Friday, August 30, 2013

Raganathan's Five Laws Still Relevant to Libraries



S.R. Ranganathan, an Indian librarian who invented the Colon Classification System, also penned the Five Laws of Library Science:

  • Books are for use.
  • Every reader, his or her book.
  • Every book, its reader.
  • Save the time of the reader.
  • A library is a growing organism.
These rules may seem simplistic but there is great meaning and wisdom behind them.

All the books we own. . .

“All the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal. ... But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not.” ― Nick Hornby, The Polysyllabic Spree

Choosing What to Read this Fall (2013)


After complaining about how swamped we all are with books we want to read, it seemed a list of what's coming out this fall would help everyone decide now the titles they want to read. It sounds counter productive, but just picking up the next randomly available book may not just clutter up and deflect your reading.

Book Page's The Book Case blog has listed all the fabulous fiction titles coming out this fall.

The first book on the list is Night Film by Marisha Pessl, which I am currently reading on my Kindle. It just came out August 20th. What appeals to you? What should I add to my list besides The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt?

Sunday, August 25, 2013

#BuyaFriendaBookDay



Lisa A. Kelly started a page to champion this idea on Facebook. Why not participate?

I made my choice today. I bought K.A. Barson's debut young adult novel 45 Pounds (more or less) and sent it on its way for my granddaughter and daughter to share. 

What book will you choose? Who will be the lucky recipient? Comments welcome below!


45 POUNDS (more or less) by K.A. Barson (2013)

    Age Range: 12 and up
    Grade Level: 7 and up
    Hardcover: 256 pages
    Publisher: Viking Juvenile (July 11, 2013)
    ISBN-10: 0670784826
    Source: Jackson District Library
      K.A. Barson's debut young adult novel 45 Pounds (more or less) is a winner!

      Someone wrote in one of the many reviews on Good Reads that although they liked the cover they would have preferred to see more of Ann. Personally I think the cover is perfect. Ann would never have wanted her picture out there for everyone to see. To me it's a great title and a perfect cover.

      A few months ago there was an article about Kelly in the local paper. You can read it at MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot. I am always interested in local talent so I decided to check the holdings of the local library. They didn't list her book so I requested it be purchased. This past week I got a notice that it was available for pick-up!

       There is a little bit of language and a wedding between two women, but on the whole the book is very gentle in its approach to a difficult issue.

      Thursday, August 15, 2013

      Breaking News for LIFE AFTER LIFE



      My book group is discussing Kate Atkinson's Life After Life this evening so I googled the title to do a little more background reading and made this discovery!

      Twilight’ Producers to Adapt Kate Atkinson’s ‘Life After Life’

      Click on the headline for more details from Variety.


      Banned Books Week 2013




      Friday, August 2, 2013

      Book versus Movie

      "Because 99% of the time, the books are better than the movies," Buzzfeed suggested 14 books to read before they hit the big screen.

      There are a few of these titles I want to read, but the truth is that I can't imagine a movie can be made that is as good as the following titles I've read: The Fault in Our Stars (John Green); Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn); Reconstructing Amelia (Kimberly McCreight).