Reading
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When handling hundreds of books long packed away, a few will stand out. Not only do I want to keep those in this photo, I want to read or re-read them next year. It’s part of the process of the Great Sort. While living in Mainz, Germany, I had a stamp made with my military… Read more
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I spent two hours rearranging poetry books in my stacks. I decided eight 23-inch shelves was enough poetry and some had to go. Now there is an eight-inch stack of poetry books awaiting disposition. Poetry measured in inches. I rearranged the poetry so more in which I have interest rest at eye level. On top… Read more
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By late Sunday night, I was ready for the deathly weekend to end. An acquaintance my age, with whom I worked at a transportation and logistics firm, died unexpectedly of a heart attack. His obituary was in the Sunday newspaper. There were the shootings in the news: Brown University in Rhode Island, and Bondi Beach… Read more
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In late November I’ve read 63 books this year. Not all of them were good, yet many of them were exceptional. This post is about books I am glad to have read this year. The Politics of Resentment by Katherine Cramer Cramer’s examination of rural political consciousness — and the resentment often directed toward “liberal… Read more
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Like every progressive activist, I want news from reliable sources — newspapers, newsletters, blogs, and social media. The question is always, “Who is active and can tell me something I haven’t heard elsewhere?” Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American is the top Substack, with more than 1.3 million subscribers. It’s a must-read. There are… Read more
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Last night I spent time reading in a Discord group. That means about seven members of the community got together on the platform, set a timer for 45 minutes of quiet reading, then had a discussion after we finished. A couple of things stood out. The time went quickly, and it was fun to know… Read more
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Afternoon plans changed after the optometrist dilated my pupils. It was part of my annual eye exam, in which I seek to monitor whether or not diabetes is showing in my retina. I got an all clear diagnosis but the dilation persisted well into the afternoon. I could not bear working outdoors on a sunny… Read more
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On Monday, March 31, National Public Radio reported the Institute of Museum and Library Services placed its entire staff on administrative leave. While the employee count is low at about 70, the impact of the institute across the country is high. I recently posted about all they do to help public libraries in my community.… Read more
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Saturday I went to town to view the selection at the public library used book sale. There wasn’t much of one. The perimeter of the room had the usual tables of young adult, romance and adult fiction books with an ample amount available. My interest is usually in the center tables, which this year were… Read more
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Editor’s Note: House File 274 passed out of subcommittee on Monday, Feb. 17, 2-1. A bill in the Iowa legislature seeks to repeal Section 728.7 of Iowa Code. This section provides a long-standing obscenity exception for libraries and educational institutions. According to the bill, nothing in code prohibits the use of appropriate material for educational… Read more
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