At The Library: Goals For Reading
Sometimes, You Just Need A Good Mystery
By Suzanne Gelwick-Knight
Park Hill Branch Librarian
Welcome to 2023!
For a lot of people, January is a time to make New Year’s resolutions and/or set new goals. Maybe you want to exercise more, learn a new language, or spend more time with family. For me, January is when I review my reading from the previous year and set new reading goals.
My reading goal number for 2022 was set low due to not having as much time to read as I have had in years past. Still, I met the goal in early December — and even read a couple of extra books beyond my original number.
This got me wondering, how do you decide what to read? Are you a reader of what is popular? Do you stick to what is required for a book club? Or are you like me, you read different genres based solely on your mood? Sometimes I just need a good mystery, which I consider to be my comfort reads. Sometimes I want short stories, which are satisfying and easily digested in during a brief sitting. Sometimes I bring home an 800-page doorstopper, read for hours and stay up all night to finish.
As I thought about setting my reading goal for 2023, I was reminded how much of a privilege the act of reading actually is. Not everyone has access to books, libraries, or even the internet which is needed to access ebooks.
And currently, even if you do have access to all of those things, peoples’ right to read what they want is being threatened in some places, in small but powerful ways. All you have to do is look at news reports from across the country and you see how groups of people are attempting to tell me, you, everyone what they are allowed to read. Here in Denver please know we at the library are always happy to help you find something new to read.
If you are looking to jumpstart your 2023 reading, please take part in the library’s adult Winter of Reading Program which starts at the beginning of January and runs through the end of February. The goal is to complete five suggested tasks, after which you may choose either a stainless steel mug or a really great tote bag as your prize.
Another way to invigorate your reading is to attend one of our monthly No Strings Attached Book Chat meetings. We meet here at the Park Hill Branch every four weeks, where we discuss what we’ve been reading, watching or listening to. The next No Strings Attached Book Chat will be Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. I always learn about something new to add to my to-be-read list or hear about a new movie to watch.
I hope you’ll take part in either or both of these library programs. Maybe your goal for 2023 will be to visit the library more, and if so we’re here to help. Here’s to 2023 being a great year of reading.
January In-Person Programs at Park Hill Branch
Baby Storytimes | Thursdays 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.
Toddler Storytimes | Fridays 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.
Magic The Gathering Club | Wednesdays 4 – 5:30 p.m.
A teen-run Magic the Gathering Club for other teens.
Chess Club for 18 and Unders | Saturdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Jan. 7, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want, attend whenever you can.
Jigsaw Puzzle Swap | Saturday, Jan. 11, 1 p.m.
Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle.
January In-Person Programs at Pauline Robinson Branch
After School is Cool | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Join us at After School is Cool on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for crafts, games, STEM and more. Program is for ages 7-12.
All Ages Storytime | Wednesdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers.
Drop-In Tech Help | Wednesdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Need help navigating the internet, email, or social networks like Facebook? Have questions about your phone or tablet? Want to know how to access eBooks on any device? Drop by and get your questions answered and learn how to use tech more effectively.
Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, Jan. 28 from noon – 1:30 p.m.
We meet on the fourth Saturday of the month. In January we will discuss Wahala by Nikki Mays.
Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave., and the Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. For hours of operation for both neighborhood libraries, check out denverlibrary.org.