Later, Alligator
March 7, 2010

Cause it’s been a hellva week. I’ll see you next Sunday evening. In the meantime, please read. I promise I am doing the same. When I come back I’ll have a report on my latest, a travel memoir about an unusual road and the journey on it.

Upcoming Book Festivals:
Two book festivals next weekend in Arizona and Missouri will warm the hearts of bibliophiles in those states. First, Arizona is the site of the Tucson Festival of Books beginning Saturday, March 13 and running through Sunday, March 14. This is one of the larger and most diverse book festivals, and well worth attending if you are in or will be near Tucson. Among their activities and events are panels covering a wide variety of reading interests, author presentations and interviews, signings, workshops for writers, children’s and youth activities, poetry readings, live music, culinary activities, art, science, theatre productions, and much, much more.

The Children's Literature Festival, which is for children in grades 4 to 10, brings more than forty authors and illustrators to  Warrensburg, Missouri, for three days of glorious literary fun on March, 14, 15, and 16. The festival opens on Sunday so that adults interested in children’s literature (children are welcome if accompanied by an adult) can join in the fun. The day includes a special luncheon with keynote speaker Jan Greenberg after which the authors and illustrators are available for informal conversation and book signings. On Monday and Tuesday, the authors and illustrators will be scheduled to speak to the children in six sessions throughout the day, and exhibitions will be open for public viewing. Registrants may select those they wish to meet.

The Pub House:
Encounter Books publishes “serious books for serious readers” in the fields of biography & memoir, business & entrepreneurship, cultural criticism, current events, education & family, history, politics & international relations, religion & ethics, medical ethics & biotech. Looking at their new titles makes me think this publisher has a notable bias—never a good thing in a publisher that wants to appeal to a wide audience—but there still seem to be some good books even if you disagree with their political favoritism. Thrift: Rebirth of a Forgotten Virtue seems  peculiarly well suited to today’s economic uncertainty. The book traces the history of thrift from its beginnings in the Scottish enlightenment (18th century) to the famous or infamous credo represented by Sam Walton. The Human Factor: Inside the CIA’s Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture offers a look at an agency that fails the country’s presidents in terms of accurate intelligence while managing to spend enormous sums, violates its mission, and yet manages to enrich some former and current employees without Congressional oversight. It’s one of the most dangerous federal agencies, and it operates with impunity. The author, a former deep cover case officer, argues that reform is essential if the country and its allies are to avoid succumbing to the menace it presents.

Imaging Books & Reading:
How do you get books to read when you live in rural areas with no libraries? Well, if you’re in Venezula you wait for the Bibliobmulas (book mules) to visit. Courtesy of the University of Momboy, which began the project of bringing books to villages too far and too high up in the Andes for any regular transportation of books.

Of Interest:
The National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest aims to inspire college and university students to become accomplished bibliophiles. Established in 2005, the annual competition honors the top prize-winners who have shown “intelligence and originality” and an “understanding of the collection’s subject and its bibliography as well as the creativity of approach.” Entry rules can be found on this page. The deadline is Friday, June 4, 2010.

This Week . . .
If you live in Los Angeles you no doubt remember the public support given to the library when a devastating fire in 1986 came very near to destroying the main library in downtown. Many long and hard hours later, 1,800 volunteers had managed to save a substantial part of the collection. Now the library is asking for help again. This time, the city like many is targeting this important institution in the face of budget cuts. The city’s major has proposed massive cuts beginning with an 11% cut (more than almost every other city department) and going on in the new fiscal year. Among the effects: fewer hours’ closed branches; less computer time’ no storytime or other programs for children, teens, and adults; no literacy services; and no new books. I encourage BiblioBuffet’s readers in the area to  become involved with Save the Los Angeles Public Library. This site offers both a way to contact your local council representative and a “budget challenge.”

Even if you don’t live in the area, or if you don’t use a library remember that how important reading is to you. Become involved in your library’s struggle to survive. It’s more than important; it’s essential. Because at some point in almost every reader’s life the library made a difference for you. Fight to allow it make a difference for others.

Until next week, read well, read often and read on!

Lauren