Librarian cartoons

These cartoons seem to reflect well my struggle with the web 2.0 technologies. Here's to grumpy technophobic librarians.

Human resources in the Library

The most useful resources in the library are the people that use it. You can be as useful or as useless as you like. None of the other resources are useful unless they are being used by the users. ( This is a bit of a tongue twister)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I was reluctant to read this book because reviews described it as shocking, harrowing and depressing. Friends said it was bleak, but compelling. Compelling was the hook. From the first sentence it was a book you couldn’t put down. You were frightened constantly of what might happen to the Father and son wandering the stark desolate landscape. The nameless father and son are trying to survive in some kind of post holocaust world, where vegetation and many life forms have been destroyed. There are other people in the landscape too, but they are all too afraid to reach out to each other. The boy works on his father conscious to try and retain some semblance of humanity. The boy’s hope keeps us all going.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1956973,00.html

The March by EL Doctorow

Doctorow’s description of the long torturous American civil war march with thousands of Union soldiers, freed negroes, Reb prisoners and homeless civilians, following Sherman, is tiresomely moving. The picture of a mass of humanity, falling in love, killing each other, adapting to any situation just to survive is quite frightening. The book reveals both the craziness of war and that war sends people crazy.
I loved the character of Pearl who is a survivor. She is a “ white” negro who is determined to live a life she chooses . Emily, the confederate judge’s daughter just hooks up with the union army medical corps because she has no where to go. The army doctor Wrede, doesn’t care what side his workers come from as long as they’re willing to clean up the blood and the severed limbs and he can try his experimental surgery without interference. Arly adapts to the life of a Union or Reb soldier depending the situation. He just wants to save himself and his friend Will. When his friend dies he decides to take a crazy stand that may finally give him some peace.. I was very pleased when the Union finally won the war, because I didn’t think I could have fought another battle.

The life and times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Christine described this memoir of growing up in 1950's America as very good. She suggests it had many similarities to growing up in in 1950's Australia. The time newspaper describes it as "tender , hilarious and true" , undoubtedly a good holiday read.

Trouble shooting challenging behaviour by Flintant J.O'Regan

This book caught my eye because of its sub heading "Can't learn. Won't Learn. Dont Care. " These are attitudes many teacher, parents and even students themselves are constantly facing.
The book is actually addressing Behaviourial, emotional and social difficultuies in learning. Can't learn are students with Attenjtion Deficit Hyperactivity disorder, those who Won't learn often have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and those who Don't care whether they learn or could be experiencing Conduct disorder. The book offers strategies and suggestions to deal with these behaviours. It is well worth a read if you have had any experience of these disorders.

Belly Dancing for Beginners by Liz Byrski

This is definitely chick lit for the over 50's. You might say lots of sexy stuff then? No just women finding themselves after years of being repressed, with a hint of romance.

Bellydancing is the answer to all. ( I don't remember the belly dancing class I did in Deni a few years ago i being nearly as liberating as this book implies.)

The characters fit a pretty standard mould. Gayle is meek and mild with a brutal husband, living in an austenacious house that isn't of her choosing. She is a librarian ( of course) and generally appears to allow her husband to treat her like dirt. However the belly dancing reveals another side....

Brian is the brutal philandering obnoxious husband. No one can understand why Gayle would even have married him let alone live with him for 30 odd years. ( There is a dark secret here)

Angie, their newly married daughter appears to be repeating her mother's mistakes.

Marissa is the 60 year old dope growing, hippie, bellydancer with a traumatised past, advoiding love at all costs. ( She provides the entertainment at Angie's hens night)

Frank is the uptight Vietnam vet and copper looking for luurv particularly in Marissa's direction.

Sonya is the public servant boss invited to Angies wedding. She seems to make friends very easily. ( That is why she quickly becomes bosom buddies with the other belly dancers even though they only met last week.) She is everyone's friend and adviser except for family. They still treat her like a 12 yearold (so what's new). She has a few family skeletons she needs to sort out.

Oliver is a friend of Gayle and than Sonya. He thinks he is a feminist, following in his mother's footsteps but in actual fact all he can really think about is himself. He turns to the tango ( rather than bellydancing)and therapy to find his answers. I can't really see where he fits into the story except that the girls leaving on a belly dancing trip give him the opportunity to have coffee on his own ( and have even more deep and meaningful thoughts.)

Some how these characters mesh to make a story where each one tries to confront their dreams, their fears, their long lost relatives , friends and enemies. Somehow the key to all is bellydancing and a little therapy and lots of coffee and wine. I am surpised at how quickly these people clicked when individually they had been isolated ( and often hiding from each other) for so long. The story line is predictable and comfortable as all great chick lit should be. You feel slightly sick after reading it, like you have just eaten too much chocolate, but you still go back for more.There will probably be a sequal, or if not, a novel that has very similar characters and story lines that you can pig out on.