.

Duncan, the green dragon, is the biggest one, and he thinks he's in charge because of his size. That doesn't make him mean, however. He's actually quite protective of Donut and Munchkin, who are both small. He's really excited that a book, Duncan the Story Dragon, has been written about him and that you can get this book at the library.

Donut, the red dragon, is Duncan's trusty sidekick. Despite being smaller, he thinks he can do anything Duncan can (and he usually succeeds). When Duncan needs a break from his duties at the library, Donut is more than happy to step in. He's excited that Duncan got a book published, but he's hoping to get his own book sometime.

Munchkin, is not a dragon but a blue dinosaur who thinks he's a dragon because he wants to be cool like Duncan and Donut. He's rather shy, so you don't see him as much as you see Duncan and Donut. He likes hanging out in the back of the library where it's more quiet, but sometimes he comes out to see what's happening in the front. Although he prefers being left out of the spotlight, Munchkin is willing to help Duncan and Donut whenever he's needed.

For most of the year you can see Duncan and Donut protecting our knight behind the perch. Sometimes, though, during the summer, Duncan and Donut like taking turns hiding around the library in different spots and seeing if kids can find them. Munchkin spends most of his time in the back reading, but one summer he just might take a turn at playing hide and seek.

Next time you're in the library, don't forget The Library Dragons. Be sure to give a nod to Duncan and Donut and pass on a hello to Munchkin.

Ever bookishly yours from the perch.

(Updated from September 4, 2015.)

Secrets of Libraries and More!

What really goes on in libraries and bookstores? What are the secret lives of librarians and booksellers? Some of the things you hear may be true (yes, most staff members LOVE reading books) and some of it may be false (no, we don't live at the library or bookstore).

I'll share something with you--as a perch librarian, I occasionally like to read books about libraries and bookstores. It's similar to healthcare professionals watching medical dramas to see how outsiders view and depict their profession. I enjoy reading about both real and imagined book-associated locales and the characters that populate them. Here are some selections I particularly enjoyed and found interesting:

• The Bookshop on the Corner (Jenny Colgan)  A British library in the present time re-structures and downsizes, leaving a librarian out of a job. But when life gives you lemons, get a book van and head to Scotland!
• The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)  How would you like going to a special library where you can read books about the different lives you could have lived, the other roads not taken? One person does this and learns a lot about herself. 
• The Giver of Stars (Jojo Moyes)  Based on a true story, a group of dedicated librarians ride horseback to deliver books to families living in remote regions of Appalachia during the Great Depression.
• The Library of Lost and Found (Phaedra Patrick)  A librarian who has let life take over her learns, with the help of her charismatic grandmother, how to take over life and live it to the fullest on her terms.
• The Paris Library (Janet Skeslien Charles)  This is a loose account of the events and courageous staff members of the American Library in Paris during World War II.

All these books are available at the library in either print or audiobook formats; you can also enjoy them as digital books or e-audiobooks through our online resources. 

What are some books about libraries and bookstores that you have liked? Share with us!

Happy summer reading from the perch!

Building a Love of Reading

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are readers. And who is instrumental in helping children build a love of reading? Parents, grandparents, and other key adults in children's lives.

For babies and toddlers, reading turns into quality time between the child and the adult. On a lap or nestled in the crook of an arm, a child can bond with the adult who is reading the book to him or her, sharing in the same story experience. They learn to regard reading as a fun and positive activity. Furthermore, they learn sounds and develop language through hearing the adult reading.

For older children, adults can still read aloud to them or the children can read aloud to each other for a shared bonding experience and vocabulary building. It's also essential for children to have reading role models. By that I mean seeing adults read. If they see parents and the other adults in their lives reading, they're going to want to read as well. You can even set up a family reading time when everyone comes to read aloud together or silently to themselves in the same room.

Be sure to let children choose what they want to read, no matter their age. We as adults don't like being forced to read something we don't want and neither do children. I think it goes for everyone that if you want to read something, you're going to do it and it will be a pleasure. Children have reading material chosen for them throughout the school year, so let them enjoy reading whatever they want in the summer. Who cares if it's a comic book, manga, or a magazine? The point is they're READING and having FUN!

