tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338844471913277482024-03-13T20:19:21.129-07:00Papercut SanctuaryIrreverant Remarks on School LibraryvilleAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-10558328734740446372013-03-26T09:44:00.001-07:002013-03-26T09:48:05.346-07:00A love letter to books...Ah, love. Not to be confused with lust (I'm talking to you 50 Shades of Gray). For the two books I'm going to review are about love, and heartbreak. The things that make us human, for dung beetles do not go through boxes of tissues and pints of ice cream after breaking up with the guy/ girl.
Our first book is one my dearest friend Lisa recommended. Because she knows me soAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-18656831798928773162013-03-17T20:37:00.004-07:002013-03-17T20:49:53.938-07:00"EVERYONE DIES" and other plot summaries of scary books.We like to be scared. We like suspense, and chills, and spine tingling trips down dark staircases. We like ghost stories, and murder mysteries, and twist endings. We like to watch a movie between our fingers as they are pressed against our faces saying "tell me when to look." We also like reading a book with all the lights on, heart racing, turning pages quickly to see Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-32856561569986048022013-02-24T12:49:00.000-08:002013-02-24T12:51:10.480-08:00Because Matthew would want me to write this...I'm still in shock over the horrific ending to Downton Abbey so I may have to pause in my writing to scream while throwing my fist in the air. I was one of those that did not see it coming, and had not read any spoilers, so I was sucker punched. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, get Netflix, or borrow Downton from the library, for it is a soap opera set in England early Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-386354635635820932013-02-19T21:36:00.003-08:002013-02-20T08:28:04.888-08:00A post where I take on a troll...So I've been obsessing over this article about author, Terry Deary. A popular children's author has come out publicly against libraries. In summary, he is upset that people are getting access to his books without paying for them. He works very hard at writing his histories, they are one of the top books checked out at the library, but he sees very little in cold hard cash.
Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-44484317516987188282013-02-07T19:25:00.000-08:002013-02-07T19:26:10.834-08:00Winter Reads...Libba Bray, the other white meat.
The Diviners by Libba Bray
What I love about Libba Bray is her absolute lack of caring about popular culture. This author writes stories, amazing stories of people you fall in love with, stories that even though it's 200 pages too long you will finish every page, stories that do not buy in to what is popular. Who writes a Young Adult story set in the 1920s? No one, Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-82256410678841694842013-01-27T09:31:00.000-08:002013-01-27T09:33:20.028-08:00Winter Reads 2013...We want hoverboards!Origin by Jessica Khoury
Ah, Science Fiction, second only to my love of Fantasy. Because I'm a nerd, and that's what nerds love... unreality. Why do we love stories about times and places that don't exist? Is it due to escapism? We love reading about places that aren't our own to escape the dull, mundane life that we have here? But how can we call this Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-10062906959302197772013-01-19T12:50:00.000-08:002013-01-19T13:01:36.543-08:00Ukulele Lady says "Books are NOT dead"
I'm typing this with my ukulele next to me contemplating the question I get constantly..."Are books going to go away?" I guess it's because I'm a librarian, but I get this question a lot. By students, parents, coworkers, friends, etc. In some ways I'm flattered, it means I'm an expert on something other than witty comebacks and ninja stars. In other ways it terrifiesAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-37252291574311332842013-01-15T19:52:00.000-08:002013-01-15T19:55:22.071-08:00The Best Book of 2012 or why this author owes my family an apology.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
That's right, a YA book is the best book of 2012...and why not. It is simple, beautiful, has unforgettable characters, and will leave your heart gaping open. I couldn't put this down. Yes, John Green you are the reason my children and husband were neglected for a time. One of the coolest things about this book is one of my Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-55175183780664628452012-12-22T08:25:00.003-08:002012-12-22T08:31:12.784-08:00Kids today...I know many have written about the Newtown tragedy. Many who are more eloquent, more poetic, and who can spell tragedy correctly. But I'm going to write a bit of hope vs. anger vs. fear vs gun control vs mental illness.
These tragedies affect me pretty harshly. I am a mom, an aunt, a teacher. I love children, yes, but I also love humanity. So when things likeAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-20099961690386275212012-12-20T09:47:00.000-08:002012-12-20T09:47:42.361-08:00December Reads Part 1...
Oh wondrous book leaving me wanting more, how should I count the ways? Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley sucked me in at sentence one. The main character has small town charm that is both endearing and real. His Southern small town is seeing sudden fame with the possible sighting of a previously thought extinct woodpecker. However, during the woodpecker take over of Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-41769429453750034502012-12-11T12:27:00.000-08:002012-12-11T12:29:32.384-08:00November Reads Part2...I read a lot of fantasy...a lot...and it's been a long time since I've read something so different, so compelling as Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. This book
takes you to the world of music prodigy, Seraphina. A world where 40 years before
dragons and humans battled and raged, killing large numbers of both
species. The General of the dragons and the Queen of the humans Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-90507346044023489842012-12-08T12:53:00.005-08:002012-12-11T12:30:06.937-08:00November Reads Part 1...Occasionally I will post book reviews of things I have read. This of course won't be everything I have read, but some of the highlights. Enjoy concise, meandering summaries of some YA good reads...
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
This book starts with a bang as Charlie is pulled out of bed in the middle of the night by Jasper Jones. Jones is the
town bad boy, always blamed for Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-6395449267098168222012-11-04T14:41:00.001-08:002012-11-04T14:44:41.149-08:00I would marry Harry Potter if he were real, and other confessions.
