'Christmas Every Day' a recommended read to get you in the spirit

Eisabella Janis is the artist whose work is currently on display on the Main Floor of the Rochester Public Library. Stop by to see the exhibit next time you visit the library. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Merry Christmas to all our patrons from the entire staff of the Rochester Public Library! We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday. We will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25. We'll see you on Monday, December 27 with our regular hours. The following week we will also be closed on Friday, December 31 and January 1 for New Years.

On Display

We hope you're all enjoying the holiday season! Stop by and pick up some holiday books, music CDs or movies! We have a variety of Christmas, holiday and Hallmark DVDs to enjoy.

Staff Favorites

Patron Services Supervisor, Katherine, shared a recent recommendation: "I just read the book Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran on hoopla and loved it! It reminded me of Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher with a cast of folksy characters and a run-down cottage. Best of all, because it's on hoopla, it's always available! Very enjoyable read and likable characters."

Inter library Loan Librarian, Donna says: "These are old but still my favorite White Christmas with Bing Crosby and A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim-whoops, which is available to stream on hoopla! Also, Robbie the Reindeer is a great Christmas cartoon."

Main Desk Librarian, Emily, recommends: Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty: "A wonderful comedic book with a romance that runs through it, while simultaneously toying with the reader about a mystery and the possibility of a murder! I listened to this book as an audiobook and it kept me interested with the hilarious plotline and mystery. This is an older book of Moriarty's, and I just wish I had read her sooner!

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: I audibly replied out loud while listening to this audiobook in frustration, joy, despair, and anguish. It will tear out your heartstrings but the entire ride to the end your heart will be gushing at the incredible romance, gripping the pages in frustration, and racing at the fast-paced battle scenes. I would sell my soul to read this again for the first time."

Main Desk Librarian, Stephanie, has a couple of Christmas movies to recommend:

"I love a good Christmas romance and no one does them better than Hallmark (sorry, Lifetime and Netflix!). A couple of my favorites are here in our collection. A Very Merry Mix-Up is a perfect holiday treat where a young woman goes to spend the holidays with her fiancé's parents, whom she's never met, while her fiancé is delayed by business issues. At the airport her phone is damaged and her luggage gets lost, resulting in mix-ups, surprises, and romance. Alicia Witt is charming as the young woman.

Another favorite is The Nine Lives of Christmas. In this one, a handsome, single, firefighter finds a stray cat, who insists on adopting him, despite his efforts to find the cat a home. He ends up meeting a young woman at the pet store where she works while studying to be a veterinarian. Can this woman who believes in romance connect with the determinedly single firefighter? This is a purr-fact movie for anyone who enjoys romance, cats and Christmas!"

2022 Calendars

The Friends of the Library are selling beautiful Rochester calendars with photos by local photographer John Gisis. It even includes a beautiful photo of the Library. They are available at the Main and Children's desks for $15 each. They make a great gift for those friends and family in town or out. For each calendar sold, John will donate $2 to the Friends. Grab a couple before we sell out!

RPL Animated Recommendations

Main Desk Librarian (and syndicated cartoonist) Stephanie, and Main Desk Librarian, Karyl, have created a series of weekly animated videos recommending book, DVD and other titles available at the Library. Get ready for the holidays with our animated suggestions! See them on our Facebook and Instagram accounts

Children's Room

Winter Story Time: Winter Story Time sign-ups begin Monday, December 13th! Call 603-335‑7549 or come to the library to register. Registration will remain open until Story Times are filled or through the first week of the Story Time session. The programs are free. Story Times begin the week of January 10th, 2022 and will run for six weeks.

Story Time will start in our meeting room and will last about 20 minutes. We will share three to four books alternating with fingerplays, songs, and movement, and then follow with a 30-minute "Stay & Play" in the Children's Room. This time will be for children to participate in unstructured play and socialize, while adults will have an opportunity to meet other families in the community.

Children can get their own Library Card:

* If they are a resident of Rochester or enrolled in the Rochester Public Schools.

* Are age 5 or above.

* Have a parent's signature on the registration form.

Please plan on 10-15 minutes for getting a first library card, that way we can focus on making your child's first library card a special experience.

For your convenience the registration form is now available on our website for printing & can be filled out in advance.

https://www.rpl.lib.nh.us/children

Recommendations for kids

RPL Librarian, Amy says: "There is a New Fiction display in the children's room for you chapter book readers! Some highlights are: Wind Riders which is the first installment of an environmental based fantasy series where two children take a magic boat to Hawaii to rescue sea turtles. Jake Maddox Snowboarding Surprise is about a gymnast that injures herself and has to make some tough choices. We have book #3 of the Graphic Novel Series Nat Enough, Absolutely Nat. This time, Nat goes to summer camp. It isn't anything she wanted or expected but might just be what she needs! Of course we have all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, including the latest, Big Shot #16. Greg tries out for basketball and ends up on the worst team. What happens next might just surprise you! There is something in the Children's room for all our young readers!"

Story-Time-To-Go

Story-Time-To-Go will continue for those who prefer using our curbside service. Reserve a pre-packed bag with library books, a simple craft idea with directions, and a set of activities based on a certain theme by calling the Children's Room at 603-335-7549. These kits are geared for kids ages 2 through 6, but the whole family can participate! Please let us know which theme(s) you would like, and for what age range.

ILL Services

Are you looking for a book, DVD, CD or other item we don't already have in our collection? If you've had your library card for more than 3 months, our Inter-Library Loan Librarian Goddess, Donna, can probably find it for you. Just stop by and fill in a form and she will track it down and let you know!

Tech Help

Our Emerging Technologies Specialist, Jessica, is here to help you if you need help figuring out your new phone, tablet, or laptop or if you have any questions about our Library downloadable resources such as hoopla, Libby or Overdrive. To make an appointment contact the library at 603-332-1428 or Rplreference@rochesternh.net.

Contacting RPL

Visit the Library's website: https://rpl.lib.nh.us/

Email the reference librarian: Rplreference@rochesternh.net.

Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rplnh/ or https://www.facebook.com/RPLChildrensRoom/