Season’s Greetings from LLF
Happy Holidays from Library Love Fest! Hoping you and yours are well this holiday season.
-Virginia, Bobby, and Kayleigh
Uncategorized
December 2009
American Library Association, Barbara Genco, Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Libraries, Marilyn Johnson, This Book is Overdue!
This Book is Overdue Receives Even More Praise!
The reviews are continuing to come in about Marilyn Johnson’s forthcoming book, This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All (on sale February 2010). In addition to the amazing review we received from Booklist, check out these wonderful quotes:
“Johnson does for the library profession what Malcolm Gladwell did for the theory of memetics in The Tipping Point.”
-Nora Rawlinson, Co-Founder and Editor, EarlyWord.com
“I have worked as a librarian for 35 years. In these pages I met the past, present and future of my profession. Johnson knows what we know. It is great to be a librarian!”
-Barbara Genco, Librarian and Collection Development Consultant
For those of you attending ALA-Midwinter in Boston next month, please do not miss your opportunity to meet Marilyn where she will be signing complimentary copies of her book, This Book is Overdue during the conference:
Monday, January 18, 2010
HarperCollins booth (#1403)
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Boston Convention Center
415 Summer Street
Boston, Massachusetts
ALTAFF Author Tea
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hyatt Regency Boston
Grand Ballroom
1 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, Massachusetts
For tickets or additional information about the ALTAFF Author Tea, visit: www.ala.org/altaff
or call 1-800-545-2433 x2161
In addition to hearing Marilyn speak about This Book is Overdue, check out the other authors that will be featured at the ALTAFF Tea:
- Holly LeCraw, The Swimming Pool (Doubleday)
- Janice Y.K. Lee, The Piano Teacher (Viking)
- Karl Marlantes, Matterhorn (Atlantic Monthly Press)
- Teri Woods, Dutch II: Angel’s Revenge (Grand Central Publishing)
We are very excited about This Book is Overdue and we hope you are as well. Also, as Kayleigh mentioned earlier, if you haven’t read the first chapter, check it out here!
Enjoy,
-Bobby
Booklist, Libraries, Marilyn Johnson, This Book is Overdue!
Booklist reviews…This Book is Overdue!
Librarians have been raving about Marilyn Johnson's forthcoming This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All. Now Booklist is joining in–here's their full review.
This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All.
Johnson, Marilyn (Author)
Feb 2010. 288 p. Harper, hardcover, $24.99. (9780061431609). 020.92.
Contemporary librarians are morphing into undisputed masters of the information cosmos. An Internetsavvy, database-crunching cohort of multimedia manipulators passionately dedicated to empowering the data-deprived, they democratically distribute all the fruits of the emerging hypertext universe. Johnson’s paean to this new generation of librarians demolishes superannuated myths and stereotypes of fusty librarians filing catalog cards and collecting fines for overdue books, and replaces that with a vision of the profession’s future where librarians serve as guardians and guides to information in cyberspace. These rock-star librarians maneuver their way through a labyrinthine network of glowing computer-terminal screens to retrieve whatever answers patrons may seek. If that’s not high calling enough, librarians stand tall as superhero sentinels bravely beating back every assault on civil liberties and Constitutional government. Johnson offers portraits of American librarians, both institutional and freelance, already achieving fame as cybrarians and informationists, and she affirms and celebrates their conquests. Take that, Nicholson Baker!— Mark Knoblauch
Don't forget, you can read the first chapter here!
-Kayleigh
Abuse, Books, Current Affairs, Family, Libraries, Life Lessons, Push, Relationships, Sapphire
Push, by Sapphire
Here at HarperLibrary we love our books…I mean we REALLY LOVE OUR BOOKS. Every now and then, you do have to give credit where credit is due. I’m sure by now everyone has heard the major buzz about the movie “Precious,” which is based on the book Push by Sapphire. I just had the opportunity to read Push and was BLOWN AWAY!
While reading Push, a multitude of emotions overcame me…anger, sadness, hurt, and hope. I was angry and sad because of the realization of what this young woman truly had to endure. Feelings of hurt came because in some way, I wish there was something that could have done to help prevent such a thing from happening in the first place. Finally, I was hopeful because I realized that by telling Precious’ story, she is helping so many others overcome (and hopefully prevent) similar situations. Push will help someone make a total turnaround, by turning tragedy into triumph.
If you haven’t read Push, please make it part of your reading list…and go see "Precious"!
Enjoy,
-Bobby
Books, Katherine Hall Page, The Body in the Sleigh
Raves for The Body in the Sleigh
The reviews keep coming in for Katherine Hall Page's heartwarming The Body in the Sleigh, which is sure to take the chill off! Friend of the blog, Bermuda Onion, wrote us a great review. And Patti Blount, director of the Durand Public Library, writes:
"A very delightful holiday mystery to read. Body In The Sleigh was the first book that I read from this author. Although I recent have seen her books when I was traveling through Vermont. The mystery was very suspenseful and kept me guessing until the end. After reading this book, I am thinking of purchasing some more books from the series for my library."
