Readers Are Everywhere!

You probably know by now that I'm a dog person. Cats aren't really my thing. However, even I will admit that this is a really cute story about a cat who reads.


I was in the "lobby" of an auto body shop the other day. (I was waiting for an estimate on some damage after being rear-ended, in case you were wondering. Body shops aren't my typical hangout.) Anyway, it was early and as the guys (probably mid-twenties to mid-thirties) were turning on computers, etc., I heard one mention that he's reading the second Enemy book by Charlie Higson, and that it's really good. I love unexpectedly hearing people talk about books, especially when they are adults talking about young adult titles.

Books From My Childhood

• Any L.M. Montgomery fans? I thought I had read all of her books way back when, but I found one the other day that I haven't read - At the Altar: Matrimonial Tales. I'm guessing it's not as well known as some of her other books.
• I did read the Emily of New Moon books, and just discovered it was made into a television series; there are four seasons that aired in Canada from 1998-2000. I'm going to give it a try. It's been so long since I read the books, I figure I won't really notice any major differences between the two.
• I read on A Fuse #8 that Albert Whitman and Company are reprinting Flicka, Ricka, Dicka And Their New Skates by Maj Lindman, and, it will come with paper dolls! I read all of these books and the boy ones (Snipp, Snapp and Snurr), too. So, so excited! Watch for this in August and buy a copy for every little girl you know.

Reading in Snatches

I have several books that I've been reading in snatches - they are written in ways that I can easily pick up the book and choose a section to read, then put it down and come back later. These are great books, and I'm enjoying making them last. Plus, it is always nice to have something to pick up and read when you only have ten or fifteen minutes.

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From A Children's Book
edited by Anita Silvey

This is a collection of essays by a wide range of notable people. Each person discusses a book that impacted his or her life. Each entry also contains a selection from the book mentioned, as well as a bit of background information on the book and author. I got this book for Christmas, and every now and then I take it off the shelf and read an essay or two. I'm not going through the book in any particular order, I just read what catches my eye at the time. Highly recommended, especially for anyone who loves children's literature.

Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful,

Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By

by Lesley M.M. Blume 

I am loving this! In the format of an encyclopedia, Blume writes about an array of things that she would like to bring back. It's a fascinating look at history, and it's interesting to me, that many of the things she writes about I have learned of from reading other books. She writes of calling cards, and immediately I was reminded of Laura's pa giving her money to purchase name cards from the printer, and the time she spent deciding on which design to select (Little Town on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder). And, I am personally vowing to start using the term acquaintance more.

(Blume is also the author of several wonderful children's books.)

A Family of Readers: The Book Lover's Guide to Children's and Young Adult Literatureby Roger Sutton and Martha V. Parravano (editors of the The Horn Book Magazine)                                 This book contains so much information! I'm taking my time my reading a library copy, and have just about reached my limit on renewals. Geared toward parents, it covers reading from birth to teens - board books, young adult titles, poetry, nonfiction...this is a book you can easily pick up and simply read the section that pertains to you and the age of your children.

I feel like this quote from the introduction sums it up perfectly, when Sutton calls this a book "for parents who wish their children would be a wee bit more understanding when Mom or Dad is lost in a book." (p. xiii) If I had kids, that's totally the kind I'd want. But seriously, this is a great resource.

A Few Things

• I have been doing some thinking about my blog. I started it for a couple of reasons, the biggest being that I just wanted to discuss books I was enjoying. I knew I also wanted to include good dog books, and so I started Paisley's Pick. I also knew I wanted it to be a kind of "one-stop shopping place" in that maybe you find something for yourself to read, and then the next time you find something for your child. Beyond that, I didn't really have a plan. I've got a couple of more ideas for features, so watch for come new things in the coming week or so. I would love to be that blogger that lets you know you can find adult titles on a certain day, picture books on another, but...I'm not that organized yet. But - good things (I think) to come.
• Check out this video about books being organized on shelves. It's more fascinating than it sounds! Link via the Swap-bot blog.
• I've been meaning to share this website, which is part of the Morton Grove Public Library's website. It is a great resource when you're looking for something new to read. It has lists arranged by books with a particular type of character, or a particular setting or subject, books geared toward a certain audience, etc. It also has lots of lists for author read-alikes, in that if you like this author, you'll probably like these authors as well. It is often one of my go-to sites when recommending books.

An Affirmation from Barnes & Noble

I recently placed an order from Barnes & Noble. They sent the confirmation email, and I scrolled through the thank you, how to check the status or change your order, and then I got to this sentence: "You've read this far into the email, which makes you a true reader." Oh, I am a true reader. Barnes & Noble, thank you for noticing.

And in case one of the three people that reads this blog is in cahoots with the FCC, I have no vested interest in where anyone buys their books. Actually, I'd like to encourage you to use your local library.

Currently reading: Juliet: A Novel by Anne Fortier