Read the January Blues Away

Christmas already feels like a distant memory, and January stretches out like it has 63 days instead of 31. But while the tinsel may be packed away and the mince pies are just crumbs, I always find January a perfect time to dive into the magic of reading. Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who hasn’t touched a book since school days, there’s something transformative about opening a book and letting it whisk you away to another world.

As a school librarian, my love for books naturally spills over into my Christmas wish list. This year, I was thrilled to unwrap a treasure trove of book-related gifts. One standout was a charming Stack of Books lapel pin from The Literary Gift Company. Of course, now I’ve fallen down a delightful rabbit hole of literary-themed mugs, bookmarks, and totes—and I might need to take out a second mortgage to fund my wishlist.

Reading over the Christmas holidays was pure joy. I delved into the staff book club pick and, before I knew it, found myself swept into the sequel on audiobook. Then, inspired by my own advice to students, I tackled some books that had been languishing at the bottom of my TBR (To Be Read) pile for months. It felt oddly satisfying to give them their moment at last.

But reading isn’t just about novels, is it? Over Christmas, I found myself reading all sorts of things. Recipes, as I plotted new Christmas and New Year dishes. Travel blogs and brochures, dreaming about summer escapes. Instructions for assembling toys (and trying to keep my cool when they didn’t make sense). Even an IKEA manual, puzzling over how to put together a new table. Reading, in some form or another, weaves itself into my days like a constant thread.

That’s why it struck me like a thunderclap when I came across a troubling statistic during my holiday reading: apparently, many children today "don’t read." It’s hard to imagine a life without books, without the ability to dive into a gripping story, learn something new, or even figure out how to put something together.

It made me wonder—how do these children experience life? How do they find the spark that ignites creativity or the knowledge to tackle a challenge? How do they navigate a world that’s built on written communication?

As we settle into January, let’s all take a moment to rediscover the simple, profound joy of reading—whether it’s a novel, an article, a recipe, or even the back of a cereal box. And if you need inspiration or a starting point, pop into the library. Let’s beat the January blues together, one page at a time.

Ms Cathi Woods, Librarian