Curl up with a good book and win prizes this J-term by participating in Preus Library's Hot Reads for Cold Nights!
But I'm so busy with work and classes!
Why spend valuable time reading for fun?
Recreational reading supports the needs of whole persons. Surveys by the National Endowment for the Arts illustrate how readers of literature have significantly higher rates of civic and cultural engagement than non-readers. The oft-cited 2004 survey Reading at Risk found that literary readers are nearly three times as likely to attend performing arts events, almost four times as likely to visit art museums, over two-and-a-half times as likely to do volunteer or charity work, over one-and-a-half times as likely to attend sporting events and/or participate in sports.
The benefits of just-for-fun reading don’t end there. Just-for-fun reading hones many of the same reading skills as those needed for “heavy” required reading assignments. Good thinkers are good readers, and good readers get to be that way by reading. A lot, and deeply. Reading boosts self-esteem and produces feelings of confidence, self-worth, and accomplishment. Regular readers are more likely to be exposed to ideas and experiences not their own, which creates greater opportunities for empathy and respect for others. Reading can also reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
This January, give yourself permission to read a book (or two or three) for fun. Discover a new comfortable reading spot, or revisit an old favorite, push away all stress-filled and anxious distractions, and let the story take over for a while.
Register, read, and win!
Registration is easy! Register online or at the circulation desk. Everyone who registers gets a bookmark and hot cocoa... plus a freebie ticket for the prize drawings! The program is open to all students, staff, and faculty--on or off campus.
Participants have a chance win lots of cool prizes through drawings every week, with grand prizes at the end of the month! Weekly prizes include the officially adorable Hot Reads squirrel mugs. The grand prizes are a warm Luther College sweatshirt blanket, Luther College squirrel pom hat, or a Litographs.com totebag of your choice. The more you read, the more likely you are to win!
The final drawing will take place on Monday, January 29th.
How do I earn tickets for the prize drawings?
Each of the following activities awards you ONE ticket:
- Register!
- Read a book for fun and tell [email protected]. One ticket per book read.
- Participate in a Hot Reads for Cold Nights discussion on the Preus Library Facebook page.
Edible Books Contest!
Last Year’s Winners: And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile (Jim Buzza), The Tale of Mrs. Tiggly-Winkle by Beatrix Potter (Gifty Arthur, ‘17), and Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Destiny Crider).
Celebrate the end of J-term and Hot Reads for Cold Nights at our Edible Books Contest on Thursday, January 25th and try your hand at creating an edible book entry! There will be prizes for first, second, and third place winners.
The Edible Book Contest will be held on the main floor of Preus Library on Thursday, January 25th from 3-4 PM. Treats will be provided, so come to the library to mingle with fellow book lovers and vote for your favorite edible book! All are welcome to come enjoy treats and vote. If you'd like to submit an edible book for the contest, please email [email protected].
There will be additional Hot Reads for Cold Nights activities available soon at Decorah Public Library! Stay tuned for more information about the winter reading program for the Decorah community.
