For many Asian cultures and others celebrating the lunar new year, 2023 will begin on Sunday, January 22nd. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, so why not kick it off with one of these bunny-titled books?
January 2023 Mid-Month Sudoku
Okay, Sudoku fans—this month's puzzle comes with a party trick that involves numbers. You can do this with one person but it's more fun if you have a group.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
MHL will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. (We will be open our usual hours on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th). If you're looking to something to read over the weekend, you might be interested in one of these works of historical fiction set during the civil rights era. (You might also want to check out past lists like this Martin Luther King, Jr. reading list or this list of nonfiction about civil rights movements).
Waiting for the Barbara Walters Biopic? Try These!
Barbara Walters was the first woman to anchor a television news program for a national audience in 1976. Before that, she earned her stripes writing ad copy, press releases and magazine features. She eventually became a writer for CBS where the legendary Don Hewitt told her she'd never make it in broadcasting. She who laughs, lasts, right? Barbara Walters eventually became an award-winning broadcast journalist and celebrity in her own right, hosting hundreds of prime-time "personality" and "scoop journalism" programs. Margaret Thatcher, Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro, Anwar Al Sadat, O.J. Simpson, Katherine Hepburn, and Taylor Swift are just a few of the global figures that she interviewed. Known for asking uncomfortable questions to powerful people unaccustomed to personal interrogations, Barbara Walters persisted in her distinctive style of reportage, critics be damned. Barbara Walters' 60+ year career set so many standards and broke so many barriers that we think the next pressing questions ought to be: When is the Barbara Walters biopic coming out? Will it be seven hours long to cover all of her accomplishments? We can't wait to see it!
Books With All the Feels
Have you signed up for MHL's Winter Reading Club? It's running this month for readers of all ages. For the winter reading club, you can read whatever books you'd like. But if you're looking for suggestions, here are some novels and memoirs for adult readers looking for "feels"--big emotions like love, anger, sadness. Big feelings!
January 5th is National Bird Day
Although birding is a hobby that can be enjoyed year-round, January 5th is National Bird Day. If you'd like to celebrate, here are some books about how to identify birds, as well as about how to attract them to your garden or simply to better understand them. You can also check out this page of other resources for birders from MHL!
January 2023 Puzzle: Mystery solvers
This month's crossword features famous mystery solvers from literature, movies, and television. Later this month, the Mystery Writers of America will announce nominees for this year's prestigious Edgar Awards. If mysteries are your thing, check out the past winners and nominees, or sign up to receive monthly emails that list recent mystery releases and offer "if you like ___, you might like ___" suggestions.
GoodReads Choice Awards 2022
Every year, plenty of Best Of lists come out, overwhelming readers with options. The Goodreads Choice Awards are unique because they are voted on by readers, rather than being chosen by critics. Check out this year's winners! (You can also see the full list of nominees for each category on Goodreads if you're looking for more book suggestions.)
Books for Fans of Wednesday
Are you a fan of the latest Addams Family adaptation? Here are some books for teens and adults that capture the spooky boarding school vibe of Wednesday. (Also, if you've been wanting to watch Wednesday but don't have Netflix--you can request the library's Roku with Netflix.)
Staff Picks 2022
It's been a great year for reading! Please enjoy some of MHL's favorite books - and more! - from our staff. You're sure to find something you will enjoy with titles for adults, teens, and kids.