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Post by liriodendron on Mar 21, 2012 19:05:37 GMT -5
Should it? That's all for now. I have opinions, but I'd like to hear yours first. (For those of you unfamiliar with this title, you can read more here. |
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Post by BoatBabe on Mar 21, 2012 19:55:50 GMT -5
I don't know, but I'll find out!
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Post by joew on Mar 21, 2012 19:56:15 GMT -5
I have no idea whether my local public library has it, and I'm not going to ask. Asking could be taken as an expression of interest, which could be a factor inducing them to buy it (not that one person's interest would be enough, but the more "interest" the more likely the are to acquire it). The article says nothing about the book which makes it seem to be worth buying, so I hope the library won't waste its money on it.
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Post by Jane on Mar 21, 2012 21:47:26 GMT -5
Um, I don't think I'll ask. My husband's last job was human resources director at the library, and I'm careful what I check out. I tell him that if he doesn't watch it, I'll be taking out books with titles like "Dealing with a husband who drinks" or "Curing ED! Fast, easy and Fun"
If this is the new Twilight, I think I should read Twilight first.
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Post by joew on Mar 22, 2012 0:48:06 GMT -5
… My husband's last job was human resources director at the library, and I'm careful what I check out. I tell him that if he doesn't watch it, I'll be taking out books with titles like "Dealing with a husband who drinks" or "Curing ED! Fast, easy and Fun" … Literally LOL |
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Post by jspnrvr on Mar 22, 2012 5:41:51 GMT -5
OMG! This has been all the buzz at my spin class!
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Post by BoatBabe on Mar 22, 2012 9:37:40 GMT -5
OMG! This has been all the buzz at my spin class! I don't know whether to ;D or  |
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Post by gailkate on Mar 22, 2012 11:23:51 GMT -5
Not only have I never heard of this book, but I don't know what a spin class is. I'm off to Texas for 6 days, so you all discuss this while I'm gone. You know the old wildly wide-open essay questions that made you want to smack the teacher? Here you go: EROTICA
Discuss |
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Post by Jane on Mar 22, 2012 13:03:28 GMT -5
Well, see, a spin class is where over 40 somethings get together and SPIN yarns (I mistyped and wrote it "yearns" and that may be more accurate) about their errotic histories. Then whoever tells the best story wins the prize.
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Post by jspnrvr on Mar 22, 2012 18:04:42 GMT -5
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Post by jspnrvr on Mar 22, 2012 18:06:26 GMT -5
Well, see, a spin class is where over 40 somethings get together and SPIN yarns (I mistyped and wrote it "yearns" and that may be more accurate) about their errotic histories. Then whoever tells the best story wins the prize. "errotic"=erratic? |
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Post by jspnrvr on Mar 22, 2012 18:16:02 GMT -5
OMG! This has been all the buzz at my spin class! I don't know whether to ;D or When I don't spin I Zumba  |
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Post by BoatBabe on Mar 22, 2012 18:40:02 GMT -5
Purple is so your color, Jay!
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Post by BoatBabe on Mar 22, 2012 18:48:07 GMT -5
Not only have I never heard of this book, but I don't know what a spin class is. I'm off to Texas for 6 days, so you all discuss this while I'm gone. You know the old wildly wide-open essay questions that made you want to smack the teacher? Here you go: EROTICA
Discuss Well, have a Great Time in Texas, gk! From what I hear, you really didn't need to go south to get a tan.  |
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Post by doctork on Mar 23, 2012 20:00:24 GMT -5
I had never heard of the book, but then I don't go to spin class or Zumba.
I do not know if my public library has it. In fact I am a little confused as to what/which is my public library, as I have 3 different library cards in 3 different states.
I have not read "The Hunger Games" either, so I have no plans to stand in line to see the movie. I have been caught up in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) the past couple days, tomorrow too. No spare time for anything.
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Post by doctork on May 23, 2012 20:17:11 GMT -5
NBC Nightly News had a feature about the book(s) tonight, reporting on several libraries that refuse to stock the book. Several other librarians in other districts commented along the lines of "Libraries serve the community, so if our patrons want to read the book, we'll stock it."
I still have not read the book(s) - there are apparently 3 in the series - but I am remembering the librarian in Whatcom County who stood up to the FBI and CIA by refusing to surrender borrower records when a copy of the Koran had notations in the margins and the feds wanted to know who made them.
That was shortly before I bought my own copy of the Koran and paid cash instead of using my B&N account or credit card.
I guess I am on the side of "Librarians serve the community." And librarians defend us from agents of the government nanny state. Thanks librarians.
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Post by BoatBabe on May 23, 2012 21:34:05 GMT -5
I saw that on the NBC Nightly News tonight, too.
The books are available at our library, if you can wait long enough on the list.
;D
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Post by Jane on May 23, 2012 21:36:09 GMT -5
I think it sounds icky. And, from what I hear, it is also badly written. I won't be reading it. (Or them-three, right?)
I have finished two of the Hunger Games books and thought they were great fun, well written and even thought provoking. I also just read Michael Moore's semi-autobiography titled "Here Comes Trouble" and liked it a lot. He's an awfully good right and, usually, right.
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Post by BoatBabe on May 23, 2012 21:39:30 GMT -5
I think it sounds icky. And, from what I hear, it is also badly written. I won't be reading it. (Or them-three, right?) I have finished two of the Hunger Games books and thought they were great fun, well written and even thought provoking. I also just read Michael Moore's semi-autobiography titled "Here Comes Trouble" and liked it a lot. He's an awfully good right and, usually, right. I haven't heard anything that makes the books sound "icky." Will you elaborate? |
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Post by Jane on May 24, 2012 7:54:59 GMT -5
My "icky" book review comes from reading about the book which is apparently heavy on bondage, humiliation and domination (which the woman in the book loves). I don't think I would love it, in a book or in real life.
