THERE ARE HOLIDAYS AND OBSERVANCES EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH — SO MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE!
I’M NOT SAYING THERE SHOULD BE CAKE EVERY DAY, BUT I’M NOT SAYING THERE SHOULDN’T BE CAKE EVERY DAY.
OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Check out Mr. Scruff by Simon James, a picture book about a shelter dog who finds his perfect person. Or perhaps The Wonder of Lost Causes by Nick Trout – fiction about a veterinarian with one rule for her family – no shelter dogs. Then look for your own forever dog on PetFinder, at the Richmond SPCA, Richmond Animal Care and Control – or check out this list of area shelters from the Richmond Animal League
American Archives Month
The Library of Virginia was founded in 1823 to preserve and provide access to printed and manuscript holdings for the study of Virginia history, culture, and government. Many resources are available online, as well as for in-person visits. Then check out other local university archives web pages: VCU’s Special Collections and Archives, Virginia Union University’s Archives and Special Collections, University of Richmond’s Rare Books & Special Collections.
Health Literacy Month
Check out Medline Plus from the U.S. National Library of Medicine – a trusted source for comprehensive, up-to-date, and understandable health information.
Positive Attitude Month and Sarcastic Month
Check out Mr. Complain Takes the Train – a picture book by Wade Bradford about a complainer who realizes that he actually had a really great train ride. Then take a look at The Sarcasm Handbook – an eBook by Lawrence Dorfman available through Hoopla. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here.
Squirrel Appreciation Month
Check out Shakespeare for Squirrels – a hilarious novel by Christopher Moore. Or, perhaps take a look at A Walk Around the Block by Spike Carlsen – a book about stoplight secrets, mischievous squirrels, manhole mysteries & other stuff you see every day (and know nothing about).
World Origami Days
Do a keyword search for “origami” on Hoopla – and find titles like Origami Dots, Dollar Origami, Realistic Origami Animals and A Beginner’s Guide to Paper Wildflowers. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here.
National Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9
“Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” is the 2021 theme. Find out more from The National Fire Protection Association. Richmond’s Fire and Emergency Services website includes information like the locations of all city fire stations, fire prevention tips, information on how to get free smoke detectors, and more.
International Magic Week – October 25-31
Check out The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini by Joe Posnanski. Or perhaps The Right Way to Do Wrong – a “master class” revealing trade secrets of crooks and charlatans by Harry Houdini, available as an ebook though Hoopla. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here.
October 1st
National Diversity Day / LGBT History Month / Coming Out Day, Oct 11th
Check out Rainbow Lit, a booklist of contemporary YA and adult fiction with LGBTQ+ characters.
October 2nd
National Custodial Workers Day
The Richmond Public Library has wonderful custodial staff who keep the building in tip top shape! If you see one during your visit to the library, be sure to show your appreciation!
Frugal Fun Day
Check out these booklists filled with titles to help in the search for frugality:
Costing the Earth – How to Live Greener and More Simply
The Ignominy of Abundance, the Plight of Plenitude; or, First World Problems
It’s Simple Really – Our lives are frittered away by detail .. simplify, simplify
October 3rd
National Techies Day
Check out Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin, fiction about the collision of technology and play, horror and humanity.
October 4th
National Taco Day
Check out The Taco Truck by Robert Lemon – how Mexican street food is transforming the American city, or Tequila & Tacos by Katherine Cobbs – a guide to spirited pairings.
October 5th
National Be Nice Day / Do Something Nice Day
Check out The Very Nice Box by Laura Blackett – a wry little novel about a product engineer who is developing a … very nice box.
October 6th
Mad Hatter Day
The phrase “mad as a hatter” did not originate with Lewis Carroll, but instead has historical origins much further back. Hatmakers in the 18th and 19th centuries used mercury nitrate to “felt” hats. More information on this bizarre form of poisoning can be found in this article from The History Channel.
October 7th
You Matter to Me Day
Check out a pair of picture books that reinforce the concept that everyone matters: You Matter by Christian Robinson, and All Because You Matter by Tami Charles.
October 8th
World Octopus Day
Check out The Soul of an Octopus – a joyful exploration into the wonder of consciousness by Sy Montgomery.
October 9th
Curious Events Day
Check out A Curious Beginning – the first title in the “Veronica Speedwell” mystery series by Deanna Raybourn.
October 10th
National Handbag Day
Check out Half Yard Bags and Purses by Debbie Shore – illustrated instructions on sewing beautiful totes, clutches, folder holders, and more.
October 11th
Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Native American Day
Take a look at “Rethinking How We Celebrate American History – Indigenous Peoples’ Day”, an article from Smithsonian Magazine on the evolution of Columbus Day to a more inclusive, historically accurate holiday. Then check out the booklist Native American Fiction for adult fiction – historical, contemporary, funny, sad, even horror – by or about Native Americans or this blog post YA Book Pairings: Indigenous Authors.
