Jan 7

Jan 7 Amber Hargett: Winter Reads 2022

As the weather turns colder and winter sets in, join us at Neuse Regional Libraries for an Adult Winter Reading Program. Pleasure reading is a proven stress reliever, and those who read fiction are shown to experience increased creativity, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Traveling to another world or getting lost in a fictional character’s experience makes us more open-minded and provides us with new perspectives. The theme for this year’s program is Winter in Paris. Participants will embark on an adventure during this 7-week program through a Community Read while enjoying a book discussion, tea tasting, cooking class, and other activities along the way.

Registration begins January 3 at all Neuse Regional Libraries. Participants are asked to stop by their local library to complete a registration form. Activity packets will be available for pick up starting January 10. Patrons who wish to participate but are not able to come into the building can register and receive their packet online for easy printing or can pick up their packet curbside as well. Filled with a variety of brain teasers, puzzles, and other fun projects, each completed activity can be turned in for a raffle ticket for entry into a drawing for one of the gift basket prizes.

Winter in Paris will also offer various activities both in the libraries and at home for everyone to enjoy. The Community Read aspect of the program will include the reading of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Copies of The Paris Library will be available for check out at all Neuse Regional Libraries. Electronic copies are available in e-book and e-audio format through Libby (https://e-inc.overdrive.com/).

All Neuse Regional Libraries will hold a book discussion and tea tasting during the 7-week program. Participants are encouraged to bring their special teacup so they can share their teacup's story with the group. Seats are limited to 15 participants per session, please call your local library to reserve your space.. Sessions will be held as follows: Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library (252.527.7066, ext. 134) Saturday, January 29 at 2:00 pm and Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 pm; Pink Hill Public Library (252.568.3631) Monday, January 31 at 4:30 pm; La Grange Public Library (252.566.3722) Thursday,February 3 at 2:00 pm; Greene County Public Library (252.747.3437) Monday, February 7 at 3:30 pm; Pollocksville Public Library (252.224.5011) Tuesday February 8 at 3:00 pm; Comfort Public Library (910.324.5061) Tuesday, February 15 at 2:00 pm; Trenton Public Library (252.448.4261) Wednesday, February 16 at 5:00 pm; and Maysville Public Library (910.743.3796) Thursday, February 17 at 3:00 pm.

Participants will also have the opportunity to create a travel journal at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library on Saturday, January 22 at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. Journals can be customized to include keepsakes from previous trips as well as planning space for future trips. Seats are limited to 15 participants per session, please call the library to reserve your space.

Kelly Tyndall from the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension will be our special guest, for cooking class at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library on Wednesday, February 2 at 11:00 a.m. She will be cooking leek and potato soup, which is served several times throughout The Paris Library. The program is limited to 15 participants, please call the library to reserve your space.

Participants earn raffle tickets by attending programs and submitting completed activities from the activity pack. Raffle tickets can be used to enter the drawings for themed prize baskets that will be given away throughout the Neuse Regional Libraries. All activities must be turned in by February 26, and the drawings will be held March 4. The following themed prize baskets are available: Adventure, Artist, Coffee and Tea Lover, Kitchen, Puzzle, and Relaxation.

We hope that you will participate in these exciting new programs while enjoying our featured book and joining the discussion. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact your local library or call 252-527-7066, ext. 134.