Patron: Excuse me, which came first...Word 2007 or Word 2010?
Me: >_<
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Plethora of Reviews
Sorry for the lack of reviews lately. I have been reading like crazy (mostly romance…brain candy), but I haven’t really had the time to sit down and type something out. The new job is going great but I hit the ground running from the moment I walk in the door until it is time to leave. Don’t ask me what I do, because half the time I can’t even remember. I am just busy. There is always something to do and I love it!
Ok, now back to the books. Like I mentioned, I have been reading a ton of romance novels. Why? Because they are like potato chips…once you take one, you have to have 20. I can easily devour these books without batting an eye. Also, my love life is going pretty awesome, so I have no problem reading about other people falling in love. Finally, I love them. Guilty pleasure! I started reading them in junior high school and I have been addicted ever since.
Let me tell you about some of the books I have read lately, the good, the bad and what’s currently being read.
The Good:
Actually, scratch that good out and let’s make this the great part. I am in two book clubs, one full of my library friends and the one I use to run at my old job. In the library book club we recently read Silas House’s A Parchment of Leaves, an adult fiction book. The person who took over the group just raved and raved about the book. I liked the fact that had 200 pages or so, but once I started reading I fell in love with Vine, the main character, House’s writing style, and the novel as a whole. The elegance and sorrow which House writes with can only be described as absolutely beautiful. This book reminded me a lot of Cutting for Stone (just minus 400 pages.) I cannot rave enough about this book and I hope this snippet inspires you to check it out!
The Meh:
Eh, more so “the not so great”. Life is too short for bad books, but sometimes you are asked to judge a competition. This is the first time I have ever judge a competition, so I went in with an opened mind. No prejudging based on the cover or the genre. I just finished The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson, a YA Christian book. First off, ahhhhmazing cover. Just beautiful. I know tons of young adults are going to pick this book up based solely on the cover. Another great thing going for it? It is a Snow White retelling. That is two great reasons to pick up this book. This is not a modern day retelling of Snow White, but the author does add a fresh spin to the love story that will grab readers’ attentions just to see how it pans out. Other than that interesting angle, the storyline and the characters were pretty two dimensional.
The Impressive:
Another one of the books I judge was Caught on Camera by Kim Law. The premise is that a video photographer has to score an in depth interview with a playboy politician to save her job. But everyone has secrets they want to stay buried…even video photographers. Anyway, I thought it would be a fairly decent contemporary romance, but I was very impressed with the characters’ depth and growth. Also, great dialog. Definitely a pleasant read!
The Funny:
One of my old coworkers recently held a program, “Best Books of 2012” which focused on the best picture books, juvenile books, and juvenile nonfiction books of 2012. I happened to be at the library when the program was happening so I went. First off, she book talked over 100 books. Serious props to her for being able to talk that much. The program was definitely interesting and she gave everyone who attended a couple of free books. There was one particular book that her book talk sold me on. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Extra Credit by Tommy Greenwald is a HILARIOUS juvenile fiction book. Charlie Joe’s antics and situations had me laughing out loud! The illustrations aren’t as comical as other popular books (DOAWK), but Charlie Joe comedic timing was superb. I can’t recommend this book enough!
The Bad:
I haven’t really read anything bad lately, given one exception. I have been seeing a ton of advertisements for Are You My Mother? By Alison Bechdel, so I thought why not give it a shot. It is nonfiction and a graphic novel, both of which I love. Maybe I should have read Fun Home first, but I went in blindly. There aren’t many books I hate, but this book is one of them. Why? I could not connect with the author at all. I thought the book was whiney, tedious, pretentious, and self obsessed. Yeah, I know that is kind of harsh, but that is how I feel. I thought, “maybe I am missing something….everyone else seems to love it.” Well there is always going to be one person who doesn’t and for this book, that is me. If someone can give me a better argument for this book, please do. I wanted to like it, but well…see above.
