The Roaring 20s

Celluloid librarians, for the win

Important things happen in libraries, as some of you might know.  Besides research and edification, libraries have been the backdrop for first dates, first kisses, betrayal, espionage, and even murder.  You might have guessed I'm referring to libraries on the silver screen (though I'm sure your local library has seen its fair share of drama).  HarperAcademic just sent me this comprehensive list of librarians on film, and I was happy to re-watch one of those movies last night: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  If you made it through college without watching that classic, I don't know if there's any help for you--I might just have to take away your degree.  Then this morning, @youritlist sent me this shortlist of sexy librarians, from Julia Roberts to Rachel Weisz.  What do you think--did they leave anyone off the list? What's your favorite library scene? Consider the comments field a judgment-free zone.     

What's your must-read for March?

You know you're in a reading rut when even Anais Nin's erotica bores you.  I've been reading The Delta of Venus and I just can't get into it.  It's a severe case of literary ennui, the likes of which I haven't experienced in quite some time.   

Next week I'm--happily--headed to Portland for the Public Library Association's 2010 conference.  While I'm there, I'll be hitting up world-famous Powell's Books.  So my question to you, dear readers, is this: what should I buy there? Any must-reads I should hunt for? What's the best way to get out of a reading rut?  

Music and Words, Contra and Cupcakes

There are perks to being a New Yorker. Despite roaches, subway harassment, expensive everythings, and rough commutes, New York is still a hub for the arty, the literate, and the curious.   Sure, appearing world-weary and jaded is as essential to local hipsterdom as skinny jeans and macrobiotic smoothies.  But last night's event at the NYPL was proof that sometimes, every now and again, living here is plain heavenly—no irony allowed.  I attended Music & Words, a Young Lions event at the NYPL, where wine and cupcakes accompanied Ezra Koenig, lead singer of Vampire Weekend, in conversation with author John Wray (check out his latest novel, Lowboy, here). The two appeared together to discuss the intersection of music and literature, or rather, the uncanny impact of books on lyrics. 

Despite the fact that his band’s last album debuted at #1, Koenig was markedly modest.  He talked about using short story material for VW’s self-titled debut, his now-public love for Sugar Hill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight, and the necessity of specifics, which ground writing in a sense of time and place.  He also noted that while you aren’t apt to find many teenagers performing close readings of poetry, they seem to be reading lyrics that way, which is a wonderful thing. 

I’ve been thinking a bit about literary references in music, from Joni Mitchell quoting Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (“I am as constant as the Northern Star”) to The Police and Lolita (see “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”) Do you have a favorite literary/musical allusion? Leave a comment with your pick, and I’ll send you a copy of Please: Fiction Inspired by The Smiths (limited to the first 20).  And for more information on joining The Young Lions, click here. 

"You and me could write a bad romance."

This blog post combines two of my loves: Lady Gaga* and public speaking.  Well, public speaking not so much.  But today I'm doing my first webinar for Booklist and talking about our hottest romance offerings for the Spring and Summer of 2010.  I'll be giving listeners a summary of our best in the genre: historical, paranormal, inspirational, and erotic.  Register here and log-in at 4 pm EST.  Wish me luck!

*The Lady Gaga video below is really just because.  But it has romance in the title!

"The public library is more than just our soul. It is our lifeblood too."

We wrote about this the other day on Library Love Fest. It bears repeating.  Click here to read what author Ken Davis has to say about the closing of libraries. 

SWF Who Loves Henry Miller Seeking...?

There seems to be a new trend in recession-era dating and, oddly enough, it involves books.  I've blogged before about bookshelf deal-breakers, but this takes it to the next level.  Both The New York Review of Books and The London Review of Books are posting personal ads.  Here are some choice ones, courtesy of the Seattle PI:

"I butchered three volumes of Seamus Heaney to produce this ad."
"In a certain light I look like Robert Mitchum. In a certain light you look like Kim Novak. More usually I look like Shrek. More usually you still look like Kim Novak. Yes, you're very unlucky. Now pass me the Doritos and get over it."
"I am the literary event of 2007, or at least the most entertaining drunk on my ward."
"Blah, blah, whatever. Indifferent woman. Go ahead and write."

If personal ads are too impersonal for you, try "Read Dating": part singles mixer, part reader's advisory. The Minnesota Library Association has one slated for October 29th and the University Bookstore in Seattle holds them regularly.  And if you're based in the UK, check out Penguin Dating: an online dating site where you canfind like-minded bibliophiles.  What do you think? Are books really a good indicator of romantic compatibility? Feel free to opine in the comments.       

Library-themed ice cream?

If you think you've seen it all, you obviously aren't a member of the Facebook group People for a library-themed Ben & Jerry's flavor! I'm not sure how it started, but over 4,000 people have joined the group, which advocates for the creation of an ice cream that honors libraries.  Flavor suggestions include:

In the Stacks = butter pecan with fudge swirl
Reference Ripple = anything with PB
Gooey Decimal System = Dark fudge alphabet letters with caramel swirls in hazelnut ice cream
Dusty Stacks = layered ice cream with speckles of cocoa in every layer

Join the group, follow the thread on Twitter (#tastylibrary), and check out this piece from The Guardian.   

Sarah Hall Longlisted for Man Booker

This month I told a room full of ALA attendees how much I love Sarah Hall, and it's nice to know the UK feels the same way.  This morning I got word that her latest (and most challenging) novel, How to Paint a Dead Man, was just longlisted for the Man Booker.  The Man Booker Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year written by a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. The shortlist will be unveiled September 8, and the winner named October 6 at a dinner at London’s Guildhall. For more information, including the complete longlist, click here.  Congrats, Sarah! 

ALA 2009- The Roaring Recap

I’m back! After a blogging hiatus, I am happy to report that I’ll be posting with much more frequency. (As you can probably guess, we had lots of prep work to do before ALA)

So how was Chicago? In a word, fantastic.  I had such a wonderful time seeing both new and familiar faces at the booth, and at our title presentation.  And while I’m in re-cap mode, I just have to thank the angelic librarian who brought me a much-needed plate of cheese after I finished helming an author signing by myself—the little things truly do mean the most. 

In case you didn’t make it to the title presentation, here’s a list of my picks for the Fall/Winter season.   

How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall (9780061430459)
I Shudder by Paul Rudnick (9780061780189)
The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter (9780061916045)
Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon (9780061490187)
Hummingbirds by Joshua Gaylord (9780061769016)
i am neurotic (and so are you) by Lianna Kong (9780061791475)
The Hidden by Tobias Hill (9780061768255)
The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash (9780061744679)
Ten Storey Love Song by Richard Milward (9780061834486)
The Lovers by Vendela Vida (9780060828394)

'Womenomics' Makes My Monday

Today I was lucky enough to sit in on a 'Lunch and Learn' event with Claire Shipman and Katty Kay, acclaimed journalists and the co-authors of Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success.  Claire and Katty talked at length about the challenges facing 20something women in the workplace, and gave the group some fantastic advice on everything from maternity leave to blackberry addiction (they promise it can be overcome).  In a particularly resonant discussion, Claire observed that Generation X, more than any other age group, is a demographic that craves work-life balance where the boundaries between homelife and worklife are clear, but flexible.  Do your patrons (especially recent graduates), a favor and recommend Womenomics.  You can pre-order the book here, browse inside, or check out the book trailer.