"Younger Americans’ Reading and Library Habits"
"More than eight in ten Americans ages 16-29 read a book in the past year,
and six in ten used their local public library. Many say they are reading
more in the era of digital content, especially on their mobile phones and on
computers."
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/mgmedia/file/1056/pew-young-readers-study/
Ha! &Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-23534874653294705272012-10-26T22:16:00.000-07:002012-10-26T22:16:38.827-07:00Why I am like a woman's undergarmentThis year I am taking on a very new adventure...high school librarianship.
I know, what? Those still exist? I thought budget cuts, ereaders, and illegal immigrants sent these bun-haired ladies packing. Alas, no. In fact I'm living, breathing proof that schools still value the library and it's librarian. Oh sorry...they value their "library media centers" and their "Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-36975329253650110792012-04-22T19:14:00.002-07:002012-04-22T19:20:07.317-07:00Give Bunnies a Chance
Recently in our local paper it was reported that a mom wouldn't return a book to her son's elementary school library. The book was The Book of Bunny Suicides, a comic book that depicts bunnies killing themselves in a variety of ways. I know...sounds hilarious. She is adamantly opposed to the book, and feels it should actually be burned. Well since I have am having an issue with the banning Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-73484484167740791492012-04-16T23:16:00.002-07:002012-04-16T23:22:54.329-07:00A study of the Teacher-Librarian creatureThe teacher-librarian is an interesting creature. We are teachers, yes, but we are upholders of all things media. Our job is not evaluated by a high-stakes test, or by a final. It is instead evaluated by the students themselves. Have I helped to create an efficient and successful consumer and user of media? Have I helped prepare this student for their next step in Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-76734346710460344132008-10-12T11:21:00.000-07:002008-10-12T11:22:54.925-07:00A lot of people must breathe stale airI’ve come to realize that I am not your typical librarian. The final proof came when a substitute spotted me in my busy library than asked me where the librarian was. After pretending I didn’t know I then responded that I was in fact this middle school’s librarian, teacher-librarian to be exact. Her response, “No you’re not, you’re not old.” After chuckling, I helped her with what she needed Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-43047719829152643832008-09-15T19:40:00.000-07:002008-09-17T19:36:54.824-07:00Which books will get my kids into college, and other such nonsense.Ah, what? It's almost the end of September? I'm already behind. I'm learning that you hit the ground running when you are a teacher, and are never "ahead" of the kids!I had a great open house last week. I met a lot of cool parents and PR'd the library pretty well. We also had a bookfair sponsored by Barnes and Noble. They are trying something different and kind of used us as a guinea pig. They Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-80773728637487302182008-08-12T11:15:00.000-07:002008-08-12T11:18:09.265-07:00Why let our students blogAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-84853473472236321892008-07-28T17:00:00.000-07:002008-07-28T17:10:34.463-07:00How Matt Damon and chocolate pudding could change the course of my history!Recently an opening came up for a librarian position in our home elementary school. My son (8 years old) begged me to take this job. He wanted his lovely mommy to be his school librarian.My hubbie also wanted me to apply for the job. His reasons were purely economical and convenience--fascist. It's only two minutes away by car (meaning I could potentially ride a bike, and when I say bike I Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-70948677388728245672008-07-20T19:52:00.000-07:002008-07-20T20:09:43.089-07:00Trusted Agents and NavigatorsMy weekly trip to WebJunction always leads me to super sweet finds and wicked cool resources:60 Sites in 60 Seconds is a quick wiki page that lists fabulous websites and links full of interesting new trends on the internet...del.icio.us; pbwiki; and tons more I've never even heard of! This site led me to Squidoo: a collection of "lens" -mini webpages created by people on specific topics they Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-21734905767164836092008-07-09T10:09:00.000-07:002008-07-09T10:28:55.193-07:00I love my chipsAfter attending a WORD (Washington Organization for Reading Development) conference a few weeks ago I learned the terms "Dorito and Broccoli Reading." Dorito Reading is reading for nothing more than entertainment...nothing wrong with this; we all love to open a fresh bag smell that new chip smell and dig in not caring about calories or carbs. I've read many many of these; some so bad I hide theAmandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-38859270182540411982008-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:002008-07-06T20:16:32.910-07:00Good Reads defined by Good PeopleI'm really enjoying the Good Reads website. It helps me keep track of what I'm reading, what my friends and family are reading, let's me make a "need to read" list for future, it's fun and quite painless. There are some great book reviewers on it too. I will overlook some people's comments on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. I will not take it personally.1 month to go until Breaking Dawn!Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-19065191181972549032008-07-02T11:05:00.000-07:002008-07-02T11:14:07.384-07:00I'm back baby!So, I'm starting this up again. I feel it is a good place for me to reflect and journal my life as a librarian-also my good friends who have very interesting blogs have inspired me to get back in the game (thanks Ann and Leslie). I know, what an exciting life that must be. Danger and adventure lurking everywhere, injuries possible at every turn. Kind of like Ducktales. This summer I'm Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33884447191327748.post-13884329745954594722008-01-08T19:02:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:18:09.166-08:00"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written."Good old Oscar Wilde!Well, I've made it to 2008 without getting fired or even reprimanded. Pat on the back for me. Yet, I feel as if I'm not completely fulfilling my librarian oath. Much like the Hippocratic, this oath guides my choices, and commitment to librarian excellence, oh and keeps me from getting sued.I am coming to the realization that I can NOT keep up with the kids in reading. Of Amandawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612249396165971275noreply@blogger.com1