The Delightful:
I went back to my goodreads to see what I wrote after reading The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig and all I had was “delightful.” And it truly was. This book was raved about by a friend and like I said I have been reading tons of romance lately. This historical romance was filled with intrigue and intellect. The dialog between the two main sets of characters was quirky and fun. I often caught myself grinning from ear to ear while reading this novel. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second in the series, The Masque of the Black Tulip, if someone would ever turn their copy in! Pesky patrons.
Audiobooks:
Well, I have finally gotten back into audiobooks. Ok, I am a snob when it comes to audiobooks. I prefer nonfiction audiobooks (mainly written by women) and read by the author. See? Not picky at all! I truly cannot tell you why I checked out My Lucky Live in and out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke. I grew up watching Diagnosis Murder and The Dick Van Dyke show, so I have always been a fan. But when the book was released last year, I really had no inclination to check it out. Since I have a slightly longer drive to work now and I have decided to stop listening to the music on the radio (it is crap and I feel my brain rotting), audiobooks seem like a good idea. I still have no idea what prompted me to search to see if Van Dyke was the reader of his autobiography, but when I found he was I immediately placed my hold. This man has an amazing voice that is nothing short of enthralling. I do not think I would love his story as much as I do if I had read the book. The fact that he is the reader completely sells it.
Completely Taken Over My Life:
Last year, at the Southern Magic Romance Writer’s Luncheon the guest speaker was Sherrilyn Kenyon, who I had heard of but never read. I tried getting a hold of Fantasy Lover which is the first in her Dark-Hunter series, but was unable to before the luncheon. That coupled with the fact that I was broke is why I decided not to go. I wish I had, but alas. Well, I decided to get a running start on next year’s luncheon. I found out that Jeaniene Frost was the speaker at the 2013 Luncheon in November. I got a copy of Halfway to the Grave, which is the first in her Night Hunter series. It took a little while to get it because it had several holds. I am half way through it now and I love it. I love kick ass heroines and Cat is definitely one of them. It reminds me a lot of the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, which consumed my life during the fall. I got the second book, One Foot in the Grave, and tore through it in one night. I bought the 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the series at the local used bookstore. Can’t wait!
Short but Awesome:
Though it is pretty new, Legion by Brandon Sanderson is a hard read to find. Great thing is that if you find it, it is a super short read (80 easy pages or so) and it is fresh, fun, and a change of pace. The main character, Stephen Leeds AKA Legion, is sometimes classified as a schizophonic or a genius. His halluncinations are the real geniuses though. Each brings their own special talents that help Leeds solve cases like Sherlock. This quick read is definitely worth a try…if you can get a hold of it.
Ok, now back to the books. Like I mentioned, I have been reading a ton of romance novels. Why? Because they are like potato chips…once you take one, you have to have 20. I can easily devour these books without batting an eye. Also, my love life is going pretty awesome, so I have no problem reading about other people falling in love. Finally, I love them. Guilty pleasure! I started reading them in junior high school and I have been addicted ever since.
Let me tell you about some of the books I have read lately, the good, the bad and what’s currently being read.
The Good:
Actually, scratch that good out and let’s make this the great part. I am in two book clubs, one full of my library friends and the one I use to run at my old job. In the library book club we recently read Silas House’s A Parchment of Leaves, an adult fiction book. The person who took over the group just raved and raved about the book. I liked the fact that had 200 pages or so, but once I started reading I fell in love with Vine, the main character, House’s writing style, and the novel as a whole. The elegance and sorrow which House writes with can only be described as absolutely beautiful. This book reminded me a lot of Cutting for Stone (just minus 400 pages.) I cannot rave enough about this book and I hope this snippet inspires you to check it out!
The Meh:
Eh, more so “the not so great”. Life is too short for bad books, but sometimes you are asked to judge a competition. This is the first time I have ever judge a competition, so I went in with an opened mind. No prejudging based on the cover or the genre. I just finished The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson, a YA Christian book. First off, ahhhhmazing cover. Just beautiful. I know tons of young adults are going to pick this book up based solely on the cover. Another great thing going for it? It is a Snow White retelling. That is two great reasons to pick up this book. This is not a modern day retelling of Snow White, but the author does add a fresh spin to the love story that will grab readers’ attentions just to see how it pans out. Other than that interesting angle, the storyline and the characters were pretty two dimensional.
