Hello,
It has been a weekend of blowing, storming, cold fall weather here in my part of the universe. I love fall, but not this version of fall. However I guess beggars can't be choosers eh? Here's the plan for this week chums:
Reading List 10-26-2010 to 11-2-2010
Books
This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley-I've had this on the TBR for awhile but I thought it an appropriate read as I gear up for NaNoWriMo.
American Vampire by Scott Snyder-Season appropriate eh?
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt-Also season appropriate, however more importantly the library wants it back.
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
More backup issues. Whoohoo!
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2010-10-26
2010-10-25
Altruism, Gaiman, And All Hallows Read
Hey,For those who follow the magical writer Neil Gaiman this is old news. However I thought that I would add my thoughts to the chorus of praise. He has suggested that for Halloween this year that everyone give a "scary" book to friend, family, or stranger. He then put out a call to his legion of fans for a name for this idea and he chose the phrase "All Hallows Eve." I have to say that I am continually impressed with Mr. Gaiman's use of his influence to promote literacy.
He is clearly a man who wants use his powers for good, rather than fame or book sales. Any cynic would claim this to be a promotional stunt, but Mr. Gaiman doesn't have any new book release to sell. I think that Mr. Gaiman is a lover of books, hell here's a picture of his library:
He also was very willing earlier this year to participate in the crowd sourcing experiment "1 book 1 Twitter" project, which centered around his book American Gods. Now in theory he may have earned from book sales, but he also was willing to sit for two sessions of Q&A from Twitter followers. That's private time spent on an older book which he didn't have to do. Mr. Gaiman continues to use innovation "crowd-sourcing" opportunities to keep in touch with his fanbase. He's a long-time blogger and was one of the first authors to use Twitter. However it is original ideas such as "All Hallows Read" that will continually pick him up new readers. I feel that his altruism will continually gain him fans in the book community. He never seems to be out shilling on talk shows or tearing other writer's down in order to succeed. No diva behavior, just a modest good nature. I've never met the man, so I hope that this characterization is true. So give a scary book this Halloween. It's better than candy. Book Slave.
2010-10-19
An Explanation & Reading List 10-19-2010 to 10-26-2010
Hey,
So Indeed there was no posting last week, however there was a reason. It may not be completely reasonable but it is the truth dear readers. And really this just between us right?
The story begins with last week where I found myself lost. I never lack for reading choices but I felt compelled to stir things up. As a constant reader, and because clearly I'm somewhat OCD, I enjoy creating elaborate systems/schedules/methods that will dictate what I grab from the TBR mountain.
In the past I've used the following organizational methods:
*Page Length-Shortest to longest
*Chronological-Oldest to Most recent
*Alphabetical by authors last name
*Subject
Then it can get more tricky:
*Type of book-paperback, trade, hardcover, other. Then Chronological.
*or then alphabetical by subject
*Or then alphabetical by authors last name...
As you can see it's pure madness really. I blame a dual career in Libraries and Book Stores for this craziness. These things are also to blame for the size of my TBR pile but I digress...
Anyway I find that I like to use one method for awhile and then change things up. Last week I was ready for a change. Hence a reorganization began! And I discovered that I really need to burn through some of these books. There's new piles folks...It's not good.
So after that long explanation here's the plan this week:
Reading List 10-19-2010 to 10-26-2010
Books
New Avengers Vol. 4
Two or Three Things I Know For Sure
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Yes folks I have caught up on the new books. So it's time to dig into the Back Issues. Which is nice.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
So Indeed there was no posting last week, however there was a reason. It may not be completely reasonable but it is the truth dear readers. And really this just between us right?
The story begins with last week where I found myself lost. I never lack for reading choices but I felt compelled to stir things up. As a constant reader, and because clearly I'm somewhat OCD, I enjoy creating elaborate systems/schedules/methods that will dictate what I grab from the TBR mountain.
In the past I've used the following organizational methods:
*Page Length-Shortest to longest
*Chronological-Oldest to Most recent
*Alphabetical by authors last name
*Subject
Then it can get more tricky:
*Type of book-paperback, trade, hardcover, other. Then Chronological.
*or then alphabetical by subject
*Or then alphabetical by authors last name...
As you can see it's pure madness really. I blame a dual career in Libraries and Book Stores for this craziness. These things are also to blame for the size of my TBR pile but I digress...
Anyway I find that I like to use one method for awhile and then change things up. Last week I was ready for a change. Hence a reorganization began! And I discovered that I really need to burn through some of these books. There's new piles folks...It's not good.
So after that long explanation here's the plan this week:
Reading List 10-19-2010 to 10-26-2010
Books
New Avengers Vol. 4
Two or Three Things I Know For Sure
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Yes folks I have caught up on the new books. So it's time to dig into the Back Issues. Which is nice.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2010-10-05
Reading List 10/5 to 10/12
Hey folks,
I have gotten much reading done this weekend and thrown some books to the side at least for the moment. You'll see in the upcoming days.
