I won't ask "will libraries survive?" because I'm sure they will. Why am I sure? Well, as a librarian once said - why don't you look it up?
>The view from Talladega
>An insider's perspective
>This HuffPo blog
>The Wall Street Journal's take and The Monitor's
I've extolled the virtues of libraries before, and if you're reading this, I'm sure you can list plenty. What better place to find out (for free) a highly-recommended book is actually an utter disappointment? Where else can you go to find out which e-reader is right for you - again, for free? Where do you go when you're new to town and need a book club?
Still not convinced libraries are relevant? OK, I didn't want to have to do this, but there's a Twitter app for that. Seriously - check it out.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Last Testament: God's Last Word?
The Tweet of God led me to The Last Testament, by David Javerbaum (well, he gives the big guy credit, in an as-told-to sort of way). Javerbaum is former head writer for The Daily Show.
It's less sacrilegious than you might think, and not quite as funny as I expected. (God's tweets, on the other hand, make me type LOL often, and loud.)
God, it turns out, has a snarky side. And even He commits typos. (The first I spotted was a misplaced comma on page 8, and from there - well, I can only hope he is merciful with his editors.)
Speaking of merciful, God keeps His chapters short, so The Last Testament isn't too taxing on us mere mortals, distracted as we are with, well, everything. While the book wasn't all I hoped, I certainly enjoyed it - especially God's apparent ability to laugh at himself, and share various foibles as he reflects back on what a long, strange trip it's been.
For example, it was funny in a sort of sickening, nostalgic way, to learn that it was Cain who committed the first murder - so he had no way of knowing what to do, exactly - and that he invented sarcasm. Which, apparently, hasn't killed anyone yet.
(I'll find out, I guess, after he reads this review.)
I rate this book "worth reading" (what? you think I have a death wish? the guy has a verified Twitter account) and recommend it for anytime, except, perhaps, when in Rome.
The new guy there seems to have an open mind, but, you know, just to be safe - maybe you should leave your copy of The Last Testament on the plane.
It's less sacrilegious than you might think, and not quite as funny as I expected. (God's tweets, on the other hand, make me type LOL often, and loud.)
God, it turns out, has a snarky side. And even He commits typos. (The first I spotted was a misplaced comma on page 8, and from there - well, I can only hope he is merciful with his editors.)
Speaking of merciful, God keeps His chapters short, so The Last Testament isn't too taxing on us mere mortals, distracted as we are with, well, everything. While the book wasn't all I hoped, I certainly enjoyed it - especially God's apparent ability to laugh at himself, and share various foibles as he reflects back on what a long, strange trip it's been.
For example, it was funny in a sort of sickening, nostalgic way, to learn that it was Cain who committed the first murder - so he had no way of knowing what to do, exactly - and that he invented sarcasm. Which, apparently, hasn't killed anyone yet.
(I'll find out, I guess, after he reads this review.)
I rate this book "worth reading" (what? you think I have a death wish? the guy has a verified Twitter account) and recommend it for anytime, except, perhaps, when in Rome.
The new guy there seems to have an open mind, but, you know, just to be safe - maybe you should leave your copy of The Last Testament on the plane.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Do You Stick with Certain Authors, or do they stick with you?
A while back I began compiling a list of some of the books that have stuck with me. The process is harder, the list longer, and my memory worse than I expected.
But little victories are sweet. I recently had the great pleasure of "matchmaking," that is, making the just-right recommendation to a friend about a book. In this case, when Patty and I were talking about (what else) books, I felt like I knew just the sort of read she was looking for. And Michael Creighton was her man.
A week later, she (almost giddily) told me she had ordered the book.
Gulp! Ordered it, and not from a library? Made a commitment like that just on recommendation? Naturally, I was nervous. What if it didn't work out? Imagine my relief when, a few days later, she told me she'd considered skipping that day's workout to spend some more time with Michael.
Whew.
The book: Timeline, a delightful forensic/time-traveling < 500-page adventure published in 2003. I can't take full credit for this particular match, however - my friend John recommended the book to me several years ago.
Regardless, Patty's happy, I'm happy, and - here's a really cool thing about this type of matchmaking - I can keep setting my friends up with Michael.*
In addition to Michael Creighton, Barbara Kingsolver is another author I'll stick with (and recommend, virtually anytime). What about you?
* Yes, that Michael: the author Jurassic Park, among others. Airframe was the first title I read of his - for what it's worth, I've heard that it hit just a little too close to home for certain airline industry execs. Prey is tied (with Timeline) for my "favorite" Creighton book. And - while my hubby disagrees - I didn't think The Andromeda Strain was all that.
