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Teens, good news: I’m not dying. Well, I am, eventually, but for now, it seems my demise isn’t imminent. Why am I telling you this? For the last several months, I’ve felt an unmistakable heaviness in my chest and on my shoulders. The most logical explanation, of course, was that I was about to croak. As it turns out, there was no need for funeral arrangements…I was experiencing anxiety.

If you are feeling like this, I definitely advise a professional medical assessment (librarians aren’t trained to rule out real impending doom), but after I figured out the source of my discomfort, I did what any book-lover would do…I turned to my trusty Young Adult (YA) novels.

The YA titles below all feature characters who also experience anxiety in one form or another, and while the library does offer nonfiction and online resources with more instructional “how to deal” perspectives, these novels help in another way…they make you feel less alone.

In “How to Pack for the End of the World” by Michelle Falkoff, 16-year-old Amina is obsessed with, well, the end of the world. School shootings, democracy in peril, climate change, violent threats against her synagogue, these are all things keeping her up at night…like, all night…like, every night. When her parents decide to send her off to a private boarding school to help her re-set, little do they know she is going to connect with a like-minded gang of activists, whose doomsday preparation club uncovers a mystery none of them, despite their mutual fixations on the future, could have predicted.

In Jennifer Dugan’s “Verona Comics,” 17-year-old Ridley’s social anxiety is so intense that a mere “hi” from a pretty girl in an elevator can send him into panic attack mode. It doesn’t help that his domineering dad, the owner of comic store giant The Geekery, is forcing him to work FabCon, a massive comic convention that is frying his every nerve. But when he meets 16-year-old Jubilee at the FabCon Prom, the sparks that fly between them seem to make it all worthwhile. That is, until Ridley’s dad hatches a plot to take over Jubilee’s stepmom’s indie comic shop and enlists Ridley as a spy.

Ahhhhh! Star-crossed love interests, comics, and mental health? This is such a good one! It bounces back and forth between Ridley and Jubilee’s perspectives, and includes a diverse cast of characters who are as likeable as they are authentic. Two anxiety-laden thumbs up!

“You, Me, and Our Heartstrings” by Melissa See is another satisfying read if you’re in the mood for love with a side order of stringed instruments. Seventeen-year-old Daisy and Noah share a common goal: they want to get into Juilliard, the prestigious performing arts college. They’re both enormously talented musicians, and when they get paired to do a duet in their school’s holiday concert, they know this might be their shot to attract the notice of the Juilliard admissions team. Sounds like a slam dunk!

But, no! Of course not, fellow readers! What kind of boring novel would allow a slam dunk?

Unfortunately, besides orchestral talent, Daisy and Noah share something else in common: they’re both coming to blows with inner turmoil that could sabotage a stellar performance. Daisy has cerebral palsy, a condition she totally accepts, but wishes wasn’t the only thing people saw when they look at her. And Noah is trying to hide his immobilizing anxiety, fearing that he will never live up to his prodigy-filled family’s expectations.

What happens when two people come together, one who feels like the world only sees her disability, and the other whose disability is invisible to a fault? I’m going to need another set of thumbs because you know what? I’m putting two more up for this book.

Finally, if you’re looking for more immediate anxiety relief, don’t miss the “Calm Room” link, curated by Rosen Teen Health and Wellness, from the Teens’ page of the library’s website: www.akspl.org/teens. There you will find everything from relaxing waterfall sounds to guided meditations to live sea otter cams. Get ready to, temporarily at least, let a sea otter soothe you the way only a sea otter can. Most especially, teens, know that if you are experiencing anxiety, you are not alone. There are so many of us! Let these YA books, that don’t judge or demand, comfort you in their small ways, and gently guide you, like they did me, away from your imagined deathbed.

It is not uncommon for readers, even the most passionate ones, to find themselves in the dreaded reading slump. You read synopsis after synopsis and nothing sounds good to you or everything sounds the same. If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then let me introduce you to a genre of fiction that is getting very popular, “healing fiction.” This genre is already very popular in countries like Korea and Japan and is gaining popularity here amongst readers in the United States. I know you all are clamoring to know what “healing fiction” is. Well, simply put, healing fiction has themes of healing, friendship, comfort, empathy, and maybe a bit of magic in them. Here are a few new titles to get you started on reading this new genre of fiction.

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is about a coffee shop that has no fixed location and only appears when someone needs it at a crucial point in their lives. And did I mention the coffee shop is run by talking cats! Yup, talking cats. Aside from serving cakes, coffee, and tea, these cats also serve up astrological advice for those who are in need of guidance.

Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun is about a woman named Jieun who magically brings into existence the Marigold Mind Laundry. It is here that customers who are seeking comfort in their lives tell her their unhappiest memories. Come and check out this novel and read about Jieun and her customers and how the power to heal oneself is in us all.

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee is a novel about a department store and the people who work there that sell dreams to humans and animals. At this dream store, one can “buy” dreams on flying, a favorite childhood memory, dreams of becoming famous, and even dreams of loved ones who have passed on. Come and check out this novel and read about how sometimes the simple act of dreaming can influence your life in the waking world.

If these titles have piqued your interest, then come and check them out at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

September was an eventful month for the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. On September 17, the Redlands City Council approved a proclamation declaring September 29, 2024 as “Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands.” Mayor Pro Tempore Paul Barich presented the proclamation to Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Program coordinator, Chev Sotheavy, adult learner and author, and Don McCue, director of A.K. Smiley Public Library. Through this proclamation, the Council reaffirmed its recognition of the vital work done by the Redlands Adult Literacy Program along with all its volunteers and community partners and “called upon our residents to promote literacy efforts and education programs throughout our community.” Since 2010, the program has been providing free, confidential, one-to-one tutoring tailored to the specific needs of adult literacy learners. This past fiscal year, the program was able to serve 101 hardworking adult learners because of the support from 111 dedicated volunteers.

