
Clubs, Surveys and a Few Quotes

Here are some wise words, author(s) unknown. “Books don’t crash, they don’t get viruses, and they don’t need screen savers.“ “People who say that I’m hard to shop for must not know where to buy books.” “I want to check out that book that has every trick in it.” “Book lovers never go to bed alone.” “A synonym is a word used in place of the one you can’t spell.”
I’ve made fun of James Patterson in the past, so to be fair, I have to share the following news item from an April Publisher’s Weekly: “James Patterson is pledging to donate $2.5 million in partnership with Scholastic Book Clubs to help teachers build their classroom libraries. This is the sixth year that Patterson has supported school libraries with grants.”
Corinne B., a friend of mine and a Friend of Longmont Library, recommends the following: The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe is the true account of Dita Kraus, who was 14 when she and her parents were imprisoned by the Nazis. She was entrusted with the eight precious books that had been smuggled past the guards. Her story is available by book and in audio at our laudable library. Also in both formats is Ms. Kraus’s autobiography, A Delayed Life: the True Story of the Librarian of Auschwitz. Either version makes masks and social distancing seem shamefully easy.
Keep your distance. Read!
*Written by Carol Cail. Read more from Carol at carolcail.com
I like classical music, especially the louder bits when fingers, bows, and conductor’s hair are flying. But my favorite music genre is rock, ever since it was born and borne on the shelf radio in the family kitchen, while I washed dishes, sang along, and thought about boys. Of late, I’ve noticed that some lyrics of music written and recorded years ago are appropriate for our current situation. I’ve started a list.
🎵Fleetwood Mac, Behind the Mask: “Don’t you come too close to me; you’re dangerous can’t you see.”
🎵The Eagles, Last Good Time in Town: “I like to go out every now and then. I can’t wait to do it again. . . . Lately I’ve been stayin’ at home. Workin’ the crosswords, turn off the phone. . . .I don’t mind being by myself if there’s no one else around. It’s the last good time in town.”
🎵Richard Thompson, All Buttoned Up: “She’s all buttoned up, all buttoned up, no place to go. She’s all buttoned up, all buttoned up, no place to go.”
🎵Collective Soul, Run: “Are these times contagious? I’ve never been this bored before.”
If you love a good melody, Longmont Library is a treasure trove of entertainment—-16 pages if you type “dvd musicals” in the “by subject” option. All genres for all ages and a wide variety are available: bluegrass, jazz, country, mariachi, flamenco, a Leonard Bernstein Omnibus (four DVDs!), Bob Marley, Rock ’n Learn for kiddies, Teen Beach, and any Broadway show you can name. There’s something called Rumble: the Indians Who Rocked the World, and another that delves into the science of why music appeals to us (The Music Instinct). And if you are a music do-it-yourselfer, search for “songbooks” in the “keyword” option. Piano, vocal, accordion, guitar, ukulele, trumpet, dulcimer—-aplenty to drive the neighbors crazy.
Two last tips on the subject—
1. In that wonderful future when the library completely reopens, check The Book Shop for music CDs and DVDs at bargain prices.
2. During so much alone time, are you embarrassed to find that you’re talking to yourself? Try singing the words—it just feels better.
*Written by Carol Cail. Read more from Carol at carolcail.com
As I’m writing this, the library is still closed to browsers. But if you want to put a book or more on hold, you’ll be able to collect your choices outside the building. Click here for the link that explains how. Following are suggestions for your to-read list.
Ifferisms: an Anthology of Aphorisms that Begin with the Word If (082 GRO) edited by Mardy Grothe is a fun read. So that you wouldn’t have to look up “aphorism,” I did. It is a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as,“If a book is worth reading, it’s worth buying.” Another title by Dr. Grothe is I Never Metaphor I Didn’t Like, which includes this gem: “A simile is like a metaphor.” This book is not in the Longmont Library catalog; you would have to ask for it by way of Prospector, which is probably not currently available.
Oblivion Banjo (811.54 WRI) is a new poetry collection from Charles Wright, spanning his decades-long career, emphasizing themes of language, landscapes, and the idea of God. A New Yorker magazine favorable review included an anecdote of Wright’s encounter with Ezra Pound, whom he much admired. Wright came across Pound in Venice, staring at a church. “Wright approached him, stood silently by his side, then skulked away. He didn’t want an autograph or a blessing; he wanted to share his idol’s point of view.”
Here’s something to do if you’re tired of twiddling your thumbs. In the library’s online catalog, under title, enter “underground.” You’ll be amazed at the variety of reading available—nine pages—adult, teen, children, nonfiction, fiction. If you type “underground” as a subject instead, 15 pages come up.
We never fully appreciate a good thing until it’s gone. While we are quarantined—that’s when we need the library the most. Andrew Carnegie said, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It’s a never-failing spring in the desert.” Thanks to the keepers of our spring, which is slower for now, but still flowing!
*Written by Carol Cail. Read more from Carol at carolcail.com