Pittsburg Public Library RA

Reader's Advisory is a Two Way Street

2009-05-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

The best part of my job, hands down, is helping people find books to read. I really love promoting books that I think this or that particular person would enjoy. And it's much, much easier if I've read the book(s) but my own reading time is less & less these days (and no, I haven't read every book in the library. Wouldn't even want to. Doesn't make them all bad books, they're just not all up my alley).

What's a librarian to do? Well, for one I read reviews, get email notices, and listen to author interviews on television & NPR. But an even better way is to talk face-to-face (what a novel idea in this technological age!) with folks about books. What they're reading & more importantly, what they're enjoying. Which is how I got turned on to Harlan Coben (thanks, John, for telling me "you have to read them--and in order"). Which is what I'm doing now....well, book 3 is waiting for me to finish Tuesday night's book discussion title (I'm leading it so I really ought to get through it).

So, if you're reading this (I have my doubts that very many people do), let me know a good title that I should read myself or recommend to others. I can use all the help I can get!

Library Week

2009-04-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

As usual, I'm keeping my celebration of Library Week low-key. But in honor of libraries everywhere, I'm sharing some of my favorite library quotes:

"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life." ~Henry Ward Beecher

"What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists." ~Archibald MacLeish, "The Premise of Meaning," American Scholar, 5 June 1972

"Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest." ~Lady Bird Johnson

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." ~Jorge Luis Borges

"A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone." ~Jo Godwin

"Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off." ~Barbara Kingsolver, "Animal Dreams"

"Librarians are almost always very helpful and often almost absurdly knowledgeable. Their skills are probably very underestimated and largely underemployed." ~Charles Medawar
(OK, I threw that one in for very personal reasons!)

and the one quote that probably resonates more today than the others:

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” ~Whole Earth Catalog

If you want to read about libraries (well, who wouldn't?), I suggest Jo Dereske's Miss Zukas mystery series, The Dewey Decimal System of Love by Josephine Carr, & Quiet, Please by Scott Douglas. They give a good depiction on life inside a library.

Food Glorious Food

2009-02-20T08:54:00.001-08:00

The main attraction Tuesday night was Nancy Pickard, but my mother's recipe for the Bean Bake might have come in a close second.

For those who asked for the recipe, here it is:

8 slices bacon

4 large onions, sliced & ringed

1 C. brown sugar

1/2 t. garlic powder

1 t. salt

1/2 C. vinegar

1 t. dry mustard

1 can baby lima beans

1 can butter beans

1 can green beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can baked beans

Fry bacon & set aside. Put onion rings, brown sugar, vinegar, & seasonings in (large) pan with bacon grease. Cover & cook 20 minutes.

Drain liquid from butter, lima, green, & kidney beans. Combine with baked beans & onion in a large casserole dish. Cook in a 350 degree oven for an hour or until heated through. Sprinkle bacon over the top & serve.

This makes a large amount--I tripled the recipe for Tuesday night. My usual MO for it is to combine all the ingredients & heat in a crockpot for several hours. That way I can do the prep work the day before & heat it the day I'm serving it.

Dinner with Nancy

2009-02-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

Can there be a more gracious author than Nancy Pickard? I really don't think so--and I suspect there are another 50-some people who agree with me.

The icing on the cake for Tuesday night's gathering was Nancy's presentation over The Virgin of Small Plains, the 2009 Kansas Reads pick. Yes, the food was good, but Nancy was definitely the draw for the nearly 60 persons who packed our meeting room. Nearly all in attendance had previously read the book and no doubt some wanted to see just what the woman who came up with that story looked and sounded like! (I still don't understand those who find the book "grisly" or"graphic", which no doubt says more about me than it does them). I'm sure that even if Nancy didn't live up to their mental image (she does rather look like a writer of gentle, refined fiction--not that her books aren't refined!), they went away as fans.

As one who has been reading Nancy's books since Generous Death--and I've never forgotten how Jenny Cain stopped the bad guy!--I'm thrilled to have served with her on the Kansas Reads committee and have her in my email address book. For those who still haven't been introduced to her writing, do it now! Although you may have to wait until her books come back in.

Kansas Reads "The Virgin of Small Plains"

2009-02-05T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Pittsburg Public Library kicked off its observance of “Kansas Reads The Virgin of Small Plains” on Monday, February 2nd. Nearly thirty attendees enjoyed a lunch of either vegetable beef or Mexican bean soups (or both!) before hearing from Kaite Stover, Head of Reader’s Services at KCPL, about the importance of reading Nancy Pickard’s award-winning book. Thanks to the extreme generosity of the local Friends group, complimentary copies of The Virgin of Small Plains are available to 125 lucky readers. Well, that number is much lower now, since those in attendance quickly snatched up their own copy after hearing Kaite talk up the book. Hopefully those copies will be passed around to friends and family.

And they’ll want to be prepared for our next event, Nancy Pickard’s visit on the 17th. A picnic supper—to pay homage to the Memorial Day events in VOSP—will be served before Nancy takes center stage. Those who have heard Nancy speak before at our library are eager to see her again and are promising to bring their friends. Let’s hope Nancy will be ready for their many questions.

A New Year

2009-01-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Even for confirmed readers like myself, books tend to take a back seat during the holidays. And they certainly did in 2008. But now I'm getting back on track (or so I hope).

I saw a most excellent resolution in the Joplin Globe, which I have adopted as my own, and that is to read one book a week. I nearly did that last year (ended up with 50, despite my November-December slide) so I think I may be able to do it (and of course, that also means keeping track of those titles, but I'm getting much better at doing that).

So far I'm on track, having started book #3 this week. And I also have a favorite book of the year (so far): American Thighs by Jill Connor Browne. It's the latest in the Sweet Potato Queens series of books & this is one I can certainly relate to since it's all about aging. It had me doubled over in laughter and it's been a long time since anything has had that effect on me.

However, let me be perfectly frank--Browne is not a genteel Southern lady. Bawdy, earthy, and coarse more aptly describe her writing. Which I guess tells you a little bit about my tastes.

But I feel good about my goal and will do my best. Hope you will, too.

The Votes Are In

2008-11-05T08:02:00.001-08:00

...and the readers have spoken!

Final tally for the five books by McCain: 78 (up one from October & I can say with great certainty that it checked out Saturday after the pre-election display went up on Friday).

Count for the four Obama books: 128 (an increase of 3 from last month & again, one of those went off the display on Monday).

And I should add this caveat: apparently one of the Obama books was checked out in August & has yet to be returned, something I just discovered this week. Which means that Obama's "win" is even more significant in that he was running at more of a disadvantage than first thought.

Not as historic as the real election, but I wanted to make sure that my "reporting" was truthful, fair, and balanced. And I should also note that Amazon reports that Obama's two books have made it to their top 25 Best Sellers since the election was called overnight. Guess the rest of the nation is following the lead of our readers.

And with less election news on TV, it will be back to the books for me!

Vote!

2008-11-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

Another interesting story, courtesy of Shelf Awareness:

An amusing note on election day: Jessica James, author of historical nonfiction, polled visitors of her website about "the literary character they think best exemplifies the qualities of a U.S. president." The landslide winner, with 56% of the vote, was Atticus Finch of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.Second, with 15% of the vote, was Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--who would not qualify because of his foreign birth, but no matter. Third place was a character from one of James's own novels: Colonel Alexander Hunter from Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia.

Atticus would certainly get my vote!

Stay tuned for the final circulation tally tomorrow!

