Not your typical novel, Feast Your Eyes by Myla Goldberg is a fictional memoir of a photographer named Lillian Preston and all the people who make up her support system. Her story unfolds through several narrators through letters, journal entries, firsthand accounts, and descriptions (by Lillian’s daughter) of photographs taken by Lillian.
Set primarily in New York City, the story outlines the hardships of being a professional artist. Lillian balances this struggle with single motherhood. Caring for her daughter Samantha and keeping up with her photography practice every day are constantly on Lillian’s mind. As Samantha gets older, this struggle intensifies with a legal battle over photographs that are deemed “obscene,” and charges are filed against Lillian and her gallery owner. You’ll have to read the book to learn the outcome of the case!
Samantha is in her mid-to-late teens when the case makes news headlines, and it affects Lillian and Samantha’s relationship. Later, they are able to find common ground, as they work together on photography projects; the creative spirit is what bonds them. There is a lot of drama and struggle in this story, but the way it is revealed keeps it from being heavy-handed. It also kept me engaged until the conclusion.
I also sensed that Samantha regretted the way she had treated her mom and only started to realize this towards the end of the book. Still, the reader can feel their deep bond throughout, which makes the story truly bittersweet.
Lillian herself—selfishly single-minded in her artistic drive but genuinely protective of her child and often desperately lonely—is both larger than life and thoroughly human. A riveting portrait of an artist who happens to be a woman.
Ukulele series Play, Practice & Perform, HCLS Savage Branch.
by Sahana C.
This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrate the incredible diversity and cultural influence of folks under the AAPI umbrella. AAPI culture has become more prominent recently, though it has long been an integral part of our community and our county. Going from K-Pop to Bollywood, from Vietnamese cuisine, Thai food, and Chinese staples, to things like ukuleles and tattooing that hail from the Pacific Islands, there are traces of and homages to AAPI influence across society. Howard County Library System has a World Language Collection, and while the specific materials may differ between branches, we have DVDs, books, and other materials in a wide variety of languages, including Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese, to name a few.
I grew up listening to Bollywood and watching Bollywood movies that we would bring home from the library. Having the World Language Collection as a staple within the library has always been incredibly significant to me. It’s a tangible connection to my culture. I try always to recommend that folks looking for new and different movies give Bollywood a try, and the expanse of our World Language selection makes that possible.
This spring we have a wealth of classes to highlight AAPI authors, traditions, art, food, and culture. We’ll jam out at Savage Branch using ukuleles (that can be requested and borrowed!) with Savage Ukes. We’ll create origami flowers and learn about the history of kusudama, participate in Anime Clubs at Savage and Miller branches to talk about our favorite anime and manga, and read books like Interior Chinatown together (with the Reading Human Rights book discussion group) so that we can discuss in community.
We would love to see you at the branches, attending any of our events. Discover more on our classes and events calendar.
Asian Cuisine Made Easy! For adults. Register here. Thu Huynh, a registered dietitian nutritionist with the Health Living Team at Giant Food, presents seven top tips on how to incorporate Asian cuisine and lifestyle into your life. Wed, May 3 | 7 – 8 pm online
Nonfiction Addiction For adults. Register here for the in-person session and here for the online/hybrid session. bit.ly/econfa11 Explore the genre of nonfiction. In May: The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui. Thu, May 18 | 7 – 8 pm East Columbia Branch
Glenwood Goes to Hawaii Ages 0-5. Ticketed; free tickets available 15 mins before class starts. Shake off winter blues and go Hawaiian as we catch a wave. Enjoy tropical music, games, and stories under palm trees on beach blankets. Tropical attire encouraged. Fri, May 19 | 10:30 – 11:15 am Glenwood Branch
High Tide in Hawaii: A Magic Tree House Special Ages 6-10. Ticketed; free tickets available 15 mins before class starts. Join Jack & Annie in the Magic Tree House as they escape high tide in Hawaii. Enjoy games, music, and a craft under palm trees and sunny skies. Tropical attire encouraged. Catch a wave! Fri, May 19 | 2 – 3 pm Glenwood Branch
National Museum of Asian Art All ages. Investigate scenes and objects of daily life in works of art across Asia to discover what people in the past valued and how they celebrated through food and rituals. Through the objects you examine, compare daily life in the past to today. Fri, May 19 | 2 – 3 pm Elkridge Branch
Global Neighbors – Republic of Korea All ages. Experience the culture and contributions of one of the largest demographics in our community. Enjoy a presentation and celebration showcasing traditional Korean music, Taekwondo, Korean Fan Dance, K-Pop dance demonstration, and Korean origami and calligraphy. Celebrate the diversity of our community! Sun, May 21 | 2 – 4 pm Miller Branch
Craft Pop-up Shop: AAPI Heritage Month Edition Ages 4 and up. Allow 15 minutes. Drop in. Pop in and make a craft inspired by AAPI Heritage Month. Tue, May 23 | 5:30 – 7 pm Miller Branch
Recipe Exchange: Asians Chefs and Asian American Cuisine For adults. Learn about Asian chefs and the history of Asian American cuisine. Meet other foodies to learn new recipes or share some your favorites. Wed, May 24 | 7 – 8 pm Savage Branch
Sahana is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Savage Branch. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.
