While there is much to look forward to in the dawning of a new year, winter is also a season of darkness and hibernation. So, during the month of January, Bellingham Public Library is shining a spotlight on uplifting, light, and happy materials that will boost well-being and provide inspiration for new hobbies during a time when so many experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Battle SAD — with uplifting books, films, light therapy lamps, outdoor experiences and activities that bring you joy!
Bring the Light Books for Adults
BPL Librarians have put together a list of great books on improving your health and wellness in many different ways. Take a look and discover some fabulous ways to naturally boost your mood.
Uplifting Book Recommendations from Library Staff:
The World Keeps Ending and the World Goes On by Franny Choi
“A bold, furiously hopeful selection of poetry that engages over and over with the idea of the little apocalypse—all the ways the world has ended, is ending, will end—and all the ways we get up, wipe the blood from our faces and knees, and continue on in spite of it all.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Adult Nonfiction
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
“This book is a warm hug in space. Nothing is perfect and bad things happen, but they happen in a space where everyone is taken care of and has the resources to process and heal. It’s a tragic, beautiful, practical, and hopeful story.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult Fiction
A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
“This is a sigh of relief in book form. It’s dedicated to anyone who needs a break, and it delivers. It’s a sweet, emotional, and humorous story set in a soft, caring world. This is a lovely short read for when you need an emotional cool down.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult Fiction
Peace is Every Breath by Thich Nhat Hanh
“Practicing mindfulness really gets me through the colder months. From walking in the rain to chopping veggies for a stew, Thich Nhat Hanh’s simple advice always resonates.”
– Audrey, Library Assistant
Adult Nonfiction
“This incredible anthology spans from Michelangelo’s grocery list doodles to a handwritten list of the BFG’s favorite words by Roald Dahl. Super entertaining and eclectic!”
– Audrey, Library Assistant
Adult Nonfiction
Recommendations for Books on Hobbies and Activities from Library Staff:
Make, Sew and Mend by Bernadette Banner
“Sewing isn’t just a hobby, it’s a valuable life skill! This book is full of hand-sewing and mending techniques to prolong the life of your clothing, adjust garments to fit your body, and even begin your own original sewing projects! With featured sewists and resource guides, this is an excellent place to start your sewing journey.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult Nonfiction
The Sopranos Sessions by Matt Zoller Seitz & Alan Sepinwall
“If you also count TV-watching as a hobby, you might enjoy this in-depth analysis of every Sopranos episode. Includes several interviews with David Chase (the show’s creator) and a few critical pieces written by the authors as the show was airing. Heat up some manigott and dive in!”
– Audrey, Library Assistant
Adult Nonfiction
Cables Untangled: an Exploration of Cable Knitting by Melissa Leapman
“I’ve always found the idea of cable knitting intimidating, but this book has really helpful guides and illustrations to get you started. There is a wide selection of patterns and basic cable stitches to practice with, as well as clear instructions for how to read patterns that look like computer code but actually make sweaters and hats.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult Nonfiction
Dungeons and Dragons Players Handbook
“It’s a game, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a shared storytelling device, it’s just a really fun game, and it all starts in the Player’s Handbook. There are a lot of sourcebooks and materials you can get to play, but all you actually need to start is this handbook and a single d20.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult Nonfiction
Light Therapy Lamps Available for Checkout
Bellingham Public Library has a circulating collection of light therapy lamps available for check out, thanks to a library patron’s thoughtful suggestion and generous funding from the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library. Those bright panels are designed to (safely) pump light into your eyes to help ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Patrons can check out a lamp for 3 weeks to use at home.
The lights come in a soft case and are easy to use. Simply plug it in, turn it on, adjust the brightness to your liking, and begin basking in the light! Reserve a BPL Light Therapy Lamp HERE.
Bring the Light Books for Teens
Teen Books Library Staff Recommend:
Seven Little Sons of the Dragon by Ryoko Kui
“A fun, funny, and sweet collection of short stories set across time and genre, by acclaimed manga artist Ryoko Kui, author of Delicious in Dungeon. Full of Kui’s typical humor and heart, each story is a gem, and I can’t recommend this anthology enough. If you love Delicious in Dungeon, you’ll surely love the works presented here just as much!”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Teen Manga
Bring the Light Books for Kids
Children’s Books Library Staff Recommend:
A Mouse Called Julian by Joe Todd-Stanton
“Julian the mouse enjoys his solitude—other animals just get in his way. Or even worse: try to eat him! But what will he do when a whole entire fox gets stuck his home?! Will he help free him? Or will he just have to live with his new (and potentially dangerous) roommate forever? With adorable illustrations and an earnest moral, A Mouse Called Julian is so super cute in every way!”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Children’s Picturebook. Recommended for ages 5+
“Pina has absolutely no reason to want to go outside. Everything he could possibly need is in his cozy home, and after all, the world is way too big and scary for a guy like himself. Until, of course, he finds himself in need of some urgent groceries! Fearful but brave, little Pina (named after the author’s adorable cat) is a precious protagonist that I think a lot of kids (and adults) can relate to. Especially when our own world can be so big and scary, too.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Children’s Picturebook. Recommended for ages 7 – 10.
