January 2025 Newsletter

January: A book published or about the year you were born. January Book Recommendations


12 Months 12 Books


How the challenge works:

  • Choose a book that fits the monthly challenge.

After you read, fill out this FORM

  • Using our submission manager, you will be able to log in and access the entries you’ve logged throughout the year.
  • Dedicated readers will be invited to a year-end celebration hosted by Mass Center for the Book.
  • We will be drawing two names on the last day of each month to win a free book! Make sure you get those entries in before the end of the month.
  • If you read a book in each of the 12 months, you will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 2 totes filled with books.


Overcoming Grief Through Health and Wellness Presented by Cochise Pearson

Saturday, Jan. 11th at 11 a.m.

It is very difficult to grapple with grief after losing a partner or loved one. Join us as local resident, Cochise Pearson, leads a talk on grief and wellness based on research and his own personal experience. He will also elaborate on the benefits of health and wellness during this time.

Registration is encouraged, but not required.


Register

Sound Healing Workshop for Adults

Monday, January 13th at 6:30 p.m.

This informational and relaxing time blends various sounds of music, voice and instruments to promote multi-dimensional well-being while also leaving you more relaxed. Participants are encouraged to bring with them their yoga mat or something comfortable to sit on the floor with. This program is for adults 18+ and registration is required.  

Register

Retirement- Making Your Money Last

Thursday, January 16th at 6:30 p.m.

Designed to help individuals and families prepare to live the retirement they have envisioned. Attendees will learn investment strategies to help build a plan to last throughout one's retirement years. Registration encouraged, but not required.

Register

Sunday Concerts

The Hip Swayers

Sunday, January 12th at 2 p.m.



“Hailing from the hills of West Tatnuck, the Hip Swayers combine hot picking, syncopated rhythms and soulful harmonies in an eclectic mix of catchy originals and old time twangy country that keeps your toes tapping and your hips swaying.”

The Dirty Martinis Duo

Sunday, January 26th at 2 p.m.


Join us as the Dirty Martinis Duo performs classic hits and Americana repertoire.

What's Current in Electric Vehicles Presentation (Virtual)

Tuesday, January 21st at 5 p.m.

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity and prominence. As more and more electric vehicles enter the roadways, understanding the benefits and intricacies of owning this type of vehicle is incredibly important as it is the future of sustainable transportation.

Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom login link before the program.

Register

True Crime Podcast Discussion Group

Thursday, January 23rd at 11.m.

Join us every other month to discuss a true crime! Each session, participants will listen to a full season from a selected true crime podcast and then meet to discuss. January Podcast: Root of Evil - The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

Register

Boyden Library Virtual Author Talks

Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders.

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

See More & Register

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and in partnership with a multitude of MA Libraries.

Register

Tea and Talk (about books!)


Join us on Wednesday mornings this winter (Jan. 8th & 22nd, Feb. 5th, Mar. 5th, Apr. 2nd & 30th) at 11 a.m. to sip some tea and talk about some of our favorite books.

A sneak peak of a few new bestsellers will also be presented at each session.

Drop in Tech Help


Do you need one-on-one help with a device (iPhone, iPad, e-reader, laptop, etc.) you recently bought or acquired, or maybe you just have a basic technology question? Then stop into the Library and Libby will walk you through it Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. starting Jan. 16th.

Office Hours with a Social Worker

Tuesdays 4-6 p.m. & Thursdays 10-12 p.m. Office Hours with Social Worker Stephanie Neipris

Feel free to drop in during this time for assistance on:

Information and referral

Benefits assistance

Resources for mental health and substance use

Brief counseling

And more!


Zentangle Workshop

Friday, January 17th at 10 a.m.

Have you heard of the Zentangle Drawing Method? Do you want to know more about it? Or just have a refresher class?

Come Join CZT Linda Evans for an hour of learning and practicing this relaxed method of drawing. We could all use a little slow down and relax time.

No art background is needed. Participants must bring their own supplies:

  • 1-2H or HB pencil sharpened
  • 1-black Micron pen size 01 or whatever black pen you have
  • 1-sketchbook (for drawing not watercolor) or hard stock paper.-white

This program is for adults 18+ and registration is required.

Register

Boyden Library Book Club

Tuesday, January 28th at 11 a.m.

The Boyden Library is hosts a book club that meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. All are welcome.

For the month of January we will be discussing The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Copies of the book are available at the adult circulation desk.

Self-Paced Tutorials

Do you want to learn more about some of the Online Resources (Ancestry Library, Novelist, Morningstar, Kanopy, Hoopla) the Boyden Library has? Or do want to learn a new software like Google Sheets? Boyden Library subscribes to Niche Academy for just that. Go to boydenlibrary.org and click the TURORIALS WIDGET on the homepage.

Author Hour in Massachusetts

"Author Hour in Massachusetts" is a series of virtual author talks this winter featuring some of the publishing industry's top trending writers. These webinars -- held from 7pm (ET) to 8pm (ET), Monday through Friday -- are free and open to all. This series, which runs through March 20, 2025, is being promoted by more than 50 public libraries in Massachusetts.

 Author Victoria Gilbert

Friday, January 10th at 7 p.m.


Author (and retired librarian!) Victoria Gilbert will discuss her new cozy mystery novel, Schooled in Murder: A Campus Sleuth Mystery, in this installment of Author Hour in Massachusetts.

Register

 Author James Grippando

Tuesday, January 21st at 7 p.m.

Author James Grippando will discuss his new legal thriller, Grave Danger, in this installment of Author Hour in Massachusetts.



Register

Authors Scott Turow & Alafair Burke Thursday, January 23rd at 7 p.m. Bestselling authors Scott Turow (Presumed Guilty) and Alafair Burke (The Note) will discuss their newest thrillers, in conversation with Dwyer Murphy, editor-in-chief of CrimeReads, in this installment of Author Hour in Massachusetts.


Register

Author Vicki Delany Thursday, January 24th at 7 p.m. Bestselling author Vicki Delany will discuss her new cozy mystery novel, The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, in this installment of Author Hour in Massachusetts.




Register

Author Fiona Davis Thursday, January 27th

at 7 p.m.

Author Fiona Davis will discuss her new historical fiction novel, The Stolen Queen, in this installment of Author Hour in Massachusetts.








Register

Hours:

Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Boyden Library will be closed on Monday, January 1st and Monday, January 20th.