Hobbies are exceptionally good for you. According to the National Institute on Aging, hobbies help to keep our brains working as we age and can help foster social connection Delving into something you enjoy fully can help re-focus our attention in ways that relieve stress and tension.

This summer, we’d like to challenge you to explore the farthest reaches of your imagination with us at the Library. Our 2019 Summer Reading challenge, A Universe of Stories, makes it easier than ever to earn rewards for indulging your curiosity. The challenge launches June 3 and runs through August 31. This year, you can customize your experience by earning badges for a mix of reading and other learning activities, like attending library programs and getting out in the community. 

With historical fiction, you can be anywhere at any time in history, guided by talented writers who can combine a good story with extensive research. You see historical events through the eyes of people who were there. It’s a great way to learn history at any age, and it helps young people learn that history is about more than memorizing dates for a test.

Few writers are better positioned than poets to capture and illuminate the fleeting moments, memories, and emotions that make up a life. This April in honor of National Poetry Month, immerse yourself in one of the following memoirs. Each title reflects the thoughts of a particular American poet on the subject of a life well-lived.

Lisa Scottoline’s talk this Wednesday at Glen Allen High School was the perfect culmination of this year’s All Henrico Reads. We hope you had as much fun as we did!

With All Henrico Reads just 10 days away, we are getting excited to meet Lisa Scottoline and we hope you are too! Henrico library staff are loving After Anna and we have some suggestions of what to read next.

Hoping to grow your own food this summer? Or have perfect flower beds? Follow advice from experienced gardeners and start with a plan! It doesn’t matter if this is your first attempt, or if your garden is on its 40th growing season—before you start digging, pick up a book or two for tips, techniques, and inspiration.

With the weather in March so unpredictable, it is nice to have a few indoor activities ready to go for unexpectedly cold or windy days. While we always love to suggest a good book to read, sometimes it is more fun to watch a movie.

Searching for medical information on the internet can be a treacherous task. How do you know if the information you find can be trusted? One reliable resource is MedlinePlus, which has information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand from the National Library of Medicine.