Hey!
Sorry I abandoned you little ole blog. I'm sure no one is reading you, but I kind of forgot about you after I finished writing up my 24th year of reading posts. I've been plugging away at it in my 25th year and will have lots of cool books to share. I'm not sure if I've yet had a reading experience as deeply emotional as "The Book Thief", for example, or as motivating as "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from Consumer Culture." (Just checked and it looks like I read both last March. March 2012 has a lot to live up to!)
In glancing back now at what I was reading a year ago, I have to laugh. My interests align! I'm reading the new biography of Catherine the Great and last January I was also read historical fiction based in Russia! I was reading a novel about Sherlock Holmes fans and I just checked out the newest authorized Sherlock Holmes book, "The House of Silk."
In big news:
--I bought a new paper calendar. Woo real objects, not digital ones! This year my home wall calendar is art deco train advertisements. My work desk calendar is "Wisdom" themed. And the biggest news...I've returned to having a little planner that I can carry around! I found one that I LOVE. It mimics the best planner I ever had, which was one my dad got free at work and gave me in 2007. So I'm pretty psyched about that puppy and find myself just flipping through the months randomly at work. I love being able to see my entire month on one page.
--G got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. This means I've crossed over to the dark side of e-readers! AH! I am not sure yet how I feel about it, but damn. It is convenient. I'm currently reading Catherine the Great on it. I'll let you know when I'm done how the experience ranks.
Happy reading. I hope 2012 is a good one for us all!
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
January 12, 2012
August 9, 2011
Reflections: I don't know what happened to me.
Hi.
So, after looking back at what I read: I'm really embarrassed.
Romance novel book club was AMAZING. IS Amazing. But damn. I read a lot of trashy romance novels. Part of this, not going to lie, is that all my coworkers read them and are totally into talking about what they are reading. (I work at a library, this is our version of "water cooler" chit chat. We're that nerdy.)
After looking at reading patterns, I think what happened was pretty simple. I have been struggling in my personal life and escapism via book has become incredibly important to me. I spent a lot of my life feeling like all the reading I needed to do should be "enriching" and "important." I moved away from that this year. I'd like to explain why.
In my first semester of library school, I was assigned to a group that was supposed to explore the theme of education vs. entertainment in libraries. It was such an awful project, but it really forced me to defend recreational reading. As in, people in my group seemed to think that reading anything not deemed "literary" was not as important as pure entertainment and escapism. I've thought long and hard about why that bothered me so deeply. That idea of some reading being better than others not only goes against my own experience of reading, but also creates and enforces ideas of cultural superiority. The literature that is considered "good" by many people in the publishing world, the review world, the "culture creators" and, yes, by librarians, is often written by fairly financially comfortable, highly educated white people. And you know what? I refuse to support a belief that because something is written for young people, ethnic minorities, urban youth, women, or "housewives" that it isn't as worthy of our attention. All reading has value to the person doing the reading. If that means that for a few hours you forget that your kids are pulling you in a million directions, that your life has not turned out the way you wanted it to be, that your job is mindless, that the socioeconomic system in which you are trapped hates you and systematically oppresses you--go for it. Read it.
Secondly, to be a good librarian, I need to not only know that certain genres exist and are popular, but I need to actually understand what is appealing about those genres. So while I read a lot of "trashy" romance novels, I 100% understand why they are popular. They are total escapism. As someone who has been very lonely for a long time, the idea that there is someone out there who would do anything to be with you, who loves you above all else, is pretty damn appealing. So I get it. I don't think romance readers believe that real life is like those books--I mean, that is the whole point of it. You read something that is so far removed from reality to forget your reality. I get it. I appreciate it. And frankly, I can enjoy it while still acknowledging the problems that exist in romance.