The Summer Reading Program (which continues at the library through August 31) may involve a lot of prizes that eventually get lost and forgotten, but the true prize--a love of reading--will always be there, and adults can help with that.

Happy summer reading from the perch.

Entering the Comfort Zone (Books)

Following the last post on "comfort viewing," let's go further and talk about "comfort reading" (being a perch librarian, I naturally have to talk about books). Comfort reading shares many similarities with its more pictorial counterpart. It involves a book (or books) you absolutely love that you return to over and over again. You can read the entire book from beginning to end, or you can just re-read your favorite sections. It's a feel-good read that makes you smile, giving you warm and fuzzy feelings.

Comfort reading can be something you read in your childhood or something you read more recently. Maybe it's fantasy taking place in an entirely fictional world. Perhaps it's an action-adventure thriller that makes you feel invincible, one in which evil is punished and good is rewarded. It could also be a book that has characters you like and with which you can relate. Whatever it is, comfort reading is different for everyone.

My comfort reading veers toward fantasy and the paranormal. Like my comfort viewing (Smallville and other takes on Superman), it's escapism that I find entertaining and relaxing. During the pandemic I found myself re-reading books I loved when I was younger, such as The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Lord of the Rings series. I also read (more like devoured) newer series dealing with the paranormal like A Discovery of Witches. Then there were the light, funny books--The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, How to Be a Canadian, and The Library of Lost and Found.

Some psychologists will say that we can get as much life satisfaction from the world of a book as we can from a real life social situation. We've often heard that books are friends we can re-visit any time we want, and that turns out to be true. Indeed, comfort reading provides us with a connection not only to the characters, but to the authors as well. What are some of your comfort reads? Share with us!

Wishing you lots of comfort reading from the perch.

Entering the Comfort Zone (TV)

They're your go-to programs that you like watching over and over again, especially when you need a pick-me-up. You know what I'm talking about--comfort TV. Often, it can be something you watched as a kid, in happy times, or with the people special to you.

Lately for me my comfort TV show has been Smallville (I'm in the middle of watching Season 8, but I'll probably start Season 9 by next week). Full disclosure: I've been a Superman fan since the age of 12 when Christopher Reeve in Superman: The Movie flew onto my radar. After the Superman movies it was Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (it's cheesy 1990s fare, but I still like it) and then Smallville. Why do I find watching Smallville comforting? Simply put, it's fun fantasy and escapism.

Even therapists say that "comfort viewing" is good for our mental health. We relax and re-charge our brains by watching familiar characters and episodes. Furthermore, comfort viewing improves our emotional health and makes us feel more hopeful. It's good to watch an episode or two at the end of the day as long as we treat it as a break. However, if we're not doing necessary things--exercising, eating healthy, taking care of the dog, etc.--that's when comfort TV becomes detrimental.

So go ahead. Watch your favorite episodes of Friends, The Golden Girls, The Brady Bunch, or Dennis the Menace. Smile and have some good laughs. We need them more than ever with all the things going on in the world right now. What's your comfort TV show? Share with us!

Wishing you peace and good comfort viewing from the perch.

In Line with Storytime

I've been leading storytime in the library for 7 months now (along with Miss Annabelle, who alternates Wednesdays with me). I had some big shoes to fill following Miss Dona, who led storytime for over 10 years and was a celebrity among the preschoolers on base. To say I was a little nervous at the beginning is probably an understatement.

I'm no stranger to reading and speaking in front of groups. Before becoming a librarian, I taught college dramatic literature courses and high school English classes. I confess that 9th graders were the youngest crowd I dealt with until last September. Sure, I could act goofy (as my co-workers can attest from my pandemic-time Morning Boogies), but could I keep the attention of 2- to 5-year olds?

After 7 months we've been having large numbers at storytime--18 to 34 kids on average, along with their adults. I'm guessing they must enjoy the stories, the dancing, the crafts, and the other activities (that, or everyone really needs to get out of the house after the pandemic). I have to say that it's great to see all the enthusiastic, smiling little faces!

If you are one of my storytime attendees, I thank you for coming and I thank you for your patience. I'm learning as I go along and things may not always run perfectly. Remembering names has never been my strong suit, so forgive me if it takes me a while to learn everyone's name (please don't be offended if I ask several times). And if you have some book requests or ideas for crafts, I'm all ears. Let's have fun reading, dancing, and crafting together!

