This Week in Review

This has been a pretty crummy week with the untimely deaths of Pamela Mantey and Andrea Costa whom were both battling downright aggressive cases of cancer. As a result, I've been feeling pretty down in the dumps.

Here's an attempt to capture my bookish thoughts and actions from this week:

• Since Andrea is the daughter of a close family friend, RB and I will be making a donation to Eastpointe Memorial Library in her name for the youth department. 
• Ray Bradbury passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. 
• Wednesday marked 68 years since the invasion of Normandy, France (aka D-Day).
• I have three possible sites for my practicum this fall -- now I'm left just to wait-and-see as to where I'll be assigned. Per SLIS policy, as a student I can only recommend -- the practicum coordinator has the final say.
• Frustration: Because I am interested in rural libraries, I'd like my practicum site to be in a rural community -- preferably in the Thumb area. Unfortunately, it's the policy of the SLIS that the supervising librarian hold an MLIS. Fact: the majority of rural librarians in this area do not have a MLIS (and in some cases not even a Bachelor's degree). 
• I am disappointed because to follow the policy means that I am deprived of the opportunity of interning under a number of very kind and rural experienced librarians who would love to share their knowledge and experience! 
• The 30Y.30L project really helped me network and talk to directors about the possibility of hosting my practicum.
• In this week's YA Lit lecture, instructor Sue Todd made the following statement when introducing a piece of literature to the class. She said, "This book is not for everyone, but it deserves a place on library shelves for those that may be dealing with these issues." I loved the statement and plan on incorporating it into my library-speak. Thanks, Sue!
• Historical fiction novels in verse helps to mix up and refresh a genre that is commonly labeled as "stuffy" with the tween and teen crowd. It also can engage the reluctant reader as well as inspire young people to learn more about historical events.
• Fact: my favorite genre is historical fiction. (Big surprise, right?!)
• Before Lit to Film Club this week, I met up with fellow MLIS candidate, Camille, and had dinner in downtown Rochester at the historic Red Knapp's Dairy Bar. It was great to finally meet her and the conversation was first rate: archives, books, and libraries. She attended Club with me!
• I didn't end up reading this month's selection for Lit to Film Club -- The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan. I read the first section on apples and felt incredibly guilty spending any amount of time reading for pleasure when I had a stack of books glaring at me for the YA Lit class I'm taking this term. 
• Yet I still attended the Club and found myself really getting into the documentary. When I have more time, I definitely plan on picking up the book again.
• For my YA Lit class, I had to select a different author to focus on for my project. Unfortunately, Veronica Roth is too new of an author and hasn't published five books as of yet. I am now focusing on Ursula K. Le Guin instead.
• I read the first two books in the Earthsea series last fall semester when I was taking LIS 7560: Vampires, Wizards, and Superheroes -- A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan.
• Over the past two weeks, I've worked my way through the series and actually started the last book yesterday afternoon -- The Other Wind.
• I used MeL to interloan Conversations with Ursula K. Leguin edited by Carl Freedman.
• I am working on a new bibliography -- supernatural / paranormal YA fiction. 
• When I'm feeling down, besides reading a good novel or playing my drum set, I love going for a country drive in my truck with the roof open and windows down. On Thursday, I ended up cruising over to Frankenmuth and informally touring their library -- James E. Wickson Memorial Library. (I'll create a separate post at a later time to share my thoughts and observations.)

Reflections of a Former Potty Mouth

Rather than inundating my social network with bookish thoughts, concerns, and rants, I think it'll be better if I saved them for this blog... which I'll then share in link form on Facebook. (?!?!)

Three-quarters of the way through reading the graphic novel Persepolis: The Story of Childhood by Marjane Satrapi for an upcoming book talk project, I watched the lecture for my young adult lit class which was published yesterday morning. Much to my dislike and subsequent dismay, I took note that all materials selected for the course need to have been published within last 5 years. With the exception, of course, those materials selected for the classics project. Persepolis was published in 2002. Fail, fail, fail! 

Thankfully, while browsing at BN yesterday evening, I stumbled upon Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary by Keshni Kashyap which was published in January of 2012. It looked really interesting which is why I purchased it for my private collection. I was especially intrigued by the fact that the book gave the perspective of an Indian-American high school girl coming of age.