Trust the English...

2008-10-31T07:51:00.001-07:00

I got this courtesy of Shelf Awareness, which arrived in my email Inbox this morning. It's nice to know that someone else--even if it is across the pond--thinks like I do & tracked book interest:

If book buyers in the U.K. were U.S. voters, Barack Obama would win next week's presidential election, the Guardian reported, noting that "Obama's two autobiographies, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream and Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, have sold over 130,000 copies between them, according to the U.K.'s book sales monitor Nielsen BookScan. McCain, by contrast, barely tops 2,000 with his Hard Call: Heroes Who Made Tough Decisions and Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir."The article also noted that "online book retailer the Book Depository estimates that of the 350 U.S. election books it has sold lately, 96% have been Obama titles. 'According to the Book Depository's global book-buyers: Democrats read, Republicans don't; Palin isn't popular, Biden is invisible. If the Book Depository's customers were voting it would be an Obama landslide,' said Mark Thwaite, managing editor of the site."

My 2008 election wrap-up will occur on Wednesday, November 5th. Assuming the results are in by then. Stay tuned....

Books are Uniters, not Dividers

2008-10-14T09:35:00.001-07:00

For those who didn't hear Morning Edition on NPR earlier today, here's the link to a story about one thing that both John McCain and Barack Obama agree on: their favorite literary figure.

Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95604448

Books as Election Predictors, Part 3

2008-10-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

Current circulation figures show all five of John McCain's books are on the shelf, having a combined total of 77 check-outs (that's one up from a month ago)

Three of the four books by Barack Obama are checked out at the moment, having been checked out for a total of 125 (up five from last month).

So, in our library, McCain's post-convention bump quickly faded while interest in Obama has increased. Which leads me to wonder: is our circulation following the national polls or is the country following the lead of our readers?

Stay tuned for the election wrap-up on November 5th!

I Read Banned Books--Do You?

2008-10-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

I suspect that Banned Books Week isn't marked on your calendar unless you're a librarian or bookseller (and really, aren't the terms almost interchangeable to the consumer? Having been both, I can state that the two jobs are very, very similar). And it's doubtful that the average reader gives the idea of book banning much thought, until you hear stories of politicians inquiring about how to get certain books off of shelves (& folks, it's happened before in this neck of the woods, though a decade has passed since that encounter) or read accounts of this group or that group who doesn't agree with a book's contents and wants to restrict it from everyone's perusal. But think how you'd feel if you walked into the library to get a particular title, perhaps a beloved tome from your youth, only to discover it was no longer there because "someone" had decided you should no longer read it?

Not a pleasant thought, is it?

Do I approve of every single book that we have on the shelves in the library? Not by a long shot! And for a variety of reasons. But that's my opinion and mine only. I may not want to read the book that you check out but I don't have to read it. And you may not like what I'm reading (and yes, people let me know when they disagree with my reviews!) That's fine. Everyone's tastes differ, which is why we have so many different kinds of books.

Free speech is a tricky thing. For example, I deplore Fred Phelps and his actions. He is not only an embarrassment to Kansas but to all mankind (in my ever so humble opinion). His words made me cringe as I proudly passed through his picket lines but if I work to silence him, then why couldn't someone work to restrict my speech?

Banning books works the same way. Sure, I can work to keep a particular book off the shelves because I don't agree with the message but if I do that, what argument can be made when you want to take away my right to read To Kill a Mockingbird?

In this era of blue state/red state divide, it's very easy to fall into an us vs. them mentality but it's that very diversity that creates a strong country. And it's been refreshing to hear some of the comments from patrons this week as they took in our Banned Books Week display, particularly the woman who said incredulously, "we don't ban books in this country". Unfortunately, some do. But we are still able to point out the importance of free speech--and reading.

Books as Election Predictors, Part 2

2008-09-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

It's been nearly a month since I decided to look at the candidates' books, so I thought it was time for an update.

Apparently McCain received a post-convention bump, as four of the five books he's written that are in our collection are currently checked out (though three are out to the same person. If that matters). Total number of circulations for all five books now stands at 76, up from last month.

Both copies of Obama's Dreams From My Father are currently out; the two copies of his second book are on the shelf (and there's one very equal opportunity reader out there who has a book out by each candidate!) Total number of times all four have been checked out is 120, an increase from a month ago.

I still don't know what, if anything, these figures reflect, but I'll continue to track these numbers. And I don't understand why Chuck Todd hasn't called yet to report this oh so interesting tracking data!

Clues for Real Life

2008-09-04T08:37:00.001-07:00

Truth be known, I like rainy days. The kind that screams "England!" and brings up images of genteel tea shops, steaming cups of Earl Grey and scones slathered in strawberry jam and clotted cream. Or perhaps a lunch of shepherd's pie--or fish & chips--in a cozy pub. The kind of place where civility prevails.

But no, I'm bombarded by politicians telling me they deserve my vote because they know me, know my situation, and are the best to make my life all sunshine and roses. Oh, puh-leez, give me some credit! They know as much about my life as I do theirs! Their tones and rhetoric have already taken an ugly turn and election day is still two l-o-n-g months away.

So is it any wonder that I was drawn to Clues for Real Life: the Classic Wit & Wisdom of Nancy Drew? Perhaps, I thought, the candidates could draw some inspiration from Nancy (who always seemed to get what she set out to do). Granted, they could probably skip the chapters on "Solving Your Dating Dilemmas" and "The Style Sleuth" but what candidate of either party or gender wouldn't want to check out "Career Clues: Being Your Best on the Job", "Everyday Villains: Dealing With Difficult People", or "The Traveling Suitcase: Around the World with Nancy"?

For example, "A lesson learned from criminals-it never pays to flimflam the public" (from The Ghost of Blackwood Hall) is something all politicians should take to heart. And "Sampling too much local fare can lead to an unpleasant tummy ache" (an adage from The Clue in the Crossword Cipher) could be very helpful for candidates on the campaign trail. Real life issues, not name-calling or hype.

The book has provided smiles on a day that has offered few opportunities to do so. Now, if there was only a cuppa with my name on it...and a book to go with it.

Books as Election Predictors

2008-08-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

Curiosity got the best of me on this slow morning--could the circulation records of books by the presumptive nominees predict the election? Granted, the answer won't be known until November 4th--or 5th, depending on the tightness of the race--but I decided to get an early start & did a bit of sleuthing.

John McCain has authored four titles in our collection--all in print form only, no audiobooks, and one in both regular and Large Print--and the total times that all five have gone out is 72 (and for the record, all are currently sitting on their respective shelves).

Barack Obama has two titles to his credit, although we have both in regular and Large Print, as well as in audiobook format for a total of nine items. But to be fair, I counted only the four in book form--total circulation for all is 117. And I must point out that three out of the four are currently checked out.

No doubt many arguments can be made for why Obama is ahead in the book race but I leave that to others. I will try to remember to keep track of the presidential book race--perhaps some news agency will catch wind of it & pick up the story!--and report back during this contentious political cycle.

Library Anniversary

2008-06-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is a day that will not live in infamy for many people but it means something rather special to me. Twelve years ago this morning we held the groundbreaking for the soon-to-be addition, eleven years ago staff & volunteers braved the sweltering, non-air conditioned temps to move the collections (oh, the blood, sweat, & tears--and that was just me!), and ten years ago this afternoon was the long-awaited dedication. Ah, those were the days!

