PLA Blog

The hardest thing for me, when getting that suitcase ready, is deciding what knitting projects to take, and deciding what books to take. 

For knitting, I have to consider the ideal “en route” project, and then have a few “projects in reserve” in my checked bag.  Since this is the PLA blog and not my knitting blog, I won’t bother addressing that issue further.

Now for the books - what do the rest of you print-addicts do?

I generally like to take only old, ratty-looking paperbacks - usually one each of mystery and romance (nothing like some cheap schlock to calm me down on a bumpy flight). They can be picked up and put down so easily, and even though they’re library books, if I lose one I won’t be out much moola to pay for it. Paperbacks are also suitably light and small. This time, however, I’m reading Free for All by Don Borchert. Have you seen it yet?  It’s the story of his library life, repleat with stories of customers who sound so familiar I find myself visualizing the whole of it in my own library branch.  I’ve been laughing out loud with nearly every chapter because Borchert has a way of putting words together that makes me hear is sarcastic smile. This is not the Feel Good Librarian, though, so don’t expect delightful, smiling children and kind, sweet librarians throughout. It’s gritty and honest and hits the urban library nail right on the head.

I know it’s terribly trite to be reading a Librarian’s Memoir while traveling to PLA, but I just can’t resist - it’s hilarious reading, and I’m only 1/3 of the way through. I am forcing myself to pack it in the checked bag, though, and only read it in the privacy of my hotel room. I have standards, afterall.

I’ve got a mystery to read en route, my first book by Nevada Barr. I’ve given it the “10 page test” and like it so far, so I think it’ll do me for tomorrow. I can sleep much better tonight, knowing my reading and knitting . . . and for that matter my first PLA Blog post . . . are ready.

 Looking forward to blogging with/for you all.

 Cat

The New York Times has posted their 100 Notable Books of the Year list, which includes titles from The Book Review since the Holiday Books issue in early December 2005. The titles are conveniently divided into just two categories: Fiction & Poetry and Nonfiction.

Also of note is that on that very same page you can sign up for the Books Update E-Mail to have the NYT book reviews sent to you via email every Sunday. Check out the sample email to see what you could receive in your email inbox each week.

Visiting the forum, you can log in and share your views on the chosen books on the list by posting a comment (if you don’t have an account, creating one is free), or read what other people think about the selections. Just want to read the posts, but don’t have an account, and don’t feel like signing up for one? Try using a free NYT login through the free bugmenot service.