tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972299034263824032024-02-18T22:22:55.776-06:00The Almost Epic Adventures of an International* LibrarianStories from a globe-trotting bibliophile Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-66070655705741548702019-03-01T19:06:00.001-06:002019-03-01T19:06:48.149-06:00REVIEW: "Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother's Will to Survive" by Stephanie LandMaid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A story of resilience and perseverance, Stephanie Land was a homeless, single mother who was living paycheck to paycheck and on government assistance just trying to provide the best life for her young daughter, but still had big dreams that she wanted to pursue. This story not only addresses her Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-9815415203876273692019-02-16T08:30:00.000-06:002019-02-16T08:31:40.309-06:00REVIEW: "The Last Romantics" by Tara ConklinThe Last Romantics by Tara Conklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have a lot of feelings about "The Last Romantics" and to begin, I picked it up because it reminded me of "The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin. But beyond the leafy cover that binds the story of four siblings, that's pretty much where the similarities end. Conklin constructs a beautifully poetic tale of the Skinner siblings that starts Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-33722135889117509472017-10-08T14:31:00.002-05:002017-10-08T14:31:59.348-05:00"The Mountain Between Us" Book ReviewThe Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was intrigued by this book because of the upcoming movie adaptation and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Basic premise: Ashley and Ben are two people who are rushing to get home (for their own separate reasons) and decide to take a charter plane to beat the incoming storm. Alas, due to unavoidable Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-11624702988358846732017-09-09T16:45:00.002-05:002017-09-09T16:59:20.530-05:00"The Flower Workshop: Lessons in Arranging Blooms, Branches, Fruits, and Foraged Materials" Book ReviewThe Flower Workshop: Lessons in Arranging Blooms, Branches, Fruits, and Foraged Materials by Ariella Chezar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I remember taking a flower arranging class during my undergrad and it being loads of fun, so I was excited to receive this book to review. Bottom line, this book is gorgeous (!!) with pages of pictures of various flower arrangements and color schemes that had my Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-41156456874809903462016-04-13T19:13:00.003-05:002016-04-13T19:13:54.534-05:00"Since You've Been Gone" Book ReviewSince You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sounds like a repeat of other teen summer fare, but this caught me off guard with the challenges encountered and lessons in bravery, love and authenticity learned by the characters. For fans of "Paper Towns", "The F It List" and "Let's Get Lost", this will definitely keep you interested til the last page.
View all my reviews
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-27954162312850434492016-04-13T19:09:00.003-05:002016-04-13T19:09:47.582-05:00"Cats in Paris" A Magical Coloring Book ReviewCats in Paris: A Coloring Book of the Felines of Paris by Won-Sun Jang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
How does one properly rate a coloring book? I think that constructing a review was the most tedious part, in which I had to resort back to the book for its therapeutic purpose of relieving stress via coloring. SO, here's a review that will provide insight into the two biggest things that I think go intoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-42471627535005146602015-12-26T17:13:00.001-06:002015-12-26T17:13:26.481-06:00"The Perfect Egg" is the Perfect CookbookThe Perfect Egg: A Fresh Take on Recipes for Morning, Noon, and Night by Teri Lyn Fisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have made the mistake that I think everyone has made in their lives... I've bought too many eggs. This cookbook rescued me and my fear of wasting food with classic and diverse dishes for every meal of the day that has reveling in amazement for the one and only incredible edible egg. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-68580182814650378072015-04-21T09:42:00.002-05:002015-04-21T09:42:44.599-05:00"Better Nate Than Ever" Book ReviewBetter Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was adorable and definitely fits into the "follow your dreams" theme while still standing out for its own merit. Nate is a thirteen year old who is a self proclaimed theater kid, obsessed with musicals, stage dancing, and even costume planning, all of which are sufficient reasons for his constant bullying at school and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-9907521046595193692015-04-04T10:25:00.000-05:002015-04-04T10:25:35.285-05:00"The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life" Book ReviewThe Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life by Mike Matheny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Never have I read a book that has provided more insight into principles of coaching and becoming a better player. Providing insight into personal values, Christian beliefs and consistent motivation to become a better athlete, this is a book that truly gives inspiration Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-51391369546974493422015-03-29T16:10:00.003-05:002015-03-29T16:10:58.565-05:00Effects of the 2008 Icelandic Economic Recession on Libraries-- Article Review
In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins.
--Ulysses S. Grant
As a current school librarian, managing a budget for my Media Center is both a blessing and a curse. I can manage money in the sense of spending it on the acquisition of materials that my students will enjoy, but then I worry about the accounting procedures.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-65967995277583591412015-03-29T12:31:00.001-05:002015-03-29T12:32:14.634-05:00Recap: Iceland Research Trip 2015This past week, I had the very fortunate opportunity to travel to Iceland to complete research for my project studying International Librarianship as part of my Masters in Library Science. As part of the project, I read materials relating to the libraries of Iceland, studied aspects that I find most pertinent to my own career, and toured facilities to see how they functioned in relation to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-21583114083774131602015-01-22T13:01:00.000-06:002015-01-22T13:01:37.433-06:00Destination: Iceland
"I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life."
--Leo Tolstoy, Family Happiness
The initial reaction of those I discuss my upcoming research trip to Iceland includes a combination of dramatic eyebrow raises, jaw dropping, and an exclamation of "oh wow", shortly followed by the dreaded question asked of a newbie researcher... "What are you going to do thereUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-32975172260670652632015-01-08T13:09:00.000-06:002015-01-08T13:09:08.501-06:00"The Almost Epic Adventures of an (International) Librarian in Training" Origin Story
Good morning my readers!