In honor of those memories, I make note of two recent publications that speak to the many librarians on the front lines of serving the public. Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, & Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert is part memoir, part expose on what really happens in a library. Although it's set in a suburban Los Angeles library system, his stories mirror many of the same things I've experienced in my 15+ years here. I have yet to decide if Borchert's title refers to Carnegie's ideal that libraries should be free to all people or if his library is a total free for all who walk through the doors. Probably a bit of both.

A similar book, Quiet, Please: Dispatches From a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas, came out soon after and reinforces Borchert's experiences. Douglas also works in a southern California library system but is newer to the profession. Yet, I found myself enjoying his book more. Perhaps it was his writing style or the fact that I agreed more with his tone & beliefs (I started to write ideals, but realised that was a bit high-handed for librarians; many of us have lost those) or that he reminded me so much of one of my co-workers (are you reading this, Wes?). I laughed, I shook my head in bemused understanding, and I enjoyed the book. A bit of a bus man's holiday perhaps, but a good read.

But I must ask--will the ordinary library user relate to it the way librarians do? But then most people who walk through our doors don't relate to this building the way I do. Guess it depends on which side of the desk you sit on. Or if you wore a hard hat or not.

Happy 10th, 11th, & 12th anniversaries.

Du Maurier the Merrier

2008-05-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Watching Rebecca the other evening on TCM reminded me that it is one of the better movie adaptations made from a good book (i.e., one that I like!) and also that Du Maurier was a master of suspense. While The Birds was quite scary when I first saw it as a child--I was only 5 when it came out, which is a rather impressionable age--Du Maurier's short story, read many years later, was absolutely terrifying! Apparently others agree since it's nearly impossible to keep the short story collection from taking wing and leaving the library permanently. But it's one of her lesser-known works, Rule Britannia, which resonated with me.

A satire, which one doesn't ordinarily associate with Du Maurier, that skewers the United States probably was not destined for best seller status in this country, but I laughed and chuckled my way through it (disclaimer: I am an unashamed Anglophile who knows full well that Americans are not universally adored abroad. And often for good reason). But when I went to Amazon to refresh my memory of the book, I discovered that I've obviously forgotten parts of it (another disclaimer: I can't remember squat this days!) So perhaps it's time for me to go pick up the book (it rarely gets checked out) and reread it. Granted, it will have to wait until after I read the latest Miss Zukas installment & prepare to lead the book discussion over Loving Frank by Noancy Horan, but it's something I look forward to. And see if I still feel the same way about it.

Mother Knows Best

2008-04-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Every librarian has heard it--"it must be nice to have a job where you can read all day". And my reply is, "yes, it must--do you know where I can find that job?" Because I certainly can't keep up with the reading this job needs. So I must rely on others to keep me informed of books & at the top of my list is my mother. I regularly lug books to her & expect her to give me reviews of them if she wants more books delivered. And yes, she lets me know when she's not pleased with a selection. Like the time she tentatively asked, "have you read this?" Of course I hadn't so she went on: "well, there's a lot of four letter words in it..."--and she didn't mean ones like "this", "that" or "cute". OK, so she didn't like the book about the lobstermen & their filthy mouths--but here is a list of some of her favorites that I often pass on as suggestions to patrons (and they aren't in a significant order, other than being alphabetized by last name. Hey, it's a library):

Jade del Cameron series by Suzanne Arruda
Wish You Well by David Baldacci
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark
Persian Pickle Club & Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
It Ain't All About the Cooking by Paula Deen (& any cookbook by her!)
My Last Days as Roy Rogers by Pat Devoto
Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg
Lumby series by Gail Fraser
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Harmony series by Philip Gulley
White Cascade by Gary Krist
Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard
Covington series by Joan Medlicott
Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty
Place Called Wiregrass by Michael Morris
First Lady by Susan Phillips
Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard
Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler
All the Way Home by Ann Tatlock

As you can see, the woman's reading tastes are all over the board--and truth be told, she's probably not as picky as I am. But she's also very good at keeping a reading log & usually reads 3 to 4 books a week, so this is a very select few from the past twelve months. If you're looking for a good read, this list is a good place to start.

The Late Mr. Hassler

2008-03-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

As I was catching up on emails upon my return from Spring Break (now there's an opportunity for a blog topic!), I discovered that Jon Hassler died last week. This was the note on Shelf Awareness from Friday, March 21st:

Jon Hassler, who "suffered from a longtime neurological disorder," died Thursday at the age of 74, according to the Associated Press (via USA Today), which noted that, despite his deteriorating health, the author of Staggerford and other novels about small-town life "continued work on a book, Jay O'Malley, until his death."

In a 1995 AP interview, Hassler said "he liked writing about misfits. 'You can't write a novel about somebody who's perfectly happy.'"

What a shame! As my previous entry noted, I've been a fan of his books for many years and reading of his passing is saddening. But he will live on as others discover his books--those "misfits" make for good reading.

Requiescat in Pace.

Staff Picks: Jon Hassler

2008-02-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

I’ve been a fan of Jon Hassler since I first picked up Staggerford well over twenty years ago. If forced to pick a favorite title of his, I’d probably stick with it but then there’s the “mini-series” of Rookery Blues and Dean’s List. And how could I leave out North of Hope?

Which is why I chose an author, rather than a title for my inaugural Staff Pick. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong by picking up any of his books, though I will admit that some of Hassler’s later books don’t live up to my expectations for his novels. But don’t let that stop you from giving him a try.

Hassler is one of several Minnesota writers I enjoy reading and the cold, barren landscape of the far north shapes many of his characters. Miles Pruitt, Agatha McGee, Frank Healy, Leland Edwards—all bear burdens that shape their lives but their very ordinariness is what resonates with the reader.

If you’re looking for happy, “grey skies are going to clear up” titles, pass on these. But if you are up for books that touch your heart and psyche, head right over to the Fiction shelves and pick up one—or more—of Hassler’s books.

12 Books of Christmas

2007-12-18T06:47:00.001-08:00

Since the Morning Sun does not seem inclined to run my column, I'll share it with you here:

‘Tis the season for reading! You may think that’s the last thing you have time for this month but I’m a firm believer in reading as relaxation and there is no better way to get away from the hustle and bustle that surrounds the holidays than by picking up a book. So here in alphabetical order by author’s last name (how else would I list them?) are Twelve Books of Christmas to consider when you’re full of bah humbugged-ness.

1) Christmas Train by David Baldacci gives the reader a look back at the glamour of train travel, with a bit of adventure thrown in.
2) Dave Barry’s The Shepherd, the Angel, & Walter the Christmas Dog has the author’s trademark humor, with a touch of poignancy thrown in. One of the few books with a dying dog that didn’t push me over the edge.
3) A Christmas Memory will provide you with an insight to Truman Capote before taking part in the 2008 celebration of “Kansas Reads In Cold Blood”.
4) Phillip Gulley is a favorite author of mine and his Christmas in Harmony is a jewel.
5) O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi may actually be a short story but it’s a classic that isn’t in vogue as much as when I was growing up and is well worth re-reading.
6) The Last Noel by Michael Malone bucks the trend of short, heart-warming tales. It’s a full-length novel with tragedy around the edges. But in true holiday fashion, the reader will be brushing away tears as the story ends.
7) If you aren’t already familiar with Miss Read, then pick up Christmas at Fairacre as an introduction. She is a master at transporting the reader to a gentler time in jolly old England.
8) It’s not my favorite Christmas song but it does come from one of the holiday movies that I try to see each year (and no, it’s not the one with the same name as the song). But White Christmas: the Story of an American Song by Jody Rosen is an interesting history of the Irving Berlin classic.
9) Jean Shepherd’s childhood reminiscences, first told in the collection In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, created a modern-day yuletide classic movie. A Christmas Story has since been released as a stand-alone book but this is one of the few times when I prefer watching the movie to reading the book.
10) There are a number of mysteries with a holiday setting (think “slay bells”) but I’ll pick Charlene Weir’s Cold Christmas because it’s set in Kansas (if you prefer others, the library has a list of possible titles for you to choose from).
11) Holiday cookbooks abound and you really need to pick up at least one to peruse, even if you aren’t planning a special gathering. They’re just plan fun to look at—any time of the year!
12) OK—I lied about the alphabetical order and saved the best for last: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It may be classified as a children’s book but it’s a story that will probably resonate more with adults (just ask my mother). If you’ve only seen the made-for-TV-movie, don’t let it influence you. READ THE BOOK INSTEAD! And if you’ve read it before, pick it up again. You deserve a special treat and this one is calorie-free.