In 2013, I was living overseas as a military spouse and was struggling with my mental health. Desperate for help, I did a quick internet search to find the number for the Mental Health Services on base. The first question asked was, “Are you active duty?” When I replied that I was not, the response I got was, “Then we can’t help you.” Hearing those words was devastating to my despairing mind and I felt defeated in that moment. The person on the other end then asked, “Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts or do you feel that you might harm yourself or others?” My reply was, “If I was, I’d be in trouble, since you just said you can’t help me!” I made it past the lies that depression was telling me and the very insensitive message that I received that day. I have been traveling a road of healing for the last 10 years. Some days are hard, but I now know that there is help.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to begin by saying three things:
1. You are not alone.
2. Help is always available.
3. You (and your mental health) matter.
You Are Not Alone
Almost everyone knows someone with a mental illness. Understanding the prevalence of mental health conditions is important in destigmatizing it. Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness. In the United States, one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. Almost half of adults in the US will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. The three most common diagnoses are anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Life can be challenging, but every day shouldn’t feel out of control. Take time to ask yourself about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to see if this is part of a pattern that may be caused by a mental health condition. Here are some questions to get you started:
Have things that used to feel easy started feeling difficult?
Does the idea of doing daily tasks like making your bed now feel really, really hard?
Have you lost interest in activities and hobbies you used to enjoy?
Do you feel irritated, possibly to the point of lashing out at people you care about?
If your answers to the any of the above are yes, start a conversation with your primary care provider, a trusted friend, or a family member about your mental health. Please note: A mental health provider (such as a doctor or a therapist) can give you a full assessment and talk to you about options for how to feel better.
Help is Always Available – Free Community Resources
988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – offers free 24/7 call, text, and chat (988lifeline.org/chat) access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Just text or call 988 nationwide. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. While text and chat are available in English only, calling services are in English and Spanish and use Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages.
211 Marylandis the state’s most comprehensive health and human services resource database. With more than 7,500 resources, individuals with essential needs can get connected to local help 24/7/365.
211, Press 1 is an immediate, always-on-call suicide prevention, substance use intervention, and mental health emergency assistance line available in the state of Maryland. Dial 211 and Press 1. 211 specialists are also available to chat or text. For text services, text your ZIP code to 898-211.
211 Health Check – provides proactive mental health check-ins to support those with anxiety, stress, and depression. The weekly connections provide one-on-one support with the goal of preventing suicide and other mental health emergencies. If requested, the 211 specialist can connect the caller with mental health resources. To sign up for weekly mental health checks, text MDMindHealth to 898-211.
MD Young Minds is a new resource for teens and adolescents who are struggling with their mental health. It sends supportive text messages, with a focus on teen and adolescent concerns and worries. To sign up, teens should text MDYoungMinds to 898-211. The ongoing messages also remind youth that immediate mental health support is always available through 211, Press 1.
Local Mental Health resources are available through the Howard County Health Department by visiting this website.
You (and your mental health) Matter
Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
No matter your age or stage in life, you and your mental health are important. If you’re looking for resources to help make self-care part of your routine, the library can help get you started.
The Little Book of Rest: 100 Ways to Relax and Restore Your Mind, Body, and Soul by Stephanie Thomas is a book that can help you formulate your own actionable self-care plan. Everyone is unique, so make a self-care routine that works for YOU. This book is divided into four sections, with plenty of ideas for each category: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exercises to give yourself time and space to focus on wellness.
In The Self-Healing Mind, Dr. Gregory Brown advocates for a holistic approach to mental health treatment. Dr. Brown supports integrating conventional treatments (medication and talk therapy) with lifestyle changes that he calls the pillars of self-care: breathing mindfully, sleep, spirituality, nutrition, and movement.
Mindful Moments for Kids is an audio CD that is broken down into one-minute “mind breaks” – including guided meditations, relaxing music, nature sounds, and breathing exercises. Using these moments can help calm, focus, and inspire mental health as an everyday practice.
As a form of self-care, you can also try out meditation with some beginner’s meditation classes on HCLS’ YouTube Channel. There are three meditation sessions available:
Finally, HCLS Miller Branch is offering Suicide Prevention Training on Monday, May 15 at 6:30 pm, in partnership with Grassroots Crisis Prevention Center. Register here (starting Monday, May 8) for this training, which will show you how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and is designed for people who do not have experience in suicide intervention.
These are just a few of the resources and opportunities available at Howard County Library System.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away. Call 911 for emergency services. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Support is also available via live chat. Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
Sources: ADAA.org, hopkinsmedicine.org, mhanational.org, National Institute of Mental Health
Kimberly J is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the HCLS Glenwood Branch. She enjoys reading, photography, creating, crafting, and baking.
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