I've recently gotten into thrillers. These are also often derided by people who only read "literary fiction." But I've got to say, some of these books explore some interesting themes. I just read Michael Koryta's "The Ridge." It explores various themes of morality, death, religion, local superstition, etc. And while it does so on a surface level, any reader who wishes to can explore this further. And you know what? It was FUN to read.
Reading has always been a big part of my life. The books that I truly love are a part of my identity. The books I read this year included some truly amazing books, which I plan to highlight in the next few weeks. I spent too long reading books that I thought would make me a better person. But you know what? I'm a reader. I'll read anything. As long as a book makes me feel something deeply, that is a valuable reading experience.
So what did I take away from this practice of recording what I read? Mostly, that it is super exciting to be able to look back and say definitively, "Yes! I did read that!" It motivated me to finish books that I may have otherwise lagged on. The project also has helped me overcome some shame at reading things that aren't literary. I have some very dear friends that I know sneer at some of the books I read. And that is okay; to each his own. But I won't stop reading books that entertain me and make me a happier person because I'm worried about what someone else thinks of an author.
My goal for my 25th year is to read even more books and explore more genres. I hope to try to read more current books--I often don't read a book til months after it comes out, if not years later! It would also be nice to read more history. I love history and always enjoyed learning about different countries through history and literature. I would like to explore Norwegian and English history in more depth. I have read a lot about the Tudor period of English history, but not others. Finally, as I grow as a librarian, I want to read more YA literature. YA literature contains some of the most amazing books being published right now. It is an exciting field that is growing and changing. It isn't all vampires! Plus, I would like to extend my service area to teens and work more closely with them. I admire their energy, passion, and potential. They really inspire me, so I want to make sure I can relate to their reading habits.
So, that was being 24, in books. So far 25 has been great. Check back soon for highlights of my favorite books of 24! Thanks for listening. <3
So, after looking back at what I read: I'm really embarrassed.
Romance novel book club was AMAZING. IS Amazing. But damn. I read a lot of trashy romance novels. Part of this, not going to lie, is that all my coworkers read them and are totally into talking about what they are reading. (I work at a library, this is our version of "water cooler" chit chat. We're that nerdy.)
After looking at reading patterns, I think what happened was pretty simple. I have been struggling in my personal life and escapism via book has become incredibly important to me. I spent a lot of my life feeling like all the reading I needed to do should be "enriching" and "important." I moved away from that this year. I'd like to explain why.
In my first semester of library school, I was assigned to a group that was supposed to explore the theme of education vs. entertainment in libraries. It was such an awful project, but it really forced me to defend recreational reading. As in, people in my group seemed to think that reading anything not deemed "literary" was not as important as pure entertainment and escapism. I've thought long and hard about why that bothered me so deeply. That idea of some reading being better than others not only goes against my own experience of reading, but also creates and enforces ideas of cultural superiority. The literature that is considered "good" by many people in the publishing world, the review world, the "culture creators" and, yes, by librarians, is often written by fairly financially comfortable, highly educated white people. And you know what? I refuse to support a belief that because something is written for young people, ethnic minorities, urban youth, women, or "housewives" that it isn't as worthy of our attention. All reading has value to the person doing the reading. If that means that for a few hours you forget that your kids are pulling you in a million directions, that your life has not turned out the way you wanted it to be, that your job is mindless, that the socioeconomic system in which you are trapped hates you and systematically oppresses you--go for it. Read it.
Secondly, to be a good librarian, I need to not only know that certain genres exist and are popular, but I need to actually understand what is appealing about those genres. So while I read a lot of "trashy" romance novels, I 100% understand why they are popular. They are total escapism. As someone who has been very lonely for a long time, the idea that there is someone out there who would do anything to be with you, who loves you above all else, is pretty damn appealing. So I get it. I don't think romance readers believe that real life is like those books--I mean, that is the whole point of it. You read something that is so far removed from reality to forget your reality. I get it. I appreciate it. And frankly, I can enjoy it while still acknowledging the problems that exist in romance.