The Impressive:
Another one of the books I judge was Caught on Camera by Kim Law. The premise is that a video photographer has to score an in depth interview with a playboy politician to save her job. But everyone has secrets they want to stay buried…even video photographers. Anyway, I thought it would be a fairly decent contemporary romance, but I was very impressed with the characters’ depth and growth. Also, great dialog. Definitely a pleasant read!
The Funny:
One of my old coworkers recently held a program, “Best Books of 2012” which focused on the best picture books, juvenile books, and juvenile nonfiction books of 2012. I happened to be at the library when the program was happening so I went. First off, she book talked over 100 books. Serious props to her for being able to talk that much. The program was definitely interesting and she gave everyone who attended a couple of free books. There was one particular book that her book talk sold me on. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Extra Credit by Tommy Greenwald is a HILARIOUS juvenile fiction book. Charlie Joe’s antics and situations had me laughing out loud! The illustrations aren’t as comical as other popular books (DOAWK), but Charlie Joe comedic timing was superb. I can’t recommend this book enough!
The Bad:
I haven’t really read anything bad lately, given one exception. I have been seeing a ton of advertisements for Are You My Mother? By Alison Bechdel, so I thought why not give it a shot. It is nonfiction and a graphic novel, both of which I love. Maybe I should have read Fun Home first, but I went in blindly. There aren’t many books I hate, but this book is one of them. Why? I could not connect with the author at all. I thought the book was whiney, tedious, pretentious, and self obsessed. Yeah, I know that is kind of harsh, but that is how I feel. I thought, “maybe I am missing something….everyone else seems to love it.” Well there is always going to be one person who doesn’t and for this book, that is me. If someone can give me a better argument for this book, please do. I wanted to like it, but well…see above.
The Delightful:
I went back to my goodreads to see what I wrote after reading The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig and all I had was “delightful.” And it truly was. This book was raved about by a friend and like I said I have been reading tons of romance lately. This historical romance was filled with intrigue and intellect. The dialog between the two main sets of characters was quirky and fun. I often caught myself grinning from ear to ear while reading this novel. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second in the series, The Masque of the Black Tulip, if someone would ever turn their copy in! Pesky patrons.
Audiobooks:
Well, I have finally gotten back into audiobooks. Ok, I am a snob when it comes to audiobooks. I prefer nonfiction audiobooks (mainly written by women) and read by the author. See? Not picky at all! I truly cannot tell you why I checked out My Lucky Live in and out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke. I grew up watching Diagnosis Murder and The Dick Van Dyke show, so I have always been a fan. But when the book was released last year, I really had no inclination to check it out. Since I have a slightly longer drive to work now and I have decided to stop listening to the music on the radio (it is crap and I feel my brain rotting), audiobooks seem like a good idea. I still have no idea what prompted me to search to see if Van Dyke was the reader of his autobiography, but when I found he was I immediately placed my hold. This man has an amazing voice that is nothing short of enthralling. I do not think I would love his story as much as I do if I had read the book. The fact that he is the reader completely sells it.
Completely Taken Over My Life:
Last year, at the Southern Magic Romance Writer’s Luncheon the guest speaker was Sherrilyn Kenyon, who I had heard of but never read. I tried getting a hold of Fantasy Lover which is the first in her Dark-Hunter series, but was unable to before the luncheon. That coupled with the fact that I was broke is why I decided not to go. I wish I had, but alas. Well, I decided to get a running start on next year’s luncheon. I found out that Jeaniene Frost was the speaker at the 2013 Luncheon in November. I got a copy of Halfway to the Grave, which is the first in her Night Hunter series. It took a little while to get it because it had several holds. I am half way through it now and I love it. I love kick ass heroines and Cat is definitely one of them. It reminds me a lot of the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, which consumed my life during the fall. I got the second book, One Foot in the Grave, and tore through it in one night. I bought the 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the series at the local used bookstore. Can’t wait!
