Lulu: Leary of looney librarians literary tastes

Disclaimer: If any of you wonderful family members love any of these books I mention in less-than-glowing ways, know I don't intend to offend. Reading tastes are reading tastes, eh?

I have concluded that the two librarians (who recommended Dandelion Wine, Janet Evanovich's first three Stephanie Plum books, and The Name of the Wind) here (at the Santa Clara library) do not have reading tastes close to mine.

I started reading Dandelion Wine and just couldn't stay put. My mind wandered and I was a little bored and it felt like a chore to keep reading. However, I'm thinking of reading Fahrenheit 451, since I seem to remember Abby reading that and loving it. (Didn't you, Abby?)

I read the first Stephanie Plum book and wasn't sure how much I liked it. But I think I can conclusively say it was a colossal waste of time. I didn't hate it, but there are probably at least 100 other books I would have enjoyed reading better than that one.

Today I picked up The Name of the Wind from the hold shelf at the library, and after reading the inside cover and trying not to yak all over it, I'm 100% certain that 1)I will not read it and 2)The librarian who recommended it most definitely does not share my reading tastes. I didn't "almost yak" because it was gross.

It was just....oh, maybe I'm just a book snob. But it seemed so.....contrived? I'm having a hard time coming up with words of description. I guess all fiction is "contrived" to some point--but this writing was not my taste, not convincing, and reminded me faintly of a Harlequin romance novel I accidentally picked up from a used book shelf years ago. (I'm certain I offended a number of store patrons when I got to the bottom of the first page and emitted a very loud disgusted groan as I put it back on the shelf. In my defense, I was fifteen.) It's not that the writing in The Name of the Wind was suggestive or even romantic--just Harlequin-y, somehow. (If you like Harlequin romance novels, well.....I'm sorry....sorry that you like them.)

So anyway, I've picked up a few Barbara Michaels books--I think I've already read all the Elizabeth Peters ones, sadly, except for a few of the Amelia Peabody ones--and a couple of Fannie Flagg's. I will be reading Ender's Game and most probably The Host. Hopefully they both fall into either/both science fiction and fantasy. Oh, and Fahrenheit 451.

Lulu: Books past, present, and future

I've wanted to know more about Emma, myself. Liz, I have a bookmark with a painting by (I think) Liz Lemon Swindle, and it's Joseph holding the twins. That story and that painting always bring out some of my strongest emotions. Maybe I'll read one of Aunt Rae's suggestions.

I'm excited about the genres for these reads because fantasy and science-fiction are definitely not the first ones I pull off the shelves! They're....the last. I went to the library today and asked one of the librarians what he would suggest to someone trying out science fiction or fantasy. He had a few suggestions, and mentioned that that's almost all he reads, and then another librarian gave me her suggestions, and they were both quietly excited and helping me peruse the shelves for their suggestions. We put in a request for Ender's Game, a book Kate recommended (and obviously, one she and Michael love!), and also a request for The Host, which I will probably not get for another month. And....what else.....oh, something they recommended. Can't remember. Ultimately, the only two books I actually came home with were Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (Rae, didn't Bradbury write some short stories? I seem to remember loving something by him....it might have been someone else, though.) and the first three Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich (which the librarian suggested when I told her I loved suspense and mysteries).

When my dad visited, aside from bringing his cheery spirit and smiling face, he brought several "goodies". Among those was the book The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less (Terry Ryan). My mom and Abby both had glowing reviews, and Liz, didn't you enjoy it, too? Well, anyway, I have been reading it aloud to Phill at night after the kids are in bed. We're halfway through (after only two nights reading) and we both love it! I highly recommend it. It's a fast read, too. Oh, and Rae, we so enjoyed that DVD slideshow of your Japan visit. What beautiful photos of an incredibly beautiful place! Is there a particular book you would recommend me to read about Japanese culture or history?

I also just finished a book that I loved, called Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!. I loved this book, and I was sad when it was done!! It's by Fannie Flagg, the author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, which I plan to read next. After my six other books waiting in line, of course. :)