A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

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Self care

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Sometimes we get caught up in our own thoughts. Contemplating different viewpoints while working through problems allows us to step back, gain perspective, and reach solutions that may not occur to us on our own. Whether the goal is to improve relationships, become more focused, express ourselves better, or make positive changes in our lives, Smiley Library has an extensive collection of books that offer guidance and wisdom. Here are a few new and popular titles available for checkout.

Research professor at the University of Houston and author of six #1 New York Times best sellers, Dr. Brené Brown’s latest book “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience” defines human emotions. Fear, curiosity, grief, gratitude–Brown believes that language and being able to name and understand emotions is an important way to give us self-awareness, healing, and connection with one another. She describes over 80 emotions, citing research and sharing stories along the way. The layout is done in a “coffee table book” style, including color pictures, quotes, and diagrams.

Spiritual teacher and author of the bestselling book “The Untethered Soul,” Michael A. Singer’s newest is “Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament.” He explains how resisting uncomfortable things in life causes suffering. As he truthfully says, “No one can make an event that has already happened not have happened” so we should try to accept reality as it is. Exploring consciousness, he helps us realize we are not our thoughts and suggests steps to take to arrive at a place of better understanding and freedom.

Clinical psychologist and popular vlogger Dr. Julie Smith has reached out to millions through her short social media videos on mental health. She expands on these posts now with her first book, “Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?” Touching on common emotions such as pain, grief, fear, and stress, she shares the knowledge and techniques she gained through her work as a psychologist and therapist. She clarifies that her book is not “therapy.” It is meant to give you tools to use as you work through difficulties. Practicing these tools helps build a “toolbox” of skills to use during these challenging times.

Many additional books are available to check out. Others to consider are “Own Your Past Change Your Future: A Not-So-Complicated Approach to Relationships, Mental Health and Wellness” by Dr. John Delony, “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times” by Jane Goodall, “Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be” by Tunde Oyeneyin, and “How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question” by Michael Schur.

Remember, not every style of self-help book is for everyone. If you take something positive from it, become more thoughtful after reading it, and it inspires beneficial change in your life, then I think you’ve found a good one.

Adult Literacy to host celebration of authors in September

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The Redlands community is invited to join the Adult Literacy Program in its “Celebration of Authors.” Adult Learners will read from their works which were published in the adult literacy anthology, Our Stories, a Collection of Writings. Community leaders, including Mayor Paul Barich and Library Trustee Kate Pretorius, will describe their own literacy journeys, and the life-changing impact of literacy. The community of Redlands is invited to this festive event in gratitude for their continued support of adult literacy, particularly through the difficult years of the pandemic. The celebration will be held on September 25, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m., in the Contemporary Club. Registration is required.

Mark Corrin working at
Martha Green’s

The 2022 edition of Our Stories, a Collection of Writings, is the fifth anthology published by the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. This year, Mark Corrin, one of four authors who have submitted writings to all five volumes of the anthology, wrote “My Work at Martha Green’s.” In his story Mark wrote about starting work at the age of 20, and how much he loves his job, his customers and co-workers, and even his favorite menu item at Martha Green’s.

Ma, Isabel Vidrio has also published works in each of the five anthologies. This year she wrote two stories: one to R.J. Palacio, the author of the book, White Bird, and another personal story about a fire in her kitchen. Mark and Isabel have shown tremendous growth in their ability to express themselves. Their writings are a gift to the community.

Many adults who enroll in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program are anxious about their writing skills. The Redlands Adult Literacy Program uses multiple strategies to address this common concern and to help learners develop the skills needed for employment and communication with teachers, family, and friends. For example, tutors and learners use dialog journals to write short messages to one another. Computer classes integrate writing with technology lessons. Literacy teams practice steps in the writing process, beginning with brainstorming ideas and continuing through the final steps of editing and then publishing their writings. Topic ideas are generated through picture books, poem templates, story starters, and conversation.

Each edition of Our Stories, a Collection of Writings honors the hard work of the learners and tutors by including the unique stories of learners in the program. The 2022 anthology includes selections on learners’ memories, experiences that have changed them, captured moments, and reflections on books learners have read. This volume also includes a new selection of group submissions from adult literacy computer classes and collaborative stories from children participating in the Family Literacy Program.

Joan Wells, chair of the Adult Literacy Anthology Committee, shared her thoughts about the literacy anthology, “As I reflect upon the writings in Our Stories over the past five years, I’m inspired by the journeys that have led learners to our adult literacy community and resulted in so many accomplishments. Some have grown up in Redlands. Others have traveled great distances and across cultures to join us. All have demonstrated resilience and a dedication to learning. Similarly, our tutors come from many backgrounds, joining the community to give back through their love of reading and writing. Working together, learners and tutors have given the community five volumes of authentic essays, reflections, and poems. Their literacy journeys enhance our own as they make real the library’s mission to serve as a center for lifelong learning for which “the only admission fee is curiosity.””