In addition to the “Adult Literacy Day” proclamation, the program celebrated publication of its seventh volume of original writing, Our Stories, A Collection of Writings. This collection has become a much-anticipated annual tradition within the program. Each year, adult learners are encouraged to capture in writing their personal journeys to literacy. Their contributions reflect a wide range of reading and writing levels. For some authors, the first step was simply dictating their stories to tutors and then working through the writing process with their tutors’ help. Other learners spent months rewriting multiple drafts until they were satisfied and ready to submit their work for publication. Regardless of literacy level, these adult learner-authors share a commitment to the learning process and are developing important literacy skills that will help them to better communicate in the workplace, with their families, and in the community.

To showcase this year’s volume – which features work from over 40 authors – the literacy program hosted a Celebration of Authors on September 29. An audience composed of approximately 150 family members, tutors, adult learners, and community members gathered to honor the newly-published authors and listen as they read their work aloud. The readings ranged from childhood memories and travelogues to powerful stories of survival and hope. One author who made a particularly strong impression was Sharhonda McLaurin with her poem, “I Told the Storm,” excerpted here:

I told the storm, I am aware of your tactics

Have seen your clouds try and block the sun

You have turned beautiful days into gloomy ones

Your wind blows past my window singing songs of defeat and my lips can’t help but sing along

I love sad songs on dark afternoons

I asked the storm why does it enjoy raining on my parade?

It never answered.

To read Ms. McLaurin’s poem in its entirety, as well as the work of other inspiring new writers, visit A.K. Smiley Public Library. Copies of Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volume 7 are now available for checkout.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy coordinator, at (909) 798-7565 ext. 4110, or email literacy@akspl.org.

If you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their life by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. Tutoring is free and confidential.

The saying goes, ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it.’ This seems to be true with a lot of things. I worry that someday it could even be true of the American right to vote.

As the numbers of us who go to the polls or mail in our ballots are often low, I can imagine a time when our numbers drop to such an extent that we may no longer have a voice in how and by whom we are governed.

I encourage each of us who is eligible to take advantage of this privilege and take on this responsibility we have been given. Many of us may complain about the flaws of the government, but let’s not forget – we, the people, ARE the government. Without our participation, democracy weakens.

If you are overwhelmed with too many candidates and propositions, you needn’t vote on every issue—maybe just start with the ones that mean the most to you. This is a friendly reminder that the staff at your library are here to help you locate reliable information to inform your vote—so please ask!

Smiley Public Library’s collection of new books is plentiful; however, I will share but two so that I may also introduce you to resources that you can access on your own (which is not social media!), and provide you information on how to make your voting plan. When we plan ahead, we make our task more of a priority.

Though the Library offers books that discuss, from varying viewpoints, the top issues we are contending with today, as well as those on and by candidates, we probably should start with one new book which reminds us of a fundamental discipline vital to a successful democracy—critical thinking.

In “The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times” author Robin Reames shows us that learning the discipline of rhetoric, or the art of using language to persuade, will help each of us to think objectively and to recognize the techniques others might use to get us to think like they do. We may get caught in the trap of allowing ourselves to be told what to think when we really want to voice our own opinion. Reames, a professor specializing in rhetorical theory and the history of ideas, argues that it is imperative in an age of misinformation to understand how the language we use and hear can color the facts and shape our reality.

“Your Vote Matters” is a new book for children—or any of us really–on the voting process, specifically in a presidential election. Learn about campaigning and debates, the difference between caucuses and primaries, and how the Electoral College works, as well as tips on what to consider when deciding which candidate should get your vote.

Reliable, time-tested, well-vetted resources are essential in your endeavor to get to know the issues and candidates in a more up-to-date and in-depth manner. The Library attempts to have as many as possible available to you. They include many physical newspapers and magazines, as well as many available digitally in our e-library located on our website, akspl.org/elibrary. Spanish language newspapers are available in both formats as well.

Databases like Flipster allow you to read various magazines online (use your library card number to access it remotely). Some are purely entertainment, but others such as The Atlantic and Time offer in-depth political and social analyses.

NewsBank is a database of newspapers which features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources spanning the U.S. covering business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues, and more.

ProQuest SIRS Issues Researcher presents pros and cons on 360-plus (and growing) complex social issues with relevant, credible information that tells the whole story on the major questions of the day.

There are many more resources available, and all can be accessed within the Library without a library card.

Find the Official Voter Information Guide from the California Secretary of State online at voterguide.sos.ca.gov.

As far as the voting plan goes, if you want to vote by mail, you must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day (this year 15 days before Election Day is October 21). To do so online, go to registertovote.ca.gov. We have paper applications available here at Smiley Library; I believe most libraries do.

You may register after that time — up through Election Day — in person at your county elections office, polling place, or vote center, where you will be provided a provisional ballot. This just means that the counting of your ballot will be on hold until your registration application is verified.

You have four ways to cast a voted ballot this election. By 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, voted ballots must be postmarked or dropped off in one of these ways: Vote-by-Mail; a Mail Ballot Drop-Box Location; an Early Vote Site; or a Polling Place. If you are in line at a voting location by 8 p.m. on Election Day you have the right to vote.

In addition to voting by mail or at a mail ballot drop-box location, the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office will be open for early voting on weekdays beginning Monday, October 7, through Tuesday, November 5 (and Saturday, November 2). Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

Visit the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters’ website, elections.sbcounty.gov, or the California Secretary of State’s website, sos.ca.gov, for more information (you can do this on a Library computer at no charge), or call us at the Library, 909-798-7565, or visit us for help with this process and/or with research.

The greatest threat to our democracy is the belief that someone else will vote.