I've recently gotten into thrillers. These are also often derided by people who only read "literary fiction." But I've got to say, some of these books explore some interesting themes. I just read Michael Koryta's "The Ridge." It explores various themes of morality, death, religion, local superstition, etc. And while it does so on a surface level, any reader who wishes to can explore this further. And you know what? It was FUN to read.
Reading has always been a big part of my life. The books that I truly love are a part of my identity. The books I read this year included some truly amazing books, which I plan to highlight in the next few weeks. I spent too long reading books that I thought would make me a better person. But you know what? I'm a reader. I'll read anything. As long as a book makes me feel something deeply, that is a valuable reading experience.
So what did I take away from this practice of recording what I read? Mostly, that it is super exciting to be able to look back and say definitively, "Yes! I did read that!" It motivated me to finish books that I may have otherwise lagged on. The project also has helped me overcome some shame at reading things that aren't literary. I have some very dear friends that I know sneer at some of the books I read. And that is okay; to each his own. But I won't stop reading books that entertain me and make me a happier person because I'm worried about what someone else thinks of an author.
My goal for my 25th year is to read even more books and explore more genres. I hope to try to read more current books--I often don't read a book til months after it comes out, if not years later! It would also be nice to read more history. I love history and always enjoyed learning about different countries through history and literature. I would like to explore Norwegian and English history in more depth. I have read a lot about the Tudor period of English history, but not others. Finally, as I grow as a librarian, I want to read more YA literature. YA literature contains some of the most amazing books being published right now. It is an exciting field that is growing and changing. It isn't all vampires! Plus, I would like to extend my service area to teens and work more closely with them. I admire their energy, passion, and potential. They really inspire me, so I want to make sure I can relate to their reading habits.
So, that was being 24, in books. So far 25 has been great. Check back soon for highlights of my favorite books of 24! Thanks for listening. <3
June 17, 2011
Results! Results! Results!
Hello! I have returned.
A year ago, I started recording every book I read. In that 24th year of life, I also endured some bad shit. So...I read a lot of fluff. Like. A lot. I'm almost ashamed. But then I think about it, and those were hilarious books, and there is nothing like watching your friend read love scenes aloud while you make over 100 whoopie pies with your dearest friends and her boyfriend squirms. And then dancing drunkenly with nutcrackers. And then frightening your boyfriend's brother by drunkenly doing impressions of his adorable Southern mother. Or reading books because your middle aged coworkers won't shut up about them. Or reading books because a blog tells you to, and finding that you love all the suggestions.
SO, with no further ado: here are the first 3 months of my 24th year of life, in books:
June:
Wolf Hall--Hilary Mantel
Seven Up--Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight--Janet Evanovich
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest--Siegg Larsson
To the Nines--Janet Evanovich
Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care--Carol Frischmann
July:
The Hunger Games--Suzanne Collins
Not Quite a Husband--Sherry Thomas
Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming--Paul Hawken
The White Queen--Phillipa Gregory*
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins
August:
The Hedgehog's Dilemma--Phil Warwick
Something Wonderful--Judith McNaught
Girl in the Arena--Lise Haines
Ten Big Ones--Janet Evanovich
Eleven on Top--Janet Evanovich
His at Night--Sherry Thomas
Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life--John Conroy
Almost Heaven--Judith McNaught
The Red Queen--Phillipa Gregory
Gosh, I read a lot of trash. Summer, you know? Depression, you know?
Next up: Fall, and a return to some more serious subject matter.
*I'm sorry, but every time I see the name Phillipa after this I will only think of this hottie.
A year ago, I started recording every book I read. In that 24th year of life, I also endured some bad shit. So...I read a lot of fluff. Like. A lot. I'm almost ashamed. But then I think about it, and those were hilarious books, and there is nothing like watching your friend read love scenes aloud while you make over 100 whoopie pies with your dearest friends and her boyfriend squirms. And then dancing drunkenly with nutcrackers. And then frightening your boyfriend's brother by drunkenly doing impressions of his adorable Southern mother. Or reading books because your middle aged coworkers won't shut up about them. Or reading books because a blog tells you to, and finding that you love all the suggestions.
