The Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) invites you to cozy up and read this February! The 2021 Cozy Winter Reading program runs the entire month of February and is for all ages.
In the last year, we have heard a lot about how important self-care is, particularly during stressful times. Reading and listening to books is a part of self-care, and provides many other benefits, as well!
According to healthline.com, there are many ways reading positively affects our lives. Here are the top eight reasons to cozy up and read this winter:
- It literally changes your mind by increasing brain connectivity!
- Reading increases your ability to empathize, which is an important social skill.
- It builds your vocabulary (so many words!)
- Habitual reading helps prevent age-related cognitive decline by keeping your mind engaged.
- It reduces stress (just as effective as yoga and humor!)
- Reading can prepare you for a good night’s rest, especially if you read print books versus a digital screen.
- It can help alleviate depression symptoms. “Consolation from imaginary things is not imaginary consolation.” –British philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.
- Being an avid reader may even help you live longer!
What should you read? HEPL’s Cozy Winter Reading program encourages you to read whatever you want—novels, nonfiction, newspapers, graphic novels, magazines, memoirs, audiobooks, poetry—it all counts! Participants will earn e-tickets for reading 300 minutes/pages and 600 minutes/pages during the month of February. Your e-tickets enter you into drawings for prizes! We have some awesome prize options for each age range—babies and toddlers ages 0-3, kids ages 4-11, teens in grades 6-12, and adults. Drawings for prizes will be held at the end of the program.
To participate, visit hepl.beanstack.org to sign in to your Beanstack account or register for a new account, or get the free Beanstack app from your device’s app store.
Looking for a cozy virtual event to attend? HEPL has you covered! On Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 pm, join us via Zoom for “Finding Hygge: The Making of a Cozy Documentary.” Hygge, the Danish art of creating joy and coziness in life’s everyday moments, has exploded in popularity amidst growing division and distrust worldwide. But finding hygge in one’s own life can be more complicated than it seems. We’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at making the award-winning documentary Finding Hygge with local filmmaker and director Rocky Walls of 12 Stars Media, followed by an audience Q&A. This virtual event is free! Register here.
Christy Franzman
Christy Franzman has been at HEPL for a little over a year and a half, but she’s been a librarian for over 15 years. She loves to go out to eat at all the different restaurants in Fishers, as well as read, binge watch Netflix shows and funny cat videos, go for walks, and spend time with her husband and three year old son. She also loves to watch football and college basketball and is a huge Colts and Purdue fan. She has been a Fishers resident for over 5 years, and she loves the community, the events, the forward-thinking growth, the variety of places to eat, and cool new venues that seem to always be popping up (not to mention the awesome library!). While she says picking a favorite book for a librarian is like picking a favorite child for a parent with multiple kids, she has a special spot for The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and recommends it to everyone!
Danielle Acton is the Adult Engagement Coordinator at Hamilton East Public Library. She has lived near the Saxony District for 13 years. She enjoys hikes at Flat Fork Creek Park and exploring different parks, as well as shopping at the Fishers Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. She also enjoys hobby board games, cats, Star Wars, and baking. Her favorite thing about Fishers (besides the library!) is the diversity of the community.