The York County Public Library is helping readers embrace humor to reduce stress together during the Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club. From April 5-19, readers can learn stress-managing techniques from psychologist and stand-up comedian Brian King’s The Art of Taking It Easy ebook. York County Public Library card holders can borrow the ebook without waiting by visiting https://yorkcountyva.overdrive.com/ or downloading the Libby app. Readers can then discuss the ebook online at https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion//..
Big Library Read is available in over 20,000 libraries around the world, including more than 90 percent of public libraries in North America. During past programs, readers have participated in engaging online discussions about the title. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.
"We've all heard the saying 'Laughter is the best medicine,'" said Library Directory Kevin Smith. "The Art of Taking it Easy is a free and easy way to add a little humor into your life."
From psychologist and stand-up comedian Brian King comes The Art of Taking It Easy: How to Cope with Bears, Traffic, and the Rest of Life's Stressors, a practical, yet laugh-out-loud guide to embracing humor to reduce stress and live a happier, fuller life. Dr. King got a degree in psychology before becoming a world-touring comic and the host of humor therapy seminars attended by more than ten thousand people each year.
In this brilliant guide, he presents hands-on techniques for managing stress by rewiring our brains to approach potentially difficult situations through a lens of positivity. To do so, Dr. King explores what stress is, where it comes from, and what it does to our bodies and brains. He delves deep into how to address everyday stress—as well as anxiety, insecurities, repression, and negativity—and gives insight into resulting ailments such as anxiety disorders, depression, hypertension, obesity, substance abuse disorders, and more. Dr. King's techniques are chemical and cost free, and embrace humor, resilience, relaxation, optimism, gratitude, and acceptance. Instead of a dry medical approach to dealing with stress, this unique volume is filled with life-changing tips and instructions presented with humor and a wealth of memorable, smile-inducing anecdotes.
Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects millions of readers around the world with an ebook through public libraries. The Art of Taking It Easy is the 24th selection of this program which began in 2013 and takes place three times per year. Readers can join an online discussion about the book at https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion/. This free program runs for two weeks and only requires a York County Public Library card to get started.
Join us for a free, live conversation and question-and-answer session with Dr. King to discuss The Art of Taking it Easy at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13. Topics include techniques for managing stress, embracing humor in everyday life, and the process of writing The Art of Taking it Easy. Register now for this virtual event with Dr. King and the OverDrive Professional Book Nerds.
The Art of Taking It Easy was published by Apollo Publishers. The title can be read on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™ without waitlists or holds. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [U.S. libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.
To join the discussion, learn about past Big Library Read titles and download Libby, visit biglibraryread.com.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. The company strives to create “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 50,000 libraries and schools in 78 countries. OverDrive’s popular reading apps provide best-in-class user experience and tools for staff management: the Libby app for libraries is one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s, while the student reading app Sora is one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2019. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and was named a Certified B Corp in 2017. OverDrive was acquired by funds affiliated with global investment firm KKR in 2020. www.overdrive.com