SO, with no further ado: here are the first 3 months of my 24th year of life, in books:
June:
Wolf Hall--Hilary Mantel
Seven Up--Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight--Janet Evanovich
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest--Siegg Larsson
To the Nines--Janet Evanovich
Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care--Carol Frischmann
July:
The Hunger Games--Suzanne Collins
Not Quite a Husband--Sherry Thomas
Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming--Paul Hawken
The White Queen--Phillipa Gregory*
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins
August:
The Hedgehog's Dilemma--Phil Warwick
Something Wonderful--Judith McNaught
Girl in the Arena--Lise Haines
Ten Big Ones--Janet Evanovich
Eleven on Top--Janet Evanovich
His at Night--Sherry Thomas
Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life--John Conroy
Almost Heaven--Judith McNaught
The Red Queen--Phillipa Gregory
Gosh, I read a lot of trash. Summer, you know? Depression, you know?
Next up: Fall, and a return to some more serious subject matter.
*I'm sorry, but every time I see the name Phillipa after this I will only think of this hottie.
March 28, 2011
That's so radical.
Can you believe it is only two short months (and some change) until my 25th birthday? It blows me away. So much has happened in the past ten months. I won't lie, they were pretty awful months. Hopefully spring will show up soon and things will stop being so lonely and cold.
On my 24th birthday, I decided to start recording every book I read while I was 24. It has been really fun and a lesson in humility. Guess what? I don't read that much! It is shocking how few books I'm reading a month. Some months are heavier than others, of course, but it looks like I'm averaging a book a week. That doesn't seem like a lot to me, especially considering how bored I am in FDL. TV on DVD has certainly been a contributing factor to this. Whoops.
In June I'll be sharing the results of my year of reading record keeping, but until then, I had to share this book with you. It is called "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture" by Shannon Hayes. It looks at the "movement" of people deciding to take themselves out of the rat race and live in ways that honor four basic tenets:
1) ecological sustainability
2) social justice
3)community engagement
4) family well-being
The book goes into a ton of detail (obvi) but what I appreciated most was that Hayes explores both the historical background/evolution of homemaking and profiles real people making these choices. There are areas in which I disagree with her, quite strongly.
Hayes profiles many homeschoolers and people who do not have health insurance, some by choice. The "negatives" of homeschooling are not, in my opinion, adequately explored, nor are the advantages of attending school. Of course, not all people have access to amazing public schools or can afford a good private school. I truly believe there are solutions to making our schools better and that parents can make a huge difference, regardless of the quality of a school.
After watching several family members endure serious illness and disease, I believe that while the health insurance industry is totally screwing us, I won't be without health insurance by choice. I also think that school, even regular ole public school, has some benefits. And, of course, I love me some academia.
That said, this book took a lot of things I've been pondering and summed them up. It gave me a nice background, a construct, to understand some of the choices I'm contemplating. At this point in my life, there seem to be nothing but choices. For how long do you put career first? Do I feel comfortable putting my career aside for a partner's career? Do I go full on vegetarian, even though food is such an important way for me to connect with others and meat is a part of those people's lives/cultures/traditions*? How do I contribute to the well being of a community that seems hostile to so many of my beliefs? Ah! Even as this book challenged me, it reassured me. "Radical Homemakers" is highly recommended for anyone trying to decide how to create a fulfilling, socially responsible life. It won't give answers, but it does give ideas. And who doesn't need some inspiration now and then?
