COMMUNITY VOICES: Use your precious time to read

Wow, these national observation days are getting out of control! Did you know that April 2 is National PB&J Day, Ferret Day, D.I.Y Day, Reconciliation Day, and if it falls on Thursday, National Burrito Day? So, this year you could have reconciled with someone you’ve had a falling-out with by getting them a pet ferret and building a playhouse for it. Afterward you could’ve had a burrito and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich together.  That would be some impressive multi-tasking! 

 

This bit of information combined with an article a patron sent me about super-readers (people who read at least 100 books per year), made me think about how we use our time and why we should be reading. The more we read, the better our brain works and the better our brain works, the lower our risk of cognitive decline as we age. Reading can increase vocabulary, reduce stress and boost mental well-being as well as help us learn new things and motivate us to make improvements. Joining a book club has the added benefit of creating social ties that help us see other points of view as well as create new friendships.

 

If you’re looking for more reasons to read, our Collaborative Summer Reading Programs are in the works. We are planning to have gardening, canning and cooking classes as well as days with crafts, games, STEAM projects, Scholastic and Paper Pie book fairs. Watch our Facebook page for dates and details on upcoming events and reading challenges.  

 

Our 2026 Reading Challenge is in full swing, if you haven’t gotten your challenge calendar, it’s not too late to pick one up. Congratulations to Lesa Raimer on winning the  Pour Myself a Cup of Ambition Winter Bingo game. We are thankful for our local businesses who have donated coupons for our games and challenges; Godfather’s Pizza, Sunshine Market, Bistro Fried Rice, Regen Farmhouse, Zeke’s Coffee House, Petals & Praise Floral, Terri Ann’s Boutique, Espresso Yourself Coffee, and Sonic. We are blessed to have a wonderful Friends of the Library group who host a .25 cent book sale on the first Saturday of each month. Their service helps us produce fun activities and helpful programs for our community. If you’re a patron of our book sale, we truly appreciate your support!

 

If you’re wondering about those super-readers, how they manage to read more than 100 books each year, one statement stood out to me. “They read in the margins of life.” They keep a book with them everywhere they go; they read in the school pick-up line, the waiting room at the doctor’s office, on lunch breaks.  They begin on page one and turn idle moments into opportunities. 

Wishing you happy reading wherever you find the opportunities!

 

Sabrina Cornman, Mtn. View Public Library Director