New Mexico State Library

Curl Up With a Good Book This Holiday Season!

The weather is getting cooler, and soon enough we’ll see snow dusting the top of the Sangre de Christo and Jemez Mountains. While the brisk air may keep you inside more often this time of year, it is the perfect opportunity for you to curl up with a good book in front of your kiva fireplace.

Whether you are an adult or a child, a history buff or fiction lover, the State Library’s Southwest Collection offers a wealth of titles that are sure to get you in spirit of the season!

How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico

The children’s book by Rudolfo Anaya was the State Library’s selection to represent New Mexico at the 2014 National Book Festival held in Washington, D.C. in August. With beautiful illustrations by Nicolas Otero, Anaya weaves the fanciful tale of how hollyhock flowers were brought to New Mexico by the Holy Family when they arrived here by the mistake of a near-sighted angel.

Christmas Celebration: Santa Fe Traditions, Food & Crafts

Santa Fe’s holiday celebrations are like none other! This collection by Richard Clawson captures the unique combination of Indian, Spanish, and frontier American  cultures in the state that make this time of year so special for all New Mexicans. With recipes, party ideas, crafts, and personal anecdotes, this book will surely bring you joy as you prepare for your own holiday traditions.

Surviving the Winter: The Evolution of Quiltmaking in New Mexico

It started out as a hobby, but Dorothy Zopt discovered that there’s a rich history of quilting in New Mexico. Inspired by what she learned in her own quilting circle, she began traveling the state to collect stories, photos, and histories of the art and its Hispanic and Anglo-American influences in various regions. From old style to folk art to formal patterns, Zopt’s account of quilting creativity in New Mexico may just inspire you to try your hand at a new hobby this winter. 

Come visit us to check out these and other exciting winter-themed selections!