Funny thing about matchmaking: there's really no accounting for taste. ;D
But little victories are sweet. I recently had the great pleasure of "matchmaking," that is, making the just-right recommendation to a friend about a book. In this case, when Patty and I were talking about (what else) books, I felt like I knew just the sort of read she was looking for. And Michael Creighton was her man.
A week later, she (almost giddily) told me she had ordered the book.
Gulp! Ordered it, and not from a library? Made a commitment like that just on recommendation? Naturally, I was nervous. What if it didn't work out? Imagine my relief when, a few days later, she told me she'd considered skipping that day's workout to spend some more time with Michael.
Whew.
The book: Timeline, a delightful forensic/time-traveling < 500-page adventure published in 2003. I can't take full credit for this particular match, however - my friend John recommended the book to me several years ago.
Regardless, Patty's happy, I'm happy, and - here's a really cool thing about this type of matchmaking - I can keep setting my friends up with Michael.*
In addition to Michael Creighton, Barbara Kingsolver is another author I'll stick with (and recommend, virtually anytime). What about you?
* Yes, that Michael: the author Jurassic Park, among others. Airframe was the first title I read of his - for what it's worth, I've heard that it hit just a little too close to home for certain airline industry execs. Prey is tied (with Timeline) for my "favorite" Creighton book. And - while my hubby disagrees - I didn't think The Andromeda Strain was all that.
Funny thing about matchmaking: there's really no accounting for taste. ;D
Monday, March 11, 2013
Luck o' the Readers
If everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, what we need is a patron saint of reading. Then, at least one day a year, everyone would be a reader.
Oh, I can dream, can't I?
Goodreads has some seasonal recommendations to get young readers into the spirit of the holiday - whether you want to impart some actual historical information about St. Patrick or stick to lighter fare.
And - this is especially for homeschoolers, because I just assume all elementary school teachers know about this treasure trove of a site - for anyone with young children, I highly recommend you turn on the printer and visit Enchanted Learning for some free printable books, St. Patrick's Day activity sheets, coloring pages, and read-aloud stories.
Now as you go off to read, be sure you're whistling a happy tune.
Oh, I can dream, can't I?
Goodreads has some seasonal recommendations to get young readers into the spirit of the holiday - whether you want to impart some actual historical information about St. Patrick or stick to lighter fare.
And - this is especially for homeschoolers, because I just assume all elementary school teachers know about this treasure trove of a site - for anyone with young children, I highly recommend you turn on the printer and visit Enchanted Learning for some free printable books, St. Patrick's Day activity sheets, coloring pages, and read-aloud stories.
Now as you go off to read, be sure you're whistling a happy tune.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Subs needed!
Dear, dear, dear readers. What do I need to do to convince you to write a guest post for me?
Stand on my head? (ouch) I hope not.
Please contact me here in the comments, via Twitter, or on my Facebook author page if you're interested. I'd LOVE to have you review something you've read, or are reading. I'll even welcome your rants on what you refuse to read (50 Shades of Grey, anyone? something by Madonna, maybe?) or - even better - tips on how to get kids to read, in spite of the lure of many screens.
< this sounds promising - anyone?
Anyone??
Stand on my head? (ouch) I hope not.
Please contact me here in the comments, via Twitter, or on my Facebook author page if you're interested. I'd LOVE to have you review something you've read, or are reading. I'll even welcome your rants on what you refuse to read (50 Shades of Grey, anyone? something by Madonna, maybe?) or - even better - tips on how to get kids to read, in spite of the lure of many screens.
< this sounds promising - anyone?
Anyone??
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
No time to read? Just look at this
As long as you're out sightseeing, stop to see some of Math Monahan's intricate, beautiful braided books too.
PS: Reading C.J.'s bio makes me think she may have invented the e-reader... wonder if Al Gore knows about this?
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Another Attempt at Twitter Reviews
Currently I #amreading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which is probably going to make my personal "all time best nonfiction reads" list, but - you know the rules - I can't actually add it to the list until I've finished reading it. So, how 'bout it? Join me on Twitter for a series of short comments on the book? Characters being scarce, I'm using the tag #HeLa - as a bonus, there's already a robust group using the tag, a mix of readers and scientists.
If you have any tips or suggestions for Tweeviewing,* or whatever we should call this silly exercise, I'm all ears. The only other time I've tried this was for a book I didn't like much, so this time I'm a little more interested in the outcome.
*This could be bigger than Tebowing, don'tchathink?
If you have any tips or suggestions for Tweeviewing,* or whatever we should call this silly exercise, I'm all ears. The only other time I've tried this was for a book I didn't like much, so this time I'm a little more interested in the outcome.
*This could be bigger than Tebowing, don'tchathink?
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