By Rebecca Hyde

Rowan Public Library

“What are you reading?” can be the beginning of a good conversation, especially if it’s “now” and you have the book in hand. “Recently” might require the prompting of a list, since exact titles and authors seem to slip away.

“Have you (ever) read . . . ?” is the start of a memory journey — when and where are closely bound with the book. There’s the summertime reading of older titles (“War and Peace” and “Bleak House”) stored in a grandparents’ house. “Pride and Prejudice?” That was a loan from an older sister’s boyfriend.

Penelope Fitzgerald and Barbara Pym were authors discovered through personal copies given in trust by friends and gratefully returned. A copy of Knut Hamsun’s “Hunger” was found on a shelf in a room rented to students in a Paris apartment (double disorientation). The print book can be a wonderful prompt.

A question I often ask myself these days is, “Why read?” It has become a favorite topic because of all the good books on the subject. And here is one.

Wendy Lesser, critic, novelist and editor, spends a lot of time reading and writing. Her recent book, “Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books,” is an exploration of her passion for reading literature. Her one-word answer to “why” is “pleasure” — the kind of pleasure you can get from reading is like no other in the world. It’s based on a paradox, offering detachment and connection.

The relationship between reader and book is one-to-one, but then there’s that vast community of readers and writers, past and present. The reader can be fully engaged with another mind (an author’s or character’s) and at the same time aware of personal tastes, memories and associations. Reading is a highly individual act: “No one will ever do it precisely the way you do.”

Lesser is aware of her own changes of reading behavior. She speaks of being in greater need of one author over another: different books speak to you at different times in your life, and the kinds of problems that invite you into a literary work do not remain the same over time.

Pleasure reading is “a hungry activity.” But you need to slow down to savor a literary work. A novel consists equally of the small and the large (sentence and structure). Lesser finds her interest in the sentence has grown over time. The linearity of the written word, the pattern of sequenced pages set by the author — these offer the pleasures of close attention.

Lesser is very serious about her reading, but she is broad-minded. People enjoy bad books. She reads some books one time. Those she values as literature, she’ll be reading again. Her models of good books may not be for everyone, but her observations are engrossing and instructive.

Computer basics class: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. or Thursday, Feb. 25, 9:30-11 a.m. at headquarters., 201 W. Fisher St. If you’re new to computers or have never felt comfortable with them, this is the class for you. We’ll go over the very basics of computers, from computer components to how programs are opened and closed. Class on second floor of library.

iPad basics: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7-8 p.m., headquarters. Become a confident iPad user in this free class. Discuss components, navigation and the use of apps. Requirements: Pre-registration; bring your own iPad; iPad needs to be charged and have an updated iOS (operating system); bring a current, valid Apple ID.  Free sign-up at:  https://appleid.apple.com/. Space is limited, so call Paul Birkhead at 704-216-8242 to reserve your spot. Class on second floor of library.

Castlebay in concert: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7-9 p.m., headquarters. Castlebay, a duo from Maine, has been weaving together the heritage of New England and the Celtic lands in song since 1987. Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by Friends of Rowan Public Library and Cheerwine. Program starts at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. Sample Castlebay’s music at www.castlebay.net.

Celebrate Seuss: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon, East branch, Rockwell. Children of all ages are invited to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his very own “Day of all Days.” For if he’d never been born, well then what would we do? No Horton? No Lorax? No Thing One or Thing Two? That really just isn’t a world we can envision so come join us this day for a great celebration. Light refreshments included.

Book Bites Book Club: South (China Grove), Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m. Free, open to the public. We discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments loosely related to the theme. “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake” by Aimee Bender. Need a copy? Call 704-216-7841.

Learn.Act.Grow.: Personal safety. Monday, Feb. 22, 5:30-7 p.m., headquarters. Free. What would you do if someone approached you in a dark parking lot when you were alone? Learn tips and techniques from local experts on vehicle, home and personal safety. Led by Sidekick Karate and Salisbury Police Department. Register online or by calling 704-216-7734 to ensure a spot.

Genealogy Class: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-noon, headquarters. Co-hosted by the Genealogical Society of Rowan County and the History Room, this series of classes will explore the genealogical resources and techniques available in the library and online. This session will be in the computer lab and will cover some more popular databases that are available for free through the library or otherwise including Ancestry, Fold3, Family Search and some software programs to help organize and store genealogical materials.

Teen Advisory Board: Teens who join this board provide input on the library’s teen programming and book selection and discuss current events and issues in Rowan County. TAB meets once a month at each library location from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, headquarters; Tuesday, Feb. 9, East, Rockwell; Thursday, Feb. 11, South Rowan Regional, China Grove.

Anime Club (for teens): Tuesday, Feb. 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m., headquarters. Celebrate and learn all things Anime. Programs are the second Tuesday of the month.

Chocolate Festival: Enjoy chocolate and chocolate-themed games. Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 9, South Regional; Feb. 16, headquarters; Feb. 23, East.

Chapter Chats Book Club: A weekly book club for teens ages 14-17 primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome. Meets at Yosties, 202 N. Main St, Faith, Tuesdays, 4 p.m., through May 24.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors: Children ages 7 to 9 can practice reading skills in a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. Reading Therapy dogs registered through Therapy Dogs International are available for beginning and struggling readers to read aloud to them. Reservations are recommended but not required. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23. East, Mondays, 3:30 p.m., Feb. 1 and 29, March 14 and 28.

Lego free play: Legos help children’s reasoning and problem-solving skills. The library’s Lego collection will be available for free play, or you can bring your own, Saturdays at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 at East; Feb. 20 at South and at headquarters.

Adventure Club: Headquarters, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.-noon. Adventurous hands-on science activities and projects.

Explorer Club: Headquarters, Feb. 27, 11 a.m. Investigate different genres through activities based on books. Programs for children in third-fifth grades; lasts one hour. This month’s theme will be games and brains.

Book Chats: Thursday, Feb. 18, 4:15-5 p.m., for children in second and third grades. A book discussion group. A limited number of books will be available at all library locations, so registration is strongly recommended.

Weekly events for children, Feb. 1-April 30:

Baby Time — Simple stories and songs for 6-23 month-olds with parent or caregiver. Program 30 minutes. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East, Mondays,  10 a.m.

Toddler Time — Sharing books, singing songs and encouraging listening skills; 18-35 months old with parent or caregiver; 30 minutes. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Mondays, 11 a.m.

Tiny Tumblers — Stories, musical scarves and instruments for ages 6-23 months with parent or caregiver. Same program offered twice a week;  30 minutes. South, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool time — Encourages exploration of books and builds reading readiness skills for children 3-5 years old with parent or caregiver; 30 minutes. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Noodle Head storytime — For children of all ages to enjoy listening to silly books and tales together; 30 minutes. Headquarters, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Mondays, 4 p.m.

Art programs — Art activities and instruction based on various themes and media and vary by branch.  Appropriate for preK through fifth grade.  Lasts 30-45 min. 30-45 minutes. Headquarters, Art in the Afternoon, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.; East, Emma’s Easel, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Art with Char, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.

Displays: Headquarters, log cabins from North Hills Christian School; South, South Rowan High SchoolCorriher-Lipe Middle School student art; East, Barbies.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second  language.