The best thing about lists like this is that you can tweak it any way you want. In fact, throw it out and devise your own. Plus, it’s recyclable! But the most important part is to kick back and forget the business and the busyness that comes with the season and enjoy.

Finally Getting My Nose Out of a Book

2007-12-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

My, time sure flies when you read books rather than write about them! Who knew I've neglected this since August?

Rather than update you on all that I read (meaning, the list is at home and I am at work), I will instead concentrate on a recent poll that stated that a majority of Americans read four or less books a year. That number staggers my imagination! Four books in a year? I get that many read in a month--and I know a number of patrons who read more than that in a week! My mother is closing in on 100 for the year (granted, she has a bit more time to devote to reading than I do) so how can that poll be right?

I do realize that I tend to be around readers--a lot; after all, I work in a library--and that could certainly skew my thinking. And ever since I began working in this hallowed institution fifteen years ago, I've heard rumblings about the imminent demise of the book. But events in recent years have disputed that; take a look at the phenomena known as Harry Potter (& he wasn't just read by kids) and The Da Vinci Code. They proved that the book is still a powerful means of entertainment.

And yes, the report didn't say Americans aren't reading, just that they aren't reading books. There are also magazines, newspapers, and yes, even Internet sources, that are read all the time.

So I took a deep breath and told myself not to worry and to get on with my life. Which I did. I picked up a book. And read it. And three others last month (including World Without End, all 1014 pages. So shouldn't that count as at least three books?)

Catching Up with Books

2007-08-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Time does fly, although I may also use the heat as an excuse for neglecting my updates. At least I'm now keeping a running list of what I've read so it's not quite as difficult coming up with titles and authors.

I first became aware of David Ignatius from watching Chris Matthews' roundtable show on Sunday nights and quite frankly, found him attractive (liked his views, too). So when it was announced on one of the shows that he had a new book coming out, I looked into it. Body of Lies is a gripping spy yarn set in the war-torn Middle East and explains the political and cultural landscape of the area better than any State Department position paper. It centers around CIA agent Roger Ferris, double blinds, and has enough action in it to leave the reader breathless. Ridley Scott & Warner Brothers have optioned the book and rumor has it that Russell Crowe will be starring. Almost sounds too good to be true. But read the book first!

Our July book discussion group read The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard. The book was nominated for an Edgar Award Finalist and has just been named one of the 2007 Kansas Notable Books. I loved the book when I first read it a year ago and it was just as good the second time around. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Ms. Pickard spoke at our library last year and is one of the nicest, most gracious writers I've met. Definitely put this on your must read list if you haven't already.

Lee Charles Kelley's latest entry in his dog training series is Like a Dog With a Bone. Yes, I enjoyed it but did it live up to the expectations of his earlier books? I'm not so sure. Still, it was a fast read with plenty of excitement. Maybe I just wanted more dogs.

Country Lovers by Rebecca Shaw was also a bit of a letdown. Her earlier two books in the series were enjoyable antidotes to yearning for English village life but this one was more formulaic and I didn't find myself getting involved with the plots. Maybe the heat was getting to me by the time I picked it up and the crankiness was setting in.

Still, two really good books out of four isn't a bad average. And one I don't think I'll find in August.

Good Bye Judy!

2007-08-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Although I've sent this most recent "@ the Library" column to the newspaper three times now, they haven't been inclined to run it. So here it is (minus the new book lists--although I have those posted inside the library):

Change is not an easy thing for me to accept. I get very comfortable with the familiar and don’t want to get out of that groove. So when my longest-tenured employee, Judy Hardin, announced to me several months ago that she would be moving this summer, I was stunned, bereft, dazed—pick any emotion and I probably experienced it. Yes, I felt happy that a great opportunity opened up for them that would get them closer to their North Carolina roots, but saddened by the loss we will feel in the reference department. For the past ten years, Judy has been the rock I could count on—always willing to come in when I called, taking on whatever task I threw at her, and putting up with my idiosyncratic ways with nary a negative word (though I suspect Russell heard many stories that began, “you won’t believe what she did today!”) I’ve always referred to Judy as our Southern belle (although I don’t think she really cared for the moniker) so today’s column is in her honor as I celebrate North Carolina in books.

Jan Karon may not have put North Carolina on the literary map but she has certainly advertised the state with her Mitford series. Who doesn’t want to visit after reading about Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, and the various and sundry residents of the small mountain burg? In fact, Mitford (based on the very real town of Blowing Rock, NC) has become a cottage industry for Ms. Karon. And for those of you who were afraid they had heard the last about Father Tim, rest assured that come October you will be able to read Home to Holly Springs: the First of the Father Tim Novels. Did you really think she’d stop writing?

Joan Medlicott’s Covington series is also set in the Tarheel state and follows the lives of three senior women who share a home (think a gentler “Golden Girls”). Although not as well known as Karon’s series, the Covington ladies have attracted a following who are always looking for the next book (Unexpected Family, the seventh in the series, has just hit the bookshelves).

Miss Julia, the creation of author Ann B. Ross, is more the tart-tongued, tough ol’ bird type of senior citizen who usually has a heart of gold. Perhaps Miss Julia does, but one must look long and hard to find it! Actually, she shows her good side by taking in her late husband’s mistress and their child and making them her family and the change in her lifestyle makes for some interesting stories.

Other authors from NC are Fred Chappell, Clyde Edgerton, Kaye Gibbons, Margaret Maron, Nicholas Sparks, Phyllis Whitney, and Thomas Wolfe, all who can be found on the library’s shelves.

And lest I neglect Judy’s soon-to-be-home state of Alabama, check out one of its authors: Fannie Flagg, Anne George, WEB Griffin, Homer Hickam, Richard North Patterson, and, of course, Harper Lee.

We will not be without a Tarheel influence as one of our newer employees, JP Sloop, hails from the state (he’s filling the shoes of Seth White, who is now in Taiwan teaching English to kindergartners). Wes Hinman has moved upstairs from the circulation department to become our new Judy—and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled if you call him that! But Judy’s departure leaves a void not only at the library but in my—and other’s—life as well. She knows (or should) that she is held in high esteem by all of her former co-workers and she will be missed very much. And she better be thinking of us while she’s walking along the beach at Mobile!

Embarrassment of Riches

2007-07-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it was the abundance of rain, but last month provided me with a number of good reads. Apparently my book drought has been broken as well!