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Post by BoatBabe on May 24, 2012 9:05:19 GMT -5
My "icky" book review comes from reading about the book which is apparently heavy on bondage, humiliation and domination (which the woman in the book loves). I don't think I would love it, in a book or in real life. The reviews by panting readers don't seem to include humiliation as degradation. Degradation doesn't work for me, either. Having not read it/them, I can't say. It seems a lot of readers REALLY like the series. Again, having not read the series, I can't figure out where the line is drawn between this series and the rest of those Bodice-Rippers that are sold openly in drug stores and grocery check-out lines at the eye level of a four-year old. Every library has every series. No one is up-in-arms about that. Since the woman in the book appears to love it, she must be a willing participant. That's how turn-ons work, even when pushing the limits of personal experience. This just stinks of self-righteous censorship to me. |
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Post by doctork on May 24, 2012 9:57:25 GMT -5
Fortunately, based on the news report of presence in most libraries, I don't think there is that much censorship.
The First Amendment can be a blessing (or a curse).
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Post by BoatBabe on May 24, 2012 18:35:04 GMT -5
So, what say you, Lirio?
Does your library own copies? How do you feel about "soft porn?" And what is the comparison with libraries that censor it vs libraries that don't?
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Post by BoatBabe on May 24, 2012 18:36:17 GMT -5
I have to admit, there are books I wouldn't read on a bet, but I still support libraries that stock them.
Modifying to add: It's like television for me. I can't stomach Reality TV, or anything that requires judges and audience-participation voting. I'm not petitioning to have the crap removed. I just don't watch it.
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Post by Jane on May 25, 2012 8:11:17 GMT -5
Even if I wanted to read it, I'd be too embarrased to check it out or put it on hold since Bill used to be the human resources person at the library and hired most of the people there.
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Post by BoatBabe on May 25, 2012 8:57:09 GMT -5
Even if I wanted to read it, I'd be too embarrased to check it out or put it on hold since Bill used to be the human resources person at the library and hired most of the people there. Maybe you could get a little old church-going lady to check it out for you. It would probably do her reputation some good. That is kinda limiting for you, isn't it, Jane? |
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Post by joew on May 25, 2012 11:15:10 GMT -5
I have to admit, there are books I wouldn't read on a bet, but I still support libraries that stock them. Modifying to add: It's like television for me. I can't stomach Reality TV, or anything that requires judges and audience-participation voting. I'm not petitioning to have the crap removed. I just don't watch it. Most libraries have limited funds available for purchases, and virtually none (other than perhaps the Library of Congress) acquire every book that is published. So IMO they shouldn't throw their money away on junk. Every library decides not to purchase tons of stuff every year. It's not about censorship; it's about responsible use of resources. |
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Post by liriodendron on May 25, 2012 17:23:07 GMT -5
Well, I have a lot to say about this, but probably not all in this one post.
Both of the libraries where I work have purchased the book(s). The library in the more affluent town ($4+ million budget) has purchased 24 copies (of the first one - I didn't check on the other two) and (as of this afternoon when I checked) all copies were checked out with over 125 people waiting for it. The less wealthy town library (their entire budget - including salaries and benefits of all the employees - is about the same as the materials budget of the wealthier library) has purchased three copies and has a shorter list of people waiting for it (I didn't work there today and couldn't check the numbers). Suffice it to say that it has proven popular at both locations and there has not been any uproar over owning it.
My own opinion is closer to Joe's - especially regarding the less wealthy library. In fact, initially, the Director there had said we would not be buying it. I actually agreed with her on this, though not due to feeling a need to censor it. There are so many books that this library cannot afford to buy that we NEED (more current nonfiction, such consumer health and medical books, that quickly become outdated; fresh copies of classics; newer travel books; more up-to-date computer materials, to name just a few), that I can't see spending our precious book budget on what is basically erotica. Or, as I put it to some of my colleagues, "Let them buy their own damn porn."
All libraries have (or should have) collection development policies to guide their purchasing and there is a difference between selection and censorship.
The rest of my points will have to be made after I get dinner for my family. I will end, however, by saying that I am astonished at the lack of embarrassment that folks have had when asking about the book. I think that says something about our society today. Even 30 years ago, when I got my MLS, most people wouldn't have thought that a public library should stock a book like this and I doubt they'd have thought to stride up to the desk and ask about it. I keep trying to think of comparisons from earlier times. The only book that comes to mind is The Story of O. I don't remember that being in any public library that I frequented.
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Post by BoatBabe on May 26, 2012 0:07:40 GMT -5
Well, while you are doing research for us, Lirio, I would like to know how many copies the Rich Library and the Poor Library each have of "Lady Chatterley's Lover," one of the most renowned Porn Books from 1928. Times change, and clearly the book you are speaking of has been deemed not literary, as was that book back then. I'm just curious. |
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Post by liriodendron on May 26, 2012 6:11:04 GMT -5
That was easy. I can check the catalogs of both libraries from home. (It's the number of people waiting for the book that I can't determine from the public side of things.)
The rich library owns 7 copies of the book (in 3 different editions, including The historic, unexpurgated Grove Press edition), as well as 1 audiobook version. Only 1 (dead tree) copy of the book is checked out at the moment. The poor library owns 1 copy of the book, as well as a (French language with optional Englih subtitles) DVD entitled, "Lady Chatterley" (which is sitting on the shelf right now).
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