Today’s NY Times has an article about this author of 17 books. They compare her to Judy Blume pointing to both author’s numerous challenges and censorship issues that have come from their outspoken novels. Myracle’s most popular titles, “TTYL,” and “TTFN,” are both on the ALA most challenged book list. They describe the letters Myracle receives from disgruntled parents who ask her why she has to insert controversial language and issues in her stories. Myracle’s response mostly comes down to because it’s real and this is how children learn about life in a safe way. As a public school librarian in my other life, I am aware of Myracle and to fend off angry parents have not purchased some of Myracle’s novels. I am glad we have a ‘new’ Judy Blume to take over for this century.
Month: December 2012
“Bookstore Closings seen as an Opening for Many Libraries” New York Times 12/28/12
Yesterday’s NY Times articles described how libraries are reinventing themselves to attract and new customers. Hospitality and welcoming people was staed as two roles libraries should be embracing. More libraries are ‘deselecting’ books. Although public libraries still should provide best sellers an other popular fiction, the srticle also added it should remain the place where people go to find good information. Karen Cullotta was the articles’ author.
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
I think this is one of the few books that two of us have blogged about. Johanna read it earlier in the year.
Hitchens was a well-known atheist so I was interested in his views on death. The first two chapters are devoted to criticizing Christianity and Christians. I don’t think he was “protesting” too much, but I was surprised how much it was on his mind. Johanna didn’t seem to think the book contained rants against religion. At the end he was concerned he might go insane and convert into a believer. He then writes, “If I convert it’s because it’s better that a believer dies than if an atheist does.”
A book on last days and mortality I enjoyed more is the well-known “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
“M” and “Pop Star” magazines
These 2 titles are very popular in my school library for the 10-12 set. I don’t know how they’d do here or what others out there are circulating, but they both get handled a LOT at school… to the point where I am thinking of getting 2 subscriptions because they fall apart quickly. When I was a kid I read “Tiger Beat” fanatically. I wonder how they would do if we get them at Palisades?
The Cursing Mommy, a review
I loved “The Cursing Mommy’s Book of Days” by Ian Frazier and I laughed out loud at nearly every page. The “Cursing Mommy” writes a column which reads like a blog and she has readers, but it is never disclosed where her column appears. The book is filled with light-hearted profanity as the Cursing Mommy tries to do her best for her family and friends. Despite all her cursing, the main character is very likeable because she is not mean-spirited and every day she tries again to make a positive impact despite the set backs of the previous day. If you want a good laugh pick up this book.
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