Mark of the Lion by Suzanne Arruda was the June book discussion selection and I could kick myself for waiting so long to read it! OK, I readily admit that Africa is not my favorite locale for book settings (although The Camel Bookmobile worked for me) and post WWI isn't my favorite time period. But it didn't matter--this book was a great romp! And it was great to have to Suzanne at the discussion to answer our questions and ask us what we liked, disliked, want in a book, etc. The second Jade del Cameron book is checked out & waiting to be read.

I committed the cardinal sin--I judged a book by its cover. But how could I resist David Rosenfelt's Play Dead with the absolutely best cover photo seen so far this year? The golden retriever looked so much like my golden mix at home--complete with the greying muzzle--that I had to pick it up. Fortunately, the book lived up to it! What a great mystery, with a golden at the crux of the plot! And the many twists and turns livened up the action and kept me on my toes trying to figure where Rosenfelt was headed next. I'm so glad I discovered this author--who's also involved in Golden Retriever rescue so how can one not like him?

Plum Lovin', a between-the numbers offering by Janet Evanovich, was an easy and shall I say, mindless way to spend a weekend afternoon. Actually, I liked it better than some of her latest entries in the Stephanie Plum series which I've found to be repetitious. Shedding the whole Morelli/Ranger dilemma (is there really any question? Go with Joe--he has the dog) seemed to have liberated the author and I enjoyed this one.

Another new author (for me) is Lisa Gardner and I ate up Alone. My only complaint is that there are earlier books in this series that set up this one (not that you need to read them to understand this one) that I missed. And now that I know how things developed, I don't want to go back and read them (too many other books out there to read!) I enjoyed the setting (Oregon), the pacing (fast), and the characters. I'll have to keep my eyes open for future books by her.

I've enjoyed Ann Purser's writing in the past and Secrets on Saturday, the most recent in the Lois Meade mystery series, is up to snuff. I revel in reading about English villages and her books are spot on when it comes to describing the people and places. And come to think about it, dogs play a role in this book, too. Guess I'm just preparing for the upcoming dog days of summer.

Merry Month of May

2007-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Preparation for the summer reading program (Get a Clue @ the Library; our packets are just too cute this year!) have pre-empted the recording of my May reading list but with a few minutes to spare, I hope to remedy the situation.

Sweet & Deadly by Charlaine Harris was one of those titles I picked up because of the cover--bee buzzing around the lower portion (see previous post about my new found obsession). Big mistake! Not a single, solitary bee in the book! What was the cover editor thinking? But, it made me pick up the book & it was a decent read (how is that for a resounding endorsement?) Actually, I liked it better than a lot of books & Harris' mysteries have entertained me in the past. Plot was different, especially the motive, and the time frame was a change from many books I've read of late. If it hadn't been for the deceptive bee cover, I'd have liked it more.

Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton was also a departure for me but gee, it was a book about a bookmobile. How often does that happen? And I enjoyed it for the library aspects--same arguments in Africa as we have here in Kansas--as well for the portrayal of the effect of books on individuals: those who drank up the knowledge vs. those who feared it. The ending wasn't a total surprise but parts of the book were predictable. Still, I suggest it for its topic alone.

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos was as captivating as it was the first time I read it. Rarely do I read a book a second time when I pick it for the book discussion group but with this one I did--almost with trepidation since I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much. But I fell in love with the characters (again), the poetic writing, and watched The Philadelphia Story in its entirety because of it. And why can't they make movies like that any more? The snappy dialogue alone was worth watching--Cary Grant just sweetened the pot.

The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Samson was a total farce--and another book dealing with librarians (this one in Ireland) Some of the colloquialisms might distract from the story (notice I didn't say plot) if one isn't familiar with Irish/English dialects but I daresay one would easily get the gist of the meaning. When you're in the mood for a light-hearted, easy read, pick it up.

Messenger of Truth is another entry in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Definitely darker than Samson's but lots of meaty descriptions of 1930's London and the effects of the worldwide economic depression of the time upon the people. Parts reminded me of the movie Cinderella Man, the utter desolation facing families who struggled to put food on the table. One of the best series I've read of late.

As always, I drift towards mysteries, which makes this summer's reading program so much fun! And I'm already ahead, thanks to my Memorial Day weekend reading (guess that rain was good for something after all).

What's the Matter With Kansas Authors?

2007-05-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Absolutely nothing!

In fact, I had the distinct pleasure of being part of the committee that planned the Kansas Center for the Book's Author Dinner at last month's conference for the state's librarians and my only complaint about Kansas authors is that they aren't better known or read--either within the Kansas borders or outside the state.

Granted, I had a bit more (written) contact with the individuals before the event so I felt like I did know them a bit as they entered the ballroom in Topeka. But even if I hadn't, I think I would have found them to be very entertaining people--and nice, to boot. No, I haven't read all of them but that doesn't stop me from telling others about them.

Looking for inspirational fiction set on the Kansas plains? Try Judith McCoy Miller or Kim Vogel Sawyer. Do you lean more towards mysteries? Look for Suzanne Arruda or recent Edgar-nominated Nancy Pickard on the shelves. Perhaps you need a book for a younger person--you can't go wrong with the recent biography of John Steuart Curry by Alice Bertels or one of the interactive books by Stephen Johnson. Middle-school aged (& up) readers would do well to look at Mike Klaassen or the graphic novels of Ande Parks. And if you're in need of a few laughs, look for the works of Max Yoho.

I wasn't sure how much I'd actually enjoy the dinner, thinking I'd be too worried about making sure everything went smoothly but to my delight, I had a great time. Sitting next to Lora Reiter was a treat, the food was marvelous, and the chatter between librarians and authors was music to my ears. But I must say, the highlight of the evening was the address given by Thomas Fox Averill. A copy of his eloquent speech can be found at the KCFB's website and I encourage all to read it.

So the next time you're in your library, take time to look for books by the above authors--and they are only a small number of Kansas writers. We may not have the quite the same literary history as the South, but we're just as noteworthy. Check them out.

Playing Catch Up

2007-04-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

Much of the month of March was devoted to helping organize an Authors Dinner at the state conference for librarians held in Topeka from April 11-13 (material for future entry). Yes, I did read books but did not record them so I'm relying on my rather faulty memory in order to list them.

Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy was a bit different from her earlier works. I'm a fan but to be honest, this one didn't live up to her other books for me. Don't get me wrong--the writing was good but I didn't care for the contrived (or so it seemed to me) style. I prefer a straightforward, flowing plot, not the individualized stories that became tied together. Took too much concentration for me to keep everyone straight & remember how the characters intersected. And, quite frankly, the story of progress vs. preservation would have made a more compelling story for me than every one's problems.

Edge of Midnight by Charlene Weir was one of those titles I was looking forward to settling down with (& it took me one Saturday to get through it). So few books are set in Kansas & the earlier books in the Susan Wren series have been quite enjoyable. And this one had a good plot, interesting characters, & I was going along when suddenly, Weir made a fatal error--she placed Kansas librarians in a bad light! I had previously forgiven her for a couple of glaring errors in relating small-town Kansas life but this turn of events (which most non-librarians would never even notice) did it in for me. Yes, I wrote the author with my complaints. And heard back from her, with a very nice mea culpa. So I will recommend this book with reservations. And tell you that librarians will not give our personal information over the phone.