*To answer this, I guess what I've decided is that I'm not going to go vegetarian. I believe we're animals, and animals do eat other animals. Fact. Watch the Discovery Channel. However, I am disgusted by the policies of industrial agriculture and the way it disregards the souls and well-being of animals. (Yes, I believe animals have souls.) So, I will only be purchasing meat from small farms where it has been raised humanely. As for dairy, I'm WI born and bred, and there's no way I'm giving up cheese. As far as eggs, I plan to source them from locals who have a flock in the yard. This is a lot easier given that I live in Hicksville and that my aunt has chickens. In the end, my diet will be largely meat free, as I cannot afford humanely raised meat very often. This seems like a reasonable choice for me and I hope that my vegetarian and vegan friends can respect it.
On my 24th birthday, I decided to start recording every book I read while I was 24. It has been really fun and a lesson in humility. Guess what? I don't read that much! It is shocking how few books I'm reading a month. Some months are heavier than others, of course, but it looks like I'm averaging a book a week. That doesn't seem like a lot to me, especially considering how bored I am in FDL. TV on DVD has certainly been a contributing factor to this. Whoops.
In June I'll be sharing the results of my year of reading record keeping, but until then, I had to share this book with you. It is called "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture" by Shannon Hayes. It looks at the "movement" of people deciding to take themselves out of the rat race and live in ways that honor four basic tenets:
1) ecological sustainability
2) social justice
3)community engagement
4) family well-being
The book goes into a ton of detail (obvi) but what I appreciated most was that Hayes explores both the historical background/evolution of homemaking and profiles real people making these choices. There are areas in which I disagree with her, quite strongly.
Hayes profiles many homeschoolers and people who do not have health insurance, some by choice. The "negatives" of homeschooling are not, in my opinion, adequately explored, nor are the advantages of attending school. Of course, not all people have access to amazing public schools or can afford a good private school. I truly believe there are solutions to making our schools better and that parents can make a huge difference, regardless of the quality of a school.
After watching several family members endure serious illness and disease, I believe that while the health insurance industry is totally screwing us, I won't be without health insurance by choice. I also think that school, even regular ole public school, has some benefits. And, of course, I love me some academia.
That said, this book took a lot of things I've been pondering and summed them up. It gave me a nice background, a construct, to understand some of the choices I'm contemplating. At this point in my life, there seem to be nothing but choices. For how long do you put career first? Do I feel comfortable putting my career aside for a partner's career? Do I go full on vegetarian, even though food is such an important way for me to connect with others and meat is a part of those people's lives/cultures/traditions*? How do I contribute to the well being of a community that seems hostile to so many of my beliefs? Ah! Even as this book challenged me, it reassured me. "Radical Homemakers" is highly recommended for anyone trying to decide how to create a fulfilling, socially responsible life. It won't give answers, but it does give ideas. And who doesn't need some inspiration now and then?
*To answer this, I guess what I've decided is that I'm not going to go vegetarian. I believe we're animals, and animals do eat other animals. Fact. Watch the Discovery Channel. However, I am disgusted by the policies of industrial agriculture and the way it disregards the souls and well-being of animals. (Yes, I believe animals have souls.) So, I will only be purchasing meat from small farms where it has been raised humanely. As for dairy, I'm WI born and bred, and there's no way I'm giving up cheese. As far as eggs, I plan to source them from locals who have a flock in the yard. This is a lot easier given that I live in Hicksville and that my aunt has chickens. In the end, my diet will be largely meat free, as I cannot afford humanely raised meat very often. This seems like a reasonable choice for me and I hope that my vegetarian and vegan friends can respect it.
July 14, 2010
Not Quite A Good One
Not Quite a Husband, by Sherry Thomas, has a ridiculous cover. It has a ridiculous plot. In fact, almost everything about it is ridiculous.