While I would've loved this graphic novel if it had been published when I was back in high school; however, as an adult I am now flinching at the idea of promoting it for young adults via a book talk for a class project. Why? Lots of references to sex and drugs...not to mention a heap of naughty words including the infamous 'f-word.' I'll admit that while working in the male-dominated criminal justice field, I could cuss along with the best of them and had even taken to being creative with my vocabulary (note: it gave me cred with the boys -- they didn't view me as 'too girly'). I've since cleaned up my mouth...for the most part. However, in the role of a librarian, I can already imagine the complaints teachers and parents might have over this particular selection...  On the flip side, Booklist gave the work a starred review and Kirkus said, "A charming, hip, illustrated coming-of-age tale."

A young JC...

Setting aside the use of explicit language, I'm already half-way through this book and am very impressed by how Kashyap shows Tina coping with life's various challenges (e.g. losing her best friend) in a realistic fashion that is sure to hit home with today's teens. In reflection, I think that this book would've been one of my favorites and definitely a comfort read for me back in the day. Confession: I think it's already one of my new favorites.

Citing the wise Ranganathan via the Five Laws of Library Science,

"Every reader his [or her] book and every reader its book." 

Conclusion: I am going forth and using this [insert string of expletives] book for this project! (Hahaha.) Stay tuned for the book talk...

Giveaway: Little Women Pencils

My friends and family know that I read a great deal of books and a popular question that I often get asked, "If you had to choose just one book, what's your favorite?" Another favorite question, "If you were on a deserted island, which book would want with you?"

My answer: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. (My favorite character has always been 'Jo' March. Not only is Josephine a family name, but a name that embodies a strong and independent woman, which is precisely why I plan on using it when/if I have a daughter someday.)

In the spirit of favorite books, I've teamed up with freelance artist and blogger Heather Holloman (Shades of Tangerine) to offer a giveaway contest -- the prize: a set of 6 hand-decorated Little Women pencils!

Here's a note from the artist about the prize:

Last week, I finished another book from my list: Little Women. My very favorite of the March sisters was Jo. I loved her strong will and courage to speak her mind. The image of Jo's cozy writing nook in the attic reminded me of the time I spent in my childhood hide-a-way spots reading and daydreaming. My little treasures were hidden in boxes and under stairways, just like Jo's papers tucked safely in the old tin box. I imagine the attic to smell like old books and to be full of warm sunlight that catches dust floating slowly by the windows. The room would be a place full of forgotten toys and favored trinkets such as bits of ribbon, pretty stones, and bundles of letters wrapped in twine. I could picture Jo curled up on the faded old sofa working feverishly on her fairy tales and the newspaper stories that she worked on in secret.

Jo's love for writing inspired me to make these pretty literary pencils. At Goodwill, I just happened to find a worn, yellowing copy of Little Women with missing pages and no cover. I brought it home with me (I doubt anyone else was interested in it) and tore a few of the pages into tiny strips.

After sanding down a dozen wooden pencils, I used Tacky glue and my fingers to wrap the strips around each pencil. I hung them from a make-shift clothesline of yarn and bulldog clips on my porch to dry. Once the glue hardened, I clipped off any excess paper and sanded the rough spots.

To give them a finished, polished look, I glued pearl beads onto the top of the pencil and wrapped them with a strand of pink and gold ribbon.

Want to win these pencils? Here's what you need to know...

The contest will begin at 12:01 a.m. on  Monday, May 14  and end at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Those interested in winning a set of 6 Little Women pencils will need answer a question via the entry form: "Tell me about your favorite book. It can be fiction or non-fiction. What made this book **your** favorite"

On Saturday, May 19, a winner will be randomly chosen and contacted, via email, within 48 hours of the contest closing.

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Jarod Wilbers

Earlier this morning, I learned of the untimely passing of fellow bibliophile, Jarod Wilbers.

11.17.1981 - 3.26.2012

Since he was a Wheel of Time fan, I found the following quotes to be quite appropriate:

"May you shelter in the palm of the Creator's hand, and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home."

"May you always find water and shade."

I will not forget you...