For more reader reviews of The Body in the Sleigh, click here. Stay warm!
Aprilynne Pike, Book Buzz, Books, Brom, Charlaine Harris, Collection Development, Dead Witch Walking, Eos, Fantasy, Jeaniene Frost, Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Libraries, Margaret Ronald, Melissa Marr, New York, New York Public Library, Out of this Eos, Paranormal Romance, Richard Kadrey, Sandman Slim, Science Fiction, Spiral Hunt, Stephanie Meyers, The Child Thief, True Blood, Twilight, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, YA
Sci-fi Book Buzz at the NYPL
Today we've got a special guest blog from editrix extraordinaire, Diana Gill, of Out of this Eos. Many of us are overwhelmed by the amount of offerings in sci-fi/fantasy, but Diana is here to give us a great introductory course in the genre. Sherecently presented upcoming Eos titles at the New York Public Library–her full presentation can be found here: Download Book Buzz Eos.
Without further ado, here she is!
"A couple of weeks ago I presented current and upcoming Eos titles (science fiction, fantasy, urban and supernatural fantasy) to a group of approximately 40 NYC librarians in an SF Book Buzz panel, along with editors and marketing people from Del Rey and Macmillan. It was my first time presenting to librarians (versus, say, fans at conventions), and I had a blast.
I talked about both some recent Eos titles and about our upcoming Winter ’10 list, which includes titles from Robin Hobb, Kim Harrison, and Raymond E. Feist, among others. Afterwards, we offered each librarian a choice of one of several Eos titles, from science fiction to epic fantasy to urban/supernatural fantasy. The most titles most requested were SANDMAN SLIMby Richard Kadrey, Brom’s dark retelling of Peter Pan, THE CHILD THIEF, and Margaret Ronald’s urban fantasy SPIRAL HUNT. Several people were interested trying sf/f, and not sure where to start.
Urban fantasy (and its cousin paranormal romance) is the easiest gateway to the genre—since it takes place in a world that is very much our own, only with magic. Not coincidentally, it’s also the hottest thing going, between the phenomenon that is Stephenie Meyers' Twilight saga to the incredibly popular True Blood tv series. Urban fantasies are an easy way for readers to try the genre, and there are a lot of great ones out there.
…
Books, Ian Sansom, Libraries, Mobile Library Series, Mystery/Suspense
The Bad Book Affair
Attention all you Ian Sansom fans! He is back with another book in the Mobile Library Mystery Series. The Bad Book Affair, on sale January 19th is his fourth novel in the series and stars Israel Armstrong, the classically funny librarian who solves crimes while driving the mobile library around the north coast of Ireland. Israel finds himself trying to solve the mystery of a missing teenage girl…one who’s a bit troubled and also happens to be the daughter of a local politician. Don’t miss this exciting mystery as Israel tries to find the missing teen, while trying to solve a few problems of his own. The Bad Book Affair is the perfect book to read while sitting in a cozy chair with your favorite warm beverage!
Enjoy,
-Bobby
Books, Libraries, Publishers Weekly
The Breach
Check out this rave STARRED review of Patrick Lee’s THE BREACH and their PICK OF THE WEEK.
If you’re looking for a great ‘guy’ book, this is it. This is a white-knuckle debut thriller starring an ex-convict who combines the government conspiracy angle of “24’s” Jack Bauer with the action of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, with a dash of supernatural suspense
There’s also a strong female character at the center of the book, with a bit of a budding romance, so this should appeal to female readers as well.
-Virginia
Books, Just Because, Libraries, The New Yorker
Cut-up
Books truly can transport you.
Check it out:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/11/paper-dreams.html
-Virginia
Autism, Books, Family, Inspiration, Libraries
The Autism Sourcebook
Check out this wild video of a child transformed:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/08/autism-a-journey-of-recovery/
Then check out THE AUTISM SOURCEBOOK by Karen Siff Exkorn (the mother featured in the video.)
-Virginia
Charles Todd, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Publishers Weekly, Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap, The Red Door
Charles Todd
The amazing mother-son writing team known to readers as Charles Todd has another winner on their hands. Check out the GREAT starred review of The Red Door from PW. I’d love to hear what you think about this book. Download Publishers Weekly Monday, December 7, 2009
If you send me an email with your address – and a promise to review the book – I’ll happily send you a free copy. Your review will appear here on Library Love Fest. Just send your complete mailing address to librarylovefest at harpercollins dot com.
Mystery lovers, UNITE!
-Virginia
American Library Association, Book Buzz, Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Libraries
What’s New for Summer 2010? Find Out Today!
