Happy Reads

Lately, with all the doom and gloom brought about by the ongoing pandemic, I think it's more important than ever to do some serious self-care, not only physically but mentally and emotionally. Reading is a great way to relax our minds and focus on something else other than the news.

If you're looking for some books to put you in a good mood and lift your spirits, I highly recommend the following books that are sure to brighten your day:

• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Overdrive) A grumpy, lonely old man finds friendship with caring neighbors.
• The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu (RBdigital) Two of the world's spiritual leaders share their experiences and insights on how to find joy in life.
• The Walk by Richard Paul Evans (Hoopla--Audiobook) A man who loses everything--his business, his home, and his wife--sets off on a walk across America to find himself.
• The Little French Bistro by Nina George (Overdrive, RBdigital) Stuck in an unhappy, loveless marriage of over 40 years, a woman leaves her husband to begin anew on the coast of Brittany.
• Anything by Debbie Macomber (Hoopla, Overdrive, RBdigital) These feel-good books follow a familiar formula--characters unhappy with their lives support each other through crises to find their happy endings.
• One Good Deed by Erin McHugh (Hoopla) A bookseller documents her year of trying to do one good deed, no matter how great or small, every day.
• The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick (Hoopla--Audiobook) An elderly gentleman stumbles upon his late wife's charm bracelet, and while learning more about her, he learns to move on and live life fully.

Do you have an upbeat book you'd recommend? Share it with us!

Happy readings from the perch.

Forest Bathing (Swimming Suit Not Required)

I probably don't have to tell you that the COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful time. We're all worried about a number of things--staying healthy, going to work, schooling children, and safely grocery shopping, among others. No matter our age, so many aspects of our lives are being affected right now, and it feels like there's no escape...or is there?

"Forest bathing" or shinrin-yoku is a concept the Japanese created in the early 1990s. Contrary to the term, it has nothing to do with taking a bath in the forest, but has everything to do with immersing yourself in nature. Some would call it nature therapy. It's all about going into a forest, looking at the trees and flora, smelling the fresh air, feeling the breeze on your skin, and enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Doctors and scientists have known for a long time that being outdoors, even in your backyard or on your deck, can do wonders for your mental health, decreasing stress and improving your mood. Going outdoors can help your physical health as well, whether you're simply walking or doing some other kind of activity, like biking.

Luckily for us in the Inland Northwest, we're surrounded by nature. We have forests, parks, fields, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains. There are nature trails to walk and bike paths to ride. We can do things by ourselves or together with members of our household. And since the outdoors are full of space, practicing social distancing from others is a cinch.

So, go out and get a good dose of Vitamin N! Nature is the one thing that's always open. Leave your cell phones and the world behind for a little while. Focus on all the sights, sounds, scents, and sensations around you. And if you need help with where to immerse yourself in the local nature, your friendly, neighborhood perch librarian is here to help.

Wishing you calming, peaceful vibes from the perch.

The Joys of E-Reading

I have a confession to make to you, my dear followers--I have only recently discovered the joys of e-reading. I'm admitting it. I know how that must sound coming from a librarian, especially one who uses all sorts of technology on a daily basis. I'm well familiar with the various databases for e-books and other e-reading our library offers, but I can't say that I myself have ever read a book entirely online until now. Blame it on the pandemic.

I grew up with books. I love the feel of them in my hands, the smell of their ink and paper, and the fact that they're unplugged. Since I spend most of my days on a computer screen, I didn't want to spend even more time on a screen simply to read a book. I was afraid of straining my eyes further and not having that same experience I get from reading a paper book.

When the stay-at-home order was issued and libraries, including my own, were closed down, like many other readers, I acutely felt the disconnect between myself and the print collection. I was in the mood for reading a certain title, but now I had no access to it...except for its digital version. So I hijacked my husband's tablet, installed the database app, and checked out the virtual book.

I'll be honest. It was strange at first to read the book on a tablet, tapping the screen to go to the next page or to bookmark my spot. After a while, however, I became more comfortable with this new reading experience. I was able to adjust the brightness of the screen according to the light in the room (it was actually great for reading in bed--no need for a reading light!). I was also able to adjust the size of the text (no need for large print books) and look up the definition of any word by tapping on it. Not to mention, I now had access to thousands of books at my fingertips!

Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not giving up paper books. I still love their old school experience. I've just learned to enjoy and appreciate a new reading experience as well. So this Christmas, if Santa offers me an e-reader, I won't turn him down this time.

Happy readings (print and virtual) from the perch.

Summer Reading--It's Good for You!

Our Summer Reading Program has started and is well underway--YAY!!! In the last post, I wrote about how the library is doing the program this year during the pandemic. I also mentioned some benefits of reading for both kids and adults, but just in case you need some more reasons:

• Improves reading skills.  The more you do something, the better you get. Reading is something to practice just like any other activity.
• Improves writing skills.  A good writer is also a good reader. Books demonstrate how language is used.
• Increases the desire to read.  When you eat a potato chip, you know you can't eat just one. The same goes for books.
• Improves self-esteem.  Reading builds vocabulary and knowledge. It's a good feeling when you're able to express yourself well and talk about things you know.
• Improves memory.  When you read a book, one event in a story often leads to the next. Reading exercises your mind and helps you remember earlier things.
• Improves concentration.  You just have to know what happens next in the story, don't you? Reading will help you focus and concentrate better.
• Reduces stress.  Need to relax? Reading allows you to forget your troubles and focus on something else for a while.
• Promotes curiosity and learning.  Reading exposes you to different things that will make you want to learn and understand more.
• Improves empathy.  Connecting with fictional characters helps us connect with real people in our lives.
• Provides entertainment.  Books and the stories they tell are fun! They take us to different places when we have nowhere to go.
• Creates a lifelong interest in reading.  When you start reading and make it an enjoyable activity, it becomes a good habit.

