National Library Week and more

This week is National Library Week sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). The first observance was held in 1958 to celebrate and recognize libraries across the country. It is also held to "promote library use and support". I find this very interesting in light of the fact that in Connecticut Governor Malloy has presented a budget which effectively cuts the budget for libraries in the state which would eliminate several programs including Connecticard. Connecticard is a program which allows residents to use resources from libraries throughout the state. I use this program all the time. If I request a book from my library and it is not available I can request it from any other library in any town. It is really a great program. I have already contacted the legislators expressing my concern about this line item in the budget. I notified my book club buddies in the hope that they will also contact the state reps and voice their disapproval. And for many towns, especially smaller towns, the funding from the State, helps to keep the library a vibrant part of the community providing resources for residents that the town might not otherwise be able to afford. My town library's funding comes directly from the town budget (there is no trust,endowment etc.). It is a great community center for the residents and it has a really friendly and helpful staff. But it does not have the largest budget for materials and depends on being able to access materials from libraries throughout the state. It would certainly be a shame for the proposed state budget to pass with these cuts to library services. Today is Celebrate Teen Literature day. It is to recognize the growing genre of young adult literature, one of my favorite genres.

This is the logo for the Caldecott Medal named after the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.

Spring?

Last time I posted I had shown a partial list of the books I had read while on vacation in Maui. Here are a few more that I read: The Madonnas of Leningrad, The Bookseller of Kabul, Whispering Shadows*, Room, and Inferno. The one book that really surprised me was Room. I had seen this book on tables at Barnes and Noble, at the used book store, at the library. I just couldn't imagine it catching or holding my attention. I was quite wrong. Even though it was a bit unbelievable I really couldn't put it down. Whispering Shadows was very good especially as I had just visited China and Hong Kong. The descriptions were so real I felt as if I was back in Shanghai and Beijing. My niece loaned me one of her books (she had won it I believe from a Goodreads giveaway) called I Am Having so Much Fun Here Without You.

Well, not a long book but boy did I struggle with it. First off I really disliked the central character- shallow, stupid, self-absorbed to mention just a couple of traits that annoyed me. I did like the writing. I also felt it was wrapped up or resolved too quickly (well maybe not quick enough). Plus I couldn't figure out the title. Didn't seem relevant.It turns out that a friend of mine actually knew the author. and told me the title is supposed to be taken sarcastically. Oops- I didn't get it. Oh well. Right now I am reading Someone by Alice McDermott for book club. A bit slow but again I really like the way she writes. Have not read any of her books before. So many books, so little time. It is finally getting warmer here in Connecticut. Almost all the snow has melted except where it was piled really high. Lots of deer go through our yard daily which drives the dog crazy.

And if there aren't deer there are turkeys.