We who work in libraries are often confronted with this remark: “Oh, you work in a library; how nice to be able to sit around all day and read.”
If you see one of us reading on the job, most likely we are immersed in reviews so more materials can be ordered, or you might catch one of our children’s staff during a story time. The rest of the work day, we are busy with assorted tasks with no time to sit around and read.
Many of us do like to read for pleasure, though, as evidenced by our Staff Picks ‘slider’ on our homepage at mybcpl.org. Learn about other staff recommendations below.
“The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story by Lily Koppel” is a favorite of staff members Teresa Reynolds and Michelle Williams. Read this book and you will receive a view into the lives of the wives of the Mercury 7 astronauts, including the tight scrutiny the women endured and how they supported each other.
Reynolds also recommends “Year of No Clutter: A Memoir” by Eve O. Schaub, available at all of our locations and on Overdrive and Hoopla. As one reviewer wrote, “Year of No Clutter is a deeply inspiring (and frequently hilarious) examination of why we keep stuff in the first place, and how to let it all go.”
Inspirational fiction titles were recommended by staff members Missy Henderson and Sharon Thompson. Sharon Garlough Brown’s “Sensible Shoe” series, centered on four women who support each other through life’s trials, is favored by Henderson. Thompson enjoyed Irene Hannon’s “Private Justice” series.
A 5-year old is missing and returns to her family a week later. What happens after is the key to “After Anna” by Alex Lake, the most recent read of Bookmobile Manager Valerie Baute. We do not own this title. If you want to read this selection, you will need to borrow it through Interlibrary Loan, one of the many services provided by your library.
Tricia Gilson, archivist and curator with the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives, thoroughly enjoyed her most recent reads, “Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood,” by bell hooks and “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” by Barack Obama. Author hooks recalls growing up in a poor Southern black family in her book. This title needs to be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan. The local library has two copies of Obama’s tome.
Digital Media Specialist Curtis Hartwell has been enjoying kids books. He and his son are reading “The Bad Guys” by Aaron Blabey and with his daughter the “Miss Bindergarten” kindergarten books.
“Playing with Power: Nintendo NES Classics” by Garitt Rocha is, according to Reference Supervisor Tyler Munn, historical and instructional.
Reference Librarian Robert Mixner is currently reading “Egyptomania: A History of Fascination, Obsession and Fantasy” by Ronald H. Fritze.
“My favorite book ever is ‘Night Circus’ by Erin Morgenstern. It changed my mind about fantasy books,” children’s staff member Amanda Ballard said.
“American Gods” by Neil Gaiman was better the second time around according to Children’s Services Specialist Jodi Prather.
Books I have read recently include “All is Not Forgotten” by first-time novelist Wendy Walker and Beverly Lewis’ latest, “Ebb Tide.”
The next time you visit us, feel free to ask us for reading suggestions. We love to share.
Mary Clare Speckner is the community services coordinator at the Bartholomew County Public Library. She can be reached at 812-379-1266 or [email protected].
