Loud 4a Librarian

Just like your fav soft rock station – Not too hard, not too soft

GoodReads January 22, 2009

Filed under: Found — Lucky_Librarian @ 10:02 pm
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At the end of 2008, I signed up for goodreads.  I read about it on jsmileytigg’s blog here.

I’ve got to say that I’ve enjoyed using the site.  And more non-librarian types are members and I have a higher likelihood of connecting with friends there.  (Most of my friends are non-library types so LibraryThing would not appeal as much to them.)  I like that my reviews will have the book image embedded in the html code.  It makes my book reviews more lively in appearance.  Also the “shelves” that you create on the site may be a more user-friendly tool.  Overall, the site is very visually pleasing and easy to use.

 

The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery January 22, 2009

Filed under: book review, fiction — Lucky_Librarian @ 9:43 pm
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The Teahouse Fire The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery


My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
I had to return this audio book to the library with four more CDs to go. Yet I wasn’t that bothered to drop this story or willing enough to incur the library fines. I really couldn’t get into this which surprised me. Maxine Hong Kingston raved about it but I wasn’t that invested in the characters. This book is well-written and researched but it wasn’t my cup of tea. (Ba-dah-bum!)

View all my reviews.

 

Book Review – The Yellow Wallpaper January 22, 2009

Filed under: book review, fiction — Lucky_Librarian @ 10:25 am
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The Yellow Wallpaper The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

My review

This novella is a terrifying account of one women’s descent into madness. This tale is told in the first person by the wife of a doctor. Modern day readers will recognize that she is suffering from postpartum depression. This book was published in 1892 and therefore reflects the attitudes and treatments of mental illness. What made me cringe the most was the comments and limitations the husband/doctor made for his wife.

The bedroom’s description gave me shivers. Allegedly, it was a former nursery which was the explanation for metal rings and other objects inserted in the wall. The bed appears to be nailed to the wall and there are gouges in it and the walls. It makes the reader wonder is someone else was confined here due to madness.

The yellow wallpaper becomes the woman’s focus and she begins to have hallucinatory experiences. It becomes a living organism and the woman believes that another woman is trapped in it. Our protagonist has projected her dilemma to the woman in the wallpaper. The wallpaper draws the woman and the reader into its serpentine web.

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Book Review – Dewey by Vicki Myron January 12, 2009

Filed under: book review, nonfiction — Lucky_Librarian @ 5:27 pm
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The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron



rating: 3 of 5 stars
While the tale of Dewey Readmore Books and his affect on the citizens of Spencer is endearing, the writing style of this book was grating. Two word sentences and “isn’t this small town the most charming and tolerant place ever” message was tiresome. I get it – you love Spencer, Iowa and I’m sure the people are wonderful. But the reader doesn’t need constant reminders of this and the story can stand on its own. In spite of this repetition, the story of Dewey and his relationship with the author was touching. This was a remarkable cat who made the library more of a community center than a warehouse for books. Especially touching was Dewey’s ability to bring shy and even severely disabled children comfort.

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