Amanda Grossman
Amanda Grossman is the Assistant Manager of Reference and Local History at CDPL.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you are dressed head-to-toe in red and green and have been listening to Christmas music since Labor Day, or whether you are dreading the sparkly and sugar-coated weeks to come, we’ve got you covered here at the library. We’ve got plenty of suggestions for fiction, non-fiction, music, and movies to inspire you and get you in the holiday spirit, or to give you a break from the non-stop jingle and jangle whenever you need it.
First, let’s talk about Christmas for all you enthusiasts out there. We have moved our Christmas media (CDs and DVDs) and most of our Christmas books from the 2nd floor to the 1st, so you will find a special display located near the Circulation desk. We also have a Holiday Foods & Crafts display on the 2nd floor that will give you plenty of DIY decoration, gift, and food ideas that make this time of year so fun and special. Our nature enthusiast Stephanie has a great pick for incorporating natural elements into your holiday decor: Living Wreaths by Natalie B. Robinson (available as an e-book on the Libby app: www.libbyapp.com). If one of your New Year’s goals is to make more environmentally-friendly choices, why not get a jump on things with Montica’s recommendation, The Eco-Christmas Craft Book by Marrianne Miall (745.5 Mia).
Of course, what would Christmas be without the music, the movies, or the stories? We all have our favorites that trigger happy, funny, and sometimes nostalgic or bittersweet memories of moments spent with family and friends, some of whom have passed on. Get cozy and sentimental with perhaps a chuckle and a tear or two with some of these great suggestions from Mary, Shelbi, Rachel, Amber, Dawn, and Crystal:
Christmas Song by Mannheim Steamroller (CD 781.723 Man)
Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship by Chris Tomlin (CD 781.723 Tom)
Socks by J.D. McPherson (CD 782.421 McP)
White Christmas (DVD FIC Whi and CD 781.723 Cro)
Jingle All the Way (DVD FIC Jin)
Here Comes Santa Paws by Laurien Berenson (FIC Ber)
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson (j E Wil and j B&CD E Wil)
Some may not believe me, but it is possible to get a little, well, burnt out on the holidays. If you need a breather, why not try to mix things up by turning the traditional Christmas experience on its head? How about a cozy mystery with knitting, magic, and…vampires? Dawn recommends Stockings and Spells by Nancy Warren (FIC War). Or if you’re at your holiday limit and need a complete retreat to reality, try some non-fiction: Amanda recommends a trip back to the 1970s with The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter by Kai Bird (921 Carter, J.). Emma recommends beefing up on your knowledge of archeology with the television show Time Team (DVD 930.1 Tim). Mischelle recommends the movie Band of Brothers (DVD FIC Bro), which is based on the non-fiction book by Stephen Ambrose and tells the story of the U.S. Army’s 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. And finally, how about a good memoir? Brenda recommends Mama’s Boy, Preacher’s Son by Ken Jennings (306.7662 Jen), the founder of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educational Network.
Maybe you love the holidays, maybe you’re ambivalent about them, or maybe you just need a timeout–no matter how you’re feeling this December, we’ve got something for your current vibe at CDPL. Stop by today and find something that’s just right for you!
