Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Season's Readings

I'm glad to see some comments with lots of reading suggestions. Remember there are no rules here, so if you like graphic novels you can read them. There is Manga, and then there is manga. There's a nice discussion of them in the Literature Resource Center and this article in Academic Search Complete: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=24954163&site=ehost-live.


Of course, the Library Lady, has some heavy selections. The introduction to "Democracy in America" by Alexis De Tocqueville is great and worthy of reading in itself. According to a book that is a tribute to libraries, "The Library at Night" by Alberto Manual, Dostoyevsky said that 56 is "the age at which 'real' life can be rightly said to begin." That's a nice positive thought to ponder. We have lots of time to explore our reading tastes.


To get you in the mood for the holidays, here is a nice list of books for the season. See: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=34909967&site=ehost-live.


I have read Richard Paul Evan's book called "Grace", and it is good for a nostalgic look at the year 1962 and leaves you at the end with a bit of a tear. The author established the Christmas Box House International, an organization providing services for abused children and adolescents. This book focuses on this subject and discusses current initiatives. If you haven't read "The Christmas Box" yet, do so. It's a very good read. Grace is on display at our library, as well as the audio book "The Christmas Sweater."

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Hope you have many happy reading days over the holidays.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Readalot is like Camelot

Welcome to the land of wishful reading. What is it that you wish you had read, but you didn't? That's a good place to begin. There are no rules in being well read. The only rule is to devote at least a half hour to reading each day. I want you to exercise too. If your job has you read all day, this doesn't count. You must read for yourself in this precious half hour. To play along with this concept, reading blogs doesn't count either. I'm talking about reading books. Books that were on reading lists long ago, but you cheated a bit in school by reading the cliff notes. Books that are obscure, and books that are common place. Already a great reader, great! Share with us something you would recommend.

Need help in choosing? Check out these books at the library: Any of the Nancy Pearl Book Lust books, a good almanac, or if interested in Fiction, "Genreflecting." Read books about books or books by readers who love books. Like biographies? Browse your local library by searching the subject keyword "biography," which is used as a common subject subheading in most library subject heading authorities. Search by last name and biography for specific results. While you are at it, let us know what you are reading.