Short but Awesome:
Though it is pretty new, Legion by Brandon Sanderson is a hard read to find. Great thing is that if you find it, it is a super short read (80 easy pages or so) and it is fresh, fun, and a change of pace. The main character, Stephen Leeds AKA Legion, is sometimes classified as a schizophonic or a genius. His halluncinations are the real geniuses though. Each brings their own special talents that help Leeds solve cases like Sherlock. This quick read is definitely worth a try…if you can get a hold of it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
People? Letters? Islam.....
It is paper season! Yup, I was bombarded with patrons today from 3rd graders to college students jump starting on their papers. While I was helping several patrons today, I noticed three girls plunk down in the Reference 900s and pretty much remodel it. I kid you not, they had books EVERYWHERE on the floor.
Normally this is awesome, but the Reference 900s is across from my 200's area, which is a pretty high traffic area in my library. A lot of people weren't able to get to what they needed because these girls were sitting in the floor. All in all though, I didn't say anything to them because I was proud of these students for jump starting on their papers.
I ended up asking one girl what she was working on and pulled several nonfiction books for her. A little while later another girl surfaced from under all the books that they had pulled. She looked a little lost as she browsed the Reference 800s (which is by my desk) so I asked if I could help her. Her response was as follows:
Girl (about 20 yrs. old): Um...I don't think you will be able to help me......*silence*
Me: Well, tell me what you are looking for?
Girl: Um......well......I"m.........looking.........for.......*silence*........*more silence*.......people.
Me (half asleep from the long silent pauses): Are you looking for a particular person?
Girl: No......more like.........uh.......things they have written?
*Sidenote: It took just about everything I had not to respond with, "oh you mean books?"
But here is what I said instead.....
Me: Autobiographies?
Girl: No...............letters?
Me: Correspondences?
Girl:....*silence* no......um, Islam I guess.........*crickets chirping*
I could tell this girl had no clue what she was looking for. To spare you the painful teeth pulling conversation, here is what she was really looking for: Religious artifacts before the Bible was written to help her prove that the Bible was real
When I was in Library School, we had an assignment to find a Reference Librarian and give them the vaguest topic and see if they could help the us narrow it down by asking us questions. The whole assignment was to teach us how to draw things out of students. I sometimes think that someone is pulling this assignment on me...but then I realize that some people have no skill at vocalizing what they want....or they are just dumb.
Normally this is awesome, but the Reference 900s is across from my 200's area, which is a pretty high traffic area in my library. A lot of people weren't able to get to what they needed because these girls were sitting in the floor. All in all though, I didn't say anything to them because I was proud of these students for jump starting on their papers.
I ended up asking one girl what she was working on and pulled several nonfiction books for her. A little while later another girl surfaced from under all the books that they had pulled. She looked a little lost as she browsed the Reference 800s (which is by my desk) so I asked if I could help her. Her response was as follows:
Girl (about 20 yrs. old): Um...I don't think you will be able to help me......*silence*
Me: Well, tell me what you are looking for?
Girl: Um......well......I"m.........looking.........for.......*silence*........*more silence*.......people.
Me (half asleep from the long silent pauses): Are you looking for a particular person?
Girl: No......more like.........uh.......things they have written?
*Sidenote: It took just about everything I had not to respond with, "oh you mean books?"
But here is what I said instead.....
Me: Autobiographies?
Girl: No...............letters?
Me: Correspondences?
Girl:....*silence* no......um, Islam I guess.........*crickets chirping*
I could tell this girl had no clue what she was looking for. To spare you the painful teeth pulling conversation, here is what she was really looking for: Religious artifacts before the Bible was written to help her prove that the Bible was real
When I was in Library School, we had an assignment to find a Reference Librarian and give them the vaguest topic and see if they could help the us narrow it down by asking us questions. The whole assignment was to teach us how to draw things out of students. I sometimes think that someone is pulling this assignment on me...but then I realize that some people have no skill at vocalizing what they want....or they are just dumb.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
gunz.
A patron was asking me to look up any firearm references in our city's ordinance when he decided to make polite conversation...
Patron: Ma'am, I just wanted to let you know that I am carrying a firearm.
*sigh* I really wish you wouldn't.
Welcome to the South, y'all.
