Book Paintings

Looking for a different gift for a book lover?  Stanford Kay's work is great.  Have no idea of the cost, but I love the paintings.  Wish I was creative!  His paintings are shown on the vanbruntgallery.

On Our Minds @ Scholastic

On Our Minds @ Scholastic has started to issue a monthly bestsellers list to be released the second Tuesday of the month on the Book Club's official blog Book Talk.  The list is based on sales data from all the Scholastic Book Clubs:  top five bestsellers in seven categories (Picture Books, Transitional Readers, Early Chapter Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult and Nonfiction).

ChaCha revisited

Back in July 2009 I posted a comment about ChaCha -- reference on the other end of your cell phone.  I didn't buy the new cell phone but I am wondering if ChaCha is still up and running?

Being a reference librarian at heart, this service/application/.... makes me want to buy a new cell phone and start texting. ChaCha is basically your local public library reference librarian at the other end of your cell phone. They say it "is like having a smart friend" who has the answers to almost any question you can ask. Thousands of "guides" answer the questions (though I do wonder who these people are and their backgrounds). The system supposedly works with most providers and cell phones (but not land lines). One calls or texts a question and in a few minutes the answer is sent to the cell phone in a text message. The service is free except for the cost of the text message. (The website is loaded with ads.)

Questions can be who, what, where, when, why and how -- fantastic! The questions and answers are also available on the website. Examples: What is the minimum wage in the U.S. What area code is 469? 

Marian the Librarian

What a great song from The Music Man:  Marian the Librarian

International Thriller Writers

For some reason Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt fascinate me.  I love reading about them and am currently  reading  Franklin and Lucy: Mrs. Rutherford and the Other Remarkable Women in Roosevelt's Life.

But mysteries and thrillers are my favorite books -- nothing better than being curled up with my afghan in my recliner with a great entertaining thriller.  So I was really pleased to discover the International Thriller Writers a few months ago.  "Each month, THE BIG THRILL webzine features dozens of original interviews with ITW members discussing their new releases."  Besides information on my favorite authors and their forthcoming books, I've read about many new authors and their books that I want to read.

The Land of Painted Caves

Finally, Jane Auel's The Land of Painted Caves is coming out on March 29.   The sixth book of the Earth's Children series is on the way.  I recall loving the first book of the series -- remember when Ayla discovered fire? And, of course, 768 pages!

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Books to Movies

Generally, I do not read The Huffington Post, but I like the Books section.   January 10th was a short list of Book Adaptations to Movies with the best and the worst.  Seems like the list is made up of only the most recent movies as many of the old adaptations are not listed.  Nonetheless, the list is interesting.

Love notes

Here's a unique use for book cards and pockets:  love notes

Signed catalog card

Do you love Kurt Vonnegut?  Then you'll be interested in this signed catalog card -- yes, a catalog card.  Wish I knew the history behind this signed card  and it's only $275!!

Art & Max -- signed copy for sale

A signed copy of Art & Max  (David Wiesner) can be purchased on ebay.  The auction ends on January 16.  Should be interesting to see what the winning bid will be!

Science Fiction ??

Normally I read mysteries and thrillers, but I think I will try a couple science fiction novels.  I don't know how, but I came across this site, io9,  which listed fifteen 'speculative fiction' books.  In case you don't know (I didn't), "Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more highly imaginative fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts." (Wikipedia)

New look to start the new year!

Just changed the background to Bookeee Blog.  I might change the background frequently -- quite easy to do. 

Kindles in libraries

I've been following the Kindle program set up by The Unquiet Librarian (Creekview High School Library).  Buffy Hamilton has put a great deal of thought and time into this program and has a really attractive and informative website with all the details.  Take a look at the forms and tracking information they are using at Creekview High School.  Some of the forms are Checkout and Permissions, Request for Kindle ebooks, Gift Card Tracking Record Form.

Review: The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer

Part of the summary on Amazon.com is “Gripping, fast-paced, and filled with the fascinating historical detail for which he is famous, THE INNER CIRCLE is a thrilling novel that once again proves Brad Meltzer as a brilliant author writing at the height of his craft.”


Meltzer’s first novel, The Tenth Justice, was a thoroughly enjoyable read and this latest novel is as good. The characters are quite likeable and the plot kept me interested – full of twists and turns. Learning a bit about the inner workings of the National Archives was great (a little more would have been better.)


If you like Vince Flynn, John Grisham and Joseph Finder, Brad Meltzer should also be on your list. I’m looking forward to a sequel with Beecher, Tot and the Culpeper Ring.

Information Overload

The School Library Monthly blog had an interesting post a few days ago about information overload.  Information Overload about Information Overload comments on our current status of so much information and cites a few articles.  Digital overload is a big concern now -- how do we deal with all that is available?  How do we teach our students and teachers how to use everything that is out there?  Do we need to teach them everything?  Will a few good databases, online resources or website be enough? 

While reading the School Library Monthly blog, I thought that maybe we have always had information overload, hence the Dewey Decimal System and the Library of Congress System, Sears List of Subject Headings and the Library of Congress Subject Headings, card catalogs and online catalogs.