Beating the Extreme Summer Heat

Baby, it's hot outside, and that's hot with a capital H-O-T! I don't have to tell you that the Inland Northwest is having an EXTREME heat wave...and it's still June! So, how to get some relief from the oven that's now Spokane? Here are some ideas:

• Wear light clothing. The Goth look may flatter some people, but put aside your dark duds in favor of lighter colors that reflect the sun and wear cooler fabrics like cotton.
• Stay in the shade. Whether it's under a tree or under an umbrella, get out of direct sunlight.
• Have a cool drink. Water, iced tea, lemonade...just stay hydrated!
• Eat some ice cream or popsicles. Feel like a kid again licking an ice cream cone or slurping a popsicle.
• Jump in the lake. Literally. There are plenty of lakes around the Spokane area. Pick one and go for a dip.
• Tilt those blinds or close those shades. Don't make your home or room hotter by allowing the sun to stream in. Close your window blinds or shades to keep out the heat.
• Stay where it's air conditioned or sit in front of a fan. If you have AC at home that's great, but if not, let the fan keep you cool (hint: place a bowl of ice in front of the fan to super-chill the air).
• Hang out in the library! The ideal place to be (in my humble opinion)! We got the AC on AND we got plenty of good books among other things to help you chill in more ways than one!

Whatever you do, please stay healthy and safe in this heat. If you do decide to cool down in the library, we have a Summer Reading Program going on right now for kids, teens, and adults--no one's too young or too old (reading to others counts, too!). We have different activities, puzzles, and projects for people of all ages. Come inside out of the heat and have some fun as well!

Wishing you cool reads (and cooler temps) from the perch.

Summer Reading--What to Read?

Yes! That time of year is here again--summer reading! And the library's Summer Reading Program is underway! Woo-HOO!

I realize some parents are a little anxious about their children keeping up with their reading during the summer. Some don't want their children to lose what they've acquired during the school year and some want their children to get ahead during the summer months. There are parents who pay attention to various recommended reading lists or those who worry about making sure their children read 1,000 books before kindergarten.

If you ask yours truly, your friendly perch librarian, what your children should read this summer, I have an easy answer--anything they want! For nine months they had readings assigned by teachers and homework related to those readings. They've worked hard during what was an especially stressful year in pandemic times. Children, just like adults, need time to relax and unwind.

When children (or any adult, for that matter) read books of their own choosing, reading will be something enjoyable, something they look forward to doing. It won't be viewed as a chore that needs to get done. Don't worry if they're reading manga or graphic novels. Don't worry if they're not reading classics or literary masterpieces. The main point is that they're reading!

So, go easy on your children and their reading choices. And parents, go easy on yourselves and read whatever you want, too!

Wishing you a summer filled with fun reading from the perch.

Choose Kindness

The past year and a half has undoubtedly been among the most challenging times we have faced both individually and collectively. We've seen the best in people--volunteers donating and distributing food to those who lost their jobs, neighbors checking in on each other. We've also seen the worst in people--customers stockpiling toilet paper and other supplies, people starting fights with each other over not wearing masks.

We're all scared. We're all concerned. And we're all trying to get by day-to-day during a time when inconsistency seems to be the only consistent thing. We don't like the feeling of insecurity, the feeling of not knowing what's going to happen next week or even tomorrow, for that matter. Limbo isn't a comfortable place to be.

Through all of this, nurses, doctors, police officers, firefighters, grocery workers, restaurant workers, and yes, librarians and library staff, are among many doing their best to keep working their jobs. It's not business as usual for anyone. There are different things that they're doing to keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19. In the library, for instance, we're wearing masks, we're wiping down computers and desks, we're quarantining returned items, and we're trying to keep patrons socially distant. We're doing things that we didn't do in pre-pandemic times.

We understand that you're stressed from this pandemic. So are we. However, please don't take that stress out on the people who are doing the best they can to help you during extraordinary circumstances. Take a moment, take a breath. Please understand that we are as worried and frustrated as you with all the changes we've had to make. These are not normal times. Rather than lashing out on someone due to fear or anger, choose kindness. We can all use more of it, especially now.

Sending you peace and kindness from the perch.

Poetry in the Spotlight

Today is the last day of Poetry Month, which is celebrated every April. When most of us consider things to read, we probably don't think of rushing to the library or bookstore to get the most recently published anthology of poems. Perhaps some of us remember going through the agony of the poetry unit in high school English class and never want to return there.

Why is it that poetry doesn't have the same appeal as fiction, mystery, romance, sci-fi, romance, and other genres? Unlike prose, poems can't be rushed through like the latest Baldacci or Macomber novel. They're not quick reads. Whether a poem is comprised of several stanzas like Emily Dickinson's "'Hope' is the thing with feathers" or long and epic like Homer's "The Odyssey," we have to take our time.