Robbing the Bees by Holley Bishop may not have actually changed my life but oh, how I enjoyed this book. And it's non-fiction, which I rarely read! This little gem was packed full of bee lore, history, and facts that boggled my mind. I've talked with Dave my beekeeping friend & I hope his bees don't encounter Colony Collapse Disorder because I really, really want to see how he robs his bees next fall. I'll even wear the little veiled hat to avoid anaphylactic shock (that would be a bit embarrassing).

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear was a title I picked up from Fiction_L and it's a winner. And fortunately the first in a series (the library also has Book 3, Pardonable Lies, and will soon have books 2 & 4 in the collection, too) so I have more reading to look forward to from this talented author (in fact, I just finished Pardonable Lies on my lunch hour today). I highly recommend it.

And although this was an April read, I must include it rather than forget it altogether--Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargatz. I picked it up for the sole reason that it was a novel with a beekeeper in it. It's not a bad book but the title is deceptive. Not that much beekeeping in it--and certainly not as compelling as Secret Life of Bees. But I've read worse (what a resounding endorsement!)

On the bookshelf awaiting me: Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton & Richard Russo's Straight Man (a recommendation from old friend Scott Aubrey who assures me I'll enjoy it since I like Jon Hassler. We'll see)

February Reading List

2007-03-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

Not only is February a short month but the weather improved tremendously, meaning no snowed or iced in weekends in which to spend two days reading constantly. That and my attention span momentarily disappeared. But I managed to wade through the following:

1) Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie (one of the few mystery series that consistently delivers smart writing and plots)

2) The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks (the first title chosen for the one book, one state "Kansas Reads" program. A very readable novel--makes me wonder why I put off reading it for so long)

3) The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies (read in preparation for March 1st, which is St. David's Day in Wales. Not many books are set in Wales & this one had the added benefit of taking place during WW II. Unfortunately, the plot was somewhat predictable and slow-moving but it did give a good account of the national pride of the Welsh people)

Perhaps I'll do better in March (and with a new Binchy coming out tomorrow, I'm assured of at least one good read).

January Reading List

2007-01-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

I've bemoaned the fact for many years that I don't keep a record of the books I've read--and as I get older, it's harder for me to remember--or keep straight--what I've read. I'm still looking for just the right format to keep track of titles & authors, but for now recording my list on this blog will have to do. Below are from this month (it helped to be iced & snowed in for two weekends straight):

1) All Mortal Flesh by Clare Fleming-Spencer (the best of the bunch--but read the earlier books in the series first)

2) Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel by Jill Connor Browne (pure SPQ. Not for the easily offended)

3) One Mississippi by Mark Childress (I was led to believe this would be a light-hearted book. Wrong! But the author evoked the time period very well, except the explosive ending felt more current-day than 1970's)

4) Learning to Play Gin by Ally Carter (weaker than Cheating at Solitaire but she's a Kansas author who I had to read. And still better than many books out there)

5) Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie (Crusie is my secret pleasure & rarely disappoints)

6) Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (didn't finish once I knew the discussion would be cancelled due to weather--and I had the two previously listed books waiting to be picked up! It may be a prize-winner but I need a galloping plot! This one moves slower than I do on ice)

7) My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet) by Toby Devens (a pleasant surprise. Fairly predictable but that's not always a bad thing)

8) The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (just got started on this over the weekend. Has a cozy feel, doesn't move particularly fast but there's enough going on that my interest has been held, even through interruptions of soup making most of Sunday)

Kansas Reads The Learning Tree

2007-01-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

In 1998, librarian extraordinaire Nancy Pearl implemented “If All Seattle Read the Same Book” as an outgrowth of book discussion groups and as a way to get people to talk about literature and build community. The concept has been adopted—and adapted—not only across America but worldwide. In an interview, Pearl stated, “Everybody can read the same book — you can get the same edition, everything identical — yet everyone reads a different book. Because everybody brings their own experiences, their own life history. We’re such a fractured society, and it’s getting even more so. We see our differences rather than our commonalities when we look at people. So I think that bringing people together and talking about fundamental responses [to a book] is really an interesting way to build understanding across racial or ethnic or gender or economic divides. Making the world a better place — through reading.”

Although a number of cities in Kansas have organized one book reading programs, this is the first year that the entire state has participated in such an undertaking. In order to build community, promote reading, and highlight Kansas literature, the Kansas Center for the Book is sponsoring Kansas Reads, a statewide project that encourages Kansas adults to read, discuss and experience the same book. A committee of “qualified” librarians (since I was part of the group, the term “qualified” is to be taken with a grain of salt) met for several months to come up with a list of quality titles to choose from—and there were many—and the first book in the Kansas Reads program is “The Learning Tree” by the late Gordon Parks (and it is safe to say that it was on each of those “qualified” librarians’ list).

Kansas Reads The Learning Tree runs from January 29th (Kansas Day) through April 30th, but of course, Kansans can read the book—and others by Mr. Parks—at any time. But here in Pittsburg we’re concentrating the effort during the month of February. The Friends of the Library—a most wonderful and worthy organization—has generously provided funds for our celebration of Kansas Reads and one hundred copies of “The Learning Tree” have been purchased for distribution. It is hoped that if—no, make that when—you pick up a copy at the library, or Starbucks, that you will read it, then pass it on to a friend, acquaintance, or stranger so that he or she can then read it. What a wonderful gift to share—and at no monetary cost to you! And you will have several opportunities to experience “The Learning Tree” and the genius that was Gordon Parks.

To kick off the event on Monday, January 29th, the library is pleased to have David Parks speak about his father at a noon lunch, courtesy of the Friends of the Library (I told you they were good!). After enjoying a bowl of soup, you can hear Mr. Parks tell about life with his famous father. Hosting David is quite a coup—he is appearing in only five cities to jump start Kansas Reads. His visit is sponsored by the Kansas Center for the Book and GLPM Architects of Lawrence. If they sound familiar, it’s because you’ve seen the fruits of their labors here in Pittsburg, at the Presbyterian Church, Russ Hall, and their award-winning work at the library in the original building project of 1996-98 (they were among my favorite people even before their generous sponsorship of Kansas Reads—and are even more so now!).

Other events include a presentation by Jill Warford, the director of the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity in Fort Scott, on Tuesday, February 6th, at 6:30 PM. Faye Smith, a former library employee a few years back (I don’t dare say how many, since it would date us both), will lead book discussions, one at Starbucks on Tuesday, February 13th, at 6:30 PM and another one at the library a week later, February 20th, at 6:30 PM. Lem Sheppard will wrap up the activities with a musical tribute to Gordon Parks on Tuesday, March 6th, at 6:30 PM.

All programs are free and open to the public—again, thanks to the Friends’ generous support. And once March 7th rolls around planning begins for the 2008 Kansas Reads, which will feature Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. Stay tuned…..

3 for 3 in 2007

2007-01-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

What a relief! I have picked up three books since we welcomed in 2007--and I've just flown through them. I love having books that beckon me to them. It's far more fun than cleaning house.

Murder 101 by Maggie Barbieri is chick lit with an actual mystery hidden inside. More down to earth than Evanovich (not necessarily a bad thing) and a heroine who is not runway model perfect (but her friend is). Still, it was light without being frothy--a perfect antidote to the hustle & bustle of the holidays.

That was followed by Rapid Fire by Donna Ball. How can a good writer go wrong by using dogs in her mysteries? This second in the series featuring Raine Stockton did run like the dogs in agility trials and that's exactly what I like in a book--'rapid fire' plots that race along. This is one I read in the manner of my younger days (start on Friday, finish by Saturday).