We look forward to sharing Our Stories, a Collection of Writings, Volume 5 with the Redlands community at the September 25th Celebration of Authors. Registration for the event is required and will begin on September 1, 2022. Registration is free and information will be found at www.akspl.org.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program relies on its wonderful volunteer tutors to provide one-on-on tutoring to adults in our community. The next volunteer tutor orientation is scheduled for October 12, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the library. Perhaps you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. If you have any questions about the Celebration of Authors, are interested in becoming a tutor, or would like literacy services, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program at (909) 798-7565 ext. 4138 or email literacy@akspl.org. Literacy services are free and confidential.

Summer reading contest, kids vs. adults–chance to win great prizes! Entertaining programs, free lunch for youth

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Summer is in full swing, weather-wise, and reading-wise, here in southern California at A.K. Smiley Public Library! Our Summer Reading Program theme this year is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” The Youth Services Crew brainstormed a fabulous Summer Reading Game this year…a weekly game of “Capture the Flag!” We have challenged the Adult Services Department to a reading challenge of who can read the most pages…kids or adults?! We are currently into Week 5 and going strong! The current, fourth week score is: Kids: 492,122/Adults: 84,902.

As you can see, the Youth Services team is ANNIHILATING the Adult Services team! Toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens are reading ferociously, where, well, you adults need to pick up the pace, A LOT!  Adults, you can pick up your Summer Reading Program Book Review forms at any of the service desks, including the Young Readers’ Room! We would love to see a rousing comeback by the adults for this year’s reading challenge competition. Let’s see you adults log in those pages for the final two weeks and give these toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens a good run for the grand finale score!

Toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens can sign up in the Young Readers’ Room anytime. We have special reading logs for each age group, and prizes, oh yes, we have prizes! Toddlers (ages 0 – 3) can earn a sticker each week for turning in their reading logs.  The kids (ages 4 – 9) will earn a different prize each week for turning in their reading logs. Tweens (ages 10 – 12) and teens (ages 13 – 19) will earn one ticket for every 50 pages they read. The tickets are then distributed to one of the many prizes they’d like to try to win. We have such a generous community of businesses that have donated gift cards again this year for the Youth Services Summer Reading Challenge: A’la Minute; Look Cinema; Happy Camper Creamery; Flowstone Climbing; Nichos Ice Cream; Cookie Co.; Tie Dye Tees; Redlands Art Association; The Frugal Frigate; and Jack’s Toy Shop matched a grant with the City to donate. A great big THANK YOU to all of these businesses who so generously gave from their shops to our kids! We appreciate it!! We have also purchased other gift cards as well, so we have a nice selection of gift cards to choose from.

Don’t despair adults, you will have the opportunity to win a gift card as well! There are other businesses who donated gift cards towards the Adult Services Reading Challenge, as well as the gift cards that the library or The Friends of the Library purchased: Bricks & Birch; Saverino’s; Olive Avenue Market; Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant; A’ La Minute; The Gourmet Pizza Shoppe; Carolyn’s Café, and The Breakfast Shack…and the GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a $100 shopping spree from Gerrard’s Market!

So, get to reading and filling out those reading logs or review forms and let’s see who will ‘Capture the Flag’ for the next two weeks! The Youth Services Crew is so excited to see the final number of pages read by our community!

We are also offering an on-line reading platform again this summer through the Beanstack website: Beanstack: Reading Challenges and Personalized Recommendations

Log on today, get registered, and you can begin earning virtual badges!

As a part of our Summer Reading Program this year, the Youth Services Department offers some entertainment for our youth to go along with the reading fun! We have two shows for children each Tuesday, so come on out and join us.

Special entertainment is available at 10:00 a.m. each Tuesday morning in the park, behind the library, in front of The Lincoln Memorial Shrine, and the same show is repeated at 2 p.m. inside at The Contemporary Club. Please come to just one of the shows are we are breaking up the huge crowds of folks.

Tuesday, July 26, the stages will be taken over by crowd-pleaser, Michael Rayner: Michael Rayner: Comedian/ Juggler/ Actor/ Strange Guy. The Grand Finale show will be with crowd favorite, Christopher T. Magician: christophertmagician.com.

Also, each Tuesday at 11 a.m., the Redlands Unified School District Child Nutrition Services team is here to serve a free lunch to each and every child, tween and teen! The food has been a delight and they always have extra goodies to share as well!

Teens, don’t you fret, we also have two more programs for you this summer as well! We’ve been having a great time with you all during the summer. The next event will be Wednesday, July 27, “Survival Skills,” with The University of Redlands Outdoor Programs. Our Grand Finale for the teens (ages 13 – 19) will be an anime workshop with world renown Carlos Nieto: Anime Your Way | Online Drawing Platform. You can find more information about our Teen Underground Department here: Teens (akspl.org)

We look forward to seeing the Summer Reading Challenge pages read exceed our expectations in the next two weeks, and we hope to see you attend one of the last two shows we have to offer you this summer! The Youth Services Crew is here to help you find the perfect book selections for the remainder of your summer!

