Robert H. Champlin Memorial Library

 West Warwick, RI

Opening in 1967 after 10 years of work to get it funded and built. Due to the growth in the area, a renovation to double the size took place in 1990. This was the first that I encountered with a specific classroom dedicated to ESL, English as a second language. They have a book nook room for sales, a large room for crafts and a combination children’s and teen’s section. Not the quietest area as you might expect.

https://www.wwpl.org/history

Book Statues

ask.

 

As I visit different libraries I have noticed I am drawn to the statues. Here are some examples of the statutes I have come across in or near libraries. I enjoy seeing the children reading the most. If you have any questions about locations, feel free to ask.

The Hour I First Believed

 Book Review 

By Wally Lamb

?/5*

I had some free time coming so I chose the largest book on my tbr bookshelf. A whopping 730 pages coming up. I try not to read the book jacket before starting a book. I find, at times, they give away a little too much. I have read other large books and can see why they are so long. This book felt like I was reading 3 different books. I really enjoyed the start. A wife experience of “witnessing” Columbine as the school nurse. It continued with how it affected her and her husband. The next story was about his immediate family growing up. The third was about his ancestors. It was difficult to finish but I wanted to know how things worked out for the husband and wife. 

4.2/5* story #1

3.4/5* story #2

3/5* story #3

A Quest

 Have you ever been on a quest for an older book?

I know, I know the internet has changed the proverbial book search. It just so happens I know readers that are or were on a book quest. They scour used book stores. They try local library book sales. It can be like a hobby to find this unicorn. More time spent on the search the more rewarding it will be once it is found. 

One person who enjoyed this challenge mentioned it to the wrong person. This friend said,” I can find it for you.”

He did. It was online and in the mail several days later. I can tell you it was quite a letdown for someone else to find it. The friend was trying to be helpful of course.

Sometimes online will only have a first edition. That may not be in our budget. The search continues.

The Tipping Point

Book Review 

By Malcolm Gladwell

4/5*

What is the trigger in which something becomes an epidemic? Is it natural or man-made? The author discusses many experiments and focus groups to determine how things change. He starts with the craze of Hush Puppy shoes. Sales were all but over until the right group decided it would be great to wear. People saw them being worn again. Next thing you know they’re popular once more.

I enjoyed the focus groups watching Sesame Street. They analyzed so many parts of the show. What works well, what children loved and what they ignored. Every marketer should read the depths that were taken to create this television show. 

There were studies on crime in New York City in the nineties. Statistics can help in every industry to make trends or break them when needed.

Book Titles with the word BOOK or LIBRARY in it

 What is it that draws you to buy certain books? 

I have recently found many books I have read recently or are in my tbr bookshelf have either the word bookshop, library or the like in it. I may have never read the author before but those words make me want to read them. I haven’t always run into the best stories. I mentioned Books by McMurty in another post. Others have been a little too cutesy for my taste such as Lighthouse Library Mystery by Gates.

My favorite of the LIBRARIES : Midnight Library by Haig. I also have a post regarding this book.

My favorite of the BOOKSTORES: A little harder to pick. I’m going to go with the Bookshop on the Corner by Colgan.

The books in the picture are literally on my tbr bookshelf.

New Year New Goal

 In the past I have set a goal each January for how many books I want to read. More recently I have added a percentage of fiction to nonfiction. I use GoodReads to keep track.

2017–35 ✅

2018–40✅

2019–60✅

I kept 60 as a goal for a few years until I realized how it was changing my choice of books. I started looking at the number of pages before picking my next read. I was also getting anxious at the end of the year about whether I would meet my goal. I didn’t want reading to be a chore. I want to relax and enjoy reading. I want to spend time on other projects such as creating this blog! I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts about books, bookstores and libraries even if no one but me reads it.