Then came the dark, depressing mystery--All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming. I love the hymn of that same name, so am sure that's why I was drawn to it. Unfortunately (for me), this appears to be the fifth in the series & although I vaguely recall reading the first one some years back, I skipped over the middle installments. Which means I've missed out on some good books (I could go back but now that I'm caught up with the storyline, what's the point?) I admit that the ending left me a bit cold--tied up too neatly with a slight twist thrown in with little explanation--but I've certainly read worse endings.

Now it's to a "have to read for the book discussion" title--Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer Prize winning Gilead. Which I should read anyway. But so far it's all description with no plot (yet). And I want to gallop! But if I work at it, I can get it finished by the weekend & reward myself with a "want to read" title. And yes, I have a couple in mind. To be continued....

2006 Favs

2006-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

It's time for the "best of 2006" lists--both Fiction_L & Pub_Lib have started the ball rolling. And since I'm only a lurker--heaven forbid I post something on a list serve that someone will find fault with & proceed to attack every pore of my body (my ego is pretty fragile as it is)--I never participate. But here are my choices for my favorite reads of 2006:

Fiction:
Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Mystery:
Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard
Runners-up:
Raine Stockton series by Donna Ball
Jack Field series by Lee Charles Kelley

Non-Fiction:
Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: a Memoir by Bill Bryson
And You Know You Should Be Glad by Bob Greene
The Ride of Our Lives: Roadside Lessons of an American Family by Mike Leonard

It's quite unlike me to choose more non-fiction titles than mystery & fiction combined (runners-up don't count) but just goes to show you that readers can't be pigeon-holed. Even professional ones.

Out of Circulation

2006-10-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

There are times when life just interferes with pleasure. Which in my case means reading. As much as I love to read books, lately I've found myself with short-term ADD (but then, isn't all ADD short-term?) or have been in situations where reading books with a cast of characters and an actual plot is just not feasible (hospital waiting rooms, for instance). Which is when I turn to magazines (although Alexander McCall Smith's second installment of his Scotland Street series, Espresso Tales, did come in handy since it consists of short vignettes).

So, once I found I had time to read again, I discovered that I couldn't find a book that kept my interest. Had I become afflicted with some horrible malady that would keep me from ever again reading a book cover to cover? What was I to do?

And who came to my rescue? None other than Stephanie Plum! In Twelve Sharp, Janet Evanovich has found her old, sorely missed writing style--bold, sharp, and new takes on the old plot twists. And there's only one blown up car--and it's not even Stephanie's! After whipping through the book, I felt revived, rejuvenated, and ready to pick up my reading pace after the drought.

OK, I may be expecting too much by picking up The Audacity of Hope by future president Barack Obama but it does appear to be something that doesn't have to be read cover to cover. Which is why I have three other lighter (in tone) books waiting on the end table. With all the promising titles just out--or due to be released soon--I'm ready to get back into the reading mode.

Titles Down South

2006-07-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone has been admonished not to judge a book by its cover, but what about its title? A good title can grab the attention of an otherwise uninterested reader--but it better have the goods to back up the promise. And how may good books have gone unread because the title was dull, uninspired, or just plain weird?

The latest to catch my eye is an upcoming release--Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly by Rob Dalby. How can anyone pass up that book? It's not even just "Dancing" but "Waltzing". Right there, you're intrigued. And then you're not just waltzing, you're doing it at a grocery store. But not any grocery store, but at a "Piggly Wiggly"! Now honestly, can you really stand not reading that book? "Dancing at Dillon's" just ain't the same! And if you read the synopsis (since I was so kind as to provide the link), you'll see that the premise sounds like the book should live up to its name.

It seems to me that Southern authors have the monopoly on quirky, be it titles, characters, or plots. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe gave Fannie Flagg new fame as a writer--but what if it had been titled something else, say "Idgie's Life and Times" (it goes without saying that I have no Southern in me whatsoever, hence the poor excuse for creativity, though I am trying to make a point in being bland). No one would have looked twice at that book on the shelf. And then she went with Standing in the Rainbow (a truly heartwarming book) and her follow-up to it, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven (run, do not walk, to get your hands on this book!). A Yankee just plain couldn't have written those books.

But the true Queen of great book titles is Jill Conner Browne. Her Sweet Potato Queens books are not for the faint of heart and/or those who are easily offended but for the rest of us, they provide us with some of the best humor this side of the Mason-Dixon line (not to mention some mighty tasty recipes!)

So look for those titles that scream at you to pick them up. Betcha' they're written by a Southerner.

Lists

2006-06-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

I am always so impressed with patrons who come into the library with lists of books they have read and ones they want to read. Only once have I kept a record of what I read, that being in 2002 when the library held the "100 Years, 100 Books" year-long reading program, and I don't quite know why I didn't continue. And I occasionally make lists of books and authors I want to read--but then I lose them or throw them away (though many patrons have been told, "no, I haven't read that one yet, but it's on my list!" The list just isn't written down).

But if I did have a list for books I want to read, it would include the following:

Mockingbird, the new biography of Harper Lee by Charles Shields (despite a bad review that I read in the Wichita newspaper over the weekend).

Kathy Reichs' latest, Break No Bones, due out next month.

The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry (I enjoyed The Third Secret although I'd be hard-pressed at the moment to tell you the plot. But it was good).

Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (I read about this on a list serve and it intrigued me).

And You Know You Should Be Glad by Bob Greene (I like his books)

There are probably more, but I didn't write them down. And I can guarantee you that when I am finished with my current read (I'll Be Seeing You by Margaret Mayhew--pure WW II England schmaltz story that I'm eating up. I really should have lived then) I will not be able to find a single one of those titles on the shelf. So I'll pick up whatever book at hand looks good & I'll forget about these--until I'm too busy to read and they all come in on the same day.

The curse of the reader--no books or way too many.

Building Project: Chapter & Verse

2006-06-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

June 12, 1996--a pleasant summer morning awaited a festive group who had gathered to celebrate the long-awaited groundbreaking of the library addition. The night before I had helped library director Dottie Thomas & her oldest son, Ben, clear the lot of sticks and rocks and the event went off without a hitch. The pre-school kids with their tiny shovels made a great photo op and the air was full with anticipation and excitement, although mine was due more to an upcoming trip to England than the building project. After all, how much would it really affect me? If I knew then what I know now, I may have run for the hills, too.

Fast forward to June 12, 1997--it was beastly hot with no AC in the original Carnegie building, the addition was under seige by displaced pigeons, and I was off my self-imposed deadline to open the addition exactly one year to the day of the groundbreaking. But it was close enough and people who didn't know the inside scoop were excited and we opened amidst much fanfare (even though things weren't quite as smooth as I had hoped). But to this day, I still get teary-eyed when I think of the exchange with the handicapped man who told me he had waited four years to get into the library. That made the blood, sweat, & many tears worth it.

Then on June 12, 1998--dedication day, even though part of the building had been used for a year and the renovation of the other half wasn't quite finished (we won't go into how long that took!) The best part for me was seeing the faces of those persons I had come to know & appreciate (despite the butting of heads on several occasions) who had traveled to Pittsburg for the important event. The meeting room was full--no doubt causing the first of many remarks along the lines of "why didn't you make it bigger?'", "why did you do it this way?", etc, etc.--but that time I let it slide off my back--I wanted to enjoy one day. And I did.