Get inspired by sweet and savory dishes from around the world!

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“What I’ve enjoyed most though is meeting people who have a real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always something new and amazing to learn – I love it!” – Jamie Oliver

Have you tried cooking with a wok? If you are at all curious or would like to improve your skills, then check out “The Wok” by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. This exceptional book is brimming with interesting kitchen-based science, helpful techniques, and a variety of delicious recipes. Soon, you’ll be cooking take-out favorites like Sweet and Sour Pork, Pad Thai, and General Tso’s Chicken at home.

“Learning Korean” by Peter Serpico is a welcome introduction to the variety of flavor profiles found in Korean home cooking. Some of the recipes you may want to try are BBQ Beef Short Ribs, Onion Pancake, Black Bean Noodles, refreshing Jujube Tea, Crab Soup, and Pork Dumplings. Peter also includes over a dozen varieties of Korea’s best-known dish, Kimchi.

Whether you are slurping, scooping, or twisting them, noodles are a fun food to eat. “That Noodle Life” by Mike Le and Stephanie Le give you 75 international pasta-centric recipes for more fun and easy meals. Tomato Lime Shrimp Cold Noodle Salad or The Soba Bowl are refreshing options to enjoy right now. Garlic-Butter Bucatini with Oyster Sauce would be yummy with grilled meats and veggies or on its own with an optional green salad.

Have you ever visited a Chinese Bakery? If not, then let Kristina Cho, in her new book “Mooncakes and Milk Bread,” introduce you to some of her savory and sweet treats inspired by Chinese bakeries. With an abundance of color photos and clear instructions, you may choose to make tender BBQ Pork Buns, flaky Curry Chicken Puffs, Honey Pistachio Mooncakes, or Shiny Fruit Cream Cake to share with family and friends.

Finding home again: the harrowing journey of the refugee

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the meaning of home. I recall a line from the journal of fictional character John-boy Walton, “Home, an island, a refuge, a haven of love.”

Our homes, and by extension, our communities, are supposed to be our refuge. We know and love others in our communities; we have comfort in the customs and language of our people. So, what is it like to be forced to flee our homes, especially by the threat of violence in a time of war — when our neighbors are dying and our familiar is being demolished — and become refugees? Several critically acclaimed new books at A.K. Smiley Public Library address the refugee’s plight.

I began contemplating this topic while reading I Will Die in a Foreign Land, a debut novel by Kalani Pickhart. An award-winning historical fiction, it is set during the 2013-14 Ukrainian revolution, when then-President Yanukovych chose to forge an alliance with Russian President Putin, and thousands of Ukrainian citizens chose independence by peacefully protesting. Their protests were met with violence by military police, killing over one hundred civilians.

Pickhart weaves into the novel the fictional stories of protestors whose paths cross, while deftly filling out a tapestry with historical and cultural threads. Though she does not address the plight of the refugee who has fled, she does connect us with characters in upheaval, those who remain in order to fight for the home in which they are no longer comfortable, the democratic home they want to save.

Two other award-winner titles deal with the harrowing true accounts of recent refugees.

The Naked Don’t Fear the Water: An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees was written by Canadian war reporter Matthieu Aikins. In 2016, Aikins chose to join his friend, Omar, a young Afghan driver, translator, and former interpreter for the American military, in his dangerous journey on the smuggler’s road to Europe, one of millions of refugees who left their homes that year. Omar was raised in exile in Iran and Pakistan, returning to Kabul as a teenager in 2002, only to have the Taliban return to power in 2015. Aikins describes their journey as “mostly waiting punctuated by moments of terror.”

Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds: A Refugee’s Search for Home is chronicled by refugee Mondiant Dogon, with journalist Jenna Krajeski. Dogon was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a Tutsi family. At age three, he and his family fled his home village; the Rwandan genocide against Tutsis had spread into Congo. In the Rwandan refugee camp where they stayed, food was scarce. Later, desperate for a better life, Dogon returned to Congo, only to be imprisoned there, and forced into becoming a child soldier. As an adult, he has earned an MA in international education from New York University, and has become a human rights activist and refugee ambassador. The book’s title comes from one of his poems.

One other new contribution, Learning America: One Woman’s Fight for Educational Justice for Refugee Children, recounts the efforts of a former refugee who wishes to share her good experience in America after arriving from Jordan. She is author Luma Mufleh who designs productive learning environments for refugee children. Mufleh believes in healing their traumas to help foster belonging, ultimately aiding the success of their education, and creating that “haven of love.” She is the founder of Fugees Family, with schools now in Georgia and Ohio and an expanding footprint bringing educational equity to refugee resettlement communities across America.

For easy access to these titles in the Library’s catalog, find this article on Smiley Blog on our website, www.akspl.org, or directly at www.blog.akspl.org. Using your library card, you may reserve a book through our catalog, at no charge, by clicking on “Place Hold.”

For more reading recommendations on Ukraine, find Toward Understanding the War in Ukraine, a Reading List, published in February on Smiley Blog.