Archive for the ‘thoughts’ Category

YALSA recently wrote about the Common Sense ratings (for books) that Barnes and Noble have been exhibiting on their website. Here’s a view from the Barnes and Noble web site of the Common Sense rating for Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (referenced in the article):

Readers, what do you think? As YALSA questions, could this be a slippery slope to further censorship? Should books be rated as movies are rated? “The thing is, who does get to own common sense and determine what’s right for a particular teen or a particular family?”

Good question! In my YA services class this week, we are discussing collection development, and as a part of that censorship. From a librarian’s point of view, my responsibility is to build up my collection as best will serve the teens at my library–I’m not the person to decide what they can and cannot read. I should choose age-appropriate titles, but who decides exactly what is age appropriate? The line is very fine, and this issue very sensitive with many parents and communities.

I’m going to keep an eye on the comments of the YALSA post. As someone new to the field, I don’t know the answer, but I think it worthwhile for librarians, parents, and even teens to consider these questions and, especially for librarians, keep these things in mind when considering collection development, as well as a teenager’s right to read and have access to materials that will help them grow.

In celebration of Valentine’s weekend, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite literary couples, from across all genres. Comment and share with me some of your favorites! Even those star-crossed lovers, that never seem to make it together.

1. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Of course, this is number 1 on my list. Maybe it’s cliche, but Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book, and I’ve read it at least 10 times. I’ll never tire of their story!

2. Jesse and Suze from the Mediator series by Meg Cabot

I’m one of the biggest Meg Cabot fans you’ll ever find. I’m pretty sure I own all of her books. And of her books, Jesse and Suze top my list as a great couple. The Mediator books are filled with an awesome amount of star-crossedness, longing, a little bit of lusting, but also true love.

3. Elspeth and Rushton of The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody.

Oh, these two. For several books in the chronicles you’re screaming, get together already! You love each other! But the complicatedness of this couple is what keeps me reading.

4. Numair and Daine from the Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce

I’m also the hugest Tamora Pierce fan, and especially fond of Numair and Daine. Despite their age and personality differences, they found a common love in each other–passionate, sometimes angry, but real, solid love.

5. Luciano and Arianna in the Stravaganza books by Mary Hoffman

I love these books, and I adore that they are in Italy–already uber-romantic, eh? Luciano and Arianna are wonderful together, and Arianna is such a strong female character. You love her and know what’s best for her–in Luciano–and eventually she sees it as well. These are excellent books, and I really hope more people are reading them!

6. Aislinn and Seth from the Wicked Lovely books

Will Seth and Aislinn be able to stay together despite her status as faery royalty? What is Seth going to do in Radiant Shadows? Those answers and more coming this year!

And of course, I have many, many more couples I love, but these are a few of my favorites. Share your own in the comments or on your blog! If you write about this on your blog, comment here and let me know so I can check it out.

Happy New Year! I am anticipating 2010 will be an excellent year for me, and I am hoping a great year for my friends and family, and America. I encourage everyone this year to remember those you love and keep them close. Keep in touch with loved ones and live every day with all of your passion, courage, and happiness. The world may not be ending in 2012, but every day we grow closer to the end. So why waste your time here on this wonderful Earth?

I had relatives on the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas day, the flight that had an attempted terrorist attack. I saw these relatives just a few days later as they came to visit for the holidays. Safe and sound. I’ve read numerous accounts of the attack and they were lucky, blessed, and of course, are happy to be safe at home. They will be flying again soon. They will continue to live their lives, because you can’t live a life in fear of the unknown. What kind of a life is that?

Live your life as amazingly, awesomely, happily, courageously as you can. Be the extreme and love, love, love.

And since this is a book blog, I wanted to share with you a book that I know will be a great read. I can’t wait to get my hands on it, especially now. David Levithan’s, Love Is the Higher Law, a novel about the lives of three teenagers during the events of 9/11. I really enjoy Levithan’s other novels, and know this will be a wonderful book.

Happy New Year!

I am thankful for:

• Family and friends–amazing, diverse, intelligent people that are full of love and life
• The opportunities I have been given this year, including more responsibility at work and graduate school
• My new apartment and my amazing roommate
• A fresh look on life and the beginning of many great things for me

Today is International Literacy Day (September 8), and as a future library professional this is of course an issue near and dear to my heart. Why is literacy important? UNESCO answers this question beautifully:

“Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.

Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy.”

–http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/literacy-important/

One of my main goals for the next year, and for my future profession, is to be actively involved in promoting literacy in my hometown. Right now I am looking for opportunities where I can tutor children and teens in reading, and also any other volunteer opportunities, such as at libraries or other nonprofits, where I will be able to donate my time to this cause.

I encourage everyone reading to be thankful that they have had the opportunity to grow up in a nation where learning to read is mandatory and accessible. This is still not so everywhere in our world, and even some places in the US are affected by low literacy rates.

What can you do to promote literacy on this day and in the future? Blog about this and spread the word. Encourage your family, your children, your friends’ children, to read. Join organizations in your community that encourage reading. And support your public library!

Hello world! I just got a Blackberry and now can blog with it. I wouldn’t recommend it, but I hope to utilize it for quick updates. I hope to update this week with some great books I have read recently and other news. As always, thanks for reading!

What did you do this Memorial Day? Did you honor veterans, passed on or alive? (I know quite a few people that visited cemeteries or simply just sat with elder relatives and listened.) Or did you enjoy the blinding, warm sunshine (at least, here in Ohio) and maybe have a hot dog or two? I did the latter, and I also had the pleasure of spending the past two days with some very dear friends of mine.

Which brings me to my point: this summer I’d like to read more novels with a central focus on friendships, whether they be teen or adult fiction. I read a lot of stories where the central relationship is a romance, and I think I need to expand, especially after reading The Mysterious Benedict Society, where the reader sees the development of the friendships between the 4 young characters, as they face an extremely daunting task. (And I am currently working my way through The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.)

Romantic relationships may come and go, but real, solid friendships are for life, and this I know to be so very true.  And on this day of remembrance I strive to remember that and also be grateful that I have been so very fortunate in my friends.