January 2021
Hello friends, and welcome to another issue of Connect, a newsletter made for YOU. Happy January! It’s 2021, let that sink in. Twe-n-ty-Twe-n-ty-One. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw. You made it. 2020 was hard on all of us, let’s hope for new beginnings, sunshine, and rainbows.
 
Keep checking our website and social media to see the status of the library building. During the creation of this newsletter, the library building is still closed, but we are always here for you virtually. Email us! Instant message us! Text us! Comment on our posts or message us through socials. We’ll get back to you during open hours. Until we can see you again, mask up and please enjoy this newsletter. Share it with your friends. Remember you don't need to live in Batavia to subscribe!
Let's Laugh
Create Something
You’ve seen them all over the internet. They’re sweeping the nation. You gotta have them. Hot chocolate bombs. Here is how you can make them at home.
  • From Rosanna Pansino: A quick and easy video.
  • From I Am Baker: A step-by-step guide, includes a recipe for homemade hot chocolate powder!
  • From Sugar Spun Run: Step-by-step instructions, includes the science behind tempering chocolate and a great FAQ section.
  • From The New York Times: For all of you posh readers.
  • From Ashlee Marie: A recorded livestream, includes different flavor options like peppermint, oreo, snickerdoodle, and peanut butter.
Learn Something
January is National Braille Literacy Month. Have you ever wondered why there is braille on the drive-up ATMs at banks? Follow the links to learn about braille.
  • From PBS: Read about why drive-up ATMs have braille keypads.
  • From Wikipedia: Get a broad overview and learn the history of braille.
  • From The Washington Post: Read about Louis Braille and Helen Keller, trailblazers for blind people.
  • From BBC Ideas: A short video about Louis Braille, his life and story. This video is actually super interesting, I suggest you, at least, watch this one.
Read Something
 
If you follow us on social media, you probably have already seen some of our favorite books of 2020. Did any catch your eye? I’ve linked them below so you can easily place your hold!
  • After Sundown by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
  • Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
  • The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
  • Call Upon the Water by Stella Tillyard
  • Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczok
  • God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx by DeSus Nice & The Kid Mero
  • Horns by Joe Hill
  • The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
  • I Thought it was Just Me (But it isn’t) by Brene Brown
  • Island Girls by Nancy Thayer
  • The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
  • The Leavers by Lisa Ko
  • Medusa Uploaded by Emily Devenport
  • Owl Be Home for Christmas by Donna Andrews
  • The Peanuts Book by Simon Beecroft
  • Possession by AS Byatt
  • The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig
  • Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
  • Wishtree by Katherin Applegate
Watch Something
Soul
 
The latest Disney-Pixar movie came out on Christmas exclusively on Disney+. Soul is about a middle-aged man named Joe who finally has a chance to live his dream and playing jazz with a renowned saxophone player. But while walking home from his audition, he dies. While ascending to the great beyond, his soul finds its way to the great before, where it learns what it takes to make it back earthside.
 
Like many other Pixar movies before it, Soul hits you right in the feels. I think it’s a great film to help round out 2020. The main character realizes, even if you get everything you’ve wanted and realize your dreams, it might not feel like you expected. Your life isn’t fulfilled until you savor every-little-moment, slow down, and appreciate the little things. Sunshine. Leaf piles. Fresh pizza. A warm kitten.
 
If you have access to a Disney+ account, I recommend this film. It’s not really geared towards children, like other Pixar films (ahem Cars), and I think adults will appreciate the humor, music, themes, and moral.
 
Just Stay Home
I really don’t think I should be promoting the act of leaving the house right now, outside of the essentials. As adults, we should be responsible and mature enough to know how to act during this COVID-19 pandemic. Do your part to flatten our current curve, just stay home!
 
As always, check our library calendar for virtual events happening for all ages.
In Conclusion
Stay happy. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. 
 
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Batavia Public Library
10 S. Batavia Ave.
Batavia, Illinois 60510
630-879-1393

www.bataviapubliclibrary.org/