Dear Oh-So-Helpful Librarians!

First of all, thank you so much for all of your great suggestions. I’d never heard of many of the books and they certainly gave me food for thought. I’m sure you have all been unable to sleep and on the edge of your seats waiting to find out which book I ended up picking up. Turns out I found a recent Random House release on my shelf that sparked my fancy, though I am almost certain a blog suggestion will be next on the list. That book is… drumroll please…

The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran. Based on newspaper article, it is the story of a British family that has relocated to New Zealand where,  mother, Margaret, and the four children are kidnapped by native Maori. Presuming them all lost for good, father, Henry, picks up the pieces and moves to Berkeley, California (home of my alma mater!) where he meets and marries a young widowed mother, Nancy. Then Margaret and the children surface and turn up on the new couple’s doorstep…

I must say I’m really liking this one so far. It is a quick, engrossing read and I’m fascinated by the link to true events.  I received many suggestions via comments on the blog post and on Facebook. This is proof positive of what I have long believed to be true: who better to turn to when you don’t know what to read next than a librarian?

Check out my letter to see what was suggested. You may also find the post here on Facebook! Feel free to add to the growing list! One can never get enough good book recommendations, right?

Many thanks again,

Marie

PS – Want to enter to win a FREE finished copy of The Wives of Henry Oades? Simply sign up for our book group e-newsletter and watch your inbox over the next few days!

Dear Wonderfully Knowledgable Librarian,

Today I come to you with open ears (well, eyes) and an open heart. I have a problem and am in need of your help.

I. am in. a reading. rut.

Tragic, I know.

The books I’ve picked up the last couple of nights just aren’t doing it for me and I’m kind-of, sort-of know what I’m in the mood for but nothing I grab off the shelves satisfies me. Don’t you hate that? So I figured I would lean on you, my one-stop circulation specialist shop, to see what you recommend I delve into next.

Last week I was reading something fairly modern with a mystery twist to it. And it lost me. For now anyway. I want something rooted a bit more in history but not too historical fiction-y (Read – no Tudors, princesses, or queens right now. I love them but they can wait.) Perhaps I want a contemporary classic? I do love coming-of-age stories. Or since we are flirting with Spring here in New York City, maybe I’m in the mood for something light and airy but not too fluffy? It is hard to say.

So, please give me the best you got and I promise I will take all your wonderful suggestions to heart. Also, if you are in the same boat I am, unburden your heart and perhaps someone can throw you a line.

Thanks in advance!

-Marie

PS – Don’t worry about crossing publisher lines. We have been known to cheat a little here. I won’t tell if you won’t!

Image credit

I took last Friday off for a long weekend. The resident West Coaster in the Library Marketing department, I had previously never been to Washington D.C. So when the opportunity arose, I took it. I spent Friday afternoon wandering around alone while my roommate attended a conference. Here is my attempt at taking my own photo in front of the Capitol building. Hi Mom!

After touring the Capitol building I saw signs pointing to a passageway that would take me to the Library of Congress… Of course, I followed them. The interior was gorgeous and so intricately painted.

and I was thrilled to see this exhibit…

I had to check out the Library of Congress Gift Shop and Bookstore where I was not at all surprised to come across…

I just had to snap a couple of photos when I saw…

Ms. Pearl, I’d say when you have your own “action figure” and are shelved next to  Bach and Mozart at the Library of Congress, you have arrived!

And with that, I was off to the Smithsonian where I oogled over Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Julia Child’s kitchen. But I think we’ll save those photos for another day…

-Marie

Raise your hand if you’re in a book club.

We’ve posted a bit about them here in the past and each month I send out a nice little e-newsletter out specifically focusing on book groups. (Click here if you don’t already receive it but want to.) If you’re in a book club you know that title choice is a big deal. As are the logistics of who, when, and where. Just ask the New York Times.

My fellow club cohort Kayleigh (say that five times fast) and I began our own little group a few months ago and for us title choice is all about democracy. Members think of titles and then we all vote. Whichever title gets the most votes wins. Easy, right? Well, because life is busy and planning a date to meet often seems harder than brokering  peace negotiations, I now have one week to read said book. Eeek!

Back when I still lived at “home” I considered joining my library book club. (Shout out to the Carlsbad Public Library!) I was intrigued by the types of books that were chosen and always wondered who got the fun job of choosing them. Mondays were for Classics, Tuesdays were more hodge-podge, and so on. Now that I work in library marketing and know a bit about what goes into the book group efforts on our side, I’m curious to know how it works on your end. So humor me if you will…

Does your library have a book group? If so, how do you select the books that your patrons read?