At first, I was hopeful. This was a story about a female doctor back in the early 1900's. She was briefly married to a handsome, brilliant mathematician, but their marriage fell apart for undisclosed reasons. Several years later, he comes to find her in India. Her father is ill and they journey back to England together. Along the way, they endure malaria (him), painful memories (both of them), and an uprising against the British (again, both of them). It seemed like this could be a story about an empowered woman who made her own choices and found love by staying true to herself. In some ways, that is true. The main character, Bryony, does in fact practice medicine throughout the book and refuses to give up her career for her husband's. She does go off on exciting adventures around the world. She does play an integral role in a war, not as a weak female caretaker but as a skilled surgeon.
But.
The only reason that it's "okay" for her to get back with this guy, for her to sleep with him, is because they used to be married. The language is lackluster and is really graphic in its description of the sex. I mean, I just never need to read about someone being "fiddled." In addition, Thomas tries to impose some sexual tension, but it feels forced. As a reader of romance novels, I prefer stories that have more developed relationships, more realistic tension. The characters she created were a) not realistic and b)probably wouldn't have been so stubborn with each other. The tension wouldn't have existed between the types of people she wrote. And I love tension.
Overall, I'm disappointed. I had hoped for better. Perhaps "His at Night" will be better. One can only hope. Sherry Thomas is NOT living up to her titles thus far.
At first, I was hopeful. This was a story about a female doctor back in the early 1900's. She was briefly married to a handsome, brilliant mathematician, but their marriage fell apart for undisclosed reasons. Several years later, he comes to find her in India. Her father is ill and they journey back to England together. Along the way, they endure malaria (him), painful memories (both of them), and an uprising against the British (again, both of them). It seemed like this could be a story about an empowered woman who made her own choices and found love by staying true to herself. In some ways, that is true. The main character, Bryony, does in fact practice medicine throughout the book and refuses to give up her career for her husband's. She does go off on exciting adventures around the world. She does play an integral role in a war, not as a weak female caretaker but as a skilled surgeon.
But.
The only reason that it's "okay" for her to get back with this guy, for her to sleep with him, is because they used to be married. The language is lackluster and is really graphic in its description of the sex. I mean, I just never need to read about someone being "fiddled." In addition, Thomas tries to impose some sexual tension, but it feels forced. As a reader of romance novels, I prefer stories that have more developed relationships, more realistic tension. The characters she created were a) not realistic and b)probably wouldn't have been so stubborn with each other. The tension wouldn't have existed between the types of people she wrote. And I love tension.
Overall, I'm disappointed. I had hoped for better. Perhaps "His at Night" will be better. One can only hope. Sherry Thomas is NOT living up to her titles thus far.
June 6, 2010
Recording
Every January, I think to myself: geez, I should record every book I read this year. Then, at years end, I’ll have an idea of how much I’m reading, what I’m reading, etc.
Every March, I think to myself: geez, I really meant to do that. Too late.
This June, I thought to myself: geez, just do it.
So, since my birthday is coming up, I decided to celebrate this next year of my life by recording each book I read. At the end I’ll analyze it (to a certain extent) and see just what my literary consumption consists of (a literary audit of sorts). I’ll probably post a “year’s best” or “favorites” list, but that isn’t really the point. The point is to just figure out what it is I really read. As a librarian, people assume you read widely, but I am not sure that is always the case. Hopefully this project will allow me to identify some of the areas that I should explore more fully.
So, to help me start out the year with a bang, please send me (via a comment or an email) some reading suggestions!
Every March, I think to myself: geez, I really meant to do that. Too late.
This June, I thought to myself: geez, just do it.
So, since my birthday is coming up, I decided to celebrate this next year of my life by recording each book I read. At the end I’ll analyze it (to a certain extent) and see just what my literary consumption consists of (a literary audit of sorts). I’ll probably post a “year’s best” or “favorites” list, but that isn’t really the point. The point is to just figure out what it is I really read. As a librarian, people assume you read widely, but I am not sure that is always the case. Hopefully this project will allow me to identify some of the areas that I should explore more fully.
So, to help me start out the year with a bang, please send me (via a comment or an email) some reading suggestions!