However here's a plan for this week:
Reading List 10-5 to 10/12
Comics
A mega stack of comic goodness. Involves some ASM, some Fables, some Flash, some FF. Good times all around.
Books
Accidental Billionaires
New Avengers vol. 4
Battlefields vol. 4
Magazines
Four Four Two
Got some good stuff coming up this October. Have a great week! Book Slave.
I have gotten much reading done this weekend and thrown some books to the side at least for the moment. You'll see in the upcoming days.
However here's a plan for this week:
Reading List 10-5 to 10/12
Comics
A mega stack of comic goodness. Involves some ASM, some Fables, some Flash, some FF. Good times all around.
Books
Accidental Billionaires
New Avengers vol. 4
Battlefields vol. 4
Magazines
Four Four Two
Got some good stuff coming up this October. Have a great week! Book Slave.
2010-10-04
Curing the Virus: Censorship in Libraries
Hello,
As Banned Book Week winds down I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts. Librarians love to share their mutual disgust for book challenges. It is a painful process to reevaluate whether a book should be in the collection or not based on a complaint of one individual. (Most) Librarians love books and feel that information should be freely accessible to all.
But then their are other people who feel that their only action is to self-censor their library. This willful hiding/destruction/theft of materials is the bane of a librarians existence. Ever tried to find a book and it's not there? It is dreadfully annoying and means disappointing a patron. These actions also indicates a stubborn arrogance on the side of the self-censor(s). They believe that they know what is best for everybody. Their opinion matters more than anybody else so they are going to save the community. This savior complex is prideful hubris. How dare anyone tell me what I should be able to read? I can make my own choices, thank you very much.
However before I trot off on my librarian high horse I want to share this story with you all. Starting in the fall of 2008 two library workers took upon themselves to self-censor Alan Moore's graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: The Black Dossier. The entire wonderful story is contained here. To me this story illustrates a fine point: Even those who proclaim to love books will take it upon themselves to circumvent the system. For these women it was a crime of opportunity, rather than desperation. Nobody is immune to the virus of censorship.
If you are a parent then monitor what your kids are reading. Talk to them about books that you are unsure of. Heck even read the books with them and then talk about it.
If you are a kid and you read a book that disturbs you, then talk to your parents about it. Or your teacher. Or your friends. Perhaps that book wasn't appropriate for your age level.
If you are a librarian then spend every moment possible building up your reader's advisory. Develop a list of "clean" books. Develop a list of books for multiple age levels. Be proactive.
If you are a librarian administrator then develop a transparent book challenge process. And keep up with other book challenges across the country. Communicate any concerns you may have with your selectors about placement.
Above All: Do Not Be Give In To Those Few Book Banners Who Would Make Choices For All Of Us.
As Banned Book Week winds down I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts. Librarians love to share their mutual disgust for book challenges. It is a painful process to reevaluate whether a book should be in the collection or not based on a complaint of one individual. (Most) Librarians love books and feel that information should be freely accessible to all.
But then their are other people who feel that their only action is to self-censor their library. This willful hiding/destruction/theft of materials is the bane of a librarians existence. Ever tried to find a book and it's not there? It is dreadfully annoying and means disappointing a patron. These actions also indicates a stubborn arrogance on the side of the self-censor(s). They believe that they know what is best for everybody. Their opinion matters more than anybody else so they are going to save the community. This savior complex is prideful hubris. How dare anyone tell me what I should be able to read? I can make my own choices, thank you very much.
However before I trot off on my librarian high horse I want to share this story with you all. Starting in the fall of 2008 two library workers took upon themselves to self-censor Alan Moore's graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: The Black Dossier. The entire wonderful story is contained here. To me this story illustrates a fine point: Even those who proclaim to love books will take it upon themselves to circumvent the system. For these women it was a crime of opportunity, rather than desperation. Nobody is immune to the virus of censorship.
If you are a parent then monitor what your kids are reading. Talk to them about books that you are unsure of. Heck even read the books with them and then talk about it.
If you are a kid and you read a book that disturbs you, then talk to your parents about it. Or your teacher. Or your friends. Perhaps that book wasn't appropriate for your age level.
If you are a librarian then spend every moment possible building up your reader's advisory. Develop a list of "clean" books. Develop a list of books for multiple age levels. Be proactive.
If you are a librarian administrator then develop a transparent book challenge process. And keep up with other book challenges across the country. Communicate any concerns you may have with your selectors about placement.
Above All: Do Not Be Give In To Those Few Book Banners Who Would Make Choices For All Of Us.
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