Wishing lots of good reading to the young (and young at heart) readers from the perch.

The Power of Children's Books, Part 2

I recently read an article about how a number of Ukrainian fairy tales feature an "underdog hero" who ultimately becomes successful. These stories are not only a part of Ukrainian culture, but also an influence on the collective Ukrainian character to persevere. This is something we currently see each day as Ukrainians defend their homeland against all odds from Russian invaders.

Take a moment and think about the fairy tales you enjoyed as a child. Maybe you thought about walking through a wardrobe to enter Narnia. Or going on a quest in Middle Earth. Or attending Hogwarts and learning about witchcraft and wizardry.

As an adult, you probably don't give fairy tales much thought, but whether or not you realize it, they played a role in shaping you into the person you've become. Children are impressionable, absorbing and internalizing what they hear, see, and read. Fairy tales help children understand how the world operates and how people can react when faced with different situations or challenges. 

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone who works with children, never underestimate the power of books on young, developing minds. Long after you finish reading a story aloud, children will process and ponder on that story again and again. To them, the story feels real and the characters are people with whom they empathize. 

Which fairy tales or children's books were your favorite? Share with us!

Wishing you happily ever afters from the perch.

The Power of Children's Books, Part 1

How are we doing? I mean, really, how are we doing? Mask mandates are gone, and most of us are going about the library and other indoor spaces without masks. Inflation is the highest it's been in 40 years. There's a war going on between Russia and Ukraine--thousands have died, millions have fled to other countries, and gas prices have gone up. Are we hyperventilating yet?

We have a saying in the library--"sometimes you have to read a children's book." More adult books than not tend to be serious, while a number of teen books are rather depressing. I and my colleagues have discussed this topic on different occasions, and each time we've concluded that if you want to read something more uplifting and feel-good, choose a children's book.

The world in children's literature is not necessarily perfect. Harry Potter lost his parents, lives with an aunt and uncle who mistreat him, and has an evil wizard out to kill him. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie boys and girls must go to the countryside to stay with a professor, a stranger to them, to be safe from London air raids during World War II. Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit confronts various challenges in Middle Earth, including goblins, orcs, and a dragon who mean him harm. And these are just several examples.

Children's books are imaginative and entertaining to be sure. Their characters often face obstacles but overcome them at the end, which is usually happy and satisfying. Most importantly, children's books give us the hope that good will prevail and everything will be alright. They shape our world view and influence the adults we become, but more on that in the next post. Until then, why not re-read one of your favorite childhood books? 

Wishing you happy reading from the perch.

Are We Ready?

We've waited almost 2 years to ditch our masks, to breathe the air freely without any obstructions either indoors or out, but do we really feel ready?

Two years ago today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic, and overnight we had to adjust to a new normal--if we weren't at home we had to wear masks practically everywhere in order to protect ourselves and others from contracting the virus. It was difficult to get used to breathing with something over our faces and dealing with sore ears from mask loops, but get used to masks we did.

Now after 2 years of wearing masks to the store, to work, to the gym, to school, and almost everywhere else, COVID-19 cases have gone down in Washington state to the point at which a mask mandate no longer seems necessary. Will it be odd, though, after the abnormal had become the normal, to go back to being mask-free again?

As the base is following CDC and DoD guidance, most places here (including the library) no longer require masks worn indoors as of March 1. Since then, many of our patrons have been coming in without masks, remarking how strange it feels to not wear a mask or to see the other half of people's faces. Some newer patrons who arrived on base during the pandemic have told me they're now seeing my entire face for the first time.

There are some who continue to wear masks for different reasons, but overall, most people coming into the library are ready to unmask. You can sense that the atmosphere has become a little lighter than before.

Wishing you good health and better times from the perch. 

Celebrate the "Tines"

February is full of "tines"--Valentines, Galentines, and Solotines. Confused? Let's take this slowly. 

Valentine's Day is the February 14th holiday synonymous with chocolate, flowers, jewelry, and of course, love. It has a bloody history, but we won't talk about that. All that matters is showing love for your sweetie (and stores cashing in on all the commercialism).