Words in a poem are carefully thought out by the writer; they are precise and intentional. Many times even the punctuation (or lack of it) is intentional. There is often rhyme and meter, giving a poem an almost musical quality. Taking these things into account, a reader of poetry has to carefully digest what he or she is reading, to internalize and ponder what the writer is divulging. 

If you don't normally read poetry, why not give it a try? Sample some T.S. Eliot, Naomi Shihab Nye, Edgar Allan Poe, Maya Angelou, Shel Silverstein, Wisława Szymborska, Lord Byron, Elizabeth Barrett Browning...the list goes on. It's good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally. Besides learning something new, you may also learn something new about yourself.

Wishing you good travels through poetry from the perch.

My Pandemic Picks

Like many of you, I've been doing a LOT more reading than usual over the past year. With few exceptions, I had a need for more uplifting, feel-good selections. I wanted to read books that would help me relax and briefly take my mind off everything that's been happening in the world.

If you're interested to know what this particular librarian was reading, here is my top 5 list of books that I've read in the past year (alphabetical by author, because we librarians like to organize things):

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig  This book made me think about how seemingly small choices can make big differences in our lives and how it's important to not give up on things and people that are important to us, including ourselves.
• The Art of Taking It Easy by Brian King  A standup comedian with a Ph.D. in psychology wrote an entertaining yet helpful book on how to reduce your stress, something I suspect quite a few of us can benefit from during these times. I liked how he used layman's terms and a practical approach for reframing situations.
• If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende  Coming from New York, Alaska seems far and exotic to me. It was great to armchair travel to the small town of Haines, a 4.5-hour ferry ride from Juneau, and read about life there as seen through the eyes of a local obituary writer. 
• The Last Town On Earth by Thomas Mullen  William Nicholson said, "We read to know we are not alone." Well, I guess I had to read this book set in Washington State against the backdrop of the 1918 pandemic, because I wanted to know that others before us went through something similar to what we're going through now.
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien  I read the classic Middle Earth trilogy many years ago when I was in high school, but I re-read it for its entertaining, escapist qualities. For me, it was a comfort read, and it was amazing how many things I noticed the second time around.

How did your reading habits change (or not) during the pandemic? What were some of your favorite books that you read over the past year? Share with us!

As always, wishing you good health and reading from the perch.

Book Club--Is It for You?

To join a book club or not to join, that is the question. Whether 'tis better to partake in the discussion of a group read, or to revel in independent reading.

The book club has probably been around as long as people have had opinions on the books they've read. It can entail an informal conversation about a book that several people have read, or a larger, planned gathering of people (in non-pandemic times) engaging in discussion while indulging in munchies and libations (note: those of an alcoholic variety may encourage a livelier discourse). Some readers love belonging to a book club while others stay clear. To be fair, there are advantages and disadvantages to the book club. 

The Pros

• Discussing a book with others, sharing viewpoints.
• Being introduced to a book you may not have chosen.
• Keeping on track with your reading.
• Socializing with others.

The Cons

• Clashing personalities of group members.
• Not always choosing what you want to read.
• Reading according to a set timeline.
• Socializing with others.

If you're a more social person and want to be exposed to different kinds of readings, then a book club may be up your alley. However, if you're more introverted and have particular reading tastes, then it may not be your cup of tea. Whatever you decide, book club or not, reading's the thing.

Wishing you happy reading from the perch.

Eat Like the Irish!

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! In the past, I've talked about Irish books and plays; I've even talked about Irish movies. Today, I thought I'd talk about something different that we can all sink our teeth into (literally)--Irish food!

When most of us think of Irish food, corned beef and cabbage along with a pint of Guinness probably come to mind. Irish cuisine, however, goes beyond those two St. Patrick's Day staples. Take a look at these recipes which are bound to make your mouth water:

• Colcannon (Spend With Pennies)  It's hard to get any better than creamy, Irish-style potatoes with bacon, cabbage, and butter--oh, my!
• Corned Beef and Cabbage (Dinner at the Zoo)  Easy, traditional, slow cooker recipe with melt-in-your-mouth meat.
• Irish Beef and Guinness Stew (Recipe Tin Eats)  A hearty beef stew full of flavor, perfect when served over mashed potatoes.
• Irish Potato Leek Soup (My Recipes)  Great for St. Patrick's Day or any chilly day.
• Irish Tea Cake (Will Cook for Smiles)  A no-fuss, buttery cake that's great with a cup of tea.
• Scones (Bigger Bolder Baking)  The best recipe ever for Irish scones. Period.
• Soda Bread (Sally's Baking Addiction)  Classic, flavorful, simple-to-make quick bread.

So, are you getting hungry yet? Why not try one of these tasty recipes? And don't forget to check out other delectable delicacies offered by the websites.

Wishing you good eats and a Happy St. Patrick's Day from the perch.