What Does a Librarian WANT to read?

How's your summer reading so far? Are you reading some good books? Still working on your TBR (to be read) list?

You may recall that last time I talked about recently published books I've read and enjoyed. In this post I'm going to share with you some new books that I would like to read but haven't gotten around to just yet:

• All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley  Can you imagine what it would be like to work as a guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art with all those priceless masterpieces? This book is a firsthand account of one guard's experiences.
• Your Table is Ready by Michael Cecchi-Azzolina  I'm sure a maître d’ of swanky New York restaurants serving celebrities and the elite has a few stories to tell, and I'm curious to read about them.
• Spectacular by Fiona Davis  If you didn't know, I'm a New Yorker, born and bred. Having been in Radio City Music Hall in the past and reading some of Davis' books about other New York City landmarks, I'm excited to see how she presents the story of this famous Art Deco theatre.
• Don't Think, Dear by Alice Robb  I've always found the behind-the-scenes ballet world fascinating, and this book was written by a former student of the School of American Ballet. She discusses how the school affected her and other women, both positively and negatively, whether they went on to become professional dancers or not.
• Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash  This book is about an 11-year old English girl sent by her parents to a family in Boston to keep her safe from German bombs during World War II. After first adapting to life in America, she must then re-acquaint herself with life in England when she returns to her parents after the war.
• The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson  As I mentioned in my previous post, I enjoy reading about libraries and other librarians, real or fictional. This novel is based on a true story about a librarian who creates a library in a London Underground station to help others get through the air raids of World War II.

George R.R. Martin said, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies." I don't know how many lives I've lived up to this point, but I do know that I love reading about different people and their lives, past and present, familiar and different.

What books would you like to read but haven't gotten around to reading? Share with us!

Wishing you many literary adventures from the perch.

What Does a Librarian Read?

With the start of the Summer Reading Program, you might be thinking about books you're going to read. If I may, I'd like to share some books that I've enjoyed recently, all of which were published over the last several years and can either be found in our library or on Libby/Overdrive.

• The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore  I love this book not only because it's about a librarian and about people coming together to help each other, but also because it's written by a local Spokane author and takes place in nearby Coeur d'Alene. Who doesn't enjoy reading about familiar places?
• Listening Still by Anne Griffin  The setting and topic of this book are a little off the beaten path--in a small Irish town, a funeral home director's daughter is able to hear the thoughts of the newly deceased. Although it may sound macabre, the book is more about the choices we make, the outcomes of those choices, and accepting those outcomes.
• The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin  I can't speak for all librarians, but I find it interesting to read about others in my profession, fictional or real. The story of a librarian from the Library of Congress working covertly in Portugal may be fictional, but the World War II events and circumstances depicted are not.
• Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old by Steven Petrow  We may see our grandparents, parents, or other relatives aging and think we're going to age more gracefully. History, though, has a habit of repeating itself. I like how this author examines his parents' aging as well as his own with a mix of humor, frustration, surprise, and ultimately compassion.
• The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley  I guess I have a soft spot for lonely characters who eventually come together and support each other. This one, however, takes place in London and centers around a notebook in which the characters write about what their lives are really like rather than the façades they present to others everyday.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt  This is a different kind of feel-good book told from the perspective of an octopus and an older woman who cleans a fictional aquarium near Seattle. The two form an unlikely friendship of sorts and unexpected things happen. Just take my word and give this one a try.

If none of these titles rings your bell, that's okay. Stop by the perch and I'll help you find a book that does.

Wishing you many good reads this summer from the perch.

Summer Reading = Fun!!!

The Summer Reading Program (June 1-August 31) is just around the corner! Hard to believe, I know, but the start of it is almost here!

I could do what I've done other summers and talk about how it's important for kids and teens to read in their time off from school. Summer reading prevents the so-called "summer slide," helping kids improve their vocabulary and thinking abilities as well as retain things they learned over the school year. But I'm not going to talk about that.

I could talk about all the cool prizes we have for kids, teens, and adults. There are jump ropes, noisy putty, coins, badges, highlighters, watercolors, microphones, spaghetti yo-yos (I really like those!), journals, cups, and phone stands. Of course, there are other things like bags, because you can never have too many book bags. But I'm not going to talk about that.

I could talk about the exciting activities we have in the library during summer reading. There are art experiments, break-out boxes, STEAM programs, and finding where Mango (the summer reading mascot) is hiding in the library each week. But I'm not going to talk about that.

What I AM going to talk about is having FUN reading, because that's really the heart of summer reading. Whether you're a kid, teen, or adult, just READ. It can (and should) be ANYTHING you want to read. Fiction or fantasy, mystery or manga, it makes no difference as long as it's FUN to you. Read if you have somewhere to go, read if you have nowhere to go. Read stories about people, places, and things. 

So, do the Summer Reading Program for the fun of it (and maybe that spaghetti yo-yo).

Wishing you good readings this summer from the perch.

Taking On the Remakes

Many well-loved classic movies are being remade these days. I understand that making movies has always been expensive, and nowadays it's more expensive than ever. It makes sense that, due to costs, movie executives are less willing to make movies from scratch and want to invest in something familiar to audiences, something they hope will be a sure hit. However, as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Not all movie remakes have been as well received as the original versions. Fame was so loved and popular it became a hit TV show in the '80s, but the 2009 remake lacked the grittiness and heart of the original. I may be biased having grown up with The Karate Kid, but I (and apparently others) had trouble seeing anyone but Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita in those now iconic roles. Sure, the effects in the original Ghostbusters aren't up to today's standards, but it's those cheesy effects along with those actors that make it so fun. And don't even get me started on Dirty Dancing and Footloose.