Galentine's Day is a newer holiday started by Amy Poehler that comes the day before Valentine's Day. Every year on the 13th, women are supposed to celebrate friendships with their gal pals by having fun (and brunch) together. A version for men and their best buds--Malentine's Day--was created in response, but that hasn't been as successful as the female version.

Whether or not you have gal pals or a sweetie, the day after Valentine's Day, February 15th, is for you--on Solotine's Day show yourself some love. How? By doing some self-care--take a nap, read a book (my favorite!), get a massage, or binge-watch some shows. The key is to relax and take care of yourself!

Personally, I'm for all of these "tines" (even Malentine's Day). If you ask me, though, I think it's good to practice the essence of these tines throughout the year and not just on a special day. So give your sweetie some love each day, get together with your gal pals (or best buds), and be kind to yourself for both your physical and mental health. Spread the love around!

Wishing you a year full of love from the perch.

Historical Fiction: World War II

World War II seems to be trending these days. For decades there have been historical fiction novels set in 1940s Europe, but in the past decade there seems to be even more of them. Could it be that the farther in time we get from that infamous period in human history the more curious we become about it? Most of the youngest survivors from that time are now in their late 80s or 90s, and it won't be long before all the survivors will be gone. There will be no one with firsthand memories of the Holocaust and daily life in wartime Europe.

Some World War II fiction published in the past decade include:

• All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr)  The Pulitzer Prize-winning book about two teenagers during the war. One is a blind girl in Nazi-occupied France, the other is a German boy forced into the Nazi army.
• The Nightingale (Kristin Hannah)  Tells the story of two sisters trying to survive in France during the Nazi occupation.
• Lilac Girls (Martha Hall Kelly)  The lives of three women (a New York socialite/philanthropist, a concentration camp prisoner, and a concentration camp doctor) are intertwined.
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Heather Morris)  A Slovakian Jew speaking several languages is put to work tattooing new camp prisoners, seeing the worst and best of human behavior.
• The Rose Code (Kate Quinn)  Three female code breakers at England's Bletchley Park become friends, but after the war, one of them is betrayed by a co-worker and is put in an asylum.
• Eternal (Lisa Scottoline)  A love triangle of three teenagers is told against the backdrop of Rome in Mussolini's Italy.
• The Paris Library (Janet Skeslien Charles)  Based on the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II.

There are a number of other historical fiction books beside these that are set during the war. Have you read any? Share the titles with us!

Wishing you interesting travels through time from the perch.

Starting the New Year On a Positive Note

Happy New Year! And happy 2nd birthday, COVID-19 pandemic? We had no idea you'd be sticking around for so long. You've gotten rather cozy, making yourself at home all over the world. You're an unwanted houseguest outstaying your welcome, and it seems we can't get rid of you no matter how hard we try. Frankly, our relationship with you is rather unhealthy, both physically and mentally.

So, how do we start this new year on a positive note, especially with the Omicron variant that's been cancelling concerts and sporting events, closing museums, and making schools go virtual again like it's March 2020? Here are some ideas:

• Let yourself grieve.  Even if you've been one of the "lucky" ones who hasn't lost a loved one or a job, we've lost a lot in terms of normalcy. Acknowledge that loss instead of pushing it aside.
• Practice gratitude.  Rather than focus on the things you can't do right now, focus on the things you can.
• Limit your time on social media.  Misery loves company, and there's plenty of it on social media. Curb your exposure to all that negativity.
• Do a hobby.  Whatever it is you like doing--knitting, woodworking, painting, etc.--just do it. When your hands are busy, your brain gets to relax.
• Read a book.  You knew I had to include this. Like doing a hobby, reading allows your mind to rest and think of other things.
• Go outdoors and move.  Fresh air and nature along with walking or doing some other exercise are great for getting those endorphins (a.k.a. "the happy hormones") going. It may be the middle of winter, but put on that coat and get out there for a short while. You'll be glad you did.

A positive attitude can make a big difference in your mood. Being together with other people (even if it's done virtually through video or the phone) can also help. Keep in mind that we're all going through this pandemic and it will eventually end. What things or activities help you stay positive? Share with us!

Wishing you many positive vibes from the perch.