June 12, 2006--much has transpired in a decade. Many who rejoiced at the beginning are no longer with us, except in spirit. My bravado when Dottie left quickly dissolved and my self-confidence took many, many hits--from which I'm still trying to recover. But that which didn't break me only made me stronger and I am not as fearful of facing new challenges. I'm much more aware of buildings (some would say more critical, I call it discerning), and the added space (yes, critics--we have a tremendous amount of room compared to ten years ago!) has created all kinds of programming opportunities and addition of materials.

Regrets? Of course. But I try to focus on the good points. The people (well, most of them. I could have done without a few of the construction guys). To this day when I hear the phrases "apples to oranges" and "more bang for your buck", I laugh (sometimes ruefully) when I remember wanting to strangle Vance for saying one or the other (or both) for the five hundredth time. And of course, I love it when visitors and patrons come up and say complementary things about the building and knowing that I played a very small role in its transformation. So would I have given up the opportunity for an easier life? Well, not today. And probably not tomorrow.

And there has been one constant throughout the past eight years: I still want to work for the architects (hear that Dave?)

Happy Anniversary.

PS--for those looking for a book list, come to the library & I can pull out many, many titles on architecture, libraries, and anything else you want to read about. Despite my building project experience, finding books is still what I do and like best about this job..

Checking Out Nonfiction

2006-06-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

I readily admit to not reading much nonfiction--too many reading assignments in college, I suspect, turned me to more escapist fiction. But I have come across a few titles in recent years that have made me change my tune (at least a little bit).

Bill Bryson is one of those nf authors that I actually look forward to reading. I first discovered him with Notes From a Small Island and then went back to his earlier works chronicling his travels across Europe and America. However, my favorite is A Walk in the Woods. It is one of those laugh-out-loud reads (& the only library book I had to replace, thanks to little Lab puppy teeth marks. But I should have known better than to leave it within Haley's reach) that I have recommended to many people, most of who have told me how much they enjoyed it, too (one of the best parts of this job--hearing positive feedback).

Erik Larson's Devil in the White City looks intimidating (especially the LP version, which is what I read) but it is a fascinating account of the Chicago's World Fair of 1893. I picked it up after hearing Larson on C-Span (do I lead an exciting life or what?) and I plodded through it. But then it has Chicago, architects, and a serial killer--what more could a girl want? Packed with historical tidbits, it is also a readable narrative of a city, as well as a country.

Another book I ran to get after hearing the author (again, on C-Span) was Once Upon a Town: the Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene. What a wonderful, heartwarming story! I could almost hear the Top 40 of the 1940's playing in the background as I read it. And the juxtaposition of the modern town to its glory days during WW II highlighted the changes the country has gone through. I like Greene's writing and his latest, And I Know I Should Be Glad, is on my summer read list.

My latest foray into nonfiction was the often funny, sometimes poignant The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard. The story of the intergenerational RV trip across the US brought tears to my eyes--mostly from laughing so hard but also during the more reflective parts of the book. And I think all the book's readers need to start a letter-writing campaign to get the horribly rude and insensitive employee at the alma mater of Leonard's father fired for her treatment of an elderly alumnus who had been so excited to make what it most likely his last visit to the place of so many good memories (getting so wrapped up in a book is a sign of good writing, isn't it?)

I shouldn't shy away from nonfiction as much as I do--these gems show why. And how many more are out there just waiting to be picked up?

To Code or Not to Code

2006-05-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

So much has been written about The Da Vinci Code--both the book and now the movie--that I feel like the bottom line has been lost (much like the Grail). First and foremost, it is a work of fiction. Perhaps not the most literary work around but it's a thrilling ride. And many, many people have enjoyed reading--and now watching--it.

And to me, that is the remarkable thing. Countless numbers of people have come into the library the past three years asking for the book and a good number of them mentioned that they weren't readers but were told to read this one book. Or someone who had read Da Vinci Code then came in to find out more about any number of topics addressed in the book, or to get Brown's earlier work, Angels and Demons (which I actually preferred). Non-readers picked up a book--and sometimes came looking for more.

Da Vinci Code is the adult's Harry Potter--controversy surrounds it but it's turned a number of people to reading. And that, I think, is the most important thing. Do I care about content? To some extent, but I'm more excited that people came into the library and asked questions. And talked about the book with their friends and co-workers. That is not a problem for librarians and booksellers--that is a reason to rejoice!

I wanted to re-read the book before seeing the movie and ended up buying my own copy rather than putting my name on the waiting list for one of the library's six copies to come in (this title has had reserves on it for well over two years) and yes, I enjoyed it again. There are so many layers that makes it a thriller for the masses (so to speak). Will people be offended? Possibly, but they must remember--it's only fiction! Each and every reader will bring something different to the book--which is true of every book read it. If you don't like it, then put it down and read something else. But don't read too much into it. It's one man's story that resonated with the public. And it has made many, many people read. What's so bad about that?

A Book of Wonders

2006-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Last night's book discussion was over Geraldine Brooks' novel, A Year of Wonders. As I told the group, this was a book I've wanted to read but knew I would never pick it up unless I had to for a specific reason and I would continue to put it on the list until they voted for it. Fortunately, it only took two years--and it was well worth the wait!

Who would think a book about the plague of 1666 would be so good? Not that it was a particularly easy read but it had so many layers and the descriptive language just sucked me (and most of the group) into the story. Of course, having strong female characters didn't hurt either. I've recommended it to a minister friend & hope he is able to get it read & then incorporate it into a sermon. Which I want to hear, if that ever happens.

So, don't be scared off by the subject & do yourself a favor--find the book and open yourself up to a time of wonders.

Stormy Weather...and Reads

2006-05-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

With all the rain (which is sorely needed, so I'm not complaining) I started thinking about books that have a major plot line of storms. Naturally, Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm lept to the forefront but since I am at heart a fiction reader, I kept looking.

One of the earliest storm-related books I read was Storm Warning by Jack Higgins. I had just recently discovered Higgins and this one kept me on the edge of my seat, forgetting to breathe as I read his descriptions of the storm off the coast of Scotland. And, as always, it had the usual Higgins plot twists--who's really the good guy and who's the bad one. Reading it as windows rattle would make it even more realistic.

Other rain-related titles include In Sunlight, In a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor (and you have the added benefit of a librarian character) which tells two intertwining stories that come together during the Johnstown Flood (for a non-fiction account, see David McCullough's The Johnstown Flood), The Staggerford Flood by Jon Hassler (one of all-time favorite authors), and Agatha Raisin and the Day the Day the Floods Came by M.C. Beaton. I seem to recall that one of Jeanne Dams' mysteries includes a storm--perhaps Holy Terror in the Hebrides--but since the Dorothy Martin series is set in England, it's always raining. And an interesting tale of a lightning strike survivor can be found in Alice Hoffman's The Ice Queen.

The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard does almost take your breath away--like tornadoes aren't exciting enough and then she throws in a serial killer! There's also Rene Gutteridge's Splitting Storm and The Rescuer by Dee Henderson has a tornado subplot.

And if you didn't get enough hurricane news last fall, check out Margaret Maron's Storm Tracker (or the latest nonfiction by Douglas Brinkley, The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast).

Any of these would make a fine rainy day read--unless you don't want to get out to go to the library!

New Blog Address

2006-05-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

I've changed the address to more fully represent this blog, which will focus on reader's advisory at the Pittsburg, KS, Public Library. Feel free to check the other PPL blog periodically as it will be updated for more general library information and news (you will also be able to view my previous posts there--at least until I figure out how I might be able to move them to this site and keep them dated as posted).