To be fair, there are remakes that are just as good if not better than their original versions. Disney has done a great job in remaking both The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, updating cherished movies to a new generation of audiences without alienating the older generation. Poseidon, the remake of The Poseidon Adventure doesn't disappoint in its intensity or star power. A Star is Born and True Grit are also notable remakes.

It's all fine if a movie remake is done well, but I would hate to think that unique movies like the first Star Wars, Back to the Future, or My Big Fat Greek Wedding may not be made today because of the financial risks involved. Sometimes, the risks may just pay off.

What are your favorite/least favorite remakes? Share with us!

Wishing you happy movie watching from the perch.

Libraries--The Heart of Communities

Since this is National Library Week, I'm going to make a completely biased post about why libraries are so great beyond the books. So, if you don't mind me showing some library love, then by all means read on.

Libraries today are among the few places where people of all ages can gather for reading, studying, enjoying programs, socializing, or whatever...without paying anything! Sure, you can do the same things in a coffee shop or restaurant, but you have to buy something and you're expected to leave after a reasonable time. In libraries, you can be there the entire day without anyone pushing you out.

You also have real people in libraries to help you--yes, indeed! Actual living, breathing people who are friendly and genuinely want to help you, whether it's finding information or teaching you how to do something on a computer. Where was last place you went that had kind people assisting you? I don't know about you, but I find it so irritating to deal with automated phone trees or touch screens, especially when only an actual person can help me with something.

Ultimately, libraries really are the heart of communities. People of all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds are welcome. And libraries are very community-conscious, thinking about ways to better serve their patrons. English conversational groups for non-native speakers, homework help for young students, and guest speakers discussing retirement issues with older members, are just a few of the many community-centered library offerings. With patrons being the heart of libraries, it's no wonder that libraries are the heart of communities.

Yours truly, cheering on libraries from the perch.

Home Buying, Sweet Home Buying

Buying a house is a stressful experience, something I was reminded of recently while helping my parents (who currently reside in New York) house hunt and navigate buying a house locally. I bought a house with my husband about 10 years ago, and I think everyone who's been through the process will say it's nerve-wracking and confusing, not just because this will likely be the most costly investment you'll ever make, but also because it's difficult maneuvering all the steps and legalese involved.

That's where having a good realtor comes in. The pros of hiring a realtor is having someone guide you through the process and all the legal documents. Another advantage is having someone help with your house hunt and take you on a tour of houses in which you're interested. Sometimes, a realtor will even have the inside scoop on houses that are just about to go on the market, giving you first dibs on what may be your dream house (this is what happened to me and my husband). The big con of having a realtor, however, is paying a commission of up to 3% of the home's sale price.

Whether or not you decide to enlist the services of a realtor in searching for and buying a house, here are some notable resources for helping you start your journey to home ownership:

Books

• Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home by Ilona Bray (643.12 BRA) Various real estate professionals--from brokers and mortgage specialists to home inspectors and others--educate on how to go about buying your first home.
• Buying a Home: The Missing Manual by Nancy Conner (643.12 CON) A real estate expert comprehensively simplifies the basics of buying a home.
• Making the Most of Your Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Benefits by David E. Nelson, Jr. (643.12 NEL) An American veteran/realtor explains how to use your VA home loan benefits to purchase your home.
• Mortgages 101 by David Reed (332.7 REE) Find answers to a number of important questions you may have on taking a home loan.

Online Resources

• "How to Buy a House in 2023" by Rachel Cruze Gives steps on how to finance a home as well as the home-buying process, from house hunting to closing, through the website of personal finance expert Dave Ramsey.
• "Buying a Home" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Provides a step-by-step guide in buying a home.
• "How to Find a Real Estate Agent: Where to Look and What to Ask" by Natalie Way Offers tips on finding a realtor and key questions to ask.

Of course, once you find that perfect place, the next big thing is moving all your furniture, household goods, and classic paperback book collection into it. Discussing adventures in moving, though, is something best left for a future post.

Wishing you happy times at home from the perch.

Book Challenges and Intellectual Freedom

This morning I read an article by the Associated Press that stated 2022 set a new record for book challenges in the United States. Apparently, more than 1,200 books were challenged last year, which was twice the number challenged in 2021. Requests were made to remove certain items from library shelves across the country, and librarians were even harassed or threatened.

I've written about book challenges before, and as a librarian in the U.S., I would like to reiterate that it's my job to obtain information for library patrons, regardless of what that information may be. It's not my job to censor information. Library materials in this country are available to all those who want them. People are free to borrow (or not borrow) whatever they would like.

You do not have to agree with all the items a library contains; even library staff do not agree with everything on library shelves. What's important is having access to materials and respecting each other's right to check out materials of our choosing.

The library is a safe place for everyone. No matter what you believe, who you are, or where you come from, you are welcome in the library. Let's make sure we keep the library a safe and respectful place where all kinds of information is obtainable.

Ever respectfully yours from the perch.