The HarperCollins Library Marketing Team
cordially invites you to attend our
Summer 2010 Title Presentation
at
The American Library Association's Midwinter Conference
Saturday, January 16, 2010
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel
(Connected to the Boston Convention Center)
425 Summer Street
Burroughs Room
Boston, Massachusetts
The HarperCollins Children’s Books Library Marketing Team will present their titles from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Get the inside track on your favorite authors and discover a few new ones along the way!
Seating is limited, so RSVP your attendance to:
Bobby.Brinson@harpercollins.com
Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you in Boston!
American Library Association, Books, Elizabeth Beckwith, Libraries, Parenting, Raising the Perfect Child Through Guilt and Manipulation, The Huffington Post
He’ll Go Down in History: The Re-Examined Story Of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
If you attended ALTAFF's The Laugh's on Us program at ALA in Chicago, you might remember the hilarious comedienne Elizabeth Beckwith, author of Raising the Perfect Child Through Guilt and Manipulation, which we've blogged about here. She had the entire room in stitches–I remember actually gasping for breath because I was laughing so hard. So of course, I was super-excited to see her holiday-themed post for The Huffington Post. It's worth a read, just for the following quote alone:
"'Christmas Town is very political, you have to kiss a lot of ass, and it's very unforgiving toward misfits. It's the dirty little secret that nobody talks about,' Blitzen remarked before sullenly finishing his drink."
Happy Friday!
-Kayleigh
Books, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Libraries, Race, Relationships, Slavery, Wench, Women
Happy Friday!
When I was on vacation recently, I had the opportunity to read a fascinating and eye-opening book. Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (on sale in January 2010) is the story of three female slave mistresses and the friendship they built despite living in a period of oppression. Every summer, slaveholders would take their slave mistresses to a place called “Tawawa House”, a resort in Ohio that had a main building and several cottages where the slave master and slave mistress would co-exist as a couple. It was very well known, yet a very well kept secret.
Wench focuses on three women, Lizzie, Reenie and Sweet, who each year along with their slave masters would reside in Tawawa House. These women built a lasting bond and always looked forward to seeing each other. They were content and enjoyed their time at Tawawa House…they were in short, “happy”…or so they thought. Along comes a fourth slave mistress named Mawu, who rocks their standard way of living and thinking. She also plants the idea of something very forbidden…escape to freedom. When a tragedy strikes the resort, the lives of Lizzie, Reenie and Sweet are never quite the same.
What I appreciated about Wench is the way in which the author really captured the lives and thoughts of these women. Dolen Perkins-Valdez removes their masks and taps into their very soul. It made you see that (in their minds) they confused little liberties with being truly happy and free. While they may have had the ability to read (a skill that slaves were not allowed to have) or didn’t have to do as many chores as the other slaves on the plantation, they were still dehumanized and degraded. In addition, this book really made you feel like you were there in that period of our country’s history, experiencing the highs and many lows in their lives. I could not put this book down.
I am SO excited about this book that I would love to hear your comments. I will send free copies of Wench to the 12 lucky people who send us a comment or an email at librarylovefest at harpercollins dot com. If you would be so kind as to send a brief review of the book, I would greatly appreciate it! I hope you find Wench as revealing and heartbreaking as I have.
Enjoy!
-Bobby
Alcoholism, Books, Catholicism, Cherry, Family, Lit, Mary Karr, Memoir, New York Times, The Liars' Club
Lit (in more ways than one!)
You might have heard a little something in print, or cyberspace, about the New York Times' list of the 10 Best Books of 2009. Here at Harper, it was a major thrill to see that Mary Karr's white-hot memoir, Lit, made the list. The New York Times writes:
This sequel to “The Liars’ Club” and “Cherry” is also a master class on the art of the memoir. Mordantly funny, free of both self-pity and sentimentality, Karr describes her attempts to untether herself from her troubled family in rural Texas, her development as a poet and writer, and her struggles to navigate marriage and young motherhood even as she descends into alcoholism.
Browse inside the book and click here for the full Top 10.
-Kayleigh
Books, Cooking, Food and Drink, Katherine Hall Page, Mystery/Suspense, The Body in the Sleigh
Reader Review: The Body in the Sleigh
We've been getting in some great reviews of Katherine Hall Page's The Body in the Sleigh. Here's the latest, from Melissa Stream (Madison, WI):
"I received a copy of this book a few weeks ago and loved it. I haven't read any other books in this series by Katherine Hall Page; I'm excited to find a new author with lots of books she's written already for me to catch up on. The story was just suspenseful enough, but I was appreciative of the author to leave out excessive gore and violence. The story was rich around Faith's family and I fell in love with Mary and her goats. To be presented with such a gift out of the blue, she handled it with grace and almost gratitude, and not to mention she was a natural! I looked forward to breaks at work and quiet time at home when I could get wrapped up in this cozy novel!
Thanks so much for the book!"
For more reader reviews, and the original book/review swap post, click here.