Tag Archives: book lists

Books, CMLE

Successful African American Read-In event!

Thank you to everyone that was able to join us last week for our African American Read-In event at CMLE HQ! As you can see from our setup, we had plenty of awesome library materials to browse, reading lists to examine, and yummy snacks to enjoy. Lady Grey was even a quiet participant.

What is an African American Read-In? “During the month of February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In.”

Did you miss the event but are still interested in learning more about African American literature? These books were some of our favorites:

And check out these booklists for further reading!

Perhaps African American literature is a genre you’ve already been enjoying and appreciating? If so, we want you to come join us for our podcast episode on the subject! Please email us at admin@cmle.org and we’ll set up a time in March to record! (Important Note: you do NOT need to be an expert!)

Communication, General, Tech

Cool app: LibraryThing

Maybe you’ve already heard about the LibraryThing app? It’s been around for a few years as an app for iOS devices only, but they have recently launched their app for Android! (And it’s free!)

This app sounds like a great way to keep your personal library collection organized. And it even allows you to add media like DVDs and CDs. A few more features include:

  • Browse and search your library overall and by collection.
  • Add books, CDs, and DVDs by scanning barcodes. The barcode scanning is SUPER FAST!
  • Add items by searching by title, author, ISBN, etc.
  • Browse and upload covers, using your Android’s camera.
  • Do minor editing, such as adding books to collections and rating them. Major editing is done by a link to LibraryThing.com.

Check out their fun video here:

Do you use this app? We’re interested to hear how you like it! Leave a comment and let us know!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

A boatload of book lists!

sunset sailingWe didn’t want you to have to worry about running out of reading material this summer, so we have compiled a boatload of book lists in the hope that the biggest problem you’ll run into is choosing what to read first! The lists are diverse, featuring everything from YA, famous authors recommending obscure books, and books about food (including cookbooks). Now you can sail off into the sunset with your new favorite book.

 21 brilliant books you’ve never heard of

Books to help young people struggling with mental health issues

Book winners from the International Association of Culinary Professionals

June 2016 reading list from Library Reads

YALSA booklists (look in the left frame for booklists)

Books read and recommended by successful people

From the recent Book Expo of America: this list of the best children’s books

Bonnaroo reading list

 

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (Armando Castillejos), licensed under CC0 1.0
General, Public, School Media Specialist

Featured book: Dare to Disappoint

DareToDisappointThis post is part of an original series created by librarians/media specialists across Central Minnesota featuring books.

Title: Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci
Review by: Maria Burnham, Media Specialist at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School

Graphic memoir has become such a wonderful genre, and Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci is no exception. This book is the story of Ozge’s childhood in Turkey and touches on the restrictive government the people of Turkey lived under during her childhood. But the book is really a coming-of-age story where Ozge is forced to choose between what she loves (the theater and the arts) and what society thinks she should do (engineering, math or science).
This graphic memoir is a journey of typical growing pains for every child–sibling rivalry, fighting with parents, and social situations in school with friends–and yet the book is so much more. I learned about the Turkish government and their educational system. Ozge highlights how her liberal parents balanced their liberal views in a conservative society. There were some heavy topics in the book, yet I never felt weighed down in sorrow when reading the book. Perhaps it was because the illustrations are whimsical and easy to read and digest.

I love that this book is part of my print collection!

Would you like to review a book for CMLE readers? It is easy, we let you take the reins on the length and tone of your review. Send an email to admin@cmle.org if you are interested in adding your name to the book review corral!

General, Public, School Media Specialist

YALSA Director weighs in on the future of book lists

librariansRecently, YALSA announced their recent round of book lists. Naturally, there are some great books on the lists, but an interesting blog post by Diane Colson, YALSA Director, takes their release as an opportunity to examine the process and generation of YALSA books lists. In particular, she wonders if the current model works in a time of social media, eBooks, and instant access.

Current Model

YALSA currently puts out book lists choosing topics that might be of interest to teens. “The books must be available in paperback, to keep them within easy purchasing range.” Colson mentions that “these lists have long been resources for both readers’ advisory and collection development, keeping library staff abreast with the new and wonderful.” But as Colson also points out, its currently not uncommon for library staff to discover books before they’re published! Sites like NetGalley, Edelweiss, and listserves like yalsa-bk listserv are full of book titles long before they make it on any formalized list.

Dynamic Lists

So what is the future of book lists? One suggestion by Colson is the idea of dynamic lists. Lists that can change at anytime. Lists that have books added and removed when it is appropriate. The idea of dynamic lists seem more aligned with current methods of book lists on sites such as GoodReads or Amazon. But even Colson admits that YALSA is at the beginning stages of this examination. Needless to say, book lists, dynamic or static, are here to stay.

Check out the whole post now for more about the discussion.