Patron: Ma'am, I just wanted to let you know that I am carrying a firearm.
*sigh* I really wish you wouldn't.
Welcome to the South, y'all.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Everyone loves a good blonde joke (Especially if there is a librarian involved!)
You don't hear many jokes with librarians in them so I thought I would share!
A blonde walked in a library and went to the librarian, pulls out a thick book and started screaming at her.
She yells, "THIS BOOK IS HORRIBLE! THERE ARE TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND NO PLOT WHATSOEVER!"
The librarian stares at her, then calmly replies, "So you're the one who took our phone book."
Sad thing is, I can totally see this happening ( from a librarian's POV)
A blonde walked in a library and went to the librarian, pulls out a thick book and started screaming at her.
She yells, "THIS BOOK IS HORRIBLE! THERE ARE TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND NO PLOT WHATSOEVER!"
The librarian stares at her, then calmly replies, "So you're the one who took our phone book."
Sad thing is, I can totally see this happening ( from a librarian's POV)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Excuse me....
So I am just sitting at my desk when a patron (female, late 50s) approaches me.
Patron: Excuse me.
Me: Yes, can I help you with something?
Patron: Can I use the restroom?
You know, no one has ever asked me that. Usually I get "Where is the restroom?", but not this question. For some reason I just thought this was so funny.
Oh and of course I said yes.
Patron: Excuse me.
Me: Yes, can I help you with something?
Patron: Can I use the restroom?
You know, no one has ever asked me that. Usually I get "Where is the restroom?", but not this question. For some reason I just thought this was so funny.
Oh and of course I said yes.
Monday, December 3, 2012
I can finally have my life back...
As I explained before the lack of posts have been from the chaos surrounding the new job and leaving my old one.
Well...I did leave out one other factor....I have become consumed with Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. Seriously...consumed.
It has everything from vampires to fae doused with Southern charm and Dublin. I described it to one friend as Buffy meets Sookie. Mackalya Lane leaves her quiet live the South and heads to Dublin for one purpose only: to solve her sister's murder. But once she gets there she realizes there is more to this world than she ever thought possible.
This was recommended to me by a fellow librarian and friend. She has yet to steer me wrong with recommendations (well...except for Kristen Ashley) and I am so happy I picked up the first book, Darkfever.
Normally, paranormal novels really aren't my thing. I have nothing against them, but they are not something I usually gravitate towards. That being said, I will definitely start reading more paranormal novels...especially anything by Karen Marie Moning. I loved the writing, plot, intrigue, twist and turns, and the characters. Plus, the chemistry between the two main characters Mac and Barrons is sizzling! Especially since the author is able to expand on their relationship for 5 novels.
I really don't know if I can properly express how awesome this series is!
I have finished the 5 main books in the Fever series, but there is also a companion graphic novel and another novel, Iced (a spinoff sequel), both of which I currently have checked out right now. I will probably have both within a week.
If you are looking for an awesome series that will take over your life, then look no further. Don't have time for a series to take over your life? Then you are sadly missing out! This series is worth it friends.
Well...I did leave out one other factor....I have become consumed with Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. Seriously...consumed.
So what is this series?
This was recommended to me by a fellow librarian and friend. She has yet to steer me wrong with recommendations (well...except for Kristen Ashley) and I am so happy I picked up the first book, Darkfever.
Normally, paranormal novels really aren't my thing. I have nothing against them, but they are not something I usually gravitate towards. That being said, I will definitely start reading more paranormal novels...especially anything by Karen Marie Moning. I loved the writing, plot, intrigue, twist and turns, and the characters. Plus, the chemistry between the two main characters Mac and Barrons is sizzling! Especially since the author is able to expand on their relationship for 5 novels.
I really don't know if I can properly express how awesome this series is!
I have finished the 5 main books in the Fever series, but there is also a companion graphic novel and another novel, Iced (a spinoff sequel), both of which I currently have checked out right now. I will probably have both within a week.
If you are looking for an awesome series that will take over your life, then look no further. Don't have time for a series to take over your life? Then you are sadly missing out! This series is worth it friends.
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