So, crack open those books, charge up those e-readers, and get reading! Read whatever you like. Read alone. Read together. The Summer Reading Program may run for 3 months, but the benefits, fun, and memories will last a lifetime.

Happy summer reading from the perch.

Summer Reading Program (Pandemic Edition)

Around this time of year I normally talk about the start of the Summer Reading Program, how much fun it is, and why everyone should do it. While I'm still going to talk about those things, I'm also going to talk about how the library is going to begin the program while we're still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, here's the lowdown, simply put:

• The Summer Reading Program is starting virtually.
• The dates are June 1-August 31, 2020.
• Register online at https://fairchildafblibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack App on your phone. (Note: Paper logs can be delivered curbside upon request.)
• Anyone 13 and older can register themselves; adults can register themselves and children under 13 as a family (children 13 and over can be registered with the family, if preferred).
• Once registered, sign in and log minutes under Log Reading and Activities.
• Logs
• 2 hours = 1 log for children
• 6 hours = 1 log for teens
• 8 hours = 1 log for adults
• To collect PRIZES for completed logs:
• Look at our prize selection located here.
• Call the library (509-247-5556), email (fafblibrary@gmail.com), or message through Facebook (Fairchild AFB Library).
• Tell us which prizes you would like and schedule a time for curbside pickup.
• There are extra badges you can earn for writing book reviews and doing other online activities.

We don't know when the library will re-open to foot traffic and we don't know when or if we will have in-person activities for the Summer Reading Program this year. Our primary concern is to keep everyone safe and healthy.

However, that doesn't mean we can't still have fun doing the Summer Reading Program! There are a lot of cool books to read both in print and virtually. Reading takes you many places, even when you may not have any place to go. For kids, reading helps avoid the "summer slide," maintain reading skills, and perform well on school achievement tests. For adults, reading is interesting, entertaining, and keeps the brain sharp.

Bottom line--the Summer Reading Program is FUN for people of all ages! Just do it!

Wishing you happy reading this summer and always from the perch.

The Pandemic vs. The Volcano

This week marked the 40th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in southwestern Washington state. For those in the Inland Northwest at that time, life veered away from the normal. Schools and nonessential business were closed. Some college graduation ceremonies were canceled or postponed. People stayed home or wore face masks when they went out. Sound familiar?

It's ironic that life during the COVID-19 pandemic is eerily similar to life in the aftermath of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. Even the days leading up to the event show a lot of parallels--closing areas near the volcano to the public, advising businesses to shut down, telling people to look after their personal safety. There was a lot of fear and uncertainty then just as now.

The pandemic and the eruption are natural disasters that cannot be controlled. However, our reactions to such things can be. Keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe, helping those who need our help, and being kind to each other in times of crisis are things that we can do something about. This was true after the Mt. St. Helens eruption and it's true during this pandemic.

Life has returned around the volcano since that fateful day in 1980. Grasses grow and wildflowers bloom. Various animal species call the area around Mt. St. Helens home. Life has resumed, but there is a new normal. Life will resume after this pandemic as well even though there may be a new normal for a while. We just need to keep going, keep moving forward. Hang in there.

Wishing you good health, strength, and peace from the perch.

Mother's Day in Uncertain Times

Easter and Passover this year have been celebrated differently than usual due to COVID-19. Places of worship were closed; many religious services were streamed online for people to watch in their homes. Families, which normally gather together on such occasions, were celebrating a quieter holiday in isolation from each other.

And now Mother's Day is upon us during these strange and uncertain times. With so many stores, museums, concerts, and restaurants closed to customers, how do we celebrate and honor the woman who has done so much for us? Here are some ideas:

• Buy mom a gift certificate.  If mom's favorite store, hairdresser, or manicurist is closed at the moment, chances are you can go online and buy a gift certificate. Mom will appreciate the gift later and you'll be helping those in your community now.
• Make or share a meal.  If you live in the same household, you can make a meal for mom. If you don't, you can get takeout (many restaurants are still open for takeout) and leave it on mom's doorstep for her to enjoy.
• Say hello while keeping a healthy distance.  Make signs or giant cards to hold from the sidewalk for mom to see from her window.
• Watch a concert or Broadway show together virtually.  Some orchestral concerts and theatrical shows are available online for free during this time. Why not watch one and talk about it afterwards?
• Tour a museum virtually together.  Ever wanted to visit the Art Institute of Chicago? How about New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, or the British Museum, London? These museums and others now have virtual tours.
• Give mom a call.  This works any day, whether it's Mother's Day or not. Mom would love to hear from you.
• Read a book together.  You can read a favorite book aloud with mom over the phone, through virtual chat, or in person.

Just because this year is different than other years doesn't mean that Mother's Day can't be special. The greatest gift you can give your mom is showing her how much you care and love her.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Mother's Day from the perch.