May 28, 2010
Summer Reading and Shame
Some people have problems admitting what they read. I've always been one of those people. I've always felt like my chosen reading material needed to meet some sort of standard. I think a lot of people feel like this; sure, we may proudly display the latest Toni Morrison, but we've all got a James Patterson or Janet Evanovich hidden away somewhere. Library school helped me to become less ashamed of my leisure reading pursuits. I still love a well crafted, nuanced novel that's got all the critics raving and the bookclubs clamoring for more copies, but I've also been able to get over some of this shame and start openly reading things that I just plain enjoy.
Summer is often the season of guilty pleasures and casual decadence--a margarita on a Tuesday, boats (!!!), eating so much watermelon you feel like you might puke. It also is "beach read" season as the NYTimes points out. For the first 21 years of my life, summer was a time when I decided to read 'the big ones.' The books I thought I should read and not the books that would actually make me relax. Some examples: Ulysses (Joyce), Middlemarch (Eliot), The Odyssey (Homer). I wish I was kidding. I wasted many a golden summer trying to slog through things I had no real interest in reading at the time.
Last summer, some friends and I started a romance novel book club. This gave us the opportunity to read hilarious, "trashy" books for a reason. It was a huge success (meetings over nachos and margaritas? Hell yes!) but met with a lot of resistance from some of my more "intellectual and philosophical" library school friends. They didn't get it, because we weren't being enriched by these books. My message: no reading is bad! Reading is an escape! Reading should be FUN!
So, this summer, I'm going to let my trashy read freak flag fly. I'm going to read whatever I want, without shame. I'll start out by letting you know that I've read three Janet Evanovich books in the last three days-- books 3, 4, & 5 of the Stephanie Plum novels. Number 6 is waiting to be packed into my beach bag, along with Truck: A Love Story by Michael Perry. I've also got Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, but I think that can wait til next week.
So, what are your 'beach reads' this summer? Do you use summer as an excuse to read books openly that perhaps before were only read in the privacy of your bedroom?
Photo source
May 27, 2010
Swoon
Check it.
I'm drooling.
Thanks to Natalie for pointing me to this. That room up above? In my mind, is in a French villa, surrounded by beautiful gardens and fields of lavender. And guess who is walking through those rooms in lovely floaty dresses? Moi!
photo source: booklovers never go to bed alone
April 14, 2010
Edible Book
To combine libraries and handmade things for the first time on the blog, I thought I would bring you something happening at my very own school-- the UW Edible Book Festival. I was not able to attend (I was busy making dinner for some very special friends who just got engaged!) but there was a lot of buzz about it in SLIS (School of Library and Information Studies).
The idea is to create something out of edible objects that resembles a book or relates to the experience of reading. This kind of project can appeal to a lot of different folks: artists, kids, teachers, bibliophiles, chefs, or someone who's bored and has a lot of extra spaghetti sitting around. Until I got to SLIS, I had never heard of an edible book--and judging from the emails sent around, they were having a hard time getting people to participate. To me this is an example of poor library marketing. (We'll get into that later...)
Opportunities to make libraries centers of creativity and community are why I got into librarianship in the first place. Hopefully, the Edible Book Festival will continue to thrive and expand, in turn bringing new faces and ideas into our libraries.
For more information and pics of previous festivals, go over here.
The idea is to create something out of edible objects that resembles a book or relates to the experience of reading. This kind of project can appeal to a lot of different folks: artists, kids, teachers, bibliophiles, chefs, or someone who's bored and has a lot of extra spaghetti sitting around. Until I got to SLIS, I had never heard of an edible book--and judging from the emails sent around, they were having a hard time getting people to participate. To me this is an example of poor library marketing. (We'll get into that later...)
Opportunities to make libraries centers of creativity and community are why I got into librarianship in the first place. Hopefully, the Edible Book Festival will continue to thrive and expand, in turn bringing new faces and ideas into our libraries.
For more information and pics of previous festivals, go over here.
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