Three Cups of Tea

Sad, very sad.  Even though I did not finish reading Three Cups of Tea, I feel annoyed and cheated.  The book was one of those that I started and never got back to finishing.  Friends raved about it, "Oh, you've got to read this book...." "It's such a great story...."  "You haven't read it????"

I thought I should read it since soooooo many people were recommending it and I thought my reading tastes were too limited (mysteries and thrillers) so I should branch out.  Well, now I am not going to finish it and that's that!

Kindle books at your local library

Amazon will make Kindle books available at public libraries.  According to a recent Amazon press release  'Kindle Library Lending, a new feature launching later this year that will allow Kindle customers to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 libraries in the United States. Kindle Library Lending will be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps....


"We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced....

Amazon is working with OverDrive, the leading provider of digital content solutions for over 11,000 public and educational libraries in the United States, to bring a seamless library borrowing experience to Kindle customers. "We are excited to be working with Amazon to offer Kindle Library Lending to the millions of customers who read on Kindle and Kindle apps," said Steve Potash, CEO, OverDrive. "We hear librarians and patrons rave about Kindle, so we are thrilled that we can be part of bringing library books to the unparalleled experience of reading on Kindle." '

Maybe all the negative comments about Amazon/Kindle not liking libraries made an impact.  A win-win for all.

Book Dominoes

     Great entertainment:         

        Bookmans does book dominoes
        Book dominoes
    Library dominoes
        Library Ireland Week 2011



..

Miniature Books

Amazing!  Jozsef Tari has collected over 4000 miniature books.  I've seen quite a few in the bookstores, but not anything close to this collection.

"I collect only books which are 76 millimeter long or smaller. The few bigger ones I have are smaller than 100 mms.

As for the topics: I am interested in everything. I have books about literature, arts, sports, politics, even cooking.

I also published 5 miniature books so far, and I would like to prepare more.

I have rather many books for exchange, around 400 pieces, so I can offer appropriate exchange for my partners. I also have a list about the books I would like to have."

Librarians: Masters of the info Universe


CNN honors librarians during National Library Week.  Great !!!!

Highsmith and Demco

The other day I called Highsmith as the website was not working properly. The customer service person kept saying the problems were due to their 'move.'  She must have said, "since the move..." at least four times.  I finally asked, "What move are you talking about?"  "Oh, Highsmith was purchased by a company named Demco."     What ???  She said the two companies will remain separate.  I wonder how long that will be?

2010 Book Challenges

The ALA released the list of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010:


"Each title is followed by the reasons given for challenging the book:
1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson            
         Reasons: Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
        Reasons: Offensive language, Racism, Sex Education, Sexually Explicit,
        Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
3. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
        Reasons: Insensitivity, Offensive Language, Racism, Sexually Explicit
4. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
        Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit
5. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
         Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
6. "Lush" by Natasha Friend
         Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit,
         Unsuited to Age Group
7. "What My Mother Doesn’t Know" by Sonya Sones
          Reasons: Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
         Reasons: Drugs, Inaccurate, Offensive Language, Political Viewpoint,
         Religious Viewpoint
9. "Revolutionary Voices" edited by Amy Sonnie
         Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit
10. "Twilight" by  Stephenie Meyer
          Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Violence