October 12th
World Arthritis Day
Check out The Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis by Lynne S. Peterson – an eBook available through Hoopla. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here.
October 13th
International Day for Failure
Check out You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha – how to navigate change, wrestle with failure, and live an intentional life.
October 14th
World Sight Day – October 14th. October 15th: White Cane Awareness Day, Blind American Equality Day. Blind Awareness Month
Check out The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda – a thriller about a beautiful, blind teenager suspected of masterminding the poisoning of 17 people at an elite party. Then check out this earlier blog post: “Reading and Listening Options for Low Vision, Blindness, and Other Physical Limitations”.
October 15th
Global Handwashing Day
Check out Curious George: Wash Your Hands by Rudy Obrero – a board board for young readers based on Margaret and H.A. Rey’s ever-inquisitive monkey. Or, visit the CDC’s website for a great handwashing guide.
October 16th
Dictionary Day
Check out The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault – fiction about two lexicographers who uncover a mystery. Or, perhaps you prefer a nonfiction book about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary that reads like a thriller. If so, check out The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester.
October 17th
Black Poetry Day
Check out The Collected Poems and Prose of Jupiter Hammon, an eBook by the first published Black American poet, available through Hoopla. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here. Or check out African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song – an anthology compiled by Kevin Young, or maybe Playlist for the Apocalypse – poems by Rita Dove.
Home Movie Day
Have a home movie marathon with help from the library! You can download movies from Hoopla. (Pro tip: you can download movies at home, or download to your phone or tablet from an RPL branch, and stream offline at home). Either way, you will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here. If you prefer watching DVDs, request a Binge Bag from the library – five binge-worthy movies (for grown ups) to check out. Sorry, popcorn not included.
Anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake
Check out The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner, or Vera by Carol Edgarian, two novels about the devastating earthquake.
October 18th
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day
If your computer desktop is cluttered, today is a good day to tidy it up.
October 19th
National New Friends Day
Check out Friendship by Lydia Denworth – the evolution, biology, and extraordinary power of life’s fundamental bond.
October 20th
International Sloth Day
Check out these children’s books about sloths: The Secret Life of the Sloth by Laurence Pringle, Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle by Cathy Ballou Mealey, Slow, Slow Sloths by Bonnie Bader, and Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy by Kate Messner.
October 21st
Get Smart About Credit Day
Check out What to Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits – a survival guide by Michelle Singletary, or Get Good With Money by Tiffany Aliche – ten simple steps to becoming financially whole.
October 22nd
International Stuttering Awareness Day
Check out I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott – a picture book where a boy learns a new way to look at his “bad speech” day. Or maybe The Boy Toy by Nicola Marsh – a rom-com featuring a stunt man with a stutter, and his new speech coach.
October 23rd
Make a Difference Day
Check out Little Heroes of Color by David Heredia – a kid’s book about fifty men and women of color who made a big difference. Or maybe Local Politics Matter by Richard Meagher – a citizen’s guide to making a difference.
October 24th
United Nations Day
Check out I am a Girl from Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro – the biography of a girl saved from starvation by a UN aid worker, inspiring her to become a humanitarian herself.
October 25th
Punk for a Day day
Check out A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan – a novel about rebellion, influence, habits and friendship. Or maybe The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez – a tween novel about girl who starts seventh grade with a bang.
October 26th
National Pumpkin Day
Check out We’re Going on a Pumpkin Hunt by Mary Hogan Wilcox, Rocket and the Perfect Pumpkin by Elle Stephens, or Christopher Pumpkin by Sue Hendra – all children’s books about pumpkins.
October 27th
Cranky Co-workers Day
Check out these cranky eBooks from Hoopla: Cranky Right Now by Julie Berry, The Cranky Mom Fix by Becky Kopitzke, or Cranky Franky and the Spelling Scheme by Michelle DeVrieze – just a few of the “cranky” books available. You will need an RPL library card to access Hoopla. Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one here.
October 28th
National Chocolate Day
For many of us, every day is chocolate day. Check out Everything Chocolate by America’s Test Kitchen – a decadent collection of morning pastries, nostalgic sweets, and show-stopping desserts.
October 29th
National Immigrants Day
Check out America is Immigrants by Sara Novic – short, lyrical biographies of remarkable immigrants to the United States. Or maybe We are a Garden by Lisa Westberg Peters – a picture book of how diversity took root in America.
October 30th
Checklists Day
Take a look at The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande – a primer on how to get things right. Or maybe Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks – a novel about a man trying to save his job, his marriage, and his life … with lists.
October 31st
Anniversary of War of the Worlds 1938 radio broadcast
Check out Broadcast Hysteria by A. Brad Schwartz – Orson Welle’s War of the Worlds and Fake news. Or listen to a recording of the original 1938 broadcast that caused a national panic.
