Our summer reading theme for Summer 2023 is “All Together Now”. For the next six weeks, we will be exploring themes of TOGETHERness, in an acrostic using the word “together”.
This week’s theme is Energy.
There are many different ways to think of energy. Encyclopedia Britannica defines energy scientifically, that “energy, in physics, [is] the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms.” This energy is what powers our world, from the electricity running through our houses to the wind that powers turbines.
Energy can also refer to a more abstract concept. Mental energy refers to our sense of self and how we interact with others. This could be through our decision-making process, how we absorb and remember information, or how we manage our own emotions. Exercises in meditation and self-reflection can help to improve your mental energy, and may help you feel more focused and centered in your daily life.
There is an old adage about not using our energy to worry but to use the energy to believe. In that vein, we can surround ourselves with people that reflect who we want to be and how we want to feel. Your vibe can attract your tribe. Energy is contagious. Remember that removing yourself from situations instead of returning negative energy is growth!
The theme of this week encourages us to examine energy, how we use energy, harness energy, and find energy sources. Some questions to think about:
- What energy sources do you use and are they sustainable?
- When you are selecting the food you eat, what energy are you getting from your choices?
- When you figure out what physical activities you pick when you work out, how much energy do you burn while doing them?
We encourage you to discover resources available to you at our public library on the topic of energy.
You can check out our recommended reads on energy here, or ask a librarian for a more specific recommendation!
If you haven’t already, be sure to log your reading in Beanstack for our summer reading challenge! All ages are welcome to sign up. For every book you log until August 15th, your name will be entered into a drawing for a reader basket. Each library branch will host its own drawings for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Children, Teens and Adults. Also worthy of note is that children get small prizes as they read books during the program. Register yourself and your family on Beanstack.
This is a collaboration from A to Z!
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She is pursuing a Masters in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.
Z is the Branch Manager at the Crestwood Library. She has been with YPL for over a decade.