This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
“Two boys take up an epic quest one autumn evening: to follow the flood of yearly festival lanterns down the river and see where they finally end up. But the journey is a lot longer than it seems, and the path they take soon leads them on a strange, fantastical adventure that neither of them could have ever expected. Highly recommended for any fans of Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro.“
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Children’s Graphic Novel. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.
The Moth Keeper by Kay O’Neill
Excited to prove herself, young Anya wholeheartedly dedicates herself to the task of shepherding her community’s beloved moths; but being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what she expected it to be, and Anya finds herself torn between what she thinks she should want, and what she actually needs. Because the first lesson in taking care of others, is often how best to take care of ourselves.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Children’s Graphic Novel. Recommended for ages 8 – 12.
Films and TV to Watch
Sometimes a great movie or documentary is just the thing on a cold and dark winter day. You can access free films on Kanopy with your Bellingham Public Library Card. Click HERE to visit our Kanopy webpage for more information. And don’t forget there is a huge collection of DVDs that can be checked out at the Library as well.
Library Staff Recommend:
“I have never before encountered a show this aggressively wholesome. Like seriously, forcefully happy, all while dealing with deep topics. I love all of the characters, and how much they grow over the course of the show. It’s cute, it’s fun, and full of happy feel-good moments.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Adult DVD Series
Special Events and Programs
Songs from the Heart: Concert Story, and Interactive Demonstration with Flutist Peter Ali
Saturday, January 4, 2:00 – 3:30pm
Lecture Room at the Central Library
Peter will provide music and stories of Native American, Mesoamerican, Middle Eastern, and Nordic style flutes. Following his performance, Peter will offer the audience a hands-on introduction to the basics of playing the Native American style cedar flute (appropriate for ages 10+).
Free, open to the public. Registration not required. Doors open at 1:00pm, concert begins at 2:00pm.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Saturday, January 18 at Bellingham High School
10:00am – 12:00pm, followed by service projects
“Each year, our community comes together to learn, celebrate, and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many in our community continue to struggle, guiding us urgently towards collective service.” Join us at this special event sponsored by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognitions. More details to come!
Free For All: Inside the Public Library film screening
Sunday, January 19, 10:00am
Pickford Film Center
The story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today’s librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all.
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Book Sale
Thursday, January 23, 10:00am – 7:00pm, full price
Friday, January 24, 10:00am – 6:00pm, full price
Saturday, January 25, 10:00am – 1:00pm, half price & 1:15 – 4:00pm, $5 per bag
Lecture Room at the Central Library
Come down to the Lecture Room at the Central Library for the Friends of the Library January Book Sale and browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit your library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted.
Music and Books! BSO Book Club
Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, the Bellingham Public Library, Whatcom County Library System, and Village Books have teamed up to form the BSO Book Club, pairing a book with each concert theme for the 2024-2025 season. There are selections for both children and adults. Books can be checked out through the libraries or purchased at Village Books. Click HERE for more information.
Get Outside
Check Out a Discover Pass and Get Outside
Check Out Washington Discover Pass
Borrow a Check Out Washington backpack and head outdoors, using the included binoculars and guides to observe and identify birds, trees, flowers, and other wildlife. Hang the included Discover Pass on your rearview mirror to visit Washington State Parks, as well as lands managed by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Check Out Washington is a collaboration between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Library to allow individuals to “check out a state park” without paying the parking fee.
Rejuvenate with Art and Indoor Exploration
Check out a Community Voices Kit to Explore with Your Kids
Community Voices Book Kits center and celebrate diverse voices and experiences in our community. These kits provide stories, conversation opportunities and resources for families that help bridge learning, understanding and connection with each other.
Search “Community Voices Kits” in the Library catalog to browse this wonderful collection
Get a free Family Pass to a Local Museum
Visit the Whatcom Museum and the Spark Museum for free through your library
The Bellingham Public Library has partnered with the Whatcom Museum and the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention to offer complimentary general admission to each museum. There are a limited number of passes available per day.
A Museum Pass allows free entry for up to 4 people, valid for use on the date and at the museum selected when registering. Each family is eligible for one pass per month, as availability allows.