I was recently asked as to the purpose of this blog and the explanation behind it's purpose, and I felt compelled to explain it once again in blog format.
"The Almost Epic Adventures of an (International) Librarian in Training"--The Origin!
I started the blog way back when because my good friend (and motivator to become a librarian) Erin Cataldi had one and I was Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-47513995396823240642015-01-07T22:44:00.002-06:002015-01-07T22:44:38.454-06:00"Curious History of Wonder Woman" Book ReviewWonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine by Tim Hanley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Part 1 of the Wonderful Wonder Woman Reading Challenge!How hard it is to give a four star rating to a book about my favorite superhero.... But let's begin the debate shall we?I picked up this book because I love Wonder Woman. And I got Wonder Woman. I got the history behind the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-32282986096427734542015-01-06T18:33:00.001-06:002015-01-06T18:33:01.504-06:00"Sneaker Century" Book ReviewSneaker Century: A History of Athletic Shoes by Amber J. Keyser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMG shoes!Seriously guys, I just read a book about shoes! "le sigh"I, like many others, own many pairs of shoes, specifically sneakers. I need a pair to run, to boat, to dance, for work, date outfits, etc and this book reaffirms everything I believe-- there is nothing wrong with a shoe obsession.This book is aUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-88902384159272240722014-12-30T19:45:00.000-06:002014-12-30T19:45:02.109-06:00Why International Librarianship??"Oh the places you'll go!" --Dr. Seuss
It is in human nature to explore.
It is trendy to visit places that intrigue us.
It is natural to want to meet others.
It is studious to seek further education about the global perspective.
It is being a librarian that will share the results of what is found with others.
--Tara Foor, from, well, this blog post.
I've always wanted to study abroad. In fact Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-28712952798361113152014-12-28T16:36:00.001-06:002014-12-29T18:56:10.674-06:00"The Girl Who Came Home" Novel ReviewThe Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Titanic disaster is one of the most documented historical events in the era of pop culture and fiction. I kid you not, but "My Heart Will Go On" was playing mentally while I began reading this book, simply because we combine our previous knowledge as human beings to help us understand new stories we encounter.Grace uncovers the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-29464784282890644152014-12-27T20:23:00.002-06:002014-12-27T20:23:49.061-06:00The Idea"An idea. Resilient, highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it's almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed, fully understood. That sticks, right in there somewhere." -Inception
From a young age, I've always loved to read, but a more guilty pleasure of mine was to play pretend and act out scenes from the latest bedtime stories. For those of you who Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-7866295603717458032014-10-20T15:35:00.000-05:002014-10-20T15:35:31.613-05:00"The Drop" Novel ReviewThe Drop by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great crime-noir drama that mirrors the likes of "Mystic River" and dare I say the epic "Heat" saga with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.Bob is a bartender at his Cousin Marv's bar which acts as a "drop" for money being transferred between crime syndicates...Everything is hunky dory until the bar gets robbed and Bob and Marv have to come up with Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-40342885773528935802014-02-01T22:32:00.000-06:002014-02-01T22:32:08.944-06:00"Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess" Literary ReviewBible Stories for His Beautiful Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A bedtime staple for young girls to read and learn about various Bible stories at a young age, with a colorful, pretty, Disclaimer: I do not have any children. However, I am a teacher and future librarian, so that should have credibility in some shape or form. As a former Girl Scout leader, I also evaluated Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-66031219639642841712014-01-21T07:50:00.000-06:002014-01-21T07:50:21.029-06:00"Happy Utopia Day, Joe McCarthy!" Literary ReviewHappy Utopia Day, Joe McCarthy by J.T. Lundy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After receiving this book in the mail from Goodreads First Reads Giveaways, I was thoroughly impressed with this espionage parody and the adventurous misfortune that happened to besiege the protagonist throughout the fun, quirky plot.Chris Thompson leads a simple life with a simple job, but receives a sporadic assignment from Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-17994039076275818592014-01-07T16:47:00.000-06:002014-01-07T16:47:00.107-06:00"Lookaway, Lookaway" Audiobook ReviewLookaway, Lookaway by Wilton Barnhardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
To satisfy the Southern stereotype that is projected consistently by narrator Scott Shepard, "Lookaway, Lookaway" is a cool mint julep that soothes the reader's soul but leaves them woozy with family drama that rivals mobster movies and reality television shows. Jerene Jarvis Johnston is a classic Southern belle who will do anything Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-70491036213635862812014-01-07T12:12:00.001-06:002014-01-07T12:12:22.331-06:00"Dune" Literary ReviewDune by Frank Herbert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hailed as a Science-Fiction masterpiece, there are many reasons why anyone who considers themselves an intellectual should pick up Herbert's classic.1. There is a TON of planning in it! Down to political views, ecological standpoints, and hierarchies, there is nothing that comes close to the exemplary structure that unfolds within this three "book" Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-31741673480107865222013-12-26T16:01:00.002-06:002013-12-26T16:01:50.651-06:00"A Call to Resurgence" Literary ReviewA Call to Resurgence: Will Christianity Have a Funeral or a Future? by Mark Driscoll
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Being offered a chance to read and review this title, I began with the mindset that I would be learning more about the decline of Christianity during today's modern digital age, and I expected an explanation about what was happening and solutions to the problem. What I found while reading Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-697229903426382403.post-5152008370305876392013-12-23T10:58:00.003-06:002013-12-23T10:58:48.258-06:00Literary Review: "Matched"Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first in a less popular series, yet is praised as being well written for the Young Adult dystopian romance literature genre. Cassia is a young woman who is about to be Matched-a procedure in which the Society chooses your match that you will spend the rest of your life with. She's ecstatic that it's Xander, her best friend, but what happens when Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0